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Lee C, Woo C, Ma GR, Choi K, Kang SJ, Shin KS. Involvement of posterior hypothalamic CaMKII-positive neurons in ADHD-like behaviors in mice. Mol Brain 2024; 17:51. [PMID: 39103932 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-024-01122-5] [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: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
This study explores the behavioral effects of modulating CaMKII-positive (CaMKII+) neurons in the posterior hypothalamus (PH). Utilizing a chemogenetic approach in mice, we discovered that the activation of CaMKII + neurons within the PH is associated with heightened locomotor activity, reduced social interaction, and impulsive behavior unrelated to anxiety or avoidance. These observed behaviors share a significant resemblance with characteristics commonly found in attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Notably, treatment with clonidine, which is frequently prescribed for ADHD, effectively reduced impulsive behaviors in our mouse model. Our findings uncover the role of the PH that has not been previously explored and suggest a possible involvement of the PH in the manifestation of ADHD-like behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changwoo Lee
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Changsu Woo
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Ryeong Ma
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuhyun Choi
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shin Jung Kang
- Department of Integrative Bioscience and Biotechnology, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Soon Shin
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Puzzo C, Festucci F, Curcio G, Gigantesco A, Adriani W. Exploring transgenerational inheritance in epigenotypes of DAT heterozygous rats: Circadian anomalies and attentional vulnerability. Behav Brain Res 2024; 464:114921. [PMID: 38408522 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114921] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is mainly involved in locomotor activity, reward processes and maternal behaviors. Rats with KO gene for dopamine transporter (DAT), coding for a truncated DAT protein, are in hyperdopaminergic conditions and thus develop stereotyped behaviors and hyperactivity. Our aim was to test the prior transgenerational modulation of wild and truncated alleles as expressed in heterozygous DAT rats: specifically, we addressed the possible sequelae due to genotype and gender of the ancestors, with regard to behavioral differences in F1, F2, F3 rats. We studied non-classical DAT heterozygotes (HETs) based on two specular lines, with putative grand-maternal vs. grand-paternal imprinting. MAT females (F1; offspring of KO male and WT female) mated with a KO male to generate MIX offspring (F2). Specularly, PAT females (F1; offspring of KO female and WT male) mated with a KO male to generate PIX offspring (F2). Similarly to PAT, we obtained MUX (F2; HET offspring of MAT sire and KO dam); we also observed the F3 (MYX: HET offspring of KO male and MUX female, thus with DAT-KO maternal grandmother like also for PIX). We studied their circadian cycle of locomotor activity and their behavior in the elevated-plus-maze (EPM). Locomotor hyper-activity occurs in F1, the opposite occurs in F2, with MYX rats appearing undistinguishable from WT ones. Open-arm preference emerged in PIX and MIX rats. Only MAT and MYX rats showed a significant vulnerability for ADHD-like inattentive symptoms (duration of rearing in the EPM; Viggiano et al., 2002). A risk-taking profile is evident in the F2 phenotype, while inattentiveness from F1 progeny tends to be transferred to F3. We hypothesize that DAT-related phenotypes result from effective inheritance through pedigree of imprints that are dependent on grandparents, suggesting a protective role for gestation within a hyperdopaminergic uterus. For major features, similar odd (F1, F3) generations appear opposed to even (F2) ones; for minor specific features, the phenotype transfer may affect the progenies with a male but not a female DAT-KO ancestor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetto Puzzo
- Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale Uninettuno, Rome, Italy; Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabiana Festucci
- Dept. of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Curcio
- Dept. of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Antonella Gigantesco
- Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Walter Adriani
- Faculty of Psychology, Università Telematica Internazionale Uninettuno, Rome, Italy; Center for Behavioural Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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Ramos A, Granzotto N, Kremer R, Boeder AM, de Araújo JFP, Pereira AG, Izídio GS. Hunting for Genes Underlying Emotionality in the Laboratory Rat: Maps, Tools and Traps. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1840-1863. [PMID: 36056863 PMCID: PMC10514530 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220901154034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientists have systematically investigated the hereditary bases of behaviors since the 19th century, moved by either evolutionary questions or clinically-motivated purposes. The pioneer studies on the genetic selection of laboratory animals had already indicated, one hundred years ago, the immense complexity of analyzing behaviors that were influenced by a large number of small-effect genes and an incalculable amount of environmental factors. Merging Mendelian, quantitative and molecular approaches in the 1990s made it possible to map specific rodent behaviors to known chromosome regions. From that point on, Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analyses coupled with behavioral and molecular techniques, which involved in vivo isolation of relevant blocks of genes, opened new avenues for gene mapping and characterization. This review examines the QTL strategy applied to the behavioral study of emotionality, with a focus on the laboratory rat. We discuss the challenges, advances and limitations of the search for Quantitative Trait Genes (QTG) playing a role in regulating emotionality. For the past 25 years, we have marched the long journey from emotionality-related behaviors to genes. In this context, our experiences are used to illustrate why and how one should move forward in the molecular understanding of complex psychiatric illnesses. The promise of exploring genetic links between immunological and emotional responses are also discussed. New strategies based on humans, rodents and other animals (such as zebrafish) are also acknowledged, as they are likely to allow substantial progress to be made in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Ramos
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Natalli Granzotto
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kremer
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Ariela Maína Boeder
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Julia Fernandez Puñal de Araújo
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Aline Guimarães Pereira
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Geison Souza Izídio
- Behavior Genetics Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Pharmacology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
- Graduate Program of Developmental and Cellular Biology, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
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Dutta CN, Christov-Moore L, Ombao H, Douglas PK. Neuroprotection in late life attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A review of pharmacotherapy and phenotype across the lifespan. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:938501. [PMID: 36226261 PMCID: PMC9548548 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.938501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
For decades, psychostimulants have been the gold standard pharmaceutical treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In the United States, an astounding 9% of all boys and 4% of girls will be prescribed stimulant drugs at some point during their childhood. Recent meta-analyses have revealed that individuals with ADHD have reduced brain volume loss later in life (>60 y.o.) compared to the normal aging brain, which suggests that either ADHD or its treatment may be neuroprotective. Crucially, these neuroprotective effects were significant in brain regions (e.g., hippocampus, amygdala) where severe volume loss is linked to cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Historically, the ADHD diagnosis and its pharmacotherapy came about nearly simultaneously, making it difficult to evaluate their effects in isolation. Certain evidence suggests that psychostimulants may normalize structural brain changes typically observed in the ADHD brain. If ADHD itself is neuroprotective, perhaps exercising the brain, then psychostimulants may not be recommended across the lifespan. Alternatively, if stimulant drugs are neuroprotective, then this class of medications may warrant further investigation for their therapeutic effects. Here, we take a bottom-up holistic approach to review the psychopharmacology of ADHD in the context of recent models of attention. We suggest that future studies are greatly needed to better appreciate the interactions amongst an ADHD diagnosis, stimulant treatment across the lifespan, and structure-function alterations in the aging brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintya Nirvana Dutta
- Biostatistics Group, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
- School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training, and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Leonardo Christov-Moore
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Hernando Ombao
- Biostatistics Group, Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Pamela K. Douglas
- School of Modeling, Simulation, and Training, and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Stanford SC. Animal Models of ADHD? Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2022; 57:363-393. [PMID: 35604570 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2022_342] [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: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To describe animals that express abnormal behaviors as a model of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) implies that the abnormalities are analogous to those expressed by ADHD patients. The diagnostic features of ADHD comprise inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity and so these behaviors are fundamental for validation of any animal model of this disorder. Several experimental interventions such as neurotoxic lesion of neonatal rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), genetic alterations, or selective inbreeding of rodents have produced animals that express each of these impairments to some extent. This article appraises the validity of claims that these procedures have produced a model of ADHD, which is essential if they are to be used to investigate the underlying cause(s) of ADHD and its abnormal neurobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Clare Stanford
- Department of Neuroscience Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, UK.
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Leão AHFF, Meurer YSR, Freitas TA, Medeiros AM, Abílio VC, Izídio GS, Conceição IM, Ribeiro AM, Silva RH. Changes in the mesocorticolimbic pathway after low dose reserpine-treatment in Wistar and Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR): Implications for cognitive deficits in a progressive animal model for Parkinson's disease. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113349. [PMID: 33971246 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Reserpine (RES) is an irreversible inhibitor of VMAT2 used to study Parkinson's disease (PD) and screening for antiparkinsonian treatments in rodents. Recently, the repeated treatment with a low dose of reserpine was proposed as a model capable of emulating progressive neurochemical, motor and non-motor impairments in PD. Conversely, compared to Wistar rats, Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) are resistant to motor changes induced by repeated treatment with a low dose of RES. However, such resistance has not yet been investigated for RES-induced non-motor impairments. We aimed to assess whether SHR would have differential susceptibility to the object recognition deficit induced by repeated low-dose reserpine treatment. We submitted male Wistar and SHR rats to repeated RES treatment (15 s.c. injections of 0.1 mg/kg, every other day) and assessed object memory acquisition and retrieval 48 h after the 6th RES injection (immediately before the appearance of motor impairments). Only RES Wistar rats displayed memory impairment after reserpine treatment. On the other hand, untreated SHR rats displayed object recognition memory deficit, but RES treatment restored such deficits. We also performed immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and α-synuclein (α-syn) 48 h after the last RES injection. In a different set of animals submitted to the same treatment, we quantified DA, 5-HT and products of lipid peroxidation in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HPC). SHR presented increased constitutive levels of DA in the PFC and reduced immunoreactivity to TH in the medial PFC and dorsal HPC. Corroborating the behavioral findings, RES treatment restored those constitutive alterations in SHR. These findings indicate that the neurochemical, molecular and genetic differences in the SHR strain are potentially relevant targets to the study of susceptibility to diseases related to dopaminergic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anderson H F F Leão
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ywlliane S R Meurer
- Memory and Cognition Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Thalma A Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Group of Toxin Action Mode (MATx), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - André M Medeiros
- Center of Health and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-árido, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Vanessa C Abílio
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT-TM, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Geison S Izídio
- Laboratory of Behavioral Genetics, Department of Cellular Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, Brazil
| | - Isaltino M Conceição
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Group of Toxin Action Mode (MATx), Butantan Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Regina H Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Martinat M, Rossitto M, Di Miceli M, Layé S. Perinatal Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Brain Development, Role in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Nutrients 2021; 13:1185. [PMID: 33918517 PMCID: PMC8065891 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids that are provided by dietary intake. Growing evidence suggests that n-3 and n-6 PUFAs are paramount for brain functions. They constitute crucial elements of cellular membranes, especially in the brain. They are the precursors of several metabolites with different effects on inflammation and neuron outgrowth. Overall, long-chain PUFAs accumulate in the offspring brain during the embryonic and post-natal periods. In this review, we discuss how they accumulate in the developing brain, considering the maternal dietary supply, the polymorphisms of genes involved in their metabolism, and the differences linked to gender. We also report the mechanisms linking their bioavailability in the developing brain, their transfer from the mother to the embryo through the placenta, and their role in brain development. In addition, data on the potential role of altered bioavailability of long-chain n-3 PUFAs in the etiologies of neurodevelopmental diseases, such as autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, and schizophrenia, are reviewed.
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Neuropeptidase activity in the frontal cortex of Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with vasoactive drugs: a bilateral study. J Hypertens 2020; 37:612-628. [PMID: 30044313 PMCID: PMC6365296 DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000001884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background and objective: Hypertension can lead to mood disorders that may worsen or ameliorate depending on the type of antihypertensive prescribed. Depression is associated with modifications in basal brain asymmetry particularly that of the frontal cortex, which is involved in blood pressure control. Furthermore, different vasoactive drugs may change the brain's asymmetry in a manner that contributes to cognition status. We studied the bilateral activity of several neuropeptidases in frontal cortex as a reflect of the functional status of certain neuropeptides involved in mood. Methods: Using arylamide derivatives as substrates, we fluorometrically analysed the activity of these enzymes in the left and right frontal cortex of control untreated Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and compared their activities with WKY or SHR treated with the antihypertensive drugs captopril (CAP) and propranolol (PRO) or with the hypertensive N (G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester. SBP was also measured in all WKY and SHR groups. Results: Untreated WKY, WKY treated with CAP or PRO and SHR treated with CAP exhibited normotensive values of SBP. However, WKY treated with N (G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester as well as untreated SHR and SHR treated with PRO and N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester demonstrated hypertensive values of SBP. Changes in the bilateral distribution of neuropeptidases were depending on the strain, the enzyme analysed and the drug used. Normotensive WKY groups (WKY, CAP, PRO) revealed intrahemispheric correlations mainly in the left hemisphere. In contrast, WKY treated with N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester and SHR groups demonstrated intrahemispheric correlations mainly in the right hemisphere. Interhemispheric correlations were mostly observed in WKY as well as in SHR groups with antihypertensive treatments (CAP, PRO). Conclusion: Our results suggest specific brain bilateral patterns of neuropeptidase activities in WKY that change in SHR. This observation may be related to the cognitive disorders that have been described in these animals and that change under antihypertensive or hypertensive drug's treatments.
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Banegas I, Segarra AB, Prieto I, Vives F, de Gasparo M, Duran R, de Dios Luna J, Ramírez-Sánchez M. Asymmetrical response of aminopeptidase A in the medial prefrontal cortex and striatum of 6-OHDA-unilaterally-lesioned Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2019; 182:12-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2019.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Fontana BD, Franscescon F, Rosemberg DB, Norton WH, Kalueff AV, Parker MO. Zebrafish models for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 100:9-18. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Rostron CL, Gaeta V, Brace LR, Dommett EJ. Instrumental conditioning for food reinforcement in the spontaneously hypertensive rat model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:525. [PMID: 29084583 PMCID: PMC5661932 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2857-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The spontaneously hypertensive rat is thought to show good validity as a model of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, in part because of impaired delayed reinforcement behaviour, corresponding to the dynamic developmental theory of the disorder. However, some previous studies may have been confounded use of fluid reward. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the spontaneously hypertensive rat and two comparison strains (Wistar and Wistar Kyoto) using a non-delayed food reinforcement paradigm in an attempt to advance knowledge of basic learnt behaviour in this strain, without potentially confounding reward sensitivity, which could impact on motivation to learn. Rats were trained on a fixed ratio 1 two choice discrimination schedule, extinction, reacquisition and reversal. We also tested non-reinforced spontaneous alternation to facilitate data interpretation. Results The spontaneously hypertensive rat displayed slower shaping and reduced on task activity during task acquisition, contrasting with previous results which indicate either enhanced responding and an impairment only when a delay is used; we suggest several reasons for this. In line with previous work, the same strain exhibited poor extinguishing of behaviour but were not impaired to the same extent on reversal of the discrimination. Finally, non-reinforced alternations on a Y-maze were also reduced in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. Conclusions In sum, the spontaneously hypertensive rat appear to show poor response inhibition in reinforced and non-reinforced contexts. However, impaired response inhibition was reduced during reversal when an opposite response produced food reward alongside presentation of the conditioned stimulus. We discuss the possibility of enhanced attribution of incentive salience to cues in this strain and highlight several points of caution for researchers conducting behavioural assessments using the spontaneously hypertensive rat and their associated comparison strains. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-2857-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire L Rostron
- Dept Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Victoria Gaeta
- Dept Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Louise R Brace
- Dept Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Eleanor J Dommett
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Addison House, Guy's Campus, London, SE1 1UL, UK.
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Aripiprazole and Riluzole treatment alters behavior and neurometabolites in young ADHD rats: a longitudinal 1H-NMR spectroscopy study at 11.7T. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1189. [PMID: 28763063 PMCID: PMC5611734 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Tourette syndrome (TS) as well as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are co-occurring neurodevelopmental diseases that share alterations of frontocortical neurometabolites. In this longitudinal study we investigated the behavioral and neurochemical effects of aripiprazole and riluzole treatment in juvenile spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), a model for ADHD. For neurochemical analysis we employed in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Spectra from voxels located at the central striatum and prefrontal cortex were acquired postnatally from day 35 to 50. In the SHR strain only, treatments reduced repetitive grooming and climbing behavior. The absolute quantification of cerebral metabolites in vivo using localized 1H-MRS at 11.7T showed significant alterations in SHR rats compared to controls (including glutamine, aspartate and total NAA). In addition, drug treatment reduced the majority of the detected metabolites (glutamate and glutamine) in the SHR brain. Our results indicate that the drug treatments might influence the hypothesized 'hyperactive' state of the cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical circuitries of the SHR strain. Furthermore, we could show that behavioral changes correlate with brain region-specific alterations in neurometabolite levels in vivo. These findings should serve as reference for animal studies and for the analysis of neurometabolites in selected human brain regions to further define neurochemical alterations in neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Methylphenidate and Atomoxetine-Responsive Prefrontal Cortical Genetic Overlaps in "Impulsive" SHR/NCrl and Wistar Rats. Behav Genet 2017; 47:564-580. [PMID: 28744604 DOI: 10.1007/s10519-017-9861-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Impulsivity, the predisposition to act prematurely without foresight, is associated with a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Identifying genetic underpinnings of impulsive behavior may help decipher the complex etiology and neurobiological factors of disorders marked by impulsivity. To identify potential genetic factors of impulsivity, we examined common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of adolescent SHR/NCrl and Wistar rats, which showed marked decrease in preference for the large but delayed reward, compared with WKY/NCrl rats, in the delay discounting task. Of these DEGs, we examined drug-responsive transcripts whose mRNA levels were altered following treatment (in SHR/NCrl and Wistar rats) with drugs that alleviate impulsivity, namely, the ADHD medications methylphenidate and atomoxetine. Prefrontal cortical genetic overlaps between SHR/NCrl and Wistar rats in comparison with WKY/NCrl included genes associated with transcription (e.g., Btg2, Fos, Nr4a2), synaptic plasticity (e.g., Arc, Homer2), and neuron apoptosis (Grik2, Nmnat1). Treatment with methylphenidate and/or atomoxetine increased choice of the large, delayed reward in SHR/NCrl and Wistar rats and changed, in varying degrees, mRNA levels of Nr4a2, Btg2, and Homer2, genes with previously described roles in neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by impulsivity. While further studies are required, we dissected potential genetic factors that may influence impulsivity by identifying genetic overlaps in the PFC of "impulsive" SHR/NCrl and Wistar rats. Notably, these are also drug-responsive transcripts which may be studied further as biomarkers to predict response to ADHD drugs, and as potential targets for the development of treatments to improve impulsivity.
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Banegas I, Prieto I, Segarra AB, Vives F, de Gasparo M, Duran R, de Dios Luna J, Ramírez-Sánchez M. Bilateral distribution of enkephalinase activity in the medial prefrontal cortex differs between WKY and SHR rats unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 75:213-218. [PMID: 28232066 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2017] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the basal brain bilateral morphologic, neurochemical and/or functional patterns may be partly responsible for some brain disorders such as those involving mood. WKY and SHR strains as well as 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned animals are validated models for the study of mood disorders. Because dopamine and enkephalins are involved in anxiety-related behaviors, the aim of our study was to analyze enkephalinase activity, assayed as aminopeptidase M activity, in the left and right medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of WKY and SHR treated with saline (sham group) or following left or right intrastriatal injections of the neurotoxic 6-OHDA. Sham left and sham right WKY exhibited a significant left predominance. Left 6-OHDA-lesioned rats inverted the left predominance of sham to right predominance. In right 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, the left predominance in sham right rats disappeared. Sham left as well as sham right SHR did not show any bilateral differences. In contrast, while the left lesion demonstrated a highly significant left predominance, the right lesion showed a slight but significant right predominance. A significant negative correlation between enkephalinase activity of the right mPFC and blood pressure and heart rate was observed only in left-lesioned SHR. Our results demonstrate that unilateral nigrostriatal injections of 6-OHDA influence the bilateral distribution of enkephalinase activity depending on both the side of the lesion and the strain analyzed. These results support the hypothesis that DA pathways may interact asymmetrically with enkephalins in the mPFC and that enkephalinase activity may play a role in the regulatory mechanisms underlying this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Banegas
- Unit of Physiology,Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Isabel Prieto
- Unit of Physiology,Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Ana B Segarra
- Unit of Physiology,Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Francisco Vives
- Institute of Neurosciences, "Federico Olóriz" University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Marc de Gasparo
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Syndrome Adviser, Rue es Planches 5, 2842 Rossemaison, Switzerland
| | - Raquel Duran
- Institute of Neurosciences, "Federico Olóriz" University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Juan de Dios Luna
- Department of Biostatistic, Medical School, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramírez-Sánchez
- Unit of Physiology,Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
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Brace LR, Kraev I, Rostron CL, Stewart MG, Overton PG, Dommett EJ. Auditory responses in a rodent model of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Brain Res 2015; 1629:10-25. [PMID: 26453290 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Revised: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
A central component of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increased distractibility in response to visual and auditory stimuli, which is linked to the superior colliculus (SC). Furthermore, there is now mounting evidence of altered collicular functioning in ADHD and it is proposed that a hyper-responsive SC could mediate symptoms of ADHD, including distractibility. In the present study we conducted a systematic characterisation of the intermediate and deep layers of the SC in the most commonly used and well-validated model of ADHD, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), building on prior work showing increased distractible behaviour in this strain using visual distractors. We examined collicular-dependent orienting behaviour, local field potential (LFP) and multiunit activity (MUA) in response to auditory stimuli in the anaesthetised rat, and morphological measures, in the SHR in comparison to the Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Wistar (WIS). We found no evidence of increased distractibility in the behavioural data but suggest that this may arise due to cochlear hearing loss in the SHR. Furthermore, the electrophysiology data indicate that the SC in the SHR may still be hyper-responsive, normalising the amplitude of auditory responses that would otherwise be reduced due to the hearing impairment. The morphological measures of collicular volume, cell density and ratios did not indicate this potential hyper-responsiveness had a basis at the structural level examined. These findings have implications for future use of the SHR in auditory processing studies and may represent a limitation to the validity of this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise R Brace
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Igor Kraev
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Claire L Rostron
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Michael G Stewart
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Paul G Overton
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - Eleanor J Dommett
- Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA, UK; Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King׳s College London, London SE1 3QD, UK.
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Dela Peña I, Bang M, Lee J, de la Peña JB, Kim BN, Han DH, Noh M, Shin CY, Cheong JH. Common prefrontal cortical gene expression profiles between adolescent SHR/NCrl and WKY/NCrl rats which showed inattention behavior. Behav Brain Res 2015; 291:268-276. [PMID: 26048425 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Factor analyses of attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD) symptoms divide the behavioral symptoms of ADHD into two separate domains, one reflecting inattention and the other, a combination of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Identifying domain-specific genetic risk variants may aid in the discovery of specific biological risk factors for ADHD. In contrast with data available on genes involved in hyperactivity and impulsivity, there is limited information on the genetic influences of inattention. Transcriptional profiling analysis in animal models of disorders may provide an important tool to identify genetic involvement in behavioral phenotypes. To explore some of the potential genetic underpinnings of ADHD inattention, we examined common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the prefrontal cortex of SHR/NCrl, the most validated animal model of ADHD and WKY/NCrl, animal model of ADHD-inattentive type. In contrast with Wistar rats, strain representing the "normal" heterogeneous population, SHR/NCrl and WKY/NCrl showed inattention behavior in the Y-maze task. The common DEGs in the PFC of SHR/NCrl and WKY/NCrl vs. Wistar rats are those involved in transcription (e.g. Creg1, Thrsp, Zeb2), synaptic transmission (e.g. Atp2b2, Syt12, Chrna5), neurological system process (e.g. Atg7, Cacnb4, Grin3a), and immune response (e.g. Atg7, Ip6k2, Mx2). qRT-PCR analyses validated expression patterns of genes representing the major functional gene families among the DEGs (Grin3a, Thrsp, Vof-16 and Zeb2). Although further studies are warranted, the present findings indicate novel genes associated with known functional pathways of relevance to ADHD which are assumed to play important roles in the etiology of ADHD-inattentive subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ike Dela Peña
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongreung-2-dong, Hwarangro-815, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, Loma Linda University, CA 92350, USA.
| | - Minji Bang
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhee Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - June Bryan de la Peña
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongreung-2-dong, Hwarangro-815, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Bung-Nyun Kim
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 28 Yungundong, Chongrogu, Seoul 110-744, Republic of Korea
| | - Doug Hyun Han
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung-Ang University Medical School, 102 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-755, Republic of Korea
| | - Minsoo Noh
- Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Cheong
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongreung-2-dong, Hwarangro-815, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-742, Republic of Korea.
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Abstract
In addition to the symptoms singled out by the diagnostic criteria for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a comprehensive definition should inform us of the events that trigger ADHD in both its acute and chronic manifestations; the neurobiology that underlies it; and the evolutionary forces that have kept it in the germ line of our species. These factors are organized in terms of Aristotle's four kinds of "causes," or explanations: formal, efficient, material, and final. This framework systematizes the nosology, biology, psychology, and evolutionary pressures that cause ADHD.
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Litteljohn D, Nelson E, Hayley S. IFN-γ differentially modulates memory-related processes under basal and chronic stressor conditions. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:391. [PMID: 25477784 PMCID: PMC4238410 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are inflammatory messengers that orchestrate the brain’s response to immunological challenges, as well as possibly even toxic and psychological insults. We previously reported that genetic ablation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), attenuated some of the corticosteroid, cytokine, and limbic dopaminergic variations induced by 6 weeks of exposure to an unpredictable psychologically relevant stressor. Presently, we sought to determine whether a lack of IFN-γ would likewise modify the impact of chronic stress on hippocampus-dependent memory function and related neurotransmitter and neurotrophin signaling systems. As predicted, chronic stress impaired spatial recognition memory (Y-maze task) in the wild-type animals. In contrast, though the IFN-γ knockouts (KOs) showed memory disturbances in the basal state, under conditions of chronic stress these mice actually exhibited facilitated memory performance. Paralleling these findings, while overall the KOs displayed altered noradrenergic and/or serotonergic activity in the hippocampus and locus coeruleus, norepinephrine utilization in both of these memory-related brain regions was selectively increased among the chronically stressed KOs. However, contrary to our expectations, neither IFN-γ deletion nor chronic stressor exposure significantly affected nucleus accumbens dopaminergic neurotransmission or hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein expression. These findings add to a growing body of evidence implicating cytokines in the often differential regulation of neurobehavioral processes in health and disease. Whereas in the basal state IFN-γ appears to be involved in sustaining memory function and the activity of related brain monoamine systems, in the face of ongoing psychologically relevant stress the cytokine may, in fact, act to restrict potentially adaptive central noradrenergic and spatial memory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darcy Litteljohn
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Eric Nelson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shawn Hayley
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University Ottawa, ON, Canada
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dela Peña I, de la Peña JB, Kim BN, Han DH, Noh M, Cheong JH. Gene expression profiling in the striatum of amphetamine-treated spontaneously hypertensive rats which showed amphetamine conditioned place preference and self-administration. Arch Pharm Res 2014; 38:865-75. [PMID: 25163681 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-014-0470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most commonly diagnosed neurobehavioral disorder of childhood, is usually treated with psychostimulants (e.g., amphetamine). Little is known about the neuronal and behavioral consequences of chronic amphetamine use or abuse in individuals with ADHD. Of all ADHD animal models, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) is the most validated and widely used. Here, we analyzed striatal transcriptomes in amphetamine-pretreated SHRs (5 mg/kg, i.p. for 7 days [twice daily]), which showed a conditioned place preference to and self-administration of amphetamine. Microarray analyses revealed increased mRNA expression of 55 genes (>1.65-fold increase), while 17 genes were downregulated (<0.6-fold) in the striatum of SHRs. The main functional categories overrepresented among the differentially expressed genes in the striatum include those involved in transcription (e.g., Cebpb, Per2), genes associated with angiogenesis (e.g., Kdr, Klf5), cell adhesion (e.g., Col11a1, Ctgf), apoptosis (e.g., Nfkbia, Perp) and neuronal development (e.g., Egr2, Nr4a3). In conclusion, we dissected the striatal transcriptional responses to the reinforcing effects of repeated amphetamine treatment in the SHR model of ADHD. Future studies should determine the influence of these altered transcripts on amphetamine reinforcement in amphetamine-treated SHRs, and the clinical relevance of the present findings with regard to amphetamine use/abuse in ADHD individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ike dela Peña
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongreung-2-dong, Hwarangro-815, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 139-742, Korea
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20
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Dommett EJ. Using the five-choice serial reaction time task to examine the effects of atomoxetine and methylphenidate in the male spontaneously hypertensive rat. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2014; 124:196-203. [PMID: 24933335 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2014.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Revised: 04/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder and is normally treated with either stimulant or non-stimulant medication such as methylphenidate and atomoxetine respectively. The impact of these drugs on attention and impulsivity has been explored extensively in healthy animals but there is little research into their effects in an animal model of ADHD. In the present study we investigated the effects of both drugs on the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) model of ADHD using the five-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT). We found a number of difficulties associated with training this vulnerable strain on such a complex task. However, where rats were able to learn the task we found very small effects of methylphenidate; increased incorrect responding and therefore decreased accuracy, a marker of attention at a single dose. There were no significant effects of atomoxetine on accuracy once multiple comparisons were taken into consideration. We found no effects of either drug on premature responding, a marker of impulsivity. These results indicate that the 5CSRTT may not be most sensitive to the impulsivity displayed in the SHR. Furthermore, they suggest that the SHR may lack predictive validity and further investigation is needed to optimise use of this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor J Dommett
- Brain and Behavioural Sciences, Dept of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, Biomedical Research Network, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK.
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Altabella L, Zoratto F, Adriani W, Canese R. MR imaging-detectable metabolic alterations in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: from preclinical to clinical studies. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2014; 35:S55-63. [PMID: 24481327 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a3843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
MR spectroscopy represents one of the most suitable in vivo tool to assess neurochemical dysfunction in several brain disorders, including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. This is the most common neuropsychiatric disorder in childhood and adolescence, which persists into adulthood (in approximately 30%-50% of cases). In past years, many studies have applied different MR spectroscopy techniques to investigate the pathogenesis and effect of conventional treatments. In this article, we review the most recent clinical and preclinical MR spectroscopy results on subjects with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and animal models, from childhood to adulthood. We found that the most investigated brain regions were the (pre)frontal lobes and striatum, both involved in the frontostriatal circuits and networks that are known to be impaired in this pathology. Neurometabolite alterations were detected in several regions: the NAA, choline, and glutamatergic compounds. The creatine pool was also altered when an absolute quantitative protocol was adopted. In particular, glutamate was increased in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and this can apparently be reversed by methylphenidate treatment. The main difficulties in reviewing MR spectroscopy studies were in the nonhomogeneity of the analyzed subjects, the variety of the investigated brain regions, and also the use of different MR spectroscopy techniques. As for possible improvements in future studies, we recommend the use of standardized protocols and the analysis of other brain regions of particular interest for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, like the hippocampus, limbic structures, thalamus, and cerebellum.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Altabella
- From the Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences (L.A., F.Z., W.A., R.C.), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - F Zoratto
- From the Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences (L.A., F.Z., W.A., R.C.), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, ItalyBambino Gesù Children's Hospital IRCCS (F.Z.), Rome, Italy
| | - W Adriani
- From the Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences (L.A., F.Z., W.A., R.C.), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - R Canese
- From the Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences (L.A., F.Z., W.A., R.C.), Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
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dela Peña I, Kim HJ, Sohn A, Kim BN, Han DH, Ryu JH, Shin CY, Noh M, Cheong JH. Prefrontal cortical and striatal transcriptional responses to the reinforcing effect of repeated methylphenidate treatment in the spontaneously hypertensive rat, animal model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Behav Brain Funct 2014; 10:17. [PMID: 24884696 PMCID: PMC4077266 DOI: 10.1186/1744-9081-10-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant drug for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research has found that methylphenidate is a “reinforcer” and that individuals with ADHD also abuse this medication. Nevertheless, the molecular consequences of long-term recreational methylphenidate use or abuse in individuals with ADHD are not yet fully known. Methods Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), the most validated and widely used ADHD animal model, were pretreated with methylphenidate (5 mg/kg, i.p.) during their adolescence (post-natal day [PND] 42–48) and tested for subsequent methylphenidate-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration. Thereafter, the differentially expressed genes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum of representative methylphenidate-treated SHRs, which showed CPP to and self-administration of methylphenidate, were analyzed. Results Genome-wide transcriptome profiling analyses revealed 30 differentially expressed genes in the PFC, which include transcripts involved in apoptosis (e.g. S100a9, Angptl4, Nfkbia), transcription (Cebpb, Per3), and neuronal plasticity (Homer1, Jam2, Asap1). In contrast, 306 genes were differentially expressed in the striatum and among them, 252 were downregulated. The main functional categories overrepresented among the downregulated genes include those involved in cell adhesion (e.g. Pcdh10, Ctbbd1, Itgb6), positive regulation of apoptosis (Perp, Taf1, Api5), (Notch3, Nsbp1, Sik1), mitochondrion organization (Prps18c, Letm1, Uqcrc2), and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis (Nedd4, Usp27x, Ube2d2). Conclusion Together, these changes indicate methylphenidate-induced neurotoxicity, altered synaptic and neuronal plasticity, energy metabolism and ubiquitin-dependent protein degradation in the brains of methylphenidate-treated SHRs, which showed methylphenidate CPP and self-administration. In addition, these findings may also reflect cognitive impairment associated with chronic methylphenidate use as demonstrated in preclinical studies. Future studies are warranted to determine the clinical significance of the present findings with regard to long-term recreational methylphenidate use or abuse in individuals with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Minsoo Noh
- Uimyung Research Institute for Neuroscience, Sahmyook University, 26-21 Kongreung-2-dong, Hwarangro- 815 Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-742, Korea.
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Cao M, Shu N, Cao Q, Wang Y, He Y. Imaging Functional and Structural Brain Connectomics in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 50:1111-23. [PMID: 24705817 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8685-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Baca M, Allan AM, Partridge LD, Wilson MC. Gene-environment interactions affect long-term depression (LTD) through changes in dopamine receptor affinity in Snap25 deficient mice. Brain Res 2013; 1532:85-98. [PMID: 23939223 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2013] [Revised: 07/25/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Genes and environmental conditions interact in the development of cognitive capacities and each plays an important role in neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia. Multiple studies have indicated that the gene for the SNARE protein SNAP-25 is a candidate susceptibility gene for ADHD, as well as schizophrenia, while maternal smoking is a candidate environmental risk factor for ADHD. We utilized mice heterozygous for a Snap25 null allele and deficient in SNAP-25 expression to model genetic effects in combination with prenatal exposure to nicotine to explore genetic and environmental interactions in synaptic plasticity and behavior. We show that SNAP-25 deficient mice exposed to prenatal nicotine exhibit hyperactivity and deficits in social interaction. Using a high frequency stimulus electrophysiological paradigm for long-term depression (LTD) induction, we examined the roles of dopaminergic D2 receptors (D2Rs) and cannabinoid CB1 receptors (CB1Rs), both critical for LTD induction in the striatum. We found that prenatal exposure to nicotine in Snap25 heterozygote null mice produced a deficit in the D2R-dependent induction of LTD, although CB1R regulation of plasticity was not impaired. We also show that prenatal nicotine exposure altered the affinity and/or receptor coupling of D2Rs, but not the number of these receptors in heterozygote null Snap25 mutants. These results refine the observations made in the coloboma mouse mutant, a proposed mouse model of ADHD, and illustrate how gene×environmental influences can interact to perturb neural functions that regulate behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Baca
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87131, USA; Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87185, USA
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van Alphen B, van Swinderen B. Drosophila strategies to study psychiatric disorders. Brain Res Bull 2013; 92:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Revised: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Barth V, Need AB, Tzavara ET, Giros B, Overshiner C, Gleason SD, Wade M, Johansson AM, Perry K, Nomikos GG, Witkin JM. In vivo occupancy of dopamine D3 receptors by antagonists produces neurochemical and behavioral effects of potential relevance to attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2012. [PMID: 23197772 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.112.198895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine D(3) receptors have eluded definitive linkage to neurologic and psychiatric disorders since their cloning over 20 years ago. We report a new method that does not employ a radiolabel for simultaneously defining in vivo receptor occupancy of D(3) and D(2) receptors in rat brain after systemic dosing using the tracer epidepride (N-[[(2S)-1-ethylpyrrolidin-2-yl]methyl]-5-iodo-2,3-dimethoxybenzamide). Decreases in epidepride binding in lobule 9 of cerebellum (rich in D(3) receptors) were compared with nonspecific binding in the lateral cerebellum. The in vivo occupancy of the dopamine D(3) receptors was dose dependently increased by SB-277011A (trans-N-[4-[2-(6-cyano-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolin-2-yl)ethyl]cyclohexyl]-4-quinolinecarboxamide) and U99194 (2,3-dihydro-5,6-dimethoxy- N,N-dipropyl-1H-inden-2-amine). Both antagonists increased extracellular levels of acetylcholine (ACh) in the medial prefrontal cortex of rats and modified brain-tissue levels of ACh and choline. Consistent with these findings, the D(3) receptor antagonists enhanced the acquisition of learning of rats either alone or in the presence of the norepinephrine uptake blocker reboxetine as with the attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug methylphenidate. Like reboxetine, the D(3) receptor antagonists also prevented deficits induced by scopolamine in object recognition memory of rats. Mice in which the dopamine transporter (DAT) has been deleted exhibit hyperactivity that is normalized by compounds that are effective in the treatment of ADHD. Both D(3) receptor antagonists decreased the hyperactivity of DAT(-/-) mice without affecting the activity of wild type controls. The present findings indicate that dopamine D(3) receptor antagonists engender cognition-enhancing and hyperactivity-dampening effects. Thus, D(3) receptor blockade could be considered as a novel treatment approach for cognitive deficits and hyperactivity syndromes, including those observed in ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Barth
- Psychiatric Drug Discovery, Lilly Research Laboratories, Lilly Corporate Center, Indianapolis, IN 46285-0501, USA
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Lambertsen KL, Gramsbergen JB, Sivasaravanaparan M, Ditzel N, Sevelsted-Møller LM, Oliván-Viguera A, Rabjerg M, Wulff H, Köhler R. Genetic KCa3.1-deficiency produces locomotor hyperactivity and alterations in cerebral monoamine levels. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47744. [PMID: 23077667 PMCID: PMC3471871 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2012] [Accepted: 09/17/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The calmodulin/calcium-activated K+ channel KCa3.1 is expressed in red and white blood cells, epithelia and endothelia, and possibly central and peripheral neurons. However, our knowledge about its contribution to neurological functions and behavior is incomplete. Here, we investigated whether genetic deficiency or pharmacological activation of KCa3.1 change behavior and cerebral monoamine levels in mice. Methodology/Principal Findings In the open field test, KCa3.1-deficiency increased horizontal activity, as KCa3.1−/− mice travelled longer distances (≈145% of KCa3.1+/+) and at higher speed (≈1.5-fold of KCa3.1+/+). Working memory in the Y-maze was reduced by KCa3.1-deficiency. Motor coordination on the rotarod and neuromuscular functions were unchanged. In KCa3.1−/− mice, HPLC analysis revealed that turn-over rates of serotonin were reduced in frontal cortex, striatum and brain stem, while noradrenalin turn-over rates were increased in the frontal cortex. Dopamine turn-over rates were unaltered. Plasma catecholamine and corticosterone levels were unaltered. Intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg of the KCa3.1/KCa2-activator SKA-31 reduced rearing and turning behavior in KCa3.1+/+ but not in KCa3.1−/− mice, while 30 mg/kg SKA-31 caused strong sedation in 50% of the animals of either genotypes. KCa3.1−/− mice were hyperactive (≈+60%) in their home cage and SKA-31-administration reduced nocturnal physical activity in KCa3.1+/+ but not in KCa3.1−/− mice. Conclusions/Significance KCa3.1-deficiency causes locomotor hyperactivity and altered monoamine levels in selected brain regions, suggesting a so far unknown functional link of KCa3.1 channels to behavior and monoaminergic neurotransmission in mice. The tranquilizing effects of low-dose SKA-31 raise the possibility to use KCa3.1/KCa2 channels as novel pharmacological targets for the treatment of neuropsychiatric hyperactivity disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Bert Gramsbergen
- Department of Neurobiology Research, University of Southern Demark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Nicholas Ditzel
- KMEB, Molecular Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Linda Maria Sevelsted-Møller
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Maj Rabjerg
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Heike Wulff
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Ralf Köhler
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Aragon Institute of Health Sciences I+CS and ARAID, Zaragoza, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) presents special challenges for drug development. Current treatment with psychostimulants and nonstimulants is effective, but their mechanism of action beyond the cellular level is incompletely understood. We review evidence suggesting that altered reinforcement mechanisms are a fundamental characteristic of ADHD. We show that a deficit in the transfer of dopamine signals from established positive reinforcers to cues that predict such reinforcers may underlie these altered reinforcement mechanisms, and in turn explain key symptoms of ADHD. We argue that the neural substrates controlling the excitation and inhibition of dopamine neurons during the transfer process are a promising target for future drug development. There is a need to develop animal models and behavioral paradigms that can be used to experimentally investigate these mechanisms and their effects on sensitivity to reinforcement. More specific and selective targeting of drug development may be possible through this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gail Tripp
- Human Developmental Neurobiology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Kunigami, Okinawa 904-0412, Japan.
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29
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Sandau US, Alderman Z, Corfas G, Ojeda SR, Raber J. Astrocyte-specific disruption of SynCAM1 signaling results in ADHD-like behavioral manifestations. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36424. [PMID: 22558465 PMCID: PMC3340339 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
SynCAM1 is an adhesion molecule involved in synaptic differentiation and organization. SynCAM1 is also expressed in astroglial cells where it mediates astrocyte-to astrocyte and glial-neuronal adhesive communication. In astrocytes, SynCAM1 is functionally linked to erbB4 receptors, which are involved in the control of both neuronal/glial development and mature neuronal and glial function. Here we report that mice carrying a dominant-negative form of SynCAM1 specifically targeted to astrocytes (termed GFAP-DNSynCAM1 mice) exhibit disrupted diurnal locomotor activity with enhanced and more frequent episodes of activity than control littermates during the day (when the animals are normally sleeping) accompanied by shorter periods of rest. GFAP-DNSynCAM1 mice also display high levels of basal activity in the dark period (the rodent's awake/active time) that are attenuated by the psychostimulant D,L-amphetamine, and reduced anxiety levels in response to both avoidable and unavoidable provoking stimuli. These results indicate that disruption of SynCAM1-dependent astroglial function results in behavioral abnormalities similar to those described in animals model of attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and suggest a hitherto unappreciated contribution of glial cells to the pathophysiology of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula S. Sandau
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Zefora Alderman
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Gabriel Corfas
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Program, Harvard Medical School, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sergio R. Ojeda
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SRO); (JR)
| | - Jacob Raber
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Departments of Behavioral Neurosciences and Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SRO); (JR)
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30
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Lee HY, Nakayama J, Xu Y, Fan X, Karouani M, Shen Y, Pothos EN, Hess EJ, Fu YH, Edwards RH, Ptácek LJ. Dopamine dysregulation in a mouse model of paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia. J Clin Invest 2012; 122:507-18. [PMID: 22214848 DOI: 10.1172/jci58470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesia (PNKD) is an autosomal dominant episodic movement disorder. Patients have episodes that last 1 to 4 hours and are precipitated by alcohol, coffee, and stress. Previous research has shown that mutations in an uncharacterized gene on chromosome 2q33-q35 (which is termed PNKD) are responsible for PNKD. Here, we report the generation of antibodies specific for the PNKD protein and show that it is widely expressed in the mouse brain, exclusively in neurons. One PNKD isoform is a membrane-associated protein. Transgenic mice carrying mutations in the mouse Pnkd locus equivalent to those found in patients with PNKD recapitulated the human PNKD phenotype. Staining for c-fos demonstrated that administration of alcohol or caffeine induced neuronal activity in the basal ganglia in these mice. They also showed nigrostriatal neurotransmission deficits that were manifested by reduced extracellular dopamine levels in the striatum and a proportional increase of dopamine release in response to caffeine and ethanol treatment. These findings support the hypothesis that the PNKD protein functions to modulate striatal neuro-transmitter release in response to stress and other precipitating factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-yang Lee
- Department of Neurology, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
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