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Scott-McKean JJ, Jones R, Johnson MW, Mier J, Basten IA, Stasko MR, Costa ACS. Emergence of Treadmill Running Ability and Quantitative Assessment of Gait Dynamics in Young Ts65Dn Mice: A Mouse Model for Down Syndrome. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050743. [PMID: 37239215 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), which results from the complete or partial trisomy of chromosome 21 (trisomy-21), is the most common genetically defined cause of intellectual disability. Trisomy-21 also produces, or is associated with, many neurodevelopmental phenotypes and neurological comorbidities, including delays and deficits in fine and gross motor development. The Ts65Dn mouse is the most studied animal model for DS and displays the largest known subset of DS-like phenotypes. To date, however, only a small number of developmental phenotypes have been quantitatively defined in these animals. Here, we used a commercially available high-speed, video-based system to record and analyze the gait of Ts65Dn and euploid control mice. Longitudinal treadmill recordings were performed from p17 to p35. One of the main findings was the detection of genotype- and sex-dependent developmental delays in the emergence of consistent, progressive-intensity gait in Ts65Dn mice when compared to control mice. Gait dynamic analysis showed wider normalized front and hind stances in Ts65Dn mice compared to control mice, which may reflect deficits in dynamic postural balance. Ts65Dn mice also displayed statistically significant differences in the variability in several normalized gait measures, which were indicative of deficits in precise motor control in generating gait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonah J Scott-McKean
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
| | - Ryan Jones
- College of Medicine and Life Sciences, The University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606-3390, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
| | - Mark W Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
| | - Joyce Mier
- Physical Therapy Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706-1532, USA
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
| | - Ines A Basten
- Psychiatric Hospital Asster, 3800 Sint-Truiden, Belgium
| | - Melissa R Stasko
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
| | - Alberto C S Costa
- Department of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-6090, USA
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Postolache L, Monier A, Lhoir S. Neuro-Ophthalmological Manifestations in Children with Down Syndrome: Current Perspectives. Eye Brain 2021; 13:193-203. [PMID: 34321946 PMCID: PMC8311006 DOI: 10.2147/eb.s319817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome, caused by an extra copy of all or part of chromosome 21, is the most prevalent intellectual disability of genetic origin. Among numerous comorbidities which are part of the phenotype of individuals with Down syndrome, ocular problems appear to be highly prevalent. Neuro-ophthalmological manifestations, such as ocular alignment and motility disturbances, amblyopia, hypoaccommodation or optic nerve abnormalities, and other organic ocular anomalies frequently reported in Down syndrome, may lead to an overall decrease in visual acuity. Although numerous studies have reported ocular anomalies related to Down syndrome, it remains challenging to determine the impact of each anomaly upon the decreased visual acuity, as most such individuals have more than one ocular problem. Even in children with Down syndrome and no apparent ocular defect, visual acuity has been found to be reduced compared with typically developing children. Pediatric ophthalmological examination is a critical component of a multidisciplinary approach to prevent and treat ocular complications and improve the visual outcome in children with Down syndrome. This narrative review aims to provide a better understanding of the neuro-ophthalmological manifestations and discuss the current ophthalmological management in children with Down syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Postolache
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Monier
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Lhoir
- Department of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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Fernandez F, Reeves RH. Assessing cognitive improvement in people with Down syndrome: important considerations for drug-efficacy trials. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2015; 228:335-80. [PMID: 25977089 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-16522-6_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Experimental research over just the past decade has raised the possibility that learning deficits connected to Down syndrome (DS) might be effectively managed by medication. In the current chapter, we touch on some of the work that paved the way for these advances and discuss the challenges associated with translating them. In particular, we highlight sources of phenotypic variability in the DS population that are likely to impact performance assessments. Throughout, suggestions are made on how to detect meaningful changes in cognitive-adaptive function in people with DS during drug treatment. The importance of within-subjects evaluation is emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Fernandez
- Department of Physiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA,
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Vestibular loss as a contributor to Alzheimer's disease. Med Hypotheses 2013; 80:360-7. [PMID: 23375669 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Revised: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 12/25/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a complex disorder whose etiology is still controversial. It is proposed that vestibular loss may contribute to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, which initially involves degeneration of cholinergic systems in the posterior parietal-temporal, medial-temporal, and posterior-cingulate regions. A major projection to this system emanates from the semicircular canals of the vestibular labyrinth, with vestibular damage leading to severe degeneration of the medial-temporal region. The vestibular loss hypothesis is further supported by the vestibular symptoms found in Alzheimer's patients as well as in various diseases that are major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease.
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Boada R, Hutaff-Lee C, Schrader A, Weitzenkamp D, Benke TA, Goldson EJ, Costa ACS. Antagonism of NMDA receptors as a potential treatment for Down syndrome: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Transl Psychiatry 2012; 2:e141. [PMID: 22806212 PMCID: PMC3410988 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2012.66] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor uncompetitive antagonist, memantine hydrochloride (memantine), has been shown to improve learning/memory and rescue one form of hippocampus synaptic plasticity dysfunction in the best-studied mouse model of DS available, the Ts65Dn mouse. Given the status of memantine as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) approved by the Food and Drug Administration, the preclinical evidence of potential efficacy in Ts65Dn mice, and the favorable safety profile of memantine, we designed a study to investigate whether the findings in the mouse model could be translated to individuals with DS. In this pilot, proof-of-principle study we hypothesized that memantine therapy would improve test scores of young adults with DS on measures of episodic and spatial memory, which are generally considered to be hippocampus dependent. Accordingly, in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we compared the effect of 16-week treatment with either memantine or placebo on cognitive and adaptive functions of 40 young adults with DS using a carefully selected set of neuropsychological outcome measures. Safety and tolerability were also monitored. Although no significant differences were observed between the memantine and placebo groups on the two primary outcome measures, we found a significant improvement in the memantine group in one of the secondary measures associated with the primary hypothesis. Only infrequent and mild adverse events were noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Boada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,The Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - C Hutaff-Lee
- The Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - A Schrader
- The Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - D Weitzenkamp
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - T A Benke
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,The Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Neuroscience Training Program, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA,Colorado Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - E J Goldson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,The Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - A C S Costa
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA,Colorado Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Center, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA,Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 12700 East 19th Avenue, MS C-237, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. E-mail:
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