Gender effect on Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum of the heterozygous reeler mouse

Peripheral immune system modulates Purkinje cell degeneration in Niemann-Pick disease type C1

Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) is a fatal lysosomal storage disorder characterized by progressive neuronal degeneration. Its key pathogenic events remain largely unknown. We have, herein, found that neonatal BM-derived cell transplantation can ameliorate Purkinje cell degeneration in NPC1 mice. We subsequently addressed the impact of the peripheral immune system on the neuropathogenesis observed in NPC1 mice. The depletion of mature lymphocytes promoted NPC1 phenotypes, thereby suggesting a neuroprotective effect of lymphocytes. Moreover, the peripheral infusion of CD4-positive cells (specifically, of regulatory T cells) from normal healthy donor ameliorated the cerebellar ataxic phenotype and enhanced the survival of Purkinje cells. Conversely, the depletion of regulatory T cells enhanced the onset of the neurological phenotype. On the other hand, circulating inflammatory monocytes were found to be involved in the progression of Purkinje cell degeneration, whereas the depletion of resident microglia had little effect. Our findings reveal a novel role of the adaptive and the innate immune systems in NPC1 neuropathology.

Allopregnanolone: An overview on its synthesis and effects

Allopregnanolone, a 3α,5α-progesterone metabolite, acts as a potent allosteric modulator of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor. In the present review, the synthesis of this neuroactive steroid occurring in the nervous system is discussed with respect to physiological and pathological conditions. In addition, its physiological and neuroprotective effects are also reported. Interestingly, the levels of this neuroactive steroid, as well as its effects, are sex-dimorphic, suggesting a possible gender medicine based on this neuroactive steroid for neurological disorders. However, allopregnanolone presents low bioavailability and extensive hepatic metabolism, limiting its use as a drug. Therefore, synthetic analogues or a different therapeutic strategy able to increase allopregnanolone levels have been proposed to overcome any pharmacokinetic issues.

DNA damage and repair and epigenetic modification in the role of oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1) in brain development

Oxoguanine glycosylase 1 (OGG1) repairs the predominant reactive oxygen species (ROS)-initiated DNA lesion 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG). Human OGG1 polymorphisms resulting in reduced DNA repair associate with an increased risk for disorders like cancer and diabetes, but the role of OGG1 in brain development is unclear. Herein, we show that Ogg1 knockout mice at 2-3 months of age exhibit enhanced gene- and sex-dependent DNA damage (strand breaks) and decreased epigenetic DNA methylation marks (5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine), both of which were associated with increased cerebellar calbindin levels, reduced hippocampal postsynaptic function, altered body weight with age and disorders of brain function reflected in behavioural tests for goal-directed repetitive behaviour, anxiety and fear, object recognition and spatial memory, motor coordination and startle response. These results suggest that OGG1 plays an important role in normal brain development, possibly via both its DNA repair activity and its role as an epigenetic modifier, with OGG1 deficiencies potentially contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Gender-Specific Effects of Two Treatment Strategies in a Mouse Model of Niemann-Pick Disease Type C1

In a mouse model of Niemann-Pick disease type C1 (NPC1), a combination therapy (COMBI) of miglustat (MIGLU), the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) and the cyclic oligosaccharide 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPßCD) has previously resulted in, among other things, significantly improved motor function. The present study was designed to compare the therapeutic effects of the COMBI therapy with that of MIGLU or HPßCD alone on body and brain weight and the behavior of NPC1^−/− mice in a larger cohort, with special reference to gender differences. A total of 117 NPC1^−/− and 123 NPC1^+/+ mice underwent either COMBI, MIGLU only, HPßCD only, or vehicle treatment (Sham), or received no treatment at all (None). In male and female NPC1^−/− mice, all treatments led to decreased loss of body weight and, partly, brain weight. Concerning motor coordination, as revealed by the accelerod test, male NPC1^−/− mice benefited from COMBI treatment, whereas female mice benefited from COMBI, MIGLU, and HPßCD treatment. As seen in the open field test, the reduced locomotor activity of male and female NPC1^−/− mice was not significantly ameliorated in either treatment group. Our results suggest that in NPC1^−/− mice, each drug treatment scheme had a beneficial effect on at least some of the parameters evaluated compared with Sham-treated mice. Only in COMBI-treated male and female NPC^+/+ mice were drug effects seen in reduced body and brain weights. Upon COMBI treatment, the increased dosage of drugs necessary for anesthesia in Sham-treated male and female NPC1^−/− mice was almost completely reduced only in the female groups.

Climbing fiber synapses rapidly and transiently inhibit neighboring Purkinje cells via ephaptic coupling

Climbing fibers (CFs) from the inferior olive (IO) make strong excitatory synapses onto cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) dendrites, and trigger distinctive responses known as complex spikes (CSs). We find that in awake mice, a CS in one PC suppresses conventional simple spikes (SSs) in neighboring PCs for several milliseconds. This involves a novel ephaptic coupling, in which an excitatory synapse generates large negative extracellular signals that nonsynaptically inhibit neighboring PCs. The distance dependence of CS-SS ephaptic signaling, combined with the known CF divergence, allows a single IO neuron to influence the output of the cerebellum by synchronously suppressing the firing of potentially over one hundred PCs. Optogenetic studies in vivo, and dynamic clamp studies in slice, indicate that such brief PC suppression, either as a result of ephaptic signaling or other mechanisms, can effectively promote firing in neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei with remarkable speed and precision.

Sex differences in steroid levels and steroidogenesis in the nervous system: Physiopathological role

The nervous system, in addition to be a target for steroid hormones, is the source of a variety of neuroactive steroids, which are synthesized and metabolized by neurons and glial cells. Recent evidence indicates that the expression of neurosteroidogenic proteins and enzymes and the levels of neuroactive steroids are different in the nervous system of males and females. We here summarized the state of the art of neuroactive steroids, particularly taking in consideration sex differences occurring in the synthesis and levels of these molecules. In addition, we discuss the consequences of sex differences in neurosteroidogenesis for the function of the nervous system under healthy and pathological conditions and the implications of neuroactive steroids and neurosteroidogenesis for the development of sex-specific therapeutic interventions.

Elevated Plasma Reelin Levels in Children With Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders involving age-dependent gene dysregulation. Reelin is a glycoprotein that varies its expression throughout lifetime and controls cortical patterning and synaptogenesis. Brain and plasma reelin levels have been reported to be low in adults with autism; as well as in children with autism, but only when compared to control adults. Therefore, reelin expression levels in children with autism are unclear. For this reason, we compared plasma reelin levels in children with autism and children without autism (non-ASD) of similar ages to evaluate reelin expression in ASD during childhood. Plasma samples from 19 non-ASD (8.9 ± 0.8 years) and 40 children with autism (7.5 ± 0.5 years) were analyzed. We found that 50% of the children with autism displayed similar plasma reelin levels to the non-ASD group. However, the remaining 50% expressed more than 30 times more reelin compared to non-ASD levels. We also show that male children with autism displayed significantly higher reelin levels than females. The clinical presentation of this subgroup could not be distinguished from that of children with autism. Epilepsy or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was not associated to reelin levels. We conclude that the high levels of plasma reelin might be an important hallmark in a subset of children with autism, previously unnoticed. As we could not find any correlation between reelin levels and ASD clinical presentations, our results may indicate transient reelin increases in the plasma or the characterization of a group of ASD individuals with a different pathophysiology.

Cerebellar contribution to the cognitive alterations in SCA1: evidence from mouse models

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal expansion of glutamine (Q) encoding CAG repeats in the gene Ataxin-1 (ATXN1). Although motor and balance deficits are the core symptoms of SCA1, cognitive decline is also commonly observed in patients. While mutant ATXN1 is expressed throughout the brain, pathological findings reveal severe atrophy of cerebellar cortex in SCA1 patients. The cerebellum has recently been implicated in diverse cognitive functions, yet to what extent cerebellar neurodegeneration contributes to cognitive alterations in SCA1 remains poorly understood. Much of our understanding of the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of motor symptoms in SCA1 comes from mouse models. Reasoning that mouse models could similarly offer important insights into the mechanisms of cognitive alterations in SCA1, we tested cognition in several mouse lines using Barnes maze and fear conditioning. We confirmed cognitive deficits in Atxn1154Q/2Q knock-in mice with brain-wide expression of mutant ATXN1 and in ATXN1 null mice. We found that shorter polyQ length and haploinsufficiency of ATXN1 do not cause significant cognitive deficits. Finally, ATXN1[82Q ] transgenic mice-with cerebellum limited expression of mutant ATXN1-demonstrated milder impairment in most aspects of cognition compared to Atxn1154Q/2Q mice, supporting the concept that cognitive deficits in SCA1 arise from a combination of cerebellar and extra-cerebellar dysfunctions.

Autism Spectrum Disorder and miRNA: An Overview of Experimental Models

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by deficits in social interactions, communication, language, and in a limited repertoire of activities and interests. The etiology of ASD is very complex. Genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors contribute to the onset of ASD. Researchers have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could be one of the possible causes associated with ASD. miRNAs are small noncoding mRNAs that regulate gene expression, and they are often linked to biological processes and implicated in neurodevelopment. This review aims to provide an overview of the animal models and the role of the different miRNAs involved in ASD. Therefore, the use of animal models that reproduce the ASD and the identification of miRNAs could be a useful predictive tool to study this disorder.

Clinical, genetic and neuropathological characterization of spinocerebellar ataxia type 37

The autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) consist of a highly heterogeneous group of rare movement disorders characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia variably associated with ophthalmoplegia, pyramidal and extrapyramidal signs, dementia, pigmentary retinopathy, seizures, lower motor neuron signs, or peripheral neuropathy. Over 41 different SCA subtypes have been described evidencing the high clinical and genetic heterogeneity. We previously reported a novel spinocerebellar ataxia type subtype, SCA37, linked to an 11-Mb genomic region on 1p32, in a large Spanish ataxia pedigree characterized by ataxia and a pure cerebellar syndrome distinctively presenting with early-altered vertical eye movements. Here we demonstrate the segregation of an unstable intronic ATTTC pentanucleotide repeat mutation within the 1p32 5' non-coding regulatory region of the gene encoding the reelin adaptor protein DAB1, implicated in neuronal migration, as the causative genetic defect of the disease in four Spanish SCA37 families. We describe the clinical-genetic correlation and the first SCA37 neuropathological findings caused by dysregulation of cerebellar DAB1 expression. Post-mortem neuropathology of two patients with SCA37 revealed severe loss of Purkinje cells with abundant astrogliosis, empty baskets, occasional axonal spheroids, and hypertrophic fibres by phosphorylated neurofilament immunostaining in the cerebellar cortex. The remaining cerebellar Purkinje neurons showed loss of calbindin immunoreactivity, aberrant dendrite arborization, nuclear pathology including lobulation, irregularity, and hyperchromatism, and multiple ubiquitinated perisomatic granules immunostained for DAB1. A subpopulation of Purkinje cells was found ectopically mispositioned within the cerebellar cortex. No significant neuropathological alterations were identified in other brain regions in agreement with a pure cerebellar syndrome. Importantly, we found that the ATTTC repeat mutation dysregulated DAB1 expression and induced an RNA switch resulting in the upregulation of reelin-DAB1 and PI3K/AKT signalling in the SCA37 cerebellum. This study reveals the unstable ATTTC repeat mutation within the DAB1 gene as the underlying genetic cause and provides evidence of reelin-DAB1 signalling dysregulation in the spinocerebellar ataxia type 37.

Decreased Expression of Synaptophysin 1 (SYP1 Major Synaptic Vesicle Protein p38) and Contactin 6 (CNTN6/NB3) in the Cerebellar Vermis of reln Haplodeficient Mice

Reeler heterozygous mice (reln^+/-) are seemingly normal but haplodeficient in reln, a gene implicated in autism. Structural/neurochemical alterations in the reln^+/- brain are subtle and difficult to demonstrate. Therefore, the usefulness of these mice in translational research is still debated. As evidence implicated several synapse-related genes in autism and the cerebellar vermis is structurally altered in the condition, we have investigated the expression of synaptophysin 1 (SYP1) and contactin 6 (CNTN6) within the vermis of reln^+/- mice. Semi-thin plastic sections of the vermis from adult mice of both sexes and different genotypes (reln^+/- and reln^+/+) were processed with an indirect immunofluorescence protocol. Immunofluorescence was quantified on binary images and statistically analyzed. Reln^+/- males displayed a statistically significant reduction of 11.89% in the expression of SYP1 compared to sex-matched wild-type animals, whereas no differences were observed between reln^+/+ and reln^+/- females. In reln^+/- male mice, reductions were particularly evident in the molecular layer: 10.23% less SYP1 than reln^+/+ males and 5.84% < reln^+/+ females. In reln^+/- females, decrease was 9.84% versus reln^+/+ males and 5.43% versus reln^+/+ females. Both reln^+/- males and females showed a stronger decrease in CNTN6 expression throughout all the three cortical layers of the vermis: 17-23% in the granular layer, 24-26% in the Purkinje cell layer, and 9-14% in the molecular layer. Altogether, decrease of vermian SYP1 and CNTN6 in reln^+/- mice displayed patterns compatible with the structural modifications of the autistic cerebellum. Therefore, these mice may be a good model in translational studies.

Cell Densities in the Mouse Brain: A Systematic Review

The mouse brain is the most extensively studied brain of all species. We performed an exhaustive review of the literature to establish our current state of knowledge on cell numbers in mouse brain regions, arguably the most fundamental property to measure when attempting to understand a brain. The synthesized information, collected in one place, can be used by both theorists and experimentalists. Although for commonly-studied regions cell densities could be obtained for principal cell types, overall we know very little about how many cells are present in most brain regions and even less about cell-type specific densities. There is also substantial variation in cell density values obtained from different sources. This suggests that we need a new approach to obtain cell density datasets for the mouse brain.

The chromatin remodeling factor CHD7 controls cerebellar development by regulating reelin expression

The mechanisms underlying the neurodevelopmental deficits associated with CHARGE syndrome, which include cerebellar hypoplasia, developmental delay, coordination problems, and autistic features, have not been identified. CHARGE syndrome has been associated with mutations in the gene encoding the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler CHD7. CHD7 is expressed in neural stem and progenitor cells, but its role in neurogenesis during brain development remains unknown. Here we have shown that deletion of Chd7 from cerebellar granule cell progenitors (GCps) results in reduced GCp proliferation, cerebellar hypoplasia, developmental delay, and motor deficits in mice. Genome-wide expression profiling revealed downregulated expression of the gene encoding the glycoprotein reelin (Reln) in Chd7-deficient GCps. Recessive RELN mutations have been associated with severe cerebellar hypoplasia in humans. We found molecular and genetic evidence that reductions in Reln expression contribute to GCp proliferative defects and cerebellar hypoplasia in GCp-specific Chd7 mouse mutants. Finally, we showed that CHD7 is necessary for maintaining an open, accessible chromatin state at the Reln locus. Taken together, this study shows that Reln gene expression is regulated by chromatin remodeling, identifies CHD7 as a previously unrecognized upstream regulator of Reln, and provides direct in vivo evidence that a mammalian CHD protein can control brain development by modulating chromatin accessibility in neuronal progenitors.

Reelin-Haploinsufficiency Disrupts the Developmental Trajectory of the E/I Balance in the Prefrontal Cortex

The reelin gene is a strong candidate in the etiology of several psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorders, and autism spectrum disorders. Most of these diseases are accompanied by cognitive and executive-function deficits associated with prefrontal dysfunctions. Mammalian prefrontal cortex (PFC) development is characterized by a protracted postnatal maturation constituting a period of enhanced vulnerability to psychiatric insults. The identification of the molecular components underlying this prolonged postnatal development is necessary to understand the synaptic properties of defective circuits participating in these psychiatric disorders. We have recently shown that reelin plays a key role in the maturation of glutamatergic functions in the postnatal PFC, but no data are available regarding the GABAergic circuits. Here, we undertook a cross-sectional analysis of GABAergic function in deep layer pyramidal neurons of the medial PFC of wild-type and haploinsufficient heterozygous reeler mice. Using electrophysiological approaches, we showed that decreased reelin levels impair the maturation of GABAergic synaptic transmission without affecting the inhibitory nature of GABA. This phenotype consequently impacted the developmental sequence of the synaptic excitation/inhibition (E/I) balance. These data indicate that reelin is necessary for the correct maturation and refinement of GABAergic synaptic circuits in the postnatal PFC and therefore provide a mechanism for altered E/I balance of prefrontal circuits associated with psychiatric disorders.

A sex difference in oxidative stress and behavioral suppression induced by ethanol withdrawal in rats

Ethanol withdrawal (EW) is referred to the abrupt termination of long-term heavy drinking, and provokes oxidative brain damage. Here, we investigated whether the cerebellum and hippocampus of female rats are less affected by prooxidant EW than male rats due to the antioxidant effect of 17β-estradiol (E2). Female and male rats received a four-week ethanol diet and three-week withdrawal per cycle for two cycles. Some female rats were ovariectomized with E2 or antioxidant (Vitamin E+Co-Q10) treatment. Measurements were cerebellum (Rotarod) and hippocampus (water-maze)-related behaviors, oxidative markers (O2(-), malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls), mitochondrial membrane swelling, and a key mitochondrial enzyme, cytochrome c oxidase (CcO). Separately, HT22 (hippocampal) cells were subjected to ethanol-exposure and withdrawal for two cycles to assess the effect of a CcO inhibitor on E2's protection for mitochondrial respiration and cell viability. Ethanol-withdrawn female rats showed a smaller increase in oxidative markers in cerebellum and hippocampus than male rats, and E2 treatment decreased the oxidative markers. Compared to male counterparts, ethanol-withdrawn female rats showed better Rotarod but poorer water-maze performance, accompanied by more severe mitochondrial membrane swelling and CcO suppression in hippocampus. E2 or antioxidant treatment improved Rotarod but not water-maze performance. In the presence of a CcO inhibitor, E2 treatment failed to protect mitochondrial respiration and cell viability from EW. These data suggest that antioxidant E2 contributes to smaller oxidative stress in ethanol-withdrawn female than male rats. They also suggest that EW-induced severe mitochondrial damage in hippocampus may blunt E2's antioxidant protection for hippocampus-related behavior.

A Complex Interaction Between Reduced Reelin Expression and Prenatal Organophosphate Exposure Alters Neuronal Cell Morphology

Genetic and environmental factors are both likely to contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, and major depressive disorders. Prior studies from our laboratory and others have demonstrated that the combinatorial effect of two factors—reduced expression of reelin protein and prenatal exposure to the organophosphate pesticide chlorpyrifos oxon—gives rise to acute biochemical effects and to morphological and behavioral phenotypes in adolescent and young adult mice. In the current study, we examine the consequences of these factors on reelin protein expression and neuronal cell morphology in adult mice. While the cell populations that express reelin in the adult brain appear unchanged in location and distribution, the levels of full length and cleaved reelin protein show persistent reductions following prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon. Cell positioning and organization in the hippocampus and cerebellum are largely normal in animals with either reduced reelin expression or prenatal exposure to chlorpyrifos oxon, but cellular complexity and dendritic spine organization is altered, with a skewed distribution of immature dendritic spines in adult animals. Paradoxically, combinatorial exposure to both factors appears to generate a rescue of the dendritic spine phenotypes, similar to the mitigation of behavioral and morphological changes observed in our prior study. Together, our observations support an interaction between reelin expression and chlorpyrifos oxon exposure that is not simply additive, suggesting a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in regulating brain morphology.

Differential methylation at the RELN gene promoter in temporal cortex from autistic and typically developing post-puberal subjects

BACKGROUND

Reelin plays a pivotal role in neurodevelopment and in post-natal synaptic plasticity and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The reelin (RELN) gene expression is significantly decreased in ASD, both in the brain and peripherally. Methylation at the RELN gene promoter is largely triggered at puberty, and hypermethylation has been found in post-mortem brains of schizophrenic and bipolar patients.

METHODS

In this study, we assessed RELN gene methylation status in post-mortem temporocortical tissue samples (BA41/42 or 22) of six pairs of post-puberal individuals with ASD and typically developing subjects, matched for sex (male:female, M:F = 5:1), age, and post-mortem interval.

RESULTS

ASD patients display a significantly higher number of methylated CpG islands and heavier methylation in the 5' region of the RELN gene promoter, spanning from -458 to -223 bp, whereas controls have more methylated CpG positions and greater extent of methylation at the 3' promoter region, spanning from -222 to +1 bp. The most upstream promoter region (-458 to -364 bp) is methylated only in ASD brains, while the most downstream region (-131 to +1 bp) is methylated exclusively in control brains. Within this general framework, three different methylation patterns are discernible, each correlated with different extents of reduction in reelin gene expression among ASD individuals compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The methylation pattern is different in ASD and control post-mortem brains. ASD-specific CpG positions, located in the most upstream gene promoter region, may exert a functional role potentially conferring ASD risk by blunting RELN gene expression.

Sex differences in cerebellar synaptic transmission and sex-specific responses to autism-linked Gabrb3 mutations in mice

Neurons of the cerebellar nuclei (CbN) transmit cerebellar signals to premotor areas. The cerebellum expresses several autism-linked genes, including GABRB3, which encodes GABAA receptor β3 subunits and is among the maternal alleles deleted in Angelman syndrome. We tested how this Gabrb3 m-/p+ mutation affects CbN physiology in mice, separating responses of males and females. Wild-type mice showed sex differences in synaptic excitation, inhibition, and intrinsic properties. Relative to females, CbN cells of males had smaller synaptically evoked mGluR1/5-dependent currents, slower Purkinje-mediated IPSCs, and lower spontaneous firing rates, but rotarod performances were indistinguishable. In mutant CbN cells, IPSC kinetics were unchanged, but mutant males, unlike females, showed enlarged mGluR1/5 responses and accelerated spontaneous firing. These changes appear compensatory, since mutant males but not females performed indistinguishably from wild-type siblings on the rotarod task. Thus, sex differences in cerebellar physiology produce similar behavioral output, but provide distinct baselines for responses to mutations.

Epigenetic RELN Dysfunction in Schizophrenia and Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders

REELIN (RELN) is a large (420 kDa) glycoprotein that in adulthood is mostly synthesized in GABAergic neurons of corticolimbic structures. Upon secretion in the extracellular matrix (ECM), RELN binds to VLDL, APOE2, and α3β2 Integrin receptors located on dendritic shafts and spines of postsynaptic pyramidal neurons. Reduced levels of RELN expression in the adult brain induce cognitive impairment and dendritic spine density deficits. RELN supplementation recovers these deficits suggesting a trophic action for RELN in synaptic plasticity. We and others have shown that altered RELN expression in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BP) disorder patients is difficult to reconcile with classical Mendelian genetic disorders and it is instead plausible to associate these disorders with altered epigenetic homeostasis. Support for the contribution of altered epigenetic mechanisms in the down-regulation of RELN expression in corticolimbic structures of psychotic patients includes the concomitant increase of DNA-methyltransferases and the increased levels of the methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). It is hypothesized that these conditions lead to RELN promoter hypermethylation and a reduction in RELN protein amounts in psychotic patients. The decreased synthesis and release of RELN from GABAergic corticolimbic neurons could serve as a model to elucidate the epigenetic pathophysiological mechanisms acting at pyramidal neuron dendrites that regulate synaptic plasticity and cognition in psychotic and non-psychotic subjects.

RELN Mutations in Autism Spectrum Disorder

RELN encodes a large, secreted glycoprotein integral to proper neuronal positioning during development and regulation of synaptic function postnatally. Rare, homozygous, null mutations lead to lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia (LCH), accompanied by developmental delay and epilepsy. Until recently, little was known about the frequency or consequences of heterozygous mutations. Several lines of evidence from multiple studies now implicate heterozygous mutations in RELN in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). RELN maps to the AUTS1 locus on 7q22, and at this time over 40 distinct mutations have been identified that would alter the protein sequence, four of which are de novo. The RELN mutations that are most clearly consequential are those that are predicted to inactivate the signaling function of the encoded protein and those that fall in a highly conserved RXR motif found at the core of the 16 Reelin subrepeats. Despite the growing evidence of RELN dysfunction in ASD, it appears that these mutations in isolation are insufficient and that secondary genetic or environmental factors are likely required for a diagnosis.

The number of Purkinje neurons and their topology in the cerebellar vermis of normal and reln haplodeficient mouse

The Reeler heterozygous mice (reln(+/-)) are haplodeficient in the gene (reln) encoding for the reelin glycoprotein (RELN) and display reductions in brain/peripheral RELN similar to autistic or schizophrenic patients. Cytoarchitectonic alterations of the reln(+/-) brain may be subtle, and are difficult to demonstrate by current histological approaches. We analyzed the number and topological organization of the Purkinje neurons (PNs) in five vermal lobules - central (II-III), culmen (IV-V), tuber (VIIb), uvula (IX), and nodulus (X) - that process different types of afferent functional inputs in reln(+/+) and reln(+/-) adult mice (P60) of both sexes (n=24). Animals were crossed with L7GFP mice so that the GFP-tagged PNs could be directly identified in cryosections. Digital images from these sections were processed with different open source software for quantitative topological and statistical analyses. Diversity indices calculated were: maximum caliper, density, area of soma, dispersion along the XZ axis, and dispersion along the YZ axis. We demonstrate: i. reduction in density of PNs in reln(+/-) males (14.37%) and reln(+/-) females (17.73%) compared to reln(+/+) males; ii. that reln(+/-) males have larger PNs than other genotypes, and females (irrespective of the reln genetic background) have smaller PNs than reln(+/+) males; iii. PNs are more chaotically arranged along the YZ axis in reln(+/-) males than in reln(+/+) males and, except in central lobulus, reln(+/-) females. Therefore, image processing and statistics reveal previously unforeseen gender and genotype-related structural differences in cerebellum that may be clues for the definition of novel biomarkers in human psychiatric disorders.

Cerebellar Development and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Approximately 50% of patients with the genetic disease tuberous sclerosis complex present with autism spectrum disorder. Although a number of studies have investigated the link between autism and tuberous sclerosis complex, the etiology of autism spectrum disorder in these patients remains unclear. Abnormal cerebellar function during critical phases of development could disrupt functional processes in the brain, leading to development of autistic features. Accordingly, the authors review the potential role of cerebellar dysfunction in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex. The authors also introduce conditional knockout mouse models of Tsc1 and Tsc2 that link cerebellar circuitry to the development of autistic-like features. Taken together, these preclinical and clinical investigations indicate the cerebellum has a profound regulatory role during development of social communication and repetitive behaviors.

Neuropathology and animal models of autism: genetic and environmental factors

Autism is a heterogeneous behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder. It is defined by the presence of marked social deficits, specific language abnormalities, and stereotyped repetitive patterns of behavior. Because of the variability in the behavioral phenotype of the disorder among patients, the term autism spectrum disorder has been established. In the first part of this review, we provide an overview of neuropathological findings from studies of autism postmortem brains and identify the cerebellum as one of the key brain regions that can play a role in the autism phenotype. We review research findings that indicate possible links between the environment and autism including the role of mercury and immune-related factors. Because both genes and environment can alter the structure of the developing brain in different ways, it is not surprising that there is heterogeneity in the behavioral and neuropathological phenotypes of autism spectrum disorders. Finally, we describe animal models of autism that occur following insertion of different autism-related genes and exposure to environmental factors, highlighting those models which exhibit both autism-like behavior and neuropathology.

Characterization of neonatal vocal and motor repertoire of reelin mutant mice

Reelin is a large secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein playing an important role in early neurodevelopment. Several genetic studies found an association between RELN gene and increased risk of autism suggesting that reelin deficiency may be a vulnerability factor in its etiology. Moreover, a reduced reelin expression has been observed in several brain regions of subjects with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Since a number of reports have documented presence of vocal and neuromotor abnormalities in patients with autism and suggested that these dysfunctions predate the onset of the syndrome, we performed a fine-grain characterization of the neonatal vocal and motor repertoire in reelin mutant mice to explore the developmental precursors of the disorder. Our findings evidence a general delay in motor and vocal development in heterozygous (50% reduced reelin) and reeler (lacking reelin gene) mutant mice. As a whole, an increased number of calls characterized heterozygous pup's emission. Furthermore, the typical ontogenetic peak in the number of calls characterizing wild-type pups on postnatal day 4 appeared slightly delayed in heterozygous pups (to day 6) and was quite absent in reeler littermates, which exhibited a flat profile during development. We also detected a preferential use of a specific call category (two-components) by heterozygous and reeler mice at postnatal days 6 and 8 as compared to their wild-type littermates. With regard to the analysis of spontaneous movements, a differential profile emerged early in development among the three genotypes. While only slight coordination difficulties are exhibited by heterozygous pups, all indices of motor development appear delayed in reeler mice. Overall, our results evidence a genotype-dependent deviation in ultrasonic vocal repertoire and a general delay in motor development in reelin mutant pups.

Reelin supplementation recovers sensorimotor gating, synaptic plasticity and associative learning deficits in the heterozygous reeler mouse

The lipoprotein receptor ligand Reelin is important for the processes of normal synaptic plasticity, dendritic morphogenesis, and learning and memory. Heterozygous reeler mice (HRM) show many neuroanatomical, biochemical, and behavioral features that are associated with schizophrenia. HRM show subtle morphological defects including reductions in dendritic spine density, altered synaptic plasticity and behavioral deficits in associative learning and memory and pre-pulse inhibition. The present studies test the hypothesis that in vivo elevation of Reelin levels can rescue synaptic and behavioral phenotypes associated with HRM. We demonstrate that a single in vivo injection of Reelin increases GAD67 expression and alters dendritic spine morphology. In parallel we observed enhancement of hippocampal synaptic function and associative learning and memory. Reelin supplementation also increases pre-pulse inhibition. These results suggest that characteristics of HRM, similar to those observed in schizophrenia, are sensitive to Reelin levels and can be modified with Reelin supplementation in male and female adults.

Analysis of common genetic variants identifies RELN as a risk gene for schizophrenia in Chinese population

Abstract Objectives. Several lines of evidence have shown that both RELN mRNA and protein are possibly down-regulated in the brain of schizophrenia patients. Recent association studies in European populations suggested RELN as a risk gene for schizophrenia. In this study, we test if RELN contributes to the risk of schizophrenia in Chinese population. Methods. We conducted case-control association analysis of 19 representative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning the entire region of RELN in two independent Han Chinese samples from southwestern China (the Kunming sample and the Yuxi sample). Results. We identified six SNPs significantly associated with schizophrenia in the Kunming sample and four of them remained significant in the combined samples (the P values range from 0.006 to 4.0 × 10(-5)). Haplotype analysis also suggested significant associations for the haplotypes incorporating the six significant SNPs (global P < 1.0 × 10(-5)). Additionally, we also observed several other haplotypes (defined by a different set of SNPs) significantly associated with schizophrenia in the Kunming sample. However, the reported association of rs7341475 in Ashkenazi Jews was not significant in Han Chinese.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that RELN is a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Chinese population, and it is likely a common risk gene for schizophrenia in major populations worldwide.

Reelin and its complex involvement in brain development and function

Reelin is a neuroprotein with crucial role during neurodevelopment and also in postnatal period. It regulates neuronal migration and positioning in developing neocortex and cerebellar cortex. Postnatally it participates in regulation of dendritic and axonal growth, synaptogenesis, neurotransmission and it contribute to synaptic plasticity necessary for learning and memory functions. Role of Reelin seems to be rather complex, profound research gradually uncovers its further functions. Deficits of Reelin were detected in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism. Pathogenesis of these disorders is far from being clearly understood. Reelin contribution to these diseases seems to be vital, since genetic variants of Reelin were associated with these diseases and often influence symptom severity. Reelin is a promising candidate molecule with potential future use in diagnostics and therapy, however further detailed research is essential.

Perseverative responding and neuroanatomical alterations in adult heterozygous reeler mice are mitigated by neonatal estrogen administration

According to the "extreme-male brain" theory, elevated fetal testosterone levels may partly explain the skewed sex ratio found in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Correcting this testosterone imbalance by increasing estrogen levels may mitigate the abnormal phenotype. Accordingly, while control heterozygous reeler (rl/+) male mice - a putative model of neuroanatomical and behavioral endophenotypes in ASD - show a decreased number of Purkinje cells (PC) compared to control wild-type (+/+) littermates, neonatal estradiol administration has been shown to correct this deficit in the short-term (i.e. on postnatal day 15). Here, we further investigated the neuroanatomical and behavioral abnormalities of rl/+ male mice and the potential compensatory effects of neonatal treatment with estradiol. In a longitudinal study, we observed that: i) infant rl/+ mice showed reduced motivation for social stimuli; ii) adult rl/+ male mice showed reduced cognitive flexibility; iii) the number of amygdalar parvalbumin-positive GABAergic interneurons were remarkably reduced in rl/+ mice; iv) neonatal estradiol administration into the cisterna magna reverted the abnormal profile both at the behavioral and at the neuroanatomical level in the amygdala but did not compensate for the cerebellar abnormalities in adulthood. This study supports the view that an increased excitation-to-inhibition ratio in the cerebellum and in the amygdala during a critical window of development could be crucial to the social and cognitive phenotype of male rl/+ mice, and that acute estradiol treatment during this critical window may mitigate symptoms' severity.

Sex-specific association of the Reelin gene with bipolar disorder

The Reelin gene (RELN) encodes a secretory glycoprotein critical for brain development and synaptic plasticity. Post-mortem studies have shown lower Reelin protein levels in the brains of patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (BP) compared with controls. In a recent genome-wide association study of schizophrenia, the strongest association was found in a marker within RELN, although this association was seen only in women. In this study, we investigated whether genetic variation in RELN is associated with BP in a large family sample. We genotyped 75 tagSNPs and 6 coding SNPs in 1,188 individuals from 318 nuclear families, including 554 affected offspring. Quality control measures, transmission-disequilibrium tests (TDTs), and empirical simulations were performed in PLINK. We found a significant overtransmission of the C allele of rs362719 to BP offspring (OR = 1.47, P = 5.9 x 10(-4)); this withstood empirical correction for testing of multiple markers (empirical P = 0.048). In a hypothesis-driven secondary analysis, we found that the association with rs362719 was almost entirely accounted for by overtransmission of the putative risk allele to affected females (OR(Female) = 1.79, P = 8.9 x 10(-5) vs. OR(Male) = 1.12, P = 0.63). These results provide preliminary evidence that genetic variation in RELN is associated with susceptibility to BP and, in particular, to BP in females. However, our findings should be interpreted with caution until further replication and functional assays provide convergent support.

Lower number of cerebellar Purkinje neurons in psychosis is associated with reduced reelin expression

Reelin is an extracellular matrix protein synthesized in cerebellar granule cells that plays an important role in Purkinje cell positioning during cerebellar development and in modulating adult synaptic function. In the cerebellum of schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar (BP) disorder patients, there is a marked decrease ( approximately 50%) of reelin expression. In this study we measured Purkinje neuron density in the Purkinje cell layer of cerebella of 13 SZ and 17 BP disorder patients from the McLean 66 Cohort Collection, Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center. The mean number of Purkinje neurons (linear density, neurons per millimeter) was 20% lower in SZ and BP disorder patients compared with nonpsychiatric subjects (NPS; n = 24). This decrease of Purkinje neuron linear density was unrelated to postmortem interval, pH, drugs of abuse, or to the presence, dose, or duration of antipsychotic medications. A comparative study in the cerebella of heterozygous reeler mice (HRM), in which reelin expression is down-regulated by approximately 50%, showed a significant loss in the number of Purkinje cells in HRM (10-15%) compared with age-matched (3-9 months) wild-type mice. This finding suggests that lack of reelin impairs GABAergic Purkinje neuron expression and/or positioning during cerebellar development.

Sex-specific therapeutic strategies based on neuroactive steroids: In search for innovative tools for neuroprotection

Different pathologies of the central and peripheral nervous system show sex differences in their incidence, symptomatology and/or neurodegenerative outcome. These include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, autism, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders and peripheral neuropathy. These sex differences reveal the need for sex-specific neuroprotective strategies. This review article and other manuscripts published in this issue of Hormones and Behavior analyze possible sex-specific therapeutic strategies based on neuroactive steroids. In particular in our introductory article, the possibility that sex differences in the levels or in the action of neuroactive steroids may represent causative factors for sex differences in the incidence or manifestation of pathologies of the nervous system is considered.

Sexually dimorphic features of vermis morphology in bipolar disorder

OBJECTIVES

The cerebellar vermis is increasingly implicated in bipolar disorder (BD). In this study, we investigated vermis morphology in BD using a quantitative volumetric analysis.

METHODS

Volumes for total vermis and vermis subregions V1 (lobules I-V), V2 (lobules VI-VII), and V3 (lobules VIII-X) were calculated using high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging obtained from 44 individuals with BD (25 females and 19 males) and 43 healthy comparison (HC) subjects (26 females and 17 males). Total vermis volumes were compared between the BD and HC groups. Potential effects of vermis subregions and clinical features were explored.

RESULTS

Total vermis volumes were significantly larger in the BD group than in the HC group (p = 0.02). There was a significant group-by-sex interaction (p = 0.02). Total vermis volumes were significantly larger in males with BD than HC males (p = 0.004); vermis volumes did not differ significantly between females with and without BD (p = 0.95). Subregion analyses showed a trend-level interaction between diagnosis and subregion (p = 0.07) in which subregion V1 volumes were significantly larger in BD participants (p = 0.001), with differences primarily driven by males (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate increases in cerebellar vermis volumes in males with BD. These findings support the presence of structural alterations in the cerebellar vermis in BD and furthermore the influence of sex on such changes.

CEREBELLAR PURKINJE CELL LOSS IN HETEROZYGOUSRORA+/−MICE: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

The staggerer (sg) mutation is a spontaneous deletion in the Rora gene that prevents the translation of the ligand-binding domain (LBD), leading to the loss of RORalpha activity. The homozygous Rorasg/sg mutant mouse, whose most obvious phenotype is ataxia associated with cerebellar degeneration, also displays a variety of other phenotypes. The heterozygous Rora+/sg is able to develop a cerebellum that is qualitatively normal but which suffers a significant loss of cerebellar neuronal cells with advancing age. A truncated protein synthesized by the mutated allele may play a role both in Rorasg/sg and Rora+/sg. To determine the effects during life span of true haplo-insufficiency of the RORalpha protein, derived from the invalidation of the gene, we compared the evolution of Purkinje cell numbers in heterozygous Rora knock-out males (Rora+/-) and in their wild-type counterparts from 1 to 24 months of age. We also compared the evolution of Purkinje cell (PC) numbers in Rora+/- and Rora+/sg males from 1 to 9 months. The main finding is that in Rora+/- mice, for which only one-half the normal amount of protein is produced, the deficit was established as early as 1 month and did not change during the animals' adult lifespans. Thus, the effects of aging on PC number were apparent much earlier in Rora+/- than in Rora+/sg, although at 24 months of age the degrees of deficit were similar.

Interactions between neuroactive steroids and reelin haploinsufficiency in Purkinje cell survival

We determined total Purkinje cell (PC) numbers in cerebella of wild-type (+/+) and heterozygous (rl/+) reeler mice of either sex during early postnatal development; in parallel, we quantified levels of neuroactive steroids in the cerebellum with mass spectrometry. We also quantified reelin mRNA and protein expression with RT-PCR and Western blotting. PC numbers are selectively reduced at postnatal day 15 (P15) in rl/+ males in comparison to +/+ males, +/+ females, and rl/+ females. Administration of 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E) into the cisterna magna at P5 increases PC numbers in rl/+ males, but not in the other groups; conversely, estrogen antagonists 4-OH-tamoxifen or ICI 182,780 reduce PC numbers in +/+ and rl/+ females, but have no effect in males. Testosterone (T) levels at P5 are much higher in males than in females, reflecting the perinatal testosterone surge in males. In addition, rl/+ male cerebella at P5 show a peculiar hormonal profile in comparison with the other groups, consisting of increased levels of T and 17beta-E, and decreased levels of dihydrotestosterone. RT-PCR analysis indicated that heterozygosity leads to a 50% reduction of reelin mRNA in the cerebellum in both sexes, as expected, and that 17beta-E upregulates reelin mRNA, particularly in rl/+ males; reelin mRNA upregulation is associated with an increase of all major reelin isoforms. These effects may represent a novel model of how reelin deficiency interacts with variable perinatal levels of neuroactive steroids, leading to gender-dependent differences in genetic vulnerability.

Steroids, sex and the cerebellar cortex: implications for human disease

Neurosteroids play an important role in the development of the cerebellum. In particular, estradiol and progesterone appear capable of inducing increases in dendritic spine density during development, and there is evidence that both are synthesized de novo in the cerebellum during critical developmental periods. In normal neonates and adults, there are few differences in the cerebellum between the sexes and most studies indicate that hormone and receptor levels also do not differ significantly during development. However, the sexes do differ significantly in risk of neuropsychological diseases associated with cerebellar pathology, and in animal models there are noticeable sex differences in the response to insult and genetic mutation. In both humans and animals, males tend to fare worse. Boys are more at risk for autism and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder than girls, and schizophrenia manifests at an earlier age in men. In rats males fare worse than females after perinatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls, and male mice heterozygous for the staggerer and reeler mutation show a more severe phenotype. Although very recent evidence suggests that differences in neurosteroid levels between the sexes in diseased animals may play a role in generating different disease phenotypes, the reason this hormonal difference occurs in diseased but not normal animals is currently unknown.

Genome-wide association identifies a common variant in the reelin gene that increases the risk of schizophrenia only in women

Sex differences in schizophrenia are well known, but their genetic basis has not been identified. We performed a genome-wide association scan for schizophrenia in an Ashkenazi Jewish population using DNA pooling. We found a female-specific association with rs7341475, a SNP in the fourth intron of the reelin (RELN) gene (p = 2.9 x 10(-5) in women), with a significant gene-sex effect (p = 1.8 x 10(-4)). We studied rs7341475 in four additional populations, totaling 2,274 cases and 4,401 controls. A significant effect was observed only in women, replicating the initial result (p = 2.1 x 10(-3) in women; p = 4.2 x 10(-3) for gene-sex interaction). Based on all populations the estimated relative risk of women carrying the common genotype is 1.58 (p = 8.8 x 10(-7); p = 1.6 x 10(-5) for gene-sex interaction). The female-specific association between RELN and schizophrenia is one of the few examples of a replicated sex-specific genetic association in any disease.

Analysis of IMGSAC autism susceptibility loci: evidence for sex limited and parent of origin specific effects

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, which has a complex genetic predisposition. The ratio of males to females affected by autism is approximately 4:1, suggesting that sex specific factors are involved in its development. We reported previously the results of a genomewide screen for autism susceptibility loci in 83 affected sibling pairs (ASP), and follow up analysis in 152 ASP. Here, we report analysis of an expanded sample of 219 ASP, using sex and parent of origin linkage modelling at loci on chromosomes 2, 7, 9, 15, and 16.

RESULTS

The results suggest that linkage to chromosomes 7q and 16p is contributed largely by the male-male ASP (MLS = 2.55 v 0.12, and MLS = 2.48 v 0.00, for the 145 male-male and 74 male-female/female-female ASP on chromosomes 7 and 16 respectively). Conversely linkage to chromosome 15q appears to be attributable to the male-female/female-female ASP (MLS = 2.62 v 0.00, for non-male and male-male ASP respectively). On chromosomes 2 and 9, all ASP contribute to linkage. These data, supported by permutation, suggest a possible sex limited effect of susceptibility loci on chromosomes 7, 15, and 16. Parent of origin linkage modelling indicates two distinct regions of paternal and maternal identity by descent sharing on chromosome 7 (paternal MLS = 1.46 at approximately 112 cM, and maternal MLS = 1.83 at approximately 135 cM; corresponding maternal and paternal MLS = 0.53 and 0.28 respectively), and maternal specific sharing on chromosome 9 (maternal MLS = 1.99 at approximately 30 cM; paternal MLS = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

These data support the possibility of two discrete loci underlying linkage of autism to chromosome 7, and implicate possible parent of origin specific effects in the aetiology of autism.

Polymorphic GGC repeat differentially regulates human reelin gene expression levels

The human gene encoding Reelin (RELN), a pivotal protein in neurodevelopment, includes a polymorphic GGC repeat in its 5' untranslated region (UTR). CHO cells transfected with constructs encompassing the RELN 5'UTR with 4-to-13 GGC repeats upstream of the luciferase reporter gene show declining luciferase activity with increasing GGC repeat number (P < 0.005), as predicted by computer-based simulations. Conversely, RELN 5'UTR sequences boost reporter gene expression above control levels in neuronal SN56 and N2A cell lines, but 12- and 13-repeat alleles still yield 50-60% less luciferase activity compared to the more common 8- and 10-repeat alleles (P < 0.0001). RELN "long" GGC alleles significantly blunt gene expression and may, through this effect, confer vulnerability to human disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism.

Review of animal models for autism: implication of thyroid hormone

Autism is a behaviorally defined disorder associated with characteristic impairments in social interactions and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interest. Its prevalence was once thought to be 2/10,000, but recently several large autism prevalence reviews revealed that the rate of occurrence was roughly 30/10,000. While it has been considered a developmental disorder, little is certain about its etiology. Neuroanatomical studies at the histological level in the brains of autistic patients provide many arguments in the etiology of autism. Results from postmortem and imaging studies have implicated many major structures of the brain including the limbic system, cerebellum, corpus callosum, basal ganglia and brainstem. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism. While several promising candidate genes have been presented, the critical loci are yet unknown. Environmental influences such as rubella virus, valproic acid, and thalidomide exposure during pregnancy are also considered important, as concordance in monozygotic twins is less than 100% and the phenotypic expression of the disorder varies widely. It is thus hypothesized that non-genetic mechanisms contribute to the onset of autistic syndrome. In light of these ambiguities, hope is held that an animal model of autism may help elucidate matters. In this article, we overview most of the currently available animal models for autism, and propose the rat with mild and transient neonatal hypothyroidism as a novel model for autism.

Stereological estimation of Purkinje neuron number in C57BL/6 mice and its relation to associative learning

Cerebellar Purkinje neurons are among the most vulnerable neurons in the CNS. Impairment in Purkinje neurons has consequences for cerebellar cortical-dependent forms of behavior. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate Purkinje neuron number over the lifespan of C57BL/6 mice. Stereological estimates of the total number of Purkinje neurons in cerebellar cortex were made in 25 C57BL/6 mice aged 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months. Delay eyeblink classical conditioning to a white noise conditioned stimulus was also assessed for 10 daily sessions. Statistically significant age differences in Purkinje neuron number were observed beginning at 18 months. Delay eyeblink conditioning also showed significant age-related impairment, at least some of which resulted from age-related deficits in hearing. Eliminating the hearing-impaired 18- and 24-month-old mice from the analysis, the correlation between Purkinje neuron number and rate of conditioning was -0.435 (P=0.053) in 15 younger mice aged 4-12 months. Purkinje neurons are one of the few types of neurons showing significant age-associated loss. Results indicate that individual variation in Purkinje neuron number is related to eyeblink conditioning in young organisms suggesting that reserves of neuron numbers against which individuals draw are defined early in life.

Regional brain variations of cytochrome oxidase activity inRelnrl-orl mutant mice

Cell malpositioning has been described in laminated structures of the spontaneous mutation, reeler, including the cerebellum, the hippocampus, and the neocortex. Despite the ectopic positions of different neuronal populations, the specificity of synaptic connections is maintained. The metabolic consequences of this form of neuropathology were examined in Reln(rl) mutant mice by quantitative measures of cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity, a mitochondrial enzyme essential for oxidative metabolism in neurons. Despite severe tissue disorganization but in line with the intact synaptic organization, the reeler mutation did not affect global metabolic activity of the laminated structures of the brain. CO activity, however, was altered in specific subregions of the cerebellum, hippocampus, and neocortex, as well as in septum and various brainstem (medial pontine, paramedial reticular, paragigantocellular reticular) regions anatomically related to these structures, attesting to large functional alterations in Reln(rl-orl) brain. Metabolic activity variations were also detected in the ventral tegmental area and ventral neostriatum of the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. The results are discussed and compared to the regional CO variations found in other ataxic mice, in regard to the structural defects, the integrity of the connections, and the mutation-specific effects.

Purkinje cell loss accompanies motor impairment in rats developing at altered gravity

We have previously reported that the developmental exposure of rats to altered gravity (1.65 g) from gestational day 8 to postnatal day 21 impacts motor functions and cerebellar structure. The present study examined whether the decrease in cerebellar mass accompanied by impaired performance on a rotorod in hypergravity-exposed rats was related to a decrease in Purkinje cell number. The total number of Purkinje cells was determined on postnatal day 21 using a stereological analysis applied to paraformaldehyde-fixed cerebellar samples subsequently embedded in celloidin. Total Purkinje cell number was decreased by 17.7-25.3%. These results imply that exposure to altered gravity during Purkinje cell birth may affect their proliferation, resulting in a decrease in Purkinje cell number, which, in turn, leads to motor impairment.

GABAA receptor beta3 subunit gene-deficient heterozygous mice show parent-of-origin and gender-related differences in beta3 subunit levels, EEG, and behavior

The homozygous knockout mouse for the beta3 subunit of the GABAA receptor has been proposed as a model for the neurodevelopmental disorder, Angelman syndrome, based on phenotypic similarities of craniofacial abnormalities, cognitive defects, hyperactivity, motor incoordination, disturbed rest-activity cycles, and epilepsy. Since most children with Angelman syndrome are autosomal heterozygotes of maternal origin, apparently through genomic imprinting, we used gabrb3-deficient heterozygote mice of defined parental origin to investigate whether this phenotype is also maternally imprinted in mouse. Whole brain extracts showed greatly reduced beta3 subunit levels in male mice of maternal origin but not in male mice of paternal origin. Females of both parental origin showed greatly reduced beta3 subunit levels. Heterozygotes did not exhibit hyperactive circling behavior, convulsions, or electrographically recorded seizures. EEGs showed qualitative differences among heterozygotes, with male mice of maternal origin demonstrating more abnormalities including increased theta activity. Ethosuximide inhibited theta bursts, suggesting an alteration in the thalamocortical relay. Carbamazepine induced EEG slowing in males and EEG acceleration in females, with a larger effect in paternal-origin heterozygotes. Evidence thus suggests both parent-of-origin and gender-related components in developmental regulation of beta3 expression, in particular, that the maternally-derived male heterozygote may carry a developmental modification resulting in less beta3 protein, which may reflect partial genomic imprinting of the gabrb3 gene in mice.

Reelin signaling is impaired in autism

BACKGROUND

Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic and environmental etiologies. Recent genetic linkage studies implicate Reelin glycoprotein in causation of autism. To further investigate these studies, brain levels of Reelin protein and mRNA and mRNAs for VLDLR, Dab-1, and GSK3 were investigated.

METHODS

Postmortem superior frontal, parietal, and cerebellar cortices of age, gender, and postmortem interval-matched autistic and control subjects were subjected to SDS-PAGE and Western blotting of Reelin protein. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction analysis of Reelin, VLDL-R, Dab-1, and GSK3 mRNA species in superior frontal and cerebellar cortices of autistic and control subjects were also performed.

RESULTS

Reelin 410, 330, and 180 kDa/beta-actin values were reduced significantly in frontal and cerebellar, and nonsignificantly in parietal, areas of autistic brains versus control subjects, respectively. The mRNAs for Reln and Dab-1 were reduced significantly whereas the mRNA for Reln receptor VLDLR was elevated significantly in superior frontal and cerebellar areas of autistic brains versus control brains, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Reductions in Reelin protein and mRNA and Dab 1 mRNA and elevations in Reln receptor VLDLR mRNA demonstrate impairments in the Reelin signaling system in autism, accounting for some of the brain structural and cognitive deficits observed in the disorder.

Reelin glycoprotein: structure, biology and roles in health and disease

Reelin glycoprotein is a secretory serine protease with dual roles in mammalian brain: embryologically, it guides neurons and radial glial cells to their corrected positions in the developing brain; in adult brain, Reelin is involved in a signaling pathway which underlies neurotransmission, memory formation and synaptic plasticity. Disruption of Reelin signaling pathway by mutations and selective hypermethylation of the Reln gene promoter or following various pre- or postnatal insults may lead to cognitive deficits present in neuropsychiatric disorders like autism or schizophrenia.

Sexual dimorphism in cerebellar structure, function, and response to environmental perturbations

Sexual dimorphism of CNS structure and function has been observed in humans and animals, but remains relatively unrecognized in the context of the cerebellum. Recent research in our laboratory has examined whether these gender differences extend to cerebellar structure and function, as well as the impact of environmental factors on the developing cerebellum. Perinatal exposure to both chemical and physical perturbations in the environment (in our experiments, PCBs or hypergravity) affects growth, neurodevelopment, and motor coordination differently in males and females. These neurodevelopmental and behavioral effects are accompanied by sex-related changes in cerebellar mass and cerebellar protein expression. Exposure to chemical toxins (PCBs) resulted in more dramatic neurodevelopmental and behavioral changes in male neonates. It is possible that gender-related differences in male and female cerebellar structure and function are related to sex-specific development of the cerebellum and sex-specific distribution of specific receptors, local synthesis of trophic factors, and maturation of the pituitary hypophesial axis. These sex-related differences may underlie the sex-specific preponderance of certain neuropsychiatric disorders, and must be incorporated in the design of future basic and clinical investigations.

Neurobehavioral evaluation of Relnrl-orl mutant mice and correlations with cytochrome oxidase activity

The Reln-rl-orl mutation is characterized by a marked deficit in cerebellar granule cell and Purkinje cell number as well as ectopias in cerebellum, hippocampus, and neocortex. By comparison to Balb/c controls, Reln-rl-orl mutants did not alternate spontaneously in a T-maze and were deficient for visuomotor guidance in a water maze. Despite cerebellar ataxia and motor coordination impairments on stationary beam, coat-hanger, and rotorod tests, the horizontal motor activity of Reln-rl-orl mutants was not reduced in an open-field. The elevated cytochrome oxidase (CO) activity in Purkinje cells and the reduced CO activity in the roof nuclei (interpositus and dentate) of the mutants were associated with poor performance on the small stationary beam. In addition, deficient CO activity of the granular layer of the motor cortex was associated with shorter latencies before falling from the larger stationary beam and a lower number of rears in the open-field. Conversely, elevated CO activity in the polymorphic layer of primary somatosensory cortex was congruent with higher latencies before falling from the same apparatus, indicating functional compensation.