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Khan N, Uribe Isaza J, Rouhi N, Jamani NF, Jabeen S, Gill AK, Tsutsui M, Visser F, Sargin D. Behavioral and Neurophysiological Implications of Pathological Human Tau Expression in Serotonin Neurons. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:932-943. [PMID: 38377680 PMCID: PMC10921395 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative disorder that results in a severe loss of brain cells and irreversible cognitive decline. Memory problems are the most recognized symptoms of AD. However, approximately 90% of patients diagnosed with AD suffer from behavioral symptoms, including mood changes and social impairment years before cognitive dysfunction. Recent evidence indicates that the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is among the initial regions that show tau pathology, which is a hallmark feature of AD. The DRN harbors serotonin (5-HT) neurons, which are critically involved in mood, social, and cognitive regulation. Serotonergic impairment early in the disease process may contribute to behavioral symptoms in AD. However, the mechanisms underlying vulnerability and contribution of the 5-HT system to AD progression remain unknown. Here, we performed behavioral and electrophysiological characterizations in mice expressing a phosphorylation-prone form of human tau (hTauP301L) in 5-HT neurons. We found that pathological tau expression in 5-HT neurons induces anxiety-like behavior and alterations in stress-coping strategies in female and male mice. Female mice also exhibited social disinhibition and mild cognitive impairment in response to 5-HT neuron-specific hTauP301L expression. Behavioral alterations were accompanied by disrupted 5-HT neuron physiology in female and male hTauP301L expressing mice with exacerbated excitability disruption in females only. These data provide mechanistic insights into the brain systems and symptoms impaired early in AD progression, which is critical for disease intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazmus
S. Khan
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Juan Uribe Isaza
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Nahid Rouhi
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Naila F. Jamani
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Shaista Jabeen
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Amisha K. Gill
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Mio Tsutsui
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Frank Visser
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
| | - Derya Sargin
- Department
of Psychology, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of
Medicine, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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2
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Harris BN, Yavari M, Ramalingam L, Mounce PL, Alers Maldonado K, Chavira AC, Thomas S, Scoggin S, Biltz C, Moustaid-Moussa N. Impact of Long-Term Dietary High Fat and Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Behavior and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Amyloidogenic APPswe/PSEN1dE9 Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2024; 114:553-576. [PMID: 38301617 DOI: 10.1159/000536586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) alters neurocognitive and emotional function and causes dysregulation of multiple homeostatic processes. The leading AD framework pins amyloid beta plaques and tau tangles as primary drivers of dysfunction. However, many additional variables, including diet, stress, sex, age, and pain tolerance, interact in ways that are not fully understood to impact the onset and progression of AD pathophysiology. We asked: (1) does high-fat diet, compared to low-fat diet, exacerbate AD pathophysiology and behavioral decline? And, (2) can supplementation with eicosapentaenoic (EPA)-enriched fish oil prevent high-fat-diet-induced changes? METHODS Male and female APPswePSdE9 mice, and their non-transgenic littermates, were randomly assigned to a diet condition (low-fat, high-fat, high-fat with EPA) and followed from 2 to 10 months of age. We assessed baseline corticosterone concentration during aging, pain tolerance, cognitive function, stress coping, and corticosterone response to a stressor. RESULTS Transgenic mice were consistently more active than non-transgenic mice but did not perform worse on either cognitive task, even though we recently reported that these same transgenic mice exhibited metabolic changes and had increased amyloid beta. Mice fed high-fat diet had higher baseline and post-stressor corticosterone, but diet did not impact cognition or pain tolerance. Sex had the biggest influence, as female mice were consistently more active and had higher corticosterone than males. CONCLUSION Overall, diet, genotype, and sex did not have consistent impacts on outcomes. We found little support for predicted interactions and correlations, suggesting diet impacts metabolic function and amyloid beta levels, but these outcomes do not translate to changes in behaviors measured here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna N Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research and Innovation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Mahsa Yavari
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research and Innovation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular Metabolism, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Latha Ramalingam
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research and Innovation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Department of Nutritional and Food Studies, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - P Logan Mounce
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | | | - Angela C Chavira
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Sarah Thomas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Shane Scoggin
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Caroline Biltz
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
| | - Naima Moustaid-Moussa
- Obesity Research Institute, Office of Research and Innovation, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, USA
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3
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Vasunilashorn SM, Lunardi N, Newman JC, Crosby G, Acker L, Abel T, Bhatnagar S, Cunningham C, de Cabo R, Dugan L, Hippensteel JA, Ishizawa Y, Lahiri S, Marcantonio ER, Xie Z, Inouye SK, Terrando N, Eckenhoff RG. Preclinical and translational models for delirium: Recommendations for future research from the NIDUS delirium network. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2150-2174. [PMID: 36799408 PMCID: PMC10576242 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Delirium is a common, morbid, and costly syndrome that is closely linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD) as a risk factor and outcome. Human studies of delirium have advanced our knowledge of delirium incidence and prevalence, risk factors, biomarkers, outcomes, prevention, and management. However, understanding of delirium neurobiology remains limited. Preclinical and translational models for delirium, while challenging to develop, could advance our knowledge of delirium neurobiology and inform the development of new prevention and treatment approaches. We discuss the use of preclinical and translational animal models in delirium, focusing on (1) a review of current animal models, (2) challenges and strategies for replicating elements of human delirium in animals, and (3) the utility of biofluid, neurophysiology, and neuroimaging translational markers in animals. We conclude with recommendations for the development and validation of preclinical and translational models for delirium, with the goal of advancing awareness in this important field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarinnapha M. Vasunilashorn
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nadia Lunardi
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - John C. Newman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, California, USA
| | - Gregory Crosby
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leah Acker
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ted Abel
- Department of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Seema Bhatnagar
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Colm Cunningham
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Dublin, Ireland
- Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rafael de Cabo
- Translational Gerontology Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Laura Dugan
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- VA Tennessee Valley Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC), Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Joseph A. Hippensteel
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Yumiko Ishizawa
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shouri Lahiri
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Biomedical Sciences, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Edward R. Marcantonio
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhongcong Xie
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharon K. Inouye
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Niccolò Terrando
- Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, USA
| | - Roderic G. Eckenhoff
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Xu QQ, Su ZR, Yang W, Zhong M, Xian YF, Lin ZX. Patchouli alcohol attenuates the cognitive deficits in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease via modulating neuropathology and gut microbiota through suppressing C/EBPβ/AEP pathway. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:19. [PMID: 36717922 PMCID: PMC9887791 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02704-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunctions and behavioral impairments. Patchouli alcohol (PA), isolated from Pogostemonis Herba, exhibits multiple pharmacological properties, including neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of PA against AD using the TgCRND8 transgenic AD mouse model, and to explore the underlying mechanisms targeting CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β/asparagine endopeptidase (C/EBPβ/AEP) signaling pathway. METHODS After genotyping to confirm the transgenicity, drug treatments were administered intragastrically once daily to 3-month-old TgCRND8 mice for 4 consecutive months. Several behavioral tests were applied to assess different aspects of neurological functions. Then the brain and colon tissues were harvested for in-depth mechanistic studies. To further verify whether PA exerts anti-AD effects via modulating C/EBPβ/AEP signaling pathway in TgCRND8 mice, adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors encoding CEBP/β were bilaterally injected into the hippocampal CA1 region in TgCRND8 mice to overexpress C/EBPβ. Additionally, the fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) experiment was performed to verify the potential role of gut microbiota on the anti-AD effects of PA. RESULTS Our results showed that PA treatment significantly improved activities of daily living (ADL), ameliorated the anxiety-related behavioral deficits and cognitive impairments in TgCRND8 mice. PA modulated the amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing. PA also markedly reduced the levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ) 40 and Aβ42, suppressed Aβ plaque burdens, inhibited tau protein hyperphosphorylation at several sites and relieved neuroinflammation in the brains of TgCRND8 mice. Moreover, PA restored gut dysbiosis and inhibited the activation of the C/EBPβ/AEP signaling pathway in the brain and colon tissues of TgCRND8 mice. Interestingly, PA strikingly alleviated the AD-like pathologies induced by the overexpression of C/EBPβ in TgCRND8 mice. Additionally, the FMT of fecal microbiota from the PA-treated TgCRND8 mice significantly alleviated the cognitive impairments and AD-like pathologies in the germ-free TgCRND8 mice. CONCLUSION All these findings amply demonstrated that PA could ameliorate the cognitive deficits in TgCRND8 mice via suppressing Aβ plaques deposition, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, neuroinflammation and gut dysbiosis through inhibiting the activation of C/EBPβ/AEP pathway, suggesting that PA is a promising naturally occurring chemical worthy of further development into the pharmaceutical treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Xu
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zi-Ren Su
- grid.411866.c0000 0000 8848 7685Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Research of Chinese Medicine, Mathematical Engineering Academy of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Wen Yang
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Mei Zhong
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan-Fang Xian
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Lin
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Hong Kong Institute of Integrative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China ,grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin R&D Centre for Chinese Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
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5
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Černotová D, Hrůzová K, Levčík D, Svoboda J, Stuchlík A. Linking Social Cognition, Parvalbumin Interneurons, and Oxytocin in Alzheimer's Disease: An Update. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:861-875. [PMID: 37980658 PMCID: PMC10741376 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been notoriously challenging for many decades. Therefore, the current focus is mainly on prevention, timely intervention, and slowing the progression in the earliest stages. A better understanding of underlying mechanisms at the beginning of the disease could aid in early diagnosis and intervention, including alleviating symptoms or slowing down the disease progression. Changes in social cognition and progressive parvalbumin (PV) interneuron dysfunction are among the earliest observable effects of AD. Various AD rodent models mimic these early alterations, but only a narrow field of study has considered their mutual relationship. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about PV interneuron dysfunction in AD and emphasize their importance in social cognition and memory. Next, we propose oxytocin (OT) as a potent modulator of PV interneurons and as a promising treatment for managing some of the early symptoms. We further discuss the supporting evidence on its beneficial effects on AD-related pathology. Clinical trials have employed the use of OT in various neuropsychiatric diseases with promising results, but little is known about its prospective impacts on AD. On the other hand, the modulatory effects of OT in specific structures and local circuits need to be clarified in future studies. This review highlights the connection between PV interneurons and social cognition impairment in the early stages of AD and considers OT as a promising therapeutic agent for addressing these early deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Černotová
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Hrůzová
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Levčík
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Stuchlík
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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6
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Lanooij SD, Eisel ULM, van der Zee EA, Kas MJH. Variation in Group Composition Alters an Early-Stage Social Phenotype in hAPP-Transgenic J20 Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:211-224. [PMID: 36970900 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Altered social behavior is one of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that results in social withdrawal and loneliness and provides a major burden on patients and their relatives. Furthermore, loneliness is associated with an increased risk to develop AD and related dementias. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate if altered social behavior is an early indicator of amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in J20 mice, and if co-housing with wild type (WT) mice can positively influence this social phenotype. METHODS The social phenotype of group-housed mice was assessed using an automated behavioral scoring system for longitudinal recordings. Female mice were housed in a same-genotype (4 J20 or WT mice per colony) or mixed-genotype (2 J20 mice + 2 WT mice) colony. At 10 weeks of age, their behavior was assessed for five consecutive days. RESULTS J20 mice showed increased locomotor activity and social sniffing, and reduced social contact compared to WT mice housed in same-genotype colonies. Mixed-genotype housing reduced the social sniffing duration of J20 mice, increased social contact frequency of J20 mice, and increased nest hide by WT mice. CONCLUSION Thus, altered social behavior can be used as an early indicator of Aβ-pathology in female J20 mice. Additionally, when co-housed with WT mice, their social sniffing phenotype is not expressed and their social contact phenotype is reduced. Our findings highlight the presence of a social phenotype in the early stages of AD and indicate a role for social environment variation in the expression of social behavior of WT and J20 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne D Lanooij
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich L M Eisel
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eddy A van der Zee
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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7
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Yao J, Liu Y, Sun B, Zhan X, Estillore JP, Turner RW, Chen SRW. Increased RyR2 open probability induces neuronal hyperactivity and memory loss with or without Alzheimer's disease-causing gene mutations. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:2088-2098. [PMID: 34985200 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuronal hyperactivity is an early neuronal defect commonly observed in familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. METHODS We employed a ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) mutant mouse model harboring the R4496C+/- mutation that markedly increases the channel's open probability (Po) to determine the impact of increased RyR2 activity in neuronal function without AD gene mutations. RESULTS Genetically increasing RyR2 Po induced neuronal hyperactivity in vivo in anesthetized and awake mice. Increased RyR2 Po induced hyperactive behaviors, impaired learning and memory, defective dendritic spines, and neuronal cell death. Increased RyR2 Po exacerbated the onset of neuronal hyperexcitability and learning and memory impairments in 5xFAD mice. DISCUSSION Increased RyR2 Po exacerbates the onset of familial AD-associated neuronal dysfunction, and induces AD-like defects in the absence of AD-causing gene mutations, suggesting that RyR2-associated neuronal hyperactivity represents a common target for combating AD with or without AD gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjing Yao
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yajing Liu
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Bo Sun
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Medical School, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoqin Zhan
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Paul Estillore
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Ray W Turner
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - S R Wayne Chen
- Libin Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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8
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Zhang H, Ben Zablah Y, Zhang H, Liu A, Gugustea R, Lee D, Luo X, Meng Y, Li S, Zhou C, Xin T, Jia Z. Inhibition of Rac1 in ventral hippocampal excitatory neurons improves social recognition memory and synaptic plasticity. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:914491. [PMID: 35936771 PMCID: PMC9354987 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.914491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Rac1 is critically involved in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, neuronal structure, synaptic plasticity, and memory. Rac1 overactivation is reported in human patients and animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and contributes to their spatial memory deficits, but whether Rac1 dysregulation is also important in other forms of memory deficits is unknown. In addition, the cell types and synaptic mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, we used local injections of AAV virus containing a dominant-negative (DN) Rac1 under the control of CaMKIIα promoter and found that the reduction of Rac1 hyperactivity in ventral hippocampal excitatory neurons improves social recognition memory in APP/PS1 mice. Expression of DN Rac1 also improves long-term potentiation, a key synaptic mechanism for memory formation. Our results suggest that overactivation of Rac1 in hippocampal excitatory neurons contributes to social memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice and that manipulating Rac1 activity may provide a potential therapeutic strategy to treat social deficits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwang Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Jinan, China
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Youssif Ben Zablah
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Haorui Zhang
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - An Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Developmental Genes and Human Disease, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Radu Gugustea
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dongju Lee
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Xiao Luo
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yanghong Meng
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Song Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Caoxian People’s Hospital, Caoxian, China
| | - Changxi Zhou
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Medical Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Changxi Zhou,
| | - Tao Xin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong Medicine and Health Key Laboratory of Neurosurgery, Jinan, China
- Tao Xin,
| | - Zhengping Jia
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Zhengping Jia,
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9
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El Hajj A, Herzine A, Calcagno G, Désor F, Djelti F, Bombail V, Denis I, Oster T, Malaplate C, Vigier M, Kaminski S, Pauron L, Corbier C, Yen FT, Lanhers MC, Claudepierre T. Targeted Suppression of Lipoprotein Receptor LSR in Astrocytes Leads to Olfactory and Memory Deficits in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042049. [PMID: 35216163 PMCID: PMC8878779 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Perturbations of cholesterol metabolism have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Glia–neuron crosstalk is essential to achieve a tight regulation of brain cholesterol trafficking. Adequate cholesterol supply from glia via apolipoprotein E-containing lipoproteins ensures neuronal development and function. The lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR), plays an important role in brain cholesterol homeostasis. Aged heterozygote Lsr+/− mice show altered brain cholesterol distribution and increased susceptibility to amyloid stress. Since LSR expression is higher in astroglia as compared to neurons, we sought to determine if astroglial LSR deficiency could lead to cognitive defects similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cre recombinase was activated in adult Glast-CreERT/lsrfl/fl mice by tamoxifen to induce astroglial Lsr deletion. Behavioral phenotyping of young and old astroglial Lsr KO animals revealed hyperactivity during the nocturnal period, deficits in olfactory function affecting social memory and causing possible apathy, as well as visual memory and short-term working memory problems, and deficits similar to those reported in neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD. Furthermore, GFAP staining revealed astroglial activation in the olfactory bulb. Therefore, astroglial LSR is important for working, spatial, and social memory related to sensory input, and represents a novel pathway for the study of brain aging and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aseel El Hajj
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
- Correspondence: (A.E.H.); (T.C.); Tel.: +33-(0)4-8110-6500 (A.E.H.); +33-(0)3-7274-4152 (T.C.)
| | - Ameziane Herzine
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Gaetano Calcagno
- UR 7300, Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (G.C.); (S.K.)
| | - Frédéric Désor
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Fathia Djelti
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Vincent Bombail
- UMR 914, Physiology of Nutrition and Feeding Behaviour, INRAE-Agroparistech-Université Paris-Saclay, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (V.B.); (I.D.)
| | - Isabelle Denis
- UMR 914, Physiology of Nutrition and Feeding Behaviour, INRAE-Agroparistech-Université Paris-Saclay, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France; (V.B.); (I.D.)
| | - Thierry Oster
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Catherine Malaplate
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Maxime Vigier
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Sandra Kaminski
- UR 7300, Stress Immunity Pathogens Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lorraine, 54500 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (G.C.); (S.K.)
| | - Lynn Pauron
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Catherine Corbier
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Frances T. Yen
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Marie-Claire Lanhers
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
| | - Thomas Claudepierre
- UR AFPA Laboratory, Qualivie Team, University of Lorraine, 54505 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France; (A.H.); (F.D.); (F.D.); (T.O.); (C.M.); (M.V.); (L.P.); (C.C.); (F.T.Y.); (M.-C.L.)
- Correspondence: (A.E.H.); (T.C.); Tel.: +33-(0)4-8110-6500 (A.E.H.); +33-(0)3-7274-4152 (T.C.)
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10
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Wang T, Chen Y, Zou Y, Pang Y, He X, Chen Y, Liu Y, Feng W, Zhang Y, Li Q, Shi J, Ding F, Marshall C, Gao J, Xiao M. Locomotor Hyperactivity in the Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease-like Pathology of APP/PS1 Mice: Associated with Impaired Polarization of Astrocyte Aquaporin 4. Aging Dis 2022; 13:1504-1522. [PMID: 36186142 PMCID: PMC9466968 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-cognitive behavioral and psychological symptoms often occur in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and mouse models, although the exact neuropathological mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report hyperactivity with significant inter-individual variability in 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Pathological analysis revealed that intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ), c-Fos expression in glutamatergic neurons and activation of astrocytes were more evident in the frontal motor cortex of hyperactive APP/PS1 mice, compared to those with normal activity. Moreover, the hyperactive phenotype was associated with mislocalization of perivascular aquaporin 4 (AQP4) and glymphatic transport impairment. Deletion of the AQP4 gene increased hyperactivity, intraneuronal Aβ load and glutamatergic neuron activation, but did not influence working memory or anxiety-like behaviors of 4-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Together, these results demonstrate that AQP4 mislocalization or deficiency leads to increased intraneuronal Aβ load and neuronal hyperactivity in the motor cortex, which in turn causes locomotor over-activity during the early pathophysiology of APP/PS1 mice. Therefore, improving AQP4 mediated glymphatic clearance may offer a new strategy for early intervention of hyperactivity in the prodromal phase of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianqi Wang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yan Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Ying Zou
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Yingting Pang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xiaoxin He
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yali Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China.
| | - Yun Liu
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Weixi Feng
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Qian Li
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Jingping Shi
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Fengfei Ding
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Charles Marshall
- College of Health Sciences, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health, Hazard, KY 41701, USA
| | - Junying Gao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Ming Xiao (E-mail: ) or Dr. Junying Gao (), Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
- Brain Institute, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Ming Xiao (E-mail: ) or Dr. Junying Gao (), Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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11
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Misrani A, Tabassum S, Huo Q, Tabassum S, Jiang J, Ahmed A, Chen X, Zhou J, Zhang J, Liu S, Feng X, Long C, Yang L. Mitochondrial Deficits With Neural and Social Damage in Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:748388. [PMID: 34955809 PMCID: PMC8704997 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.748388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be an early event in the onset and progression of AD; however, the precise underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated mitochondrial proteins involved in organelle dynamics, morphology and energy production in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus (HIPP) of young (1∼2 months), adult (4∼5 months) and aged (9∼10, 12∼18 months) APP/PS1 mice. We observed increased levels of mitochondrial fission protein, Drp1, and decreased levels of ATP synthase subunit, ATP5A, leading to abnormal mitochondrial morphology, increased oxidative stress, glial activation, apoptosis, and altered neuronal morphology as early as 4∼5 months of age in APP/PS1 mice. Electrophysiological recordings revealed abnormal miniature excitatory postsynaptic current in the mPFC together with a minor connectivity change between the mPFC and HIPP, correlating with social deficits. These results suggest that abnormal mitochondrial dynamics, which worsen with disease progression, could be a biomarker of early-stage AD. Therapeutic interventions that improve mitochondrial function thus represent a promising approach for slowing the progression or delaying the onset of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afzal Misrani
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,South China Normal University-Panyu Central Hospital Joint Laboratory of Translational Medical Research, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sidra Tabassum
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,South China Normal University-Panyu Central Hospital Joint Laboratory of Translational Medical Research, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingwei Huo
- South China Research Center for Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Medical College of Acu-Moxi and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sumaiya Tabassum
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinxiang Jiang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Adeel Ahmed
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiangmao Chen
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianwen Zhou
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiajia Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sha Liu
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Feng
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Long
- School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,South China Normal University-Panyu Central Hospital Joint Laboratory of Translational Medical Research, Panyu Central Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Yang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
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12
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Shepherd A, Zhang T, Hoffmann LB, Zeleznikow-Johnston AM, Churilov L, Hannan AJ, Burrows EL. A Preclinical Model of Computerized Cognitive Training: Touchscreen Cognitive Testing Enhances Cognition and Hippocampal Cellular Plasticity in Wildtype and Alzheimer's Disease Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:766745. [PMID: 34938165 PMCID: PMC8685297 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.766745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the growing popularity of touchscreen cognitive testing in rodents, it is imperative to understand the fundamental effects exposure to this paradigm can have on the animals involved. In this study, we set out to assess hippocampal-dependant learning in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on two highly translatable touchscreen tasks – the Paired Associate Learning (PAL) task and the Trial Unique Non-Matching to Location (TUNL) task. Both of these tests are based on human tasks from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and are sensitive to deficits in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Mice were assessed for deficits in PAL at 9–12 months of age, then on TUNL at 8–11 and 13–16 months. No cognitive deficits were evident in APP/PS1 mice at any age, contrary to previous reports using maze-based learning and memory tasks. We hypothesized that daily and long-term touchscreen training may have inadvertently acted as a cognitive enhancer. When touchscreen-tested mice were assessed on the Morris water maze, they showed improved task acquisition compared to naïve APP/PS1 mice and wild-type (WT) littermate controls. In addition, we show that touchscreen-trained WT and APP/PS1 mice show increased cell proliferation and immature neuron numbers in the dentate gyrus compared to behaviorally naïve WT and APP/PS1 mice. This result indicates that the touchscreen testing paradigm could improve cognitive performance, and/or mask an impairment, in experimental mouse models. This touchscreen-induced cognitive enhancement may involve increased neurogenesis, and possibly other forms of cellular plasticity. This is the first study to show increased numbers of proliferating cells and immature neurons in the hippocampus following touchscreen testing, and that touchscreen training can improve cognitive performance in maze-based spatial navigation tasks. This potential for touchscreen testing to induce cognitive enhancement, or other phenotypic shifts, in preclinical models should be considered in study design. Furthermore, touchscreen-mediated cognitive enhancement could have therapeutic implications for cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracy Zhang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucas B Hoffmann
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ariel M Zeleznikow-Johnston
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Leonid Churilov
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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13
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Sil A, Erfani A, Lamb N, Copland R, Riedel G, Platt B. Sex Differences in Behavior and Molecular Pathology in the 5XFAD Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 85:755-778. [PMID: 34864660 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is greater in women compared to men, but the reasons for this remain unknown. This sex difference has been widely neglected in experimental studies using transgenic mouse models of AD. OBJECTIVE Here, we studied behavior and molecular pathology of 5-month-old 5XFAD mice, which express mutated human amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 on a C57BL/6J background, versus their wild-type littermate controls, to compared both sex- and genotype-dependent differences. METHODS A novel behavioral paradigm was utilized (OF-NO-SI), comprising activity measures (Open Field, OF) arena, followed by Novel Object exploration (NO) and Social Interaction (SI) of a sex-matched conspecific. Each segment consisted of two repeated trials to assess between-trial habituation. Subsequently, brain pathology (amyloid load, stress response and inflammation markers, synaptic integrity, trophic support) was assessed using qPCR and western blotting. RESULTS Female 5XFAD mice had higher levels of human APP and amyloid-β and heightened inflammation versus males. These markers correlated with hyperactivity observed in both sexes, yet only female 5XFAD mice presented with deficits in object and social exploration. Male animals had higher expression of stress markers and neurotrophic factors irrespective of genotype, this correlated with cognitive performance. CONCLUSION The impact of sex on AD-relevant phenotypes is in line with human data and emphasizes the necessity of appropriate study design and reporting. Differential molecular profiles observed in male versus female mice offer insights into possible protective mechanisms, and hence treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annesha Sil
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Arina Erfani
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Nicola Lamb
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Rachel Copland
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Bettina Platt
- Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, Foresterhill, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
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14
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Si Y, Guo C, Xiao F, Mei B, Meng B. Noncognitive species-typical and home-cage behavioral alterations in conditional presenilin 1/presenilin 2 double knockout mice. Behav Brain Res 2021; 418:113652. [PMID: 34758364 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Impairments in activities of daily living (ADL) are common clinical symptoms of human Alzheimer's disease (AD). Describing the ADL in AD animal models might provide more insights into the mechanism/treatment of the disease. Here, we demonstrated that the forebrain presenilin 1(Psen1)/presenilin 2 (Psen2) conditional double knockout (DKO) mice exhibited deficits in nest building, marble burying and food burrowing starting at 3 months old and worsening at later ages. At 4 months of age, spontaneous activities in the home cage were also impaired in DKO mice, including physically demanding activities, habituation-like behaviors, and nourishment behaviors during the first two hours in the dark phase. These results indicated that loss of function of Psen1 and Psen2 in mice impaired a series of noncognitive behaviors in the early phase of neurodegeneration. This observation suggests that DKO mice are an ideal model for further mechanistic studies of Psen1 and Psen2 functions in regulating noncognitive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youwen Si
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Chao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegne, Netherlands
| | - Fan Xiao
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Tongji University, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Tooth Restoration and Regeneration, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Bing Mei
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
| | - Bo Meng
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
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15
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van Heusden FC, Palacín I Bonsón S, Stiedl O, Smit AB, van Kesteren RE. Longitudinal Assessment of Working Memory Performance in the APPswe/PSEN1dE9 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Using an Automated Figure-8-Maze. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:655449. [PMID: 34054444 PMCID: PMC8155296 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.655449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with a long preclinical and prodromal phase. To enable the study of disease mechanisms, AD has been modeled in many transgenic animal lines and cognitive functioning has been tested using several widely used behavioral tasks. These tasks, however, are not always suited for repeated longitudinal testing and are often associated with acute stress such as animal transfer, handling, novelty, or stress related to the task itself. This makes it challenging to relate cognitive dysfunction in animal models to cognitive decline observed in AD patients. Here, we designed an automated figure-8-maze (F8M) to test mice in a delayed alternation task (DAT) in a longitudinal manner. Mice were rewarded when they entered alternate sides of the maze on subsequent trials. Automation as well as connection of the F8M set-up with a home cage reduces experimenter interference and minimizes acute stress, thus making it suitable for longitudinal testing and facilitating clinical translation. In the present study, we monitored cognitive functioning of 2-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice over a period of 4 months. The percentage of correct responses in the DAT did not differ between wild-type and transgenic mice from 2 to 6 months of age. However, 6-month-old mice displayed an increase in the number of consecutive incorrect responses. These results demonstrate the feasibility of longitudinal testing using an automated F8M and suggest that APP/PS1 mice are not impaired at delayed spatial alternation until 6 months of age under the current experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fran C van Heusden
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sara Palacín I Bonsón
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oliver Stiedl
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E van Kesteren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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16
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Social Nesting, Animal Welfare, and Disease Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041079. [PMID: 33918975 PMCID: PMC8070261 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Most standardized tools to evaluate welfare and disease progression in animals assess the individuals, while social behaviors are scarcely monitored, despite being useful to detecting acute illness and chronic and mental health problems. The main reason is that social behavior is complex and time-consuming. We are currently using the nests built by animals living together, a species-typical behavior naturally occurring in standard housing conditions, to monitor them. Here, we provide an example of its use to evaluate social deficits and the long-term effects of a neonatal tactile-proprioceptive sensorial treatment from postnatal day 1 to 21, in male and female adult mice modeling Alzheimer’s disease compared to mice with normal aging. Social nesting was worse in the mutants, mostly in males, since the number of days needed to build a perfect nest was longer or unsuccessful in a three-day test. Early life intervention was successful. Social nesting, easily included in housing routines, can be a useful tool to assess animal welfare, monitor disease progress, and evaluate potential risk factors and effects of preventive/therapeutical strategies. Other advantages, such as being a noninvasive, painless, simple, short, and low-cost, rend social nesting feasible to be implemented in most animal department settings. Abstract The assessment of welfare and disease progression in animal models is critical. Most tools rely on evaluating individual subjects, whereas social behaviors, also sensitive to acute illness, chronic diseases, or mental health, are scarcely monitored because they are complex and time-consuming. We propose the evaluation of social nesting, a species-typical behavior naturally occurring in standard housing conditions, for such behavioral monitoring. We provide an example of its use to evaluate social deficits and the long-term effects of neonatal tactile-proprioceptive sensorial stimulation from postnatal day 1 to 21, in male and female adult 3xTg-AD mice for Alzheimer’s disease compared to sex- and age-matched non-transgenic (NTg) counterparts with normal aging. Social nesting was sensitive to genotype (worse in 3xTg-AD mice), sex (worse in males), profile, and treatment (distinct time to observe the maximum score and incidence of the perfect nest). Since social nesting can be easily included in housing routines, this neuroethological approach can be useful for animal welfare, monitoring the disease’s progress, and evaluating potential risk factors and effects of preventive/therapeutical strategies. Finally, the noninvasive, painless, simple, short time, and low-cost features of this home-cage monitoring are advantages that make social nesting feasible to be successfully implemented in most animal department settings.
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17
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Olajide OJ, Gbadamosi IT, Yawson EO, Arogundade T, Lewu FS, Ogunrinola KY, Adigun OO, Bamisi O, Lambe E, Arietarhire LO, Oluyomi OO, Idowu OK, Kareem R, Asogwa NT, Adeniyi PA. Hippocampal Degeneration and Behavioral Impairment During Alzheimer-Like Pathogenesis Involves Glutamate Excitotoxicity. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:1205-1220. [PMID: 33420680 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-020-01747-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology include senile plaques accumulation and neurofibrillary tangles, which is thought to underlie synaptic failure. Recent evidence however supports that synaptic failure in AD may instead be instigated by enhanced N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) activity, via a reciprocal relationship between soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and increased glutamate agonist. While previous studies have shown Aβ-mediated alterations to the glutamatergic system during AD, the underlying etiology of excitotoxic glutamate-induced changes has not been explored. Here, we investigated the acute effects of stereotaxic dentate gyrus (DG) glutamate injection on behavior and molecular expression of specific proteins and neurochemicals modulating hippocampal functions. Dependence of glutamate-mediated effects on NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hyperactivation was tested using NMDARs antagonist memantine. DG of Wistar rats (12-weeks-old) were bilaterally microinjected with glutamate (500 mM) with or without daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) memantine injection (20 mg/kg) for 14 days, while controls received either intrahippocampal/i.p. PBS or i.p. memantine. Behavioral characterization in open field and Y-maze revealed that glutamate evoked anxiogenic responses and perturbed spatial memory were inhibited by memantine. In glutamate-treated rats, increased NO expression was accompanied by marked reduction in profiles of glutathione-s-transferase and glutathione peroxidase. Similarly, glutamate-mediated increase in acetylcholinesterase expression corroborated downregulation of synaptophysin and PSD-95, coupled with initiation of reactive astrogliosis (GFAP). While neurofilament immunolocalization/immunoexpression was unperturbed, we found glutamate-mediated reduction in neurogenic markers Ki67 and PCNA immunoexpression, with a decrease in NR2B protein expression, whereas mGluR1 remains unchanged. In addition, increased expression of apoptotic regulatory proteins p53 and Bax was seen in glutamate infused rats, corroborating chromatolytic degeneration of granule neurons in the DG. Interestingly, memantine abrogated most of the degenerative changes associated with glutamate excitotoxicity in this study. Taken together, our findings causally link acute glutamate dyshomeostasis in the DG with development of AD-related behavioral impairment and molecular neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olayemi Joseph Olajide
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. .,Center for Studies in Behavioral Neurobiology, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
| | - Ismail Tayo Gbadamosi
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Central Research Laboratories Ltd, 132b University Road, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Olusola Yawson
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Redeemer's University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Tolulope Arogundade
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Adeleke University, Ede, Nigeria
| | - Folashade Susan Lewu
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Kehinde Yomi Ogunrinola
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Anatomy, School of Post-Basic Nursing, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Oluwaseun Olaniyi Adigun
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Olawande Bamisi
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria
| | - Ezra Lambe
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Leviticus Ogbenevurinrin Arietarhire
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Olushola Oladapo Oluyomi
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Olumayowa Kolawole Idowu
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Rukayat Kareem
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Neurobiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Nnaemeka Tobechukwu Asogwa
- Central Research Laboratories Ltd, 132b University Road, Ilorin, Nigeria.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Philip Adeyemi Adeniyi
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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18
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Van den Broeck L, Sierksma A, Hansquine P, Thonnard D, Callaerts-Vegh Z, D'Hooge R. Comparison between touchscreen operant chambers and water maze to detect early prefrontal dysfunction in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12695. [PMID: 32812350 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The relative lack of sensitive and clinically valid tests of rodent behavior might be one of the reasons for the limited success of the clinical translation of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) research findings. There is a general interest in innovative behavioral methodology, and protocols have been proposed for touchscreen operant chambers that might be superior to existing cognitive assessment methods. We assessed and analyzed touchscreen performance in several novel ways to examine the possible occurrence of early signs of prefrontal (PFC) functional decline in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD. Touchscreen learning performance was compared between APP/PS1-21 mice and wildtype littermates on a C57BL/6J background at 3, 6 and 12 months of age in parallel to the assessment of spatial learning, memory and cognitive flexibility in the Morris water maze (MWM). We found that older mice generally needed more training sessions to complete the touchscreen protocol than younger ones. Older mice also displayed defects in MWM working memory performance, but touchscreen protocols detected functional changes beginning at 3 months of age. Histological changes in PFC of APP/PS1 mice indeed occurred as early as 3 months. Our results suggest that touchscreen operant protocols are more sensitive to PFC dysfunction, which is of relevance to the use of these tasks and devices in preclinical AD research and experimental pharmacology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lore Van den Broeck
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annerieke Sierksma
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pierre Hansquine
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - David Thonnard
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
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19
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Cisternas P, Taylor X, Perkins A, Maldonado O, Allman E, Cordova R, Marambio Y, Munoz B, Pennington T, Xiang S, Zhang J, Vidal R, Atwood B, Lasagna‐Reeves CA. Vascular amyloid accumulation alters the gabaergic synapse and induces hyperactivity in a model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Aging Cell 2020; 19:e13233. [PMID: 32914559 PMCID: PMC7576303 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is typified by the cerebrovascular deposition of amyloid. The mechanisms underlying the contribution of CAA to neurodegeneration are not currently understood. Although CAA is highly associated with the accumulation of β‐amyloid (Aβ), other amyloids are known to associate with the vasculature. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by parenchymal Aβ deposition and intracellular accumulation of tau as neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), affecting synapses directly, leading to behavioral and physical impairment. CAA increases with age and is present in 70%–97% of individuals with AD. Studies have overwhelmingly focused on the connection between parenchymal amyloid accumulation and synaptotoxicity; thus, the contribution of vascular amyloid is mostly understudied. Here, synaptic alterations induced by vascular amyloid accumulation and their behavioral consequences were characterized using a mouse model of Familial Danish dementia (FDD), a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of Danish amyloid (ADan) in the vasculature. The mouse model (Tg‐FDD) displays a hyperactive phenotype that potentially arises from impairment in the GABAergic synapses, as determined by electrophysiological analysis. We demonstrated that the disruption of GABAergic synapse organization causes this impairment and provided evidence that GABAergic synapses are impaired in patients with CAA pathology. Understanding the mechanism that CAA contributes to synaptic dysfunction in AD‐related dementias is of critical importance for developing future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Cisternas
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Xavier Taylor
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Abigail Perkins
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Orlando Maldonado
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Elysabeth Allman
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Ricardo Cordova
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Yamil Marambio
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Braulio Munoz
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Taylor Pennington
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Shunian Xiang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Ruben Vidal
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Brady Atwood
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
| | - Cristian A. Lasagna‐Reeves
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis IN USA
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20
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Torres-Lista V, Giménez-Llort L. Vibrating Tail, Digging, Body/Face Interaction, and Lack of Barbering: Sex-Dependent Behavioral Signatures of Social Dysfunction in 3xTg-AD Mice as Compared to Mice with Normal Aging. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 69:969-977. [PMID: 31156176 PMCID: PMC6598105 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Modeling of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), classically focused on the subject-environment interaction, foresees current social neuroscience efforts as improving the predictive validity of new strategies. Here we studied social functioning among congeners in 13–14-month-old mice with normal aging in naturalistic and experimental conditions and depicted behavioral signatures of dysfunction in age-matched 3xTg-AD mice. The most sensitive variables were vibrating tail, digging, body/face and self-grooming, that can be easily used in housing routines and the assessment of strategies. Sex-specific signatures (vibrating tail, digging, and grooming) defined female 3xTg-AD mice ethogram. All animals sleep huddled while barbering was only found in females with normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Torres-Lista
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lydia Giménez-Llort
- Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Kordás K, Kis-Varga Á, Varga A, Eldering H, Bulthuis R, Lendvai B, Lévay G, Román V. Measuring sociability of mice using a novel three-chamber apparatus and algorithm of the LABORAS™ system. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 343:108841. [PMID: 32621917 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2020.108841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The social approach and social novelty tests utilizing the three-chamber apparatus are widely accepted to measure social behavior of rodents. The LABORAS™ system offers a possibility to assess sociability of mice in a reliable and objective manner. NEW METHOD We assessed the capability of the LABORAS™ sociability cage and algorithm (2.6.6) to detect social behaviors in mice. Furthermore, we investigated whether the system is able to detect various levels of sociability due to genetic background or after pharmacological treatments. RESULTS By comparing manual scoring with various detection zone settings of the automated registration, the most fitting algorithm with a detection zone radius of 90 mm was identified. When different strains were investigated, C57Bl/6 J and NMRI mice proved to be social, while CD1 mice were found asocial. The system was able to detect the sociability increasing effect of R-baclofen (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) and oxytocin (12 ng i.c.v.) in asocial CD1 mice. The negative control PCP impaired social behavior of C57Bl/6 J mice (1 mg/kg i.p.) and increased social avoidance in CD1 mice (0.3 mg/kg i.p.). COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) This setup, in contrast to video frame analysis softwares, determines signal changes caused by movements of rodents allowing accurate detection and analysis of trajectories. Parallel automated measurements also allow replacing time and labor intensive, highly subjective human observational work. CONCLUSIONS The set-up provides a fast and reliable method to examine social behavior of mice in the three-chamber apparatus. The system is capable of detecting pro or antisocial activity of pharmacological agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Kordás
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc, Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Kis-Varga
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc, Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anita Varga
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc, Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Herman Eldering
- Metris B.V., Kruisweg 829c, 2132NG Hoofddorp, the Netherlands
| | - Ronald Bulthuis
- Metris B.V., Kruisweg 829c, 2132NG Hoofddorp, the Netherlands
| | - Balázs Lendvai
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc, Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Lévay
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc, Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktor Román
- Pharmacology and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc, Gyömrői út 19-21, 1103 Budapest, Hungary.
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22
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Kosel F, Pelley JMS, Franklin TB. Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease-related pathology. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 112:634-647. [PMID: 32070692 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse models have been used extensively to model the cognitive impairments arising from Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related pathology. However, less is known about the relationship between AD-related pathology and the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) commonly presented by patients. This review discusses the BPSD-like behaviours recapitulated by several mouse models of AD-related pathology, including the APP/PS1, Tg2576, 3xTg-AD, 5xFAD, and APP23 models. Current evidence suggests that social withdrawal and depressive-like behaviours increase with progressive neuropathology, and increased aggression and sleep-wake disturbances are present even at early stages; however, there is no clear evidence to support increased anxiety-like behaviours, agitation (hyperactivity), or general apathy. Overall, transgenic mouse models of AD-related pathology recapitulate some of the BPSD-like behaviours associated with AD, but these behaviours vary by model. This reflects the patient population, where AD patients typically exhibit one or more BPSD, but rarely all symptoms at once. As a result, we suggest that transgenic mouse models are an important tool to investigate the pathology underlying BPSD in human AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Kosel
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Jessica M S Pelley
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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23
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Kosel F, Hamilton JS, Harrison SL, Godin V, Franklin TB. Reduced social investigation and increased injurious behavior in transgenic 5xFAD mice. J Neurosci Res 2020; 99:209-222. [PMID: 31912571 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Social withdrawal and agitation/aggression are common behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia presented by Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, with males exhibiting more aggressive behaviors than females. Some transgenic mouse models of AD also exhibit social withdrawal and aggression, but many of these models only recapitulate the early stages of the disease. By comparison, the 5xFAD mouse model of AD exhibits rapid, progressive neurodegeneration, and is suitable for modeling cognitive and behavioral deficits at early, mid-, and late-stage disease progression. Anecdotal reports suggest that transgenic 5xFAD males exhibit high levels of aggression compared to wild-type controls, but to date, indirect genetic effects in this strain have not been studied. We measured home-cage behaviors in 5xFAD males housed in three different group-housing conditions (transgenic-only, wild-type only, and mixed-genotype) and social approach behaviors when exposed to a novel free-roaming or restrained, wild-type or transgenic conspecific. Transgenic-only home cages required earlier separation due to injuries arising from aggression compared to wild-type-only or mixed-genotype cages, despite no obvious increase in the frequency of aggressive behaviors. Transgenic 5xFAD males and females also spent less time investigating free-roaming conspecifics compared to wild-type controls, but they showed normal investigation of restrained conspecifics; the genotype of the conspecific did not affect approach behavior, and there was no aggression observed in transgenic males. These findings provide evidence in an animal model that amyloid pathology ultimately leads to avoidance of novel social stimuli, and that frequent interactions between individuals exhibiting an AD phenotype further exacerbates aggressive behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Kosel
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jacob S Hamilton
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Sarah L Harrison
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Victoria Godin
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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24
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Samaey C, Schreurs A, Stroobants S, Balschun D. Early Cognitive and Behavioral Deficits in Mouse Models for Tauopathy and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:335. [PMID: 31866856 PMCID: PMC6908963 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurocognitive disorders, among which Alzheimer's disease (AD), have become one of the major causes of death in developed countries. No effective disease-modifying therapy is available, possibly because current treatments are administered too late to still be able to intervene in the disease progress. AD is characterized by a gradual onset with subclinical neurobiological and behavioral changes that precede diagnosis with years to even decades. The earlier the diagnosis, the earlier potential treatments can be tested and started. Mouse models are valuable to study the possible causes underlying early phases of neuropathology and their reflection in behavior and other biomarkers, to help improve preclinical detection and diagnosis of AD. Here, we assessed cognitive functioning and social behavior in transgenic mice expressing tau pathology only (Tau-P301L) or a combination of amyloid and tau pathology [amyloid precursor protein (APP)-V717I × Tau-P301L]. The mice were subjected to a variety of behavioral tasks at an age of 3-6 months, i.e., at an early phase of their AD-like pathology. We hypothesized that compared to age-matched wild-type controls, transgenic mice would show specific impairments in both cognitive and non-cognitive tasks. In line with our expectations, transgenic mice showed decreased cognitive flexibility in the Morris water maze, decreased exploratory behavior, decreased performance in a nesting task, and increased anxiety-like behavior. In accordance with the amyloid-cascade hypothesis, some of the behavioral measures showed more severe deficits in APP-V717I × Tau-P301L compared to Tau-P301L mice, indicating an exacerbation of disease processes due to the co-occurrence of amyloid and tau pathology. Our study supports the use of behavioral markers as early indicators of ongoing AD pathology during the preclinical phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Samaey
- Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Center for Clinical Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - An Schreurs
- Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stijn Stroobants
- Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Detlef Balschun
- Brain and Cognition, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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25
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Pervolaraki E, Hall SP, Foresteire D, Saito T, Saido TC, Whittington MA, Lever C, Dachtler J. Insoluble Aβ overexpression in an App knock-in mouse model alters microstructure and gamma oscillations in the prefrontal cortex, affecting anxiety-related behaviours. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm040550. [PMID: 31439589 PMCID: PMC6765200 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.040550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied a new amyloid-beta precursor protein (App) knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AppNL-G-F ), containing the Swedish KM670/671NL mutation, the Iberian I716F mutation and the Artic E693G mutation, which generates elevated levels of amyloid beta (Aβ)40 and Aβ42 without the confounds associated with APP overexpression. This enabled us to assess changes in anxiety-related and social behaviours, and neural alterations potentially underlying such changes, driven specifically by Aβ accumulation. AppNL-G-F knock-in mice exhibited subtle deficits in tasks assessing social olfaction, but not in social motivation tasks. In anxiety-assessing tasks, AppNL-G-F knock-in mice exhibited: (1) increased thigmotaxis in the open field (OF), yet; (2) reduced closed-arm, and increased open-arm, time in the elevated plus maze (EPM). Their ostensibly anxiogenic OF profile, yet ostensibly anxiolytic EPM profile, could hint at altered cortical mechanisms affecting decision-making (e.g. 'disinhibition'), rather than simple core deficits in emotional motivation. Consistent with this possibility, alterations in microstructure, glutamatergic-dependent gamma oscillations and glutamatergic gene expression were all observed in the prefrontal cortex, but not the amygdala, of AppNL-G-F knock-in mice. Thus, insoluble Aβ overexpression drives prefrontal cortical alterations, potentially underlying changes in social and anxiety-related behavioural tasks.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephen P Hall
- Hull York Medical School, University of York, Heslington, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Denise Foresteire
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako-shi, Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Colin Lever
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - James Dachtler
- Department of Psychology, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
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26
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Kosel F, Torres Munoz P, Yang JR, Wong AA, Franklin TB. Age-related changes in social behaviours in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 2019; 362:160-172. [PMID: 30659846 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In addition to memory impairments, patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit a number of behavioural and psychological symptoms that can affect social interactions over the course of the disease. While altered social interactions have been demonstrated in a number of mouse models of AD, many models only recapitulate the initial stages of the disease, and these behavioural changes have yet to be examined over the course of disease progression. By performing a longitudinal study using the 5xFAD mouse model, we have demonstrated that transgenic females exhibit progressive alterations in social investigation compared to wild-type controls. Transgenic females exhibited an age-related reduction in interest for social odours, as well as reduced investigative behaviours towards novel conspecifics in a novel environment. However, transgenic mice exhibited no obvious olfactory deficits, nor any changes in scent-marking behaviour compared to wild-type controls, indicating that changes in investigative behaviour were due to motivation to engage with a social stimulus. This evidence suggests that transgenic 5xFAD females exhibit increased social anxiety in novel environments compared to wild-type controls. Overall, transgenic 5xFAD female mice mimic some features of social withdrawal observed in human AD patients suggesting this strain may be suitable for modelling aspects of the social dysfunction observed in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Kosel
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Paula Torres Munoz
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - J Renee Yang
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Aimee A Wong
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Tamara B Franklin
- The Social Lab, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Zhao J, Liu X, Huo C, Zhao T, Ye H. Abnormalities in Prefrontal Cortical Gene Expression Profiles Relevant to Schizophrenia in MK-801-Exposed C57BL/6 Mice. Neuroscience 2018; 390:60-78. [PMID: 30102956 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, disturbs NMDAR function in rodents and induces psychological and behavioral changes similar to schizophrenia (SCZ). However, the effects of MK-801 treatment on gene expression are largely unknown. Here we performed RNA-sequencing on the prefrontal cortex of MK-801-exposed male mice in order to analyze gene expression and co-expression patterns related to SCZ and to identify mechanisms that underlie the molecular etiology of this disorder. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were more often associated with biological processes that included postsynaptic transmission, immune system process, response to external stimulus and hemostasis. In order to extract comprehensive biological information, we used an approach for biclustering, called FABIA, to simultaneously cluster transcriptomic data across genes and conditions. When combined with analyses using DAVID and STRING databases, we found that co-expression patterns were altered in synapse-related genes and genes central to the mitochondrial network. Abnormal co-expression of genes mediating synaptic vesicle cycling could disturb release, uptake and reuptake of glutamate, and the perturbation in co-expression patterns for mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes was extensive. Our study supports the hypothesis that research using MK-801-exposed male mice as an animal model of SCZ offers important insights into the pathogenesis of SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialu Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chunyue Huo
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Yanjing Medical College, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tian Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Haihong Ye
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Center of Schizophrenia, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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Huo C, Liu X, Zhao J, Zhao T, Huang H, Ye H. Abnormalities in behaviour, histology and prefrontal cortical gene expression profiles relevant to schizophrenia in embryonic day 17 MAM-Exposed C57BL/6 mice. Neuropharmacology 2018; 140:287-301. [PMID: 30056124 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Gestational and perinatal disruption of neural development increases the risk of developing schizophrenia (SCZ) later in life. Embryonic day 17 (E17) methylazoxymethanol (MAM) treatment leads to histological, physiological and behavioural abnormalities in post-puberty rats that model the neuropathological and cognitive deficits reported in SCZ patients. However, the validity of E17 MAM-exposed mice to model SCZ has not been explored. Here we treated E17 C57BL/6 mouse dams with various dosages of MAM. We found that this mouse strain was more vulnerable to MAM treatment than rats and there were gender differences in behavioural abnormalities, histological changes and prefrontal cortical gene expression profiles in MAM (7.5 mg/kg)-exposed mice. Both male and female MAM-exposed mice had deficits in prepulse inhibition. Female MAM-exposed mice exhibited mildly increased spontaneous locomotion activity and social recognition deficits, while male mice were normal. Consistently, only female MAM-exposed mice exhibited reduced brain weight, decreased size of prefrontal cortex (PFC) and enlarged lateral ventricles. Transcriptome analysis of the PFC revealed that there were more differentially expressed genes in female MAM-exposed mice than those in male mice. Moreover, expression of Pvalb, Arc and genes in their association networks were downregulated in the PFC of female MAM-exposed mice. These results indicate that E17 MAM-exposure in C57BL/6 mice leads to behavioural changes that model certain deficits reported in SCZ patients. MAM-exposed female mice may be used to study gene expression changes, inhibitory neural circuit dysfunction and glutamatergic synaptic plasticity deficits with a possible relation to those in the brains of SCZ patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyue Huo
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Yanjing Medical College, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Center of Schizophrenia, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jialu Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Center of Schizophrenia, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Tian Zhao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Center of Schizophrenia, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Huiling Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Center of Schizophrenia, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Haihong Ye
- Department of Medical Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Center of Schizophrenia, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
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Gao JY, Chen Y, Su DY, Marshall C, Xiao M. Depressive- and anxiety-like phenotypes in young adult APP Swe/PS1 dE9 transgenic mice with insensitivity to chronic mild stress. Behav Brain Res 2018; 353:114-123. [PMID: 30012417 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and depression share many symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Therefore, characterizing the shared and different biological changes between the two disorders will be helpful in making an early diagnosis and planning treatment. In the present study, 8-week-old APPSwe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice received chronic mild stress (CMS) for 8 weeks followed by a series of behavioral, biochemical and pathological analyses. APPSwe/PS1dE9 mice showed depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, and reduced sociability, accompanied by high levels of soluble beta-amyloid, glial activation, neuroinflammation and brain derived neurotrophic factor signaling disturbance in the hippocampus. Notably, APPSwe/PS1dE9 mice exposure to CMS partially aggravated anxiety-like states rather than depressive-like responses and sociability deficits, with further elevated hippocampal interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels. These results demonstrated that young adult APPSwe/PS1dE9 have depressive- and anxiety-like phenotypes that were resistant to CMS compared to wild-type mice. This finding may help to understand the pathogenic mechanism of psychiatric symptoms associated with early AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ying Gao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory for Aging &Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dong-Yuan Su
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Charles Marshall
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky Center for Excellence in Rural Health, Hazard, KY, United States
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory for Aging &Disease, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
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Transgenic autoinhibition of p21-activated kinase exacerbates synaptic impairments and fronto-dependent behavioral deficits in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 9:1386-1403. [PMID: 28522792 PMCID: PMC5472739 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Defects in p21-activated kinase (PAK) lead to dendritic spine abnormalities and are sufficient to cause cognition impairment. The decrease in PAK in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is suspected to underlie synaptic and dendritic disturbances associated with its clinical expression, particularly with symptoms related to frontal cortex dysfunction. To investigate the role of PAK combined with Aβ and tau pathologies (3xTg-AD mice) in the frontal cortex, we generated a transgenic model of AD with a deficit in PAK activity (3xTg-AD-dnPAK mice). PAK inactivation had no effect on Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels, but increased the phosphorylation ratio of tau in detergent-insoluble protein fractions in the frontal cortex of 18-month-old heterozygous 3xTg-AD mice. Morphometric analyses of layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex showed that 3xTg-AD-dnPAK neurons exhibited significant dendritic attrition, lower spine density and longer spines compared to NonTg and 3xTg-AD mice. Finally, behavioral assessments revealed that 3xTg-AD-dnPAK mice exhibited pronounced anxious traits and disturbances in social behaviors, reminiscent of fronto-dependent symptoms observed in AD. Our results substantiate a critical role for PAK in the genesis of neuronal abnormalities in the frontal cortex underlying the emergence of psychiatric-like symptoms in AD.
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Torres L, Robinson SA, Kim DG, Yan A, Cleland TA, Bynoe MS. Toxoplasma gondii alters NMDAR signaling and induces signs of Alzheimer's disease in wild-type, C57BL/6 mice. J Neuroinflammation 2018; 15:57. [PMID: 29471842 PMCID: PMC5824585 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-018-1086-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease associated with cognitive decline and complete loss of basic functions. The ubiquitous apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects up to one third of the world's population and is implicated in AD. METHODS We infected C57BL/6 wild-type male and female mice with 10 T. gondii ME49 cysts and assessed whether infection led to behavioral and anatomical effects using immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, cell culture assays, as well as an array of mouse behavior tests. RESULTS We show that T. gondii infection induced two major hallmarks of AD in the brains of C57BL/6 male and female mice: beta-amyloid (Aβ) immunoreactivity and hyperphosphorylated Tau. Infected mice showed significant neuronal death, loss of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) expression, and loss of olfactory sensory neurons. T. gondii infection also caused anxiety-like behavior, altered recognition of social novelty, altered spatial memory, and reduced olfactory sensitivity. This last finding was exclusive to male mice, as infected females showed intact olfactory sensitivity. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that T. gondii can induce advanced signs of AD in wild-type mice and that it may induce AD in some individuals with underlying health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sudie-Ann Robinson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Do-Geun Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Angela Yan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Thomas A Cleland
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Margaret S Bynoe
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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Bordeleau M, ElAli A, Rivest S. Severe chronic cerebral hypoperfusion induces microglial dysfunction leading to memory loss in APPswe/PS1 mice. Oncotarget 2017; 7:11864-80. [PMID: 26918610 PMCID: PMC4914254 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral vasculature plays a key role in controlling brain homeostasis. Cerebral vasculature dysfunction, associated to irregularities in cerebral blood perfusion, has been proposed to directly contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. More precisely, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which impairs brain homeostasis, was demonstrated to take place even before cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms underlying the implication of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in AD pathogenesis remain elusive. Therefore, this study aims at investigating the role of severe chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (SCCH) in AD pathogenesis. For this purpose, SCCH was induced in young APPswe/PS1 in order to evaluate the progression of AD-like pathology in these mice. We observed that SCCH accelerated the cognitive decline of young APPswe/PS1 mice, which was associated with an increased amyloid plaque number in brain parenchyma. In addition, SCCH reduced the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), which has been shown to play an important role in the adaptive responses of neurons. Importantly, SCCH impaired the function of microglial cells, which are implicated in amyloid-β (Aβ) elimination. In vitro approaches underlined the ability of a low-glucose microenvironment to decrease the general activity and phagocytic capacity of microglia. By using a new model of SCCH, our study unravels new insights into the implication of severe chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in AD pathogenesis, mainly by altering microglial cell activity and consequently Aβ clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maude Bordeleau
- Neuroscience Laboratory, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL), Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | - Ayman ElAli
- Neuroscience Laboratory, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL), Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada
| | - Serge Rivest
- Neuroscience Laboratory, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL), Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec, Canada
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Omics analysis of mouse brain models of human diseases. Gene 2017; 600:90-100. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Behavioural Phenotyping of APPswe/PS1δE9 Mice: Age-Rrelated Changes and Effect of Long-Term Paroxetine Treatment. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0165144. [PMID: 27814403 PMCID: PMC5096719 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 10/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating illness characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive, social, and emotional functions, including memory impairments and more global cognitive deficits. Clinical-epidemiological evidence suggests that neuropsychiatric symptoms precede the onset of cognitive symptoms both in humans with early and late onset AD. The behavioural profile promoted by the AD pathology is believed to associate with degeneration of the serotonergic system. Using the APPswe/PS1δE9 model of AD-like pathology starting with 9 months old mice, we characterised long term non-cognitive behavioural changes measured at 9, 12, 15, and 18 months of age and applied principal component analysis on data obtained from open field, elevated plus maze, and social interaction tests. Long-term treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine was applied to assess the role of 5-HT on the behavioural profile; duration of treatment was 9 months, initiated when mice were 9 months of age. Treatment with paroxetine delays the decline in locomotion, in exploration and risk assessment behaviour, found in the APP/PS1 mice. APP/PS1 mice also exhibit low social activity and less aggressiveness, both of which are not affected by treatment with paroxetine. The APP/PS1 behavioural phenotype, demonstrated in this study, only begins to manifest itself from 12 months of age. Our results indicate that treatment with SSRI might ameliorate some of the behavioural deficits found in aged APP/PS1 mice.
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Jul P, Volbracht C, de Jong IEM, Helboe L, Elvang AB, Pedersen JT. Hyperactivity with Agitative-Like Behavior in a Mouse Tauopathy Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 49:783-95. [PMID: 26519432 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are characterized by formation of neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau. In addition to memory loss, patients experience behavioral symptoms such as agitation, aggression, depression, and insomnia. We explored the behavioral phenotype of a mouse model (rTg4510) carrying the human tau P301L mutation found in a familial form of FTD. We tested these mice in locomotor activity assays as well as in the Morris water maze to access spatial memory. In addition to cognitive impairments, rTg4510 mice exhibited a hyperactivity phenotype which correlated with progression of tau pathology and was dependent on P301L tau transgene expression. The hyperactive phenotype was characterized by significantly increased locomotor activity in a novel and in a simulated home cage environment together with a disturbed day/night cycle. The P301L-tau-dependent hyperactivity and agitative-like phenotype suggests that these mice may form a correlate to some of the behavioral disturbances observed in advanced AD and FTD.
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Huang H, Nie S, Cao M, Marshall C, Gao J, Xiao N, Hu G, Xiao M. Characterization of AD-like phenotype in aged APPSwe/PS1dE9 mice. AGE (DORDRECHT, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 38:303-322. [PMID: 27439903 PMCID: PMC5061676 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-016-9929-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic APPSwe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice that overproduce amyloid beta (Aβ) are extensively used in the studies of pathogenesis and experimental therapeutics and new drug screening for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, most of the current literature uses young or adult APP/PS1 mice. In order to provide a broader view of AD-like phenotype of this animal model, in this study, we systematically analyzed behavioral and pathological profiles of 24-month-old male APP/PS1 mice. Aged APP/PS1 mice had reference memory deficits as well as anxiety, hyperactivity, and social interaction impairment. Consistently, there was obvious deposition of amyloid plaques in the dorsal hippocampus with decreased expression of insulin-degrading enzyme, a proteolytic enzyme responsible for degradation of intracellular Aβ. Furthermore, decreases in hippocampal volume, neuronal number and synaptophysin expression, and astrocyte atrophy were also observed in aged APP/PS1 mice. This finding suggests that aged APP/PS1 mice can well replicate cognitive and noncognitive behavioral abnormalities, hippocampal atrophy, and neuronal and astrocyte degeneration in AD patients, to enable more objective and refined preclinical evaluation of therapeutic drugs and strategies for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huang Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
- Department of Neurology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Sipei Nie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Min Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Charles Marshall
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health, Hazard, KY, 41701, USA
| | - Junying Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Na Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Gang Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211166, China.
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Apathy associated with neurocognitive disorders: Recent progress and future directions. Alzheimers Dement 2016; 13:84-100. [PMID: 27362291 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2015] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Apathy is common in neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) such as Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Although the definition of apathy is inconsistent in the literature, apathy is primarily defined as a loss of motivation and decreased interest in daily activities. METHODS The Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART) Neuropsychiatric Syndromes Professional Interest Area (NPS-PIA) Apathy workgroup reviewed the latest research regarding apathy in NCDs. RESULTS Progress has recently been made in three areas relevant to apathy: (1) phenomenology, including the use of diagnostic criteria and novel instruments for measurement, (2) neurobiology, including neuroimaging, neuropathological and biomarker correlates, and (3) interventions, including pharmacologic, nonpharmacologic, and noninvasive neuromodulatory approaches. DISCUSSION Recent progress confirms that apathy has a significant impact on those with major NCD and those with mild NCDs. As such, it is an important target for research and intervention.
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Owona BA, Zug C, Schluesener HJ, Zhang ZY. Protective Effects of Forskolin on Behavioral Deficits and Neuropathological Changes in a Mouse Model of Cerebral Amyloidosis. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2016; 75:618-27. [PMID: 27251043 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlw043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The production of amyloid-β peptides in the brains of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) may contribute to memory loss and impairments in social behavior. Here, an efficient adenylate cyclase activator, forskolin, was orally administered by gavage (100 mg/kg body weight) to 5-month-old transgenic APP/PS1 mice, which serve as an animal model of cerebral amyloidosis. Analyses of nest construction, sociability, and immunohistochemical features were used to determine the effects of forskolin treatment. After a relatively short term of treatment (10 days), forskolin-treated transgenic mice showed restored nest construction ability (p < 0.05) and their sociability (p < 0.01). There was a reduction of Aβ plaque deposition in the cortex and in the hippocampus. Furthermore, expression of transforming growth factor β, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and Iba-1 in the cortex was reduced in the forskolin-treated group, suggesting regulation of the inflammatory response mediated by activated microglia and astrocytes in the brains of the APP/PS1 mice (p < 0.01). Taken together, these findings suggest that forskolin shows neuroprotective effects in APP/PS1 Tg mice and may be a promising drug in the treatment of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brice Ayissi Owona
- From the Division of Immunopathology of the Nervous System, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany (BAO, CZ, HJS, ZYZ).
| | - Caroline Zug
- From the Division of Immunopathology of the Nervous System, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany (BAO, CZ, HJS, ZYZ)
| | - Hermann J Schluesener
- From the Division of Immunopathology of the Nervous System, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany (BAO, CZ, HJS, ZYZ)
| | - Zhi-Yuan Zhang
- From the Division of Immunopathology of the Nervous System, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany (BAO, CZ, HJS, ZYZ)
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Dietary composition affects the development of cognitive deficits in WT and Tg AD model mice. Exp Gerontol 2016; 86:39-49. [PMID: 27167583 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Clinical and epidemiological evidence suggests that lifestyle factors, including nutrition, may influence the chances of developing of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and also likely affect the aging process. Whereas it is clear that high-fat diets are increasing both body weight and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, to date, there have been very few studies comparing diets high with different sources of calories (i.e., high fat versus high protein versus high carbohydrates) to determine whether dietary composition has importance beyond the known effect of high caloric intake to increase body weight, AD pathology and cognitive deficits. In the current study we examined the effects that different diets high in carbohydrate, protein or fat content, but similar in caloric value, have on the development of cognitive impairment and brain pathology in wild-type and Tg AD model mice. The results demonstrate that long term feeding with balanced diets similar in caloric content but with significant changes in the source of calories, all negatively influence cognition compared to the control diet, and that this effect is more pronounced in Tg animals with AD pathology.
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Frost JL, Liu B, Rahfeld JU, Kleinschmidt M, O'Nuallain B, Le KX, Lues I, Caldarone BJ, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Lemere CA. An anti-pyroglutamate-3 Aβ vaccine reduces plaques and improves cognition in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:3187-3199. [PMID: 26453001 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-3 amyloid-beta (pGlu-3 Aβ) is an N-terminally truncated Aβ isoform likely playing a decisive role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Here, we describe a prophylactic passive immunization study in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice using a novel pGlu-3 Aβ immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody, 07/1 (150 and 500 μg, intraperitoneal, weekly) and compare its efficacy with a general Aβ IgG1 monoclonal antibody, 3A1 (200 μg, intraperitoneal, weekly) as a positive control. After 28 weeks of treatment, plaque burden was reduced and cognitive performance of 07/1-immunized Tg mice, especially at the higher dose, was normalized to wild-type levels in 2 hippocampal-dependent tests and partially spared compared with phosphate-buffered saline-treated Tg mice. Mice that received 3A1 had reduced plaque burden but showed no cognitive benefit. In contrast with 3A1, treatment with 07/1 did not increase the concentration of Aβ in plasma, suggesting different modes of Aβ plaque clearance. In conclusion, early selective targeting of pGlu-3 Aβ by immunotherapy may be effective in lowering cerebral Aβ plaque burden and preventing cognitive decline in the clinical setting. Targeting this pathologically modified form of Aβ thereby is unlikely to interfere with potential physiologic function(s) of Aβ that have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Frost
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Brian O'Nuallain
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin X Le
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Inge Lues
- Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara J Caldarone
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center NeuroBehavior Laboratory Core, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Limited effects of an eIF2αS51A allele on neurological impairments in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neural Plast 2015; 2015:825157. [PMID: 25883808 PMCID: PMC4391319 DOI: 10.1155/2015/825157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2014] [Revised: 02/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with increased phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) at serine 51. Increased phosphorylation of eIF2α alters translational control and may thereby have adverse effects on synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. To analyze if increased levels of p-eIF2α indeed promote AD-related neurocognitive impairments, we crossed 5xFAD transgenic mice with an eIF2αS51A knock-in line that expresses the nonphosphorylatable eIF2α variant eIF2αS51A. Behavioral assessment of the resulting mice revealed motor and cognitive deficits in 5xFAD mice that were, with the possible exception of locomotor hyperactivity, not restored by the eIF2αS51A allele. Telemetric intracranial EEG recordings revealed no measurable effects of the eIF2αS51A allele on 5xFAD-associated epileptic activity. Microarray-based transcriptome analyses showed clear transcriptional alterations in 5xFAD hippocampus that were not corrected by the eIF2αS51A allele. In contrast to prior studies, our immunoblot analyses did not reveal increased levels of p-eIF2α in the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice, suggesting that elevated p-eIF2α levels are not a universal feature of AD models. Collectively, our data indicate that 5xFAD-related pathologies do not necessarily require hyperphosphorylation of eIF2α to emerge; they also show that heterozygosity for the nonphosphorylatable eIF2αS51A allele has limited effects on 5xFAD-related disease manifestations.
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Li C, Zug C, Qu H, Schluesener H, Zhang Z. Hesperidin ameliorates behavioral impairments and neuropathology of transgenic APP/PS1 mice. Behav Brain Res 2015; 281:32-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Filali M, Lalonde R. Motor activity in young APPswe + PS1/A246E bigenic mice as a predicting variable for memory decline. J Neurosci Res 2015; 93:948-53. [PMID: 25594937 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Revised: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Reports of individuality in rodent species have been a subject of debate in pharmacology and other fields. In the current study, APPswe + PS1/A246E bigenic mice with Alzheimer's-like pathogenesis and wild-type controls were subdivided at 3 months of age into low, intermediate, and high responders in open-field activity. The mice were then evaluated longitudinally at 3 and 9 months for object recognition. Irrespective of genotype, mice with a high level of motor activity had better scores in object recognition. However, a significant correlation was established between open-field activity measured at 3 months of age and recognition memory measured at 9 months of age in the bigenic group only. These results indicate that motor activity in young mice with amyloid neuropathology may serve as a predicting variable for cognitive dysfunction in more mature mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Filali
- Functional Analysis of Animal Behavior Platform, CHU de Québec Research Center, and Department of Molecular Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada
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Wang F, Liu H, Shen X, Ao H, Moore N, Gao L, Chen L, Hu H, Ma H, Yang Z, Zhai C, Qin J, Zhou G, Peng Y, Feng X, Li R, Liang C. The combined treatment of amyloid-β1-42-stimulated bone marrow–derived dendritic cells plus splenocytes from young mice prevents the development of Alzheimer's disease in APPswe/PSENldE9 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:111-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 06/28/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Polajnar M, Zerovnik E. Impaired autophagy: a link between neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. J Cell Mol Med 2014; 18:1705-11. [PMID: 25139375 PMCID: PMC4196646 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Accepted: 05/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding, and subsequent aggregation have been proven as the leading cause of most known dementias. Many of these, in addition to neurodegeneration, show profound changes in behaviour and thinking, thus, psychiatric symptoms. On the basis of the observation that progressive myoclonic epilepsies and neurodegenerative diseases share some common features of neurodegeneration, we proposed autophagy as a possible common impairment in these diseases. Here, we argue along similar lines for some neuropsychiatric conditions, among them depression and schizophrenia. We propose that existing and new therapies for these seemingly different diseases could be augmented with drugs used for neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric diseases, respectively, among them some which modulate or augment autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Polajnar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Cheng D, Low JK, Logge W, Garner B, Karl T. Chronic cannabidiol treatment improves social and object recognition in double transgenic APPswe/PS1∆E9 mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3009-17. [PMID: 24577515 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit a decline in cognitive abilities including an inability to recognise familiar faces. Hallmark pathological changes in AD include the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ), tau protein hyperphosphorylation as well as pronounced neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity and oxidative damage. OBJECTIVES The non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) exerts neuroprotective, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes neurogenesis. CBD also reverses Aβ-induced spatial memory deficits in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thus we determined the therapeutic-like effects of chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg, daily intraperitoneal injections for 3 weeks) on the APPswe/PS1∆E9 (APPxPS1) transgenic mouse model for AD in a number of cognitive tests, including the social preference test, the novel object recognition task and the fear conditioning paradigm. We also analysed the impact of CBD on anxiety behaviours in the elevated plus maze. RESULTS Vehicle-treated APPxPS1 mice demonstrated impairments in social recognition and novel object recognition compared to wild type-like mice. Chronic CBD treatment reversed these cognitive deficits in APPxPS1 mice without affecting anxiety-related behaviours. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate the effect of chronic CBD treatment on cognition in an AD transgenic mouse model. Our findings suggest that CBD may have therapeutic potential for specific cognitive impairments associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker St, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
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Zhang ZY, Daniels R, Schluesener HJ. Oridonin ameliorates neuropathological changes and behavioural deficits in a mouse model of cerebral amyloidosis. J Cell Mol Med 2013; 17:1566-76. [PMID: 24034629 PMCID: PMC3914648 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegeneration and the major cause of dementia. This multifactorial disorder is clinically defined by progressive behavioural and cognitive deficits, and neuropathologically characterized by β-amyloid aggregation, hyperphosphorylated tau and neuroinflammation. Oridonin, a diterpenoid isolated from Chinese herb Rabdosia rubescens, has multiple biological properties, especially anti-inflammatory and neuroregulatory activities. Potential therapeutic effects of Oridonin were investigated in an animal model of cerebral amyloidosis for AD, transgenic APP/PS1 mice. Oridonin was suspended in carboxymethylcellulose or loaded with a nanostructured emulsion, and was orally administrated or injected. Before, during and following the experimental treatments, behavioural tests were performed with these transgenic mice and their naive littermates. Following relatively short-term treatments of 10 days, brain tissue of mice were removed for immunohistochemical assays. The results indicate that both oral treatment and injection of Oridonin significantly attenuated β-amyloid deposition, plaque-associated APP expression and microglial activation in brain of transgenic mice. Furthermore, injection of Oridonin-nanoemulsion ameliorated deficits in nesting, an important affiliative behaviour, and in social interaction. Additional in vitro studies indicated that Oridonin effectively attenuated inflammatory reaction of macrophage and microglial cell lines. Our results suggest that Oridonin might be considered a promising therapeutic option for human AD or other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yuan Zhang
- Division of Immunopathology of the Nervous System, Institute of Pathology and Neuropathology, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
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Paban V, Manrique C, Filali M, Maunoir-Regimbal S, Fauvelle F, Alescio-Lautier B. Therapeutic and preventive effects of methylene blue on Alzheimer's disease pathology in a transgenic mouse model. Neuropharmacology 2013; 76 Pt A:68-79. [PMID: 23891615 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.06.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) belongs to the phenothiazinium family. It has been used to treat a variety of human conditions and has beneficial effects on the central nervous system in rodents with and without brain alteration. The present study was designed to test whether chronic MB treatment taken after (therapeutic effect) or before (preventive effect) the onset of beta-amyloid pathology influences cognition in a transgenic mouse model (APP/PS1). In addition, the present study aims at revealing whether these behavioral effects might be related to brain alteration in beta-amyloid deposition. To this end, we conducted an in vivo study and compared two routes of drug administration, drinking water versus intraperitoneal injection. Results showed that transgenic mice treated with MB orally or following intraperitoneal injection were protected from cognitive impairments in a variety of social, learning, and exploratory tasks. Immunoreactive beta-amyloid deposition was significantly reduced in the hippocampus and adjacent cortex in MB-treated transgenic mice. Interestingly, these beneficial effects were observed independently of beta-amyloid load at the time of MB treatment. This suggests that MB treatment is beneficial at both therapeutic and preventive levels. Using solid-state High Resolution Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (HRMAS-NMR), we showed that MB administration after the onset of amyloid pathology significantly restored the concentration of two metabolites related to mitochondrial metabolism, namely alanine and lactate. We conclude that MB might be useful for the therapy and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'The Synaptic Basis of Neurodegenerative Disorders'.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Paban
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR 7260, FR3C, Lab. Neurosciences Intégratives et Adaptatives, 13331 Marseille, France.
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Vanleeuwen JE, Penzes P. Long-term perturbation of spine plasticity results in distinct impairments of cognitive function. J Neurochem 2012; 123:781-9. [PMID: 22862288 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07899.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/09/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic spines serve as the post-synaptic structural component of synapses. The structure and function of dendritic spines are dynamically regulated by a number of signaling pathways and allow for normal neural processing, whereas aberrant spine changes are thought to contribute to cognitive impairment in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. However, spine changes within different brain regions and their contribution to specific cognitive functions, especially later in adulthood, is not well understood. In this study, we used late-adult KALRN-deficient mice as a tool to investigate the vulnerability of different cognitive functions to long-term perturbations in spine plasticity in different forebrain regions. We found that in these mice, loss of one or both copies of KALRN lead to genotype and brain region-dependent reductions in spine density. Surprisingly, heterozygote and knockout mice showed differential impairments in cognitive phenotypes, including working memory, social recognition, and social approach. Correlation analysis between the site and magnitude of spine loss and behavioral alterations suggests that the interplay between brain regions is critical for complex cognitive processing and underscores the importance of spine plasticity in normal cognitive function. Long-term perturbation of spine plasticity results in distinct impairments of cognitive function. Using genetically modified mice deficient in a central regulator of spine plasticity, we investigated the brain region-specific contribution of spine numbers to various cognitive functions. We found distinct cognitive functions display differential sensitivity to spine loss in the cortex and hippocampus. Our data support spines as neuronal structures important for cognition and suggest interplay between brain regions is critical for complex cognitive processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jon-Eric Vanleeuwen
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Bories C, Guitton MJ, Julien C, Tremblay C, Vandal M, Msaid M, De Koninck Y, Calon F. Sex-dependent alterations in social behaviour and cortical synaptic activity coincide at different ages in a model of Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46111. [PMID: 23029404 PMCID: PMC3454358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Besides memory deficits, Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients suffer from neuropsychiatric symptoms, including alterations in social interactions, which are subject of a growing number of investigations in transgenic models of AD. Yet the biological mechanisms underlying these behavioural alterations are poorly understood. Here, a social interaction paradigm was used to assess social dysfunction in the triple-transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). We observed that transgenic mice displayed dimorphic behavioural abnormalities at different ages. Social disinhibition was observed in 18 months old 3xTg-AD males compared to age and sex-matched control mice. In 3xTg-AD females, social disinhibition was present at 12 months followed by reduced social interactions at 18 months. These dimorphic behavioural alterations were not associated with alterations in AD neuropathological markers such as Aβ or tau levels in the frontal cortex. However, patch-clamp recordings revealed that enhanced social interactions coincided temporally with an increase in both excitatory and inhibitory basal synaptic inputs to layer 2-3 pyramidal neurons in the prefrontal cortex. These findings uncover a novel pattern of occurrence of psychiatric-like symptoms between sexes in an AD model. Our results also reveal that functional alterations in synapse activity appear as a potentially significant substrate underlying behavioural correlates of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cyril Bories
- Faculty of Medicine Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Quebec Mental Health Institute, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Matthieu J. Guitton
- Faculty of Medicine Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Quebec Mental Health Institute, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Carl Julien
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Cyntia Tremblay
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Milène Vandal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Meriem Msaid
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yves De Koninck
- Faculty of Medicine Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Quebec Mental Health Institute, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Calon
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Laval University, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre Hospitalier de l’Université Laval (CHUL) Research Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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