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Itani S, Hamie M, El Jammal R, Abdine W, Doumit M, Charafeddine A, El-Sabban M, Patinote C, Masquefa C, Bonnet PA, Obeid M, El Hajj H. Imiquimod Reverses Chronic Toxoplasmosis-Associated Behavioral and Neurocognitive Anomalies in a Rat Model. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1295. [PMID: 38927503 PMCID: PMC11202296 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasma gondii is the etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis, a highly prevalent parasitosis. Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) transits in the brain from acute (AT) to chronic toxoplasmosis (CT), under host immune control. In immunocompromised patients, reactivation of CT is potentially life-threatening. Behavioral and neurological complications have been associated with CT. Furthermore, an effective treatment targeting CT is still lacking. We previously reported the efficacy of imiquimod against CT. Here, we demonstrate the molecular effects of imiquimod or imiquimod followed by the clinically used combination of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine (SDZ + PYR) on CT-associated behavior in a rat model. Imiquimod decreased the number of cysts in the brains of chronically infected rats due to an induced reactivation of bradyzoites into tachyzoites. Importantly, this decrease was more pronounced in rats treated with imiquimod followed by SDZ + PYR. Rats chronically infected with T. gondii exhibited an anxiety-like behavior. Notably, treatment with imiquimod reversed this behavior aberrancy, with even a more pronounced effect with imiquimod followed by SDZ/PYR. Similarly, rats chronically infected with T. gondii exhibited learning deficits, and imiquimod alone or followed by SDZ/PYR reversed this behavior. Our results enhance our knowledge of the implications of CT on behavioral aberrancies and highlight the potency of imiquimod followed by SDZ + PYR on these CT-associated complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Itani
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Maguy Hamie
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Reem El Jammal
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Wassim Abdine
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
| | - Mark Doumit
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Adib Charafeddine
- College of Pharmacy, American University of Iraq-Baghdad, Baghdad 10071, Iraq;
| | - Marwan El-Sabban
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Cindy Patinote
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Carine Masquefa
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Pierre-Antoine Bonnet
- Institut des Biomolécules Max Mousseron (IBMM), UMR 5247, CNRS, ENSCM, Université de Montpellier, 34090 Montpellier, France; (C.P.); (C.M.); (P.-A.B.)
| | - Makram Obeid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (R.E.J.); (M.D.); (M.E.-S.); (M.O.)
| | - Hiba El Hajj
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (S.I.); (M.H.); (W.A.)
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Cerveira AJDO, Ramalho BAC, de Souza CCB, Spadaro AP, Ramos BA, Wichert-Ana L, Padovan-Neto FE, de Lacerda KJCC. Automating behavioral analysis in neuroscience: Development of an open-source python software for more consistent and reliable results. J Neurosci Methods 2023; 398:109957. [PMID: 37634650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2023.109957] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The application of automated analyses in neuroscience has become a practical approach. With automation, the algorithms and tools employed perform fast and accurate data analysis. It minimizes the inherent errors of manual analysis performed by a human experimenter. It also reduces the time required to analyze a large amount of data and the need for human and financial resources. METHODS In this work, we describe a protocol for the automated analysis of the Morris Water Maze (MWM) and the Open Field (OF) test using the OpenCV library in Python. This simple protocol tracks mice navigation with high accuracy. RESULTS In the MWM, both automated and manual analysis revealed similar results regarding the time the mice stayed in the target quadrant (p = 0.109). In the OF test, both automated and manual analysis revealed similar results regarding the time the mice stayed in the center (p = 0.520) and in the border (p = 0.503) of the field. CONCLUSIONS The automated analysis protocol has several advantages over manual analysis. It saves time, reduces human errors, can be customized, and provides more consistent information about animal behavior during tests. We conclude that the automated protocol described here is reliable and provides consistent behavioral analysis in mice. This automated protocol could lead to deeper insight into behavioral neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- A J D O Cerveira
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - B A C Ramalho
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - C C B de Souza
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - A P Spadaro
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - B A Ramos
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - L Wichert-Ana
- Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Section, Image Science and Medical Physics Center, Internal Medicine Department and Postgraduate Program, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - F E Padovan-Neto
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| | - K J C C de Lacerda
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Section, Image Science and Medical Physics Center, Internal Medicine Department and Postgraduate Program, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
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Mrad Y, El Jammal R, Hajjar H, Alturk S, Salah H, Chehade HD, Dandash F, Mallah Z, Kobeissy F, Habib A, Hamade E, Obeid M. Lestaurtinib (CEP-701) reduces the duration of limbic status epilepticus in periadolescent rats. Epilepsy Res 2023; 195:107198. [PMID: 37467703 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The timely abortion of status epilepticus (SE) is essential to avoid brain damage and long-term neurodevelopmental sequalae. However, available anti-seizure treatments fail to abort SE in 30% of children. Given the role of the tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptor in hyperexcitability, we investigated if TrkB blockade with lestaurtinib (CEP-701) enhances the response of SE to a standard treatment protocol and reduces SE-related brain injury. METHODS SE was induced with intra-amygdalar kainic acid in postnatal day 45 rats under continuous electroencephalogram (EEG). Fifteen min post-SE onset, rats received intraperitoneal (i.p.) CEP-701 (KCEP group) or its vehicle (KV group). Controls received CEP-701 or its vehicle following intra-amygdalar saline. All groups received two i.p. doses of diazepam, followed by i.p. levetiracetam at 15 min intervals post-SE onset. Hippocampal TrkB dimer to monomer ratios were assessed by immunoblot 24 hr post-SE, along with neuronal densities and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) levels. RESULTS SE duration was 50% shorter in the KCEP group compared to KV (p < 0.05). Compared to controls, SE induced a 1.5-fold increase in TrkB dimerization in KV rats (p < 0.05), but not in KCEP rats which were comparable to controls (p > 0.05). The KCEP group had lower GFAP levels than KV (p < 0.05), and both were higher than controls (p < 0.05). KCEP and KV rats had comparable hippocampal neuronal densities (p > 0.05), and both were lower than controls (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Given its established human safety, CEP-701 is a promising adjuvant drug for the timely abortion of SE and the attenuation of SE-related brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yara Mrad
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Reem El Jammal
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Helene Hajjar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sana Alturk
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Houssein Salah
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hiba-Douja Chehade
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Fatima Dandash
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Zahraa Mallah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics & Biomarkers (CNMB), Department of Neurobiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Aida Habib
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Eva Hamade
- Laboratory of Cancer Biology and Molecular Immunology, Faculty of Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Makram Obeid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA; Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Jaafar F, Abboud MR, Obeid M. Causes of New-Onset Seizures and Their Treatment in Children With Non-CNS Malignancies: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Care Center. Pediatr Neurol 2022; 137:17-21. [PMID: 36182697 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2022.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seizures occur in up to 13% of children with non-central nervous system (CNS) malignancies, but little is known about their causes and optimal diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Here we sought to determine etiologies and clinical trajectories of new-onset seizures in this patient population. METHODS A retrospective chart review over a 10-year period was conducted at the American University of Beirut Medical Center to identify children with non-CNS malignancies and at least one new-onset seizure. Data were collected on the underlying malignancy, seizure etiology, clinical course, treatments, electroencephalograms, and brain imaging. RESULTS New-onset seizures occurred in 56 children (2-year median follow-up), most commonly in the context of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphomas, and sarcomas. In 19 children, the first seizure consisted of status epilepticus. The most common etiologies were cerebrovascular accidents, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome, and metastasis. Forty-nine patients received anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Withdrawal of ASMs was successful in 19 children with normal initial or follow-up brain imaging but failed in three patients with persistent brain lesions. The remaining children, all of whom except two had structural brain abnormalities, received chronic ASMs and remained seizure free for a median period of 2 years at the last follow-up in survivors. CONCLUSIONS Not only are seizures in children with non-CNS cancers often indicative of a serious brain insult, but they can also be challenging in the form of status epilepticus. An urgent diagnostic evaluation is therefore needed to expedite treatment, which should be tailored to the chronicity of the underlying cause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Jaafar
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Miguel R Abboud
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Children's Cancer Institute, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Makram Obeid
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon; Department of Anatomy, Cell biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Hippocampal injury and learning deficits following non-convulsive status epilepticus in periadolescent rats. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 125:108415. [PMID: 34788732 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The effects of non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) on the developing brain remain largely elusive. Here we investigated potential hippocampal injury and learning deficits following one or two episodes of NCSE in periadolescent rats. Non-convulsive status epilepticus was induced with subconvulsive doses of intrahippocampal kainic acid (KA) under continuous EEG monitoring in postnatal day 43 (P43) rats. The RKA group (repeated KA) received intrahippocampal KA at P43 and P44, the SKA group (single KA injection) received KA at P43 and an intrahippocampal saline injection at P44. Controls were sham-treated with saline. The modified two-way active avoidance (MAAV) test was conducted between P45 and P52 to assess learning of context-cued and tone-signaled electrical foot-shock avoidance. Histological analyses were performed at P52 to assess hippocampal neuronal densities, as well as potential reactive astrocytosis and synaptic dysfunction with GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) and synaptophysin (Syp) staining, respectively. Kainic acid injections resulted in electroclinical seizures characterized by behavioral arrest, oromotor automatisms and salivation, without tonic-clonic activity. Compared to controls, both the SKA and RKA groups had lower rates of tone-signaled shock avoidance (p < 0.05). In contextual testing, SKA rats were comparable to controls (p > 0.05), but the RKA group had learning deficits (p < 0.05). Hippocampal neuronal densities were comparable in all groups. Compared to controls, both the SKA and RKA groups had higher hippocampal GFAP levels (p < 0.05). The RKA group also had lower hippocampal Syp levels compared to the SKA and control groups (p < 0.05), which were comparable (p > 0.05). We show that hippocampal NCSE in periadolescent rats results in a seizure burden-dependent hippocampal injury accompanied by cognitive deficits. Our data suggest that the diagnosis and treatment of NCSE should be prompt.
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Jaillard C, Ouechtati F, Clérin E, Millet-Puel G, Corsi M, Aït-Ali N, Blond F, Chevy Q, Gales L, Farinelli M, Dalkara D, Sahel JA, Portais JC, Poncer JC, Léveillard T. The metabolic signaling of the nucleoredoxin-like 2 gene supports brain function. Redox Biol 2021; 48:102198. [PMID: 34856436 PMCID: PMC8640531 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleoredoxin gene NXNL2 encodes for two products through alternative splicing, rod-derived cone viability factor-2 (RdCVF2) that mediates neuronal survival and the thioredoxin-related protein (RdCVF2L), an enzyme that regulates the phosphorylation of TAU. To investigate the link between NXNL2 and tauopathies, we studied the Nxnl2 knockout mouse (Nxnl2-/-). We established the expression pattern of the Nxnl2 gene in the brain using a Nxnl2 reporter mouse line, and characterized the behavior of the Nxnl2-/- mouse at 2 months of age. Additionally, long term potentiation and metabolomic from hippocampal specimens were collected at 2 months of age. We studied TAU oligomerization, phosphorylation and aggregation in Nxnl2-/- brain at 18 months of age. Finally, newborn Nxnl2-/- mice were treated with adeno-associated viral vectors encoding for RdCVF2, RdCVF2L or both and measured the effect of this therapy on long-term potential, glucose metabolism and late-onset tauopathy. Nxnl2-/- mice at 2 months of age showed severe behavioral deficiency in fear, pain sensitivity, coordination, learning and memory. The Nxnl2-/- also showed deficits in long-term potentiation, demonstrating that the Nxnl2 gene is involved in regulating brain functions. Dual delivery of RdCVF2 and RdCVF2L in newborn Nxnl2-/- mice fully correct long-term potentiation through their synergistic action. The expression pattern of the Nxnl2 gene in the brain shows a predominant expression in circumventricular organs, such as the area postrema. Glucose metabolism of the hippocampus of Nxnl2-/- mice at 2 months of age was reduced, and was not corrected by gene therapy. At 18-month-old Nxnl2-/- mice showed brain stigmas of tauopathy, such as oligomerization, phosphorylation and aggregation of TAU. This late-onset tauopathy can be prevented, albeit with modest efficacy, by recombinant AAVs administrated to newborn mice. The Nxnl2-/- mice have memory dysfunction at 2-months that resembles mild-cognitive impairment and at 18-months exhibit tauopathy, resembling to the progression of Alzheimer's disease. We propose the Nxnl2-/- mouse is a model to study multistage aged related neurodegenerative diseases. The NXNL2 metabolic and redox signaling is a new area of therapeutic research in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Céline Jaillard
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - Farah Ouechtati
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuelle Clérin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | | | - Mariangela Corsi
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - Najate Aït-Ali
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Blond
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - Quentin Chevy
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut du Fer à Moulin, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Lara Gales
- MetaToul-MetaboHUB, National Infrastructure of Metabolomics & Fluxomics, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Mélissa Farinelli
- E-Phy-Science, Bioparc de Sophia Antipolis, 2400 route des Colles, 06410, Biot, France
| | - Deniz Dalkara
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Charles Portais
- MetaToul-MetaboHUB, National Infrastructure of Metabolomics & Fluxomics, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | | | - Thierry Léveillard
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, F-7501b, Paris, France.
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Gouveia FV, Germann J, Oliveira CC, Castro MC, Antunes GF, Gomes GCV, Pinto TRC, Martinez RCR, Valle AC. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Reduces Anxiety, Depression and Plasmatic Corticosterone in a Rat Model of Atypical Generalized Epilepsy. Neuroscience 2021; 480:32-41. [PMID: 34774711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Affective disorders (i.e. anxiety and depression) are commonly observed in patients with epilepsy and induce seizure aggravation. Animal models of epilepsy that exhibit affective disorder features are essential in developing new neuromodulatory treatments. GEAS-W rats (Generalized Epilepsy with Absence Seizures, Wistar background) are an inbred model of generalized epilepsy showing spontaneous spike-wave discharges concomitant with immobility. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is a safe non-invasive neuromodulatory therapy used to modulate dysfunctional circuitries frequently and successfully applied in affective disorders for symptom alleviation. Here we investigated anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of tDCS in GEAS-W rats and the role of corticosterone as a possible mechanism of action. GEAS-W and Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, sham-tDCS and active-tDCS groups. Both tDCS groups received 15 sessions of sham or active-tDCS (1 mA, cathode). Behavioural tests included the Open Field and Forced Swimming tests followed by corticosterone analysis. We observed a main effect of treatment and a significant treatment by strain interaction on anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviours, with active-tDCS GEAS-W rats entering the center of the open field more often and showing less immobility in the forced swimming test. Furthermore, there was a main effect of treatment on corticosterone with active-tDCS animals showing marked reduction in plasmatic levels. This study described preclinical evidence to support tDCS treatment of affective disorders in epilepsy and highlights corticosterone as a possible mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Venetucci Gouveia
- Program in Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Canada; Division of Neuroscience, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Jürgen Germann
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network and University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Marina C Castro
- Division of Neuroscience, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Geiza F Antunes
- Division of Neuroscience, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele C V Gomes
- Laboratory of Neuroscience LIM 01, Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tais R C Pinto
- Laboratory of Neuroscience LIM 01, Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raquel C R Martinez
- Division of Neuroscience, Sírio-Libanês Hospital, São Paulo, Brazil; LIM 23, Institute of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Angela C Valle
- Laboratory of Neuroscience LIM 01, Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil
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Salah H, Abdel Rassoul R, Medlej Y, Asdikian R, Hajjar H, Dagher S, Darwich M, Fakih C, Obeid M. A Modified Two-Way Active Avoidance Test for Combined Contextual and Auditory Instrumental Conditioning. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:682927. [PMID: 34234653 PMCID: PMC8255675 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.682927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Available two-way active avoidance paradigms do not provide contextual testing, likely due to challenges in performing repetitive trials of context exposure. To incorporate contextual conditioning in the two-way shuttle box, we contextually modified one of the chambers of a standard two-chamber rat shuttle box with visual cues consisting of objects and black and white stripe patterns. During the 5 training days, electrical foot shocks were delivered every 10 s in the contextually modified chamber but were signaled by a tone in the plain chamber. Shuttling between chambers prevented an incoming foot shock (avoidance) or aborted an ongoing one (escape). During contextual retention testing, rats were allowed to freely roam in the box. During auditory retention testing, visual cues were removed, and tone-signaled shocks were delivered in both chambers. Avoidance gradually replaced escape or freezing behaviors reaching 80% on the last training day in both chambers. Rats spent twice more time in the plain chamber during contextual retention testing and had 90% avoidance rates during auditory retention testing. Our modified test successfully assesses both auditory and contextual two-way active avoidance. By efficiently expanding its array of outcomes, our novel test will complement standard two-way active avoidance in mechanistic studies and will improve its applications in translational research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houssein Salah
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ronza Abdel Rassoul
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Yasser Medlej
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Rita Asdikian
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Helene Hajjar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Sarah Dagher
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mouhamad Darwich
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Christina Fakih
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Makram Obeid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon
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Jalloul D, Hajjar H, Asdikian R, Maawie M, Nasrallah L, Medlej Y, Darwich M, Karnib N, Lawand N, Abdel Rassoul R, Wang KKW, Kobeissy F, Darwish H, Obeid M. Potentiating Hemorrhage in a Periadolescent Rat Model of Closed-Head Traumatic Brain Injury Worsens Hyperexcitability but Not Behavioral Deficits. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6456. [PMID: 34208666 PMCID: PMC8234967 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) and neurocognitive deficits are devastating sequelae of head injuries that are common in adolescents. Investigating desperately needed treatments is hindered by the difficulties in inducing PTE in rodents and the lack of established immature rat models of pediatric PTE. Hemorrhage is a significant risk factor for PTE, but compared to humans, rats are less prone to bleeding because of their rapid blood coagulation system. In this study, we promoted bleeding in the controlled cortical impact (CCI) closed-head injury model with a 20 min pre-impact 600 IU/kg intraperitoneal heparin injection in postnatal day 35 (P35) periadolescent rats, given the preponderance of such injuries in this age group. Temporo-parietal CCI was performed post-heparin (HTBI group) or post-saline (TBI group). Controls were subjected to sham procedures following heparin or saline administration. Continuous long-term EEG monitoring was performed for 3 months post-CCI. Sensorimotor testing, the Morris water maze, and a modified active avoidance test were conducted between P80 and P100. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels and neuronal damage were also assessed. Compared to TBI rats, HTBI rats had persistently higher EEG spiking and increased hippocampal GFAP levels (p < 0.05). No sensorimotor deficits were detected in any group. Compared to controls, both HTBI and TBI groups had a long-term hippocampal neuronal loss (p < 0.05), as well as contextual and visuospatial learning deficits (p < 0.05). The hippocampal astrogliosis and EEG spiking detected in all rats subjected to our hemorrhage-promoting procedure suggest the emergence of hyperexcitable networks and pave the way to a periadolescent PTE rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dounya Jalloul
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
| | - Helene Hajjar
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
| | - Rita Asdikian
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
| | - Mariam Maawie
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon; (M.M.); (R.A.R.)
| | - Leila Nasrallah
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Yasser Medlej
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
| | - Mouhamad Darwich
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
| | - Nabil Karnib
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
| | - Nada Lawand
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
- Department of Neurology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Ronza Abdel Rassoul
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Hadath P.O. Box 6573/14, Lebanon; (M.M.); (R.A.R.)
| | - Kevin K. W. Wang
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA;
- Program for Neurotrauma, Neuroproteomics & Biomarkers Research, Departments of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Firas Kobeissy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
- Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA;
- Program for Neurotrauma, Neuroproteomics & Biomarkers Research, Departments of Emergency Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32608, USA
| | - Hala Darwish
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
- Rafic Hariri School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon
| | - Makram Obeid
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiological Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon; (D.J.); (H.H.); (R.A.); (Y.M.); (N.K.); (N.L.)
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut 1107 2020, Lebanon;
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