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Horata E, Ay H, Aslan D. Autistic-like behaviour and changes in thalamic cell numbers a rat model of valproic acid-induced autism; A behavioural and stereological study. Brain Res 2024; 1840:149047. [PMID: 38823508 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.149047] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The contribution of the thalamus to the development and behavioural changes in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a neurodevelopmental syndrome, remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in thalamic volume and cell number in the valproic acid (VPA)-induced ASD model using stereological methods and to clarify the relationship between thalamus and ASD-like behaviour. Ten pregnant rats were administered a single dose (600 mg/kg) of VPA intraperitoneally on G12.5 (VPA group), while five pregnant rats were injected with 5 ml saline (control group). Behavioural tests were performed to determine appropriate subjects and ASD-like behaviours. At P55, the brains of the subjects were removed. The sagittal sections were stained with cresyl violet and toluidine blue. The thalamic and hemispheric volumes with their ratios, the total number of thalamic cells, neurons and non-neuronal cells were calculated using stereological methods. Data were compared using a t-test and a Pearson correlation analysis was performed to examine the relationship between behaviour and stereological outcomes. VPA-treated rats had lower sociability and sociability indexes. There was no difference in social novelty preference and anxiety. The VPA group had larger hemispheric volume, lower thalamic volume, and fewer neurons. The highest percentage decrease was in non-neuronal cells. There was a moderate positive correlation between the number of non-neuronal cells and sociability, thalamic volume and the number of neurons as well as the time spent in the light box. The correlation between behaviour and stereological data suggests that the thalamus is associated with ASD-like behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdal Horata
- Orthopedic Prosthesis Orthotics, Atatürk Health Services Vocational School, Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.
| | - Hakan Ay
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskişehir Osmangazi University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Duygu Aslan
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
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2
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Geiger M, Hurewitz SR, Pawlowski K, Baumer NT, Wilkinson CL. Alterations in aperiodic and periodic EEG activity in young children with Down syndrome. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 200:106643. [PMID: 39173846 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common cause of intellectual disability, yet little is known about the neurobiological pathways leading to cognitive impairments. Electroencephalographic (EEG) measures are commonly used to study neurodevelopmental disorders, but few studies have focused on young children with DS. Here we assess resting state EEG data collected from toddlers/preschoolers with DS (n = 29, age 13-48 months old) and compare their aperiodic and periodic EEG features with both age-matched (n = 29) and developmental-matched (n = 58) comparison groups. DS participants exhibited significantly reduced aperiodic slope, increased periodic theta power, and decreased alpha peak amplitude. A majority of DS participants displayed a prominent peak in the theta range, whereas a theta peak was not present in age-matched participants. Overall, similar findings were also observed when comparing DS and developmental-matched groups, suggesting that EEG differences are not explained by delayed cognitive ability.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKena Geiger
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sophie R Hurewitz
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine Pawlowski
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole T Baumer
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carol L Wilkinson
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Kakuszi B, Szuromi B, Tóth M, Bitter I, Czobor P. Alterations in resting-state gamma-activity is adults with autism spectrum disorder: A High-Density EEG study. Psychiatry Res 2024; 339:116040. [PMID: 38901364 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.116040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a wide range of symptoms that include deficits in social cognition and difficulties with social interactions. Neural oscillations in the EEG gamma band have been proposed as an important candidate neurobiological marker of higher order cognitive processes and social interactions. We investigated resting-state gamma-activity of patients with ASD (n=23) in order to delineate alterations as compared to typically developing (TD) subjects (n=24). EEG absolute power was examined in the gamma (30-100Hz) frequency band. We found significantly reduced spectral power across the entire gamma range in the ASD group. The decrease was most pronounced over the inferior-frontal and temporo-parietal junction areas. We also found a significant decrease in gamma-activity over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, especially in the left side. Since these brain areas have been associated with social functioning, the reduced gamma-activity in ASD may represent a cortical dysfunction that could underlie a diminished capacity to interpret socially important information, thereby interfering with social functioning. The alterations we found may lend support for an improved diagnosis. Furthermore, they can lead to focused therapies, by targeting the dysfunctional brain activity to improve social cognitive and interaction abilities that are compromised in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigitta Kakuszi
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Máté Tóth
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Bitter
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Czobor
- Semmelweis University, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Budapest, Hungary
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Souza AJ, Freitas ÍS, Sharmin D, Cook JM, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. An alpha 5-GABA A receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates social and cognitive deficits without changing dopamine system hyperactivity in rats exposed to valproic acid in utero. Autism Res 2024; 17:1534-1544. [PMID: 39169698 PMCID: PMC11343091 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are characterized by core behavioral symptoms in the domains of sociability, language/communication, and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Deficits in the prefrontal and hippocampal excitatory/inhibitory balance due to a functional loss of GABAergic interneurons are proposed to underlie these symptoms. Increasing the postsynaptic effects of GABA with compounds that selectively modulate GABAergic receptors could be a potential target for treating ASD symptoms. In addition, deficits in GABAergic interneurons have been linked to dopamine (DA) system dysregulation, and, despite conflicting evidence, abnormalities in the DA system activity may underly some ASD symptoms. Here, we investigated whether the positive allosteric modulator of α5-containing GABAA receptors (α5-GABAARs) SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 (10 mg/kg) attenuates behavioral abnormalities in rats exposed to valproic acid (VPA) in utero, an established risk factor for autism. We also evaluated if animals exposed to VPA in utero present changes in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA system activity using in vivo electrophysiology and if SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 could attenuate these changes. SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before each behavioral test and electrophysiology. In utero VPA exposure caused male and female rats to present increased repetitive behavior (self-grooming) in early adolescence and deficits in social interaction in adulthood. Male, but not female VPA rats, also presented deficits in recognition memory as adults. SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 attenuated the impairments in sociability and cognitive function in male VPA-exposed rats without attenuating the decreased social interaction in females. Adult male and female VPA-exposed rats also showed an increased VTA DA neuron population activity, which was not changed by SH-053-2'F-R-CH3. Despite sex differences, our findings indicate that α5-GABAARs positive allosteric modulators may effectively attenuate some core ASD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Jesus Souza
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ícaro Silva Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Dishary Sharmin
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute of Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA
| | - James M. Cook
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Milwaukee Institute of Drug Discovery, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Francisco S. Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V. Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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Chen R, Nie P, Wang J, Wang GZ. Deciphering brain cellular and behavioral mechanisms: Insights from single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. RNA 2024; 15:e1865. [PMID: 38972934 DOI: 10.1002/wrna.1865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
The brain is a complex computing system composed of a multitude of interacting neurons. The computational outputs of this system determine the behavior and perception of every individual. Each brain cell expresses thousands of genes that dictate the cell's function and physiological properties. Therefore, deciphering the molecular expression of each cell is of great significance for understanding its characteristics and role in brain function. Additionally, the positional information of each cell can provide crucial insights into their involvement in local brain circuits. In this review, we briefly overview the principles of single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the potential issues and challenges in their data processing, and their applications in brain research. We further outline several promising directions in neuroscience that could be integrated with single-cell RNA sequencing, including neurodevelopment, the identification of novel brain microstructures, cognition and behavior, neuronal cell positioning, molecules and cells related to advanced brain functions, sleep-wake cycles/circadian rhythms, and computational modeling of brain function. We believe that the deep integration of these directions with single-cell and spatial RNA sequencing can contribute significantly to understanding the roles of individual cells or cell types in these specific functions, thereby making important contributions to addressing critical questions in those fields. This article is categorized under: RNA Evolution and Genomics > Computational Analyses of RNA RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renrui Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Pengxing Nie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Guang-Zhong Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
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Pedrazzi JFC, Hassib L, Ferreira FR, Hallak JC, Del-Bel E, Crippa JA. Therapeutic potential of CBD in Autism Spectrum Disorder. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 177:149-203. [PMID: 39029984 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Despite extensive research, effective pharmacological interventions for ASD remain limited. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic compound of the Cannabis sativa plant, has potential therapeutic effects on several neurological and psychiatric disorders. CBD interacts with the endocannabinoid system, a complex cell-signaling system that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, maintaining homeostasis, participating in social and behavioral processing, and neuronal development and maturation with great relevance to ASD. Furthermore, preliminary findings from clinical trials indicate that CBD may have a modulatory effect on specific ASD symptoms and comorbidities in humans. Interestingly, emerging evidence suggests that CBD may influence the gut microbiota, with implications for the bidirectional communication between the gut and the central nervous system. CBD is a safe drug with low induction of side effects. As it has a multi-target pharmacological profile, it becomes a candidate compound for treating the central symptoms and comorbidities of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- João F C Pedrazzi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Lucas Hassib
- Department of Mental Health, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Jaime C Hallak
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine Del-Bel
- Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; National Institute for Science and Technology, Translational Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Cannabinoid Research, Mental Health Building, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José A Crippa
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Ortiz A, Ayhan F, Harper M, Konopka G. Cell type specific roles of FOXP1 during early neocortical murine development. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.08.598089. [PMID: 38895440 PMCID: PMC11185780 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.08.598089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Cortical development is a tightly controlled process and any deviation during development may increase the susceptibility to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Numerous studies identified mutations in FOXP1, a transcription factor enriched in the neocortex, as causal for ASD and FOXP1 syndrome. Our group has shown that Foxp1 deletion in the mouse cortex leads to overall reduced cortex thickness, alterations in cortical lamination, and changes in the relative thickness of cortical layers. However, the developmental and cell type-specific mechanisms underlying these changes remained unclear. This work characterizes the developmental requirement of neocortical Foxp1 at key embryonic and perinatal ages using a conditional knock-out of Foxp1. We find that Foxp1 deletion results in accelerated pseudo-age during early neurogenesis, increased cell cycle exit during late neurogenesis, altered gene expression and chromatin accessibility, and selective migration deficits in a subset of upper-layer neurons. These data explain the postnatal differences observed in cortical layers and relative cortical thickness. We also highlight genes regulated by FOXP1 and their enrichment with high-confidence ASD or synaptic genes. Together, these results underscore a network of neurodevelopmental disorder-related genes that may serve as potential modulatory targets for postnatal modification relevant to ASD and FOXP1 syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Ortiz
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Fatma Ayhan
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Matthew Harper
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Genevieve Konopka
- Department of Neuroscience, Peter O’Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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Aerts T, Boonen A, Geenen L, Stulens A, Masin L, Pancho A, Francis A, Pepermans E, Baggerman G, Van Roy F, Wöhr M, Seuntjens E. Altered socio-affective communication and amygdala development in mice with protocadherin10-deficient interneurons. Open Biol 2024; 14:240113. [PMID: 38889770 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental conditions associated with deficits in social interaction and communication, together with repetitive behaviours. The cell adhesion molecule protocadherin10 (PCDH10) is linked to ASD in humans. Pcdh10 is expressed in the nervous system during embryonic and early postnatal development and is important for neural circuit formation. In mice, strong expression of Pcdh10 in the ganglionic eminences and in the basolateral complex (BLC) of the amygdala was observed at mid and late embryonic stages, respectively. Both inhibitory and excitatory neurons expressed Pcdh10 in the BLC at perinatal stages and vocalization-related genes were enriched in Pcdh10-expressing neurons in adult mice. An epitope-tagged Pcdh10-HAV5 mouse line revealed endogenous interactions of PCDH10 with synaptic proteins in the young postnatal telencephalon. Nuanced socio-affective communication changes in call emission rates, acoustic features and call subtype clustering were primarily observed in heterozygous pups of a conditional knockout (cKO) with selective deletion of Pcdh10 in Gsh2-lineage interneurons. These changes were less prominent in heterozygous ubiquitous Pcdh10 KO pups, suggesting that altered anxiety levels associated with Gsh2-lineage interneuron functioning might drive the behavioural effects. Together, loss of Pcdh10 specifically in interneurons contributes to behavioural alterations in socio-affective communication with relevance to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Aerts
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Anneleen Boonen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Lieve Geenen
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Anne Stulens
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Luca Masin
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Anna Pancho
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
- Developmental Genetics, Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel , Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Annick Francis
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Elise Pepermans
- Centre for Proteomics, University of Antwerp , Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geert Baggerman
- Centre for Proteomics, University of Antwerp , Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Computer Science, University of Antwerp , Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Frans Van Roy
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology; Inflammation Research Center, VIB, Ghent University , Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG) 9000, Belgium
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Research Unit Brain and Cognition, Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Social and Affective Neuroscience Research Group, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute , Leuven 3000, Belgium
- Faculty of Psychology, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Behavioral Neuroscience, Philipps-University of Marburg , Marburg 35032, Germany
- Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior, Philipps-University of Marburg , Marburg 35032, Germany
| | - Eve Seuntjens
- Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Division of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Lab of Developmental Neurobiology, KU Leuven , Leuven 3000, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Brain Institute , Leuven 3000, Belgium
- KU Leuven, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics , Leuven 3000, Belgium
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Mattioni L, Barbieri A, Grigoli A, Balasco L, Bozzi Y, Provenzano G. Alterations of Perineuronal Net Expression and Abnormal Social Behavior and Whisker-dependent Texture Discrimination in Mice Lacking the Autism Candidate Gene Engrailed 2. Neuroscience 2024; 546:63-74. [PMID: 38537894 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.023] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons and perineuronal nets (PNNs) are important regulators of plasticity throughout life and their dysfunction has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric conditions, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). PNNs are condensed portions of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that are crucial for neural development and proper formation of synaptic connections. We previously showed a reduced expression of GABAergic interneuron markers in the hippocampus and somatosensory cortex of adult mice lacking the Engrailed2 gene (En2-/- mice), a mouse model of ASD. Since alterations in PNNs have been proposed as a possible pathogenic mechanism in ASD, we hypothesized that the PNN dysfunction may contribute to the neural and behavioral abnormalities of En2-/- mice. Here, we show an increase in the PNN fluorescence intensity, evaluated by Wisteria floribunda agglutinin, in brain regions involved in social behavior and somatosensory processing. In addition, we found that En2-/- mice exhibit altered texture discrimination through whiskers and display a marked decrease in the preference for social novelty. Our results raise the possibility that altered expression of PNNs, together with defects of GABAergic interneurons, might contribute to the pathogenesis of social and sensory behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Mattioni
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
| | - Anna Barbieri
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Andrea Grigoli
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy
| | - Luigi Balasco
- CIMeC - Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068 Rovereto, Trento, Italy
| | - Yuri Bozzi
- CIMeC - Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068 Rovereto, Trento, Italy; CNR Neuroscience Institute, via Moruzzi 1, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational, and Integrative Biology (CIBIO), University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy.
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Geiger M, Hurewitz SR, Pawlowski K, Baumer NT, Wilkinson CL. Alterations in aperiodic and periodic EEG activity in young children with Down syndrome. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.05.01.24306729. [PMID: 38746335 PMCID: PMC11092732 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.24306729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Down syndrome is the most common cause of intellectual disability, yet little is known about the neurobiological pathways leading to cognitive impairments. Electroencephalographic (EEG) measures are commonly used to study neurodevelopmental disorders, but few studies have focused on young children with DS. Here we assess resting state EEG data collected from toddlers/preschoolers with DS (n=29, age 13-48 months old) and compare their aperiodic and periodic EEG features with both age-matched (n=29) and cognitive-matched (n=58) comparison groups. DS participants exhibited significantly reduced aperiodic slope, increased periodic theta power, and decreased alpha peak amplitude. A majority of DS participants displayed a prominent peak in the theta range, whereas a theta peak was not present in age-matched participants. Overall, similar findings were also observed when comparing DS and cognitive-matched groups, suggesting that EEG differences are not explained by delayed cognitive ability.
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11
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Salari Z, Moslemizadeh A, Tezerji SS, Sabet N, Parizi AS, Khaksari M, Sheibani V, Jafari E, Shafieipour S, Bashiri H. Sex-dependent alterations of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and histopathology of the brain-gut axis in a VPA-induced autistic-like model of rats. Birth Defects Res 2024; 116:e2310. [PMID: 38563145 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In this study, we aimed to investigate the inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and histopathological consequences of the brain-gut axis in male and female rats prenatally exposed to VPA. METHODS Pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. The animals received saline, and valproic acid (VPA) (600 mg/kg, i.p.) on embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5). All offspring were weaned on postnatal day 21, and the experiments were done in male and female rats on day 60. The brain and intestine tissues were extracted to assess histopathology, inflammation, and oxidative stress. RESULTS An increase of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) and a decrease of interleukin-10 (IL-10) were observed in the two sexes and two tissues of the autistic rats. In the VPA-exposed animals, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) increased in the brain of both sexes and the intestines of only the males. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) significantly decreased in both tissues of male and female autistic groups. Histopathological evaluation showed that the %apoptosis of the cortex in the autistic male and female groups was more than in controls whereas this parameter in the CA1 and CA3 was significant only in the male rats. In the intestine, histopathologic changes were seen only in the male autistic animals. CONCLUSION The inflammatory and antioxidant factors were in line in the brain-gut axis in male and female rats prenatally exposed to VPA. Histopathological consequences were more significant in the VPA-exposed male animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Salari
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | | | - Sara Sheibani Tezerji
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Regensburg Center for Neuroscience, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Nazanin Sabet
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Ali Saeidpour Parizi
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Khaksari
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Elham Jafari
- Pathology and Stem Cells Research Center, Department of Pathology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Shafieipour
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamideh Bashiri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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12
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Weiss JT, Blundell MZ, Singh P, Donlea JM. Sleep deprivation drives brain-wide changes in cholinergic presynapse abundance in Drosophila melanogaster. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312664121. [PMID: 38498719 PMCID: PMC10990117 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312664121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep is an evolutionarily conserved state that supports brain functions, including synaptic plasticity, in species across the animal kingdom. Here, we examine the neuroanatomical and cell-type distribution of presynaptic scaling in the fly brain after sleep loss. We previously found that sleep loss drives accumulation of the active zone scaffolding protein Bruchpilot (BRP) within cholinergic Kenyon cells of the Drosophila melanogaster mushroom body (MB), but not in other classes of MB neurons. To test whether similar cell type-specific trends in plasticity occur broadly across the brain, we used a flp-based genetic reporter to label presynaptic BRP in cholinergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, or glutamatergic neurons. We then collected whole-brain confocal image stacks of BRP intensity to systematically quantify BRP, a marker of presynapse abundance, across 37 neuropil regions of the central fly brain. Our results indicate that sleep loss, either by overnight (12-h) mechanical stimulation or chronic sleep disruption in insomniac mutants, broadly elevates cholinergic synapse abundance across the brain, while synapse abundance in neurons that produce other neurotransmitters undergoes weaker, if any, changes. Extending sleep deprivation to 24 h drives brain-wide upscaling in glutamatergic, but not other, synapses. Finally, overnight male-male social pairings induce increased BRP in excitatory synapses despite male-female pairings eliciting more waking activity, suggesting experience-specific plasticity. Within neurotransmitter class and waking context, BRP changes are similar across the 37 neuropil domains, indicating that similar synaptic scaling rules may apply across the brain during acute sleep loss and that sleep need may broadly alter excitatory-inhibitory balance in the central brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline T. Weiss
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Mei Z. Blundell
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Prabhjit Singh
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
| | - Jeffrey M. Donlea
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA90095
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13
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Kashyap R, Holla B, Bhattacharjee S, Sharma E, Mehta UM, Vaidya N, Bharath RD, Murthy P, Basu D, Nanjayya SB, Singh RL, Lourembam R, Chakrabarti A, Kartik K, Kalyanram K, Kumaran K, Krishnaveni G, Krishna M, Kuriyan R, Kurpad SS, Desrivieres S, Purushottam M, Barker G, Orfanos DP, Hickman M, Heron J, Toledano M, Schumann G, Benegal V. Childhood adversities characterize the heterogeneity in the brain pattern of individuals during neurodevelopment. Psychol Med 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38509831 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291724000710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several factors shape the neurodevelopmental trajectory. A key area of focus in neurodevelopmental research is to estimate the factors that have maximal influence on the brain and can tip the balance from typical to atypical development. METHODS Utilizing a dissimilarity maximization algorithm on the dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) of the resting state functional MRI data, we classified subjects from the cVEDA neurodevelopmental cohort (n = 987, aged 6-23 years) into homogeneously patterned DMD (representing typical development in 809 subjects) and heterogeneously patterned DMD (indicative of atypical development in 178 subjects). RESULTS Significant DMD differences were primarily identified in the default mode network (DMN) regions across these groups (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). While the groups were comparable in cognitive performance, the atypical group had more frequent exposure to adversities and faced higher abuses (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). Upon evaluating brain-behavior correlations, we found that correlation patterns between adversity and DMN dynamic modes exhibited age-dependent variations for atypical subjects, hinting at differential utilization of the DMN due to chronic adversities. CONCLUSION Adversities (particularly abuse) maximally influence the DMN during neurodevelopment and lead to the failure in the development of a coherent DMN system. While DMN's integrity is preserved in typical development, the age-dependent variability in atypically developing individuals is contrasting. The flexibility of DMN might be a compensatory mechanism to protect an individual in an abusive environment. However, such adaptability might deprive the neural system of the faculties of normal functioning and may incur long-term effects on the psyche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajan Kashyap
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bharath Holla
- Department of Integrative Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sagarika Bhattacharjee
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Eesha Sharma
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Urvakhsh Meherwan Mehta
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Nilakshi Vaidya
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, PONS Centre, Charité Mental Health, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre for Addiction Medicine, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rose Dawn Bharath
- Department of Neuroimaging and Interventional Radiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Pratima Murthy
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Debashish Basu
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | | | | | - Roshan Lourembam
- Department of Psychiatry, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, India
| | - Amit Chakrabarti
- Division of Mental Health, ICMR-Centre for Ageing and Mental Health, Kolkata, India
| | - Kamakshi Kartik
- Rishi Valley Rural Health Centre, Madanapalle, Chittoor, India
| | | | - Kalyanaraman Kumaran
- Epidemiology Research Unit, CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore, India
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK
| | - Ghattu Krishnaveni
- Epidemiology Research Unit, CSI Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore, India
| | - Murali Krishna
- Health Equity Cluster, Institute of Public Health, Bangalore, India
| | - Rebecca Kuriyan
- Division of Nutrition, St John's Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sunita Simon Kurpad
- Department of Psychiatry & Department of Medical Ethics, St John's Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Sylvane Desrivieres
- SGDP Centre, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Meera Purushottam
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Gareth Barker
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | | | - Matthew Hickman
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Jon Heron
- Center for Public Health, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Mireille Toledano
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Gunter Schumann
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, PONS Centre, Charité Mental Health, Germany
- PONS Centre, Institute for Science and Technology of Brain-inspired Intelligence (ISTBI), Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Vivek Benegal
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, India
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14
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Morales-Navas M, Perez-Fernandez C, Castaño-Castaño S, Sánchez-Gil A, Colomina MT, Leinekugel X, Sánchez-Santed F. Sociability: Comparing the Effect of Chlorpyrifos with Valproic Acid. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06263-z. [PMID: 38466473 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06263-z] [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] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, exposures to organophosphate pesticide have been highlighted as a possible cause or aggravating factor of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The present study examined if Wistar rats prenatally exposed to chlorpyrifos (CPF) at a dose of 1 mg/kg in GD 12.5-15.5 could express similar behaviors to those exposed to valproic acid (VPA, 400 mg/kg) during the same administration window, which is an accepted animal model of autism. The 3-chambered test was employed to evaluate sociability and reaction to social novelty in two experiments, the first in adolescence and the second in adulthood. The results obtained in this study show that animals prenatally treated with CPF or VPA show a similar behavioral phenotype compared to the control group (CNT). In adolescence, the CPF animals showed a negative index in the reaction to social novelty, followed closely by the VPA, while both experimental groups showed a recovery in this aspect during adulthood. This study therefore provides evidence to suggest that prenatal exposure to CPF in rats could have similar effects on certain components of sociability to those seen in autistic models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Morales-Navas
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center (CEINSA), University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Cristian Perez-Fernandez
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center (CEINSA), University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Sergio Castaño-Castaño
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center (CEINSA), University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain
- Departamento de Psicobiología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza de Feijoo, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Ainhoa Sánchez-Gil
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center (CEINSA), University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - María Teresa Colomina
- Department of Psychology and Research Center for Behavior Assessment (CRAMC), Universitat Rovira i Virgili, C/Carretera de Valls, s/n, 43007, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Xavier Leinekugel
- Institut de Neurobiologie de la Mediterranée (INMED), INSERM UMR1249, Aix-Marseille University, Parc Scientifique de Luminy BP.13, CEDEX 09, 13273, Marseille, France
| | - Fernando Sánchez-Santed
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center (CEINSA), University of Almería, Ctra. Sacramento, s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain.
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15
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Messina A, Sovrano VA, Baratti G, Musa A, Gobbo A, Adiletta A, Sgadò P. Valproic acid exposure affects social visual lateralization and asymmetric gene expression in zebrafish larvae. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4474. [PMID: 38395997 PMCID: PMC10891151 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54356-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebral asymmetry is critical for typical brain function and development; at the same time, altered brain lateralization seems to be associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Zebrafish are increasingly emerging as model species to study brain lateralization, using asymmetric development of the habenula, a phylogenetically old brain structure associated with social and emotional processing, to investigate the relationship between brain asymmetry and social behavior. We exposed 5-h post-fertilization zebrafish embryos to valproic acid (VPA), a compound used to model the core signs of ASD in many vertebrate species, and assessed social interaction, visual lateralization and gene expression in the thalamus and the telencephalon. VPA-exposed zebrafish exhibit social deficits and a deconstruction of social visual laterality to the mirror. We also observe changes in the asymmetric expression of the epithalamic marker leftover and in the size of the dorsolateral part of the habenula in adult zebrafish. Our data indicate that VPA exposure neutralizes the animals' visual field bias, with a complete loss of the left-eye use bias in front of their own mirror image, and alters brain asymmetric gene expression and morphology, opening new perspectives to investigate brain lateralization and its link to atypical social cognitive development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Messina
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Valeria Anna Sovrano
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy.
| | - Greta Baratti
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Alessia Musa
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gobbo
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Alice Adiletta
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy
| | - Paola Sgadò
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Piazza della Manifattura 1, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy.
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16
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Santhakumar V, Subramanian D, Eisenberg C, Huang A, Baek J, Naveed H, Komatireddy S, Shiflett M, Tran T. Dysregulation of Neuropilin-2 Expression in Inhibitory Neurons Impairs Hippocampal Circuit Development Leading to Autism-Epilepsy Phenotype. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-3922129. [PMID: 38405865 PMCID: PMC10889061 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3922129/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulation of development, migration, and function of interneurons, collectively termed interneuronopathies, have been proposed as a shared mechanism for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and childhood epilepsy. Neuropilin-2 (Nrp2), a candidate ASD gene, is a critical regulator of interneuron migration from the median ganglionic eminence (MGE) to the pallium, including the hippocampus. While clinical studies have identified Nrp2 polymorphisms in patients with ASD, whether dysregulation of Nrp2-dependent interneuron migration contributes to pathogenesis of ASD and epilepsy has not been tested. We tested the hypothesis that the lack of Nrp2 in MGE-derived interneuron precursors disrupts the excitation/inhibition balance in hippocampal circuits, thus predisposing the network to seizures and behavioral patterns associated with ASD. Embryonic deletion of Nrp2 during the developmental period for migration of MGE derived interneuron precursors (iCKO) significantly reduced parvalbumin, neuropeptide Y, and somatostatin positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1. Consequently, when compared to controls, the frequency of inhibitory synaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal cells was reduced while frequency of excitatory synaptic currents was increased in iCKO mice. Although passive and active membrane properties of CA1 pyramidal cells were unchanged, iCKO mice showed enhanced susceptibility to chemically evoked seizures. Moreover, iCKO mice exhibited selective behavioral deficits in both preference for social novelty and goal-directed learning, which are consistent with ASD-like phenotype. Together, our findings show that disruption of developmental Nrp2 regulation of interneuron circuit establishment, produces ASD-like behaviors and enhanced risk for epilepsy. These results support the developmental interneuronopathy hypothesis of ASD epilepsy comorbidity.
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17
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Subramanian D, Eisenberg C, Huang A, Baek J, Naveed H, Komatireddy S, Shiflett MW, Tran TS, Santhakumar V. Dysregulation of Neuropilin-2 Expression in Inhibitory Neurons Impairs Hippocampal Circuit Development Leading to Autism-Epilepsy Phenotype. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.05.578976. [PMID: 38370800 PMCID: PMC10871171 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.578976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Dysregulation of development, migration, and function of interneurons, collectively termed interneuronopathies, have been proposed as a shared mechanism for autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and childhood epilepsy. Neuropilin-2 (Nrp2), a candidate ASD gene, is a critical regulator of interneuron migration from the median ganglionic eminence (MGE) to the pallium, including the hippocampus. While clinical studies have identified Nrp2 polymorphisms in patients with ASD, whether dysregulation of Nrp2-dependent interneuron migration contributes to pathogenesis of ASD and epilepsy has not been tested. We tested the hypothesis that the lack of Nrp2 in MGE-derived interneuron precursors disrupts the excitation/inhibition balance in hippocampal circuits, thus predisposing the network to seizures and behavioral patterns associated with ASD. Embryonic deletion of Nrp2 during the developmental period for migration of MGE derived interneuron precursors (iCKO) significantly reduced parvalbumin, neuropeptide Y, and somatostatin positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1. Consequently, when compared to controls, the frequency of inhibitory synaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal cells was reduced while frequency of excitatory synaptic currents was increased in iCKO mice. Although passive and active membrane properties of CA1 pyramidal cells were unchanged, iCKO mice showed enhanced susceptibility to chemically evoked seizures. Moreover, iCKO mice exhibited selective behavioral deficits in both preference for social novelty and goal-directed learning, which are consistent with ASD-like phenotype. Together, our findings show that disruption of developmental Nrp2 regulation of interneuron circuit establishment, produces ASD-like behaviors and enhanced risk for epilepsy. These results support the developmental interneuronopathy hypothesis of ASD epilepsy comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepak Subramanian
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
| | - Carol Eisenberg
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
| | - Andrew Huang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
| | - Jiyeon Baek
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
| | - Haniya Naveed
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
| | - Samiksha Komatireddy
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
| | | | - Tracy S. Tran
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ
| | - Vijayalakshmi Santhakumar
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA
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18
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Reis SL, Monteiro P. From synaptic dysfunction to atypical emotional processing in autism. FEBS Lett 2024; 598:269-282. [PMID: 38233224 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition mainly characterized by social impairments and repetitive behaviors. Among these core symptoms, a notable aspect of ASD is the presence of emotional complexities, including high rates of anxiety disorders. The inherent heterogeneity of ASD poses a unique challenge in understanding its etiological origins, yet the utilization of diverse animal models replicating ASD traits has enabled researchers to dissect the intricate relationship between autism and atypical emotional processing. In this review, we delve into the general findings about the neural circuits underpinning one of the most extensively researched and evolutionarily conserved emotional states: fear and anxiety. Additionally, we explore how distinct ASD animal models exhibit various anxiety phenotypes, making them a crucial tool for dissecting ASD's multifaceted nature. Overall, to a proper display of fear response, it is crucial to properly process and integrate sensorial and visceral cues to the fear-induced stimuli. ASD individuals exhibit altered sensory processing, possibly contributing to the emergence of atypical phobias, a prevailing anxiety disorder manifested in this population. Moreover, these individuals display distinctive alterations in a pivotal fear and anxiety processing hub, the amygdala. By examining the neurobiological mechanisms underlying fear and anxiety regulation, we can gain insights into the factors contributing to the distinctive emotional profile observed in individuals with ASD. Such insights hold the potential to pave the way for more targeted interventions and therapies that address the emotional challenges faced by individuals within the autism spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara L Reis
- Department of Biomedicine - Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Patricia Monteiro
- Department of Biomedicine - Experimental Biology Unit, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal
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19
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Marchetta P, Dapper K, Hess M, Calis D, Singer W, Wertz J, Fink S, Hage SR, Alam M, Schwabe K, Lukowski R, Bourien J, Puel JL, Jacob MH, Munk MHJ, Land R, Rüttiger L, Knipper M. Dysfunction of specific auditory fibers impacts cortical oscillations, driving an autism phenotype despite near-normal hearing. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23411. [PMID: 38243766 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301995r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder is discussed in the context of altered neural oscillations and imbalanced cortical excitation-inhibition of cortical origin. We studied here whether developmental changes in peripheral auditory processing, while preserving basic hearing function, lead to altered cortical oscillations. Local field potentials (LFPs) were recorded from auditory, visual, and prefrontal cortices and the hippocampus of BdnfPax2 KO mice. These mice develop an autism-like behavioral phenotype through deletion of BDNF in Pax2+ interneuron precursors, affecting lower brainstem functions, but not frontal brain regions directly. Evoked LFP responses to behaviorally relevant auditory stimuli were weaker in the auditory cortex of BdnfPax2 KOs, connected to maturation deficits of high-spontaneous rate auditory nerve fibers. This was correlated with enhanced spontaneous and induced LFP power, excitation-inhibition imbalance, and dendritic spine immaturity, mirroring autistic phenotypes. Thus, impairments in peripheral high-spontaneous rate fibers alter spike synchrony and subsequently cortical processing relevant for normal communication and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philine Marchetta
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Konrad Dapper
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Morgan Hess
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dila Calis
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Wibke Singer
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jakob Wertz
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Fink
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Steffen R Hage
- Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Mesbah Alam
- Experimental Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kerstin Schwabe
- Experimental Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Robert Lukowski
- Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Clinical Pharmacy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jerome Bourien
- Institute for Neurosciences Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médical, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Jean-Luc Puel
- Institute for Neurosciences Montpellier, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médical, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Michele H Jacob
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthias H J Munk
- Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Biology, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Land
- Department of Experimental Otology, Institute of Audioneurotechnology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lukas Rüttiger
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Molecular Physiology of Hearing, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Tübingen Hearing Research Centre, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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20
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Bogatova D, Smirnakis SM, Palagina G. Tug-of-Peace: Visual Rivalry and Atypical Visual Motion Processing in MECP2 Duplication Syndrome of Autism. eNeuro 2024; 11:ENEURO.0102-23.2023. [PMID: 37940561 PMCID: PMC10792601 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0102-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracting common patterns of neural circuit computations in the autism spectrum and confirming them as a cause of specific core traits of autism is the first step toward identifying cell-level and circuit-level targets for effective clinical intervention. Studies in humans with autism have identified functional links and common anatomic substrates between core restricted behavioral repertoire, cognitive rigidity, and overstability of visual percepts during visual rivalry. To study these processes with single-cell precision and comprehensive neuronal population coverage, we developed the visual bistable perception paradigm for mice based on ambiguous moving plaid patterns consisting of two transparent gratings drifting at an angle of 120°. This results in spontaneous reversals of the perception between local component motion (plaid perceived as two separate moving grating components) and integrated global pattern motion (plaid perceived as a fused moving texture). This robust paradigm does not depend on the explicit report of the mouse, since the direction of the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) is used to infer the dominant percept. Using this paradigm, we found that the rate of perceptual reversals between global and local motion interpretations is reduced in the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 duplication syndrome (MECP2-ds) mouse model of autism. Moreover, the stability of local motion percepts is greatly increased in MECP2-ds mice at the expense of global motion percepts. Thus, our model reproduces a subclass of the core features in human autism (reduced rate of visual rivalry and atypical perception of visual motion). This further offers a well-controlled approach for dissecting neuronal circuits underlying these core features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Bogatova
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Stelios M Smirnakis
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Jamaica Plain Veterans Affairs Hospital, Boston, MA 02130
| | - Ganna Palagina
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Jamaica Plain Veterans Affairs Hospital, Boston, MA 02130
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21
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Chen H, Xiong XX, Jin SY, He XY, Li XW, Yang JM, Gao TM, Chen YH. Dopamine D2 receptors in pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex regulate social behavior. Pharmacol Res 2024; 199:107042. [PMID: 38142878 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.107042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Drugs acting on dopamine D2 receptors are widely used for the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and depression. Social deficits are a core symptom of these disorders. Pharmacological manipulation of dopamine D2 receptors (Drd2), a Gi-coupled subtype of dopamine receptors, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has shown that Drd2 is implicated in social behaviors. However, the type of neurons expressing Drd2 in the mPFC and the underlying circuit mechanism regulating social behaviors remain largely unknown. Here, we show that Drd2 were mainly expressed in pyramidal neurons in the mPFC and that the activation of the Gi-pathway in Drd2+ pyramidal neurons impaired social behavior in male mice. In contrast, the knockdown of D2R in pyramidal neurons in the mPFC enhanced social approach behaviors in male mice and selectively facilitated the activation of mPFC neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) during social interaction. Remarkably, optogenetic activation of mPFC-to-NAc-projecting neurons mimicked the effects of conditional D2R knockdown on social behaviors. Altogether, these results demonstrate a cell type-specific role for Drd2 in the mPFC in regulating social behavior, which may be mediated by the mPFC-to-NAc pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-Xing Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Yang Jin
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Ying He
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Wen Li
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tian-Ming Gao
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Institute of Brain Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China.
| | - Yi-Hua Chen
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory of Psychiatric Disorders, Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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22
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Zarate-Lopez D, Torres-Chávez AL, Gálvez-Contreras AY, Gonzalez-Perez O. Three Decades of Valproate: A Current Model for Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:260-289. [PMID: 37873949 PMCID: PMC10788883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231003121513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence and incidence in recent decades. Its etiology remains largely unclear, but it seems to involve a strong genetic component and environmental factors that, in turn, induce epigenetic changes during embryonic and postnatal brain development. In recent decades, clinical studies have shown that inutero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, is an environmental factor associated with an increased risk of ASD. Subsequently, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents has been established as a reliable translational model to study the pathophysiology of ASD, which has helped demonstrate neurobiological changes in rodents, non-human primates, and brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. This evidence supports the notion that prenatal VPA exposure is a valid and current model to replicate an idiopathic ASD-like disorder in experimental animals. This review summarizes and describes the current features reported with this animal model of autism and the main neurobiological findings and correlates that help elucidate the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we discuss the general framework of the VPA model in comparison to other environmental and genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zarate-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Ana Laura Torres-Chávez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Alma Yadira Gálvez-Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
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23
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Yenkoyan K, Ounanian Z, Mirumyan M, Hayrapetyan L, Zakaryan N, Sahakyan R, Bjørklund G. Advances in the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder: Current and Promising Strategies. Curr Med Chem 2024; 31:1485-1511. [PMID: 37888815 PMCID: PMC11092563 DOI: 10.2174/0109298673252910230920151332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term for developmental disorders characterized by social and communication impairments, language difficulties, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Current management approaches for ASD aim to resolve its clinical manifestations based on the type and severity of the disability. Although some medications like risperidone show potential in regulating ASD-associated symptoms, a comprehensive treatment strategy for ASD is yet to be discovered. To date, identifying appropriate therapeutic targets and treatment strategies remains challenging due to the complex pathogenesis associated with ASD. Therefore, a comprehensive approach must be tailored to target the numerous pathogenetic pathways of ASD. From currently viable and basic treatment strategies, this review explores the entire field of advancements in ASD management up to cutting-edge modern scientific research. A novel systematic and personalized treatment approach is suggested, combining the available medications and targeting each symptom accordingly. Herein, summarize and categorize the most appropriate ways of modern ASD management into three distinct categories: current, promising, and prospective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Yenkoyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Zadik Ounanian
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Margarita Mirumyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Liana Hayrapetyan
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Cobrain Center, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), University of Bern, Switzerland
- Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland
| | - Naira Zakaryan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Raisa Sahakyan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Geir Bjørklund
- Department of Research, Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
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24
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Parrella NF, Hill AT, Dipnall LM, Loke YJ, Enticott PG, Ford TC. Inhibitory dysfunction and social processing difficulties in autism: A comprehensive narrative review. J Psychiatr Res 2024; 169:113-125. [PMID: 38016393 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has a prominent role in regulating neural development and function, with disruption to GABAergic signalling linked to behavioural phenotypes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly autism. Such neurochemical disruption, likely resulting from diverse genetic and molecular mechanisms, particularly during early development, can subsequently affect the cellular balance of excitation and inhibition in neuronal circuits, which may account for the social processing difficulties observed in autism and related conditions. This comprehensive narrative review integrates diverse streams of research from several disciplines, including molecular neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, and systems neuroscience. In so doing it aims to elucidate the relevance of inhibitory dysfunction to autism, with specific focus on social processing difficulties that represent a core feature of this disorder. Many of the social processing difficulties experienced in autism have been linked to higher levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and/or lower levels of inhibitory GABA. While current therapeutic options for social difficulties in autism are largely limited to behavioural interventions, this review highlights the psychopharmacological studies that explore the utility of GABA modulation in alleviating such difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aron T Hill
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lillian M Dipnall
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Early Life Epigenetics Group, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Yuk Jing Loke
- Epigenetics Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Peter G Enticott
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Talitha C Ford
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia; Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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25
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Ornoy A, Echefu B, Becker M. Valproic Acid in Pregnancy Revisited: Neurobehavioral, Biochemical and Molecular Changes Affecting the Embryo and Fetus in Humans and in Animals: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:390. [PMID: 38203562 PMCID: PMC10779436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010390] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Valproic acid (VPA) is a very effective anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer with relatively few side effects. Being an epigenetic modulator, it undergoes clinical trials for the treatment of advanced prostatic and breast cancer. However, in pregnancy, it seems to be the most teratogenic antiepileptic drug. Among the proven effects are congenital malformations in about 10%. The more common congenital malformations are neural tube defects, cardiac anomalies, urogenital malformations including hypospadias, skeletal malformations and orofacial clefts. These effects are dose related; daily doses below 600 mg have a limited teratogenic potential. VPA, when added to other anti-seizure medications, increases the malformations rate. It induces malformations even when taken for indications other than epilepsy, adding to the data that epilepsy is not responsible for the teratogenic effects. VPA increases the rate of neurodevelopmental problems causing reduced cognitive abilities and language impairment. It also increases the prevalence of specific neurodevelopmental syndromes like autism (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). High doses of folic acid administered prior to and during pregnancy might alleviate some of the teratogenic effect of VPA and other AEDs. Several teratogenic mechanisms are proposed for VPA, but the most important mechanisms seem to be its effects on the metabolism of folate, SAMe and histones, thus affecting DNA methylation. VPA crosses the human placenta and was found at higher concentrations in fetal blood. Its concentrations in milk are low, therefore nursing is permitted. Animal studies generally recapitulate human data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asher Ornoy
- Department of Morphological Sciences and Teratology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (B.E.); (M.B.)
- Department of Medical Neurobiology, Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 9112102, Israel
| | - Boniface Echefu
- Department of Morphological Sciences and Teratology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (B.E.); (M.B.)
| | - Maria Becker
- Department of Morphological Sciences and Teratology, Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel; (B.E.); (M.B.)
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26
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Anshu K, Nair AK, Srinath S, Laxmi TR. Altered Developmental Trajectory in Male and Female Rats in a Prenatal Valproic Acid Exposure Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:4390-4411. [PMID: 35976506 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05684-y] [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] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Early motor and sensory developmental delays precede Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and may serve as early indicators of ASD. The literature on sensorimotor development in animal models is sparse, male centered, and has mixed findings. We characterized early development in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD and found sex-specific developmental delays in VPA rats. We created a developmental composite score combining 15 test readouts, yielding a reliable gestalt measure spanning physical, sensory, and motor development, that effectively discriminated between VPA and control groups. Considering the heterogeneity in ASD phenotype, the developmental composite offers a robust metric that can enable comparison across different animal models of ASD and can serve as an outcome measure for early intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Anshu
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53705, WI, USA
| | - Ajay Kumar Nair
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53703, WI, USA
| | - Shoba Srinath
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - T Rao Laxmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India.
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27
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Hooshmandi M, Sharma V, Thörn Perez C, Sood R, Krimbacher K, Wong C, Lister KC, Ureña Guzmán A, Bartley TD, Rocha C, Maussion G, Nadler E, Roque PM, Gantois I, Popic J, Lévesque M, Kaufman RJ, Avoli M, Sanz E, Nader K, Hagerman RJ, Durcan TM, Costa-Mattioli M, Prager-Khoutorsky M, Lacaille JC, Martinez-Cerdeno V, Gibson JR, Huber KM, Sonenberg N, Gkogkas CG, Khoutorsky A. Excitatory neuron-specific suppression of the integrated stress response contributes to autism-related phenotypes in fragile X syndrome. Neuron 2023; 111:3028-3040.e6. [PMID: 37473758 PMCID: PMC10592416 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
Dysregulation of protein synthesis is one of the key mechanisms underlying autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the role of a major pathway controlling protein synthesis, the integrated stress response (ISR), in ASD remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the main arm of the ISR, eIF2α phosphorylation (p-eIF2α), is suppressed in excitatory, but not inhibitory, neurons in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome (FXS; Fmr1-/y). We further show that the decrease in p-eIF2α is mediated via activation of mTORC1. Genetic reduction of p-eIF2α only in excitatory neurons is sufficient to increase general protein synthesis and cause autism-like behavior. In Fmr1-/y mice, restoration of p-eIF2α solely in excitatory neurons reverses elevated protein synthesis and rescues autism-related phenotypes. Thus, we reveal a previously unknown causal relationship between excitatory neuron-specific translational control via the ISR pathway, general protein synthesis, and core phenotypes reminiscent of autism in a mouse model of FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Hooshmandi
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Vijendra Sharma
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Carolina Thörn Perez
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Rapita Sood
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Konstanze Krimbacher
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Calvin Wong
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Kevin C Lister
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alba Ureña Guzmán
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Trevor D Bartley
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Cecilia Rocha
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Gilles Maussion
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Emma Nadler
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Patricia Margarita Roque
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ilse Gantois
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jelena Popic
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Maxime Lévesque
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Departments of Neurology & Neurosurgery and of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Randal J Kaufman
- Degenerative Diseases Program, Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford-Burnham-Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Massimo Avoli
- Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, Departments of Neurology & Neurosurgery and of Physiology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elisenda Sanz
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, and Neuroscience Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Karim Nader
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Science, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Randi Jenssen Hagerman
- MIND Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of California at Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Thomas M Durcan
- The Neuro's Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU), Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Jean-Claude Lacaille
- Department of Neurosciences, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Brain and Learning, and Research Group on Neural Signaling and Circuitry, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Veronica Martinez-Cerdeno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis School of Medicine, Institute for Pediatric Regenerative Medicine and Shriners Hospitals for Children of Northern California, MIND Institute, UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jay R Gibson
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Kimberly M Huber
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Nahum Sonenberg
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
| | - Christos G Gkogkas
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology-Hellas, University Campus, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Arkady Khoutorsky
- Department of Anesthesia and Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Alan Edwards Centre for Research on Pain, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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28
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Richard S, Ren J, Flamant F. Thyroid hormone action during GABAergic neuron maturation: The quest for mechanisms. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1256877. [PMID: 37854197 PMCID: PMC10579935 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Thyroid hormone (TH) signaling plays a major role in mammalian brain development. Data obtained in the past years in animal models have pinpointed GABAergic neurons as a major target of TH signaling during development, which opens up new perspectives to further investigate the mechanisms by which TH affects brain development. The aim of the present review is to gather the available information about the involvement of TH in the maturation of GABAergic neurons. After giving an overview of the kinds of neurological disorders that may arise from disruption of TH signaling during brain development in humans, we will take a historical perspective to show how rodent models of hypothyroidism have gradually pointed to GABAergic neurons as a main target of TH signaling during brain development. The third part of this review underscores the challenges that are encountered when conducting gene expression studies to investigate the molecular mechanisms that are at play downstream of TH receptors during brain development. Unravelling the mechanisms of action of TH in the developing brain should help make progress in the prevention and treatment of several neurological disorders, including autism and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Frédéric Flamant
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle de Lyon, UMR5242, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Claude Bernard-Lyon 1, USC1370 Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Lyon, France
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29
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Shao W, Zheng H, Zhu J, Li W, Li Y, Hu W, Zhang J, Jing L, Wang K, Jiang X. Deletions of Cacna2d3 in parvalbumin-expressing neurons leads to autistic-like phenotypes in mice. Neurochem Int 2023; 169:105569. [PMID: 37419212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105569] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a series of highly inherited neurodevelopmental disorders. Loss-of-function (LOF) mutations in the CACNA2D3 gene are associated with ASD. However, the underlying mechanism is unknown. Dysfunction of cortical interneurons (INs) is strongly implicated in ASD. Parvalbumin-expressing (PV) INs and somatostatin-expressing (SOM) INs are the two most subtypes. Here, we characterized a mouse knockout of the Cacna2d3 gene in PV-expressing neurons (PVCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice) or in SOM-expressing neurons (SOMCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice), respectively. PVCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice showed deficits in the core ASD behavioral domains (including impaired sociability and increased repetitive behavior), as well as anxiety-like behavior and improved spatial memory. Furthermore, loss of Cacna2d3 from a subset of PV neurons results in a reduction of GAD67 and PV expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). These may underlie the increased neuronal excitability in the mPFC, which contribute to the abnormal social behavior in PVCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice. Whereas, SOMCre;Cacna2d3f/f mice showed no obvious deficits in social, cognitive, or emotional phenotypes. Our findings provide the first evidence suggesting the causal role of Cacna2d3 insufficiency in PV neurons in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shao
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hang Zheng
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Jingwen Zhu
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenhao Li
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yifan Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Wenjie Hu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juanjuan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Liang Jing
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China.
| | - Kai Wang
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Mental Health, Hefei, China; Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Xiao Jiang
- The School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei, China.
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Monday HR, Wang HC, Feldman DE. Circuit-level theories for sensory dysfunction in autism: convergence across mouse models. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1254297. [PMID: 37745660 PMCID: PMC10513044 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a diverse range of behavioral features and genetic backgrounds, but whether different genetic forms of autism involve convergent pathophysiology of brain function is unknown. Here, we analyze evidence for convergent deficits in neural circuit function across multiple transgenic mouse models of ASD. We focus on sensory areas of neocortex, where circuit differences may underlie atypical sensory processing, a central feature of autism. Many distinct circuit-level theories for ASD have been proposed, including increased excitation-inhibition (E-I) ratio and hyperexcitability, hypofunction of parvalbumin (PV) interneuron circuits, impaired homeostatic plasticity, degraded sensory coding, and others. We review these theories and assess the degree of convergence across ASD mouse models for each. Behaviorally, our analysis reveals that innate sensory detection behavior is heightened and sensory discrimination behavior is impaired across many ASD models. Neurophysiologically, PV hypofunction and increased E-I ratio are prevalent but only rarely generate hyperexcitability and excess spiking. Instead, sensory tuning and other aspects of neural coding are commonly degraded and may explain impaired discrimination behavior. Two distinct phenotypic clusters with opposing neural circuit signatures are evident across mouse models. Such clustering could suggest physiological subtypes of autism, which may facilitate the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Monday
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | - Daniel E. Feldman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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Briguglio S, Cambria C, Albizzati E, Marcello E, Provenzano G, Frasca A, Antonucci F. New Views of the DNA Repair Protein Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated in Central Neurons: Contribution in Synaptic Dysfunctions of Neurodevelopmental and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells 2023; 12:2181. [PMID: 37681912 PMCID: PMC10486624 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172181] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) is a serine/threonine protein kinase principally known to orchestrate DNA repair processes upon DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). Mutations in the Atm gene lead to Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT), a recessive disorder characterized by ataxic movements consequent to cerebellar atrophy or dysfunction, along with immune alterations, genomic instability, and predisposition to cancer. AT patients show variable phenotypes ranging from neurologic abnormalities and cognitive impairments to more recently described neuropsychiatric features pointing to symptoms hardly ascribable to the canonical functions of ATM in DNA damage response (DDR). Indeed, evidence suggests that cognitive abilities rely on the proper functioning of DSB machinery and specific synaptic changes in central neurons of ATM-deficient mice unveiled unexpected roles of ATM at the synapse. Thus, in the present review, upon a brief recall of DNA damage responses, we focus our attention on the role of ATM in neuronal physiology and pathology and we discuss recent findings showing structural and functional changes in hippocampal and cortical synapses of AT mouse models. Collectively, a deeper knowledge of ATM-dependent mechanisms in neurons is necessary not only for a better comprehension of AT neurological phenotypes, but also for a higher understanding of the pathological mechanisms in neurodevelopmental and degenerative disorders involving ATM dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Briguglio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Clara Cambria
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Elena Albizzati
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
| | - Elena Marcello
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Giuseppe Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, MI, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Provenzano
- Department of Cellular, Computational and Integrative Biology—CIBIO, University of Trento, Via Sommarive 9, 38068 Trento, TN, Italy;
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Via F.lli Cervi 93, 20129 Segrate (MI) and via Vanvitelli 32, 20129 Milan, MI, Italy; (S.B.); (C.C.); (A.F.)
- Institute of Neuroscience, IN-CNR, Via Raoul Follereau 3, 20854 Vedano al Lambro, MB, Italy
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Souza AJ, Sharmin D, Cook JM, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. An alpha 5-GABAa receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates social and cognitive deficits without changing dopamine system hyperactivity in an animal model for autism. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.24.554679. [PMID: 37662217 PMCID: PMC10473734 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by core behavioral symptoms in the domains of sociability, language/communication, and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Deficits in the prefrontal and hippocampal excitatory/inhibitory balance due to a functional loss of GABAergic interneurons are proposed to underlie these symptoms. Increasing the postsynaptic effects of GABA with compounds that selectively modulate GABAergic receptors could be a potential target for treating ASD symptoms. In addition, deficits in GABAergic interneurons have been linked to dopamine (DA) system dysregulation, and, despite conflicting evidence, abnormalities in the DA system activity may underly some ASD symptoms. Here, we investigated whether the positive allosteric modulator of α5-containing GABA A receptors (α5-GABA A Rs) SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 (10 mg/kg) attenuates behavioral abnormalities in a rat model for autism based on in utero VPA exposure. We also evaluated if animals exposed to VPA in utero present changes in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA system activity using in vivo electrophysiology and if SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 could attenuate these changes. In utero VPA exposure caused male and female rats to present increased repetitive behavior (self-grooming) in early adolescence and deficits in social interaction in adulthood. Male, but not female VPA rats, also presented deficits in recognition memory as adults. SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 attenuated the impairments in sociability and cognitive function in male VPA-exposed rats without attenuating the decreased social interaction in females. Male and female adult VPA-exposed rats also showed an increased VTA DA neuron population activity, which was not changed by SH-053-2'F-R-CH3. Despite sex differences, our findings indicate α5-GABA A Rs positive allosteric modulators may effectively attenuate some core ASD symptoms.
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Pagano J, Landi S, Stefanoni A, Nardi G, Albanesi M, Bauer HF, Pracucci E, Schön M, Ratto GM, Boeckers TM, Sala C, Verpelli C. Shank3 deletion in PV neurons is associated with abnormal behaviors and neuronal functions that are rescued by increasing GABAergic signaling. Mol Autism 2023; 14:28. [PMID: 37528484 PMCID: PMC10394945 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-023-00557-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autistic-like behaviors and is primarily caused by haploinsufficiency of SHANK3 gene. Currently, there is no specific treatment for PMS, highlighting the need for a better understanding of SHANK3 functions and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms in the brain. We hypothesize that SHANK3 haploinsufficiency may lead to alterations in the inhibitory system, which could be linked to the excitatory/inhibitory imbalance observed in models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Investigation of these neuropathological features may shed light on the pathogenesis of PMS and potential therapeutic interventions. METHODS We recorded local field potentials and visual evoked responses in the visual cortex of Shank3∆11-/- mice. Then, to understand the impact of Shank3 in inhibitory neurons, we generated Pv-cre+/- Shank3Fl/Wt conditional mice, in which Shank3 was deleted in parvalbumin-positive neurons. We characterized the phenotype of this murine model and we compared this phenotype before and after ganaxolone administration. RESULTS We found, in the primary visual cortex, an alteration of the gain control of Shank3 KO compared with Wt mice, indicating a deficit of inhibition on pyramidal neurons. This alteration was rescued after the potentiation of GABAA receptor activity by Midazolam. Behavioral analysis showed an impairment in grooming, memory, and motor coordination of Pv-cre+/- Shank3Fl/Wt compared with Pv-cre+/- Shank3Wt/Wt mice. These deficits were rescued with ganaxolone, a positive modulator of GABAA receptors. Furthermore, we demonstrated that treatment with ganaxolone also ameliorated evocative memory deficits and repetitive behavior of Shank3 KO mice. LIMITATIONS Despite the significant findings of our study, some limitations remain. Firstly, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the link between Shank3 deletion in PV neurons and behavioral alterations need further investigation. Additionally, the impact of Shank3 on other classes of inhibitory neurons requires further exploration. Finally, the pharmacological activity of ganaxolone needs further characterization to improve our understanding of its potential therapeutic effects. CONCLUSIONS Our study provides evidence that Shank3 deletion leads to an alteration in inhibitory feedback on cortical pyramidal neurons, resulting in cortical hyperexcitability and ASD-like behavioral problems. Specifically, cell type-specific deletion of Shank3 in PV neurons was associated with these behavioral deficits. Our findings suggest that ganaxolone may be a potential pharmacological approach for treating PMS, as it was able to rescue the behavioral deficits in Shank3 KO mice. Overall, our study highlights the importance of investigating the role of inhibitory neurons and potential therapeutic interventions in neurodevelopmental disorders such as PMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Pagano
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Landi
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessia Stefanoni
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Nardi
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Marica Albanesi
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Helen F Bauer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Enrico Pracucci
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Gian Michele Ratto
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy
- NEST, Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR and Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- Padova Neuroscience Center, Università degli Studi di Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- DZNE, Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany
| | - Carlo Sala
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- CNR, Neuroscience Institute, Via Follereau 3, 20854, Vedano al Lambro, Milan, Italy.
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Zahedi E, Sadr SS, Sanaeierad A, Roghani M. Valproate-induced murine autism spectrum disorder is associated with dysfunction of amygdala parvalbumin interneurons and downregulation of AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:2093-2103. [PMID: 37184727 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01227-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by difficulty in social behavior and restricted behaviors. Also, in ASD, several accompanying disorders such as anxiety are observed. Considering the important role of amygdala in the pathophysiology of ASD, the present study focused on the neuronal changes and it possible signaling pathway in amygdala. After prenatal exposure to valproate (VPA; 600 mg/kg, i.p, on embryonic day 12.5), amount of ROS, MMP, caspase-3 activity, AMPK, SIRT1 and PGC1α proteins, and parvalbumin interneurons in the amygdala were assessed following evaluation of ASD and anxiety-like behaviors. Amygdala analysis revealed ROS accumulation and decreased MMP in autistic rats. In addition, caspase-3 activation elevated and immunoreactivity for parvalbumin interneurons decreased. These were accompanied by anxiety and autistic-like behaviors in open field test, elevated zero maze and U-Shaped 2 Choice Field maze. Also, our data showed that in the valproate group, protein levels of AMPK, SIRT1 and PGC1α reduced. Collectively, our results indicate that prenatal exposure to valproate leads to anxiety and autistic-like behaviors, partly through its targeting amygdala parvalbumin interneurons dysfunction and this might be affected by disturbed AMPK/SIRT1/PGC1α signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Zahedi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Shahabeddin Sadr
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Ashkan Sanaeierad
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Roghani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
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Peerboom C, de Kater S, Jonker N, Rieter MPJM, Wijne T, Wierenga CJ. Delaying the GABA Shift Indirectly Affects Membrane Properties in the Developing Hippocampus. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5483-5500. [PMID: 37438107 PMCID: PMC10376938 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0251-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
During the first two postnatal weeks, intraneuronal chloride concentrations in rodents gradually decrease, causing a shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing GABA responses. The postnatal GABA shift is delayed in rodent models for neurodevelopmental disorders and in human patients, but the impact of a delayed GABA shift on the developing brain remains obscure. Here we examine the direct and indirect consequences of a delayed postnatal GABA shift on network development in organotypic hippocampal cultures made from 6- to 7-d-old mice by treating the cultures for 1 week with VU0463271, a specific inhibitor of the chloride exporter KCC2. We verified that VU treatment delayed the GABA shift and kept GABA signaling depolarizing until DIV9. We found that the structural and functional development of excitatory and inhibitory synapses at DIV9 was not affected after VU treatment. In line with previous studies, we observed that GABA signaling was already inhibitory in control and VU-treated postnatal slices. Surprisingly, 14 d after the VU treatment had ended (DIV21), we observed an increased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents in CA1 pyramidal cells, while excitatory currents were not changed. Synapse numbers and release probability were unaffected. We found that dendrite-targeting interneurons in the stratum radiatum had an elevated resting membrane potential, while pyramidal cells were less excitable compared with control slices. Our results show that depolarizing GABA signaling does not promote synapse formation after P7, and suggest that postnatal intracellular chloride levels indirectly affect membrane properties in a cell-specific manner.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT During brain development, the action of neurotransmitter GABA shifts from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing. This shift is a thought to play a critical role in synapse formation. A delayed shift is common in rodent models for neurodevelopmental disorders and in human patients, but its consequences for synaptic development remain obscure. Here, we delayed the GABA shift by 1 week in organotypic hippocampal cultures and carefully examined the consequences for circuit development. We find that delaying the shift has no direct effects on synaptic development, but instead leads to indirect, cell type-specific changes in membrane properties. Our data call for careful assessment of alterations in cellular excitability in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlijn Peerboom
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Sam de Kater
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Nikki Jonker
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn P J M Rieter
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Tessel Wijne
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
| | - Corette J Wierenga
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Utrecht University, Utrecht, 3584 CH, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, 6525 AJ, The Netherlands
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Woods R, Lorusso J, Fletcher J, ElTaher H, McEwan F, Harris I, Kowash H, D'Souza SW, Harte M, Hager R, Glazier JD. Maternal immune activation and role of placenta in the prenatal programming of neurodevelopmental disorders. Neuronal Signal 2023; 7:NS20220064. [PMID: 37332846 PMCID: PMC10273029 DOI: 10.1042/ns20220064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal infection during pregnancy, leading to maternal immune activation (mIA) and cytokine release, increases the offspring risk of developing a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), including schizophrenia. Animal models have provided evidence to support these mechanistic links, with placental inflammatory responses and dysregulation of placental function implicated. This leads to changes in fetal brain cytokine balance and altered epigenetic regulation of key neurodevelopmental pathways. The prenatal timing of such mIA-evoked changes, and the accompanying fetal developmental responses to an altered in utero environment, will determine the scope of the impacts on neurodevelopmental processes. Such dysregulation can impart enduring neuropathological changes, which manifest subsequently in the postnatal period as altered neurodevelopmental behaviours in the offspring. Hence, elucidation of the functional changes that occur at the molecular level in the placenta is vital in improving our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of NDDs. This has notable relevance to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, where inflammatory responses in the placenta to SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and NDDs in early childhood have been reported. This review presents an integrated overview of these collective topics and describes the possible contribution of prenatal programming through placental effects as an underlying mechanism that links to NDD risk, underpinned by altered epigenetic regulation of neurodevelopmental pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Woods
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jarred M. Lorusso
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jennifer Fletcher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Heidi ElTaher
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt
| | - Francesca McEwan
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Isabella Harris
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Hager M. Kowash
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Stephen W. D'Souza
- Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, U.K
| | - Michael Harte
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Biology and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Reinmar Hager
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Jocelyn D. Glazier
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT, U.K
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Alonso A, Samanta A, van der Meij J, van den Brand L, Negwer M, Navarro Lobato I, Genzel L. Defensive and offensive behaviours in a Kleefstra syndrome mouse model. Anim Cogn 2023; 26:1131-1140. [PMID: 36877418 PMCID: PMC10345049 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-023-01757-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Kleefstra syndrome in humans is characterized by a general delay in development, intellectual disability and autistic features. The mouse model of this disease (Ehmt1±) expresses anxiety, autistic-like traits, and aberrant social interactions with non-cagemates. To investigate how Ehmt1± mice behave with unfamiliar conspecifics, we allowed adult, male animals to freely interact for 10 min in a neutral, novel environment within a host-visitor setting. In trials where the Ehmt1± mice were hosts, there were defensive and offensive behaviors. Our key finding was that Ehmt1± mice displayed defensive postures, attacking and biting; in contrast, wild-type (WT) interacting with other WT did not enact such behaviors. Further, if there was a fight between an Ehmt1± and a WT mouse, the Ehmt1± animal was the most aggressive and always initiated these behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Alonso
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Anumita Samanta
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline van der Meij
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Liz van den Brand
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Moritz Negwer
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, RadboudUMC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Irene Navarro Lobato
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Genzel
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Faculty of Science, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, P.O. Box 9010, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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38
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Mohapatra AN, Wagner S. The role of the prefrontal cortex in social interactions of animal models and the implications for autism spectrum disorder. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1205199. [PMID: 37409155 PMCID: PMC10318347 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1205199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Social interaction is a complex behavior which requires the individual to integrate various internal processes, such as social motivation, social recognition, salience, reward, and emotional state, as well as external cues informing the individual of others' behavior, emotional state and social rank. This complex phenotype is susceptible to disruption in humans affected by neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Multiple pieces of convergent evidence collected from studies of humans and rodents suggest that the prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a pivotal role in social interactions, serving as a hub for motivation, affiliation, empathy, and social hierarchy. Indeed, disruption of the PFC circuitry results in social behavior deficits symptomatic of ASD. Here, we review this evidence and describe various ethologically relevant social behavior tasks which could be employed with rodent models to study the role of the PFC in social interactions. We also discuss the evidence linking the PFC to pathologies associated with ASD. Finally, we address specific questions regarding mechanisms employed by the PFC circuitry that may result in atypical social interactions in rodent models, which future studies should address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Nath Mohapatra
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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Chen A, Wang M, Xu C, Zhao Y, Xian P, Li Y, Zheng W, Yi X, Wu S, Wang Y. Glycolysis mediates neuron specific histone acetylation in valproic acid-induced human excitatory neuron differentiation. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1151162. [PMID: 37089691 PMCID: PMC10118002 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1151162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy exposure of valproic acid (VPA) is widely adopted as a model of environmental factor induced autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Increase of excitatory/inhibitory synaptic transmission ratio has been proposed as the mechanism of VPA induced ASD. How this happened, particularly at the level of excitatory neuron differentiation in human neural progenitor cells (NPCs) remains largely unclear. Here, we report that VPA exposure remarkably inhibited human NPC proliferation and induced excitatory neuronal differentiation without affecting inhibitory neurons. Following VPA treatment, mitochondrial dysfunction was observed before neuronal differentiation, as showed by ultrastructural changes, respiratory complex activity, mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidation levels. Meanwhile, extracellular acidification assay revealed an elevation of glycolysis by VPA stimulation. Interestingly, inhibiting glycolysis by 2-deoxy-d-glucose-6-phosphate (2-DG) efficiently blocked the excitatory neuronal differentiation of human NPCs induced by VPA. Furthermore, 2-DG treatment significantly compromised the VPA-induced expression of H3ac and H3K9ac, and the VPA-induced binding of H3K9ac on the promoter of Ngn2 and Mash1, two key transcription factors of excitatory neuron fate determination. These data, for the first time, demonstrated that VPA biased excitatory neuron differentiation by glycolysis-mediated histone acetylation of neuron specific transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengmeng Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Chao Xu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Youyi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology and National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases and Shaanxi Engineering Research, Center for Dental Materials and Advanced Manufacture, Department of Anesthesiology, School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Panpan Xian
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuqian Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weian Zheng
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- School of Life Sciences and Research Center for Natural Peptide Drugs, Shaanxi Engineering and Technological Research Center for Conversation and Utilization of Regional Biological Resources, Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Xuyang Yi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shengxi Wu,
| | - Yazhou Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Institute of Neurosciences, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Yazhou Wang,
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40
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Guerra M, Medici V, Weatheritt R, Corvino V, Palacios D, Geloso MC, Farini D, Sette C. Fetal exposure to valproic acid dysregulates the expression of autism-linked genes in the developing cerebellum. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:114. [PMID: 37019889 PMCID: PMC10076313 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02391-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a set of highly heritable neurodevelopmental syndromes characterized by social and communication impairment, repetitive behaviour, and intellectual disability. Although mutations in multiple genes have been associated to ASD, most patients lack detectable genetic alterations. For this reason, environmental factors are commonly thought to also contribute to ASD aetiology. Transcriptome analyses have revealed that autistic brains possess distinct gene expression signatures, whose elucidation can provide insights about the mechanisms underlying the effects of ASD-causing genetic and environmental factors. Herein, we have identified a coordinated and temporally regulated programme of gene expression in the post-natal development of cerebellum, a brain area whose defects are strongly associated with ASD. Notably, this cerebellar developmental programme is significantly enriched in ASD-linked genes. Clustering analyses highlighted six different patterns of gene expression modulated during cerebellar development, with most of them being enriched in functional processes that are frequently dysregulated in ASD. By using the valproic acid mouse model of ASD, we found that ASD-linked genes are dysregulated in the developing cerebellum of ASD-like mice, a defect that correlates with impaired social behaviour and altered cerebellar cortical morphology. Moreover, changes in transcript levels were reflected in aberrant protein expression, indicating the functional relevance of these alterations. Thus, our work uncovers a complex ASD-related transcriptional programme regulated during cerebellar development and highlight genes whose expression is dysregulated in this brain area of an ASD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vanessa Medici
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Weatheritt
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, EMBL Australia, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Valentina Corvino
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Palacios
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Section of Biology, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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41
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Hunt CPJ, Moriarty N, van Deursen CBJ, Gantner CW, Thompson LH, Parish CL. Understanding and modeling regional specification of the human ganglionic eminence. Stem Cell Reports 2023; 18:654-671. [PMID: 36801004 PMCID: PMC10031306 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2023.01.010] [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: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory neurons originating from the ventral forebrain are associated with several neurological conditions. Distinct ventral forebrain subpopulations are generated from topographically defined zones; lateral-, medial- and caudal ganglionic eminences (LGE, MGE and CGE), yet key specification factors often span across developing zones contributing to difficulty in defining unique LGE, MGE or CGE profiles. Here we use human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) reporter lines (NKX2.1-GFP and MEIS2-mCherry) and manipulation of morphogen gradients to gain greater insight into regional specification of these distinct zones. We identified Sonic hedgehog (SHH)-WNT crosstalk in regulating LGE and MGE fate and uncovered a role for retinoic acid signaling in CGE development. Unraveling the influence of these signaling pathways permitted development of fully defined protocols that favored generation of the three GE domains. These findings provide insight into the context-dependent role of morphogens in human GE specification and are of value for in vitro disease modeling and advancement of new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron P J Hunt
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
| | - Niamh Moriarty
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Coen B J van Deursen
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Lachlan H Thompson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Clare L Parish
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia.
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42
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Zhou L, Sun X, Duan J. NMDARs regulate the excitatory-inhibitory balance within neural circuits. BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023. [DOI: 10.26599/bsa.2022.9050020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) balance is essential for normal neural development, behavior and cognition. E/I imbalance leads to a variety of neurological disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. NMDA receptors (NMDARs) regulate AMPAR-mediated excitatory and GABAAR-mediated inhibitory synaptic transmission, suggesting that NMDARs play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of the E/I balance. In this review, we briefly introduced NMDARs, AMPARs and GABAARs, summarized the current studies on E/I balance mediated by NMDARs, and discussed the current advances in NMDAR-mediated AMPAR and GABAAR development. Specifically, we analyzed the role of NMDAR subunits in the establishment and maintenance of E/I balance, which may provide new therapeutic strategies for the recovery of E/I imbalance in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Zhou
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaohui Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingjing Duan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, Guangdong, China
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43
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Fontes-Dutra M, Righes Marafiga J, Santos-Terra J, Deckmann I, Brum Schwingel G, Rabelo B, Kazmierzak de Moraes R, Rockenbach M, Vendramin Pasquetti M, Gottfried C, Calcagnotto ME. GABAergic synaptic transmission and cortical oscillation patterns in the primary somatosensory area of a valproic acid rat model of autism spectrum disorder. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:527-546. [PMID: 36504470 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15893] [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: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impaired social communication and interaction associated with repetitive or stereotyped behaviour. Prenatal valproic acid (VPA) exposure in rodents is a commonly used model of ASD. Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to prevent interneuronal and behavioural impairments in the VPA model. We investigated the effects of prenatal VPA exposure and RSV on the GABAergic synaptic transmission, brain oscillations and on the genic expression of interneuron-associated transcription factor LHX6 in the primary somatosensory area (PSSA). Prenatal VPA exposure decreased the sIPSC and mIPSC frequencies and the sIPSC decay kinetics onto layers 4/5 pyramidal cells of PSSA. About 40% of VPA animals exhibited absence-like spike-wave discharge (SWD) events associated with behaviour arrest and increased power spectrum density of delta, beta and gamma cortical oscillations. VPA animals had reduced LHX6 expression in PSSA, but VPA animals treated with RSV had no changes on synaptic inhibition or LHX6 expression in the PSSA. SWD events associated with behaviour arrest and the abnormal increment of cortical oscillations were also absent in VPA animals treated with RSV. These findings provide new venues to investigate the role of both RSV and VPA in the pathophysiology of ASD and highlight the VPA animal model as an interesting tool to investigate pathways related to the aetiology and possible future therapies to this neuropsychiatric disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joseane Righes Marafiga
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biological Science: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry of Neuronal Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Júlio Santos-Terra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruna Rabelo
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kazmierzak de Moraes
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marília Rockenbach
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mayara Vendramin Pasquetti
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biological Science: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry of Neuronal Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria Elisa Calcagnotto
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biological Science: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry of Neuronal Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, ICBS, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Quast KB, Reh RK, Caiati MD, Kopell N, McCarthy MM, Hensch TK. Rapid synaptic and gamma rhythm signature of mouse critical period plasticity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2123182120. [PMID: 36598942 PMCID: PMC9926253 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2123182120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life experience enduringly sculpts thalamocortical (TC) axons and sensory processing. Here, we identify the very first synaptic targets that initiate critical period plasticity, heralded by altered cortical oscillations. Monocular deprivation (MD) acutely induced a transient (<3 h) peak in EEG γ-power (~40 Hz) specifically within the visual cortex, but only when the critical period was open (juvenile mice or adults after dark-rearing, Lynx1-deletion, or diazepam-rescued GAD65-deficiency). Rapid TC input loss onto parvalbumin-expressing (PV) inhibitory interneurons (but not onto nearby pyramidal cells) was observed within hours of MD in a TC slice preserving the visual pathway - again once critical periods opened. Computational TC modeling of the emergent γ-rhythm in response to MD delineated a cortical interneuronal gamma (ING) rhythm in networks of PV-cells bearing gap junctions at the start of the critical period. The ING rhythm effectively dissociated thalamic input from cortical spiking, leading to rapid loss of previously strong TC-to-PV connections through standard spike-timing-dependent plasticity rules. As a consequence, previously silent TC-to-PV connections could strengthen on a slower timescale, capturing the gradually increasing γ-frequency and eventual fade-out over time. Thus, ING enables cortical dynamics to transition from being dominated by the strongest TC input to one that senses the statistics of population TC input after MD. Taken together, our findings reveal the initial synaptic events underlying critical period plasticity and suggest that the fleeting ING accompanying a brief sensory perturbation may serve as a robust readout of TC network state with which to probe developmental trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen B. Quast
- Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Rebecca K. Reh
- Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Maddalena D. Caiati
- Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
| | - Nancy Kopell
- Department of Mathematics, Boston University, Boston, MA02215
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113, Japan
| | - Michelle M. McCarthy
- Department of Mathematics, Boston University, Boston, MA02215
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113, Japan
| | - Takao K. Hensch
- Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA02138
- FM Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo113, Japan
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45
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Zayan U, Caccialupi Da Prato L, Muscatelli F, Matarazzo V. Modulation of the thermosensory system by oxytocin. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1075305. [PMID: 36698777 PMCID: PMC9868264 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1075305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT) is a neurohormone involved early in neurodevelopment and is implicated in multiple functions, including sensory modulation. Evidence of such modulation has been observed for different sensory modalities in both healthy and pathological conditions. This review summarizes the pleiotropic modulation that OT can exercise on an often overlooked sensory system: thermosensation. This system allows us to sense temperature variations and compensate for the variation to maintain a stable core body temperature. Oxytocin modulates autonomic and behavioral mechanisms underlying thermoregulation at both central and peripheral levels. Hyposensitivity or hypersensitivity for different sensory modalities, including thermosensitivity, is a common feature in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), recapitulated in several ASD mouse models. These sensory dysregulations occur early in post-natal development and are correlated with dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system. In this study, we discussed the potential link between thermosensory atypia and the dysregulation of the oxytocinergic system in ASD.
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46
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Park J, Kawai Y, Asada M. Spike timing-dependent plasticity under imbalanced excitation and inhibition reduces the complexity of neural activity. Front Comput Neurosci 2023; 17:1169288. [PMID: 37122995 PMCID: PMC10130424 DOI: 10.3389/fncom.2023.1169288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Excitatory and inhibitory neurons are fundamental components of the brain, and healthy neural circuits are well balanced between excitation and inhibition (E/I balance). However, it is not clear how an E/I imbalance affects the self-organization of the network structure and function in general. In this study, we examined how locally altered E/I balance affects neural dynamics such as the connectivity by activity-dependent formation, the complexity (multiscale entropy) of neural activity, and information transmission. In our simulation, a spiking neural network model was used with the spike-timing dependent plasticity rule to explore the above neural dynamics. We controlled the number of inhibitory neurons and the inhibitory synaptic weights in a single neuron group out of multiple neuron groups. The results showed that a locally increased E/I ratio strengthens excitatory connections, reduces the complexity of neural activity, and decreases information transmission between neuron groups in response to an external input. Finally, we argued the relationship between our results and excessive connections and low complexity of brain activity in the neuropsychiatric brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihoon Park
- Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita, Japan
- Symbiotic Intelligent Systems Research Center, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- *Correspondence: Jihoon Park
| | - Yuji Kawai
- Symbiotic Intelligent Systems Research Center, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Minoru Asada
- Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Suita, Japan
- Symbiotic Intelligent Systems Research Center, Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
- Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences/Center for Mathematical Science and Artificial Intelligence, Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan
- International Professional University of Technology in Osaka, Osaka, Japan
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47
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Cumberland A, Hale N, Azhan A, Gilchrist CP, Chincarini G, Tolcos M. Excitatory and inhibitory neuron imbalance in the intrauterine growth restricted fetal guinea pig brain: Relevance to the developmental origins of schizophrenia and autism. Dev Neurobiol 2023; 83:40-53. [PMID: 36373424 PMCID: PMC10953391 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism are thought to involve an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory signaling in the brain. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a risk factor for these disorders, with IUGR onset occurring during critical periods of neurodevelopment. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of IUGR on excitatory and inhibitory neurons of the fetal neocortex and hippocampus. Fetal brains (n = 2) were first collected from an unoperated pregnant guinea pig at mid-gestation (32 days of gestation [dg]; term ∼67 dg) to visualize excitatory (Ctip2) and inhibitory (calretinin [CR] and somatostatin [SST]) neurons via immunohistochemistry. Chronic placental insufficiency (CPI) was then induced via radial artery ablation at 30 dg in another cohort of pregnant guinea pigs (n = 8) to generate IUGR fetuses (52 dg; n = 8); control fetuses (52 dg; n = 7) were from sham surgeries with no radial artery ablation. At 32 dg, Ctip2- and CR-immunoreactive (IR) cells had populated the cerebral cortex, whereas SST-IR cells had not, suggesting these neurons were yet to complete migration. At 52 dg, in IUGR versus control fetuses, there was a reduction in SST-IR cell density in the cerebral cortex (p = .0175) and hilus of the dentate gyrus (p = .0035) but not the striatum (p > .05). There was no difference between groups in the density of Ctip2-IR (cortex) or CR-IR (cortex, hippocampus) neurons (p > 0.05). Thus, we propose that an imbalance in inhibitory (SST-IR) and excitatory (Ctip2-IR) neurons in the IUGR fetal guinea pig brain could lead to excitatory/inhibitory dysfunction commonly seen in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Cumberland
- School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRMIT UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
| | - Nadia Hale
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Aminath Azhan
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Courtney P. Gilchrist
- School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRMIT UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
- Victorian Infant Brain StudiesMurdoch Children's Research InstituteParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | - Ginevra Chincarini
- School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRMIT UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mary Tolcos
- School of Health and Biomedical SciencesRMIT UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
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48
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Jannati A, Oberman LM, Rotenberg A, Pascual-Leone A. Assessing the mechanisms of brain plasticity by transcranial magnetic stimulation. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:191-208. [PMID: 36198876 PMCID: PMC9700722 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01453-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive technique for focal brain stimulation based on electromagnetic induction where a fluctuating magnetic field induces a small intracranial electric current in the brain. For more than 35 years, TMS has shown promise in the diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders in adults. In this review, we provide a brief introduction to the TMS technique with a focus on repetitive TMS (rTMS) protocols, particularly theta-burst stimulation (TBS), and relevant rTMS-derived metrics of brain plasticity. We then discuss the TMS-EEG technique, the use of neuronavigation in TMS, the neural substrate of TBS measures of plasticity, the inter- and intraindividual variability of those measures, effects of age and genetic factors on TBS aftereffects, and then summarize alterations of TMS-TBS measures of plasticity in major neurological and psychiatric disorders including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, depression, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and diabetes. Finally, we discuss the translational studies of TMS-TBS measures of plasticity and their therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Jannati
- Neuromodulation Program, Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Division of Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Lindsay M Oberman
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander Rotenberg
- Neuromodulation Program, Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Division of Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alvaro Pascual-Leone
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research and Deanna and Sidney Wolk Center for Memory Health, Hebrew SeniorLife, Boston, MA, USA.
- Guttmann Brain Health Institute, Institut Guttmann, Barcelona, Spain.
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49
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Tran The J, Magistretti PJ, Ansermet F. The critical periods of cerebral plasticity: A key aspect in a dialog between psychoanalysis and neuroscience centered on the psychopathology of schizophrenia. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1057539. [PMID: 36590919 PMCID: PMC9795046 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1057539] [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: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Through research into the molecular and cellular mechanisms that occur during critical periods, recent experimental neurobiological data have brought to light the importance of early childhood. These have demonstrated that childhood and early environmental stimuli play a part not only in our subjective construction, but also in brain development; thus, confirming Freud's intuition regarding the central role of childhood and early experiences of the environment in our psychological development and our subjective outcomes. "Critical periods" of cerebral development represent temporal windows that mark favorable, but also circumscribed, moments in developmental cerebral plasticity. They also vary between different cortical areas. There are, therefore, strictly defined temporal periods for learning language, music, etc., after which this learning becomes more difficult, or even impossible, to acquire. Now, research into these critical periods can be seen as having a significant part to play in the interdisciplinary dialog between psychoanalysis and neurosciences with regard to the role of early experiences in the etiology of some psychopathological conditions. Research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the onset and end of these critical periods, notably controlled by the maturation of parvalbumin-expressing basket cells, have brought to light the presence of anomalies in the maturation of these neurons in patients with schizophrenia. Starting from these findings we propose revisiting the psychoanalytic theories on the etiology of psychosis from an interdisciplinary perspective. Our study works from the observation, common to both psychoanalysis and neurosciences, that experience leaves a trace; be it a "psychic" or a "synaptic" trace. Thus, we develop a hypothesis for an "absence of trace" in psychosis; reexamining psychosis through the prism of the biological theory of critical periods in plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Tran The
- INSERM U1077 Neuropsychologie et Imagerie de la Mémoire Humaine, Caen, France,Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres, Paris, France,UFR de Psychologie, Université de Caen Normandie, Caen, France,Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Caen, Caen, France,Cyceron, Caen, France,Agalma Foundation Geneva, Chemin des Mines, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Jessica Tran The,
| | - Pierre J. Magistretti
- Agalma Foundation Geneva, Chemin des Mines, Switzerland,Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland,Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
| | - Francois Ansermet
- Agalma Foundation Geneva, Chemin des Mines, Switzerland,Département de Psychiatrie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
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Cao W, Li JH, Lin S, Xia QQ, Du YL, Yang Q, Ye YZ, Zeng LH, Li XY, Xu J, Luo JH. NMDA receptor hypofunction underlies deficits in parvalbumin interneurons and social behavior in neuroligin 3 R451C knockin mice. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111771. [PMID: 36476879 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111771] [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: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroligins (NLs), a family of postsynaptic cell-adhesion molecules, have been associated with autism spectrum disorder. We have reported that dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) leads to social deficits in an NL3 R451C knockin (KI) mouse model of autism. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we find that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function and parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneuron number and expression are reduced in the mPFC of the KI mice. Selective knockdown of NMDAR subunit GluN1 in the mPFC PV+ interneuron decreases its intrinsic excitability. Restoring NMDAR function by its partial agonist D-cycloserine rescues the PV+ interneuron dysfunction and social deficits in the KI mice. Interestingly, early D-cycloserine administration at adolescence prevents adult KI mice from social deficits. Together, our results suggest that NMDAR hypofunction and the resultant PV+ interneuron dysfunction in the mPFC may constitute a central node in the pathogenesis of social deficits in the KI mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Institute of Brain Science and Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia-Hui Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shen Lin
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiang-Qiang Xia
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Lan Du
- MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Zhi Ye
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling-Hui Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiang-Yao Li
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Junyu Xu
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; Department of Rehabilitation of the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Jian-Hong Luo
- Department of Neurobiology, Affiliated Mental Health Center, College of Brain Science and Brain Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-machine Integration, Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Novel Targets and Drug Study for Neural Repair of Zhejiang Province, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University City College, Hangzhou, China.
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