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Cordeiro A, Gomes C, Bicker J, Fortuna A. Aging and cognitive resilience: Molecular mechanisms as new potential therapeutic targets. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104093. [PMID: 38992420 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104093] [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] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
As the global population ages, the need to prolong lifespan and healthspan becomes increasingly imperative. Understanding the molecular determinants underlying cognitive resilience, together with changes during aging and the (epi)genetic factors that predispose an individual to decreased cognitive resilience, open avenues for researching novel therapies. This review provides a critical and timely appraisal of the molecular mechanisms underlying cognitive resilience, framed within a critical analysis of emerging therapeutic strategies to mitigate age-related cognitive decline. Significant insights from both animals and human subjects are discussed herein, directed either toward active pharmaceutical ingredients (drug repositioning or macromolecules), or, alternatively, advanced cellular therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cordeiro
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Catarina Gomes
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Bicker
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Fortuna
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Velázquez-Delgado C, Hernández-Ortiz E, Landa-Navarro L, Tapia-Rodríguez M, Moreno-Castilla P, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Repeated exposure to novelty promotes resilience against the amyloid-beta effect through dopaminergic stimulation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06650-5. [PMID: 39145803 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06650-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE The accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in the forebrain leads to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that individuals with a consistently cognitively active lifestyle are less vulnerable to Aβ toxicity. Recent research has demonstrated that intrahippocampal Aβ can impact catecholaminergic release and spatial memory. Interestingly, exposure to novelty stimuli has been found to stimulate the release of catecholamines in the hippocampus. However, it remains uncertain whether repeated enhancing catecholamine activity can effectively alleviate cognitive impairment in individuals with Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVES Our primary aim was to investigate whether repeated exposure to novelty could enable cognitive resilience against Aβ. This protection could be achieved by modulating catecholaminergic activity within the hippocampus. METHODS To investigate this hypothesis, we subjected mice to three different conditions-standard housing (SH), repeated novelty (Nov), or daily social interaction (Soc) for one month. We then infused saline solution (SS) or Aβ (Aβ1-42) oligomers intrahippocampally and measured spatial memory retrieval in a Morris Water Maze (MWM). Stereological analysis and extracellular baseline dopamine levels using in vivo microdialysis were assessed in independent groups of mice. RESULTS The mice that received Aβ1-42 intrahippocampal infusions and remained in SH or Soc conditions showed impaired spatial memory retrieval. In contrast, animals subjected to the Nov protocol demonstrated remarkable resilience, showing strong spatial memory expression even after Aβ1-42 intrahippocampal infusion. The stereological analysis indicated that the Aβ1-42 infusion reduced the tyrosine hydroxylase axonal length in SH or Soc mice compared to the Nov group. Accordingly, the hippocampal extracellular dopamine levels increased significantly in the Nov groups. CONCLUSIONS These compelling results demonstrate the potential for repeated novelty exposure to strengthen the dopaminergic system and mitigate the toxic effects of Aβ1-42. They also highlight new and promising therapeutic avenues for treating and preventing AD, especially in its early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Velázquez-Delgado
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Hernández-Ortiz
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lucia Landa-Navarro
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Tapia-Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Perla Moreno-Castilla
- Laboratory of Cognitive Resilience, Center of Aging Research (CIE), Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute, CINVESTAV, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 04510, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Granov R, Vedad S, Wang SH, Durham A, Shah D, Pasinetti GM. The Role of the Neural Exposome as a Novel Strategy to Identify and Mitigate Health Inequities in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04339-6. [PMID: 38967905 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04339-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
With the continuous increase of the elderly population, there is an urgency to understand and develop relevant treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). In tandem with this, the prevalence of health inequities continues to rise as disadvantaged communities fail to be included in mainstream research. The neural exposome poses as a relevant mechanistic approach and tool for investigating ADRD onset, progression, and pathology as it accounts for several different factors: exogenous, endogenous, and behavioral. Consequently, through the neural exposome, health inequities can be addressed in ADRD research. In this paper, we address how the neural exposome relates to ADRD by contributing to the discourse through defining how the neural exposome can be developed as a tool in accordance with machine learning. Through this, machine learning can allow for developing a greater insight into the application of transferring and making sense of experimental mouse models exposed to health inequities and potentially relate it to humans. The overall goal moving beyond this paper is to define a multitude of potential factors that can increase the risk of ADRD onset and integrate them to create an interdisciplinary approach to the study of ADRD and subsequently translate the findings to clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravid Granov
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10019, USA
| | - Skyler Vedad
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10019, USA
| | - Shu-Han Wang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10019, USA
| | - Andrea Durham
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10019, USA
| | - Divyash Shah
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10019, USA
| | - Giulio Maria Pasinetti
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10019, USA.
- Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center, JJ Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.
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Grünewald B, Wickel J, Hahn N, Rahmati V, Rupp H, Chung HY, Haselmann H, Strauss AS, Schmidl L, Hempel N, Grünewald L, Urbach A, Bauer M, Toyka KV, Blaess M, Claus RA, König R, Geis C. Targeted rescue of synaptic plasticity improves cognitive decline in sepsis-associated encephalopathy. Mol Ther 2024; 32:2113-2129. [PMID: 38788710 PMCID: PMC11286813 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.05.001] [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] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a frequent complication of severe systemic infection resulting in delirium, premature death, and long-term cognitive impairment. We closely mimicked SAE in a murine peritoneal contamination and infection (PCI) model. We found long-lasting synaptic pathology in the hippocampus including defective long-term synaptic plasticity, reduction of mature neuronal dendritic spines, and severely affected excitatory neurotransmission. Genes related to synaptic signaling, including the gene for activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc/Arg3.1) and members of the transcription-regulatory EGR gene family, were downregulated. At the protein level, ARC expression and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in the brain were affected. For targeted rescue we used adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of ARC in the hippocampus in vivo. This recovered defective synaptic plasticity and improved memory dysfunction. Using the enriched environment paradigm as a non-invasive rescue intervention, we found improvement of defective long-term potentiation, memory, and anxiety. The beneficial effects of an enriched environment were accompanied by an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and ARC expression in the hippocampus, suggesting that activation of the BDNF-TrkB pathway leads to restoration of the PCI-induced reduction of ARC. Collectively, our findings identify synaptic pathomechanisms underlying SAE and provide a conceptual approach to target SAE-induced synaptic dysfunction with potential therapeutic applications to patients with SAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Grünewald
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Institute of Pathophysiology and Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Jonathan Wickel
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Nina Hahn
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Vahid Rahmati
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Hanna Rupp
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Ha-Yeun Chung
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Holger Haselmann
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Anja S Strauss
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Lars Schmidl
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Nina Hempel
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Lena Grünewald
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital of Frankfurt, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Anja Urbach
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Jena Center for Healthy Aging, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Leibniz Institute on Aging, Aging Research Center Jena, Beutenbergstr. 11, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Michael Bauer
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Klaus V Toyka
- Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Blaess
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Institute of Precision Medicine, Medical and Life Sciences Faculty, Furtwangen University, 78054 Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Ralf A Claus
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Rainer König
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Center for Sepsis Control and Care, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZP), Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Jena, Germany.
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Sinclair D, Canty AJ, Ziebell JM, Woodhouse A, Collins JM, Perry S, Roccati E, Kuruvilla M, Leung J, Atkinson R, Vickers JC, Cook AL, King AE. Experimental laboratory models as tools for understanding modifiable dementia risk. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:4260-4289. [PMID: 38687209 PMCID: PMC11180874 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13834] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Experimental laboratory research has an important role to play in dementia prevention. Mechanisms underlying modifiable risk factors for dementia are promising targets for dementia prevention but are difficult to investigate in human populations due to technological constraints and confounds. Therefore, controlled laboratory experiments in models such as transgenic rodents, invertebrates and in vitro cultured cells are increasingly used to investigate dementia risk factors and test strategies which target them to prevent dementia. This review provides an overview of experimental research into 15 established and putative modifiable dementia risk factors: less early-life education, hearing loss, depression, social isolation, life stress, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, heavy alcohol use, smoking, air pollution, anesthetic exposure, traumatic brain injury, and disordered sleep. It explores how experimental models have been, and can be, used to address questions about modifiable dementia risk and prevention that cannot readily be addressed in human studies. HIGHLIGHTS: Modifiable dementia risk factors are promising targets for dementia prevention. Interrogation of mechanisms underlying dementia risk is difficult in human populations. Studies using diverse experimental models are revealing modifiable dementia risk mechanisms. We review experimental research into 15 modifiable dementia risk factors. Laboratory science can contribute uniquely to dementia prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan Sinclair
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Alison J. Canty
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity CollegeDublinIreland
| | - Jenna M. Ziebell
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Adele Woodhouse
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Jessica M. Collins
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Sharn Perry
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Eddy Roccati
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Maneesh Kuruvilla
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Jacqueline Leung
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Rachel Atkinson
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - James C. Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Anthony L. Cook
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
| | - Anna E. King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of TasmaniaHobartTasmaniaAustralia
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Tamano H, Takiguchi M, Murakami D, Kawano Y, Fukuda T, Ikeda H, Akagi Y, Ikeura S, Takeda A. Blockage of metallothionein synthesis via adrenaline β receptor activation invalidates dehydroeffusol-mediated prevention of amyloid β 1-42 toxicity. Neurosci Lett 2024; 825:137708. [PMID: 38438068 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137708] [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] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Dehydroeffusol, a major phenanthrene in Juncus effusus, protects neurodegeneration induced by intracellular Zn2+ ferried by extracellular amyloid β1-42 (Aβ1-42). Here we focused on adrenaline β receptor activation and the induction of metallothioneins (MTs), intracellular Zn2+-binding proteins to test the protective mechanism of dehydroeffusol. Isoproterenol, an agonist of adrenergic β receptors elevated the level of MTs in the dentate granule cell layer 1 day after intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection. When Aβ1-42 was injected 1 day after isoproterenol injection, pre-injection of isoproterenol protected Aβ1-42 toxicity via reducing the increase in intracellular Zn2+ after ICV injection of Aβ1-42. On the basis of the effect of increased MTs by isoproterenol, dehydroeffusol (15 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered to mice once a day for 2 days. On day later, dehydroeffusol elevated the level of MTs and prevented Aβ1-42 toxicity via reducing Aβ1-42-mediated increase in intracellular Zn2+. In contrast, propranolol, an antagonist of adrenergic β receptors reduced the level of MTs increased by dehydroeffusol, resulting in invalidating the preventive effect of dehydroeffusol on Aβ1-42 toxicity. The present study indicates that blockage of MT synthesis via adrenaline β receptor activation invalidates dehydroeffusol-mediated prevention of Aβ1-42 toxicity. It is likely that MT synthesis via adrenaline β receptor activation is beneficial to neuroprotection and that oral intake of dehydroeffusol preventively serves against the Aβ1-42 toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Tamano
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan; Shizuoka Tohto Medical College, 1949 Minamiema, Izunokuni, Shizuoka 410-2221, Japan
| | - Mako Takiguchi
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Daichi Murakami
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Yuya Kawano
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | | | - Hiroki Ikeda
- Satoen CO., LTD., 1057 Ohhara, Aoi-ku Shizuoka 421-1392, Japan
| | - Yasuhito Akagi
- Hagihara & CO., LTD., 884 Nishibara, Nishiachicho, Kurashiki 710-8501, Japan
| | - Shinji Ikeura
- Hagihara & CO., LTD., 884 Nishibara, Nishiachicho, Kurashiki 710-8501, Japan
| | - Atsushi Takeda
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, 52-1 Yada, Suruga-ku, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan.
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Duggan MR, Steinberg Z, Peterson T, Francois TJ, Parikh V. Cognitive trajectories in longitudinally trained 3xTg-AD mice. Physiol Behav 2024; 275:114435. [PMID: 38103626 PMCID: PMC10872326 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114435] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical studies in Alzheimer's disease (AD) often rely on cognitively naïve animal models in cross-sectional designs that can fail to reflect the cognitive exposures across the lifespan and heterogeneous neurobehavioral features observed in humans. To determine whether longitudinal cognitive training may affect cognitive capacities in a well-characterized AD mouse model, 3xTg and wild-type mice (n = 20) were exposed daily to a training variant of the Go-No-Go (GNG) operant task from 3 to 9 months old. At 3, 6, and 9 months, performance on a testing variant of the GNG task and anxiety-like behaviors were measured, while long-term recognition memory was also assessed at 9 months. In general, GNG training improved performance with increasing age across genotypes. At 3 months old, 3xTg mice showed slight deficits in inhibitory control that were accompanied by minor improvements in signal detection and decreased anxiety-like behavior, but these differences did not persist at 6 and 9 months old. At 9 months old, 3xTg mice displayed minor deficits in signal detection, and long-term recognition memory capacity was comparable with wild-type subjects. Our findings indicate that longitudinal cognitive training can render 3xTg mice with cognitive capacities that are on par with their wild-type counterparts, potentially reflecting functional compensation in subjects harboring AD genetic mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Duggan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Zoe Steinberg
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Tara Peterson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Tara-Jade Francois
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.
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Rajagopal L, Huang M, Mahjour S, Ryan C, Elzokaky A, Svensson KA, Meltzer HY. The dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulator, DETQ, improves cognition and social interaction in aged mice and enhances cortical and hippocampal acetylcholine efflux. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114766. [PMID: 38048913 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114766] [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] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptors (Rs) are critical for cognitive functioning. D1 positive allosteric modulators (D1PAMs) activate D1Rs without desensitization or an inverted U-shaped dose response curve. DETQ, [2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-((1S,3R)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethan-1-one] is highly selective for the human D1Rs as shown in humanized D1R knock-in (hD1Ki) mice. Here, we have ascertained the efficacy of DETQ in aged [13-23-month-old (mo)] hD1Ki mice and their corresponding age-matched wild-type (WT; C57BL/6NTac) controls. We found that in aged mice, DETQ, given acutely, subchronically, and chronically, rescued both novel object recognition memory and social behaviors, using novel object recognition (NOR) and social interaction (SI) tasks, respectively without any adverse effect on body weight or mortality. We have also shown, using in vivo microdialysis, a significant decrease in basal DA and norepinephrine, increase in glutamate (Glu) and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) efflux with no significant changes in acetylcholine (ACh) levels in aged vs young mice. In young and aged hD1Ki mice, DETQ, acutely and subchronically increased ACh in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal regions in aged hD1Ki mice without affecting Glu. These results suggest that the D1PAM mechanism is of interest as potential treatment for cognitive and social behavioral deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders including but not restricted to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mei Huang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sanaz Mahjour
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chelsea Ryan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ahmad Elzokaky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kjell A Svensson
- Neuroscience Discovery, Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - H Y Meltzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Mohd Sahini SN, Mohd Nor Hazalin NA, Srikumar BN, Jayasingh Chellammal HS, Surindar Singh GK. Environmental enrichment improves cognitive function, learning, memory and anxiety-related behaviours in rodent models of dementia: Implications for future study. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024; 208:107880. [PMID: 38103676 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107880] [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] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is a process of brain stimulation by modifying the surroundings, for example, by changing the sensory, social, or physical conditions. Rodents have been used in such experimental strategies through exposure to diverse physical, social, and exploration conditions. The present study conducted an extensive analysis of the existing literature surrounding the impact of EE on dementia rodent models. The review emphasised the two principal aspects that are very closely related to dementia: cognitive function (learning and memory) as well as psychological factors (anxiety-related behaviours such as phobias and unrealistic worries). Also highlighted were the mechanisms involved in the rodent models of dementia showing EE effects. Two search engines, PubMed and Science Direct, were used for data collection using the following keywords: environmental enrichment, dementia, rodent model, cognitive performance, and anxiety-related behaviour. Fifty-five articles were chosen depending on the criteria for inclusion and exclusion. The rodent models with dementia demonstrated improved learning and memory in the form of hampered inflammatory responses, enhanced neuronal plasticity, and sustained neuronal activity. EE housing also prevented memory impairment through the prevention of amyloid beta (Aβ) seeding formation, an early stage of Aβ plaque formation. The rodents subjected to EE were observed to present increased exploratory activity and exert less anxiety-related behaviour, compared to those in standard housing. However, some studies have proposed that EE intervention through exercise would be too mild to counteract the anxiety-related behaviour and risk assessment behaviour deficits in the Alzheimer's disease rodent model. Future studies should be conducted on old-aged rodents and the duration of EE exposure that would elicit the greatest benefits since the existing studies have been conducted on a range of ages and EE durations. In summary, EE had a considerable effect on dementia rodent models, with the most evident being improved cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Norhafizah Mohd Sahini
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Outpatient Pharmacy Department, Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
| | - Nurul Aqmar Mohd Nor Hazalin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute (iPROMiSE), Level 7, FF3, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bettadapura N Srikumar
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Road, Bengaluru - 560029, India
| | - Hanish Singh Jayasingh Chellammal
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Brain Degeneration and Therapeutics Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Gurmeet Kaur Surindar Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Life Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Selangor Branch, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia; Brain Degeneration and Therapeutics Group, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
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10
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Bhalla M, Lee CJ. Long-term inhibition of ODC1 in APP/PS1 mice rescues amyloid pathology and switches astrocytes from a reactive to active state. Mol Brain 2024; 17:3. [PMID: 38216963 PMCID: PMC10785549 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-024-01076-8] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the loss of memory due to aggregation of misphosphorylated tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain, elevated release of inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and reactive oxygen species from astrocytes, and subsequent neurodegeneration. Recently, it was found that enzyme Ornithine Decarboxylase 1 (ODC1) acts as a bridge between the astrocytic urea cycle and the putrescine-to-GABA conversion pathway in the brain of AD mouse models as well as human patients. In this study, we show that the long-term knockdown of astrocytic Odc1 in APP/PS1 animals was sufficient to completely clear Aβ plaques in the hippocampus while simultaneously switching the astrocytes from a detrimental reactive state to a regenerative active state, characterized by proBDNF expression. Our experiments also reveal an effect of astrocytic ODC1 inhibition on the expression of genes involved in synapse pruning and organization, histone modification, apoptotic signaling and protein processing. These genes are previously known to be associated with astrocytic activation and together create a neuroregeneration-supportive environment in the brain. By inhibiting ODC1 for a long period of 3 months in AD mice, we demonstrate that the beneficial amyloid-clearing process of astrocytes can be completely segregated from the systemically harmful astrocytic response to insult. Our study reports an almost complete clearance of Aβ plaques by controlling an endogenous degradation process, which also modifies the astrocytic state to create a regeneration-supportive environment in the brain. These findings present the potential of modulating astrocytic clearance of Aβ as a powerful therapeutic strategy against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mridula Bhalla
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute (LSI), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), 55, Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea
- IBS School, University of Science and Technology (UST), 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - C Justin Lee
- Center for Cognition and Sociality, Life Science Institute (LSI), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), 55, Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34126, Republic of Korea.
- IBS School, University of Science and Technology (UST), 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Gallas-Lopes M, Benvenutti R, Donzelli NIZ, Marcon M. A systematic review of the impact of environmental enrichment in zebrafish. Lab Anim (NY) 2023; 52:332-343. [PMID: 38017181 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-023-01288-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) consists of a series of interventions carried out in the home environment to promote greater exposure to sensory stimuli and mimic the natural habitat of laboratory-housed animals, providing environments closer to those found in nature. Some studies have shown the positive effects of EE in zebrafish housed in a laboratory environment. However, this evidence is still recent and accompanied by contradictory results. Furthermore, there is great variability in the protocols applied and in the conditions of the tests, tanks and materials used to generate an enriched environment. This substantial variability can bring many uncertainties to the development of future studies and hinder the reproducibility and replicability of research. Here, in this context, we carried out a systematic review of the literature, aiming to provide an overview of the EE protocols used in zebrafish research. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science and the studies were selected on the basis of predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria. A total of 901 articles were identified in the databases, and 27 of those studies were included in this review. We conducted data extraction and risk-of-bias analysis in the included studies. Among these studies, the effect of EE was evaluated in two different ways: (1) for animal welfare and (2) as an intervention to prevent behavioral, biochemical, molecular, developmental and breeding dysfunctions. Although the EE protocols in zebrafish presented a series of experimental differences, the results showed that the benefits of the EE for zebrafish were consistent. According to the results described here, the use of EE in the zebrafish home tank improves welfare and may reduce sources of bias in scientific research. However, it is still necessary to develop standardized protocols to improve the application of EE in scientific studies using zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Gallas-Lopes
- Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Radharani Benvenutti
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nayne I Z Donzelli
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
- Laboratório de Zebrafish (ZebLab), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - Matheus Marcon
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Farmacologia e Fisiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Zebrafish (ZebLab), Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências da Saúde, Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil.
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12
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Luo Q, Zheng J, Fan B, Liu J, Liao W, Zhang X. Enriched environment attenuates ferroptosis after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating iron metabolism. Brain Res Bull 2023; 203:110778. [PMID: 37812906 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Preventing neuronal death after ischemic stroke (IS) is crucial for neuroprotective treatment, yet current management options are limited. Enriched environment (EE) is an effective intervention strategy that promotes the recovery of neurological function after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Ferroptosis has been identified as one of the mechanisms of neuronal death during IS, and inhibiting ferroptosis can reduce cerebral I/R injury. Our previous research has demonstrated that EE reduced ferroptosis by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, but the underlying mechanism still needs to be investigated. This study aims to explore the potential molecular mechanisms by which EE modulates iron metabolism to reduce ferroptosis. The experimental animals were randomly divided into four groups based on the housing environment and the procedure the animals received: the sham-operated + standard environment (SSE) group, the sham-operated + enriched environment (SEE) group, the ischemia/reperfusion + standard environment (ISE) group, and the ischemia/reperfusion + enriched environment (IEE) group. The results showed that EE reduced IL-6 expression during cerebral I/R injury, hence reducing JAK2-STAT3 pathway activation and hepcidin expression. Reduced hepcidin expression led to decreased DMT1 expression and increased FPN1 expression in neurons, resulting in lower neuronal iron levels and alleviated ferroptosis. In addition, EE also reduced the expression of TfR1 in neurons. Our research suggested that EE played a neuroprotective role by modulating iron metabolism and reducing neuronal ferroptosis after cerebral I/R injury, which might be achieved by inhibiting inflammatory response and down-regulating hepcidin expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qihang Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Zheng
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Bin Fan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingying Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weijing Liao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
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13
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Terstege DJ, Epp JR. Parvalbumin as a sex-specific target in Alzheimer's disease research - A mini-review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 153:105370. [PMID: 37619647 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105370] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, and both the incidence of this disease and its associated cognitive decline disproportionally effect women. While the etiology of AD is unknown, recent work has demonstrated that the balance of excitatory and inhibitory activity across the brain may serve as a strong predictor of cognitive impairments in AD. Across the cortex, the most prominent source of inhibitory signalling is from a class of parvalbumin-expressing interneurons (PV+). In this mini-review, the impacts of sex- and age-related factors on the function of PV+ neurons are examined within the context of vulnerability to AD pathology. These primary factors of influence include changes in brain metabolism, circulating sex hormone levels, and inflammatory response. In addition to positing the increased vulnerability of PV+ neurons to dysfunction in AD, this mini-review highlights the critical importance of presenting sex stratified data in the study of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Terstege
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Jonathan R Epp
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada.
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14
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Soto PL, Young ME, DiMarco GM, George B, Melnikova T, Savonenko AV, Harris BN. Longitudinal assessment of cognitive function in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer's-related beta-amyloidosis. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 128:85-99. [PMID: 37120419 PMCID: PMC10239324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.03.010] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related cognitive decline can be useful for developing therapeutics. The current study longitudinally assessed short-term memory, using a delayed matching-to-position (DMTP) task, and attention, using a 3-choice serial reaction time (3CSRT) task, from approximately 18 weeks of age through death or 72 weeks of age in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, a widely used mouse model of AD-related amyloidosis. Both transgenic (Tg) and non-Tg mice exhibited improvements in DMTP accuracy over time. Breaks in testing reduced DMTP accuracy but accuracy values quickly recovered in both Tg and non-Tg mice. Both Tg and non-Tg mice exhibited high accuracy in the 3CSRT task with breaks in testing briefly reducing accuracy values equivalently in the 2 genotypes. The current results raise the possibility that deficits in Tg APPswe/PS1dE9 mice involve impairments in learning rather than declines in established performances. A better understanding of the factors that determine whether deficits develop will be useful for designing evaluations of potential pharmacotherapeutics and may reveal interventions for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul L Soto
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
| | - Michael E Young
- Department of Psychology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Giuliana M DiMarco
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Brianna George
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Tatiana Melnikova
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alena V Savonenko
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Breanna N Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, USA
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15
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Morè L, Privitera L, Cooper DD, Tsogka M, Arthur JSC, Frenguelli BG. MSK1 is required for the beneficial synaptic and cognitive effects of enriched experience across the lifespan. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:6031-6072. [PMID: 37432063 PMCID: PMC10373962 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204833] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Positive experiences, such as social interaction, cognitive training and physical exercise, have been shown to ameliorate some of the harms to cognition associated with ageing. Animal models of positive interventions, commonly known as environmental enrichment, strongly influence neuronal morphology and synaptic function and enhance cognitive performance. While the profound structural and functional benefits of enrichment have been appreciated for decades, little is known as to how the environment influences neurons to respond and adapt to these positive sensory experiences. We show that adult and aged male wild-type mice that underwent a 10-week environmental enrichment protocol demonstrated improved performance in a variety of behavioural tasks, including those testing spatial working and spatial reference memory, and an enhancement in hippocampal LTP. Aged animals in particular benefitted from enrichment, performing spatial memory tasks at levels similar to healthy adult mice. Many of these benefits, including in gene expression, were absent in mice with a mutation in an enzyme, MSK1, which is activated by BDNF, a growth factor implicated in rodent and human cognition. We conclude that enrichment is beneficial across the lifespan and that MSK1 is required for the full extent of these experience-induced improvements of cognitive abilities, synaptic plasticity and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Morè
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
| | - Lucia Privitera
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Daniel D. Cooper
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Marianthi Tsogka
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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16
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Torraville SE, Flynn CM, Kendall TL, Yuan Q. Life Experience Matters: Enrichment and Stress Can Influence the Likelihood of Developing Alzheimer's Disease via Gut Microbiome. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1884. [PMID: 37509523 PMCID: PMC10377385 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, characterized by the presence of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) formed from abnormally phosphorylated tau proteins (ptau). To date, there is no cure for AD. Earlier therapeutic efforts have focused on the clinical stages of AD. Despite paramount efforts and costs, pharmaceutical interventions including antibody therapies targeting Aβ have largely failed. This highlights the need to alternate treatment strategies and a shift of focus to early pre-clinical stages. Approximately 25-40% of AD cases can be attributed to environmental factors including chronic stress. Gut dysbiosis has been associated with stress and the pathogenesis of AD and can increase both Aβ and NFTs in animal models of the disease. Both stress and enrichment have been shown to alter AD progression and gut health. Targeting stress-induced gut dysbiosis through probiotic supplementation could provide a promising intervention to delay disease progression. In this review, we discuss the effects of stress, enrichment, and gut dysbiosis in AD models and the promising evidence from probiotic intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Torraville
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Cassandra M Flynn
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Tori L Kendall
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
| | - Qi Yuan
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL A1B 3V6, Canada
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17
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Lucon-Xiccato T, Montalbano G, Bertolucci C. Adaptive phenotypic plasticity induces individual variability along a cognitive trade-off. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230350. [PMID: 37357854 PMCID: PMC10291716 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0350] [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: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal species, including humans, display patterns of individual variability in cognition that are difficult to explain. For instance, some individuals perform well in certain cognitive tasks but show difficulties in others. We experimentally analysed the contribution of cognitive plasticity to such variability. Theory suggests that diametrically opposed cognitive phenotypes increase individuals' fitness in environments with different conditions such as resource predictability. Therefore, if selection has generated plasticity that matches individuals' cognitive phenotypes to the environment, this might produce remarkable cognitive variability. We found that guppies, Poecilia reticulata, exposed to an environment with high resource predictability (i.e. food available at the same time and in the same location) developed enhanced learning abilities. Conversely, guppies exposed to an environment with low resource predictability (i.e. food available at a random time and location) developed enhanced cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control. These cognitive differences align along a trade-off between functions that favour the acquisition of regularities such as learning and functions that adjust behaviour to changing conditions (cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control). Therefore, adaptive cognitive plasticity in response to resource predictability (and potentially similar factors) is a key determinant of cognitive individual differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyrone Lucon-Xiccato
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giulia Montalbano
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Cristiano Bertolucci
- Department of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
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18
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Riordan R, Rong W, Yu Z, Ross G, Valerio J, Dimas-Muñoz J, Heredia V, Magnusson K, Galvan V, Perez VI. Effect of Nrf2 loss on senescence and cognition of tau-based P301S mice. GeroScience 2023; 45:1451-1469. [PMID: 36976489 PMCID: PMC10400516 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00760-2] [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: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence may contribute to chronic inflammation involved in the progression of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its removal prevents cognitive impairment in a model of tauopathy. Nrf2, the major transcription factor for damage response pathways and regulators of inflammation, declines with age. Our previous work showed that silencing Nrf2 gives rise to premature senescence in cells and mice. Others have shown that Nrf2 ablation can exacerbate cognitive phenotypes of some AD models. In this study, we aimed to understand the relationship between Nrf2 elimination, senescence, and cognitive impairment in AD, by generating a mouse model expressing a mutant human tau transgene in an Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2KO) background. We assessed senescent cell burden and cognitive decline of P301S mice in the presence and absence of Nrf2. Lastly, we administered 4.5-month-long treatments with two senotherapeutic drugs to analyze their potential to prevent senescent cell burden and cognitive decline: the senolytic drugs dasatinib and quercetin (DQ) and the senomorphic drug rapamycin. Nrf2 loss accelerated the onset of hind-limb paralysis in P301S mice. At 8.5 months of age, P301S mice did not exhibit memory deficits, while P301S mice without Nrf2 were significantly impaired. However, markers of senescence were not elevated by Nrf2 ablation in any of tissues that we examined. Neither drug treatment improved cognitive performance, nor did it reduce expression of senescence markers in brains of P301S mice. Contrarily, rapamycin treatment at the doses used delayed spatial learning and led to a modest decrease in spatial memory. Taken together, our data suggests that the emergence of senescence may be causally associated with onset of cognitive decline in the P301S model, indicate that Nrf2 protects brain function in a model of AD through mechanisms that may include, but do not require the inhibition of senescence, and suggest possible limitations for DQ and rapamycin as therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Riordan
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Wang Rong
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Zhen Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Grace Ross
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Juno Valerio
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Jovita Dimas-Muñoz
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Valeria Heredia
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Kathy Magnusson
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Veronica Galvan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Center for Geroscience and Healthy Brain Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, 740 Stanton L. Young Bvd BMSB 821, Oklahoma City, OK, 73104, USA.
- Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
| | - Viviana I Perez
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, 351 Linus Pauling Science Center, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA.
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19
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El-Demerdash N, Pan T, Choi O, Saraswati M, Koehler RC, Robertson CL, Savonenko A. Importance of Control Groups for Evaluating Long-Term Behavioral and Cognitive Outcomes of Controlled Cortical Impact in Immature Rats. J Neurotrauma 2023; 40:1197-1215. [PMID: 36416234 PMCID: PMC10259614 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapies are limited for pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI), especially for the very young who can experience long-term consequences to learning, memory, and social behavior. Animal models of pediatric TBI have yielded mechanistic insights, but demonstration of clinically relevant long-term behavioral and/or cognitive deficits has been challenging. We characterized short- and long-term outcomes in a controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of pediatric TBI using a panel of tests between 2 weeks and ∼4 months after injury. Male rats with CCI at postnatal Day (PND) 10 were compared with three control groups: Naïve, Anesthesia, and Craniotomy. Motor testing (PND 25-33), novel object recognition (NOR; PND 40-50), and multiple tasks in water maze (WM; PND 65-100) were followed by social interaction tests (PND 120-140). Anesthesia rats performed the same as Naïve rats in all tasks. TBI rats, when compared with Naïve controls, had functional impairments across most tests studied. The most sensitive cognitive processes affected by TBI included those that required fast one-trial learning (NOR, WM), flexibility of acquired memory traces (reversals in WM), response strategies (WM), or recognition memory in the setting of reciprocal social interactions. Both TBI and Craniotomy groups demonstrated increased rates of decision making across several WM tasks, suggesting disinhibition of motor responses. When the TBI group was compared with the Craniotomy group, however, deficits were detected in a limited number of outcomes. The latter included learning speed (WM), cognitive flexibility (WM), and social recognition memory. Notably, effects of craniotomy, when compared with Naïve controls, spanned across multiple tasks, and in some tasks, could reach the effect sizes observed in TBI. These results highlight the importance of appropriate control groups in pediatric CCI models. In addition, the study demonstrates the high sensitivity of comprehensive cognitive testing to detect long-term effects of early-age craniotomy and TBI and provides a template for future testing of experimental therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nagat El-Demerdash
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tiffany Pan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Olivia Choi
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Manda Saraswati
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Raymond C. Koehler
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Courtney L. Robertson
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alena Savonenko
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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20
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Castranio EL, Hasel P, Haure-Mirande JV, Ramirez Jimenez AV, Hamilton BW, Kim RD, Glabe CG, Wang M, Zhang B, Gandy S, Liddelow SA, Ehrlich ME. Microglial INPP5D limits plaque formation and glial reactivity in the PSAPP mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2239-2252. [PMID: 36448627 PMCID: PMC10481344 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase D (INPP5D) gene encodes a dual-specificity phosphatase that can dephosphorylate both phospholipids and phosphoproteins. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in INPP5D impact risk for developing late onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). METHODS To assess the consequences of inducible Inpp5d knockdown in microglia of APPKM670/671NL /PSEN1Δexon9 (PSAPP) mice, we injected 3-month-old Inpp5dfl/fl /Cx3cr1CreER/+ and PSAPP/Inpp5dfl/fl /Cx3cr1CreER/+ mice with either tamoxifen (TAM) or corn oil (CO) to induce recombination. RESULTS At age 6 months, we found that the percent area of 6E10+ deposits and plaque-associated microglia in Inpp5d knockdown mice were increased compared to controls. Spatial transcriptomics identified a plaque-specific expression profile that was extensively altered by Inpp5d knockdown. DISCUSSION These results demonstrate that conditional Inpp5d downregulation in the PSAPP mouse increases plaque burden and recruitment of microglia to plaques. Spatial transcriptomics highlighted an extended gene expression signature associated with plaques and identified CST7 (cystatin F) as a novel marker of plaques. HIGHLIGHTS Inpp5d knockdown increases plaque burden and plaque-associated microglia number. Spatial transcriptomics identifies an expanded plaque-specific gene expression profile. Plaque-induced gene expression is altered by Inpp5d knockdown in microglia. Our plaque-associated gene signature overlaps with human Alzheimer's disease gene networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie L. Castranio
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Philip Hasel
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | - B. Wade Hamilton
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Rachel D. Kim
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
| | - Charles G. Glabe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry,
University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Sam Gandy
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Alzheimer’s Disease
Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York,
USA
- James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, New York,
USA
| | - Shane A. Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine,
New York, New York, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, NYU Grossman
School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of
Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman
School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle E. Ehrlich
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount
Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School
of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at
Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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21
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Williams E, Mutlu-Smith M, Alex A, Chin XW, Spires-Jones T, Wang SH. Mid-Adulthood Cognitive Training Improves Performance in a Spatial Task but Does Not Ameliorate Hippocampal Pathology in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 93:683-704. [PMID: 37066912 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior experience in early life has been shown to improve performance in aging and mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, whether cognitive training at a later life stage would benefit subsequent cognition and reduce pathology in AD mice needs to be better understood. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to verify if behavioral training in mid-adulthood would improve subsequent cognition and reduce AD pathology and astrogliosis. METHODS Mixed-sex APP/PS1 and wildtype littermate mice received a battery of behavioral training, composed of spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze, novel object recognition and location tasks, and spatial training in the water maze, or handling only at 7 months of age. The impact of AD genotype and prior training on subsequent learning and memory of aforementioned tasks were assessed at 9 months. RESULTS APP/PS1 mice made more errors than wildtype littermates in the radial-arm water maze (RAWM) task. Prior training prevented this impairment in APP/PS1 mice. Prior training also contributed to better efficiency in finding the escape platform in both APP/PS1 mice and wildtype littermates. Short-term and long-term memory of this RAWM task, of a reversal task, and of a transfer task were comparable among APP/PS1 and wildtype mice, with or without prior training. Amyloid pathology and astrogliosis in the hippocampus were also comparable between the APP/PS1 groups. CONCLUSION These data suggest that cognitive training in mid-adulthood improves subsequent accuracy in AD mice and efficiency in all mice in the spatial task. Cognitive training in mid-adulthood provides no clear benefit on memory or on amyloid pathology in midlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Williams
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Menekşe Mutlu-Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ashli Alex
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Xi Wei Chin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Szu-Han Wang
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Pham AQ, Dore K. Novel approaches to increase synaptic resilience as potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:84-92. [PMID: 35370089 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A significant proportion of brains with Alzheimer's disease pathology are obtained from patients that were cognitively normal, suggesting that differences within the brains of these individuals made them resilient to the disease. Here, we describe recent approaches that specifically increase synaptic resilience, as loss of synapses is considered to be the first change in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. We start by discussing studies showing benefit from increased expression of neurotrophic factors and protective genes. Methods that effectively make dendritic spines stronger, specifically by acting through actin network proteins, scaffolding proteins and inhibition of phosphatases are described next. Importantly, the therapeutic strategies presented in this review tackle Alzheimer's disease not by targeting plaques and tangles, but instead by making synapses resilient to the pathology associated with Alzheimer's disease, which has tremendous potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Q Pham
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, UCSD, La Jolla 92093, United States
| | - Kim Dore
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Neural Circuits and Behavior, UCSD, La Jolla 92093, United States.
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23
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Lonnemann N, Korte M, Hosseini S. Repeated performance of spatial memory tasks ameliorates cognitive decline in APP/PS1 mice. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114218. [PMID: 36403672 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a burden on the public health system because it is a neurodegenerative disease that is incurable and for which there is no successful treatment. AD patients suffer from symptoms for many years, with progressive loss of cognitive and functional abilities. In addition to the features of AD, described as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, neuroinflammatory processes, genetic factors, and lifestyle also play important roles. Increasing evidence for lifestyle factors includes possible changes due to smoking, social engagement, and physical activity. METHODS Morris water maze behavioral tasks were performed to analyze the formation of spatial memory. APPswe/PS1dE9 mice with a remarkable increase in amyloid-β production associated with certain behavioral abnormalities comparable to AD symptoms and age-matched wild-type littermates were trained several times at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of age and compared with untrained groups at 9 and 12 months of age. Performance during the acquisition phase, in the reference memory test, and in searching strategies were analyzed. RESULTS 9- and 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice showed cognitive impairment, especially in the reference memory test and searching strategies. This cognitive deterioration was reversed in 9- and 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice that had been previously trained several times. Even in the reversal test, in which memory formation must be adapted to the new platform position, several trained APP/PS1 mice performed better. CONCLUSION Repeated spatial memory training in the water maze showed positive effects on memory formation in APP/PS1 mice. Interestingly, the cohort that had been previously trained several times was able to use increased hippocampus-dependent strategies, similar to the WT mice. This may suggest that cognitively demanding and physically active tasks can improve cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Lonnemann
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, TU Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Martin Korte
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, TU Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Group, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Shirin Hosseini
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, TU Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Group, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
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24
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Hinshaw RG, Schroeder MK, Ciola J, Varma C, Colletti B, Liu B, Liu GG, Shi Q, Williams JP, O’Banion MK, Caldarone BJ, Lemere CA. High-Energy, Whole-Body Proton Irradiation Differentially Alters Long-Term Brain Pathology and Behavior Dependent on Sex and Alzheimer's Disease Mutations. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043615. [PMID: 36835027 PMCID: PMC9965515 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Whole-body exposure to high-energy particle radiation remains an unmitigated hazard to human health in space. Ongoing experiments at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory and elsewhere repeatedly show persistent changes in brain function long after exposure to simulations of this unique radiation environment, although, as is also the case with proton radiotherapy sequelae, how this occurs and especially how it interacts with common comorbidities is not well-understood. Here, we report modest differential changes in behavior and brain pathology between male and female Alzheimer's-like and wildtype littermate mice 7-8 months after exposure to 0, 0.5, or 2 Gy of 1 GeV proton radiation. The mice were examined with a battery of behavior tests and assayed for amyloid beta pathology, synaptic markers, microbleeds, microglial reactivity, and plasma cytokines. In general, the Alzheimer's model mice were more prone than their wildtype littermates to radiation-induced behavior changes, and hippocampal staining for amyloid beta pathology and microglial activation in these mice revealed a dose-dependent reduction in males but not in females. In summary, radiation-induced, long-term changes in behavior and pathology, although modest, appear specific to both sex and the underlying disease state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G. Hinshaw
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02129, USA
| | - Maren K. Schroeder
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jason Ciola
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Curran Varma
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Brianna Colletti
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Grace Geyu Liu
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Qiaoqiao Shi
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jacqueline P. Williams
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - M. Kerry O’Banion
- Department of Neuroscience, Del Monte Institute of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | - Cynthia A. Lemere
- Department of Neurology, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Correspondence:
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25
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Stazi M, Zampar S, Klafki HW, Meyer T, Wirths O. A Combination of Caffeine Supplementation and Enriched Environment in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032155. [PMID: 36768476 PMCID: PMC9916825 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
A variety of factors has been associated with healthy brain aging, and epidemiological studies suggest that physical activity and nutritional supplements such as caffeine may reduce the risk of developing dementia and, in particular, Alzheimer's disease (AD) in later life. Caffeine is known to act as a cognitive enhancer but has been also shown to positively affect exercise performance in endurance activities. We have previously observed that chronic oral caffeine supplementation and a treatment paradigm encompassing physical and cognitive stimulation by enriched environment (EE) housing can improve learning and memory performance and ameliorate hippocampal neuron loss in the Tg4-42 mouse model of AD. Here, we investigated whether these effects were synergistic. To that end, previous findings on individual treatments were complemented with unpublished, additional data and analyzed in depth by ANOVA followed by Bonferroni multiple comparison post tests. We further evaluated whether plasma neurofilament light chain levels reflect neuropathological and behavioral changes observed in the experimental groups. While a treatment combining physical activity and caffeine supplementation significantly improved learning and memory function compared to standard-housed vehicle-treated Tg4-42 in tasks such as the Morris water maze, no major additive effect outperforming the effects of the single interventions was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Stazi
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvia Zampar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Wolfgang Klafki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Wirths
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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26
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Kanishka, Jha SK. Compensatory cognition in neurological diseases and aging: A review of animal and human studies. AGING BRAIN 2023; 3:100061. [PMID: 36911258 PMCID: PMC9997140 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Specialized individual circuits in the brain are recruited for specific functions. Interestingly, multiple neural circuitries continuously compete with each other to acquire the specialized function. However, the dominant among them compete and become the central neural network for that particular function. For example, the hippocampal principal neural circuitries are the dominant networks among many which are involved in learning processes. But, in the event of damage to the principal circuitry, many times, less dominant networks compensate for the primary network. This review highlights the psychopathologies of functional loss and the aspects of functional recuperation in the absence of the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanishka
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Sushil K Jha
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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27
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Lanooij SD, Eisel ULM, Drinkenburg WHIM, van der Zee EA, Kas MJH. Influencing cognitive performance via social interactions: a novel therapeutic approach for brain disorders based on neuroanatomical mapping? Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:28-33. [PMID: 35858991 PMCID: PMC9812764 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01698-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Many psychiatric and neurological disorders present deficits in both the social and cognitive domain. In this perspectives article, we provide an overview and the potential of the existence of an extensive neurobiological substrate underlying the close relationship between these two domains. By mapping the rodent brain regions involved in the social and/or cognitive domain, we show that the vast majority of brain regions involved in the cognitive domain are also involved in the social domain. The identified neuroanatomical overlap has an evolutionary basis, as complex social behavior requires cognitive skills, and aligns with the reported functional interactions of processes underlying cognitive and social performance. Based on the neuroanatomical mapping, recent (pre-)clinical findings, and the evolutionary perspective, we emphasize that the social domain requires more focus as an important treatment target and/or biomarker, especially considering the presently limited treatment strategies for these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne D. Lanooij
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich L. M. Eisel
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wilhelmus H. I. M. Drinkenburg
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands ,grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Eddy A. van der Zee
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Martien J. H. Kas
- grid.4830.f0000 0004 0407 1981Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
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28
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Harris BN, Roberts BR, DiMarco GM, Maldonado KA, Okwunwanne Z, Savonenko AV, Soto PL. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and anxiety-like behavior during aging: A test of the glucocorticoid cascade hypothesis in amyloidogenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114126. [PMID: 36122793 PMCID: PMC10250074 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, dementing, whole-body disorder that presents with decline in cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functions, as well as endocrine dysregulation. The etiology of AD is not fully understood but stress- and anxiety-related hormones may play a role in its development and trajectory. The glucocorticoid cascade hypothesis posits that levels of glucocorticoids increase with age, leading to dysregulated negative feedback, further elevated glucocorticoids, and resulting neuropathology. We examined the impact of age (from 2 to 10 months) and stressor exposure (predator odor) on hormone levels (corticosterone and ghrelin), anxiety-like behavior (open field and light dark tests), and memory-related behavior (novel object recognition; NOR), and whether these various measures correlated with neuropathology (hippocampus and cortex amyloid beta, Aβ) in male and female APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic and non-transgenic mice. Additionally, we performed exploratory analyses to probe if the open field and light dark test as commonly used tasks to assess anxiety levels were correlated. Consistent with the glucocorticoid cascade hypothesis, baseline corticosterone increased with age. Predator odor exposure elevated corticosterone at each age, but in contrast to the glucocorticoid cascade hypothesis, the magnitude of stressor-induced elevations in corticosterone levels did not increase with age. Overall, transgenic mice had higher post-stressor, but not baseline, corticosterone than non-transgenic mice, and across both genotypes, females consistently had higher (baseline and post-stressor) corticosterone than males. Behavior in the open field test primarily showed decreased locomotion with age, and this was pronounced in transgenic females. Anxiety-like behaviors in the light dark test were exacerbated following predator odor, and female transgenic mice were the most impacted. Compared to transgenic males, transgenic females had higher Aβ concentrations and showed more anxiety-like behavior. Performance on the NOR did not differ significantly between genotypes. Lastly, we did not find robust, statistically significant correlations among corticosterone, ghrelin, recognition memory, anxiety-like behaviors, or Aβ, suggesting outcomes are not strongly related on the individual level. Our data suggest that despite Aβ accumulation in the hippocampus and cortex, male and female APPswePS1dE9 transgenic mice do not differ robustly from their non-transgenic littermates in physiological, endocrine, and behavioral measures at the range of ages studied here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Breanna N Harris
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States.
| | - Breanna R Roberts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Giuliana M DiMarco
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States; Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | | | - Zenobia Okwunwanne
- Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Alena V Savonenko
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Paul L Soto
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
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29
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Broadbelt T, Mutlu-Smith M, Carnicero-Senabre D, Saido TC, Saito T, Wang SH. Impairment in novelty-promoted memory via behavioral tagging and capture before apparent memory loss in a knock-in model of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22298. [PMID: 36566248 PMCID: PMC9789965 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26113-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with cognitive impairments and age-dependent memory deficits which have been studied using genetic models of AD. Whether the processes for modulating memory persistence are more vulnerable to the influence of amyloid pathology than the encoding and consolidation of the memory remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether early amyloid pathology would affect peri-learning novelty in promoting memory, through a process called behavioral tagging and capture (BTC). AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice and wild-type littermates were trained in an appetitive delayed matching-to-place (ADMP) task which allows for the assessment of peri-learning novelty in facilitating memory. The results show that novelty enabled intermediate-term memory in wild-type mice, but not in AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice in adulthood. This effect preceded spatial memory impairment in the ADMP task seen in middle age. Other memory tests in the Barnes maze, Y-maze, novel object or location recognition tasks remained intact. Together, memory modulation through BTC is impaired before apparent deficits in learning and memory. Relevant biological mechanisms underlying BTC and the implication in AD are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabitha Broadbelt
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Menekse Mutlu-Smith
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
| | - Daniel Carnicero-Senabre
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK ,grid.5515.40000000119578126Present Address: Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Paz (IdiPaz), Department of Biochemistry and Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols UAM-CSIC, Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- grid.474690.8Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Saitama, 351-0198 Japan
| | - Takashi Saito
- grid.260433.00000 0001 0728 1069Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Aichi, 467-8601 Japan
| | - Szu-Han Wang
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellor’s Building, 49 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB UK
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30
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The Molecular Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:7095-7118. [PMID: 36083518 PMCID: PMC9616781 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03016-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is an environmental paradigm encompassing sensory, cognitive, and physical stimulation at a heightened level. Previous studies have reported the beneficial effects of EE in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus. EE improves cognitive function as well as ameliorates depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, making it a potentially effective neuroprotective strategy against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we summarize the current evidence for EE as a neuroprotective strategy as well as the potential molecular pathways that can explain the effects of EE from a biochemical perspective using animal models. The effectiveness of EE in enhancing brain activity against neurodegeneration is explored with a view to differences present in early and late life EE exposure, with its potential application in human being discussed. We discuss EE as one of the non pharmacological approaches in preventing or delaying the onset of AD for future research.
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Manosso LM, Broseghini LDR, Campos JMB, Padilha APZ, Botelho MEM, da Costa MA, Abelaira HM, Gonçalves CL, Réus GZ. Beneficial effects and neurobiological aspects of environmental enrichment associated to major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Brain Res Bull 2022; 190:152-167. [PMID: 36191730 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.09.024] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A suitable enriched environment favors development but can also influence behavior and neuronal circuits throughout development. Studies have shown that environmental enrichment (EE) can be used as an essential tool or combined with conventional treatments to improve psychiatric and neurological symptoms, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both disorders affect a significant percentage of the world's population and have complex pathophysiology. Moreover, the available treatments for MDD and ASD are still inadequate for many affected individuals. Experimental models demonstrate that EE has significant positive effects on behavioral modulation. In addition, EE has effects on neurobiology, including improvement in synaptic connections and neuroplasticity, modulation of neurotransmissions, a decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress, and other neurobiology effects that can be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD and ASD. Thus, this review aims to describe the leading behavioral and neurobiological effects associated with EE in MDD and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana M Manosso
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Lia D R Broseghini
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - José Marcelo B Campos
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Alex Paulo Z Padilha
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda M Botelho
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maiara A da Costa
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Helena M Abelaira
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Cinara L Gonçalves
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Z Réus
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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Gattas S, Collett HA, Huff AE, Creighton SD, Weber SE, Buckhalter SS, Manning SA, Ryait HS, McNaughton BL, Winters BD. A rodent obstacle course procedure controls delivery of enrichment and enhances complex cognitive functions. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2022; 7:21. [PMID: 36057661 PMCID: PMC9440923 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-022-00134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Enrichment in rodents affects brain structure, improves behavioral performance, and is neuroprotective. Similarly, in humans, according to the cognitive reserve concept, enriched experience is functionally protective against neuropathology. Despite this parallel, the ability to translate rodent studies to human clinical situations is limited. This limitation is likely due to the simple cognitive processes probed in rodent studies and the inability to control, with existing methods, the degree of rodent engagement with enrichment material. We overcome these two difficulties with behavioral tasks that probe, in a fine-grained manner, aspects of higher-order cognition associated with deterioration with aging and dementia, and a new enrichment protocol, the 'Obstacle Course' (OC), which enables controlled enrichment delivery, respectively. Together, these two advancements will enable better specification (and comparisons) of the nature of impairments in animal models of complex mental disorders and the potential for remediation from various types of intervention (e.g., enrichment, drugs). We found that two months of OC enrichment produced substantial and sustained enhancements in categorization memory, perceptual object invariance, and cross-modal sensory integration in mice. We also tested mice on behavioral tasks previously shown to benefit from traditional enrichment: spontaneous object recognition, object location memory, and pairwise visual discrimination. OC enrichment improved performance relative to standard housing on all six tasks and was in most cases superior to conventional home-cage enrichment and exercise track groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Gattas
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Heather A Collett
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew E Huff
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Samantha D Creighton
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Siobhon E Weber
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Silas A Manning
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Hardeep S Ryait
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Bruce L McNaughton
- Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.
| | - Boyer D Winters
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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Mate V, Smolek T, Kazmerova ZV, Jadhav S, Brezovakova V, Jurkanin B, Uhrinova I, Basheer N, Zilka N, Katina S, Novak P. Enriched environment ameliorates propagation of tau pathology and improves cognition in rat model of tauopathy. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:935973. [PMID: 35966785 PMCID: PMC9363241 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.935973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The typical symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are cognitive impairment, disrupted spatial orientation, behavioral and psychiatric abnormalities, and later motor deficits. Neuropathologically, AD is characterized by deposits of pathological forms of endogenous proteins - amyloid-β, and neurofibrillary tau protein pathology. The latter closely correlates with brain atrophy and clinical impairment. Pharmacological therapies for these pathologies are largely absent, raising the question whether non-pharmacological interventions could be efficacious. Environmental factors can play a role in the manifestation of AD. It is unknown whether enriched environment (EE) can ameliorate the propagation of protein aggregates or their toxic components. Methods We injected insoluble tau extracts from human brains with AD (600 or 900 ng per animal) into hippocampi of SHR72 transgenic rats that express non-mutated truncated human tau 151-391/4R, but usually do not develop hippocampal tangles. The rats had either standard housing, or could access an EE 5×/week for 3 months. Behavioral analysis included the Morris Water Maze (MWM). Histological analysis was used to assess the propagation of tau pathology. Results Animals exposed to EE performed better in the MWM (spatial acquisition duration and total distance, probe test); unexposed animals improved over the course of acquisition trials, but their mean performance remained below that of the EE group. Enriched environment abrogated tau propagation and hippocampal tangle formation in the 600 ng group; in the 900 ng group, tangle formation was ∼10-fold of the 600 ng group, and unaffected by EE. Conclusion Even a small difference in the amount of injected human AD tau can cause a pronounced difference in the number of resulting tangles. EE leads to a noticeably better spatial navigation performance of tau-injected animals. Furthermore, EE seems to be able to slow down tau pathology progression, indicating the possible utility of similar interventions in early stages of AD where tangle loads are still low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Mate
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Smolek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Neuroimunology Institute, n.p.o., Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Vince Kazmerova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Santosh Jadhav
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Ivana Uhrinova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Neha Basheer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislav Katina
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Mathematics and Statistics, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
- Axon Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Petr Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Papaioannou T, Voinescu A, Petrini K, Stanton Fraser D. Efficacy and Moderators of Virtual Reality for Cognitive Training in People with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1341-1370. [PMID: 35811514 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia result in cognitive decline which can negatively impact everyday functional abilities and quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) interventions could benefit the cognitive abilities of people with MCI and dementia, but evidence is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE To investigate the efficacy of VR training on global and domain-specific cognition, activities of daily living and quality of life. To explore the influence of priori moderators (e.g., immersion type, training type) on the effects of VR training. Adverse effects of VR training were also considered. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted on all major databases for randomized control trial studies. Two separate meta-analyses were performed on studies with people with MCI and dementia. RESULTS Sixteen studies with people with MCI and four studies with people with dementia were included in each meta-analysis. Results showed moderate to large effects of VR training on global cognition, attention, memory, and construction and motor performance in people with MCI. Immersion and training type were found to be significant moderators of the effect of VR training on global cognition. For people with dementia, results showed moderate to large improvements after VR training on global cognition, memory, and executive function, but a subgroup analysis was not possible. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that VR training is an effective treatment for both people with MCI and dementia. These results contribute to the establishment of practical guidelines for VR interventions for patients with cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Karin Petrini
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK.,Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath, UK
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Bourdon E, Havreng-Théry C, Lafuente C, Belmin J. Effect of the Physical Environment on Health and Well-Being of Nursing Homes Residents: A Scoping Review. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2022; 23:1826.e1-1826.e20. [PMID: 35787419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2022.05.026] [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: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In what way the physical environment of nursing homes (NHs) influences the health and well-being of nursing residents is not well codified. The authors aimed to review scientifically based knowledge on this topic. DESIGN A systematic scoping review of research into the effect that physical environment in nursing homes has on residents' health. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Search for relevant English-language articles in PubMed and the Cochrane database before April 15, 2022. Article selection and data extraction were performed by 2 researchers. Studies were included if conducted on nursing home residents and if they examined associations between components of the physical environment and health outcomes. MEASURES The review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA statement. RESULTS Of 1347 articles retrieved, 59 met the inclusion criteria-40 observational, 1 survey, and 18 interventional studies, of which 5 were randomized controlled trials. Certain environmental features repeatedly show significant positive effect on resident's health, such as noise reduction, tuning of lighting, natural light, easy access to garden, dining environment, and resident-centered interior renovation. Nursing home size was not found to have a direct relationship to resident health and well-being, although it is related to more than only the physical environment (eg, social environment). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This review provides guidance in selective areas of the physical environment for the design of nursing homes, with potential benefits for the health and well-being of residents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Bourdon
- Laboratoire Éducation et Promotion de la Santé (LEPS UR 3412), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France; Service de Gériatrie, Hôpital Charles Foix, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Faculté de Médecine Sorbonne, Ivry-sur-Seine, France
| | - Charlotte Havreng-Théry
- Laboratoire Éducation et Promotion de la Santé (LEPS UR 3412), Université Sorbonne Paris Nord, Bobigny, France; Laboratoire d'Informatique et d'Ingénierie des Connaissances en e-Santé (LIMICS, INSERM UMRS 1142), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Carmelo Lafuente
- Service de Gériatrie, Hôpital Charles Foix, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Faculté de Médecine Sorbonne, Ivry-sur-Seine, France; Clinical Epidemiology and Ageing (CePia), Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), Université Paris Est-Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Joël Belmin
- Service de Gériatrie, Hôpital Charles Foix, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Faculté de Médecine Sorbonne, Ivry-sur-Seine, France; Laboratoire d'Informatique et d'Ingénierie des Connaissances en e-Santé (LIMICS, INSERM UMRS 1142), Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
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Guzmán-Ramos K, Osorio-Gómez D, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Cognitive impairment in alzheimer’s and metabolic diseases: A catecholaminergic hypothesis. Neuroscience 2022; 497:308-323. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.05.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Alves SS, da Silva Junior RMP, Delfino-Pereira P, Pereira MGAG, Vasconcelos I, Schwaemmle H, Mazzei RF, Carlos ML, Espreafico EM, Tedesco AC, Sebollela A, Almeida SS, de Oliveira JAC, Garcia-Cairasco N. A Genetic Model of Epilepsy with a Partial Alzheimer's Disease-Like Phenotype and Central Insulin Resistance. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3721-3737. [PMID: 35378696 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02810-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Studies have suggested an important connection between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD), mostly due to the high number of patients diagnosed with AD who develop epileptic seizures later on. However, this link is not well understood. Previous studies from our group have identified memory impairment and metabolic abnormalities in the Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain, a genetic model of epilepsy. Our goal was to investigate AD behavioral and molecular alterations, including brain insulin resistance, in naïve (seizure-free) animals of the WAR strain. We used the Morris water maze (MWM) test to evaluate spatial learning and memory performance and hippocampal tissue to verify possible molecular and immunohistochemical alterations. WARs presented worse performance in the MWM test (p < 0.0001), higher levels of hyperphosphorylated tau (S396) (p < 0.0001) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 (S21/9) (p < 0.05), and lower insulin receptor levels (p < 0.05). Conversely, WARs and Wistar controls present progressive increase in amyloid fibrils (p < 0.0001) and low levels of soluble amyloid-β. Interestingly, the detected alterations were age-dependent, reaching larger differences in aged than in young adult animals. In summary, the present study provides evidence of a partial AD-like phenotype, including altered regulation of insulin signaling, in a genetic model of epilepsy. Together, these data contribute to the understanding of the connection between epilepsy and AD as comorbidities. Moreover, since both tau hyperphosphorylation and altered insulin signaling have already been reported in epilepsy and AD, these two events should be considered as important components in the interconnection between epilepsy and AD pathogenesis and, therefore, potential therapeutic targets in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suélen Santos Alves
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Polianna Delfino-Pereira
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Israel Vasconcelos
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Hanna Schwaemmle
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Focosi Mazzei
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Maiko Luiz Carlos
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Enilza Maria Espreafico
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology and Pathogenic Bioagents, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Antônio Claudio Tedesco
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Adriano Sebollela
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Sebastião Sousa Almeida
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo (FFCLRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - José Antônio Cortes de Oliveira
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Dos Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School - University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), Av. Dos Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirao Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil.
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Zajner C, Spreng RN, Bzdok D. Lacking Social Support is Associated With Structural Divergences in Hippocampus-Default Network Co-Variation Patterns. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2022; 17:802-818. [PMID: 35086149 PMCID: PMC9433851 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsac006] [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: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Elaborate social interaction is a pivotal asset of the human species. The complexity of people’s social lives may constitute the dominating factor in the vibrancy of many individuals’ environment. The neural substrates linked to social cognition thus appear especially susceptible when people endure periods of social isolation: here, we zoom in on the systematic inter-relationships between two such neural substrates, the allocortical hippocampus (HC) and the neocortical default network (DN). Previous human social neuroscience studies have focused on the DN, while HC subfields have been studied in most detail in rodents and monkeys. To bring into contact these two separate research streams, we directly quantified how DN subregions are coherently co-expressed with specific HC subfields in the context of social isolation. A two-pronged decomposition of structural brain scans from ∼40 000 UK Biobank participants linked lack of social support to mostly lateral subregions in the DN patterns. This lateral DN association co-occurred with HC patterns that implicated especially subiculum, presubiculum, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus. Overall, the subregion divergences within spatially overlapping signatures of HC–DN co-variation followed a clear segregation into the left and right brain hemispheres. Separable regimes of structural HC–DN co-variation also showed distinct associations with the genetic predisposition for lacking social support at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Zajner
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre (BIC), Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal H3A2B4, Canada
| | - R Nathan Spreng
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre (BIC), Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal H3A2B4, Canada
| | - Danilo Bzdok
- Correspondence should be addressed to Danilo Bzdok, McConnell Brain Imaging Centre (BIC), Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI), Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal H3A2B4, Canada. E-mail:
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Kawano Y, Tamura K, Egawa M, Tamano H, Takeda A. Isoproterenol, an adrenergic β receptor agonist, induces metallothionein synthesis followed by canceling amyloid β1-42-induced neurodegeneration. Biometals 2022; 35:303-312. [DOI: 10.1007/s10534-022-00365-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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40
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Erickson KI, Donofry SD, Sewell KR, Brown BM, Stillman CM. Cognitive Aging and the Promise of Physical Activity. Annu Rev Clin Psychol 2022; 18:417-442. [PMID: 35044793 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072720-014213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Is the field of cognitive aging irretrievably concerned with decline and deficits, or is it shifting to emphasize the hope of preservation and enhancement of cognitive function in late life? A fragment of an answer comes from research attempting to understand the reasons for individual variability in the extent and rate of cognitive decline. This body of work has created a sense of optimism based on evidence that there are some health behaviors that amplify cognitive performance or mitigate the rate of age-related cognitive decline. In this context, we discuss the role of physical activity on neurocognitive function in late adulthood and summarize how it can be conceptualized as a constructive approach both for the maintenance of cognitive function and as a therapeutic for enhancing or optimizing cognitive function in late life. In this way, physical activity research can be used to shape perceptions of cognitive aging. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, Volume 18 is May 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirk I Erickson
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; .,Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,PROFITH "PROmoting FITness and Health through physical activity" Research Group, Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Shannon D Donofry
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; .,Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kelsey R Sewell
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Belinda M Brown
- Centre for Healthy Ageing, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Chelsea M Stillman
- Department of Psychology and Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;
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Urakami K. Dementia Prevention and Aromatherapy in Japan. Yonago Acta Med 2022; 65:184-190. [DOI: 10.33160/yam.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katsuya Urakami
- Department of Dementia Prevention, School of Health Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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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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Almeida Barros WM, de Sousa Fernandes MS, Silva RKP, da Silva KG, da Silva Souza AP, Rodrigues Marques Silva M, da Silva ABJ, Jurema Santos GC, Dos Santos MERA, do Carmo TS, de Souza SL, de Oliveira Nogueira Souza V. Does the enriched environment alter memory capacity in malnourished rats by modulating BDNF expression? J Appl Biomed 2021; 19:125-132. [PMID: 34907761 DOI: 10.32725/jab.2021.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors interfere in the neural plasticity processes. Among these, malnutrition in the early stages of life stands out as one of the main non-genetic factors that can interfere in the morphofunctional development of the nervous system. Furthermore, sensory stimulation from enriched environments (EE) also interferes with neural development. These two factors can modify areas related to memory and learning as the hippocampus, through mechanisms related to the gene expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The BDNF may interfere in synaptic plasticity processes, such as memory. In addition, these changes in early life may affect the functioning of the hippocampus during adulthood through mechanisms mediated by BDNF. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a literature review on the effects of early malnutrition on memory and the relationship between the underlying mechanisms of EE, BDNF gene expression, and memory. In addition, there are studies that demonstrate the effect of EE reversal on exposure to changes in the functioning of hippocampal malnutrition in adult rats that were prematurely malnourished. Thereby, evidence from the scientific literature suggests that the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of adult animals are influenced by malnutrition and EE, and these alterations may involve the participation of BDNF as a key regulator in memory processes in the adult animal hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waleska Maria Almeida Barros
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciencias do Comportamento, Recife, Brasil.,Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | | | - Roberta Karlize Pereira Silva
- Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | - Karollainy Gomes da Silva
- Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | - Ana Patricia da Silva Souza
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciencias do Comportamento, Recife, Brasil.,Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | - Mariluce Rodrigues Marques Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciencias do Comportamento, Recife, Brasil.,Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | - Ana Beatriz Januario da Silva
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciencias do Comportamento, Recife, Brasil.,Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | | | | | - Taciane Silva do Carmo
- Centro Universitario Facol / Centro Integrado de Tecnologias em Neurociencia (CITENC), Vitoria de Santo Antao, Brasil
| | - Sandra Lopes de Souza
- Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Programa de Pos-graduacao em Neuropsiquiatria e Ciencias do Comportamento, Recife, Brasil
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Zhang X, Wei X, Mei Y, Wang D, Wang J, Zhang Y, Li X, Gu Y, Peng G, Sun B. Modulating adult neurogenesis affects synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:3005-3019. [PMID: 34861165 PMCID: PMC8693766 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
New neurons are abnormal in the adult hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models. The effects of modulating adult neurogenesis on AD pathogenesis differ from study to study. We reported recently that ablation of adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) was associated with improved memory in AD models. Here, we found that long-term potentiation (LTP) was improved in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice after ablation of aNSCs. This effect was confirmed in hAPP-J20 mice, a second AD mouse model. On the other hand, we found that exposure to enriched environment (EE) dramatically increased the number of DCX+ neurons, promoted dendritic growth, and affected the location of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus of APP/PS1 mice, and EE exposure significantly ameliorated memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. Together, our data suggest that both inhibiting abnormal adult neurogenesis and enhancing healthy adult neurogenesis could be beneficial for AD, and they are not mutually exclusive. Ablation of aNSCs improves hippocampal synaptic plasticity in AD mice Ablation of aNSCs results in hippocampal remodeling in AD mice EE accelerates development of new neurons and improves cognition in AD mice Effects of inhibiting and enhancing AHN on AD are not mutually exclusive
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province 315211, China
| | - Xiaojie Wei
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China
| | - Yufei Mei
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China
| | - Dongpi Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China; Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China
| | - Yiping Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China
| | - Xuekun Li
- Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310003, China; Institute of Translational Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310029, China
| | - Yan Gu
- Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China
| | - Guoping Peng
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China
| | - Binggui Sun
- Department of Neurobiology and Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, NHC and CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province 310058, China.
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45
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Long-Term Sex- and Genotype-Specific Effects of 56Fe Irradiation on Wild-Type and APPswe/PS1dE9 Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413305. [PMID: 34948098 PMCID: PMC8703695 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Space radiation presents a substantial threat to travel beyond Earth. Relatively low doses of high-energy particle radiation cause physiological and behavioral impairments in rodents and may pose risks to human spaceflight. There is evidence that 56Fe irradiation, a significant component of space radiation, may be more harmful to males than to females and worsen Alzheimer's disease pathology in genetically vulnerable models. Yet, research on the long-term, sex- and genotype-specific effects of 56Fe irradiation is lacking. Here, we irradiated 4-month-old male and female, wild-type and Alzheimer's-like APP/PS1 mice with 0, 0.10, or 0.50 Gy of 56Fe ions (1GeV/u). Mice underwent microPET scans before and 7.5 months after irradiation, a battery of behavioral tests at 11 months of age and were sacrificed for pathological and biochemical analyses at 12 months of age. 56Fe irradiation worsened amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology, gliosis, neuroinflammation and spatial memory, but improved motor coordination, in male transgenic mice and worsened fear memory in wild-type males. Although sham-irradiated female APP/PS1 mice had more cerebral Aβ and gliosis than sham-irradiated male transgenics, female mice of both genotypes were relatively spared from radiation effects 8 months later. These results provide evidence for sex-specific, long-term CNS effects of space radiation.
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46
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Polansky H, Goral B. How an increase in the copy number of HSV-1 during latency can cause Alzheimer's disease: the viral and cellular dynamics according to the microcompetition model. J Neurovirol 2021; 27:895-916. [PMID: 34635992 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-021-01012-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Numerous studies observed a link between the herpes smplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and Alzheimer's disease. However, the exact viral and cellular dynamics that lead from an HSV-1 infection to Alzheimer's disease are unknown. In this paper, we use the microcompetition model to formulate these dynamics by connecting seemingly unconnected observations reported in the literature. We concentrate on four pathologies characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. First, we explain how an increase in the copy number of HSV-1 during latency can decrease the expression of BECN1/Beclin1, the degradative trafficking protein, which, in turn, can cause a dysregulation of autophagy and Alzheimer's disease. Second, we show how an increase in the copy number of the latent HSV-1 can decrease the expression of many genes important for mitochondrial genome metabolism, respiratory chain, and homeostasis, which can lead to oxidative stress and neuronal damage, resulting in Alzheimer's disease. Third, we describe how an increase in this copy number can reduce the concentration of the NMDA receptor subunits NR1 and NR2b (Grin1 and Grin2b genes), and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which can cause an impaired synaptic plasticity, Aβ accumulation and eventually Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we show how an increase in the copy number of HSV-1 in neural stem/progenitor cells in the hippocampus during the latent phase can lead to an abnormal quantity and quality of neurogenesis, and the clinical presentation of Alzheimer's disease. Since the current understanding of the dynamics and homeostasis of the HSV-1 reservoir during latency is limited, the proposed model represents only a first step towards a complete understanding of the relationship between the copy number of HSV-1 during latency and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Polansky
- The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD), 3 Germay Dr, Wilmington, DE, 19804, USA.
| | - Benjamin Goral
- The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD), 3 Germay Dr, Wilmington, DE, 19804, USA
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47
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Barker SJ, Raju RM, Milman NEP, Wang J, Davila-Velderrain J, Gunter-Rahman F, Parro CC, Bozzelli PL, Abdurrob F, Abdelaal K, Bennett DA, Kellis M, Tsai LH. MEF2 is a key regulator of cognitive potential and confers resilience to neurodegeneration. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabd7695. [PMID: 34731014 PMCID: PMC9258338 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd7695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Scarlett J Barker
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ravikiran M Raju
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Noah E P Milman
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jose Davila-Velderrain
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fatima Gunter-Rahman
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Cameron C Parro
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - P Lorenzo Bozzelli
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Fatema Abdurrob
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karim Abdelaal
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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48
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Progressive impairments in executive function in the APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer's disease as measured by translatable touchscreen testing. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 108:58-71. [PMID: 34509856 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Executive function deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) occur early in disease progression and may be predictive of cognitive decline. However, no preclinical studies have identified deficits in rewarded executive function in the commonly used APPSwe/PS1∆E9 (APP/PS1) mouse model. To address this, we assessed 12-26 month old APP/PS1 mice on rewarded reversal and/or extinction tasks. 16-month-old, but not 13- or 26-month-old, APP/PS1 mice showed an attenuated rate of extinction. Reversal deficits were seen in 22-month-old, but not 13-month-old APP/PS1 animals. We then confirmed that impairments in reversal were unrelated to previously reported visual impairments in both AD mouse models and humans. Age, but not genotype, had a significant effect on markers of retinal health, indicating the deficits seen in APP/PS1 mice were directly related to cognition. This is the first characterisation of rewarded executive function in APP/PS1 mice, and has great potential to facilitate translation from preclinical models to the clinic.
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Malerba HN, Pereira AAR, Pierrobon MF, Abrao GS, Toricelli M, Akamine EH, Buck HS, Viel TA. Combined Neuroprotective Strategies Blocked Neurodegeneration and Improved Brain Function in Senescence-Accelerated Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:681498. [PMID: 34497504 PMCID: PMC8419356 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.681498] [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: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Increase in the quality of life, combined with drug strategies, has been studied as possibilities for improving memory and delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. A previous study published by the group of the authors has shown that microdose lithium and enriched environment can improve memory in both mice and humans. To elucidate this relationship better, this study aimed to evaluate whether the chronic combination of these two strategies could increase healthy aging in Senescence Accelerated Mouse-Prone 8 (SAMP8). Animals were submitted to either one or both of these strategies until the age of 10 months when they were anesthetized and killed and their hippocampus was extracted. The untreated SAMP-8 group exhibited worse memory and reduced neuronal density with greater neurodegeneration and increased amyloid-β plaque density compared with the control group. Moreover, significant alterations in proteins related to long-term potentiation, such as, synaptophysin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), were observed in this group. The strategies used in the study maintained long-term memory, reduced anxiety, and increased neuroprotection. Both strategies were efficient in reducing neurodegeneration and increasing parameters related to memory maintenance. In many experiments, the combination of the two strategies was more effective in improving healthy aging. This study sheds light on the combination of strategies that choose to improve the quality of life and drugs with low side effects. Moreover, it opens perspectives for a new field of study for healthy aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Nascimento Malerba
- Graduate Course on Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Aging, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arthur Antonio Ruiz Pereira
- Graduate Course on Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Aging, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcela Favoretto Pierrobon
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Aging, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Souza Abrao
- Graduate Course on Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Aging, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Toricelli
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliana Hiromi Akamine
- Graduate Course on Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Hudson Sousa Buck
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tania Araujo Viel
- Graduate Course on Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Laboratory of Neuropharmacology of Aging, School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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50
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Brill SA, Guerrero-Martin SM, Metcalf Pate KA. The Symbiotic Relationship Between Scientific Quality and Animal Research Ethics. ILAR J 2021; 60:334-340. [PMID: 34352091 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilab023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Researchers have worked with animals as models for decades to expand our knowledge of basic biological processes and to systematically study the physiology of disease. In general, the public has an expectation that work with animals has a purpose and will ultimately reap benefits. The likelihood of such an outcome is directly dependent on the quality of the science being conducted with those animals. However, not all frameworks for consideration of the ethics around animal research overtly consider scientific quality. In the following review, we explore the complex relationship between scientific quality and animal research ethics. We advocate for the development of a detailed "Harm-Yield Analysis" for the evaluation of biomedical animal research that emphasizes scientific quality along with societal benefit in the ethical justification of the research. We reflect on the lost opportunity to establish best practices in animal research early in the career of scientists by introducing in the curriculum and encouraging the use of a paradigm of the iterative consideration of the ethics of animal research alongside other aspects of experimental design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel A Brill
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Cell and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Selena M Guerrero-Martin
- School of Medicine Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Division of Comparative Medicine and Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelly A Metcalf Pate
- Division of Comparative Medicine and Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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