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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Kuznetsova M, Li S, Connell S, Choo JM, Rogers GB, Gubert C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Experience-dependent grooming microstructure alterations and gastrointestinal dysfunction in the SAPAP3 knockout mouse model of compulsive behaviour. J Affect Disord 2024; 363:520-531. [PMID: 39043310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.143] [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: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsive- and anxiety-like behaviour can be efficiently modelled in SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice, a preclinical model of relevance to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although there is emerging evidence in the clinical literature of gastrointestinal dysfunction in OCD, no previous studies have investigated gut function in preclinical models of relevance to OCD. Similarly, the effects of voluntary exercise (EX) or environmental enrichment (EE) have not yet been explored in this context. METHOD We comprehensively phenotyped the SAPAP3 KO mouse model, including the assessment of grooming microstructure, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviour, and gastrointestinal function. Mice were exposed to either standard housing (SH), exercise (EX, provided by giving mice access to running wheels), or environmental enrichment (EE) for 4 weeks to investigate the effects of enriched housing conditions in this animal model relevant to OCD. FINDINGS Our study is the first to assess grooming microstructure, perseverative locomotor activity, and gastrointestinal function in SAPAP3 KO mice. We are also the first to report a sexually dimorphic effect of grooming in young-adult SAPAP3 KO mice; along with changes to grooming patterning and indicators of gut dysfunction, which occurred in the absence of gut dysbiosis in this model. Overall, we found no beneficial effects of voluntary exercise or environmental enrichment interventions in this mouse model; and unexpectedly, we revealed a deleterious effect of wheel-running exercise on grooming behaviour. We suspect that the detrimental effects of experimental housing in our study may be indicative of off-target effects of stress-a conclusion that warrants further investigation into the effects of chronic stress in this preclinical model of compulsive behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Maria Kuznetsova
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sasha Connell
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jocelyn M Choo
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Geraint B Rogers
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Carolina Gubert
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Gajdošová L, Katrenčíková B, Borbélyová V, Muchová J. The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation and Exercise on Locomotor Activity, Exploratory Activity, and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Adult and Aged Rats. Physiol Res 2024; 73:461-480. [PMID: 39012176 PMCID: PMC11299774 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935245] [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: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is an inevitable and complex biological process that is associated with a gradual decline in physiological functions and a higher disease susceptibility. Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid, play a crucial role in maintaining brain health and their deficiency is linked to age-related cognitive decline. Combining omega-3-rich diets with exercise may enhance cognitive function more effectively, as both share overlapping neurobiological and physiological effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of exercise and omega-3 fatty acid (FA) supplementation in two different doses (160 mg/kg and 320 mg/kg) on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive abilities in both adult and aged rats. Male Wistar rats (4-5- and 23-24-month-old) were randomly divided into seven groups: 3-week control supplemented with placebo without exercise, low-dose omega-3 FAs, high-dose omega-3 FAs, 7-week control supplemented with placebo without exercise, exercise-only, low-dose omega-3 FAs with exercise, and high-dose omega-3 FAs with exercise. The administered oil contained omega-3 FAs with DHA:EPA in a ratio of 1.5:1. Our results indicate that aging negatively impacts the locomotor and exploratory activity of rats. In adult rats, a low dose of omega-3 FAs reduces locomotor activity when combined with exercise while high dose of omega-3 FAs reduces anxiety-like behavior and improves recognition memory when combined with exercise. The combination of omega-3 FAs and exercise had varying impacts on behavior, suggesting a need for further research in this area to fully understand their therapeutic efficacy in the context of cognitive changes associated with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gajdošová
- Institute of Medical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Sasinkova 2, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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Caruso MG, Nicolas S, Lucassen PJ, Mul JD, O’Leary OF, Nolan YM. Ageing, Cognitive Decline, and Effects of Physical Exercise: Complexities, and Considerations from Animal Models. Brain Plast 2024; 9:43-73. [PMID: 38993577 PMCID: PMC11234681 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-230157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In our ageing global population, the cognitive decline associated with dementia and neurodegenerative diseases represents a major healthcare problem. To date, there are no effective treatments for age-related cognitive impairment, thus preventative strategies are urgently required. Physical exercise is gaining traction as a non-pharmacological approach to promote brain health. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), a unique form of brain plasticity which is necessary for certain cognitive functions declines with age and is enhanced in response to exercise. Accumulating evidence from research in rodents suggests that physical exercise has beneficial effects on cognition through its proneurogenic capabilities. Given ethical and technical limitations in human studies, preclinical research in rodents is crucial for a better understanding of such exercise-induced brain and behavioural changes. In this review, exercise paradigms used in preclinical research are compared. We provide an overview of the effects of different exercise paradigms on age-related cognitive decline from middle-age until older-age. We discuss the relationship between the age-related decrease in AHN and the potential impact of exercise on mitigating this decline. We highlight the emerging literature on the impact of exercise on gut microbiota during ageing and consider the role of the gut-brain axis as a future possible strategy to optimize exercise-enhanced cognitive function. Finally, we propose a guideline for designing optimal exercise protocols in rodent studies, which would inform clinical research and contribute to developing preventative strategies for age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Caruso
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Sarah Nicolas
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Paul J. Lucassen
- Brain Plasticity group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joram D. Mul
- Brain Plasticity group, Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Urban Mental Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Olivia F. O’Leary
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Yvonne M. Nolan
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
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Jaehne EJ, Corrone M, van den Buuse M. Administering a Behavioral Test Battery in Rodents. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2746:87-100. [PMID: 38070082 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3585-8_7] [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] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Although animal models cannot broadly represent uniquely human psychiatric or psychological syndromes such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia, behavioral testing in rodents can be extremely helpful to investigate specific disease aspects and symptoms. Animal behavioral test batteries allow researchers to reveal specific behavioral changes in genetically modified mice or following targeted treatments or in response to environmental interventions. Examples of types of behaviors that can be combined in a test battery include anxiety-like behavior, learning and memory, depression-relevant behavior, social interaction, and locomotor hyperactivity. Here, we describe several commonly used and relatively simple behavioral tests which can be combined in the same cohort of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Jaehne
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Michelle Corrone
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Jaehne EJ, Antolasic EJ, Creutzberg KC, Begni V, Riva MA, van den Buuse M. Impaired fear memory in a rat model of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Val66Met polymorphism is reversed by chronic exercise. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2023; 203:107779. [PMID: 37269900 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107779] [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: 10/25/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met polymorphism is associated with reduced activity-dependent BDNF release in the brain and has been implicated in fear and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Exercise has been shown to have benefits in affective disorders but the role of BDNF Val66Met remains unclear. Male and female BDNF Val66Met rats were housed in automated running-wheel cages from weaning while controls were housed in standard cages. During adulthood, all rats underwent standard three-day fear conditioning testing, with three tone/shock pairings on day 1 (acquisition), and extinction learning and memory (40 tones/session) on day 2 and day 3. Expression of BDNF and stress-related genes were measured in the frontal cortex. Extinction testing on day 2 revealed significantly lower freezing in response to initial cue exposure in control Met/Met rats, reflecting impaired fear memory. This deficit was reversed in both male and female Met/Met rats exposed to exercise. There were no genotype effects on acquisition or extinction of fear, however chronic exercise increased freezing in all groups at every stage of testing. Exercise furthermore led to increased expression of Bdnf in the prefrontal cortex of females and its isoforms in both sexes, as well as increased expression of FK506 binding protein 51 (Fkpb5) in females and decreased expression of Serum/glucocorticoid-regulated kinase (Sgk1) in males independent of genotype. These results show that the Met/Met genotype of the Val66Met polymorphism affects fear memory, and that chronic exercise selectively reverses this genotype effect. Chronic exercise also led to an overall increase in freezing in all genotypes which may contribute to results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Jaehne
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emily J Antolasic
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kerstin C Creutzberg
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Begni
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco A Riva
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; Biological Psychiatry Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia.
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