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Ramli NZ, Yahaya MF, Fahami NAM, Hamezah HS, Bakar ZHA, Arrozi AP, Yanagisawa D, Tooyama I, Singh M, Damanhuri HA. Spatial learning and memory impairment at the post-follicular depletion state is associated with reduced hippocampal glucose uptake. Exp Gerontol 2024; 197:112607. [PMID: 39389279 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2024.112607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
The menopausal transition is a complex neuroendocrine aging process affecting brain structure and metabolic function. Such changes are consistent with neurological sequelae noted following the menopausal transition, including cognitive deficits. Although studies in rodent models of the menopause revealed changes in learning and memory, little is known about the structural and metabolic changes in the brain regions serving the cognitive function in these models. The administration 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD) in laboratory animals results in follicular depletion, and thus, is a powerful translational tool that models the human menopause. In the studies presented here, we evaluated behavior, brain structure, and metabolism in young female rats administered with either VCD or vehicle for 15 days across the early, mid, and post-follicular depletion states at 1-, 2-, and 3-months post-final injection, respectively. Additionally, we evaluated the serum hormonal profile and ovarian follicles based on the estrous cycle pattern. Positron emission tomography (PET) was utilized to determine regional brain glucose metabolism in the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, and striatum. Subsequently, the rats were euthanized for ex-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess regional brain volumes. VCD-induced rats at the post-follicular depleted time points had diminished spatial learning and memory as well as reduced hippocampal glucose uptake. Additionally, VCD-induced rats at post-follicular depletion time points had marked reductions in estradiol, progesterone, and anti-mullerian hormone with an increase in follicle-stimulating hormone. These rats also exhibited fewer ovarian follicles, indicating that substantial ovarian function loss during post-follicular time points impairs the female rats' spatial learning/memory abilities and triggers the metabolic changes in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Zuliani Ramli
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohamad Fairuz Yahaya
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia.
| | - Nur Azlina Mohd Fahami
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia.
| | - Hamizah Shahirah Hamezah
- Institute of Systems Biology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Zulzikry Hafiz Abu Bakar
- Medical Innovation Research Centre, Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Seta Tsukinowacho, Otsu 520-2192, Shiga, Japan.
| | - Aslina Pahrudin Arrozi
- Medical Innovation Research Centre, Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Seta Tsukinowacho, Otsu 520-2192, Shiga, Japan.
| | - Daijiro Yanagisawa
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Centre, Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Seta Tsukinowacho, Otsu 520-2192, Shiga, Japan.
| | - Ikuo Tooyama
- Medical Innovation Research Centre, Shiga University of Medical Sciences, Seta Tsukinowacho, Otsu 520-2192, Shiga, Japan.
| | - Meharvan Singh
- Department of Cell and Molecular Physiology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
| | - Hanafi Ahmad Damanhuri
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia.
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Chai GS, Gong J, Mao YM, Wu JJ, Bi SG, Wang F, Zhang YQ, Shen MT, Lei ZY, Nie YJ, Yu H. H3K4 Trimethylation Mediate Hyperhomocysteinemia Induced Neurodegeneration via Suppressing Histone Acetylation by ANP32A. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:6788-6804. [PMID: 38351418 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-03995-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
Homocysteine (Hcy) is an independent and serious risk factor for dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the precise mechanisms are still poorly understood. In the current study, we observed that the permissive histone mark trimethyl histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and its methyltransferase KMT2B were significantly elevated in hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) rats, with impairment of synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Further research found that histone methylation inhibited synapse-associated protein expression, by suppressing histone acetylation. Inhibiting H3K4me3 by downregulating KMT2B could effectively restore Hcy-inhibited H3K14ace in N2a cells. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that Hcy-induced H3K4me3 resulted in ANP32A mRNA and protein overexpression in the hippocampus, which was regulated by increased transcription Factor c-fos and inhibited histone acetylation and synapse-associated protein expression, and downregulating ANP32A could reverse these changes in Hcy-treated N2a cells. Additionally, the knockdown of KMT2B restored histone acetylation and synapse-associated proteins in Hcy-treated primary hippocampal neurons. These data have revealed a novel crosstalk mechanism between KMT2B-H3K4me3-ANP32A-H3K14ace, shedding light on its role in Hcy-related neurogenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao-Shang Chai
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China.
| | - Juan Gong
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Ming Mao
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Jun Wu
- Department of Electrophysiology, Wuhan Children's Hospital (Wuhan Maternal and Children's Healthcare Center), Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430010, People's Republic of China
| | - Shu-Guang Bi
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangzhou Wang
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Qi Zhang
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng-Ting Shen
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuo-Ya Lei
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Yun-Juan Nie
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China
| | - Haitao Yu
- Department of Fundamental Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, People's Republic of China.
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Liu F, Liu Y, Shen X, Du J, Zhang H, Hou X. Ovariectomy exacerbates the disturbance of excitation- inhibition balance in the brain of APP/PS-1/tau mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1391082. [PMID: 39262829 PMCID: PMC11389216 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1391082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is significantly gender-differentiated, with the number of female AD patients far exceeding that of males, accounting for two-thirds of the total prevalence. Although postmenopausal AD mice have been shown to have more prominent pathologic features and memory impairments than normal AD mice, the relevant molecular mechanisms leading to these outcomes have not been well elucidated. In the present study, we used the disturbance of excitation-inhibition balance in the postmenopausal brain as an entry point to explore the link between estrogen deficiency, disorders of the glutamatergic-GABAergic nervous system, and memory impairment. Methods Wild-type (WT) mice and APP/PS1/tau (3 × Tg-AD) mice (10 months old) were randomly divided into four groups: WT+Sham group, WT+OVX group, 3 × Tg-AD+Sham group and 3 × Tg-AD+OVX group. Ovariectomy (OVX) was performed in the WT+OVX group and the 3 × Tg-AD+OVX group, and sham surgery was performed in the WT+Sham group and the 3 × Tg-AD+Sham group. The learning and memory ability and the anxiety and depression-like behavior changes of mice were evaluated by behavioral experiments, and the association between estrogen-estrogen receptors pathway and glutamatergic/GABAergic nervous system and female AD was evaluated by neurochemical experiments. Results In WT and 3 × Tg-AD mice, OVX resulted in impaired learning and memory abilities and anxiety and depression-like behaviors; reduced estrogen levels and downregulated the expression of estrogen receptors; upregulated the expression of amyloid-β, amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1, and p-tau; upregulated the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein and downregulated the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2, promoting cell apoptosis; reduced the number of neuronal dendrites and downregulated the expression of postsynaptic density protein-95; more importantly, OVX increased brain glutamate levels but downregulated the expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-2B, excitatory amino acid transporter 1, excitatory amino acid transporter 2, γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-A and γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-B. Conclusion Our results suggested that OVX-induced estrogen-estrogen receptors pathway disruption caused learning and memory impairment and anxiety and depression-like behaviors, upregulated the expression of AD pathological markers, promoted apoptosis, destroyed neuronal structure, and most importantly, caused glutamatergic/GABAergic nervous system disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuwang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yanman Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xuri Shen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jiarui Du
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Hanting Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xueqin Hou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Institute of Materia Medica, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Zare Z, Tehrani M, Zarbakhsh S, Mohammadi M. Protective effects of treadmill exercise on apoptotic neuronal damage and astrocyte activation in ovariectomized and/or diabetic rat prefrontal cortex: molecular and histological aspects. Int J Neurosci 2024; 134:754-762. [PMID: 36377197 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2022.2148529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Both estrogen deprivation and diabetes mellitus are known as risk factors for neuronal damage. Using an animal model of ovariectomized and/or streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus, we examined expression of apoptosis-related proteins, neuronal damage, and astrocyte activation in prefrontal cortex of rats with/without treadmill exercise. METHODS Adult female Wistar rats were divided into control, ovariectomized (Ovx, bilateral ovariectomy), diabetic (Dia, STZ 60 mg/kg; i.p.), and ovariectomized diabetic (Ovx + Dia) groups. Next, animals in each group were randomly subdivided into non-exercise and exercise subgroups. Animals in the exercise groups underwent moderate treadmill running for 4 weeks (5 days/week). Thereafter, expression of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3, as apoptosis-related proteins, number of neurons, and number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells in prefrontal cortex were measured using immunoblotting, cresyl violet staining, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. RESULTS In both Dia and Ovx + Dia groups, Bax and caspase-3 protein levels and number of GFAP-positive cells were higher than those in the control group, while Bcl-2 protein level and number of neurons compared were lower than the control group. Beneficial effects of exercise to prevent apoptosis-mediated neuronal damage and astrocyte activation were also observed in the Dia group. CONCLUSION Based on our results, physical exercise could be beneficial to attenuate diabetes-induced neuronal damage in the prefrontal cortex via inhibition of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Zare
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Mohsen Tehrani
- Department of Immunology, Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sam Zarbakhsh
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Moslem Mohammadi
- Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
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Mey M, Bhatta S, Suresh S, Labrador LM, Piontkivska H, Casadesus G. Therapeutic benefits of central LH receptor agonism in the APP/PS1 AD model involve trophic and immune regulation and are reproductive status dependent. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167165. [PMID: 38653355 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
The mechanisms that underly reproductive hormone effects on cognition, neuronal plasticity, and AD risk, particularly in relation to gonadotropin LH receptor (LHCGR) signaling, remain poorly understood. To address this gap in knowledge and clarify the impact of circulating steroid hormones on the therapeutic effects of CNS LHCGR activation, we delivered the LHCGR agonist human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) intracerebroventricularly (ICV) and evaluated functional, structural, plasticity-related signaling cascades, Aβ pathology, and transcriptome differences in reproductively intact and ovariectomized (OVX) APP/PS1 AD female mice. Here we demonstrate that CNS hCG delivery restored function to wild-type levels only in OVX APP/PS1 mice. Spine density was increased in all hCG treated groups independently of reproductive status. Notably, increases in BDNF signaling and cognition, were selectively upregulated only in the OVX hCG-treated group. RNA sequencing analyses identified a significant increase in peripheral myeloid and pro-inflammatory genes within the hippocampi of the OVX group that were completely reversed by hCG treatment, identifying a potential mechanism underlying the selective therapeutic effect of LHCGR activation. Interestingly, in intact mice, hCG administration mimicked the effects of gonadectomy. Together, our findings indicate that CNS LHCGR agonism in the post-menopausal context is beneficial through trophic and immune mechanisms. Our findings also underscore the presence of a steroid-LHCGR mechanistic interaction that is unexplored yet potentially meaningful to fully understand "post-menopausal" brain function and CNS hormone treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Mey
- Kent State University, Kent, OH 44240, United States of America
| | - Sabina Bhatta
- Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States of America
| | - Sneha Suresh
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32606, United States of America
| | | | | | - Gemma Casadesus
- University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32606, United States of America.
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Mamczarz J, Lane M, Merchenthaler I. Letrozole delays acquisition of water maze task in female BALB/c mice: Possible involvement of anxiety. Horm Behav 2024; 162:105524. [PMID: 38513526 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor preventing estrogen synthesis from testosterone, is used as an adjuvant therapy in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients. However, like other aromatase inhibitors, it induces many side effects, including impaired cognition. Despite its negative effect in humans, results from animal models are inconsistent and suggest that letrozole can either impair or improve cognition. Here, we studied the effects of chronic letrozole treatment on cognitive behavior of adult female BALB/c mice, a relevant animal model for breast cancer studies, to develop an appropriate animal model aimed at testing therapies to mitigate side effects of letrozole. In Morris water maze, letrozole 0.1 mg/kg impaired reference learning and memory. Interestingly, most of the letrozole 0.1 mg/kg-treated mice were able to learn the new platform position in reversal training and performed similar to control mice in a reversal probe test. Results of the reversal test suggest that letrozole did not completely disrupt spatial navigation, but rather delayed acquisition of spatial information. The delay might be related to increased anxiety as suggested by increased thigmotactic behavior during the reference memory training. The learning impairment was water maze-specific since we did not observe impairment in other spatial tasks such as in Y-maze or object location test. In contrast, the dose of 0.3 mg/kg did not have effect on water maze learning and facilitated locomotor habituation and recognition in novel object recognition test. The current study shows that letrozole dose-dependently modulates behavioral response and that its effects are task-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacek Mamczarz
- Division of Translational Toxicology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America.
| | - Malcolm Lane
- Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
| | - Istvan Merchenthaler
- Division of Translational Toxicology, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America; Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States of America
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Monari PK, Hammond ER, Zhao X, Maksimoski AN, Petric R, Malone CL, Riters LV, Marler CA. Conditioned preferences: Gated by experience, context, and endocrine systems. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105529. [PMID: 38492501 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Central to the navigation of an ever-changing environment is the ability to form positive associations with places and conspecifics. The functions of location and social conditioned preferences are often studied independently, limiting our understanding of their interplay. Furthermore, a de-emphasis on natural functions of conditioned preferences has led to neurobiological interpretations separated from ecological context. By adopting a naturalistic and ethological perspective, we uncover complexities underlying the expression of conditioned preferences. Development of conditioned preferences is a combination of motivation, reward, associative learning, and context, including for social and spatial environments. Both social- and location-dependent reward-responsive behaviors and their conditioning rely on internal state-gating mechanisms that include neuroendocrine and hormone systems such as opioids, dopamine, testosterone, estradiol, and oxytocin. Such reinforced behavior emerges from mechanisms integrating past experience and current social and environmental conditions. Moreover, social context, environmental stimuli, and internal state gate and modulate motivation and learning via associative reward, shaping the conditioning process. We highlight research incorporating these concepts, focusing on the integration of social neuroendocrine mechanisms and behavioral conditioning. We explore three paradigms: 1) conditioned place preference, 2) conditioned social preference, and 3) social conditioned place preference. We highlight nonclassical species to emphasize the naturalistic applications of these conditioned preferences. To fully appreciate the complex integration of spatial and social information, future research must identify neural networks where endocrine systems exert influence on such behaviors. Such research promises to provide valuable insights into conditioned preferences within a broader naturalistic context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick K Monari
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Emma R Hammond
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Xin Zhao
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alyse N Maksimoski
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Integrative Biology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Radmila Petric
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA; Institute for the Environment, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Candice L Malone
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lauren V Riters
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Integrative Biology, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Catherine A Marler
- University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Psychology, Madison, WI, USA; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Integrative Biology, Madison, WI, USA.
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Joue G, Navarro-Schröder T, Achtzehn J, Moffat S, Hennies N, Fuß J, Döller C, Wolbers T, Sommer T. Effects of estrogen on spatial navigation and memory. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:1037-1063. [PMID: 38407638 PMCID: PMC11031496 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06539-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Animal studies suggest that the so-called "female" hormone estrogen enhances spatial navigation and memory. This contradicts the observation that males generally out-perform females in spatial navigation and tasks involving spatial memory. A closer look at the vast number of studies actually reveals that performance differences are not so clear. OBJECTIVES To help clarify the unclear performance differences between men and women and the role of estrogen, we attempted to isolate organizational from activational effects of estrogen on spatial navigation and memory. METHODS In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we tested the effects of orally administered estradiol valerate (E2V) in healthy, young women in their low-hormone menstrual cycle phase, compared to healthy, young men. Participants performed several first-person, environmentally rich, 3-D computer games inspired by spatial navigation and memory paradigms in animal research. RESULTS We found navigation behavior suggesting that sex effects dominated any E2 effects with men performing better with allocentric strategies and women with egocentric strategies. Increased E2 levels did not lead to general improvements in spatial ability in either sex but to behavioral changes reflecting navigation flexibility. CONCLUSION Estrogen-driven differences in spatial cognition might be better characterized on a spectrum of navigation flexibility rather than by categorical performance measures or skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina Joue
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Tobias Navarro-Schröder
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres Gate 9, 7030, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Johannes Achtzehn
- Department of Neurology with Experimental Neurology (CVK), Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Scott Moffat
- School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 654 Cherry Street, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Nora Hennies
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Fuß
- Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Sex Research, University Duisburg-Essen, Hohlweg 26, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Döller
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Olav Kyrres Gate 9, 7030, Trondheim, Norway
- Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Stephanstraße 1a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas Wolbers
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Leipziger Straße 44, 39120, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Sommer
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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Scognamiglio S, Aljohani YM, Olson TT, Forcelli PA, Dezfuli G, Kellar KJ. Restoration of norepinephrine release, cognitive performance, and dendritic spines by amphetamine in aged rat brain. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14087. [PMID: 38332648 PMCID: PMC11019150 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Age-related dysfunctions in specific neurotransmitter systems likely play an important role in cognitive decline even in its most subtle forms. Therefore, preservation or improvement of cognition via augmentation of neurotransmission is a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent further cognitive deficits. Here we identified a particular neuronal vulnerability in the aged Fischer 344 rat brain, an animal model of neurocognitive aging. Specifically, we demonstrated a marked impairment in glutamate-stimulated release of norepinephrine (NE) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of aged rats, and established that this release was mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Further, we also demonstrated that this decrease in NE release is fully rescued by the psychostimulant drug amphetamine (AMPH). Moreover, we showed that AMPH increases dendritic spine maturation, and importantly shows preclinical efficacy in restoring memory deficits in the aged rat through its actions to potentiate NE neurotransmission at β-adrenergic receptors. Taken together, our results suggest that deficits in glutamate-stimulated release of NE may contribute to and possibly be a determinant of neuronal vulnerability underlying cognitive decline during aging, and that these deficits can be corrected with currently available drugs. Overall these studies suggest that repurposing of psychostimulants for age-associated cognitive deficits is a potential avenue to delay or prevent cognitive decline and/or frank dementia later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena Scognamiglio
- Department of Pharmacology & PhysiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, DCUSA
| | - Yousef M. Aljohani
- Department of Pharmacology & PhysiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, DCUSA
| | - Thao T. Olson
- Department of Pharmacology & PhysiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, DCUSA
| | - Patrick A. Forcelli
- Department of Pharmacology & PhysiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, DCUSA
| | - Ghazaul Dezfuli
- Department of Pharmacology & PhysiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, DCUSA
| | - Kenneth J. Kellar
- Department of Pharmacology & PhysiologyGeorgetown University Medical CenterWashington, DCUSA
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Yang X, Li T, Liu J, Sun H, Cheng L, Song X, Han Z, Luo H, Han W, Xie L, Jiang L. Effects of minocycline on dendrites, dendritic spines, and microglia in immature mouse brains after kainic acid-induced status epilepticus. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14352. [PMID: 37438982 PMCID: PMC10848062 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate whether minocycline could influence alterations of microglial subtypes, the morphology of dendrites and dendritic spines, the microstructures of synapses and synaptic proteins, or even cognition outcomes in immature male mice following status epilepticus (SE) induced by kainic acid. METHODS Golgi staining was performed to visualize the dendrites and dendritic spines of neurons of the hippocampus. The microstructures of synapses and synaptic proteins were observed using transmission electron microscopy and western blotting analysis, respectively. Microglial reactivation and their markers were evaluated using flow cytometry. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to analyze spatial learning and memory ability. RESULTS Significant partial spines increase (predominate in thin spines) was observed in the dendrites of neurons after acute SE and partial loss (mainly in thin spines) was presented by days 14 and 28 post-SE. The postsynaptic ultrastructure was impaired on the 7th and 14th days after SE. The proportion of M1 microglia increased significantly only after acute SE Similarly, the proportion of M2 microglia increased in the acute stage with high expression levels of all surface markers. In contrast, a decrease in M2 microglia and their markers was noted by day 14 post-SE. Minocycline could reverse the changes in dendrites and synaptic proteins caused by SE, and increase the levels of synaptic proteins. Meanwhile, minocycline could inhibit the reactivation of M1 microglia and the expression of their markers, except for promoting CD200R. In addition, treatment with minocycline could regulate the expression of M2 microglia and their surface markers, as well as ameliorating the impaired spatial learning and memory on the 28th day after SE. CONCLUSIONS Dendritic spines and microglia are dynamically changed after SE. Minocycline could ameliorate the impaired cognition in the kainic acid-induced mouse model by decreasing the damage to dendrites and altering microglial reactivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyue Yang
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Tianyi Li
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Li Cheng
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Xiaojie Song
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Ziyao Han
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Hanyu Luo
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Wei Han
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Lingling Xie
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of NeurologyChildren's Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and DisordersChongqingChina
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and DisordersChongqingChina
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of PediatricsChongqingChina
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11
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Latorre-Leal M, Rodriguez-Rodriguez P, Franchini L, Nikolidakis O, Daniilidou M, Delac L, Varshney MK, Arroyo-García LE, Eroli F, Winblad B, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Kivipelto M, Pacciarini M, Wang Y, Griffiths WJ, Björkhem I, Matton A, Nalvarte I, Merino-Serrais P, Cedazo-Minguez A, Maioli S. CYP46A1-mediated cholesterol turnover induces sex-specific changes in cognition and counteracts memory loss in ovariectomized mice. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadj1354. [PMID: 38266095 PMCID: PMC10807813 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The brain-specific enzyme CYP46A1 controls cholesterol turnover by converting cholesterol into 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24OH). Dysregulation of brain cholesterol turnover and reduced CYP46A1 levels are observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we report that CYP46A1 overexpression in aged female mice leads to enhanced estrogen signaling in the hippocampus and improved cognitive functions. In contrast, age-matched CYP46A1 overexpressing males show anxiety-like behavior, worsened memory, and elevated levels of 5α-dihydrotestosterone in the hippocampus. We report that, in neurons, 24OH contributes to these divergent effects by activating sex hormone signaling, including estrogen receptors. CYP46A1 overexpression in female mice protects from memory impairments induced by ovariectomy while having no effects in gonadectomized males. Last, we measured cerebrospinal fluid levels of 24OH in a clinical cohort of patients with AD and found that 24OH negatively correlates with neurodegeneration markers only in women. We suggest that CYP46A1 activation is a valuable pharmacological target for enhancing estrogen signaling in women at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Latorre-Leal
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Patricia Rodriguez-Rodriguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Luca Franchini
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Orestis Nikolidakis
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Makrina Daniilidou
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ljerka Delac
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mukesh K. Varshney
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luis E. Arroyo-García
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Francesca Eroli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Miia Kivipelto
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Yuqin Wang
- Swansea University Medical School, SA2 8PP Swansea, UK
| | | | - Ingemar Björkhem
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anna Matton
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Nalvarte
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Paula Merino-Serrais
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Departamento de Neurobiología Funcional y de Sistemas, Instituto Cajal, CSIC, Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio Cajal de Circuitos Corticales, Centro de Tecnología Biomédica, UPM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Cedazo-Minguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Mey M, Bhatta S, Suresh S, Montero Labrador L, Piontkivska H, Casadesus G. The LH receptor regulates hippocampal spatial memory and restores dendritic spine density in ovariectomized APP/PS1 AD mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.22.573087. [PMID: 38187770 PMCID: PMC10769359 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Activation of the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHCGR) rescues spatial memory function and spine density losses associated with gonadectomy and high circulating gonadotropin levels in females. However, whether this extends to the AD brain or the mechanisms that underlie these benefits remain unknown. To address this question, we delivered the LHCGR agonist human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) intracerebroventricularly (ICV), under reproductively intact and ovariectomized conditions to mimic the post-menopausal state in the APP/PS1mouse brain. Cognitive function was tested using the Morris water maze task, and hippocampal dendritic spine density, Aβ pathology, and signaling changes associated with these endpoints were determined to address mechanisms. Here we show that central LHCGR activation restored function in ovariectomized APP/PS1 female mice to wild-type levels without altering Aβ pathology. LHCGR activation increased hippocampal dendritic spine density regardless of reproductive status, and this was mediated by BDNF-dependent and independent signaling. We also show that ovariectomy in the APP/PS1 brain elicits an increase in peripherally derived pro-inflammatory genes which are inhibited by LHCGR activation. This may mediate reproductive status specific effects of LHCGR agonism on cognitive function and BDNF expression. Together, this work highlights the relevance of the LHCGR on cognition and its therapeutic potential in the "menopausal" AD brain.
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13
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Lipatova O, Campolattaro MM, Lockhart BK, Hammad MB. Differential effects of acute stress on spatial learning and memory in the open-field tower maze across the female estrous cycle. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 206:107862. [PMID: 37944635 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the present investigation was to test how acute stress and levels of circulating estrogens together influence acquisition and retention of spatial learning, as well as explorative behaviors in female rats. We used the hippocampus-dependent Open-field Tower Maze (OFTM) task to assess acquisition followed by a retention test (reacquisition) that was given 48 h later. Immediately prior to acquisition, experimental rats were exposed to an acute restraint stress and were trained under bright lights. Female rats' estrous cycles were tracked throughout training and testing. Exposure to stress did not affect learning when levels of estrogens were low (i.e., during estrus and metestrus). However, acute stress exposure significantly lowered spatial acquisition of the female rats in the phases with rising levels of estrogens (i.e., during diestrus and proestrus). Furthermore, this stress-induced diminishment during acquisition was evident at the beginning of the retention without any presentation of stress. The present findings provide insight about the interactive relationship between stress and sex hormones on cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Lipatova
- Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA, United States.
| | | | - Blakely K Lockhart
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Mariam B Hammad
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
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14
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András IE, Serrano N, Djuraskovic I, Fattakhov N, Sun E, Toborek M. Extracellular Vesicle-Serpine-1 Affects Neural Progenitor Cell Mitochondrial Networks and Synaptic Density: Modulation by Amyloid Beta and HIV-1. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:6441-6465. [PMID: 37458985 PMCID: PMC10533645 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03456-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Brain endothelial extracellular vesicles carrying amyloid beta (EV-Aβ) can be transferred to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) leading to NPC dysfunction. However, the events involved in this EV-mediated Aβ pathology are unclear. EV-proteomics studies identified Serpine-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, PAI-1) as a major connecting "hub" on several protein-protein interaction maps. Serpine-1 was described as a key player in Aβ pathology and was linked to HIV-1 infection as well. Therefore, the aim of this work was to address the hypothesis that Serpine-1 can be transferred via EVs from brain endothelial cells (HBMEC) to NPCs and contribute to NPC dysfunction. HBMEC concentrated and released Serpine-1 via EVs, the effect that was potentiated by HIV-1 and Aβ. EVs loaded with Serpine-1 were readily taken up by NPCs, and HIV-1 enhanced this event. Interestingly, a highly specific Serpine-1 inhibitor PAI039 increased EV-Aβ transfer to NPCs in the presence of HIV-1. PAI039 also partially blocked mitochondrial network morphology alterations in the recipient NPCs, which developed mainly after HIV + Aβ-EV transfer. PAI039 partly attenuated HIV-EV-mediated decreased synaptic protein levels in NPCs, while increased synaptic protein levels in NPC projections. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying EV-Serpine-1 related Aβ pathology in the context of HIV infection. They are relevant to HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms of neuropathology in HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibolya E. András
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15Th Street, Gautier Building, Room 528, Miami, FL 33136-1019 USA
| | - Nelson Serrano
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15Th Street, Gautier Building, Room 528, Miami, FL 33136-1019 USA
| | - Irina Djuraskovic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15Th Street, Gautier Building, Room 528, Miami, FL 33136-1019 USA
| | - Nikolai Fattakhov
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15Th Street, Gautier Building, Room 528, Miami, FL 33136-1019 USA
| | - Enze Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15Th Street, Gautier Building, Room 528, Miami, FL 33136-1019 USA
| | - Michal Toborek
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1011 NW 15Th Street, Gautier Building, Room 528, Miami, FL 33136-1019 USA
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15
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Rodriguez MT, McLaurin KA, Shtutman M, Kubinak JL, Mactutus CF, Booze RM. Therapeutically targeting the consequences of HIV-1-associated gastrointestinal dysbiosis: Implications for neurocognitive and affective alterations. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2023; 229:173592. [PMID: 37390973 PMCID: PMC10494709 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 50 % of the individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are plagued by debilitating neurocognitive impairments (NCI) and/or affective alterations. Sizeable alterations in the composition of the gut microbiome, or gastrointestinal dysbiosis, may underlie, at least in part, the NCI, apathy, and/or depression observed in this population. Herein, two interrelated aims will be critically addressed, including: 1) the evidence for, and functional implications of, gastrointestinal microbiome dysbiosis in HIV-1 seropositive individuals; and 2) the potential for therapeutically targeting the consequences of this dysbiosis for the treatment of HIV-1-associated NCI and affective alterations. First, gastrointestinal microbiome dysbiosis in HIV-1 seropositive individuals is characterized by decreased alpha (α) diversity, a decreased relative abundance of bacterial species belonging to the Bacteroidetes phylum, and geographic-specific alterations in Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) spp. Fundamentally, changes in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Bacillota spp. may underlie, at least in part, the deficits in γ-aminobutyric acid and serotonin neurotransmission, as well as prominent synaptodendritic dysfunction, observed in this population. Second, there is compelling evidence for the therapeutic utility of targeting synaptodendritic dysfunction as a method to enhance neurocognitive function and improve motivational dysregulation in HIV-1. Further research is needed to determine whether the therapeutics enhancing synaptic efficacy exert their effects by altering the gut microbiome. Taken together, understanding gastrointestinal microbiome dysbiosis resulting from chronic HIV-1 viral protein exposure may afford insight into the mechanisms underlying HIV-1-associated neurocognitive and/or affective alterations; mechanisms which can be subsequently targeted via novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason T Rodriguez
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Kristen A McLaurin
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Michael Shtutman
- Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, 715 Sumter Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Jason L Kubinak
- Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine Columbia, 6311 Garners Ferry Road, Building 2, Columbia, SC 29209, United States of America
| | - Charles F Mactutus
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America
| | - Rosemarie M Booze
- Cognitive and Neural Science Program, Department of Psychology, Barnwell College, 1512 Pendleton Street, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, United States of America.
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16
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Dong B, Yue Y, Dong H, Wang Y. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor hypofunction as a potential contributor to the progression and manifestation of many neurological disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1174738. [PMID: 37396784 PMCID: PMC10308130 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1174738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA) are glutamate-gated ion channels critical for synaptic transmission and plasticity. A slight variation of NMDAR expression and function can result in devastating consequences, and both hyperactivation and hypoactivation of NMDARs are detrimental to neural function. Compared to NMDAR hyperfunction, NMDAR hypofunction is widely implicated in many neurological disorders, such as intellectual disability, autism, schizophrenia, and age-related cognitive decline. Additionally, NMDAR hypofunction is associated with the progression and manifestation of these diseases. Here, we review the underlying mechanisms of NMDAR hypofunction in the progression of these neurological disorders and highlight that targeting NMDAR hypofunction is a promising therapeutic intervention in some neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Dong
- Department of Geriatrics, Jilin Geriatrics Clinical Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yang Yue
- School of Psychology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China
| | - Han Dong
- Department of Geriatrics, Jilin Geriatrics Clinical Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuehui Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Jilin Geriatrics Clinical Research Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
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17
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Sundström-Poromaa I, Comasco E. New Pharmacological Approaches to the Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:371-379. [PMID: 37171547 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01004-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Premenstrual symptoms are experienced by many female individuals during their fertile age. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a sex-specific mood disorder, affects about 5% of female individuals during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors represents a valid solution to manage PMDD for many, but not all, patients. Owing to maladaptive neural reactivity to gonadal hormone fluctuations, that is, the putative mechanism postulated to underlie PMDD, drugs suppressing or stabilizing such variations have been tested. Recently, a clinically significant reduction in the severity of the mental symptoms of PMDD was observed upon treatment with a selective progesterone receptor modulator (SPRM), as demonstrated when comparing ulipristal acetate with placebo in a randomised controlled trial. Stable and low progesterone levels, with maintained low-medium oestradiol levels, define the endocrine profile of this treatment. Importantly, the efficacy of SPRM treatment was accompanied by negligible side effects. These promising results represent a headway to understanding the mechanisms behind PMDD symptomatology and opening up new solutions in the management of PMDD. They also call for studies on the long-term efficacy, safety, and viability of SPRMs in female individuals during their fertile age to further support the development of targeted management of female's mental ill-health in relation to the menstrual cycle. The present overview thus seeks to inform about current and new pharmacological approaches to the management of premenstrual dysphoric disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erika Comasco
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University BMC, POB 593, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden.
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18
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Schecter RW, Jensen CM, Gavornik JP. Sex and estrous cycle affect experience-dependent plasticity in mouse primary visual cortex. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0282349. [PMID: 37068089 PMCID: PMC10109517 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones can affect cellular physiology and modulate synaptic plasticity, but it is not always clear whether or how sex-dependent differences identified in vitro express themselves as functional dimorphisms in the brain. Historically, most experimental neuroscience has been conducted using only male animals and the literature is largely mute about whether including female mice in will introduce variability due to inherent sex differences or endogenous estrous cycles. Though this is beginning to change following an NIH directive that sex should be included as a factor in vertebrate research, the lack of information raises practical issues around how to design experimental controls and apply existing knowledge to more heterogeneous populations. Various lines of research suggest that visual processing can be affected by sex and estrous cycle stage. For these reasons, we performed a series of in vivo electrophysiological experiments to characterize baseline visual function and experience-dependent plasticity in the primary visual cortex (V1) of male and female mice. We find that sex and estrous stage have no statistically significant effect on baseline acuity measurements, but that both sex and estrous stage have can modulate two mechanistically distinct forms of experience dependent cortical plasticity. We also demonstrate that resulting variability can be largely controlled with appropriate normalizations. These findings suggest that V1 plasticity can be used for mechanistic studies focusing on how sex hormones effect experience dependent plasticity in the mammalian cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel W. Schecter
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Cambria M. Jensen
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey P. Gavornik
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States of America
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19
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Vieira ADC, Medeiros EB, Zabot GC, Pereira NDS, do Nascimento NB, Lidio AV, Scheffer ÂK, Rempel LCT, Macarini BMN, Costa MDA, Gonçalves CL, Kucharska E, Rodrigues MS, Moreira JCF, de Oliveira J, Budni J. Neuroprotective effects of combined therapy with memantine, donepezil, and vitamin D in ovariectomized female mice subjected to dementia model. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 122:110653. [PMID: 36195205 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Women older than 60 have a higher risk of dementia, aging-related cognitive decline, and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) than the rest of the population. The main reason is hormonal senescence after menopause, a period characterized by a decline in estrogen levels. Since the effectiveness of drugs currently approved for the treatment of AD is limited, it is necessary to seek the development of new therapeutic strategies. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in AD patients and individuals with dementia in general. The supplementation of this vitamin in dementia patients might be an interesting approach for increasing the effectiveness of pre-existing medications for dementia treatment. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the effect of vitamin D treatment associated with memantine and donepezil in female mice submitted to ovariectomy (OVX) for five months and subjected to a dementia animal model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of aggregated amyloid βeta (Aβ1-42). For this purpose, Balb/c mice were divided into five experimental groups, which received 17 days of combined therapy with vitamin D, donepezil, and memantine. Then, animals were subjected to behavioral tests. OVX groups exhibited reduced levels of estradiol (E2) in serum, which was not altered by the combined therapy. Higher levels of vitamin D3 were found in the OVX animals submitted to the triple-association treatment. Mice exposed to both OVX and the dementia animal model presented impairment in short and long-term spatial and habituation memories. Also, female mice exposed to Aβ and OVX exhibited a reduction in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels, and an increase in tumor necrose factor-α (TNFα) levels in the hippocampus. Besides, increased levels of IL-1β in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex were observed, as well as a significant increase in immunoreactivity for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocytes marker, in the hippocampus. Notably, triple-association treatment reversed the effects of the exposition of mice to Aβ and OVX in the long-term spatial and habituation memories impairment, as well as reversed changes in TNFα, IL-1β, IL-4, and GFAP immunoreactivity levels in the hippocampus of treated animals. Our results indicate that the therapeutic association of vitamin D, memantine, and donepezil has beneficial effects on memory performance and attenuated the neuroinflammatory response in female mice subjected to OVX associated with a dementia animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Daniela Coutinho Vieira
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Behenck Medeiros
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Casagrande Zabot
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Nathalia de Souza Pereira
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Natália Baltazar do Nascimento
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Adrielly Vargas Lidio
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Ândrea Kohlrausch Scheffer
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Lisienny Campoli Tono Rempel
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Maiara de Aguiar Costa
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Cinara Ludvig Gonçalves
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Ewa Kucharska
- Akademia Ignatianum w Krakowie Wydział Pedagogiczny Instytut Nauk o Wychowaniu, Krakow, Poland
| | - Matheus Scarpatto Rodrigues
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - José Cláudio Fonseca Moreira
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jade de Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Josiane Budni
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Academic Unit of Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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Kiyokage E, Ichikawa S, Horie S, Hayashi S, Toida K. Effects of estradiol on dopaminergic synapse formation in the mouse olfactory bulb. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:528-547. [PMID: 36519231 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Olfactory glomeruli are the sites of initial synaptic integration in olfactory information processing. They are surrounded by juxtaglomerular (JG) cells, which include periglomerular, superficial short axon, and external tufted cells. A subpopulation of JG cells expresses the dopamine synthetic enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). TH cells corelease γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and their processes extend to multiple glomeruli forming intra- and interglomerular circuits. It is well established that 17β-estradiol (E2) exerts wide ranging effects in the central nervous system. However, participation of E2 in the modulation of neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity of TH cells in olfactory glomeruli is unknown. To address this, we subcutaneously implanted a 60-day release pellet of E2 or placebo into intact male mice and compared glomerular TH, AADC, and vesicular γ-aminobutyric acid transporter (VGAT) immunoreactivity between them. High-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM) and ultra-HVEM using immunogold revealed significantly increased immunoreactive intensity at the cellular level for TH and AADC after E2 treatment and for VGAT in TH cells. These results indicate that E2 may affect the interplay between dopaminergic and GABAergic systems. Moreover, random-section electron microscopy analysis showed a significant increase in the number of symmetrical synapses from TH cell to mitral/tufted cell dendrites after E2 treatment. This result was supported by quantitative immunofluorescence staining with synapse markers. Together, these data indicate that E2 may regulate inhibition between TH cells and olfactory bulb neurons within the glomerulus via interaction between dopaminergic and GABAergic systems, thereby contributing to neuromodulation of odor information processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emi Kiyokage
- Department of Medical Technology, Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Satoshi Ichikawa
- Research Center for Ultra-High Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Sawa Horie
- Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Shuichi Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan
| | - Kazunori Toida
- Research Center for Ultra-High Voltage Electron Microscopy, Osaka University, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Anatomy, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki, Japan
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21
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András IE, Serrano N, Djuraskovic I, Fattakhov N, Sun E, Toborek M. Extracellular vesicle-Serpine-1 affects neural progenitor cell mitochondrial functions and synaptic density: modulation by amyloid beta and HIV-1. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2551245. [PMID: 36824983 PMCID: PMC9949237 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2551245/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
Brain endothelial extracellular vesicles carrying amyloid beta (EV-Aβ) can be transferred to neural progenitor cells (NPCs) leading to NPC dysfunction. However, the events involved in this EV-mediated Aβ pathology are unclear. EV-proteomics studies identified Serpine-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, PAI-1) as a major connecting "hub" on several protein-protein interaction maps. Serpine-1 was described as a key player in Aβ pathology and was linked to HIV-1 infection as well. Therefore, the aim of this work was to address the hypothesis that Serpine-1 can be transferred via EVs from brain endothelial cells to NPCs and contribute to NPC dysfunction. HBMEC concentrated and released Serpine-1 via EVs, the effect that was potentiated by HIV-1 and Aβ. EVs loaded with Serpine-1 were readily taken up by NPCs, and HIV-1 enhanced this event. Interestingly, a highly specific Serpine-1 inhibitor PAI039 increased EV-Aβ transfer to NPCs in the presence of HIV-1. PAI039 also partially blocked mitochondrial network morphology and mitochondrial function alterations in the recipient NPCs, which developed mainly after HIV + Aβ-EV transfer. PAI039 partly attenuated HIV-EV-mediated decreased synaptic protein levels in NPCs, while increased synaptic protein levels in NPC projections. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying EV-Serpine-1 related Aβ pathology in the context of HIV infection. They are relevant to HIV-1 associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in an effort to elucidate the mechanisms of neuropathology in HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibolya E András
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: University of Miami School of Medicine
| | - Nelson Serrano
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: University of Miami School of Medicine
| | - Irina Djuraskovic
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: University of Miami School of Medicine
| | - Nikolai Fattakhov
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: University of Miami School of Medicine
| | - Enze Sun
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: University of Miami School of Medicine
| | - Michal Toborek
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine: University of Miami School of Medicine
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22
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Hilz EN, Lee HJ. Estradiol and progesterone in female reward-learning, addiction, and therapeutic interventions. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 68:101043. [PMID: 36356909 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Sex steroid hormones like estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) guide the sexual organization and activation of the developing brain and control female reproductive behavior throughout the lifecycle; importantly, these hormones modulate functional activity of not just the endocrine system, but most of the nervous system including the brain reward system. The effects of E2 and P4 can be seen in the processing of and memory for rewarding stimuli and in the development of compulsive reward-seeking behaviors like those seen in substance use disorders. Women are at increased risk of developing substance use disorders; however, the origins of this sex difference are not well understood and therapeutic interventions targeting ovarian hormones have produced conflicting results. This article reviews the contribution of the E2 and P4 in females to functional modulation of the brain reward system, their possible roles in origins of addiction vulnerability, and the development and treatment of compulsive reward-seeking behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Hilz
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Pharmacology, USA.
| | - Hongjoo J Lee
- The University of Texas at Austin, Department of Psychology, USA; The University of Texas at Austin, Institute for Neuroscience, USA
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23
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Goode LK, Fusilier AR, Remiszewski N, Reeves JM, Abiraman K, Defenderfer M, Paul JR, McMahon LL, Gamble KL. Examination of Diurnal Variation and Sex Differences in Hippocampal Neurophysiology and Spatial Memory. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0124-22.2022. [PMID: 36265903 PMCID: PMC9668349 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0124-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are biological processes that cycle across 24 h and regulate many facets of neurophysiology, including learning and memory. Circadian variation in spatial memory task performance is well documented; however, the effect of sex across circadian time (CT) remains unclear. Additionally, little is known regarding the impact of time-of-day on hippocampal neuronal physiology. Here, we investigated the influence of both sex and time-of-day on hippocampal neurophysiology and memory in mice. Performance on the object location memory (OLM) task depended on both circadian time and sex, with memory enhanced at night in males but during the day in females. Long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) magnitude at CA3-CA1 synapses was greater at night compared with day in both sexes. Next, we measured spontaneous synaptic excitation and inhibition onto CA1 pyramidal neurons. Frequency and amplitude of inhibition was greater during the day compared with night, regardless of sex. Frequency and amplitude of excitation was larger in females, compared with males, independent of time-of-day, although both time-of-day and sex influenced presynaptic release probability. At night, CA1 pyramidal neurons showed enhanced excitability (action potential firing and/or baseline potential) that was dependent on synaptic excitation and inhibition, regardless of sex. This study emphasizes the importance of sex and time-of-day in hippocampal physiology, especially given that many neurologic disorders impacting the hippocampus are linked to circadian disruption and present differently in men and women. Knowledge about how sex and circadian rhythms affect hippocampal physiology can improve the translational relevancy of therapeutics and inform the appropriate timing of existing treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lacy K Goode
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Allison R Fusilier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Natalie Remiszewski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Jacob M Reeves
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | | | - Matthew Defenderfer
- Research Computing, Information Technology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Jodi R Paul
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Lori L McMahon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham 35233, AL
| | - Karen L Gamble
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, Birmingham 35233, AL
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24
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Bowman R, Frankfurt M, Luine V. Sex differences in cognition following variations in endocrine status. Learn Mem 2022; 29:234-245. [PMID: 36206395 PMCID: PMC9488023 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053509.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Spatial memory, mediated primarily by the hippocampus, is responsible for orientation in space and retrieval of information regarding location of objects and places in an animal's environment. Since the hippocampus is dense with steroid hormone receptors and is capable of robust neuroplasticity, it is not surprising that changes in spatial memory performance occur following a variety of endocrine alterations. Here, we review cognitive changes in both spatial and nonspatial memory tasks following manipulations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axes and after exposure to endocrine disruptors in rodents. Chronic stress impairs male performance on numerous behavioral cognitive tasks and enhances or does not impact female cognitive function. Sex-dependent changes in cognition following stress are influenced by both organizational and activational effects of estrogen and vary depending on the developmental age of the stress exposure, but responses to gonadal hormones in adulthood are more similar than different in the sexes. Also discussed are possible underlying neural mechanisms for these steroid hormone-dependent, cognitive effects. Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, given at low levels during adolescent development, impairs spatial memory in adolescent male and female rats and object recognition memory in adulthood. BPA's negative effects on memory may be mediated through alterations in dendritic spine density in areas that mediate these cognitive tasks. In summary, this review discusses the evidence that endocrine status of an animal (presence or absence of stress hormones, gonadal hormones, or endocrine disruptors) impacts cognitive function and, at times, in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Bowman
- Department of Psychology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825, USA
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Psychology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825, USA
- Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11549, USA
| | - Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10065, USA
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25
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Zare Z, Zarbakhsh S, Tehrani M, Mohammadi M. Neuroprotective Effects of Treadmill Exercise in Hippocampus of Ovariectomized and Diabetic Rats. Neuroscience 2022; 496:64-72. [PMID: 35700817 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To determine detrimental effects of estrogen and insulin deficiencies on hippocampus, we examined apoptosis-induced neuronal damage and cholinergic system in ovariectomized and/or diabetic rat hippocampus. Possible neuroprotective effects of treadmill exercise were also investigated. Adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5 rats/group) as follows: control, ovariectomized (Ovx), diabetic (Dia, streptozotocin (STZ) 60 mg/kg; i.p.), and Ovx + Dia groups. Each group was further subdivided into exercise and non-exercise groups. Animals in exercise groups were subjected to treadmill training, while those in non-exercise groups were placed on the stationary treadmill for 4 weeks (5 days/week). Apoptosis-related protein levels (i.e. Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3), number of survived neurons, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus were measured using Western blotting, Cresyl Violet staining, and Ellman assay, respectively. Both ovariectomy and diabetes increased expression of Bax and caspase-3 and decreased expression of Bcl-2 at protein levels. In addition, a significant decrease in the number of survived neurons was observed in both Ovx and Dia groups, while AChE activity was lower only in the Dia group. The Ovx + Dia group showed stronger apoptosis-induced neuropathology and inhibition of AChE activity. Treadmill exercise attenuated apoptosis-induced neuropathology in the Ovx and Dia groups and recovered AChE activity in the Dia group. Neuroprotective effects of treadmill exercise were mediated by inhibition of apoptosis. Moderate exercise protocol had no beneficial anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects in ovariectomized-diabetic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Zare
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Sam Zarbakhsh
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Mohsen Tehrani
- Department of Immunology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Moslem Mohammadi
- Department of Physiology, Molecular and Cell Biology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.
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26
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Handley EE, Reale LA, Chuckowree JA, Dyer MS, Barnett GL, Clark CM, Bennett W, Dickson TC, Blizzard CA. Estrogen Enhances Dendrite Spine Function and Recovers Deficits in Neuroplasticity in the prpTDP-43A315T Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:2962-2976. [PMID: 35249200 PMCID: PMC9016039 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02742-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) attacks the corticomotor system, with motor cortex function affected early in disease. Younger females have a lower relative risk of succumbing to ALS than males and older females, implicating a role for female sex hormones in disease progression. However, the mechanisms driving this dimorphic incidence are still largely unknown. We endeavoured to determine if estrogen mitigates disease progression and pathogenesis, focussing upon the dendritic spine as a site of action. Using two-photon live imaging we identify, in the prpTDP-43A315T mouse model of ALS, that dendritic spines in the male motor cortex have a reduced capacity for remodelling than their wild-type controls. In contrast, females show higher capacity for remodelling, with peak plasticity corresponding to highest estrogen levels during the estrous cycle. Estrogen manipulation through ovariectomies and estrogen replacement with 17β estradiol in vivo was found to significantly alter spine density and mitigate disease severity. Collectively, these findings reveal that synpatic plasticity is reduced in ALS, which can be amelioriated with estrogen, in conjuction with improved disease outcomes.
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27
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Krug R, Beier L, Lämmerhofer M, Hallschmid M. Distinct and Convergent Beneficial Effects of Estrogen and Insulin on Cognitive Function in Healthy Young Men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2022; 107:e582-e593. [PMID: 34534317 PMCID: PMC8764344 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgab689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Systematic investigations into the cognitive impact of estradiol and insulin in male individuals are sparse, and it is unclear whether the 2 hormones interact to benefit specific cognitive functions in humans. OBJECTIVE We investigated the acute effect of estradiol and insulin and of their combined administration on divergent (creative) and convergent (arithmetical) thinking as well as short-term and working verbal memory in healthy young men. METHODS According to a 2 × 2 design, 2 groups of men (each n = 16) received a 3-day transdermal estradiol (100 µg/24 h) or placebo pretreatment and on 2 separate mornings were intranasally administered 160 IU regular human insulin and, respectively, placebo before completing a battery of cognitive tests; we also determined relevant blood parameters. RESULTS Estrogen compared with placebo treatment induced a 3.5-fold increase in serum estradiol and suppressed serum testosterone concentrations by 70%. Estrogen in comparison to placebo improved creative performance, that is, verbal fluency and flexibility, but not arithmetical thinking, as well as verbal short-term memory, but not visuospatial memory. The combination of estrogen and insulin enhanced recognition discriminability at delayed verbal memory recall; insulin alone remained without effect. CONCLUSION Estrogen specifically enhances core aspects of creativity and verbal memory in young male individuals; delayed recognition memory benefits from the combined administration of estradiol and insulin. Our results indicate that insulin's acute cognitive impact in young men is limited and not robustly potentiated by estradiol. Estradiol per se exerts a beneficial acute effect on creative and verbal performance in healthy young men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemarie Krug
- Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Laura Beier
- Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Lämmerhofer
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Manfred Hallschmid
- Department of Medical Psychology and Behavioural Neurobiology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Institute for Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen (IDM), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: Manfred Hallschmid, PhD, University of Tübingen, Institute of Medical Psychology and Behavioral Neurobiology, Otfried-Müller-Straße 25, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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28
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Datta G, Miller NM, Du W, Geiger JD, Chang S, Chen X. Endolysosome Localization of ERα Is Involved in the Protective Effect of 17α-Estradiol against HIV-1 gp120-Induced Neuronal Injury. J Neurosci 2021; 41:10365-10381. [PMID: 34764157 PMCID: PMC8672688 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1475-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotoxic HIV-1 viral proteins contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), the prevalence of which remains high (30-50%) with no effective treatment available. Estrogen is a known neuroprotective agent; however, the diverse mechanisms of estrogen action on the different types of estrogen receptors is not completely understood. In this study, we determined the extent to which and mechanisms by which 17α-estradiol (17αE2), a natural less-feminizing estrogen, offers neuroprotection against HIV-1 gp120-induced neuronal injury. Endolysosomes are important for neuronal function, and endolysosomal dysfunction contributes to HAND and other neurodegenerative disorders. In hippocampal neurons, estrogen receptor α (ERα) is localized to endolysosomes and 17αE2 acidifies endolysosomes. ERα knockdown or overexpressing an ERα mutant that is deficient in endolysosome localization prevents 17αE2-induced endolysosome acidification. Furthermore, 17αE2-induced increases in dendritic spine density depend on endolysosome localization of ERα. Pretreatment with 17αE2 protected against HIV-1 gp120-induced endolysosome deacidification and reductions in dendritic spines; such protective effects depended on endolysosome localization of ERα. In male HIV-1 transgenic rats, we show that 17αE2 treatment prevents the development of enlarged endolysosomes and reduction in dendritic spines. Our findings demonstrate a novel endolysosome-dependent pathway that governs the ERα-mediated neuroprotective actions of 17αE2, findings that might lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against HAND.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Extranuclear presence of membrane-bound estrogen receptors (ERs) underlie the enhancing effect of estrogen on cognition and synaptic function. The estrogen receptor subtype ERα is present on endolysosomes and plays a critical role in the enhancing effects of 17αE2 on endolysosomes and dendritic spines. These findings provide novel insight into the neuroprotective actions of estrogen. Furthermore, 17αE2 protected against HIV-1 gp120-induced endolysosome dysfunction and reductions in dendritic spines, and these protective effects of 17αE2 were mediated via endolysosome localization of ERα. Such findings provide a rationale for developing 17αE2 as a therapeutic strategy against HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Datta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
| | - Nicole M Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
| | - Wenjuan Du
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079
| | - Jonathan D Geiger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
| | - Sulie Chang
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
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29
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Zhang ZH, Chen C, Jia SZ, Cao XC, Liu M, Tian J, Hoffmann PR, Xu HX, Ni JZ, Song GL. Selenium Restores Synaptic Deficits by Modulating NMDA Receptors and Selenoprotein K in an Alzheimer's Disease Model. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 35:863-884. [PMID: 32475153 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2019.7990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Aims: Strong evidence has implicated synaptic failure as a direct contributor to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and selenium (Se) supplementation has demonstrated potential for AD treatment. However, the exact roles of Se and related selenoproteins in mitigating synaptic deficits remain unclear. Results: Our data show that selenomethionine (Se-Met), as the major organic form of Se in vivo, structurally restored synapses, dendrites, and spines, leading to improved synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in triple transgenic AD (3 × Tg-AD) mice. Furthermore, we found that Se-Met ameliorated synaptic deficits by inhibiting extrasynaptic N-methyl-d-aspartate acid receptors (NMDARs) and stimulating synaptic NMDARs, thereby modulating calcium ion (Ca2+) influx. We observed that a decrease in selenoprotein K (SELENOK) levels was closely related to AD, and a similar disequilibrium was found between synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDARs in SELENOK knockout mice and AD mice. Se-Met treatment upregulated SELENOK levels and restored the balance between synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDAR expression in AD mice. Innovation: These findings establish a key signaling pathway linking SELENOK and NMDARs with synaptic plasticity regulated by Se-Met, and thereby provide insight into mechanisms by which Se compounds mediate synaptic deficits in AD. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that Se-Met restores synaptic deficits through modulating Ca2+ influx mediated by synaptic and extrasynaptic NMDARs in 3 × Tg-AD mice, and suggests a potentially functional interaction between SELENOK and NMDARs. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 35, 863-884.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Hao Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.,Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shi-Zheng Jia
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xian-Chun Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Min Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jing Tian
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peter R Hoffmann
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | - Hua-Xi Xu
- Neuroscience Initiative, Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jia-Zuan Ni
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guo-Li Song
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
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30
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Neural basis for estrous cycle-dependent control of female behaviors. Neurosci Res 2021; 176:1-8. [PMID: 34331974 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Females display changes in distinct behaviors along the estrous cycle. Levels of circulating ovarian sex steroid hormones peak around ovulation, which occur around estrus phase of the cycle. This increase of sex hormones is thought to be important for changes in behaviors, however, neural circuit mechanisms of periodic behavioral changes in females are not understood well. Different lines of research indicate sex hormonal effects on several forms of neuronal plasticity. This review provides an overview of behavioral and plastic changes that occur in an estrous cycle-dependent manner and explores the current research linking these changes to understand neural circuit mechanisms that control female behaviors.
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31
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Fu CH, Han XY, Tong L, Nie PY, Hu YD, Ji LL. miR-142 downregulation alleviates the impairment of spatial learning and memory, reduces the level of apoptosis, and upregulates the expression of pCaMKII and BAI3 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2021; 414:113485. [PMID: 34302879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNA-142-5p (miR-142-5p) has been found to be dysregulated in several neurodegenerative disorders. However, little is known about the involvement of miR-142-5p in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brain angiogenesis inhibitor 3 (BAI3), which belongs to the adhesion-G protein-coupled receptor subgroup, contributes to a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite its very high expression in neurons, the role of BAI3 in AD remains elusive, and its mechanism at the cellular and molecular levels needs to be further elucidated. The current study sought to investigate whether miR-142-5p influenced BAI3 expression and neuronal synaptotoxicity induced by Aβ, both in APP/PS1 transgenic mice and a cellular model of Alzheimer's disease. Altered expression of miR-142-5p was found in the hippocampus of AD mice. Inhibition of miR-142 could upregulate BAI3 expression, enhance neuronal viability and prevent neurons from undergoing apoptosis. In addition, the reduction of phosphorylation of Synapsin I and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), as well as the expression of PSD-95 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice, were significantly restored by inhibiting miR-142. Meanwhile, the levels of Aβ1-42, β-APP, BACE-1 and PS-1 in cultured neurons were detected, and the effects of inhibiting miR-142 on spatial learning and memory were also observed. Interestingly, we found that BAI3, an important regulator of excitatory synapses, was a potential target gene of miR-142-5p. Collectively, our findings suggest that miR-142 inhibition can alleviate the impairment of spatial learning and memory, reduce the level of apoptosis, and upregulate the expression of pCaMKII and BAI3 in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice; thus, appropriate interference of miR-142 may provide a potential therapeutic approach to rescue cognitive dysfunction in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-Hai Fu
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xue-Yan Han
- Department of Neurology, Seventh People's Hospital of Jinan City, Jinan, China
| | - Lei Tong
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Peng-Yin Nie
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yue-Dong Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Li-Li Ji
- Department of Anatomy, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
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32
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Kawatake-Kuno A, Murai T, Uchida S. The Molecular Basis of Depression: Implications of Sex-Related Differences in Epigenetic Regulation. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:708004. [PMID: 34276306 PMCID: PMC8282210 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.708004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Although the etiology and pathophysiology of MDD remain poorly understood, aberrant neuroplasticity mediated by the epigenetic dysregulation of gene expression within the brain, which may occur due to genetic and environmental factors, may increase the risk of this disorder. Evidence has also been reported for sex-related differences in the pathophysiology of MDD, with female patients showing a greater severity of symptoms, higher degree of functional impairment, and more atypical depressive symptoms. Males and females also differ in their responsiveness to antidepressants. These clinical findings suggest that sex-dependent molecular and neural mechanisms may underlie the development of depression and the actions of antidepressant medications. This review discusses recent advances regarding the role of epigenetics in stress and depression. The first section presents a brief introduction of the basic mechanisms of epigenetic regulation, including histone modifications, DNA methylation, and non-coding RNAs. The second section reviews their contributions to neural plasticity, the risk of depression, and resilience against depression, with a particular focus on epigenetic modulators that have causal relationships with stress and depression in both clinical and animal studies. The third section highlights studies exploring sex-dependent epigenetic alterations associated with susceptibility to stress and depression. Finally, we discuss future directions to understand the etiology and pathophysiology of MDD, which would contribute to optimized and personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Kawatake-Kuno
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiya Murai
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Shusaku Uchida
- SK Project, Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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33
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Kara F, Belloy ME, Voncken R, Sarwari Z, Garima Y, Anckaerts C, Langbeen A, Leysen V, Shah D, Jacobs J, Hamaide J, Bols P, Van Audekerke J, Daans J, Guglielmetti C, Kantarci K, Prevot V, Roßner S, Ponsaerts P, Van der Linden A, Verhoye M. Long-term ovarian hormone deprivation alters functional connectivity, brain neurochemical profile and white matter integrity in the Tg2576 amyloid mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 102:139-150. [PMID: 33765427 PMCID: PMC8312737 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Premenopausal bilateral ovariectomy is considered to be one of the risk factors of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate long-term neurological consequences of ovariectomy in a rodent AD model, TG2576 (TG), and wild-type mice (WT) that underwent an ovariectomy or sham-operation, using in vivo MRI biomarkers. An increase in osmoregulation and energy metabolism biomarkers in the hypothalamus, a decrease in white matter integrity, and a decrease in the resting-state functional connectivity was observed in ovariectomized TG mice compared to sham-operated TG mice. In addition, we observed an increase in functional connectivity in ovariectomized WT mice compared to sham-operated WT mice. Furthermore, genotype (TG vs. WT) effects on imaging markers and GFAP immunoreactivity levels were observed, but there was no effect of interaction (Genotype × Surgery) on amyloid-beta-and GFAP immunoreactivity levels. Taken together, our results indicated that both genotype and ovariectomy alters imaging biomarkers associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firat Kara
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Michael E Belloy
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Rick Voncken
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zahra Sarwari
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Yadav Garima
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Cynthia Anckaerts
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - An Langbeen
- Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Valerie Leysen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, UMR-S1172, DistalZ, Lille, France
| | - Disha Shah
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jules Jacobs
- University of Nijmegen, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Julie Hamaide
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Peter Bols
- Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Johan Van Audekerke
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jasmijn Daans
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neurosciences and Cognition, UMR-S1172, DistalZ, Lille, France
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Peter Ponsaerts
- Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Vaccine and Infectious Disease Institute (Vaxinfectio), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-imaging Lab- Member of INMIND consortium, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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34
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Sheppard PAS, Asling HA, Walczyk-Mooradally A, Armstrong SE, Elad VM, Lalonde J, Choleris E. Protein synthesis and actin polymerization in the rapid effects of 17β-estradiol on short-term social memory and dendritic spine dynamics in female mice. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 128:105232. [PMID: 33892375 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens rapidly facilitate learning and memory, including social recognition - the ability of an animal to recognize another. In ovariectomized female mice, systemic or dorsal hippocampal administration of 17β-estradiol (E2) facilitates short-term social recognition memory within 40 min. Within the same timeframe, E2 increases dendritic spine density in CA1 dorsal hippocampal neurons of behavioural task-naïve mice and in hippocampal sections. Mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. Estrogens rapidly modulate actin cytoskeletal dynamics through actin polymerization and the translation of key synaptic proteins. We first determined doses of actin polymerization inhibitor latrunculin A (LAT) and protein synthesis inhibitor anisomycin (ANI) that would block short-term social recognition memory when infused into the dorsal hippocampus of ovariectomized female mice 15 min prior to testing. The highest doses that did not block social recognition prevented the facilitating effects of E2, whereas DNA transcription inhibitor, actinomycin D, could not block social recognition. As task performance may interfere with E2-facilitated increases in dendritic spine density, dendritic spine density and length were examined in task-performing and task-naïve mice. E2 increased dendritic spine density 15 but not 40 min following treatment, regardless of whether the animal had performed the social recognition task. This effect was blocked by LAT, but not ANI. Thus, both actin polymerization and protein synthesis are necessary for E2 to rapidly facilitate social recognition, whereas actin polymerization, but not protein synthesis, is required for the rapid increase in dendritic spine density brought on by E2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A S Sheppard
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Hayley A Asling
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | | | - Sabrina E Armstrong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Vissy M Elad
- Department of Human Health and Nutrition Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Jasmin Lalonde
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Elena Choleris
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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35
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Adu-Nti F, Gao X, Wu JM, Li J, Iqbal J, Ahmad R, Ma XM. Osthole Ameliorates Estrogen Deficiency-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Female Mice. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:641909. [PMID: 34025413 PMCID: PMC8134730 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.641909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of endogenous estrogen and dysregulation of the estrogen receptor signaling pathways are associated with an increase in risk for cognitive deficit and depression in women after menopause. Estrogen therapy for menopause increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers, and stroke. Therefore, it is critical to find an alternate treatment for menopausal women. Osthole (OST), a coumarin, has been reported to have neuroprotective effects. This study examined whether OST improves ovariectomy (OVX)-induced cognitive impairment, and alleviates anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by OVX in mice. Adult female C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized and then treated with OST at a dose of 30 mg/kg for 14 days. At the end of the treatment period, behavioral tests were used to evaluate spatial learning and memory, recognition memory, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. A cohort of the mice were sacrificed after 14 days of OST treatment and their hippocampi were collected for measurement of the proteins of interest using western blot. OVX-induced alteration in the levels of proteins was accompanied by cognitive deficit, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. OST treatment improved cognitive deficit, alleviated anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by OVX, and reversed OVX-induced alterations in the levels of synaptic proteins and ERα, BDNF, TrKB, p-CREB, p-Akt and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Therefore, reversal of OVX-induced decrease in the levels of hippocampal proteins by OST might contribute to the effects of OST on improving cognitive deficit and alleviating anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by OVX.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Adu-Nti
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jia-Min Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Riaz Ahmad
- Department of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Development of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xin-Ming Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health, Farmington, CT, United States
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36
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Carboni E, Carta AR, Carboni E, Novelli A. Repurposing Ketamine in Depression and Related Disorders: Can This Enigmatic Drug Achieve Success? Front Neurosci 2021; 15:657714. [PMID: 33994933 PMCID: PMC8120160 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.657714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Repurposing ketamine in the therapy of depression could well represent a breakthrough in understanding the etiology of depression. Ketamine was originally used as an anesthetic drug and later its use was extended to other therapeutic applications such as analgesia and the treatment of addiction. At the same time, the abuse of ketamine as a recreational drug has generated a concern for its psychotropic and potential long-term effects; nevertheless, its use as a fast acting antidepressant in treatment-resistant patients has boosted the interest in the mechanism of action both in psychiatry and in the wider area of neuroscience. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the actions of ketamine and intends to cover: (i) the evaluation of its clinical use in the treatment of depression and suicidal behavior; (ii) the potential use of ketamine in pediatrics; (iii) a description of its mechanism of action; (iv) the involvement of specific brain areas in producing antidepressant effects; (v) the potential interaction of ketamine with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; (vi) the effect of ketamine on neuronal transmission in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis and on its output; (vii) the evaluation of any gender-dependent effects of ketamine; (viii) the interaction of ketamine with the inflammatory processes involved in depression; (ix) the evaluation of the effects observed with single or repeated administration; (x) a description of any adverse or cognitive effects and its abuse potential. Finally, this review attempts to assess whether ketamine's use in depression can improve our knowledge of the etiopathology of depression and whether its therapeutic effect can be considered an actual cure for depression rather than a therapy merely aimed to control the symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezio Carboni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Anna R. Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Elena Carboni
- Unit of Paediatrics, ASST Cremona Maggiore Hospital, Cremona, Italy
| | - Antonello Novelli
- Department of Psychology and University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
- Sanitary Institute of the Princedom of Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
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37
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Meeker TJ, Veldhuijzen DS, Keaser ML, Gullapalli RP, Greenspan JD. Menstrual Cycle Variations in Gray Matter Volume, White Matter Volume and Functional Connectivity: Critical Impact on Parietal Lobe. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:594588. [PMID: 33414702 PMCID: PMC7783210 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.594588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of gonadal hormones in neural plasticity remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the effects of naturally fluctuating hormone levels over the menstrual cycle in healthy females. Gray matter, functional connectivity (FC) and white matter changes over the cycle were assessed by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), resting state fMRI, and structural MRIs, respectively, and associated with serum gonadal hormone levels. Moreover, electrocutaneous sensitivity was evaluated in 14 women in four phases of their menstrual cycle (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, and luteal). Electrocutaneous sensitivity was greater during follicular compared to menstrual phase. Additionally, pain unpleasantness was lower in follicular phase than other phases while pain intensity ratings did not change over the cycle. Significant variations in cycle phase effects on gray matter volume were found in the left inferior parietal lobule (IPL) using voxel-based morphometry. Subsequent Freesurfer analysis revealed greater thickness of left IPL during the menstrual phase when compared to other phases. Also, white matter volume fluctuated across phases in left IPL. Blood estradiol was positively correlated with white matter volume both in left parietal cortex and whole cortex. Seed-driven FC between left IPL and right secondary visual cortex was enhanced during ovulatory phase. A seed placed in right IPL revealed enhanced FC between left and right IPL during the ovulatory phase. Additionally, we found that somatosensory cortical gray matter was thinner during follicular compared to menstrual phase. We discuss these results in the context of likely evolutionary pressures selecting for enhanced perceptual sensitivity across modalities specifically during ovulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Meeker
- Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Dieuwke S. Veldhuijzen
- Institute of Psychology, Health, Medical and Neuropsychology Unit, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
- Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Michael L. Keaser
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Rao P. Gullapalli
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Imaging, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Joel D. Greenspan
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Center to Advance Chronic Pain Research, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, United States
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38
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Hill RA, Kouremenos K, Tull D, Maggi A, Schroeder A, Gibbons A, Kulkarni J, Sundram S, Du X. Bazedoxifene - a promising brain active SERM that crosses the blood brain barrier and enhances spatial memory. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 121:104830. [PMID: 32858306 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Over 20 years of accumulated evidence has shown that the major female sex hormone 17β-estradiol can enhance cognitive functioning. However, the utility of estradiol as a therapeutic cognitive enhancer is hindered by its unwanted peripheral effects (carcinogenic). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) avoid the unwanted effects of estradiol by acting as estrogen receptor antagonists in some tissues such as breast and uterus, but as agonists in others such as bone, and are currently used for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, understanding of their actions in the brain are limited. The third generation SERM bazedoxifene has recently been FDA approved for clinical use with an improved biosafety profile. However, whether bazedoxifene can enter the brain and enhance cognition is unknown. Using mice, the current study aimed to explore if bazedoxifene can 1) cross the blood-brain barrier, 2) rescue ovariectomy-induced hippocampal-dependent spatial memory deficit, and 3) activate neural estrogen response element (ERE)-dependent gene transcription. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we firstly demonstrate that a peripheral injection of bazedoxifene can enter the brain. Secondly, we show that an acute intraperitoneal injection of bazedoxifene can rescue ovariectomy-induced spatial memory deficits. And finally, using the ERE-luciferase reporter mouse, we show in vivo that bazedoxifene can activate the ERE in the brain. The evidence shown here suggest bazedoxifene could be a viable cognitive enhancer with promising clinical applicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
| | - K Kouremenos
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - D Tull
- Metabolomics Australia, Bio21 Molecular Science & Biotechnology Institute, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - A Maggi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - A Schroeder
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - A Gibbons
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - J Kulkarni
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University, St Kilda, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - S Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - X Du
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia; Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
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Effects chronic administration of corticosterone and estrogen on HPA axis activity and telomere length in brain areas of female rats. Brain Res 2020; 1750:147152. [PMID: 33049239 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic stress is related to the acceleration of telomere shortening. Recent work showed a correlation between chronic psychosocial stress and reduced telomere length in certain cells. The exposure of T lymphocytes to cortisol promoted a significant reduction in telomerase activity. Although stress can promote changes in telomere length, whether increased glucocorticoid concentrations alter telomere length in brain tissue cells is unclear. In addition to modulating the activity of the stress system, estrogen also influences telomere length. The objective of this study was to verify whether chronic exposure to glucocorticoids promotes changes in the telomere length of encephalic areas involved in the control of HPA axis activity and whether estrogen affects these changes. Wistar rats were ovariectomized and treated with estradiol cypionate [(50 or 100 μg/kg, subcutaneously)] or oil and 20 mg/kg corticosterone or vehicle (isotonic saline with 2% Tween 80, subcutaneously) for 28 days. On the day after the end of the hormonal treatment, the animals were euthanized for collection of blood, brain and pituitary gland samples. Estrogen modulated the activity of the HPA axis. CRH, AVP and POMC mRNA levels were reduced by estrogen. At least in doses and treatment time used, there was no correlation between effects of exposure to glucocorticoids and estrogen on telomere length in the brain areas of female rats. However, estrogen treatment reduced the telomere length in the central amygdala and dorsal hippocampus, but not in the PVN, indicating a variation of reaction of telomeres for estrogen in different brain areas.
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Zhao F, Tao W, Shang Z, Zhang W, Ruan J, Zhang C, Zhou L, Aiello H, Lai H, Qu R. Facilitating Granule Cell Survival and Maturation in Dentate Gyrus With Baicalin for Antidepressant Therapeutics. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:556845. [PMID: 32982755 PMCID: PMC7493074 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.556845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Baicalin isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis possesses antidepressant abilities through its relation to hippocampal neurogenesis. Current research has found that baicalin can promote the proliferation of hippocampal granule cells, however, the detailed mechanism of baicalin on the survival and maturation of hippocampal granule cells has yet to be sufficiently explored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether baicalin could facilitate the survival and maturation of hippocampal granule cells, and to explore its potential mechanism. The chronic corticosterone (CORT)-induced mouse model of depression was used to assess antidepressant-like effects of baicalin and to illuminate possible molecular mechanisms by which baicalin affects hippocampal neurogenesis. The survival and maturation of granule cells were measured by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Golgi staining. The expression of Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Protein kinase B (AKT)/glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β)/β-catenin pathway related proteins were measured by western blot analysis. PI3K inhibitor LY292002 and AKT inhibitor Perifosine were administered to HT-22 cells to explore the relationship between the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway and baicalin. The results of the study illustrated that baicalin significantly decreased chronic CORT-induced depressive-like behaviors and reduced serum corticosterone levels. In addition, baicalin (administered at 60 mg/kg) reversed chronic CORT-induced lesions on hippocampal granule cells. Moreover, baicalin significantly increased the phosphorylation rate of PI3K, AKT, GSK3β, and total β-catenin. The study found that administration of LY292002/Perifosine counteracted the effects of baicalin in HT-22 cells. These results demonstrate that baicalin can alleviate chronic CORT-induced depressive-like behaviors through promoting survival and maturation of adult-born hippocampal granule cells and exhibiting protective effect on hippocampal neuron morphology. We propose the underlying mechanisms involve the activation of the PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhao
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Tao
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Shang
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weihua Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Ruan
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenyiyu Zhang
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Zhou
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Hezheng Lai
- Chinese Medicine Centre, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia.,NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Rong Qu
- College of Chinese Medicine, College of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Bevan RJ, Williams PA, Waters CT, Thirgood R, Mui A, Seto S, Good M, Morgan JE, Votruba M, Erchova I. OPA1 deficiency accelerates hippocampal synaptic remodelling and age-related deficits in learning and memory. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa101. [PMID: 33094281 PMCID: PMC7566495 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A healthy mitochondrial network is essential for the maintenance of neuronal synaptic integrity. Mitochondrial and metabolic dysfunction contributes to the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases including dementia. OPA1 is the master regulator of mitochondrial fusion and fission and is likely to play an important role during neurodegenerative events. To explore this, we quantified hippocampal dendritic and synaptic integrity and the learning and memory performance of aged Opa1 haploinsufficient mice carrying the Opa1Q285X mutation (B6; C3-Opa1Q285STOP ; Opa1+/- ). We demonstrate that heterozygous loss of Opa1 results in premature age-related loss of spines in hippocampal pyramidal CA1 neurons and a reduction in synaptic density in the hippocampus. This loss is associated with subtle memory deficits in both spatial novelty and object recognition. We hypothesize that metabolic failure to maintain normal neuronal activity at the level of a single spine leads to premature age-related memory deficits. These results highlight the importance of mitochondrial homeostasis for maintenance of neuronal function during ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Bevan
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Pete A Williams
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Eye and Vision, St. Erik Eye Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, Polhemsgatan 50, 112 82 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline T Waters
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Rebecca Thirgood
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Amanda Mui
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Sharon Seto
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Mark Good
- School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - James E Morgan
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Marcela Votruba
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
| | - Irina Erchova
- School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University, Maindy Rd, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ, UK
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Brandt N, Löffler T, Fester L, Rune GM. Sex-specific features of spine densities in the hippocampus. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11405. [PMID: 32647191 PMCID: PMC7347548 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68371-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously, we found that in dissociated hippocampal cultures the proportion of large spines (head diameter ≥ 0.6 μm) was larger in cultures from female than from male animals. In order to rule out that this result is an in vitro phenomenon, we analyzed the density of large spines in fixed hippocampal vibratome sections of Thy1-GFP mice, in which GFP is expressed only in subpopulations of neurons. We compared spine numbers of the four estrus cycle stages in females with those of male mice. Remarkably, total spine numbers did not vary during the estrus cycle, while estrus cyclicity was evident regarding the number of large spines and was highest during diestrus, when estradiol levels start to rise. The average total spine number in females was identical with the spine number in male animals. The density of large spines, however, was significantly lower in male than in female animals in each stage of the estrus cycle. Interestingly, the number of spine apparatuses, a typical feature of large spines, did not differ between the sexes. Accordingly, NMDA-R1 and NMDA-R2A/B expression were lower in the hippocampus and in postsynaptic density fractions of adult male animals than in those of female animals. This difference could already be observed at birth for NMDA-R1, but not for NMDA-R2A/B expression. In dissociated embryonic hippocampal cultures, no difference was seen after 21 days in culture, while the difference was evident in postnatal cultures. Our data indicate that hippocampal neurons are differentiated in a sex-dependent manner, this differentiation being likely to develop during the perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Brandt
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Human Medicine, Division of Anatomy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Carl-von-Ossietzky Str. 9-11, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Löffler
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lars Fester
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Krankenhausstr. 9, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gabriele M Rune
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Center for Experimental Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
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43
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Frankfurt M, Luine V, Bowman RE. A potential role for dendritic spines in bisphenol-A induced memory impairments during adolescence and adulthood. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2020; 114:307-329. [PMID: 32723549 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Developmental exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disrupting chemical, alters many behaviors and neural parameters in rodents and non-human-primates. The effects of BPA are mediated via gonadal hormone, primarily, estrogen receptors, and are not limited to the perinatal period since recent studies show impairments further into development. The studies described in this chapter address the effects of BPA administration during early adolescence on memory and dendritic spine density in intact male and female rats as well as ovariectomized (OVX) rats in late adolescence and show that some of these adolescent induced changes endure into adulthood. In general, BPA impairs spatial memory and induces decreases in dendritic spine density in the hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex, two areas important for memory. The effects of adolescent BPA in intact females are compared to OVX females in an attempt to address the importance of estrogens in the mechanism(s) underlying the profound neuronal alterations occurring during adolescent development. In addition, potential mechanisms by which acute and chronic BPA induce structural alterations are discussed. These studies suggest a complex interaction between low doses of BPA, gonadal state and neural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Frankfurt
- Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, United States.
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44
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Xie L, Li T, Song X, Sun H, Liu J, Yang J, Zhao W, Cheng L, Chen H, Liu B, Han W, Yang C, Jiang L. Dynamic alteration of dendrites and dendritic spines in the hippocampus and microglia in mouse brain tissues after kainate-induced status epilepticus. Int J Neurosci 2020; 131:1045-1057. [PMID: 32448031 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1770246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Xie
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaojie Song
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Wenjie Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Cheng
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Hengsheng Chen
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Benke Liu
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Han
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Pediatric Research Institute, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China
- China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Yi JH, Whitcomb DJ, Park SJ, Martinez-Perez C, Barbati SA, Mitchell SJ, Cho K. M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction in moderate Alzheimer's disease pathology. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa058. [PMID: 32766549 PMCID: PMC7391992 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of amyloid beta and loss of cholinergic innervation in the brain are predominant components of Alzheimer’s disease pathology and likely underlie cognitive impairment. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are one of the few treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease, where levels of available acetylcholine are enhanced to counteract the cholinergic loss. However, these inhibitors show limited clinical efficacy. One potential explanation for this is a concomitant dysregulation of cholinergic receptors themselves as a consequence of the amyloid beta pathology. We tested this hypothesis by examining levels of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the temporal cortex from seven Alzheimer’s disease and seven non-disease age-matched control brain tissue samples (control: 85 ± 2.63 years old, moderate Alzheimer’s disease: 84 ± 2.32 years old, P-value = 0.721; eight female and six male patients). The samples were categorized into two groups: ‘control’ (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis of ‘No Alzheimer’s disease’, and Braak staging pathology of I–II) and ‘moderate Alzheimer’s disease’ (Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis of ‘possible/probable Alzheimer’s disease’, and Braak staging pathology of IV). We find that in comparison to age-matched controls, there is a loss of M1 muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in moderate Alzheimer’s disease tissue (control: 2.17 ± 0.27 arbitrary units, n = 7, Mod-AD: 0.83 ± 0.16 arbitrary units, n = 7, two-tailed t-test, t = 4.248, P = 0.00113). Using a functional rat cortical brain slice model, we find that postsynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine receptor function is dysregulated by aberrant amyloid beta-mediated activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5. Crucially, blocking metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 restores muscarinic acetylcholine receptor function and object recognition memory in 5XFAD transgenic mice. This indicates that the amyloid beta-mediated activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 negatively regulates muscarinic acetylcholine receptor and illustrates the importance of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors as a potential disease-modifying target in the moderate pathological stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jee Hyun Yi
- Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Daniel J Whitcomb
- Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Se Jin Park
- Department of Life and Nanopharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee East-West Pharmaceutical Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 130-701, Korea
| | - Celia Martinez-Perez
- Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK
| | - Saviana A Barbati
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Scott J Mitchell
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Kwangwook Cho
- Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 3NY, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
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Abstract
This review highlights fifty years of progress in research on estradiol's role in regulating behavior(s). It was initially thought that estradiol was only involved in regulating estrus/menstrual cycles and concomitant sexual behavior, but it is now clear that estradiol also influences the higher order neural function of cognition. We provide a brief overview of estradiol's regulation of memory and some mechanisms which underlie its effects. Given systemically or directly into the hippocampus, to ovariectomized female rodents, estradiol or specific agonists, enhance learning and/or memory in a variety of rodent cognitive tasks. Acute (within minutes) or chronic (days) treatments enhance cognitive functions. Under the same treatment conditions, dendritic spine density on pyramidal neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex increase which suggests that these changes are an important component of estrogen's ability to impact memory processes. Noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotoninergic activity are also altered in these areas following estrogen treatments. Memory enhancements and increased spine density by estrogens are not limited to females but are also present in castrate males. In the next fifty years, neuroscientists need to determine how currently described neural changes mediate improved memory, how interactions among areas important for memory promote memory and the potential significance of neurally derived estrogens in normal cognitive processing. Answering these questions may provide significant advances for treatment of dementias as well as age and neuro-degenerative disease related memory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Science Education, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
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Bradshaw HK, Mengelkoch S, Hill SE. Hormonal contraceptive use predicts decreased perseverance and therefore performance on some simple and challenging cognitive tasks. Horm Behav 2020; 119:104652. [PMID: 31812533 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.104652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of research suggests that hormonal contraceptive (HC) use may be associated with lower self-control, as well as structural and functional differences in women's brains that could contribute to differences in perseverance on tasks requiring cognitive control. Here, we sought to extend this research by examining the relationship between HC use and college-aged women's perseverance (i.e., time spent) and performance on tasks requiring cognitive control. Across two studies, we find that, compared to naturally-cycling women, women using HCs display less perseverance on both simple (i.e., a spot-the-difference game) and challenging (i.e., Graduate Record Examination quantitative problems) tasks. Moreover, these differences in perseverance were found to predict performance decrements across tasks, with women taking HCs performing worse because they spent less time on the tasks. By demonstrating how HC use may influence perseverance and thereby performance, these results contribute to a growing body of research examining the unintended implications of HC use on cognition, learning, and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah K Bradshaw
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, United States of America.
| | - Summer Mengelkoch
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, United States of America
| | - Sarah E Hill
- Department of Psychology, Texas Christian University, United States of America
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48
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The effect of standard laboratory diets on estrogen signaling and spatial memory in male and female rats. Physiol Behav 2020; 215:112787. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2019.112787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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49
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17α Estradiol promotes plasticity of spared inputs in the adult amblyopic visual cortex. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19040. [PMID: 31836739 PMCID: PMC6910995 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-55158-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The promotion of structural and functional plasticity by estrogens is a promising approach to enhance central nervous system function in the aged. However, how the sensitivity to estrogens is regulated across brain regions, age and experience is poorly understood. To ask if estradiol treatment impacts structural and functional plasticity in sensory cortices, we examined the acute effect of 17α-Estradiol in adult Long Evans rats following chronic monocular deprivation, a manipulation that reduces the strength and selectivity of deprived eye vision. Chronic monocular deprivation decreased thalamic input from the deprived eye to the binocular visual cortex and accelerated short-term depression of the deprived eye pathway, but did not change the density of excitatory synapses in primary visual cortex. Importantly, we found that the classical estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ were robustly expressed in the adult visual cortex, and that a single dose of 17α-Estradiol reduced the expression of the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin, decreased the integrity of the extracellular matrix and increased the size of excitatory postsynaptic densities. Furthermore, 17α-Estradiol enhanced experience-dependent plasticity in the amblyopic visual cortex, by promoting response potentiation of the pathway served by the non-deprived eye. The promotion of plasticity at synapses serving the non-deprived eye may reflect selectivity for synapses with an initially low probability of neurotransmitter release, and may inform strategies to remap spared inputs around a scotoma or a cortical infarct.
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Postmenopausal hormone treatment alters neural pathways but does not improve verbal cognitive function. Menopause 2019; 25:1424-1431. [PMID: 29994967 DOI: 10.1097/gme.0000000000001157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive outcomes in trials of postmenopausal hormone treatment have been inconsistent. Differing outcomes may be attributed to hormone formulation, treatment duration and timing, and differential cognitive domain effects. We previously demonstrated treatment benefits on visual cognitive function. In the present study, we describe the effects of hormone treatment on verbal outcomes in the same women, seeking to understand the effects of prior versus current hormone treatment on verbal function. METHODS This is a cross-sectional evaluation of 57 women (38 hormone users [25 prior long-term users and 13 current users] and 19 never-users). Hormone users took identical formulations of estrogen or estrogen + progestin (0.625 mg/d conjugated equine estrogens with or without medroxyprogesterone acetate) for at least 10 years, beginning within 2 years of menopause. Women were evaluated with tests of verbal function and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of a verbal discrimination task. RESULTS All women scored similarly on assessments of verbal function (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and a verbal discrimination task performed during the fMRI scanning session); however, women ever treated with hormones had more left inferior frontal (T = 3.72; P < 0.001) and right prefrontal cortex (T = 3.53; P < 0.001) activation during the verbal task. Hormone-treated women performed slightly worse on the verbal discrimination task (mean accuracy 81.72 ± 11.57 ever-treated, 85.30 ± 5.87 never-treated, P = 0.14), took longer to respond (mean reaction time 1.10 ± 0.17 s ever-treated, 1.02 ± 0.11 never-treated, P = 0.03), and remembered fewer previously viewed words (mean accuracy 62.21 ± 8.73 ever-treated, 65.45 ± 7.49 never-treated, P = 0.18). Increased posterior cingulate activity was associated with longer response times (R = 0.323, P = 0.015) and worse delayed verbal recall (R = -0.328, P = 0.048), suggesting that increased activation was associated with less efficient cognitive processing. We did not detect between group differences in activation in the left prefrontal cortex, superior frontal cortex, thalamus, or occipital/parietal junction. CONCLUSIONS Although current and past hormone treatment was associated with differences in neural pathways used during verbal discrimination, verbal function was not higher than never-users.
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