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Liang R, Wang L, Yang Q, Xu Q, Sun S, Zhou H, Zhao M, Gao J, Zheng C, Yang J, Ming D. Time-course adaptive changes in hippocampal transcriptome and synaptic function induced by simulated microgravity associated with cognition. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1275771. [PMID: 37868195 PMCID: PMC10585108 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1275771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The investigation of cognitive function in microgravity, both short-term and long-term, remains largely descriptive. And the underlying mechanisms of the changes over time remain unclear. Methods Behavioral tests, electrophysiological recording, and RNA sequencing were used to observe differences in behavior, synaptic plasticity, and gene expression. Results Initially, we measured the performance of spatial cognition exposed to long-term simulated microgravity (SM). Both working memory and advanced cognitive abilities were enhanced. Somewhat surprisingly, the synaptic plasticity of the hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse was impaired. To gain insight into the mechanism of changing regularity over time, transcriptome sequencing in the hippocampus was performed. The analysis identified 20 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the hippocampus after short-term modeling, 19 of which were up-regulated. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that these up-regulated genes were mainly enriched in synaptic-related processes, such as Stxbp5l and Epha6. This might be related to the enhancement of working memory performance under short-term SM exposure. Under exposure to long-term SM, 7 DEGs were identified in the hippocampus, all of which were up-regulated and related to oxidative stress and metabolism, such as Depp1 and Lrg1. Compensatory effects occurred with increased modeling time. Discussion To sum up, our current research indicates that the cognitive function under SM exposure is consistently maintained or potentially even being enhanced over both short and long durations. The underlying mechanisms are intricate and potentially linked to the differential expression of hippocampal-associated genes and alterations in synaptic function, with these effects being time-dependent. The present study will lay the experimental and theoretical foundation of the multi-level mechanism of cognitive function under space flight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Machine Integration, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Qing Xu
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shufan Sun
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Haichen Zhou
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Meiling Zhao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Chenguang Zheng
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Machine Integration, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Machine Integration, Tianjin, China
| | - Dong Ming
- Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neuroengineering, Tianjin, China
- Haihe Laboratory of Brain-Computer Interaction and Human-Machine Integration, Tianjin, China
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Jiang W, Isenhart R, Sutherland R, Lu Z, Xu H, Pace J, Bonaguidi MA, Lee DJ, Liu CY, Song D. Subthreshold repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation suppresses ketamine-induced poly population spikes in rat sensorimotor cortex. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:998704. [PMCID: PMC9633989 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.998704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical oscillations within or across brain regions play fundamental roles in sensory, motor, and memory functions. It can be altered by neuromodulations such as repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and pharmacological manipulations such as ketamine. However, the neurobiological basis of the effects of rTMS and ketamine, as well as their interactions, on cortical oscillations is not understood. In this study, we developed and applied a rodent model that enabled simultaneous rTMS treatment, pharmacological manipulations, and invasive electrophysiological recordings, which is difficult in humans. Specifically, a miniaturized C-shaped coil was designed and fabricated to deliver focal subthreshold rTMS above the primary somatosensory (S1) and motor (M1) cortex in rats. Multi-electrode arrays (MEA) were implanted to record local field potentials (LFPs) and single unit activities. A novel form of synchronized activities, poly population spikes (PPS), was discovered as the biomarker of ketamine in LFPs. Brief subthreshold rTMS effectively and reversibly suppressed PPS while increasing the firing rates of single unit activities. These results suggest that ketamine and rTMS have convergent but opposing effects on cortical oscillations and circuits. This highly robust phenomenon has important implications to understanding the neurobiological mechanisms of rTMS and ketamine as well as developing new therapeutic strategies involving both neuromodulation and pharmacological agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Jiang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Wenxuan Jiang,
| | - Robert Isenhart
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
- Neurorestoration Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Robert Sutherland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Zhouxiao Lu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Huijing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - John Pace
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michael A. Bonaguidi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Neurorestoration Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Darrin J. Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
- Neurorestoration Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Charles Y. Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, CA, United States
- Neurorestoration Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Dong Song
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Neurorestoration Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Dong Song,
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Stekic A, Zeljkovic M, Zaric Kontic M, Mihajlovic K, Adzic M, Stevanovic I, Ninkovic M, Grkovic I, Ilic TV, Nedeljkovic N, Dragic M. Intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation Ameliorates Cognitive Deficit and Attenuates Neuroinflammation via PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Alzheimer’s-Like Disease Model. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:889983. [PMID: 35656538 PMCID: PMC9152158 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.889983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration implies progressive neuronal loss and neuroinflammation further contributing to pathology progression. It is a feature of many neurological disorders, most common being Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive stimulation which modulates excitability of stimulated brain areas through magnetic pulses. Numerous studies indicated beneficial effect of rTMS in several neurological diseases, including AD, however, exact mechanism are yet to be elucidated. We aimed to evaluate the effect of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), an rTMS paradigm, on behavioral, neurochemical and molecular level in trimethyltin (TMT)-induced Alzheimer’s-like disease model. TMT acts as a neurotoxic agent targeting hippocampus causing cognitive impairment and neuroinflammation, replicating behavioral and molecular aspects of AD. Male Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups–controls, rats subjected to a single dose of TMT (8 mg/kg), TMT rats subjected to iTBS two times per day for 15 days and TMT sham group. After 3 weeks, we examined exploratory behavior and memory, histopathological and changes on molecular level. TMT-treated rats exhibited severe and cognitive deficit. iTBS-treated animals showed improved cognition. iTBS reduced TMT-induced inflammation and increased anti-inflammatory molecules. We examined PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway which is involved in regulation of apoptosis, cell growth and learning and memory. We found significant downregulation of phosphorylated forms of Akt and mTOR in TMT-intoxicated animals, which were reverted following iTBS stimulation. Application of iTBS produces beneficial effects on cognition in of rats with TMT-induced hippocampal neurodegeneration and that effect could be mediated via PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which could candidate this protocol as a potential therapeutic approach in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andjela Stekic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Zeljkovic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Zaric Kontic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Katarina Mihajlovic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Adzic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Stevanovic
- Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Ninkovic
- Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia
- Institute for Medical Research, Military Medical Academy, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ivana Grkovic
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tihomir V. Ilic
- Medical Faculty of Military Medical Academy, University of Defence, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nadezda Nedeljkovic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milorad Dragic
- Laboratory for Neurobiology, Department of General Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Milorad Dragic,
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Liang R, Wang L, Sun S, Zheng C, Yang J, Ming D. Medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus in mice differently affected by simulate microgravity and social isolation associated with the alternation of emotional and cognitive functions. Life Sci Space Res (Amst) 2022; 33:21-32. [PMID: 35491026 DOI: 10.1016/j.lssr.2022.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Long-term spaceflight has been proved to cause physical impairments such as motor, cardiovascular and endocrine functions in astronauts. But psychological effects such as mood and social interaction are less well understood. Besides, there are conflicting accounts of their effects on cognitive function. Thus in this study, we exposed mice (18-21 g) to 28-day simulate microgravity and social isolation (SM+SI) and examined its effects on mood, social interaction and cognitive function. We found that four weeks of SM+SI exposure resulted in emotional and specific social barriers, which may be associated with loss of neurons and decreased dendritic spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex. Unexpectedly, SM+SI enhanced the short and long-term cognitive abilities of mice, which may be related to the anti-apoptotic effect of SM+SI regulating the level of apoptotic factors in the hippocampus. These results indicates that SM+SI, as chronic stressor, can induce the body to establish effective coping strategies to enhance individuals' cognitive ability; on the other hand, long-term exposure to SM+SI causes emotional/social barriers. This study further demonstrates SM+SI causes different effects in a brain-region specific manner. Current findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding how SM+SI acts on the brain structure to influence mental health, and may be useful for designing effective prevention for those, including the astronauts, exposed to microgravity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Liang
- Institute of Medical Engineering & Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ling Wang
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Shufan Sun
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Chenguang Zheng
- School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Institute of Medical Engineering & Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Dong Ming
- Institute of Medical Engineering & Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; School of Precision Instrument and Opto-Electronics Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Neural Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
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