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Luo X, Li C, Yu X, Kuang G, Wang X, Liang J, Jiang J. The effect of hippocampal NR2B-containing NMDA receptors on chronic cognitive dysfunction in rats with temporal lobe epilepsy. ACTA EPILEPTOLOGICA 2023. [DOI: 10.1186/s42494-022-00111-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
We have previously reported that hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) was suppressed in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) rats. The N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors containing 2B subunit (NR2B-NMDARs) are indispensable to induce the LTP of hippocampus. However, it is still unknown whether the NR2B-NMDARs are implied with the cognitive dysfunction in TLE rats.
Methods
The TLE model was lithium chloride-pilocarpine (li-pilo) model. Morris water maze test was used to evaluate the cognitive function of epileptic rats. Expression of hippocampal NR2B-NMDAs was evaluated by western blotting. Stereotactic injection of NMDA, an agonist of NR2B-NMDARs, into the hippocampus of TLE rats was used to investigate the role of NR2B-NMDARs on cognitive dysfunction.
Results
Cognitive function TLE rats was significantly reduced compared with controls in the Morris water maze test (P < 0.05). Western blotting data showed the down-expression of hippocampal NR2B-NMDARs and p-NR2B in TLE rats compared with the control (P < 0.05). In addition, hippocampal stereolocalization of NMDA injection improved partially the learning and memory in TLE rats (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
Down-expression and low activity of hippocampal NR2B-NMDARs may be implied with chronic cognitive dysfunction in TLE rats.
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Khalife MR, Scott RC, Hernan AE. Mechanisms for Cognitive Impairment in Epilepsy: Moving Beyond Seizures. Front Neurol 2022; 13:878991. [PMID: 35645970 PMCID: PMC9135108 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.878991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There has been a major emphasis on defining the role of seizures in the causation of cognitive impairments like memory deficits in epilepsy. Here we focus on an alternative hypothesis behind these deficits, emphasizing the mechanisms of information processing underlying healthy cognition characterized as rate, temporal and population coding. We discuss the role of the underlying etiology of epilepsy in altering neural networks thereby leading to both the propensity for seizures and the associated cognitive impairments. In addition, we address potential treatments that can recover the network function in the context of a diseased brain, thereby improving both seizure and cognitive outcomes simultaneously. This review shows the importance of moving beyond seizures and approaching the deficits from a system-level perspective with the guidance of network neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed R. Khalife
- Division of Neuroscience, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, United States
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
| | - Rod C. Scott
- Division of Neuroscience, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, United States
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
- Institute of Child Health, Neurosciences Unit University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Amanda E. Hernan
- Division of Neuroscience, Nemours Children's Health, Wilmington, DE, United States
- Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, United States
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Hermann BP, Struck AF, Busch RM, Reyes A, Kaestner E, McDonald CR. Neurobehavioural comorbidities of epilepsy: towards a network-based precision taxonomy. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:731-746. [PMID: 34552218 PMCID: PMC8900353 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00555-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive and behavioural comorbidities are prevalent in childhood and adult epilepsies and impose a substantial human and economic burden. Over the past century, the classic approach to understanding the aetiology and course of these comorbidities has been through the prism of the medical taxonomy of epilepsy, including its causes, course, characteristics and syndromes. Although this 'lesion model' has long served as the organizing paradigm for the field, substantial challenges to this model have accumulated from diverse sources, including neuroimaging, neuropathology, neuropsychology and network science. Advances in patient stratification and phenotyping point towards a new taxonomy for the cognitive and behavioural comorbidities of epilepsy, which reflects the heterogeneity of their clinical presentation and raises the possibility of a precision medicine approach. As we discuss in this Review, these advances are informing the development of a revised aetiological paradigm that incorporates sophisticated neurobiological measures, genomics, comorbid disease, diversity and adversity, and resilience factors. We describe modifiable risk factors that could guide early identification, treatment and, ultimately, prevention of cognitive and broader neurobehavioural comorbidities in epilepsy and propose a road map to guide future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce P. Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,
| | - Aaron F. Struck
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA.,William S. Middleton Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Robyn M. Busch
- Epilepsy Center and Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Anny Reyes
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Erik Kaestner
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Carrie R. McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry and Center for Multimodal Imaging and Genetics, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
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Doherty C, Kinzy TG, Ferguson L, Altemus J, Hermann BP, Eng C, Najm I, Busch RM. The role of genetic polymorphisms in executive functioning performance in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 121:108088. [PMID: 34102472 PMCID: PMC8238870 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the role of several genetic polymorphisms (APOE ε4, BDNF Met, and COMT Val) in executive functioning performance in patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS Ninety-three adults (51 female, mean age = 39 years) with TLE completed executive functioning measures as part of a comprehensive preoperative neuropsychological evaluation, including Trail Making Test (Part B), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (Conceptual Level Responses and Perseverative Errors), Color Word Interference from the Delis Kaplan Executive Function System, and measures of phonemic and semantic verbal fluency. Genotyping of the APOE, BDNF, and COMT genes was conducted using DNA extracted from peripheral blood or brain tissue (from epilepsy surgery). RESULTS After adjustment for general cognitive ability, COMT Val carriers showed poorer performance on semantic verbal fluency and color word interference than non-carriers, and BDNF Met carriers showed poorer performance on phonemic verbal fluency than those without a Met allele. SIGNIFICANCE Results suggest that COMT and BDNF polymorphisms are associated with performance on several EF measures in patients with TLE, including tasks assessing verbal fluency and response inhibition and account for up to 16% of the variance in test performance. The APOE polymorphism was not significantly associated with any of the executive function measures analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Doherty
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Tyler G Kinzy
- Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lisa Ferguson
- Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Jessica Altemus
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Bruce P Hermann
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
| | - Imad Najm
- Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | - Robyn M Busch
- Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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5
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Shan W, Mao X, Wang X, Hogan RE, Wang Q. Potential surgical therapies for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:994-1011. [PMID: 34101365 PMCID: PMC8339538 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant focal epilepsy (DRFE), defined by failure of two antiepileptic drugs, affects 30% of epileptic patients. Epilepsy surgeries are alternative options for this population. Preoperative evaluation is critical to include potential candidates, and to choose the most appropriate procedure to maximize efficacy and simultaneously minimize side effects. Traditional procedures involve open skull surgeries and epileptic focus resection. Alternatively, neuromodulation surgeries use peripheral nerve or deep brain stimulation to reduce the activities of epileptogenic focus. With the advanced improvement of laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) technique and its utilization in neurosurgery, magnetic resonance-guided LITT (MRgLITT) emerges as a minimal invasive approach for drug-resistant focal epilepsy. In the present review, we first introduce drug-resistant focal epilepsy and summarize the indications, pros and cons of traditional surgical procedures and neuromodulation procedures. And then, focusing on MRgLITT, we thoroughly discuss its history, its technical details, its safety issues, and current evidence on its clinical applications. A case report on MRgLITT is also included to illustrate the preoperational evaluation. We believe that MRgLITT is a promising approach in selected patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy, although large prospective studies are required to evaluate its efficacy and side effects, as well as to implement a standardized protocol for its application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shan
- Department of NeurologyBeijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for Clinical Medicine of Neurological DiseasesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Brain DisordersBeijingChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuro‐modulationBeijingChina
| | - Xuewei Mao
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Industrial Control TechnologySchool of AutomationQingdao UniversityQingdaoChina
| | - Xiu Wang
- National Center for Clinical Medicine of Neurological DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Robert E. Hogan
- Departments of Neurology and NeurosurgerySchool of MedicineWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMOUSA
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of NeurologyBeijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- National Center for Clinical Medicine of Neurological DiseasesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute for Brain DisordersBeijingChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuro‐modulationBeijingChina
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6
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Cui L, Chen K, Huang L, Sun J, Lv Y, Jia X, Guo Q. Changes in local brain function in mild cognitive impairment due to semantic dementia. CNS Neurosci Ther 2021; 27:587-602. [PMID: 33650764 PMCID: PMC8025655 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Mild cognitive impairment due to semantic dementia represents the preclinical stage, involving cognitive decline dominated by semantic impairment below the semantic dementia standard. Therefore, studying mild cognitive impairment due to semantic dementia may identify changes in patients before progression to dementia. However, whether changes in local functional activity occur in preclinical stages of semantic dementia remains unknown. Here, we explored local functional changes in patients with mild cognitive impairment due to semantic dementia using resting-state functional MRI. METHODS We administered a battery of neuropsychological tests to twenty-two patients with mild cognitive impairment due to semantic dementia (MCI-SD group) and nineteen healthy controls (HC group). We performed structural MRI to compare gray matter volumes, and resting-state functional MRI with multiple sub-bands and indicators to evaluate functional activity. RESULTS Neuropsychological tests revealed a significant decline in semantic performance in the MCI-SD group, but no decline in other cognitive domains. Resting-state functional MRI revealed local functional changes in multiple brain regions in the MCI-SD group, distributed in different sub-bands and indicators. In the normal band, local functional changes were only in the gray matter atrophic area. In the other sub-bands, more regions with local functional changes outside atrophic areas were found across various indicators. Among these, the degree centrality of the left precuneus in the MCI-SD group was positively correlated with general semantic tasks (oral sound naming, word-picture verification). CONCLUSION Our study revealed local functional changes in mild cognitive impairment due to semantic dementia, some of which were located outside the atrophic gray matter. Driven by functional connectivity changes, the left precuneus might play a role in preclinical semantic dementia. The study proved the value of frequency-dependent sub-bands, especially the slow-2 and slow-3 sub-bands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Cui
- Department of GerontologyShanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghaiChina
| | - Keliang Chen
- Department of NeurologyHuashan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Lin Huang
- Department of GerontologyShanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghaiChina
| | - Jiawei Sun
- School of Information and Electronics TechnologyJiamusi UniversityJiamusiChina
| | - Yating Lv
- Institute of Psychological SciencesHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentsHangzhouChina
| | - Xize Jia
- Institute of Psychological SciencesHangzhou Normal UniversityHangzhouChina
- Zhejiang Key Laboratory for Research in Assessment of Cognitive ImpairmentsHangzhouChina
| | - Qihao Guo
- Department of GerontologyShanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People’s HospitalShanghaiChina
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Akyuz E, Eroglu E. Envisioning the crosstalk between environmental enrichment and epilepsy: A novel perspective. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 115:107660. [PMID: 33328107 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsies are a diverse group of neurological disorders characterized by an unprovoked seizure and a brain that has an enduring predisposition to seizures. The lack of disease-modifying treatment strategies against the same has led to the exploration of novel treatment strategies that could halt epileptic seizures. In this regard, environmental enrichment (EE) has gained increased attention in recent days. EE modulates the effects of interactions between the genes and the environment on the structure and function of the brain. EE therapy can improve seizure-related symptoms in neurological diseases such as epilepsy. EE therapy can have a significant effect on cognitive disorders such as learning and memory impairments associated with seizures. EE therapy in epileptic hippocampus tissue can improve seizure-related symptoms by inducing enhanced neurogenesis and neuroprotective mechanisms. In this context, the efficiency of EE is regulated in the epilepsy by the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway regulated by extracellular signaling. Herein, we provide experimental evidence supporting the beneficial effects of EE in epileptic seizures and its underlying mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enes Akyuz
- Yozgat Bozok University, Medical School, Department of Biophysics, 66100 Yozgat, Turkey.
| | - Ece Eroglu
- Yozgat Bozok University, Medical School, 66100 Yozgat, Turkey.
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Arend J, Kegler A, Caprara ALF, Gabbi P, Pascotini ET, de Freitas LAV, Duarte MMMF, Broetto N, Furian AF, Oliveira MS, Royes LFF, Fighera MR. MnSOD Ala16Val polymorphism in cognitive dysfunction in patients with epilepsy: A relationship with oxidative and inflammatory markers. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 112:107346. [PMID: 32889510 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107346] [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: 06/02/2020] [Revised: 07/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the neurocognitive profile and its relation with Ala16ValMnSOD polymorphism in epilepsy and if these clinical parameters are linked to oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. METHODS Patients with epilepsy (n = 31) and healthy subjects (n = 42) were recruited. A neuropsychological evaluation was performed in both groups through a battery of cognitive tests. Oxidative stress, inflammatory markers, apoptotic factors, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage were measured in blood samples. RESULTS Statistical analyses showed the association of MnSOD Ala16Val polymorphism with cognitive impairment, including praxis, perception, attention, language, executive functions, long-term semantic memory, short-term visual memory, and total memory in patients with epilepsy and Valine-Valine (VV) genotype compared with the control group. Compared with the controls and patients with epilepsy, Alanine-Alanine (AA), and Alanine-Valine (AV) genotype, the patients with epilepsy and VV genotype exhibited higher levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), activation of caspases 1 and 3 (CASP-1 and -3), and DNA damage. Our findings also showed higher carbonyl protein and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels as well as an increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities in patients with epilepsy and VV genotype. CONCLUSION This study supports the evidence of a distinct neuropsychological profile in patients with epilepsy, especially those with the VV genotype. Furthermore, our results suggest that oxidative and inflammatory pathways may be associated with genetic polymorphism and cognitive dysfunction in patients with epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josi Arend
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Aline Kegler
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Letícia Fornari Caprara
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Patricia Gabbi
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Eduardo T Pascotini
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Lori Ane Vargas de Freitas
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Marta M M F Duarte
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Núbia Broetto
- Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Departamento de Métodos e Técnicas Desportivas, Laboratório de Bioquímica do Exercício (BIOEX), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Flavia Furian
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Mauro Schneider Oliveira
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Luiz Fernando Freire Royes
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Departamento de Métodos e Técnicas Desportivas, Laboratório de Bioquímica do Exercício (BIOEX), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Michele Rechia Fighera
- Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Departamento de Neuropsiquiatria, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Centro de Educação Física e Desportos, Departamento de Métodos e Técnicas Desportivas, Laboratório de Bioquímica do Exercício (BIOEX), Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Farmacologia, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil.
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Neurotrophic Factor BDNF, Physiological Functions and Therapeutic Potential in Depression, Neurodegeneration and Brain Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207777. [PMID: 33096634 PMCID: PMC7589016 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most distributed and extensively studied neurotrophins in the mammalian brain. BDNF signals through the tropomycin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and the low affinity p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). BDNF plays an important role in proper growth, development, and plasticity of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses and through modulation of neuronal differentiation, it influences serotonergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission. BDNF acts as paracrine and autocrine factor, on both pre-synaptic and post-synaptic target sites. It is crucial in the transformation of synaptic activity into long-term synaptic memories. BDNF is considered an instructive mediator of functional and structural plasticity in the central nervous system (CNS), influencing dendritic spines and, at least in the hippocampus, the adult neurogenesis. Changes in the rate of adult neurogenesis and in spine density can influence several forms of learning and memory and can contribute to depression-like behaviors. The possible roles of BDNF in neuronal plasticity highlighted in this review focus on the effect of antidepressant therapies on BDNF-mediated plasticity. Moreover, we will review data that illustrate the role of BDNF as a potent protective factor that is able to confer protection against neurodegeneration, in particular in Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, we will give evidence of how the involvement of BDNF in the pathogenesis of brain glioblastoma has emerged, thus opening new avenues for the treatment of this deadly cancer.
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Sidhu MK, Thompson PJ, Wandschneider B, Foulkes A, de Tisi J, Stretton J, Perona M, Thom M, Bonelli SB, Burdett J, Williams E, Duncan JS, Matarin M. The impact of brain-derived neurotrophic factor Val66Met polymorphism on cognition and functional brain networks in patients with intractable partial epilepsy. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:223-232. [PMID: 29952080 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is the most common refractory focal epilepsy in adults. Around 30%-40% of patients have prominent memory impairment and experience significant postoperative memory and language decline after surgical treatment. BDNF Val66Met polymorphism has also been associated with cognition and variability in structural and functional hippocampal indices in healthy controls and some patient groups. AIMS We examined whether BDNF Val66Met variation was associated with cognitive impairment in mTLE. METHODS In this study, we investigated the association of Val66Met polymorphism with cognitive performance (n = 276), postoperative cognitive change (n = 126) and fMRI activation patterns during memory encoding and language paradigms in 2 groups of patients with mTLE (n = 37 and 34). RESULTS mTLE patients carrying the Met allele performed more poorly on memory tasks and showed reduced medial temporal lobe activation and reduced task-related deactivations within the default mode networks in both the fMRI memory and language tasks than Val/Val patients. CONCLUSIONS Although cognitive impairment in epilepsy is the result of a complex interaction of factors, our results suggest a role of genetic factors on cognitive impairment in mTLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meneka K Sidhu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Pamela J Thompson
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Britta Wandschneider
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Foulkes
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jane de Tisi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jason Stretton
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Marina Perona
- Department of Radiobiology (CAC), National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Maria Thom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Jane Burdett
- Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Elaine Williams
- Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - John S Duncan
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Epilepsy Society MRI Unit, Chesham Lane, Buckinghamshire, UK
| | - Mar Matarin
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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