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Long X, Deng B, Shen R, Yang L, Chen L, Ran Q, Du X, Zhang SJ. Border cells without theta rhythmicity in the medial prefrontal cortex. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2321614121. [PMID: 38857401 PMCID: PMC11194599 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2321614121] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a key brain structure for higher cognitive functions such as decision-making and goal-directed behavior, many of which require awareness of spatial variables including one's current position within the surrounding environment. Although previous studies have reported spatially tuned activities in mPFC during memory-related trajectory, the spatial tuning of mPFC network during freely foraging behavior remains elusive. Here, we reveal geometric border or border-proximal representations from the neural activity of mPFC ensembles during naturally exploring behavior, with both allocentric and egocentric boundary responses. Unlike most of classical border cells in the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) discharging along a single wall, a large majority of border cells in mPFC fire particularly along four walls. mPFC border cells generate new firing fields to external insert, and remain stable under darkness, across distinct shapes, and in novel environments. In contrast to hippocampal theta entrainment during spatial working memory tasks, mPFC border cells rarely exhibited theta rhythmicity during spontaneous locomotion behavior. These findings reveal spatially modulated activity in mPFC, supporting local computation for cognitive functions involving spatial context and contributing to a broad spatial tuning property of cortical circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Bin Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Rui Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Qingxia Ran
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
| | - Sheng-Jia Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing400037, China
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2
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Lin YH, Lou J, Xia Y, Chaudhuri O. Crosslinker Architectures Impact Viscoelasticity in Dynamic Covalent Hydrogels. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.07.593040. [PMID: 38766044 PMCID: PMC11100722 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.07.593040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic covalent crosslinked (DCC) hydrogels represent a significant advance in biomaterials for regenerative medicine and mechanobiology. These gels typically offer viscoelasticity and self-healing properties that more closely mimic in vivo tissue mechanics than traditional, predominantly elastic, covalent crosslinked hydrogels. Despite their promise, the effects of varying crosslinker architecture - side chain versus telechelic crosslinks - on the viscoelastic properties of DCC hydrogels have not been thoroughly investigated. This study introduces hydrazone-based alginate hydrogels and examines how side-chain and telechelic crosslinker architectures impact hydrogel viscoelasticity and stiffness. In hydrogels with side-chain crosslinking (SCX), higher polymer concentrations enhance stiffness and decelerates stress relaxation, while an off-stoichiometric hydrazine-to-aldehyde ratio leads to reduced stiffness and shorter relaxation time. In hydrogels with telechelic crosslinking, maximal stiffness and slowest stress relaxation occurs at intermediate crosslinker concentrations for both linear and star crosslinkers, with higher crosslinker valency further increasing stiffness and relaxation time. Our result suggested different ranges of stiffness and stress relaxation are accessible with the different crosslinker architectures, with SCX hydrogels leading to slower stress relaxation relative to the other architectures, and hydrogels with star crosslinking (SX) providing increased stiffness and slower stress relaxation relative to hydrogels with linear crosslinking (LX). The mechanical properties of SX hydrogels are more robust to changes induced by competing chemical reactions compared to LX hydrogels. Our research underscores the pivotal role of crosslinker architecture in defining hydrogel stiffness and viscoelasticity, providing crucial insights for the design of DCC hydrogels with tailored mechanical properties for specific biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Hao Lin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Junzhe Lou
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yan Xia
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ovijit Chaudhuri
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Xu M, Lin R, Wen H, Wang Y, Wong J, Peng Z, Liu L, Nie B, Luo J, Tang X, Cui S. Electroacupuncture Enhances the Functional Connectivity of Limbic System to Neocortex in the 5xFAD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuroscience 2024; 544:28-38. [PMID: 38423162 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Our previous study revealed that acupuncture may exhibit therapeutic effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) through the activation of metabolism in memory-related brain regions. However, the underlying functional mechanism remains poorly understood and warrants further investigation. In this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) to explore the potential effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. We found that the EA group exhibited significant improvements in the number of platforms crossed and the time spent in the target quadrant when compared with the Model group (p < 0.05). The functional connectivity (FC) of left hippocampus (Hip) was enhanced significantly among 12 regions of interest (ROIs) in the EA group (p < 0.05). Based on the left Hip as the seed point, the rsfMRI analysis of the entire brain revealed increased FC between the limbic system and the neocortex in the 5xFAD mice after EA treatment. Additionally, the expression of amyloid-β(Aβ) protein and deposition in the Hip showed a downward trend in the EA group compared to the Model group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings indicate that EA treatment can improve the learning and memory abilities and inhibit the expression of Aβ protein and deposition of 5xFAD mice. This improvement may be attributed to the enhancement of the resting-state functional activity and connectivity within the limbic-neocortical neural circuit, which are crucial for cognition, motor function, as well as spatial learning and memory abilities in AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China.
| | - Run Lin
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Huaneng Wen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China; The Third School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixiao Wang
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - John Wong
- MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhihua Peng
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen 518100, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Xiaoyu Tang
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Shaoyang Cui
- Shenzhen Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Futian), Shenzhen 518034, China.
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Parra-Barrero E, Vijayabaskaran S, Seabrook E, Wiskott L, Cheng S. A map of spatial navigation for neuroscience. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105200. [PMID: 37178943 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105200] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Spatial navigation has received much attention from neuroscientists, leading to the identification of key brain areas and the discovery of numerous spatially selective cells. Despite this progress, our understanding of how the pieces fit together to drive behavior is generally lacking. We argue that this is partly caused by insufficient communication between behavioral and neuroscientific researchers. This has led the latter to under-appreciate the relevance and complexity of spatial behavior, and to focus too narrowly on characterizing neural representations of space-disconnected from the computations these representations are meant to enable. We therefore propose a taxonomy of navigation processes in mammals that can serve as a common framework for structuring and facilitating interdisciplinary research in the field. Using the taxonomy as a guide, we review behavioral and neural studies of spatial navigation. In doing so, we validate the taxonomy and showcase its usefulness in identifying potential issues with common experimental approaches, designing experiments that adequately target particular behaviors, correctly interpreting neural activity, and pointing to new avenues of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloy Parra-Barrero
- Institute for Neural Computation, Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sandhiya Vijayabaskaran
- Institute for Neural Computation, Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Eddie Seabrook
- Institute for Neural Computation, Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Laurenz Wiskott
- Institute for Neural Computation, Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sen Cheng
- Institute for Neural Computation, Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany; International Graduate School of Neuroscience, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Keshavarzi S, Velez-Fort M, Margrie TW. Cortical Integration of Vestibular and Visual Cues for Navigation, Visual Processing, and Perception. Annu Rev Neurosci 2023; 46:301-320. [PMID: 37428601 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-120722-100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite increasing evidence of its involvement in several key functions of the cerebral cortex, the vestibular sense rarely enters our consciousness. Indeed, the extent to which these internal signals are incorporated within cortical sensory representation and how they might be relied upon for sensory-driven decision-making, during, for example, spatial navigation, is yet to be understood. Recent novel experimental approaches in rodents have probed both the physiological and behavioral significance of vestibular signals and indicate that their widespread integration with vision improves both the cortical representation and perceptual accuracy of self-motion and orientation. Here, we summarize these recent findings with a focus on cortical circuits involved in visual perception and spatial navigation and highlight the major remaining knowledge gaps. We suggest that vestibulo-visual integration reflects a process of constant updating regarding the status of self-motion, and access to such information by the cortex is used for sensory perception and predictions that may be implemented for rapid, navigation-related decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepiedeh Keshavarzi
- The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University College London, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Mateo Velez-Fort
- The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University College London, London, United Kingdom;
| | - Troy W Margrie
- The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behavior, University College London, London, United Kingdom;
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Jiang C, Liu J, Ni Y, Qu S, Liu L, Li Y, Yang L, Xu W. Mammalian-brain-inspired neuromorphic motion-cognition nerve achieves cross-modal perceptual enhancement. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1344. [PMID: 36906637 PMCID: PMC10008641 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36935-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Perceptual enhancement of neural and behavioral response due to combinations of multisensory stimuli are found in many animal species across different sensory modalities. By mimicking the multisensory integration of ocular-vestibular cues for enhanced spatial perception in macaques, a bioinspired motion-cognition nerve based on a flexible multisensory neuromorphic device is demonstrated. A fast, scalable and solution-processed fabrication strategy is developed to prepare a nanoparticle-doped two-dimensional (2D)-nanoflake thin film, exhibiting superior electrostatic gating capability and charge-carrier mobility. The multi-input neuromorphic device fabricated using this thin film shows history-dependent plasticity, stable linear modulation, and spatiotemporal integration capability. These characteristics ensure parallel, efficient processing of bimodal motion signals encoded as spikes and assigned with different perceptual weights. Motion-cognition function is realized by classifying the motion types using mean firing rates of encoded spikes and postsynaptic current of the device. Demonstrations of recognition of human activity types and drone flight modes reveal that the motion-cognition performance match the bio-plausible principles of perceptual enhancement by multisensory integration. Our system can be potentially applied in sensory robotics and smart wearables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengpeng Jiang
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China.,Research Center for Intelligent Sensing, Zhejiang Lab, Hangzhou, 311100, China
| | - Jiaqi Liu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yao Ni
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Shangda Qu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Yue Li
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Lu Yang
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Wentao Xu
- Institute of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology, Key Laboratory of Photoelectronic Thin Film Devices and Technology of Tianjin, College of Electronic Information and Optical Engineering, Engineering Research Center of Thin Film Photoelectronic Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China. .,Shenzhen Research Institute of Nankai University, Shenzhen, 518000, China.
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Chen ZS, Zhang X, Long X, Zhang SJ. Are Grid-Like Representations a Component of All Perception and Cognition? Front Neural Circuits 2022; 16:924016. [PMID: 35911570 PMCID: PMC9329517 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2022.924016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Grid cells or grid-like responses have been reported in the rodent, bat and human brains during various spatial and non-spatial tasks. However, the functions of grid-like representations beyond the classical hippocampal formation remain elusive. Based on accumulating evidence from recent rodent recordings and human fMRI data, we make speculative accounts regarding the mechanisms and functional significance of the sensory cortical grid cells and further make theory-driven predictions. We argue and reason the rationale why grid responses may be universal in the brain for a wide range of perceptual and cognitive tasks that involve locomotion and mental navigation. Computational modeling may provide an alternative and complementary means to investigate the grid code or grid-like map. We hope that the new discussion will lead to experimentally testable hypotheses and drive future experimental data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Sage Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Zhe Sage Chen
| | - Xiaohan Zhang
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Xiaoyang Long
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Sheng-Jia Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Sheng-Jia Zhang
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