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Bar E, Fischer I, Rokach M, Elad-Sfadia G, Shirenova S, Ophir O, Trangle SS, Okun E, Barak B. Neuronal deletion of Gtf2i results in developmental microglial alterations in a mouse model related to Williams syndrome. Glia 2024; 72:1117-1135. [PMID: 38450767 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24519] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a heterozygous microdeletion, characterized by hypersociability and unique neurocognitive abnormalities. Of the deleted genes, GTF2I has been linked to hypersociability in WS. We have recently shown that Gtf2i deletion from forebrain excitatory neurons, referred to as Gtf2i conditional knockout (cKO) mice leads to multi-faceted myelination deficits associated with the social behaviors affected in WS. These deficits were potentially mediated also by microglia, as they present a close relationship with oligodendrocytes. To study the impact of altered myelination, we characterized these mice in terms of microglia over the course of development. In postnatal day 30 (P30) Gtf2i cKO mice, cortical microglia displayed a more ramified state, as compared with wild type (controls). However, postnatal day 4 (P4) microglia exhibited high proliferation rates and an elevated activation state, demonstrating altered properties related to activation and inflammation in Gtf2i cKO mice compared with control. Intriguingly, P4 Gtf2i cKO-derived microglial cells exhibited significantly elevated myelin phagocytosis in vitro compared to control mice. Lastly, systemic injection of clemastine to P4 Gtf2i cKO and control mice until P30, led to a significant interaction between genotypes and treatments on the expression levels of the phagocytic marker CD68, and a significant reduction of the macrophage/microglial marker Iba1 transcript levels in the cortex of the Gtf2i cKO treated mice. Our data thus implicate microglia as important players in WS, and that early postnatal manipulation of microglia might be beneficial in treating inflammatory and myelin-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ela Bar
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inbar Fischer
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - May Rokach
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galit Elad-Sfadia
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sophie Shirenova
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Omer Ophir
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sari Schokoroy Trangle
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eitan Okun
- The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Paul Feder Laboratory on Alzheimer's Disease Research, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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2
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Rokach M, Portioli C, Brahmachari S, Estevão BM, Decuzzi P, Barak B. Tackling myelin deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders using drug delivery systems. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 207:115218. [PMID: 38403255 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115218] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Interest in myelin and its roles in almost all brain functions has been greatly increasing in recent years, leading to countless new studies on myelination, as a dominant process in the development of cognitive functions. Here, we explore the unique role myelin plays in the central nervous system and specifically discuss the results of altered myelination in neurodevelopmental disorders. We present parallel developmental trajectories involving myelination that correlate with the onset of cognitive impairment in neurodevelopmental disorders and discuss the key challenges in the treatment of these chronic disorders. Recent developments in drug repurposing and nano/micro particle-based therapies are reviewed as a possible pathway to circumvent some of the main hurdles associated with early intervention, including patient's adherence and compliance, side effects, relapse, and faster route to possible treatment of these disorders. The strategy of drug encapsulation overcomes drug solubility and metabolism, with the possibility of drug targeting to a specific compartment, reducing side effects upon systemic administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- May Rokach
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Corinne Portioli
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Sayanti Brahmachari
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Bianca Martins Estevão
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Boaz Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Israel; Faculty of Social Sciences, The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.
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3
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Nir Sade A, Levy G, Schokoroy Trangle S, Elad Sfadia G, Bar E, Ophir O, Fischer I, Rokach M, Atzmon A, Parnas H, Rosenberg T, Marco A, Elroy Stein O, Barak B. Neuronal Gtf2i deletion alters mitochondrial and autophagic properties. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1269. [PMID: 38097729 PMCID: PMC10721858 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05612-5] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Gtf2i encodes the general transcription factor II-I (TFII-I), with peak expression during pre-natal and early post-natal brain development stages. Because these stages are critical for proper brain development, we studied at the single-cell level the consequences of Gtf2i's deletion from excitatory neurons, specifically on mitochondria. Here we show that Gtf2i's deletion resulted in abnormal morphology, disrupted mRNA related to mitochondrial fission and fusion, and altered autophagy/mitophagy protein expression. These changes align with elevated reactive oxygen species levels, illuminating Gtf2i's importance in neurons mitochondrial function. Similar mitochondrial issues were demonstrated by Gtf2i heterozygous model, mirroring the human condition in Williams syndrome (WS), and by hemizygous neuronal Gtf2i deletion model, indicating Gtf2i's dosage-sensitive role in mitochondrial regulation. Clinically relevant, we observed altered transcript levels related to mitochondria, hypoxia, and autophagy in frontal cortex tissue from WS individuals. Our study reveals mitochondrial and autophagy-related deficits shedding light on WS and other Gtf2i-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Nir Sade
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gilad Levy
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sari Schokoroy Trangle
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Galit Elad Sfadia
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ela Bar
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Omer Ophir
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inbar Fischer
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - May Rokach
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Andrea Atzmon
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine & Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hadar Parnas
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Tali Rosenberg
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Asaf Marco
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Orna Elroy Stein
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine & Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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4
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Tobisch J, Philippe S, Barak B, Kaplun G, Zenger C, Glaser A, Paar C, Rührmair U. Remote inspection of adversary-controlled environments. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6566. [PMID: 37848432 PMCID: PMC10582185 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42314-2] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Remotely monitoring the location and enduring presence of valuable items in adversary-controlled environments presents significant challenges. In this article, we demonstrate a monitoring approach that leverages the gigahertz radio-wave scattering and absorption of a room and its contents, including a set of mirrors with random orientations placed inside, to remotely verify the absence of any disturbance over time. Our technique extends to large physical systems the application of physical unclonable functions for integrity protection. Its main applications are scenarios where parties are mutually distrustful and have privacy and security constraints. Examples range from the verification of nuclear arms-control treaties to the securing of currency, artwork, or data centers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sébastien Philippe
- Program on Science and Global Security, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Boaz Barak
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gal Kaplun
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian Zenger
- PHYSEC GmbH, Bochum, Germany
- Secure Mobile Networking, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Alexander Glaser
- Program on Science and Global Security, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Christof Paar
- Max Planck Institute for Security and Privacy, Bochum, Germany
| | - Ulrich Rührmair
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department, TU Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Secure Computation Laboratory, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Mansfield, CT, USA.
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5
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Israel-Elgali I, Pan H, Oved K, Pillar N, Levy G, Barak B, Carneiro A, Gurwitz D, Shomron N. Impaired myelin ultrastructure is reversed by citalopram treatment in a mouse model for major depressive disorder. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 166:100-114. [PMID: 37757703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.09.012] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common and widespread mental disorder. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatment for MDD. The relation between the inhibition of serotonin reuptake in the central nervous system and remission from MDD remains controversial, as reuptake inhibition occurs rapidly, but remission from MDD takes weeks to months. Myelination-related deficits and white matter abnormalities were shown to be involved in psychiatric disorders such as MDD. This may explain the delay in remission following SSRI administration. The raphe nuclei (RN), located in the brain stem, consist of clusters of serotonergic (5-HT) neurons that project to almost all regions of the brain. Thus, the RN are an intriguing area for research of the potential effect of SSRI on myelination, and their involvement in MDD. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate many biological features that might be altered by antidepressants. Two cohorts of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) mouse model for depression underwent behavioral tests for evaluating stress, anxiety, and depression levels. Following application of the CUS protocol and treatment with the SSRI, citalopram, 48 mice of the second cohort were tested via magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging for differences in brain white matter tracts. RN and superior colliculus were excised from both cohorts and measured for changes in miRNAs, mRNA, and protein levels of candidate genes. Using MRI-DTI scans we found lower fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity in brains of stressed mice. Moreover, both miR-30b-5p and miR-101a-3p were found to be downregulated in the RN following CUS, and upregulated following CUS and citalopram treatment. The direct binding of these miRNAs to Qki, and the subsequent effects on mRNA and protein levels of myelin basic protein (Mbp), indicated involvement of these miRNAs in myelination ultrastructure processes in the RN, in response to CUS followed by SSRI treatment. We suggest that SSRIs are implicated in repairing myelin deficits resulting from chronic stress that leads to depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifat Israel-Elgali
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hope Pan
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Keren Oved
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Pillar
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Gilad Levy
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ana Carneiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - David Gurwitz
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Edmond J Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Tel Aviv University Innovation Laboratories (TILabs), Tel Aviv, Israel.
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6
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Ophir O, Levy G, Bar E, Kimchi Feldhorn O, Rokach M, Elad Sfadia G, Barak B. Deletion of Gtf2i via Systemic Administration of AAV-PHP.eB Virus Increases Social Behavior in a Mouse Model of a Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2273. [PMID: 37626769 PMCID: PMC10452363 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by distinctive cognitive and personality profiles which also impacts various physiological systems. The syndrome arises from the deletion of about 25 genes located on chromosome 7q11.23, including Gtf2i. Prior research indicated a strong association between pre-natal Gtf2i deletion, and the hyper-social phenotypes observed in WS, as well as myelination deficits. As most studies addressed pre-natal Gtf2i deletion in mouse models, post-natal neuronal roles of Gtf2i were unknown. To investigate the impact of post-natal deletion of neuronal Gtf2i on hyper-sociability, we intravenously injected an AAV-PHP.eB virus expressing Cre-recombinase under the control of αCaMKII, a promoter in a mouse model with floxed Gtf2i. This targeted deletion was performed in young mice, allowing for precise and efficient brain-wide infection leading to the exclusive removal of Gtf2i from excitatory neurons. As a result of such gene deletion, the mice displayed hyper-sociability, increased anxiety, impaired cognition, and hyper-mobility, relative to controls. These findings highlight the potential of systemic viral manipulation as a gene-editing technique to modulate behavior-regulating genes during the post-natal stage, thus presenting novel therapeutic approaches for addressing neurodevelopmental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omer Ophir
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Gilad Levy
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Ela Bar
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | | | - May Rokach
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Galit Elad Sfadia
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
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7
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Sheng Y, Barak B, Nitzan M. Robust reconstruction of single-cell RNA-seq data with iterative gene weight updates. Bioinformatics 2023; 39:i423-i430. [PMID: 37387155 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btad253] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
MOTIVATION Single-cell RNA-sequencing technologies have greatly enhanced our understanding of heterogeneous cell populations and underlying regulatory processes. However, structural (spatial or temporal) relations between cells are lost during cell dissociation. These relations are crucial for identifying associated biological processes. Many existing tissue-reconstruction algorithms use prior information about subsets of genes that are informative with respect to the structure or process to be reconstructed. When such information is not available, and in the general case when the input genes code for multiple processes, including being susceptible to noise, biological reconstruction is often computationally challenging. RESULTS We propose an algorithm that iteratively identifies manifold-informative genes using existing reconstruction algorithms for single-cell RNA-seq data as subroutine. We show that our algorithm improves the quality of tissue reconstruction for diverse synthetic and real scRNA-seq data, including data from the mammalian intestinal epithelium and liver lobules. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION The code and data for benchmarking are available at github.com/syq2012/iterative_weight_update_for_reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueqi Sheng
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, United States
| | - Boaz Barak
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Boston, MA 02134, United States
| | - Mor Nitzan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Racah Institute of Physics, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel
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8
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Trangle SS, Rosenberg T, Parnas H, Levy G, Bar E, Marco A, Barak B. In individuals with Williams syndrome, dysregulation of methylation in non-coding regions of neuronal and oligodendrocyte DNA is associated with pathology and cortical development. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:1112-1127. [PMID: 36577841 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01921-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a heterozygous micro-deletion in the WS critical region (WSCR) and is characterized by hyper-sociability and neurocognitive abnormalities. Nonetheless, whether and to what extent WSCR deletion leads to epigenetic modifications in the brain and induces pathological outcomes remains largely unknown. By examining DNA methylation in frontal cortex, we revealed genome-wide disruption in the methylome of individuals with WS, as compared to typically developed (TD) controls. Surprisingly, differentially methylated sites were predominantly annotated as introns and intergenic loci and were found to be highly enriched around binding sites for transcription factors that regulate neuronal development, plasticity and cognition. Moreover, by utilizing enhancer-promoter interactome data, we confirmed that most of these loci function as active enhancers in the human brain or as target genes of transcriptional networks associated with myelination, oligodendrocyte (OL) differentiation, cognition and social behavior. Cell type-specific methylation analysis revealed aberrant patterns in the methylation of active enhancers in neurons and OLs, and important neuron-glia interactions that might be impaired in individuals with WS. Finally, comparison of methylation profiles from blood samples of individuals with WS and healthy controls, along with other data collected in this study, identified putative targets of endophenotypes associated with WS, which can be used to define brain-risk loci for WS outside the WSCR locus, as well as for other associated pathologies. In conclusion, our study illuminates the brain methylome landscape of individuals with WS and sheds light on how these aberrations might be involved in social behavior and physiological abnormalities. By extension, these results may lead to better diagnostics and more refined therapeutic targets for WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sari Schokoroy Trangle
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Tali Rosenberg
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Hadar Parnas
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel
| | - Gilad Levy
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Ela Bar
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.,The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel
| | - Asaf Marco
- Neuro-Epigenetics Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, 7610001, Israel.
| | - Boaz Barak
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel. .,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
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9
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Ebadi S, Keesling A, Cain M, Wang TT, Levine H, Bluvstein D, Semeghini G, Omran A, Liu JG, Samajdar R, Luo XZ, Nash B, Gao X, Barak B, Farhi E, Sachdev S, Gemelke N, Zhou L, Choi S, Pichler H, Wang ST, Greiner M, Vuletic V, Lukin MD. Quantum optimization of maximum independent set using Rydberg atom arrays. Science 2022; 376:1209-1215. [PMID: 35511943 DOI: 10.1126/science.abo6587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Realizing quantum speedup for practically relevant, computationally hard problems is a central challenge in quantum information science. Using Rydberg atom arrays with up to 289 qubits in two spatial dimensions, we experimentally investigate quantum algorithms for solving the Maximum Independent Set problem. We use a hardware-efficient encoding associated with Rydberg blockade, realize closed-loop optimization to test several variational algorithms, and subsequently apply them to systematically explore a class of graphs with programmable connectivity. We find the problem hardness is controlled by the solution degeneracy and number of local minima, and experimentally benchmark the quantum algorithm's performance against classical simulated annealing. On the hardest graphs, we observe a superlinear quantum speedup in finding exact solutions in the deep circuit regime and analyze its origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ebadi
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - A Keesling
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,QuEra Computing Inc., Boston, MA 02135, USA
| | - M Cain
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - T T Wang
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - H Levine
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - D Bluvstein
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - G Semeghini
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - A Omran
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,QuEra Computing Inc., Boston, MA 02135, USA
| | - J-G Liu
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,QuEra Computing Inc., Boston, MA 02135, USA
| | - R Samajdar
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - X-Z Luo
- QuEra Computing Inc., Boston, MA 02135, USA.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Canada.,Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Waterloo, Ontario N2L 2Y5, Canada
| | - B Nash
- School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - X Gao
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - B Barak
- School of Engineering and Applied Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - E Farhi
- Google Quantum AI, Venice, CA 90291, USA.,Center for Theoretical Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - S Sachdev
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,School of Natural Sciences, Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA
| | - N Gemelke
- QuEra Computing Inc., Boston, MA 02135, USA
| | - L Zhou
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.,Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - S Choi
- Center for Theoretical Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - H Pichler
- Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria.,Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Innsbruck A-6020, Austria
| | - S-T Wang
- QuEra Computing Inc., Boston, MA 02135, USA
| | - M Greiner
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | | | - M D Lukin
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
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10
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Barak B, Moitra A. Noisy tensor completion via the sum-of-squares hierarchy. Math Program 2022; 193:513-548. [PMID: 35702694 PMCID: PMC9187579 DOI: 10.1007/s10107-022-01793-9] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the noisy tensor completion problem we observe m entries (whose location is chosen uniformly at random) from an unknown n 1 × n 2 × n 3 tensor T. We assume that T is entry-wise close to being rank r. Our goal is to fill in its missing entries using as few observations as possible. Let n = max ( n 1 , n 2 , n 3 ) . We show that if m ≳ n 3 / 2 r then there is a polynomial time algorithm based on the sixth level of the sum-of-squares hierarchy for completing it. Our estimate agrees with almost all of T's entries almost exactly and works even when our observations are corrupted by noise. This is also the first algorithm for tensor completion that works in the overcomplete case when r > n , and in fact it works all the way up to r = n 3 / 2 - ϵ . Our proofs are short and simple and are based on establishing a new connection between noisy tensor completion (through the language of Rademacher complexity) and the task of refuting random constraint satisfaction problems. This connection seems to have gone unnoticed even in the context of matrix completion. Furthermore, we use this connection to show matching lower bounds. Our main technical result is in characterizing the Rademacher complexity of the sequence of norms that arise in the sum-of-squares relaxations to the tensor nuclear norm. These results point to an interesting new direction: Can we explore computational vs. sample complexity tradeoffs through the sum-of-squares hierarchy?
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Barak
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Boston, USA
| | - Ankur Moitra
- Department of Mathematics and the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
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11
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Grad M, Nir A, Levy G, Trangle SS, Shapira G, Shomron N, Assaf Y, Barak B. Altered White Matter and microRNA Expression in a Murine Model Related to Williams Syndrome Suggests That miR-34b/c Affects Brain Development via Ptpru and Dcx Modulation. Cells 2022; 11:cells11010158. [PMID: 35011720 PMCID: PMC8750756 DOI: 10.3390/cells11010158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a multisystem neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a de novo hemizygous deletion of ~26 genes from chromosome 7q11.23, among them the general transcription factor II-I (GTF2I). By studying a novel murine model for the hypersociability phenotype associated with WS, we previously revealed surprising aberrations in myelination and cell differentiation properties in the cortices of mutant mice compared to controls. These mutant mice had selective deletion of Gtf2i in the excitatory neurons of the forebrain. Here, we applied diffusion magnetic resonance imaging and fiber tracking, which showed a reduction in the number of streamlines in limbic outputs such as the fimbria/fornix fibers and the stria terminalis, as well as the corpus callosum of these mutant mice compared to controls. Furthermore, we utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of cortical small RNAs' expression (RNA-Seq) levels to identify altered expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), including two from the miR-34 cluster, known to be involved in prominent processes in the developing nervous system. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the direct binding of miR-34c-5p to the 3'UTR of PTPRU-a gene involved in neural development that was elevated in the cortices of mutant mice relative to controls. Moreover, we found an age-dependent variation in the expression levels of doublecortin (Dcx)-a verified miR-34 target. Thus, we demonstrate the substantial effect a single gene deletion can exert on miRNA regulation and brain structure, and advance our understanding and, hopefully, treatment of WS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meitar Grad
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
| | - Ariel Nir
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
| | - Gilad Levy
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
| | - Sari Schokoroy Trangle
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
| | - Guy Shapira
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Edmond J. Safra Center for Bioinformatics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Yaniv Assaf
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
- Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel; (M.G.); (A.N.); (G.L.); (N.S.); (Y.A.)
- Faculty of Social Sciences, School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel;
- Correspondence:
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12
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Poleg S, Kourieh E, Ruban A, Shapira G, Shomron N, Barak B, Offen D. Behavioral aspects and neurobiological properties underlying medical cannabis treatment in Shank3 mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:524. [PMID: 34645786 PMCID: PMC8514476 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01612-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease with a wide spectrum of manifestation. The core symptoms of ASD are persistent deficits in social communication, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. These are often accompanied by intellectual disabilities. At present, there is no designated effective treatment for the core symptoms and co-morbidities of ASD. Recently, interest is rising in medical cannabis as a treatment for ASD, with promising clinical data. However, there is a notable absence of basic pre-clinical research in this field. In this study, we investigate the behavioral and biochemical effects of long-term oral treatment with CBD-enriched medical cannabis oil in a human mutation-based Shank3 mouse model of ASD. Our findings show that this treatment alleviates anxiety and decreases repetitive grooming behavior by over 70% in treated mutant mice compared to non-treated mutant mice. Furthermore, we were able to uncover the involvement of CB1 receptor (CB1R) signaling in the Avidekel oil mechanism, alongside a mitigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glutamate concentrations. Subsequently, RNA sequencing (RNA seq) of cerebellar brain samples revealed changes in mRNA expression of several neurotransmission-related genes post-treatment. Finally, our results question the relevancy of CBD enrichment of medical cannabis for treating the core symptoms of ASD, and emphasize the importance of the THC component for alleviating deficits in repetitive and social behaviors in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shani Poleg
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Emad Kourieh
- The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Angela Ruban
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Guy Shapira
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Noam Shomron
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Daniel Offen
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Human Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry, Felsenstein Medical Research Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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13
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Shvarts-Serebro I, Sheinin A, Gottfried I, Adler L, Schottlender N, Ashery U, Barak B. miR-128 as a Regulator of Synaptic Properties in 5xFAD Mice Hippocampal Neurons. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:2593-2607. [PMID: 34151409 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01862-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive synaptic dysfunction, deterioration of neuronal transmission, and consequently neuronal death. Although there is no treatment for AD, exposure to enriched environment (EE) in mice, as well as physical and mental activity in human subjects have been shown to have a protective effect by slowing the disease's progression and reducing AD-like cognitive impairment. However, the molecular mechanism of this mitigating effect is still not understood. One of the mechanisms that has recently been shown to be involved in neuronal degeneration is microRNAs (miRNAs) regulation, which act as a post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. miR-128 has been shown to be significantly altered in individuals with AD and in mice following exposure to EE. Here, we focused on elucidating the possible role of miR-128 in AD pathology and found that miR-128 regulates the expression of two proteins essential for synaptic transmission, SNAP-25, and synaptotagmin1 (Syt1). Clinically relevant, in 5xFAD mouse model for AD, this miRNA's expression was found as downregulated, resembling the alteration found in the hippocampi of individuals with AD. Interestingly, exposing WT mice to EE also resulted in downregulation of miR-128 expression levels, although EE and AD conditions demonstrate opposing effects on neuronal functioning and synaptic plasticity. We also found that miR-128 expression downregulation in primary hippocampal cultures from 5xFAD mice results in increased neuronal network activity and neuronal excitability. Altogether, our findings place miR-128 as a synaptic player that may contribute to synaptic functioning and plasticity through regulation of synaptic protein expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anton Sheinin
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Irit Gottfried
- The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Lior Adler
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nofar Schottlender
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Ashery
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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14
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Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS) is a relatively rare microdeletion disorder that occurs in as many as 1:7,500 individuals. WS arises due to the mispairing of low-copy DNA repetitive elements at meiosis. The deletion size is similar across most individuals with WS and leads to the loss of one copy of 25-27 genes on chromosome 7q11.23. The resulting unique disorder affects multiple systems, with cardinal features including but not limited to cardiovascular disease (characteristically stenosis of the great arteries and most notably supravalvar aortic stenosis), a distinctive craniofacial appearance, and a specific cognitive and behavioural profile that includes intellectual disability and hypersociability. Genotype-phenotype evidence is strongest for ELN, the gene encoding elastin, which is responsible for the vascular and connective tissue features of WS, and for the transcription factor genes GTF2I and GTF2IRD1, which are known to affect intellectual ability, social functioning and anxiety. Mounting evidence also ascribes phenotypic consequences to the deletion of BAZ1B, LIMK1, STX1A and MLXIPL, but more work is needed to understand the mechanism by which these deletions contribute to clinical outcomes. The age of diagnosis has fallen in regions of the world where technological advances, such as chromosomal microarray, enable clinicians to make the diagnosis of WS without formally suspecting it, allowing earlier intervention by medical and developmental specialists. Phenotypic variability is considerable for all cardinal features of WS but the specific sources of this variability remain unknown. Further investigation to identify the factors responsible for these differences may lead to mechanism-based rather than symptom-based therapies and should therefore be a high research priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A. Kozel
- Translational Vascular Medicine Branch, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience and The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Chong Ae Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carolyn B. Mervis
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, USA
| | - Lucy R. Osborne
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Melanie Porter
- Department of Psychology, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barbara R. Pober
- Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
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15
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Levy G, Barak B. Postnatal therapeutic approaches in genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:414-422. [PMID: 32985459 PMCID: PMC7996025 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.293133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic neurodevelopmental disorders are characterized by abnormal neurophysiological and behavioral phenotypes, affecting individuals worldwide. While the subject has been heavily researched, current treatment options relate mostly to alleviating symptoms, rather than targeting the altered genome itself. In this review, we address the neurogenetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders, genetic tools that are enabling precision research of these disorders in animal models, and postnatal gene-therapy approaches for neurodevelopmental disorders derived from preclinical studies in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilad Levy
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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16
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Fischer I, Barak B. Molecular and Therapeutic Aspects of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Neurological Conditions. Biomolecules 2020; 10:E1247. [PMID: 32867291 PMCID: PMC7564723 DOI: 10.3390/biom10091247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), the subject is placed in a chamber containing 100% oxygen gas at a pressure of more than one atmosphere absolute. This treatment is used to hasten tissue recovery and improve its physiological aspects, by providing an increased supply of oxygen to the damaged tissue. In this review, we discuss the consequences of hypoxia, as well as the molecular and physiological processes that occur in subjects exposed to HBOT. We discuss the efficacy of HBOT in treating neurological conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders in both humans and animal models. We summarize by discussing the challenges in this field, and explore future directions that will allow the scientific community to better understand the molecular aspects and applications of HBOT for a wide variety of neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inbar Fischer
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel;
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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17
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Amal H, Barak B, Bhat V, Gong G, Joughin BA, Wang X, Wishnok JS, Feng G, Tannenbaum SR. Shank3 mutation in a mouse model of autism leads to changes in the S-nitroso-proteome and affects key proteins involved in vesicle release and synaptic function. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:1835-1848. [PMID: 29988084 PMCID: PMC6614015 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0113-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mutation in the SHANK3 human gene leads to different neuropsychiatric diseases including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), intellectual disabilities and Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Shank3 disruption in mice leads to dysfunction of synaptic transmission, behavior, and development. Protein S-nitrosylation, the nitric oxide (NO•)-mediated posttranslational modification (PTM) of cysteine thiols (SNO), modulates the activity of proteins that regulate key signaling pathways. We tested the hypothesis that Shank3 mutation would generate downstream effects on PTM of critical proteins that lead to modification of synaptic functions. SNO-proteins in two ASD-related brain regions, cortex and striatum of young and adult InsG3680(+/+) mice (a human mutation-based Shank3 mouse model), were identified by an innovative mass spectrometric method, SNOTRAP. We found changes of the SNO-proteome in the mutant compared to WT in both ages. Pathway analysis showed enrichment of processes affected in ASD. SNO-Calcineurin in mutant led to a significant increase of phosphorylated Synapsin1 and CREB, which affect synaptic vesicle mobilization and gene transcription, respectively. A significant increase of 3-nitrotyrosine was found in the cortical regions of the adult mutant, signaling both oxidative and nitrosative stress. Neuronal NO• Synthase (nNOS) was examined for levels and localization in neurons and no significant difference was found in WT vs. mutant. S-nitrosoglutathione concentrations were higher in mutant mice compared to WT. This is the first study on NO•-related molecular changes and SNO-signaling in the brain of an ASD mouse model that allows the characterization and identification of key proteins, cellular pathways, and neurobiological mechanisms that might be affected in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haitham Amal
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Guanyu Gong
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Brian A. Joughin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA,Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - John S. Wishnok
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Steven R. Tannenbaum
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA,Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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18
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Gong X, Mendoza-Halliday D, Ting JT, Kaiser T, Sun X, Bastos AM, Wimmer RD, Guo B, Chen Q, Zhou Y, Pruner M, Wu CWH, Park D, Deisseroth K, Barak B, Boyden ES, Miller EK, Halassa MM, Fu Z, Bi G, Desimone R, Feng G. An Ultra-Sensitive Step-Function Opsin for Minimally Invasive Optogenetic Stimulation in Mice and Macaques. Neuron 2020; 107:197. [PMID: 32645306 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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19
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Nir A, Barak B. White matter alterations in Williams syndrome related to behavioral and motor impairments. Glia 2020; 69:5-19. [PMID: 32589817 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Myelin is the electrical insulator surrounding the neuronal axon that makes up the white matter (WM) of the brain. It helps increase axonal conduction velocity (CV) by inducing saltatory conduction. Damage to the myelin sheath and WM is associated with many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Decreasing myelin deficits, and thus improving axonal conduction, has the potential to serve as a therapeutic mechanism for reducing the severity of some of these disorders. Myelin deficits have been previously linked to abnormalities in social behavior, suggesting an interplay between brain connectivity and sociability. This review focuses on Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic disorder characterized by neurocognitive characteristics and motor abnormalities, mainly known for its hypersociability characteristic. We discuss fundamental aspects of WM in WS and how its alterations can affect motor abilities and social behavior. Overall, findings regarding changes in myelin genes and alterations in WM structure in WS suggest new targets for drug therapy aimed at improving conduction properties and altering brain-activity synchronization in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Nir
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,The School of Psychological Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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20
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Ding J, Adiconis X, Simmons SK, Kowalczyk MS, Hession CC, Marjanovic ND, Hughes TK, Wadsworth MH, Burks T, Nguyen LT, Kwon JYH, Barak B, Ge W, Kedaigle AJ, Carroll S, Li S, Hacohen N, Rozenblatt-Rosen O, Shalek AK, Villani AC, Regev A, Levin JZ. Systematic comparison of single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing methods. Nat Biotechnol 2020; 38:737-746. [PMID: 32341560 PMCID: PMC7289686 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-020-0465-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 401] [Impact Index Per Article: 100.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The scale and capabilities of single-cell RNA-sequencing methods have expanded rapidly in recent years, enabling major discoveries and large-scale cell mapping efforts. However, these methods have not been systematically and comprehensively benchmarked. Here, we directly compare seven methods for single-cell and/or single-nucleus profiling-selecting representative methods based on their usage and our expertise and resources to prepare libraries-including two low-throughput and five high-throughput methods. We tested the methods on three types of samples: cell lines, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and brain tissue, generating 36 libraries in six separate experiments in a single center. To directly compare the methods and avoid processing differences introduced by the existing pipelines, we developed scumi, a flexible computational pipeline that can be used with any single-cell RNA-sequencing method. We evaluated the methods for both basic performance, such as the structure and alignment of reads, sensitivity and extent of multiplets, and for their ability to recover known biological information in the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiarui Ding
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Xian Adiconis
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Travis K Hughes
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Marc H Wadsworth
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tyler Burks
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lan T Nguyen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John Y H Kwon
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - William Ge
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Shaina Carroll
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shuqiang Li
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Nir Hacohen
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Alex K Shalek
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra-Chloé Villani
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Center for Cancer Research, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute of Integrative Cancer Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biology, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
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21
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Gong X, Mendoza-Halliday D, Ting JT, Kaiser T, Sun X, Bastos AM, Wimmer RD, Guo B, Chen Q, Zhou Y, Pruner M, Wu CWH, Park D, Deisseroth K, Barak B, Boyden ES, Miller EK, Halassa MM, Fu Z, Bi G, Desimone R, Feng G. An Ultra-Sensitive Step-Function Opsin for Minimally Invasive Optogenetic Stimulation in Mice and Macaques. Neuron 2020; 107:38-51.e8. [PMID: 32353253 PMCID: PMC7351618 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Optogenetics is among the most widely employed techniques to manipulate neuronal activity. However, a major drawback is the need for invasive implantation of optical fibers. To develop a minimally invasive optogenetic method that overcomes this challenge, we engineered a new step-function opsin with ultra-high light sensitivity (SOUL). We show that SOUL can activate neurons located in deep mouse brain regions via transcranial optical stimulation and elicit behavioral changes in SOUL knock-in mice. Moreover, SOUL can be used to modulate neuronal spiking and induce oscillations reversibly in macaque cortex via optical stimulation from outside the dura. By enabling external light delivery, our new opsin offers a minimally invasive tool for manipulating neuronal activity in rodent and primate models with fewer limitations on the depth and size of target brain regions and may further facilitate the development of minimally invasive optogenetic tools for the treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Gong
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Diego Mendoza-Halliday
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jonathan T Ting
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Human Cell Types, Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA 98109, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Tobias Kaiser
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xuyun Sun
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; College of Computer Science and Technology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China
| | - André M Bastos
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ralf D Wimmer
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Baolin Guo
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Qian Chen
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Maxwell Pruner
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Carolyn W-H Wu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Demian Park
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Karl Deisseroth
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Edward S Boyden
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Earl K Miller
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Michael M Halassa
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Guoqiang Bi
- Center for Integrative Imaging, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Robert Desimone
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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22
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Du J, Simmons S, Brunklaus A, Adiconis X, Hession CC, Fu Z, Li Y, Shema R, Møller RS, Barak B, Feng G, Meisler M, Sanders S, Lerche H, Campbell AJ, McCarroll S, Levin JZ, Lal D. Differential excitatory vs inhibitory SCN expression at single cell level regulates brain sodium channel function in neurodevelopmental disorders. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2020; 24:129-133. [PMID: 31928904 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2019.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The four voltage-gated sodium channels SCN1/2/3/8A have been associated with heterogeneous types of developmental disorders, each presenting with disease specific temporal and cell type specific gene expression. Using single-cell RNA sequencing transcriptomic data from humans and mice, we observe that SCN1A is predominantly expressed in inhibitory neurons. In contrast, SCN2/3/8A are profoundly expressed in excitatory neurons with SCN2/3A starting prenatally, followed by SCN1/8A neonatally. In contrast to previous observations from low resolution RNA screens, we observe that all four genes are expressed in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, however, exhibit differential expression strength. These findings provide molecular evidence, at single-cell resolution, to support the hypothesis that the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neuronal expression ratios of sodium channels are important regulatory mechanisms underlying brain homeostasis and neurological diseases. Modulating the E/I expression balance within cell types of sodium channels could serve as a potential strategy to develop targeted treatment for NaV-associated neuronal developmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juanjiangmeng Du
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sean Simmons
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Andreas Brunklaus
- The Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK; School of Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Xian Adiconis
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Cynthia C Hession
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yinqing Li
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Reut Shema
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark; Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Miriam Meisler
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephan Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Holger Lerche
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Arthur J Campbell
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Steven McCarroll
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua Z Levin
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dennis Lal
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Cambridge, MA, USA; Epilepsy Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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23
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Bar E, Barak B. Microglia roles in synaptic plasticity and myelination in homeostatic conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders. Glia 2019; 67:2125-2141. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ela Bar
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, and The Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- The School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry & Biophysics, Faculty of Life SciencesTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, and The Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
- The Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
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24
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Barak B, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Nir A, Trangle SS, Ennis M, Levandowski KM, Wang D, Quast K, Boulting GL, Li Y, Bayarsaihan D, He Z, Feng G. Neuronal deletion of Gtf2i, associated with Williams syndrome, causes behavioral and myelin alterations rescuable by a remyelinating drug. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:700-708. [PMID: 31011227 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0380-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Williams syndrome (WS), caused by a heterozygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hypersociability and neurocognitive abnormalities. Of the deleted genes, general transcription factor IIi (Gtf2i) has been linked to hypersociability in WS, although the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We show that selective deletion of Gtf2i in the excitatory neurons of the forebrain caused neuroanatomical defects, fine motor deficits, increased sociability and anxiety. Unexpectedly, 70% of the genes with significantly decreased messenger RNA levels in the mutant mouse cortex are involved in myelination, and mutant mice had reduced mature oligodendrocyte cell numbers, reduced myelin thickness and impaired axonal conductivity. Restoring myelination properties with clemastine or increasing axonal conductivity rescued the behavioral deficits. The frontal cortex from patients with WS similarly showed reduced myelin thickness, mature oligodendrocyte cell numbers and mRNA levels of myelination-related genes. Our study provides molecular and cellular evidence for myelination deficits in WS linked to neuronal deletion of Gtf2i.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Zicong Zhang
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuanyuan Liu
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ariel Nir
- The Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sari S Trangle
- The School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michaela Ennis
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kirsten M Levandowski
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dongqing Wang
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen Quast
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Yi Li
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dashzeveg Bayarsaihan
- Department of Reconstructive Sciences, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital and Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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25
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Monteiro P, Barak B, Zhou Y, McRae R, Rodrigues D, Wickersham IR, Feng G. Dichotomous parvalbumin interneuron populations in dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatum. J Physiol 2018; 596:3695-3707. [PMID: 29808928 DOI: 10.1113/jp275936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS There are two electrophysiological dichotomous populations of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons located in the dorsal striatum. Striatal PV interneurons in medial and lateral regions differ significantly in their intrinsic excitability. Parvalbumin interneurons in the dorsomedial striatum, but not in the dorsolateral striatum, receive afferent glutamatergic input from cingulate cortex. ABSTRACT Dorsomedial striatum circuitry is involved in goal-directed actions or movements that become habits upon repetition, as encoded by the dorsolateral striatum. An inability to shift from habits can compromise action-control and prevent behavioural adaptation. Although these regions appear to be clearly behaviourally distinct, little is known about their distinct physiology. Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons are a major source of striatal inhibition and are usually considered as a homogeneous population in the entire dorsal striatum. In the present study, we recorded PV interneurons in dorsal striatum slices from wild-type male mice and suggest the existence of two electrophysiological dichotomous populations. We found that PV interneurons located at the dorsomedial striatum region have increased intrinsic excitability compared to PV interneurons in dorsolateral region. We also found that PV interneurons in the dorsomedial region, but not in the dorsolateral striatum region, receive short-latency excitatory inputs from cingulate cortex. Therefore, the results of the present study demonstrate the importance of considering region specific parvalbumin interneuron populations when studying dorsal striatal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Monteiro
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.,PhD Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho and ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yang Zhou
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca McRae
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Diana Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho and ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ian R Wickersham
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
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26
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Chen N, Sugihara H, Kim J, Fu Z, Barak B, Sur M, Feng G, Han W. Direct modulation of GFAP-expressing glia in the arcuate nucleus bi-directionally regulates feeding. eLife 2016; 5. [PMID: 27751234 PMCID: PMC5068968 DOI: 10.7554/elife.18716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple hypothalamic neuronal populations that regulate energy balance have been identified. Although hypothalamic glia exist in abundance and form intimate structural connections with neurons, their roles in energy homeostasis are less known. Here we show that selective Ca2+ activation of glia in the mouse arcuate nucleus (ARC) reversibly induces increased food intake while disruption of Ca2+ signaling pathway in ARC glia reduces food intake. The specific activation of ARC glia enhances the activity of agouti-related protein/neuropeptide Y (AgRP/NPY)-expressing neurons but induces no net response in pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-expressing neurons. ARC glial activation non-specifically depolarizes both AgRP/NPY and POMC neurons but a strong inhibitory input to POMC neurons balances the excitation. When AgRP/NPY neurons are inactivated, ARC glial activation fails to evoke any significant changes in food intake. Collectively, these results reveal an important role of ARC glia in the regulation of energy homeostasis through its interaction with distinct neuronal subtype-specific pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiyan Chen
- Laboratory of Metabolic Medicine, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Hiroki Sugihara
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Jinah Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, United States
| | - Boaz Barak
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Mriganka Sur
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States
| | - Guoping Feng
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, United States.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, United States
| | - Weiping Han
- Laboratory of Metabolic Medicine, Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, A*STAR, Singapore, Singapore
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27
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Barak B, Feng G. Neurobiology of social behavior abnormalities in autism and Williams syndrome. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:647-655. [PMID: 29323671 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Social behavior is a basic behavior mediated by multiple brain regions and neural circuits, and is crucial for the survival and development of animals and humans. Two neuropsychiatric disorders that have prominent social behavior abnormalities are autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which is characterized mainly by hyposociability, and Williams syndrome (WS), whose subjects exhibit hypersociability. Here we review the unique properties of social behavior in ASD and WS, and discuss the major theories in social behavior in the context of these disorders. We conclude with a discussion of the research questions needing further exploration to enhance our understanding of social behavior abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain &Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Brain &Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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28
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Zhou Y, Kaiser T, Monteiro P, Zhang X, Van der Goes MS, Wang D, Barak B, Zeng M, Li C, Lu C, Wells M, Amaya A, Nguyen S, Lewis M, Sanjana N, Zhou Y, Zhang M, Zhang F, Fu Z, Feng G. Mice with Shank3 Mutations Associated with ASD and Schizophrenia Display Both Shared and Distinct Defects. Neuron 2015; 89:147-62. [PMID: 26687841 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2015.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 216] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2015] [Revised: 08/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Genetic studies have revealed significant overlaps of risk genes among psychiatric disorders. However, it is not clear how different mutations of the same gene contribute to different disorders. We characterized two lines of mutant mice with Shank3 mutations linked to ASD and schizophrenia. We found both shared and distinct synaptic and behavioral phenotypes. Mice with the ASD-linked InsG3680 mutation manifest striatal synaptic transmission defects before weaning age and impaired juvenile social interaction, coinciding with the early onset of ASD symptoms. On the other hand, adult mice carrying the schizophrenia-linked R1117X mutation show profound synaptic defects in prefrontal cortex and social dominance behavior. Furthermore, we found differential Shank3 mRNA stability and SHANK1/2 upregulation in these two lines. These data demonstrate that different alleles of the same gene may have distinct phenotypes at molecular, synaptic, and circuit levels in mice, which may inform exploration of these relationships in human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Tobias Kaiser
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Patrícia Monteiro
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; PhD Program in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3000-214 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Xiangyu Zhang
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Marie S Van der Goes
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dongqing Wang
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Menglong Zeng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Division of Life Science, Center of Systems Biology and Human Health, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
| | - Chenchen Li
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Congyi Lu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael Wells
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Aldo Amaya
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Shannon Nguyen
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Michael Lewis
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Neville Sanjana
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Yongdi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Mingjie Zhang
- Division of Life Science, Center of Systems Biology and Human Health, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong
| | - Feng Zhang
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Zhanyan Fu
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Guoping Feng
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Abstract
The association between cardiovascular fitness and cognitive functions in both animals and humans is intensely studied. Research in rodents shows that a higher cardiovascular fitness has beneficial effects on hippocampus-dependent spatial abilities, and the underlying mechanisms were largely teased out. Research into the impact of cardiovascular fitness on spatial learning in humans, however, is more limited, and involves mostly behavioral and imaging studies. Herein, we point out the state of the art in the field of spatial learning and cardiovascular fitness. The differences between the methodologies utilized to study spatial learning in humans and rodents are emphasized along with the neuronal basis of these tasks. Critical gaps in the study of spatial learning in the context of cardiovascular fitness between the two species are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Noa Feldman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eitan Okun
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel.
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30
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Barak B, Feldman N, Okun E. Toll-like receptors as developmental tools that regulate neurogenesis during development: an update. Front Neurosci 2014; 8:272. [PMID: 25221470 PMCID: PMC4148028 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2014.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenesis, the process of generating new neurons in the brain, fascinates researchers for its promise to affect multiple cognitive and functional processes in both health and disease. Many cellular pathways are involved in the regulation of neurogenesis, a complexity exemplified by the extensive regulation of this process during brain development. Toll-like receptors (TLRs), hallmarks of innate immunity, are increasingly implemented in various central nervous system plasticity-related processes including neurogenesis. As TLRs are involved in neurodegenerative disorders, understanding the involvement of TLRs in neurogenesis may hold keys for future therapeutic interventions. Herein, we describe the current knowledge on the involvement of TLRs in neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity and point to current knowledge gaps in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Barak
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research and Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Noa Feldman
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Eitan Okun
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar Ilan University Ramat-Gan, Israel
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Leitman J, Barak B, Benyair R, Shenkman M, Ashery U, Hartl FU, Lederkremer GZ. ER stress-induced eIF2-alpha phosphorylation underlies sensitivity of striatal neurons to pathogenic huntingtin. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90803. [PMID: 24594939 PMCID: PMC3940916 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 02/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of Huntington's disease is the pronounced sensitivity of striatal neurons to polyglutamine-expanded huntingtin expression. Here we show that cultured striatal cells and murine brain striatum have remarkably low levels of phosphorylation of translation initiation factor eIF2α, a stress-induced process that interferes with general protein synthesis and also induces differential translation of pro-apoptotic factors. EIF2α phosphorylation was elevated in a striatal cell line stably expressing pathogenic huntingtin, as well as in brain sections of Huntington's disease model mice. Pathogenic huntingtin caused endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and increased eIF2α phosphorylation by increasing the activity of PKR-like ER-localized eIF2α kinase (PERK). Importantly, striatal neurons exhibited special sensitivity to ER stress-inducing agents, which was potentiated by pathogenic huntingtin. We could strongly reduce huntingtin toxicity by inhibiting PERK. Therefore, alteration of protein homeostasis and eIF2α phosphorylation status by pathogenic huntingtin appears to be an important cause of striatal cell death. A dephosphorylated state of eIF2α has been linked to cognition, which suggests that the effect of pathogenic huntingtin might also be a source of the early cognitive impairment seen in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Leitman
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Boaz Barak
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ron Benyair
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marina Shenkman
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uri Ashery
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Neurobiology, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - F. Ulrich Hartl
- Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany.
| | - Gerardo Z. Lederkremer
- Department of Cell Research and Immunology, George Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- * E-mail:
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Okun E, Barak B, Saada-Madar R, Rothman SM, Griffioen KJ, Roberts N, Castro K, Mughal MR, Pita MA, Stranahan AM, Arumugam TV, Mattson MP. Evidence for a developmental role for TLR4 in learning and memory. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47522. [PMID: 23071817 PMCID: PMC3469493 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 09/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play essential roles in innate immunity and increasing evidence indicates that these receptors are expressed in neurons, astrocytes and microglia in the brain where they mediate responses to infection, stress and injury. Very little is known about the roles of TLRs in cognition. To test the hypothesis that TLR4 has a role in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory, we used mice deficient for TLR4 and mice receiving chronic TLR4 antagonist infusion to the lateral ventricles in the brain. We found that developmental TLR4 deficiency enhances spatial reference memory acquisition and memory retention, impairs contextual fear-learning and enhances motor functions, traits that were correlated with CREB up-regulation in the hippocampus. TLR4 antagonist infusion into the cerebral ventricles of adult mice did not affect cognitive behavior, but instead affected anxiety responses. Our findings indicate a developmental role for TLR4 in shaping spatial reference memory, and fear learning and memory. Moreover, we show that central TLR4 inhibition using a TLR4 antagonist has no discernible physiological role in regulating spatial and contextual hippocampus-dependent cognitive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eitan Okun
- The Mina and Everard Goodman Faculty of Life Sciences, The Leslie and Susan Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel.
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Kwiat M, Elnathan R, Pevzner A, Peretz A, Barak B, Peretz H, Ducobni T, Stein D, Mittelman L, Ashery U, Patolsky F. Highly ordered large-scale neuronal networks of individual cells - toward single cell to 3D nanowire intracellular interfaces. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2012; 4:3542-9. [PMID: 22724437 DOI: 10.1021/am300602e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The use of artificial, prepatterned neuronal networks in vitro is a promising approach for studying the development and dynamics of small neural systems in order to understand the basic functionality of neurons and later on of the brain. The present work presents a high fidelity and robust procedure for controlling neuronal growth on substrates such as silicon wafers and glass, enabling us to obtain mature and durable neural networks of individual cells at designed geometries. It offers several advantages compared to other related techniques that have been reported in recent years mainly because of its high yield and reproducibility. The procedure is based on surface chemistry that allows the formation of functional, tailormade neural architectures with a micrometer high-resolution partition, that has the ability to promote or repel cells attachment. The main achievements of this work are deemed to be the creation of a large scale neuronal network at low density down to individual cells, that develop intact typical neurites and synapses without any glia-supportive cells straight from the plating stage and with a relatively long term survival rate, up to 4 weeks. An important application of this method is its use on 3D nanopillars and 3D nanowire-device arrays, enabling not only the cell bodies, but also their neurites to be positioned directly on electrical devices and grow with registration to the recording elements underneath.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moria Kwiat
- School of Chemistry, The Raymond and Beverly Sackler Faculty of Exact Sciences, ‡Department of Physiology, Sackler Medical School, and §Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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Barak B, Williams A, Bielopolski N, Gottfried I, Okun E, Brown MA, Matti U, Rettig J, Stuenkel EL, Ashery U. Tomosyn expression pattern in the mouse hippocampus suggests both presynaptic and postsynaptic functions. Front Neuroanat 2010; 4:149. [PMID: 21191478 PMCID: PMC3010824 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2010.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The protein tomosyn decreases synaptic transmission and release probability of vesicles, and is essential for modulating synaptic transmission in neurons. In this study, we provide a detailed description of the expression and localization patterns of tomosyn1 and tomosyn2 in the subareas of the mouse hippocampus. Using confocal and two-photon high-resolution microscopy we demonstrate that tomosyn colocalizes with several pre- and postsynaptic markers and is found mainly in glutamatergic synapses. Specifically, we show that tomosyn1 is differentially distributed in the mouse hippocampus and concentrated mainly in the hilus and mossy fibers. Surprisingly, we found that tomosyn2 is expressed in the subiculum, CA1 and CA2 pyramidal cell bodies, dendrites and spines, and colocalizes with PSD95, suggesting a postsynaptic role. These results suggest that in addition to the well-characterized presynaptic function of tomosyn in neurotransmitter release, tomosyn2 might have a postsynaptic function, and place tomosyn as a more general regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boaz Barak
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University Tel Aviv, Israel
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Okun E, Griffioen K, Barak B, Roberts NJ, Castro K, Pita MA, Cheng A, Mughal MR, Wan R, Ashery U, Mattson MP. Toll-like receptor 3 inhibits memory retention and constrains adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:15625-30. [PMID: 20713712 PMCID: PMC2932590 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1005807107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are innate immune receptors that have recently emerged as regulators of neuronal survival and developmental neuroplasticity. Adult TLR3-deficient mice exhibited enhanced hippocampus-dependent working memory in the Morris water maze, novel object recognition, and contextual fear-conditioning tasks. In contrast, TLR3-deficient mice demonstrated impaired amygdala-related behavior and anxiety in the cued fear-conditioning, open field, and elevated plus maze tasks. Further, TLR3-deficient mice exhibited increased hippocampal CA1 and dentate gyrus volumes, increased hippocampal neurogenesis, and elevated levels of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. In addition, levels of activated forms of the kinase ERK and the transcription factor CREB were elevated in the hippocampus of TLR3-deficient mice, suggesting that constitutive TLR3 signaling negatively regulates pathways known to play important roles in hippocampal plasticity. Direct activation of TLR3 by intracerebroventricular infusion of a TLR3 ligand impaired working memory, but not reference memory. Our findings reveal previously undescribed roles for TLR3 as a suppressor of hippocampal cellular plasticity and memory retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eitan Okun
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Kathleen Griffioen
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Boaz Barak
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Nicholas J. Roberts
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Kamilah Castro
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Mario A. Pita
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Aiwu Cheng
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Mohamed R. Mughal
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Ruiqian Wan
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
| | - Uri Ashery
- Department of Neurobiology, The George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Mark P. Mattson
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224; and
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Ashery U, Bielopolski N, Barak B, Yizhar O. Friends and foes in synaptic transmission: the role of tomosyn in vesicle priming. Trends Neurosci 2009; 32:275-82. [PMID: 19307030 PMCID: PMC2713869 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2009.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2008] [Revised: 01/06/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Priming is the process by which vesicles become available for fusion at nerve terminals and is modulated by numerous proteins and second messengers. One of the prominent members of this diverse family is tomosyn. Tomosyn has been identified as a syntaxin-binding protein; it inhibits vesicle priming, but its mode of action is not fully understood. The inhibitory activity of tomosyn depends on its N-terminal WD40-repeat domain and is regulated by the binding of its SNARE motif to syntaxin. Here, we describe new physiological information on the function of tomosyn and address possible interpretations of these results in the framework of the recently described crystal structure of the yeast tomosyn homolog Sro7. We also present possible molecular scenarios for vesicle priming and the involvement of tomosyn in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uri Ashery
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
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Barak B, Canetti R, Lindell Y, Pass R, Rabin T. Secure Computation Without Authentication. Advances in Cryptology – CRYPTO 2005 2005. [DOI: 10.1007/11535218_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Barak B, Shaltiel R, Wigderson A. Computational Analogues of Entropy. Approximation, Randomization, and Combinatorial Optimization.. Algorithms and Techniques 2003. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-540-45198-3_18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Mathur A, Barak B, Zhang Y, Lee KS. A cross-cultural procedure to assess reliability and measurement invariance. J Appl Meas 2002; 2:241-55. [PMID: 12011509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Steenkamp and Baumgartner (1998) developed a procedure to assess measurement invariance across cultures. The study presented here applied their procedure to a scale to measure cognitive age (Barak, 1979; 1987; 1998; Barak and Schiffman, 1981) and relied on data collected in three Non-Western societies: India (N=195), China (N=250), and Korea (N=251). The results from a series of confirmatory factor analyses indicate that the technique provides a valuable tool to assess measurement invariance across cultures. The results further showed the cognitive age scale to be applicable in the three diverse cultures surveyed.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mathur
- Frank G. Zarb School of Business, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549, USA.
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Abstract
Results from a mail survey of respondents aged sixty to ninety-four suggest that psychographic dimensions of youthfulness and identification with old age constitute effective inner-age research variables, especially to those seeking to study older populations. The two specific dimensions explored are: "perceived youth," a magnitude measure of the proportional discrepancy between chronological and cognitive ages; and "feeling-old," which inversely measured youth through reliance on a six-point Likert agree/disagree statement: "I feel old...." In addition to the obvious inverse relationship between these inner-ages, research established trait covariation relative to an increase in perceived youth coincidental with a rejection of a feeling-old identity, corresponding to increases in "happiness, own-health rating, being venturesome, giving advice, self-esteem, social activity, and keeping-in-shape," as well as decreases in "taking advice, being a homebody, and having health worries."
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Affiliation(s)
- B Barak
- Department of Marketing & International Business, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11550, USA
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Abstract
A comprehensive survey examined three age-role self-concepts: cognitive, ideal, and social ages. Participants were forty to sixty-nine years old and viewed themselves as middle-aged. The investigation reviewed inner-age research and evaluated inner-age infra-structure (with t-tests and correlations), as well as connections between inner-age and participants' characteristics (with covariates, partial correlations, and regressions) in the context of eight psychographic trait-sets (sex-identity, quality-of-life, health, self-consciousness, societal traits, venturesomeness, supermarket shopping involvement, and exercise activities). The three inner ages, while closely interrelated diverged in their distribution patterns, in mean ages, as well as (after removal of birth age's linear effects) in their covariates and correlates.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Barak
- Hofstra University, New York
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Abstract
This empirical study, based on a random self-report mail survey, explored perceptions of age among mature Americans aged 60+. Respondents were members of a systematic probability sample located in the Mid Atlantic region. Two inner-age dimensions were considered: the first, Cognitive Age, is a measure of self-perceived age and assesses a person's "actual" age-role self-concept; the second, entitled Youthfulness, is a new measure of youth scored by what percentage a respondent's Age-of-Birth is greater than his or her Cognitive Age (Chronological Age/Cognitive Age). The study first explored the relationships between the age variables, and then, through Multivariate Analyses of Variance (MANOVAs), the associations between four trait-sets (demographics, health, Quality of Life, and psychographic traits) and the two inner-age dimensions.
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Abstract
An exploratory field study was undertaken to explore the way in which age-concepts are experienced, and to assess the relationship of age identities to each other. In addition, this study seeks to establish a new multidimensional age scale, Cognitive Age, to replace the well-established standard scale, Identity Age. This research also functions as a follow-up to an exploration by Kastenbaum et al. of "ages-of-me." Ths most frequently used subjective age measures, Identity Age and Feel/Age, are unidimensional, and thus very difficult to evaluate in terms of reliability and/or validity. A multidimensional view of age as reflected by Personal Age is very appealing, but complex to assess. Cognitive Age successfully merges Identity Age, in which respondents identify with age-referrent groupings, and Personal Age, in which respondents rate themselves in terms of four functional age dimensions. The resultant Cognitive Age scale is both reliable and valid.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Barak
- Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11550
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