1
|
He JL, Oeltzschner G, Mikkelsen M, Deronda A, Harris AD, Crocetti D, Wodka EL, Mostofsky SH, Edden RAE, Puts NAJ. Region-specific elevations of glutamate + glutamine correlate with the sensory symptoms of autism spectrum disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:411. [PMID: 34326312 PMCID: PMC8322079 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01525-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals on the autism spectrum are often reported as being hyper- and/or hyporeactive to sensory input. These sensory symptoms were one of the key observations that led to the development of the altered excitation-inhibition (E-I) model of autism, which posits that an increase ratio of excitatory to inhibitory signaling may explain certain phenotypical expressions of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While there has been strong support for the altered E-I model of autism, much of the evidence has come from animal models. With regard to in-vivo human studies, evidence for altered E-I balance in ASD come from studies adopting magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Spectral-edited MRS can be used to provide measures of the levels of GABA + (GABA + macromolecules) and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) in specific brain regions as proxy markers of inhibition and excitation respectively. In the current study, we found region-specific elevations of Glx in the primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1) in ASD. There were no group differences of GABA+ in either the SM1 or thalamus. Higher levels of Glx were associated with more parent reported difficulties of sensory hyper- and hyporeactivity, as well as reduced feed-forward inhibition during tactile perception in children with ASD. Critically, the finding of elevated Glx provides strong empirical support for increased excitation in ASD. Our results also provide a clear link between Glx and the sensory symptoms of ASD at both behavioral and perceptual levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jason L He
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark Mikkelsen
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alyssa Deronda
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Deana Crocetti
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ericka L Wodka
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stewart H Mostofsky
- Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Targeting GABA C Receptors Improves Post-Stroke Motor Recovery. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030315. [PMID: 33801560 PMCID: PMC8000079 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of disability worldwide, with limited treatment options available. This study investigates GABAC receptors as novel pharmacological targets for stroke recovery. The expression of ρ1 and ρ2 mRNA in mice were determined in peri-infarct tissue following photothrombotic motor cortex stroke. (R)-4-amino-cyclopent-1-enyl butylphosphinic acid (R)-4-ACPBPA and (S)-4-ACPBPA were assessed using 2-elecotrode voltage electrophysiology in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Stroke mice were treated for 4 weeks with either vehicle, the α5-selective negative allosteric modulator, L655,708, or the ρ1/2 antagonists, (R)-4-ACPBPA and (S)-4-ACPBPA respectively from 3 days post-stroke. Infarct size and expression levels of GAT3 and reactive astrogliosis were determined using histochemistry and immunohistochemistry respectively, and motor function was assessed using both the grid-walking and cylinder tasks. After stroke, significant increases in ρ1 and ρ2 mRNAs were observed on day 3, with ρ2 showing a further increase on day 7. (R)- and (S)-4-ACPBPA are both potent antagonists at ρ2 and only weak inhibitors of α5β2γ2 receptors. Treatment with either L655,708, (S)-4-ACPBPA (ρ1/2 antagonist; 5 mM only), or (R)-4-ACPBPA (ρ2 antagonist; 2.5 and 5 mM) from 3 days after stroke resulted in a significant improvement in motor recovery on the grid-walking task, with L655,708 and (R)-4-ACPBPA also showing an improvement in the cylinder task. Infarct size was unaffected, and only (R)-4-ACPBPA significantly increased peri-infarct GAT3 expression and decreased the level of reactive astrogliosis. Importantly, inhibiting GABAC receptors affords significant improvement in motor function after stroke. Targeting the ρ-subunit could provide a novel delayed treatment option for stroke recovery.
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu X, Zheng X, Du G, Li Z, Qin X. Brain metabonomics study of the antidepressant-like effect of Xiaoyaosan on the CUMS-depression rats by 1H NMR analysis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 235:141-154. [PMID: 30708033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a famous TCM prescription with a long history of clinical use for relieving a wide variety of depression symptoms, consists of Radix Bupleuri (Bupleurum chinense DC.), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels), Radix PaeoniaeAlba (Paeonia lactiflora Pall.), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocepha lae (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), Poria (Poria cocos (Schw.)Wolf), Radix Glycyrrhizae (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.), Herba Menthae Haplocalycis (Mentha haplocalyx Briq.), and Rhizoma Zin-giberis Recens (Zingiber officinale Rosc.). AIM OF THE STUDY We aimed to characterize the diversity and variation of two kinds metabolites of brain, i.e. aqueous and lipophilic metabolites, gaining comprehensive insights into the metabolic processes of depression-like behavior, and to reveal the mechanisms of antidepressant-like effects of XYS. MATERIALS AND METHODS We first established a CUMS (Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress)-induced depression-like behavior model. We then extracted both aqueous and lipophilic metabolites of rat brains by a two-phase extraction method, which were subsequently characterized by two differential sequences of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Multivariate analysis including Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares-Discriminate Analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied. RESULTS Metabolic profiling by PCA indicated that XYS significantly reversed the metabolic perturbation caused by CUMS. OPLS-DA showed a total of 15 metabolites including 6 lipophilic and 9 aqueous metabolites was screened as potential biomarkers involved in CUMS-induced depression-like behavior. On top of this, five pathways including (1)D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism, (2) valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, (3) alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, (4) taurine and hypotaurine metabolism and (5) arginine and proline metabolism were recognized as the most influenced pathways associated with the process of CUMS-induced depression-like behavior. Notably, XYS significantly reversed abnormality of 5 aqueous and 4 lipophilic metabolites to normal, suggesting that XYS synergistically mediated abnormalities of multiple pathways (1), (3), (4) and (5). CONCLUSIONS It is the first report to investigate the antidepressant-like effects and underlying mechanisms of XYS from the perspective of brain metabolites. In a broad sense, this study brings novel and valuable insights to evaluate the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), to interpret mechanisms, and to provide the theoretical basis for further research on therapeutic mechanisms in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Liu
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Active Constituents Research and Utilization of TCM, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China.
| | - Xingyu Zheng
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Active Constituents Research and Utilization of TCM, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Guanhua Du
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Target and Screening Research, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100050, China
| | - Zhenyu Li
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Active Constituents Research and Utilization of TCM, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China
| | - Xuemei Qin
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China; Shanxi Key Laboratory of Active Constituents Research and Utilization of TCM, Taiyuan 030006, Shanxi, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
GABA Australis, some reflections on the history of GABA receptor research in Australia. Pharmacol Res 2016; 116:32-38. [PMID: 28017666 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2016.12.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 12/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Research on GABA receptors has a long history in Australia dating from 1958 with David Curtis and his colleagues in Canberra. This review traces many of the advances made in Australia guided by highly cited publications and some obscure ones. It covers the discovery of key chemicals with which to investigate GABA receptor function including bicuculline, muscimol, phaclofen, THIP and (+)-CAMP. Also described are findings relevant to the involvement of mutant GABA receptors in inherited epilepsy. The modulation of GABA receptors by a bewildering range of chemicals, especially by flavonoids and terpenoids, is discussed.
Collapse
|
5
|
Furlong TM, Duncan JR, Corbit LH, Rae CD, Rowlands BD, Maher AD, Nasrallah FA, Milligan CJ, Petrou S, Lawrence AJ, Balleine BW. Toluene inhalation in adolescent rats reduces flexible behaviour in adulthood and alters glutamatergic and GABAergic signalling. J Neurochem 2016; 139:806-822. [PMID: 27696399 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Toluene is a commonly abused inhalant that is easily accessible to adolescents. Despite the increasing incidence of use, our understanding of its long-term impact remains limited. Here, we used a range of techniques to examine the acute and chronic effects of toluene exposure on glutameteric and GABAergic function, and on indices of psychological function in adult rats after adolescent exposure. Metabolomics conducted on cortical tissue established that acute exposure to toluene produces alterations in cellular metabolism indicative of a glutamatergic and GABAergic profile. Similarly, in vitro electrophysiology in Xenopus oocytes found that acute toluene exposure reduced NMDA receptor signalling. Finally, in an adolescent rodent model of chronic intermittent exposure to toluene (10 000 ppm), we found that, while toluene exposure did not affect initial learning, it induced a deficit in updating that learning when response-outcome relationships were reversed or degraded in an instrumental conditioning paradigm. There were also group differences when more effort was required to obtain the reward; toluene-exposed animals were less sensitive to progressive ratio schedules and to delayed discounting. These behavioural deficits were accompanied by changes in subunit expression of both NMDA and GABA receptors in adulthood, up to 10 weeks after the final exposure to toluene in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and ventromedial striatum; regions with recognized roles in behavioural flexibility and decision-making. Collectively, our data suggest that exposure to toluene is sufficient to induce adaptive changes in glutamatergic and GABAergic systems and in adaptive behaviour that may underlie the deficits observed following adolescent inhalant abuse, including susceptibility to further drug-use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Teri M Furlong
- Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jhodie R Duncan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Laura H Corbit
- School of Psychology, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Caroline D Rae
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of NSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Benjamin D Rowlands
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences, University of NSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony D Maher
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Carol J Milligan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew J Lawrence
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bernard W Balleine
- Brain & Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Psychology, University of NSW, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
This special edition of the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology focuses on the leading edge of metabolomics in brain metabolism research. The topics covered include a metabolomic field overview and the challenges in neuroscience metabolomics. The workflow and utility of different analytical platforms to profile complex biological matrices that include biofluids, brain tissue and cells, are shown in several case studies. These studies demonstrate how global and targeted metabolite profiling can be applied to distinguish disease stages and to understand the effects of drug action on the central nervous system (CNS). Finally, we discuss the importance of metabolomics to advance the understanding of brain function that includes ligand-receptor interactions and new insights into the mechanisms of CNS disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julijana Ivanisevic
- Scripps Center for Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|