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Herrera CG, Tarokh L. A Thalamocortical Perspective on Sleep Spindle Alterations in Neurodevelopmental Disorders. CURRENT SLEEP MEDICINE REPORTS 2024; 10:103-118. [PMID: 38764858 PMCID: PMC11096120 DOI: 10.1007/s40675-024-00284-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that affect the development and function of the nervous system, typically arising early in life. These disorders can have various genetic, environmental, and/or neural underpinnings, which can impact the thalamocortical system. Sleep spindles, brief bursts of oscillatory activity that occur during NREM sleep, provide a unique in vivo measure of the thalamocortical system. In this manuscript, we review the development of the thalamocortical system and sleep spindles in rodent models and humans. We then utilize this as a foundation to discuss alterations in sleep spindle activity in four of the most pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders-intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and schizophrenia. Recent Findings Recent work in humans has shown alterations in sleep spindles across several neurodevelopmental disorders. Simultaneously, rodent models have elucidated the mechanisms which may underlie these deficits in spindle activity. This review merges recent findings from these two separate lines of research to draw conclusions about the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders. Summary We speculate that deficits in the thalamocortical system associated with neurodevelopmental disorders are exquisitely reflected in sleep spindle activity. We propose that sleep spindles may represent a promising biomarker for drug discovery, risk stratification, and treatment monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Gutierrez Herrera
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Rosenbühlgasse 25, Bern, Switzerland
- Center for Experimental Neurology, Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Rosenbühlgasse 17, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Research (DBMR), Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Murtenstrasse 24 CH-3008 Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Leila Tarokh
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, Haus A, 3000, Bern, Switzerland
- University Hospital of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, Bolligenstrasse 111, Haus A, 3000, Bern, Switzerland
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Arime Y, Saitoh Y, Ishikawa M, Kamiyoshihara C, Uchida Y, Fujii K, Takao K, Akiyama K, Ohkawa N. Activation of prefrontal parvalbumin interneurons ameliorates working memory deficit even under clinically comparable antipsychotic treatment in a mouse model of schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:720-730. [PMID: 38049583 PMCID: PMC10876596 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01769-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
One of the critical unmet medical needs in schizophrenia is the treatment for cognitive deficits. However, the neural circuit mechanisms of them remain unresolved. Previous studies utilizing animal models of schizophrenia did not consider the fact that patients with schizophrenia generally cannot discontinue antipsychotic medication due to the high risk of relapse. Here, we used multi-dimensional approaches, including histological analysis of the prelimbic cortex (PL), LC-MS/MS-based in vivo dopamine D2 receptor occupancy analysis for antipsychotics, in vivo calcium imaging, and behavioral analyses of mice using chemogenetics to investigate neural mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies for working memory deficit in a chronic phencyclidine (PCP) mouse model of schizophrenia. Chronic PCP administration led to alterations in excitatory and inhibitory synapses, specifically in dendritic spines of pyramidal neurons, vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) positive terminals, and parvalbumin (PV) positive GABAergic interneurons located in layer 2-3 of the PL. Continuous administration of olanzapine, which achieved a sustained therapeutic window of dopamine D2 receptor occupancy (60-80%) in the striatum, did not ameliorate these synaptic abnormalities and working memory deficit in the chronic PCP-treated mice. We demonstrated that chemogenetic activation of PV neurons in the PL, as confirmed by in vivo calcium imaging, ameliorated working memory deficit in this model even under clinically comparable olanzapine treatment which by itself inhibited only PCP-induced psychomotor hyperactivity. Our study suggests that targeting prefrontal PV neurons could be a promising therapeutic intervention for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia in combination with antipsychotic medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosefu Arime
- Division for Memory and Cognitive Function, Research Center for Advanced Medical Science, Comprehensive Research Facilities for Advanced Medical Science, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
- Department of Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan.
| | - Yoshito Saitoh
- Division for Memory and Cognitive Function, Research Center for Advanced Medical Science, Comprehensive Research Facilities for Advanced Medical Science, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Mikiko Ishikawa
- Division for Memory and Cognitive Function, Research Center for Advanced Medical Science, Comprehensive Research Facilities for Advanced Medical Science, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
- Department of Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Chikako Kamiyoshihara
- Division for Memory and Cognitive Function, Research Center for Advanced Medical Science, Comprehensive Research Facilities for Advanced Medical Science, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yasuo Uchida
- Division of Membrane Transport and Drug Targeting, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kazuki Fujii
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Keizo Takao
- Department of Behavioral Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Life Science Research Center, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- Research Center for Idling Brain Science, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Kazufumi Akiyama
- Department of Biological Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi, Japan
- Kawada Hospital, Okayama, Japan
| | - Noriaki Ohkawa
- Division for Memory and Cognitive Function, Research Center for Advanced Medical Science, Comprehensive Research Facilities for Advanced Medical Science, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.
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Siafis S, McCutcheon R, Chiocchia V, Ostinelli EG, Wright S, Stansfield C, Juma DO, Mantas I, Howes OD, Rutigliano G, Ramage F, Tinsdeall F, Friedrich C, Milligan L, Moreno C, Elliott JH, Thomas J, Macleod MR, Sena ES, Seedat S, Salanti G, Potts J, Cipriani A, Leucht S. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) agonists for psychosis: protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis of human and non-human studies. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 8:365. [PMID: 38634067 PMCID: PMC11021884 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.19866.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need to develop more effective and safer antipsychotics beyond dopamine 2 receptor antagonists. An emerging and promising approach is TAAR1 agonism. Therefore, we will conduct a living systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize and triangulate the evidence from preclinical animal experiments and clinical studies on the efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanism of action of TAAR1 agonism for psychosis. METHODS Independent searches will be conducted in multiple electronic databases to identify clinical and animal experimental studies comparing TAAR1 agonists with licensed antipsychotics or other control conditions in individuals with psychosis or animal models for psychosis, respectively. The primary outcomes will be overall psychotic symptoms and their behavioural proxies in animals. Secondary outcomes will include side effects and neurobiological measures. Two independent reviewers will conduct study selection, data extraction using predefined forms, and risk of bias assessment using suitable tools based on the study design. Ontologies will be developed to facilitate study identification and data extraction. Data from clinical and animal studies will be synthesized separately using random-effects meta-analysis if appropriate, or synthesis without meta-analysis. Study characteristics will be investigated as potential sources of heterogeneity. Confidence in the evidence for each outcome and source of evidence will be evaluated, considering the summary of the association, potential concerns regarding internal and external validity, and reporting biases. When multiple sources of evidence are available for an outcome, an overall conclusion will be drawn in a triangulation meeting involving a multidisciplinary team of experts. We plan trimonthly updates of the review, and any modifications in the protocol will be documented. The review will be co-produced by multiple stakeholders aiming to produce impactful and relevant results and bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical research on psychosis. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION PROSPERO-ID: CRD42023451628.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Siafis
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert McCutcheon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Virginia Chiocchia
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo G. Ostinelli
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Simonne Wright
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Claire Stansfield
- EPPI Centre, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
| | | | - Ioannis Mantas
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oliver D. Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England, UK
| | - Grazia Rutigliano
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Fiona Ramage
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Francesca Tinsdeall
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Claire Friedrich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | | | - Carmen Moreno
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, CIBERSAM, ISCIII, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
| | - Julian H. Elliott
- Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Future Evidence Foundation, Melbourne, Australia
| | - James Thomas
- EPPI Centre, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
| | - Malcolm R. Macleod
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Emily S. Sena
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Soraya Seedat
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Georgia Salanti
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Potts
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
| | - Stefan Leucht
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - the GALENOS team
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England, UK
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, England, UK
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Canton of Bern, Switzerland
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, University of Oxford, Oxford, England, UK
- Department of Psychiatry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
- EPPI Centre, Social Research Institute, University College London, London, England, UK
- My Mind Our Humanity, Mombasa, Kenya
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Institute of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
- MQ Mental Health Research, London, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, IiSGM, CIBERSAM, ISCIII, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain
- Cochrane Australia, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Future Evidence Foundation, Melbourne, Australia
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Mawson ER, Morris BJ. A consideration of the increased risk of schizophrenia due to prenatal maternal stress, and the possible role of microglia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110773. [PMID: 37116354 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is caused by interaction of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Of the latter, prenatal exposure to maternal stress is reportedly associated with elevated disease risk. The main orchestrators of inflammatory processes within the brain are microglia, and aberrant microglial activation/function has been proposed to contribute to the aetiology of schizophrenia. Here, we evaluate the epidemiological and preclinical evidence connecting prenatal stress to schizophrenia risk, and consider the possible mediating role of microglia in the prenatal stress-schizophrenia relationship. Epidemiological findings are rather consistent in supporting the association, albeit they are mitigated by effects of sex and gestational timing, while the evidence for microglial activation is more variable. Rodent models of prenatal stress generally report lasting effects on offspring neurobiology. However, many uncertainties remain as to the mechanisms underlying the influence of maternal stress on the developing foetal brain. Future studies should aim to characterise the exact processes mediating this aspect of schizophrenia risk, as well as focussing on how prenatal stress may interact with other risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor R Mawson
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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Wen D, Wang J, Yao G, Liu S, Li X, Li J, Li H, Xu Y. Abnormality of subcortical volume and resting functional connectivity in adolescents with early-onset and prodromal schizophrenia. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 140:282-288. [PMID: 34126421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies have found that there may be qualitative changes in brain structure and function in adolescents with early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) and prodromal schizophrenia (PDS). However, the abnormal brain structure and function of adolescents with EOS and PDS have received little attention, and their underlying neural mechanisms are still unknown. METHODS In this study, structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) were used to compare the subcortical volume and functional connectivity (FC) among EOS, PDS, and a control group. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PNASS) questionnaire was used for clinical evaluation. Structural MRI was used to calculate cortical-based morphological volume and subcortical volume, and resting-state fMRI was used to analyze seed-based FC. RESULTS Structural MRI analyses showed that the gray matter volume of the hippocampus in EOS was significantly smaller than that in the control group, and the gray matter volume of the hippocampus, amygdala, and caudate nucleus in PDS was significantly smaller than that in the control group. Additionally, correlation analysis showed that the gray matter volume of the hippocampus was significantly negatively correlated with the negative symptom score of PANSS in EOS. When the hippocampus was used as the seed, fMRI analysis found that the FC between the hippocampus and the posterior cingulate gyrus and precuneus in EOS was significantly weaker than that in the control group. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that the brain structure and function are abnormal in EOS and PDS, with abnormalities mainly concentrated in the limbic system, including the hippocampus, amygdala, caudate nucleus, cingulate gyrus, and precuneus. These findings provide a new direction for early intervention and improvement of the prognosis of schizophrenic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wen
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Guanqun Yao
- School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China; Department of Psychiatry, Yuquan Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Sha Liu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xinrong Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jing Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hong Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence Assisted Diagnosis and Treatment for Mental Disorder, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Psychiatry, First Hospital/First Clinical Medical College of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China; Department of Mental Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China.
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6
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Bristow GC, Thomson DM, Openshaw RL, Mitchell EJ, Pratt JA, Dawson N, Morris BJ. 16p11 Duplication Disrupts Hippocampal-Orbitofrontal-Amygdala Connectivity, Revealing a Neural Circuit Endophenotype for Schizophrenia. Cell Rep 2021; 31:107536. [PMID: 32320645 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Chromosome 16p11.2 duplications dramatically increase risk for schizophrenia, but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we show that mice with an equivalent genetic mutation (16p11.2 duplication mice) exhibit impaired hippocampal-orbitofrontal and hippocampal-amygdala functional connectivity. Expression of schizophrenia-relevant GABAergic cell markers (parvalbumin and calbindin) is selectively decreased in orbitofrontal cortex, while somatostatin expression is decreased in lateral amygdala. When 16p11.2 duplication mice are tested in cognitive tasks dependent on hippocampal-orbitofrontal connectivity, performance is impaired in an 8-arm maze "N-back" working memory task and in a touchscreen continuous performance task. Consistent with hippocampal-amygdala dysconnectivity, deficits in ethologically relevant social behaviors are also observed. Overall, the cellular/molecular, brain network, and behavioral alterations markedly mirror those observed in schizophrenia patients. Moreover, the data suggest that 16p11.2 duplications selectively impact hippocampal-amygdaloid-orbitofrontal circuitry, supporting emerging ideas that dysfunction in this network is a core element of schizophrenia and defining a neural circuit endophenotype for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greg C Bristow
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
| | - David M Thomson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Rebecca L Openshaw
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, West Medical Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Emma J Mitchell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Neil Dawson
- Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4YW, UK
| | - Brian J Morris
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, West Medical Building, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.
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Thomson DM, Openshaw RL, Mitchell EJ, Kouskou M, Millan MJ, Mannoury la Cour C, Morris BJ, Pratt JA. Impaired working memory, cognitive flexibility and reward processing in mice genetically lacking Gpr88: Evidence for a key role for Gpr88 in multiple cortico-striatal-thalamic circuits. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12710. [PMID: 33078498 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The GPR88 orphan G protein-coupled receptor is expressed throughout the striatum, being preferentially localised in medium spiny neurons. It is also present in lower densities in frontal cortex and thalamus. Rare mutations in humans suggest a role in cognition and motor function, while common variants are associated with psychosis. Here we evaluate the influence of genetic deletion of GPR88 upon performance in translational tasks interrogating motivation, reward evaluation and cognitive function. In an automated radial arm maze 'N-back' working memory task, Gpr88 KO mice showed impaired correct responding, suggesting a role for GPR88 receptors in working memory circuitry. Associative learning performance was similar to wild-type controls in a touchscreen task but performance was impaired at the reversal learning stage, suggesting cognitive inflexibility. Gpr88 KO mice showed higher breakpoints, reduced latencies and lengthened session time in a progressive ratio task consistent with enhanced motivation. Simultaneously, locomotor hyperactivity was apparent in this task, supporting previous findings of actions of GPR88 in a cortico-striatal-thalamic motor loop. Evidence for a role of GPR88 in reward processing was demonstrated in a touchscreen-based equivalent of the Iowa gambling task. Although both Gpr88 KO and wild-type mice showed a preference for an optimum contingency choice, Gpr88 KO mice selected more risky choices at the expense of more advantageous lower risk options. Together these novel data suggest that striatal GPR88 receptors influence activity in a range of procedures integrated by prefrontal, orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortico-striatal-thalamic loops leading to altered cognitive, motivational and reward evaluation processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Thomson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca L Openshaw
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Emma J Mitchell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Marianna Kouskou
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J Millan
- Centre for Therapeutic Innovation-CNS, Institute de Recherche Servier, Croissy-sur-Seine, France
| | | | - Brian J Morris
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0RE, United Kingdom
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8
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Mitchell EJ, Brett RR, Armstrong JD, Sillito RR, Pratt JA. Temporal dissociation of phencyclidine: Induced locomotor and social alterations in rats using an automated homecage monitoring system - implications for the 3Rs and preclinical drug discovery. J Psychopharmacol 2020; 34:709-715. [PMID: 32438848 PMCID: PMC7675779 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120920455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rodent behavioural assays are widely used to delineate the mechanisms of psychiatric disorders and predict the efficacy of drug candidates. Conventional behavioural paradigms are restricted to short time windows and involve transferring animals from the homecage to unfamiliar apparatus which induces stress. Additionally, factors including environmental perturbations, handling and the presence of an experimenter can impact behaviour and confound data interpretation. To improve welfare and reproducibility these issues must be resolved. Automated homecage monitoring offers a more ethologically relevant approach with reduced experimenter bias. AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of an automated homecage system at detecting locomotor and social alterations induced by phencyclidine (PCP) in group-housed rats. PCP is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist commonly utilised to model aspects of schizophrenia. METHODS Rats housed in groups of three were implanted with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Each homecage was placed over a RFID reader baseplate for the automated monitoring of the social and locomotor activity of each individual rat. For all rats, we acquired homecage data for 24 h following administration of both saline and PCP (2.5 mg/kg). RESULTS PCP resulted in significantly increased distance travelled from 15 to 60 min post injection. Furthermore, PCP significantly enhanced time spent isolated from cage mates and this asociality occured from 60 to 105 min post treatment. CONCLUSIONS Unlike conventional assays, in-cage monitoring captures the temporal duration of drug effects on multiple behaviours in the same group of animals. This approach could benefit psychiatric preclinical drug discovery through improved welfare and increased between-laboratory replicability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Mitchell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK,Emma J Mitchell, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral St, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK.
| | - Ros R Brett
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - J Douglas Armstrong
- School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK,Actual Analytics Ltd, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Judith A Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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9
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Lithium for schizophrenia: supporting evidence from a 12-year, nationwide health insurance database and from Akt1-deficient mouse and cellular models. Sci Rep 2020; 10:647. [PMID: 31959776 PMCID: PMC6971245 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-57340-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests AKT1 and DRD2-AKT-GSK3 signaling involvement in schizophrenia. AKT1 activity is also required for lithium, a GSK3 inhibitor, to modulate mood-related behaviors. Notably, GSK3 inhibitor significantly alleviates behavioral deficits in Akt1−/− female mice, whereas typical/atypical antipsychotics have no effect. In agreement with adjunctive therapy with lithium in treating schizophrenia, our data mining indicated that the average utilization rates of lithium in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database from 2002 to 2013 are 10.9% and 6.63% in inpatients and outpatients with schizophrenia, respectively. Given that lithium is commonly used in clinical practice, it is of great interest to evaluate the effect of lithium on alleviating Akt1-related deficits. Taking advantage of Akt1+/− mice to mimic genetic deficiency in patients, behavioral impairments were replicated in female Akt1+/− mice but were alleviated by subchronic lithium treatment for 13 days. Lithium also effectively alleviated the observed reduction in phosphorylated GSK3α/β expression in the brains of Akt1+/− mice. Furthermore, inhibition of Akt expression using an Akt1/2 inhibitor significantly reduced neurite length in P19 cells and primary hippocampal cell cultures, which was also ameliorated by lithium. Collectively, our findings implied the therapeutic potential of lithium and the importance of the AKT1-GSK3 signaling pathway.
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Pei JC, Hung WL, Lin BX, Shih MH, Lu LY, Luo DZ, Tai HC, Studer V, Min MY, Lai WS. Therapeutic potential and underlying mechanism of sarcosine (N-methylglycine) in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction models of schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:1288-1302. [PMID: 31294644 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119856558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compelling animal and clinical studies support the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction hypothesis of schizophrenia and suggest promising pharmacological agents to ameliorate negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, including sarcosine, a glycine transporter-1 inhibitor. AIMS AND METHODS It is imperative to evaluate the therapeutic potential of sarcosine in animal models, which provide indispensable tools for testing drug effects in detail and elucidating the underlying mechanisms. In this study, a series of seven experiments was conducted to investigate the effect of sarcosine in ameliorating behavioral deficits and the underlying mechanism in pharmacological (i.e., MK-801-induced) and genetic (i.e., serine racemase-null mutant (SR-/-) mice) NMDAR hypofunction models. RESULTS In Experiment 1, the acute administration of 500/1000 mg/kg sarcosine (i.p.) had no adverse effects on motor function and serum biochemical responses. In Experiments 2-4, sarcosine significantly alleviated MK-801-induced (0.2 mg/kg) brain abnormalities and behavioral deficits in MK-801-induced and SR-/- mouse models. In Experiment 5, the injection of sarcosine enhanced CSF levels of glycine and serine in rat brain. In Experiments 6-7, we show for the first time that sarcosine facilitated NMDAR-mediated hippocampal field excitatory postsynaptic potentials and influenced the movement of surface NMDARs at extrasynaptic sites. CONCLUSIONS Sarcosine effectively regulated the surface trafficking of NMDARs, NMDAR-evoked electrophysiological activity, brain glycine levels and MK-801-induced abnormalities in the brain, which contributed to the amelioration of behavioral deficits in mouse models of NMDAR hypofunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Chun Pei
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Hung
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Bei-Xuan Lin
- Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Min-Han Shih
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Yin Lu
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Da-Zhong Luo
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hwan-Ching Tai
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Vincent Studer
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Neuroscience, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.,French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), Bordeaux, France
| | - Ming-Yuan Min
- Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Sung Lai
- Department of Psychology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Neurobiology and Cognitive Science Center, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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11
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Johnstone M, Hillary RF, St Clair D. Stem Cells to Inform the Neurobiology of Mental Illness. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2019; 40:13-43. [PMID: 30030769 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2018_57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The inception of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSCs) technology has provided an exciting platform upon which the modelling and treatment of human neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders may be expedited. Although the genetic architecture of these disorders is far more complex than previously imagined, many key loci have at last been identified. This has allowed in vivo and in vitro technologies to be refined to model specific high-penetrant genetic loci involved in both disorders. Animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders, show limitations in recapitulating the full complexity and heterogeneity of human neurodevelopmental disease states. Indeed, patient-derived hiPSCs offer distinct advantages over classical animal models in the study of human neuropathologies. Here we have discussed the current, relative translational merit of hiPSCs in investigating human neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders with a specific emphasis on the utility of such systems to aid in the identification of biomarkers. We have highlighted the promises and pitfalls of reprogramming cell fate for the study of these disorders and provide recommendations for future directions in this field in order to overcome current limitations. Ultimately, this will aid in the development of effective clinical strategies for diverse patient populations affected by these disorders with the aim of also leading to biomarker identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Johnstone
- Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - David St Clair
- Division of Psychiatry, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
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12
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Zimmerman EC, Grace AA. Prefrontal cortex modulates firing pattern in the nucleus reuniens of the midline thalamus via distinct corticothalamic pathways. Eur J Neurosci 2018; 48:3255-3272. [PMID: 30107061 PMCID: PMC6237082 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The thalamus has long been recognized for its role in relaying sensory information from the periphery, a function accomplished by its "first-order" nuclei. However, a second category of thalamic nuclei, termed "higher-order" nuclei, have been shown instead to mediate communication between cortical areas. The nucleus reuniens of the midline thalamus (RE) is a higher-order nucleus known to act as a conduit of reciprocal communication between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus. While anatomical and behavioural studies of RE are numerous, circuit-based electrophysiological studies, particularly those examining the impact of cortical input and the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) on RE neuron firing, are sparse. To characterize RE neuron firing properties and dissect the circuit dynamics of the infralimbic subdivision of the mPFC (ilPFC), the TRN and RE, we used in vivo, extracellular, single-unit recordings in male Sprague Dawley rats and manipulated neural activity using targeted pharmacological manipulations, electrical stimulation and a projection-specific implementation of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs). We show that ilPFC inhibition reduces multiple burst firing parameters in RE, whereas ilPFC stimulation drives burst firing and dampens tonic firing. In addition, TRN inhibition reduces the number of spontaneously active neurons in RE. Finally, inhibition of ilPFC terminals in RE selectively enhances a subset of burst firing parameters. These findings demonstrate that ilPFC input, both via direct projections and via the TRN, can modulate RE neuron firing pattern in nuanced and complex ways. They also highlight the ilPFC-TRN-RE circuit as a likely critical component of prefrontal-hippocampal interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric C Zimmerman
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Abstract
The search for biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of psychiatric conditions and predict response to treatment is a focus of twenty-first century medicine. The current lack of biomarkers in routine use is attributable in part to the existing way mental health conditions are diagnosed, being based upon descriptions of symptoms rather than causal biological evidence. New ways of conceptualizing mental health disorders together with the enormous advances in genetic, epidemiological, and neuroscience research are informing the brain circuits and physiological mechanisms underpinning behavioural constructs that cut across current diagnostic DSM-5 categories. Combining these advances with 'Big Data', analytical approaches offer new opportunities for biomarker development. Here we provide an introductory perspective to this volume, highlighting methodological strategies for biomarker identification; ranging from stem cells, immune mechanisms, genomics, imaging, network science to cognition. Thereafter we emphasize key points made by contributors on affective disorders, psychosis, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder. An underlying theme is how preclinical and clinical research are informing biomarker development and the importance of forward and reverse translation approaches. In considering the exploitation of biomarkers we note that there is a timely opportunity to improve clinical trial design informed by patient 'biological' and 'psychological' phenotype. This has the potential to reinvigorate drug development and clinical trials in psychiatry. In conclusion, we are poised to move from the descriptive and discovery phase to one where biomarker panels can be evaluated in real-life cohorts. This will necessitate resources for large-scale collaborative efforts worldwide. Ultimately this will lead to new interventions and personalized medicines and transform our ability to prevent illness onset and treat complex psychiatric disorders more effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Pratt
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Jeremy Hall
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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