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Silva-Almeida C, Muniz SCA, Jobim CMN, Laureano-Melo R, Lau RS, Costa CRM, Côrtes WS, Malvar DC, Reis LC, Mecawi AS, Rocha FF. Perinatal environmental enrichment changes anxiety-like behaviours in mice and produces similar intergenerational benefits in offspring. Behav Brain Res 2024; 456:114700. [PMID: 37802391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114700] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment implemented in early life is able to induce long-term changes in gene expression, synaptic function and behavioural responses. In this study, we evaluated the adult behavioural effects of perinatal environment enrichment in male and female mice (PEE), as well as the males and females of PEE male offspring (OPEE). For this purpose, animals were submitted to the following battery of behavioural analyses: elevated plus maze, open field test, light-dark box and novelty suppression feeding test. The frontal cortex and ventral hippocampus of PEE mice were collected for the evaluation of the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-related genes. The PEE animals showed an increase in exploratory activity, associated with a reduction in anxiety-like behaviours on the elevated plus maze; this effect was mainly observed in males. Additionally, the male OPEE showed a reduction in anxiety-like behaviours on the elevated plus maze, mainly observed in a reduction of risk assessment-related behaviours. The PEE male mice also showed reduced expression of Gabra3 in the ventral hippocampus when compared to the control group. These results demonstrate that perinatal environmental enrichment promotes a reduction in anxiety-like behaviour that can be transferred intergenerationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Silva-Almeida
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Medicine of State University of Maringá, Umuarama, Brazil
| | - S C A Muniz
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - C M N Jobim
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - R Laureano-Melo
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil; Behavioral Physiopharmacology Laboratory, Barra Mansa Center University, Barra Mansa, Brazil
| | - R S Lau
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - C R M Costa
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - W S Côrtes
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences of Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - D C Malvar
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences of Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - L C Reis
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences of Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil
| | - A S Mecawi
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroendocrinology, Department of Biophysics of Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F F Rocha
- Multicenter Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro/Brazilian Society of Physiology, Seropédica, Brazil; Department of Physiological Sciences of Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, Brazil.
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Alarcón TA, Presti-Silva SM, Simões APT, Ribeiro FM, Pires RGW. Molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection of environmental enrichment in Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1450-1456. [PMID: 36571341 PMCID: PMC10075132 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the most common movement disorder, affecting about 1% of the population over the age of 60 years. Parkinson's disease is characterized clinically by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability, as a result of the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. In addition to this neuronal cell loss, Parkinson's disease is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, composed primarily of the protein α-synuclein. Although it was first described almost 200 years ago, there are no disease-modifying drugs to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. In addition to conventional therapies, non-pharmacological treatment strategies are under investigation in patients and animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. Among such strategies, environmental enrichment, comprising physical exercise, cognitive stimulus, and social interactions, has been assessed in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease. Environmental enrichment can cause structural and functional changes in the brain and promote neurogenesis and dendritic growth by modifying gene expression, enhancing the expression of neurotrophic factors and modulating neurotransmission. In this review article, we focus on the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental enrichment neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease, highlighting its influence on the dopaminergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic systems, as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors. We describe experimental pre-clinical data showing how environmental enrichment can act as a modulator in a neurochemical and behavioral context in different animal models of Parkinson's disease, highlighting the potential of environmental enrichment as an additional strategy in the management and prevention of this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Andrea Alarcón
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Sarah Martins Presti-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniato Simões
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Mara Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rita Gomes Wanderley Pires
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
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Rubinstein MR, Burgueño AL, Quiroga S, Wald MR, Genaro AM. Current Understanding of the Roles of Gut-Brain Axis in the Cognitive Deficits Caused by Perinatal Stress Exposure. Cells 2023; 12:1735. [PMID: 37443769 PMCID: PMC10340286 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131735] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The term 'perinatal environment' refers to the period surrounding birth, which plays a crucial role in brain development. It has been suggested that dynamic communication between the neuro-immune system and gut microbiota is essential in maintaining adequate brain function. This interaction depends on the mother's status during pregnancy and/or the newborn environment. Here, we show experimental and clinical evidence that indicates that the perinatal period is a critical window in which stress-induced immune activation and altered microbiota compositions produce lasting behavioral consequences, although a clear causative relationship has not yet been established. In addition, we discuss potential early treatments for preventing the deleterious effect of perinatal stress exposure. In this sense, early environmental enrichment exposure (including exercise) and melatonin use in the perinatal period could be valuable in improving the negative consequences of early adversities. The evidence presented in this review encourages the realization of studies investigating the beneficial role of melatonin administration and environmental enrichment exposure in mitigating cognitive alteration in offspring under perinatal stress exposure. On the other hand, direct evidence of microbiota restoration as the main mechanism behind the beneficial effects of this treatment has not been fully demonstrated and should be explored in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Roxana Rubinstein
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
| | | | | | | | - Ana María Genaro
- Laboratorio de Psiconeuroendocrinoinmunologia, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)—Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina, Buenos Aires C1107AFF, Argentina; (A.L.B.); (S.Q.); (M.R.W.)
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Wang J, Wang J, Wang Y, Chai Y, Li H, Miao D, Liu H, Li J, Bao J. Music with Different Tones Affects the Development of Brain Nerves in Mice in Early Life through BDNF and Its Downstream Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098119. [PMID: 37175826 PMCID: PMC10179650 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As a means of environmental enrichment, music environment has positive and beneficial effects on biological neural development. Kunming white mice (61 days old) were randomly divided into the control group (group C), the group of D-tone (group D), the group of A-tone (group A) and the group of G-tone (group G). They were given different tonal music stimulation (group A) for 14 consecutive days (2 h/day) to study the effects of tonal music on the neural development of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice in early life and its molecular mechanisms. The results showed that the number of neurons in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice increased, with the cell morphology relatively intact. In addition, the number of dendritic spines and the number of dendritic spines per unit length were significantly higher than those in group C, and the expressions of synaptic plasticity proteins (SYP and PSD95) were also significantly elevated over those in group C. Compared with group C, the expression levels of BDNF, TRKB, CREB, PI3K, AKT, GS3Kβ, PLCγ1, PKC, DAG, ERK and MAPK genes and proteins in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of mice in the music groups were up-regulated, suggesting that different tones of music could regulate neural development through BDNF and its downstream pathways. The enrichment environment of D-tone music is the most suitable tone for promoting the development of brain nerves in early-life mice. Our study provides a basis for screening the optimal tone of neuroplasticity in early-life mice and for the treatment of neurobiology and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jianxing Wang
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yulai Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Yiwen Chai
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Haochen Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Deyang Miao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Honggui Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jianhong Li
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Jun Bao
- College of Life Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
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Arzuaga AL, Edmison DD, Mroczek J, Larson J, Ragozzino ME. Prenatal stress and fluoxetine exposure in mice differentially affect repetitive behaviors and synaptic plasticity in adult male and female offspring. Behav Brain Res 2023; 436:114114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Ni MZ, Zhang YM, Li Y, Wu QT, Zhang ZZ, Chen J, Luo BL, Li XW, Chen GH. Environmental enrichment improves declined cognition induced by prenatal inflammatory exposure in aged CD-1 mice: Role of NGPF2 and PSD-95. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1021237. [PMID: 36479357 PMCID: PMC9720164 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1021237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Research suggests that prenatal inflammatory exposure could accelerate age-related cognitive decline that may be resulted from neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction during aging. Environmental enrichment (EE) may mitigate the cognitive and synaptic deficits. Neurite growth-promoting factor 2 (NGPF2) and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) play critical roles in neuroinflammation and synaptic function, respectively. METHODS We examined whether this adversity and EE exposure can cause alterations in Ngpf2 and Psd-95 expression. In this study, CD-1 mice received intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (50 μg/kg) or normal saline from gestational days 15-17. After weaning, half of the male offspring under each treatment were exposed to EE. The Morris water maze was used to assess spatial learning and memory at 3 and 15 months of age, whereas quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to measure hippocampal mRNA and protein levels of NGPF2 and PSD-95, respectively. Meanwhile, serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS The results showed that aged mice exhibited poor spatial learning and memory ability, elevated NGPF2 mRNA and protein levels, and decreased PSD-95 mRNA and protein levels relative to their young counterparts during natural aging. Embryonic inflammatory exposure accelerated age-related changes in spatial cognition, and in Ngpf2 and Psd-95 expression. Additionally, the levels of Ngpf2 and Psd-95 products were significantly positively and negatively correlated with cognitive dysfunction, respectively, particularly in prenatal inflammation-exposed aged mice. Changes in serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α reflective of systemic inflammation and their correlation with cognitive decline during accelerated aging were similar to those of hippocampal NGPF2. EE exposure could partially restore the accelerated decline in age-related cognitive function and in Psd-95 expression, especially in aged mice. DISCUSSION Overall, the aggravated cognitive disabilities in aged mice may be related to the alterations in Ngpf2 and Psd-95 expression and in systemic state of inflammation due to prenatal inflammatory exposure, and long-term EE exposure may ameliorate this cognitive impairment by upregulating Psd-95 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Zhu Ni
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yue-Ming Zhang
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Qi-Tao Wu
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhe-Zhe Zhang
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bao-Ling Luo
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xue-Wei Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Gui-Hai Chen
- Department of Neurology (Sleep Disorders), The Affiliated Chaohu Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Améndola L, Weary D, Zobel G. Effects of personality on assessments of anxiety and cognition. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 141:104827. [PMID: 35970418 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Individual variation in responses to commonly used tests of anxiety and spatial memory is often reported. While this variation is frequently considered to be 'noise', evidence suggests that it is, at least partially, related to consistent individual differences in behavioral responses (i.e., personality). The same tests used to assess anxiety are often used to profile personality traits, but personality differences are rarely considered when testing treatment differences in anxiety. Focusing on the rat literature, we describe fundamental principles involved in anxiety and spatial memory tests and we discuss how personality differences and housing conditions can influence behavioral responses in these tests. We propose that an opportunity exists to increase stress resiliency in environmentally sensitive individuals by providing environmental enrichment. We conclude by discussing different approaches to incorporating personality measures into the design and analysis of future studies; given the potential that variation masks research outcomes, we suggest that a strategy which considers the individual and its housing can contribute to improving research reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Améndola
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Daniel Weary
- Animal Welfare Program, University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Gosia Zobel
- Animal Behaviour and Welfare Team, AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, 10 Bisley Road, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand.
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Macartney EL, Lagisz M, Nakagawa S. The Relative Benefits of Environmental Enrichment on Learning and Memory are Greater When Stressed: A Meta-analysis of Interactions in Rodents. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 135:104554. [PMID: 35149103 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment ("EE") is expected to alleviate the negative effects of stress on cognitive performance. However, there are complexities associated with interpreting interactions that obscure determining the benefit EE may play in mitigating the negative effects of stress. To clarify these complexities, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis on the main and interactive effects of EE and stress on learning and memory in rodents. We show that EE and stress interact 'synergistically' where EE provides a greater relative benefit to stressed individuals compared to those reared in conventional housing. Importantly, EE can fully-compensate for the negative effects of stress where stressed individuals with EE performed equally to enriched individuals without a stress manipulation. Additionally, we show the importance of other mediating factors, including the order of treatment exposure, duration and type of stress, type of EE, and type of cognitive assays used. This study not only quantifies the interactions between EE and stress, but also provides a clear example for how to conduct and interpret meta-analysis of interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Macartney
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Kensington Campus, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052.
| | - Malgorzata Lagisz
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Kensington Campus, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052
| | - Shinichi Nakagawa
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Kensington Campus, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052
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