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Kolesnikova TO, Demin KA, Costa FV, de Abreu MS, Kalueff AV. Zebrafish models for studying cognitive enhancers. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 164:105797. [PMID: 38971515 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive decline is commonly seen both in normal aging and in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Various experimental animal models represent a valuable tool to study brain cognitive processes and their deficits. Equally important is the search for novel drugs to treat cognitive deficits and improve cognitions. Complementing rodent and clinical findings, studies utilizing zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly gaining popularity in translational cognitive research and neuroactive drug screening. Here, we discuss the value of zebrafish models and assays for screening nootropic (cognitive enhancer) drugs and the discovery of novel nootropics. We also discuss the existing challenges, and outline future directions of research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Konstantin A Demin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Fabiano V Costa
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Murilo S de Abreu
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil; West Caspian University, Baku, Azerbaijan.
| | - Allan V Kalueff
- Neurobiology Program, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia; Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, St. Petersburg, Russia; Suzhou Key Laboratory on Neurobiology and Cell Signaling, Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.
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2
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Cho SY, Kim EW, Park SJ, Phillips BU, Jeong J, Kim H, Heath CJ, Kim D, Jang Y, López-Cruz L, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ, Lee DY, Kim E. Reconsidering repurposing: long-term metformin treatment impairs cognition in Alzheimer's model mice. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:34. [PMID: 38238285 PMCID: PMC10796941 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02755-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Metformin, a primary anti-diabetic medication, has been anticipated to provide benefits for Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as "type 3 diabetes". Nevertheless, some studies have demonstrated that metformin may trigger AD pathology and even elevate AD risk in humans. Despite this, limited research has elucidated the behavioral outcomes of metformin treatment, which would hold significant translational value. Thus, we aimed to perform thorough behavioral research on the prolonged administration of metformin to mice: We administered metformin (300 mg/kg/day) to transgenic 3xTg-AD and non-transgenic (NT) C57BL/6 mice over 1 and 2 years, respectively, and evaluated their behaviors across multiple domains via touchscreen operant chambers, including motivation, attention, memory, visual discrimination, and cognitive flexibility. We found metformin enhanced attention, inhibitory control, and associative learning in younger NT mice (≤16 months). However, chronic treatment led to impairments in memory retention and discrimination learning at older age. Furthermore, metformin caused learning and memory impairment and increased levels of AMPKα1-subunit, β-amyloid oligomers, plaques, phosphorylated tau, and GSK3β expression in AD mice. No changes in potential confounding factors on cognition, including levels of motivation, locomotion, appetite, body weight, blood glucose, and serum vitamin B12, were observed in metformin-treated AD mice. We also identified an enhanced amyloidogenic pathway in db/db mice, as well as in Neuro2a-APP695 cells and a decrease in synaptic markers, such as PSD-95 and synaptophysin in primary neurons, upon metformin treatment. Our findings collectively suggest that the repurposing of metformin should be carefully reconsidered when this drug is used for individuals with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Yeon Cho
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory for Alzheimer's Molecular Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Metabolism-Dementia Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Woo Kim
- Graduate School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nursing, Seoyeong University, Gwangju, 61268, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jin Park
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Agricultural and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Benjamin U Phillips
- Department of Psychology, The University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Jihyeon Jeong
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory for Alzheimer's Molecular Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Metabolism-Dementia Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjeong Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory for Alzheimer's Molecular Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Metabolism-Dementia Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Christopher J Heath
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Daehwan Kim
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Yurim Jang
- Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Laura López-Cruz
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, UK
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, N6A 5K8, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, N6A 5K8, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Do Yup Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute for Agricultural and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Agricultural Genomics, Center for Food and Bioconvergence, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
| | - Eosu Kim
- Graduate School of Medical Science, Brain Korea 21 Project, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Psychiatry, Laboratory for Alzheimer's Molecular Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Metabolism-Dementia Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Graduate School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
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Leinenga G, Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:S211-S222. [PMID: 39058447 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240616] [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] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive impairment of neuronal functions culminating in neuronal loss and dementia. A universal feature of dementia is protein aggregation, a process by which a monomer forms intermediate oligomeric assembly states and filaments that develop into end-stage hallmark lesions. In Alzheimer's disease, this is exemplified by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques which have been placed upstream of tau, found in intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and dystrophic neurites. This implies causality that can be modeled as a linear activation cascade. When Aβ load is reduced, for example, in response to an anti-Aβ immunotherapy, cognitive functions improve in plaque-forming mice. They also deteriorate less in clinical trial cohorts although real-world clinical benefits remain to be demonstrated. Given the existence of aged humans with unimpaired cognition despite a high plaque load, the central role of Aβ has been challenged. A counter argument has been that clinical symptoms would eventually develop if these aged individuals were to live long enough. Alternatively, intrinsic mechanisms that protect the brain in the presence of pathology may exist. In fact, Aβ toxicity can be abolished by either reducing or manipulating tau (through which Aβ signals), at least in preclinical models. In addition to manipulating steps in this linear pathocascade model, mechanisms of restoring brain reserve can also counteract Aβ toxicity. Low-intensity ultrasound is a neuromodulatory modality that can improve cognitive functions in Aβ-depositing mice without the need for removing Aβ. Together, this highlights a dissociation of Aβ and cognition, with important implications for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Leinenga
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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4
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Wang H, Kwan AC. Competitive and cooperative games for probing the neural basis of social decision-making in animals. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 149:105158. [PMID: 37019249 PMCID: PMC10175234 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105158] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
In a social environment, it is essential for animals to consider the behavior of others when making decisions. To quantitatively assess such social decisions, games offer unique advantages. Games may have competitive and cooperative components, modeling situations with antagonistic and shared objectives between players. Games can be analyzed by mathematical frameworks, including game theory and reinforcement learning, such that an animal's choice behavior can be compared against the optimal strategy. However, so far games have been underappreciated in neuroscience research, particularly for rodent studies. In this review, we survey the varieties of competitive and cooperative games that have been tested, contrasting strategies employed by non-human primates and birds with rodents. We provide examples of how games can be used to uncover neural mechanisms and explore species-specific behavioral differences. We assess critically the limitations of current paradigms and propose improvements. Together, the synthesis of current literature highlights the advantages of using games to probe the neural basis of social decisions for neuroscience studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Wang
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alex C Kwan
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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5
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Cotter KM, Bancroft GL, Haas HA, Shi R, Clarkson AN, Croxall ME, Stowe AM, Yun S, Eisch AJ. Use of an Automated Mouse Touchscreen Platform for Quantification of Cognitive Deficits After Central Nervous System Injury. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2616:279-326. [PMID: 36715942 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2926-0_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Analyzing cognitive performance is an important aspect of assessing physiological deficits after stroke or other central nervous system (CNS) injuries in both humans and in basic science animal models. Cognitive testing on an automated touchscreen operant platform began in humans but is now increasingly popular in preclinical studies as it enables testing in many cognitive domains in a highly reproducible way while minimizing stress to the laboratory animal. Here, we describe the step-by-step setup and application of four operant touchscreen tests used on adult mice. In brief, mice are trained to touch a graphical image on a lit screen and initiate subsequent trials for a reward. Following initial training, mice can be tested on tasks that probe performance in many cognitive domains and thus infer the integrity of brain circuits and regions. There are already many outstanding published protocols on touchscreen cognitive testing. This chapter is designed to add to the literature in two specific ways. First, this chapter provides in a single location practical, behind-the-scenes tips for setup and testing of mice in four touchscreen tasks that are useful to assess in CNS injury models: Paired Associates Learning (PAL), a task of episodic, associative (object-location) memory; Location Discrimination Reversal (LDR), a test for mnemonic discrimination (also called behavioral pattern separation) and cognitive flexibility; Autoshaping (AUTO), a test of Pavlovian or classical conditioning; and Extinction (EXT), tasks of stimulus-response and response inhibition, respectively. Second, this chapter summarizes issues to consider when performing touchscreen tests in mouse models of CNS injury. Quantifying gross and fine aspects of cognitive function is essential to improved treatment for brain dysfunction after stroke or CNS injury as well as other brain diseases, and touchscreen testing provides a sensitive, reliable, and robust way to achieve this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine M Cotter
- Department of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | | | | | - Raymon Shi
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Andrew N Clarkson
- Department of Anatomy, Brain Health Research Centre and Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | | | - Ann M Stowe
- Department of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, The University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Sanghee Yun
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Amelia J Eisch
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Strobel BK, Schmidt MA, Harvey DO, Davis CJ. Image discrimination reversal learning is impaired by sleep deprivation in rats: Cognitive rigidity or fatigue? Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:1052441. [PMID: 36467979 PMCID: PMC9713940 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1052441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Insufficient sleep is pervasive worldwide, and its toll on health and safety is recapitulated in many settings. It is thus important to understand how poor sleep affects the brain and decision making. A robust literature documents the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive processes including cognitive flexibility, which is the capacity to appraise new feedback and make behavioral adjustments to respond appropriately. Animal models are often used to unravel the molecules, genes and neural circuits that are altered by sleep loss. Herein we take a translational approach to model the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive rigidity, i.e., impaired cognitive flexibility in rats. Methods There are several approaches to assess cognitive rigidity; in the present study, we employ a pairwise discrimination reversal task. To our knowledge this is the first time this paradigm has been used to investigate sleep deprivation. In this touchscreen operant platform, we trained rats to select one of two images to claim a sucrose pellet reward. If the non-rewarded image was selected the rats proceeded to a correction trial where both images were presented in the same position as before. This image presentation continued until the rat selected the correct image. Once rats reached performance criteria, the reward contingencies were reversed. In one group of rats the initial reversal session was preceded by 10 h of sleep deprivation. We compared those rats to controls with undisturbed sleep on the number of sessions to reach performance criteria, number of trials per session, response latencies, correct responses, errors, perseverative errors and perseveration bouts in the initial training and reversal phases. Results We report that on reversal session one, sleep deprived rats completed a fraction of the trials completed by controls. On subsequent reversal sessions, the sleep deprived rats struggled to adapt to the reversed contingencies despite completing a similar number of trials, suggesting an effect of cognitive rigidity separate from fatigue. Discussion We discuss the delayed performance dynamics incurred by sleep loss in the context of fatigue and the implications of using pairwise discrimination reversal as a model to further examine the effects of sleep loss on adaptive decision making.
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Ghafarimoghadam M, Mashayekh R, Gholami M, Fereydani P, Shelley-Tremblay J, Kandezi N, Sabouri E, Motaghinejad M. A review of behavioral methods for the evaluation of cognitive performance in animal models: Current techniques and links to human cognition. Physiol Behav 2022; 244:113652. [PMID: 34801559 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2021.113652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Memory is defined as the ability to store, maintain and retrieve information. Learning is the acquisition of information that changes behavior and memory. Stress, dementia, head trauma, amnesia, Alzheimer's, Huntington, Parkinson's, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) may be mentioned among the diseases in which memory and learning are affected. The task of understanding deficits in memory and learning in humans is daunting due to the complexity of neural and cognitive mechanisms in the nervous system. This job is made more difficult for clinicians and researchers by the fact that many techniques used to research memory are not ethically acceptable or technically feasible for use in humans. Thus, animal models have been necessary alternative for studying normal and disordered learning and memory. This review attempts to bridge these domains to allow biomedical researchers to have a firm grasp of "memory" and "learning" as constructs in humans whereby they may then select the proper animal cognitive test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Various tests (open field habituation test, Y-maze test, passive avoidance test, step-down inhibitory avoidance test, active avoidance test, 8-arms radial maze test, Morris water maze test, radial arm water maze, novel object recognition test and gait function test) have been designed to evaluate different kinds of memory. Each of these tests has their strengths and limits. Abnormal results obtained using these tasks in non-human animals indicate malfunctions in memory which may be due to several physiological and psychological diseases of nervous system. Further studies by using the discussed tests can be very beneficial for achieving a therapeutic answer to these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghafarimoghadam
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, faculty of pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences branch, Islamic Azad University (IUAPS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Mashayekh
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, faculty of pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences branch, Islamic Azad University (IUAPS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Gholami
- School of medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pardis Fereydani
- Department of pharmaceutical chemistry, faculty of pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences branch, Islamic Azad University (IUAPS), Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Niyoosha Kandezi
- Department of Psychology, University of South Alabama, Alabama, USA
| | - Erfan Sabouri
- Clinical Research Development Center, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran
| | - Majid Motaghinejad
- Chronic Respiratory Disease Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Shepherd A, Zhang T, Hoffmann LB, Zeleznikow-Johnston AM, Churilov L, Hannan AJ, Burrows EL. A Preclinical Model of Computerized Cognitive Training: Touchscreen Cognitive Testing Enhances Cognition and Hippocampal Cellular Plasticity in Wildtype and Alzheimer's Disease Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:766745. [PMID: 34938165 PMCID: PMC8685297 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.766745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the growing popularity of touchscreen cognitive testing in rodents, it is imperative to understand the fundamental effects exposure to this paradigm can have on the animals involved. In this study, we set out to assess hippocampal-dependant learning in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on two highly translatable touchscreen tasks – the Paired Associate Learning (PAL) task and the Trial Unique Non-Matching to Location (TUNL) task. Both of these tests are based on human tasks from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) and are sensitive to deficits in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD. Mice were assessed for deficits in PAL at 9–12 months of age, then on TUNL at 8–11 and 13–16 months. No cognitive deficits were evident in APP/PS1 mice at any age, contrary to previous reports using maze-based learning and memory tasks. We hypothesized that daily and long-term touchscreen training may have inadvertently acted as a cognitive enhancer. When touchscreen-tested mice were assessed on the Morris water maze, they showed improved task acquisition compared to naïve APP/PS1 mice and wild-type (WT) littermate controls. In addition, we show that touchscreen-trained WT and APP/PS1 mice show increased cell proliferation and immature neuron numbers in the dentate gyrus compared to behaviorally naïve WT and APP/PS1 mice. This result indicates that the touchscreen testing paradigm could improve cognitive performance, and/or mask an impairment, in experimental mouse models. This touchscreen-induced cognitive enhancement may involve increased neurogenesis, and possibly other forms of cellular plasticity. This is the first study to show increased numbers of proliferating cells and immature neurons in the hippocampus following touchscreen testing, and that touchscreen training can improve cognitive performance in maze-based spatial navigation tasks. This potential for touchscreen testing to induce cognitive enhancement, or other phenotypic shifts, in preclinical models should be considered in study design. Furthermore, touchscreen-mediated cognitive enhancement could have therapeutic implications for cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracy Zhang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lucas B Hoffmann
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ariel M Zeleznikow-Johnston
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Leonid Churilov
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Progressive impairments in executive function in the APP/PS1 model of Alzheimer's disease as measured by translatable touchscreen testing. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 108:58-71. [PMID: 34509856 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Executive function deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) occur early in disease progression and may be predictive of cognitive decline. However, no preclinical studies have identified deficits in rewarded executive function in the commonly used APPSwe/PS1∆E9 (APP/PS1) mouse model. To address this, we assessed 12-26 month old APP/PS1 mice on rewarded reversal and/or extinction tasks. 16-month-old, but not 13- or 26-month-old, APP/PS1 mice showed an attenuated rate of extinction. Reversal deficits were seen in 22-month-old, but not 13-month-old APP/PS1 animals. We then confirmed that impairments in reversal were unrelated to previously reported visual impairments in both AD mouse models and humans. Age, but not genotype, had a significant effect on markers of retinal health, indicating the deficits seen in APP/PS1 mice were directly related to cognition. This is the first characterisation of rewarded executive function in APP/PS1 mice, and has great potential to facilitate translation from preclinical models to the clinic.
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10
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Sanchez-Bezanilla S, Hood RJ, Collins-Praino LE, Turner RJ, Walker FR, Nilsson M, Ong LK. More than motor impairment: A spatiotemporal analysis of cognitive impairment and associated neuropathological changes following cortical photothrombotic stroke. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:2439-2455. [PMID: 33779358 PMCID: PMC8393292 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211005877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
There is emerging evidence suggesting that a cortical stroke can cause delayed and remote hippocampal dysregulation, leading to cognitive impairment. In this study, we aimed to investigate motor and cognitive outcomes after experimental stroke, and their association with secondary neurodegenerative processes. Specifically, we used a photothrombotic stroke model targeting the motor and somatosensory cortices of mice. Motor function was assessed using the cylinder and grid walk tasks. Changes in cognition were assessed using a mouse touchscreen platform. Neuronal loss, gliosis and amyloid-β accumulation were investigated in the peri-infarct and ipsilateral hippocampal regions at 7, 28 and 84 days post-stroke. Our findings showed persistent impairment in cognitive function post-stroke, whilst there was a modest spontaneous motor recovery over the investigated period of 84 days. In the peri-infarct region, we detected a reduction in neuronal loss and decreased neuroinflammation over time post-stroke, which potentially explains the spontaneous motor recovery. Conversely, we observed persistent neuronal loss together with concomitant increased neuroinflammation and amyloid-β accumulation in the hippocampus, which likely accounts for the persistent cognitive dysfunction. Our findings indicate that cortical stroke induces secondary neurodegenerative processes in the hippocampus, a region remote from the primary infarct, potentially contributing to the progression of post-stroke cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Sanchez-Bezanilla
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca J Hood
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lyndsey E Collins-Praino
- Department of Medical Sciences, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Renée J Turner
- Department of Medical Sciences, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Frederick R Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Rehab Innovations, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Nilsson
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Rehab Innovations, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,LKC School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lin Kooi Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.,NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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11
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BACE inhibitor treatment of mice induces hyperactivity in a Seizure-related gene 6 family dependent manner without altering learning and memory. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15084. [PMID: 34302009 PMCID: PMC8302682 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACE inhibitors, which decrease BACE1 (β-secretase 1) cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein, are a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials using BACE inhibitors have reported a lack of positive effect on patient symptoms and, in some cases, have led to increased adverse events, cognitive worsening and hippocampal atrophy. A potential drawback of this strategy is the effect of BACE inhibition on other BACE1 substrates such as Seizure-related gene 6 (Sez6) family proteins which are known to have a role in neuronal function. Mice were treated with an in-diet BACE inhibitor for 4–8 weeks to achieve a clinically-relevant level of amyloid-β40 reduction in the brain. Mice underwent behavioural testing and postmortem analysis of dendritic spine number and morphology with Golgi-Cox staining. Sez6 family triple knockout mice were tested alongside wild-type mice to identify whether any effects of the treatment were due to altered cleavage of Sez6 family proteins. Wild-type mice treated with BACE inhibitor displayed hyperactivity on the elevated open field, as indicated by greater distance travelled, but this effect was not observed in treated Sez6 triple knockout mice. BACE inhibitor treatment did not lead to significant changes in spatial or fear learning, reference memory, cognitive flexibility or anxiety in mice as assessed by the Morris water maze, context fear conditioning, or light–dark box tests. Chronic BACE inhibitor treatment reduced the density of mushroom-type spines in the somatosensory cortex, regardless of genotype, but did not affect steady-state dendritic spine density or morphology in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Chronic BACE inhibition for 1–2 months in mice led to increased locomotor output but did not alter memory or cognitive flexibility. While the mechanism underlying the treatment-induced hyperactivity is unknown, the absence of this response in Sez6 triple knockout mice indicates that blocking ectodomain shedding of Sez6 family proteins is a contributing factor. In contrast, the decrease in mature spine density in cortical neurons was not attributable to lack of shed Sez6 family protein ectodomains. Therefore, other BACE1 substrates are implicated in this effect and, potentially, in the cognitive decline in longer-term chronically treated patients.
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Bergeron S, Barus R, Leboullenger C, Auger F, Bongiovanni A, Tardivel M, Jonneaux A, Laloux C, Potey C, Bordet R, Chen Y, Gautier S. Beneficial effects of atorvastatin on sex-specific cognitive impairment induced by a cerebral microhaemorrhage in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1705-1721. [PMID: 33502755 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSES Cerebral microhaemorrhages (CMHs) are associated with cognitive decline in humans. In rodents, CMHs induces cognitive impairment in male mice along with sex-specific cortical and hippocampal changes affecting neural, glial and vascular functions. Statins, have been proposed to prevent cognitive decline. We tested here the action of atorvastatin on CMH-induced cognitive impairment in a murine model of CMH. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Using a multimodal approach combining behavioural tests, in vivo imaging, biochemistry and molecular biology, the effects of oral administration of atorvastatin on the sex-specific changes induced by a cortical CMH were studied in male and female mice (C57BL/6J) at 6-week post-induction using a collagenase-induced model. KEY RESULTS Atorvastatin caused specific effects according to the sex-specific CMH-induced changes. In males, atorvastatin improved the visuospatial memory, induced a local modulation of microglial response and enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-tropomyosin receptor kinase B (trkB) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the cortex. In the hippocampus, atorvastatin increased glucose metabolism and modulated astrocytes morphology. In females, atorvastatin did not modulate visuospatial memory despite the increased expression of cortical BDNF and the decrease in the number of hippocampal astrocytes. Atorvastatin also induced a decrease in the expression of cortical oestrogen receptors but did not modify body weight nor serum cholesterol levels in both sexes. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Atorvastatin modulated the sex-specific cognitive impairment induced by the CMH with a pathophysiological impact mainly within the cortical area. It could represent a promising candidate for future sex-stratified clinical trials in patients with CMH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Bergeron
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Romain Barus
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Clémence Leboullenger
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Florent Auger
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Antonino Bongiovanni
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Meryem Tardivel
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Aurélie Jonneaux
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Charlotte Laloux
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, US 41 - UMS 2014 - PLBS, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Camille Potey
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Régis Bordet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Yaohua Chen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
| | - Sophie Gautier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S1172, Pharmacology Department, Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, F-59000, France
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van Heusden FC, Palacín I Bonsón S, Stiedl O, Smit AB, van Kesteren RE. Longitudinal Assessment of Working Memory Performance in the APPswe/PSEN1dE9 Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Using an Automated Figure-8-Maze. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:655449. [PMID: 34054444 PMCID: PMC8155296 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.655449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, with a long preclinical and prodromal phase. To enable the study of disease mechanisms, AD has been modeled in many transgenic animal lines and cognitive functioning has been tested using several widely used behavioral tasks. These tasks, however, are not always suited for repeated longitudinal testing and are often associated with acute stress such as animal transfer, handling, novelty, or stress related to the task itself. This makes it challenging to relate cognitive dysfunction in animal models to cognitive decline observed in AD patients. Here, we designed an automated figure-8-maze (F8M) to test mice in a delayed alternation task (DAT) in a longitudinal manner. Mice were rewarded when they entered alternate sides of the maze on subsequent trials. Automation as well as connection of the F8M set-up with a home cage reduces experimenter interference and minimizes acute stress, thus making it suitable for longitudinal testing and facilitating clinical translation. In the present study, we monitored cognitive functioning of 2-month-old APPswe/PSEN1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice over a period of 4 months. The percentage of correct responses in the DAT did not differ between wild-type and transgenic mice from 2 to 6 months of age. However, 6-month-old mice displayed an increase in the number of consecutive incorrect responses. These results demonstrate the feasibility of longitudinal testing using an automated F8M and suggest that APP/PS1 mice are not impaired at delayed spatial alternation until 6 months of age under the current experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fran C van Heusden
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sara Palacín I Bonsón
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Oliver Stiedl
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ronald E van Kesteren
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Palmer D, Dumont JR, Dexter TD, Prado MAM, Finger E, Bussey TJ, Saksida LM. Touchscreen cognitive testing: Cross-species translation and co-clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 182:107443. [PMID: 33895351 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Translating results from pre-clinical animal studies to successful human clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease presents a significant challenge. While this issue is clearly multifaceted, the lack of reproducibility and poor translational validity of many paradigms used to assess cognition in animal models are central contributors to this challenge. Computer-automated cognitive test batteries have the potential to substantially improve translation between pre-clinical studies and clinical trials by increasing both reproducibility and translational validity. Given the structured nature of data output, computer-automated tests also lend themselves to increased data sharing and other open science good practices. Over the past two decades, computer automated, touchscreen-based cognitive testing methods have been developed for non-human primate and rodent models. These automated methods lend themselves to increased standardization, hence reproducibility, and have become increasingly important for the elucidation of the neurobiological basis of cognition in animal models. More recently, there have been increased efforts to use these methods to enhance translational validity by developing task batteries that are nearly identical across different species via forward (i.e., translating animal tasks to humans) and reverse (i.e., translating human tasks to animals) translation. An additional benefit of the touchscreen approach is that a cross-species cognitive test battery makes it possible to implement co-clinical trials-an approach developed initially in cancer research-for novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Co-clinical trials bring together pre-clinical and early clinical studies, which facilitates testing of novel treatments in mouse models with underlying genetic or other changes, and can help to stratify patients on the basis of genetic, molecular, or cognitive criteria. This approach can help to determine which patients should be enrolled in specific clinical trials and can facilitate repositioning and/or repurposing of previously approved drugs. This has the potential to mitigate the resources required to study treatment responses in large numbers of human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Palmer
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Julie R Dumont
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; BrainsCAN, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tyler D Dexter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Finger
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, Ontario, Canada; Parkwood Institute, St. Josephs Health Care, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
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Zhao Z, Hood RJ, Ong LK, Pietrogrande G, Sanchez Bezanilla S, Warren KE, Ilicic M, Kluge MG, TeBay C, Ottersen OP, Johnson SJ, Nilsson M, Walker FR. Exploring How Low Oxygen Post Conditioning Improves Stroke-Induced Cognitive Impairment: A Consideration of Amyloid-Beta Loading and Other Mechanisms. Front Neurol 2021; 12:585189. [PMID: 33841293 PMCID: PMC8024636 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.585189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common and disruptive outcome for stroke survivors, which is recognized to be notoriously difficult to treat. Previously, we have shown that low oxygen post-conditioning (LOPC) improves motor function and limits secondary neuronal loss in the thalamus after experimental stroke. There is also emerging evidence that LOPC may improve cognitive function post-stroke. In the current study we aimed to explore how exposure to LOPC may improve cognition post-stroke. Experimental stroke was induced using photothrombotic occlusion in adult, male C57BL/6 mice. At 72 h post-stroke animals were randomly assigned to either normal atmospheric air or to one of two low oxygen (11% O2) exposure groups (either 8 or 24 h/day for 14 days). Cognition was assessed during the treatment phase using a touchscreen based paired-associate learning assessment. At the end of treatment (17 days post-stroke) mice were euthanized and tissue was collected for subsequent histology and biochemical analysis. LOPC (both 8 and 24 h) enhanced learning and memory in the 2nd week post-stroke when compared with stroke animals exposed to atmospheric air. Additionally we observed LOPC was associated with lower levels of neuronal loss, the restoration of several vascular deficits, as well as a reduction in the severity of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) burden. These findings provide further insight into the pro-cognitive benefits of LOPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zidan Zhao
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Rebecca J. Hood
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Lin Kooi Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Giovanni Pietrogrande
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Sonia Sanchez Bezanilla
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Kirby E. Warren
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Marina Ilicic
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Murielle G. Kluge
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Clifford TeBay
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Ole P. Ottersen
- Division of Anatomy, Department of Molecular Medicine, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Office of the President, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sarah J. Johnson
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Centre for Rehab Innovations, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Nilsson
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Rehab Innovations, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
| | - Frederick R. Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
- Centre for Rehab Innovations, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
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Krakenberg V, Wewer M, Palme R, Kaiser S, Sachser N, Richter SH. Regular touchscreen training affects faecal corticosterone metabolites and anxiety-like behaviour in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 401:113080. [PMID: 33358914 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Automated touchscreen techniques find increasing application for the assessment of cognitive function in rodents. However, hardly anything is known about the potential impact of touchscreen-based training and testing procedures on the animals under investigation. Addressing this question appears particularly important in light of the long and intensive training phases required for most of the operant tasks. Against this background, we here investigated the influence of regular touchscreen training on hormones and behaviour of mice. Faecal corticosterone metabolites (FCMs), reflecting corticosterone levels around the time of treatment, were significantly increased in touchscreen-trained mice, even one week after the training phase was already terminated. Such an effect was not detected on baseline FCMs. Thus, regular touchscreen training can be assumed to cause long-term effects on hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis activity. Furthermore, anxiety-like behaviour was increased in touchscreen-trained mice two weeks after the end of the training phase. Traditionally, this would be interpreted as a negative influence of the training procedure on the animals' affective state. Yet, we also provide two alternative explanations, taking the possibility into account that touchscreen training might have enriching properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktoria Krakenberg
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Germany; Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Germany.
| | - Maximilian Wewer
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Germany; Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Germany; Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Germany
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Germany; Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Germany
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Sex Differences in Cognitive Impairment Induced by Cerebral Microhemorrhage. Transl Stroke Res 2020; 12:316-330. [PMID: 32440818 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-020-00820-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
It has been suggested that cerebral microhemorrhages (CMHs) could be involved in cognitive decline. However, little is known about the sex-dependency of this effect. Using a multimodal approach combining behavioral tests, in vivo imaging, biochemistry, and molecular biology, we studied the cortical and hippocampal impact of a CMH in male and female mice (C57BL/6J) 6 weeks post-induction using a collagenase-induced model. Our work shows for the first time that a single cortical CMH exerts sex-specific effects on cognition. It notably induced visuospatial memory impairment in males only. This sex difference might be explained by cortical changes secondary to the lesion. In fact, the CMH induced an upregulation of ERα mRNA only in the female cortex. Besides, in male mice, we observed an impairment of pathways associated to neuronal, glial, or vascular functions: decrease in the P-GSK3β/GSK3β ratio, in BDNF and VEGF levels, and in microvascular water mobility. The CMH also exerted spatial remote effects in the hippocampus by increasing the number of astrocytes in both sexes, increasing the mean area occupied by each astrocyte in males, and decreasing hippocampal BDNF in females suggesting a cortical-hippocampal network impairment. This work demonstrates that a CMH could directly affect cognition in a sex-specific manner and highlights the need to study both sexes in preclinical models.
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Lee JH, Cho SY, Kim E. Translational cognitive neuroscience of dementia with touchscreen operant chambers. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12664. [PMID: 32374080 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Translational cognitive neuroscience of dementia involves mainly two areas: the validation of newly developed dementia animal models and the preclinical assessment of novel drug candidates in such model animals. To validate new animal models, a multidomain panel (battery) approach is essential in that dementia is, by definition, not merely a memory disorder but rather a multidomain cognitive/behavior disorder: animal modeling with a certain type of dementia would develop cognitive impairments in multiple (two at minimum) domains in a specific order according to unique spreading patterns of its neuropathology. In new drug development, the availability of highly sensitive tools assessing animal cognition is crucial to the detection of cognitive decline at the earliest stage of the disease, which may be an optimal time point to test a drug candidate. Using interspecies translatable (analogous) cognitive tasks would also be necessary to successfully predict the efficacy of drug candidates in subsequent clinical trials. Currently, this translational prediction is seriously limited given discrepancies in behavioral assessment methods between animals and humans in the preclinical and clinical trials, respectively. Since neurodegenerative diseases are often accompanied by not only cognitive but also affective and movement disorders, simultaneous assessment of task-relevant locomotor behavior and motivation is also important to rule out the effects of potential confounders. The touchscreen operant platform may satisfy these needs by offering several advantages over conventional methodology. In this review, we discuss the touchscreen operant chamber system and highlight some of its qualities as a promising and desirable tool for translational research of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Han Lee
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - So Yeon Cho
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eosu Kim
- Department of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Brain Korea 21 Plus Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Braeckman K, Descamps B, Vanhove C, Caeyenberghs K. Exploratory relationships between cognitive improvements and training induced plasticity in hippocampus and cingulum in a rat model of mild traumatic brain injury: a diffusion MRI study. Brain Imaging Behav 2019; 14:2281-2294. [PMID: 31407153 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-019-00179-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of long-term cognitive deficits, even in mild TBI patients. Computerized cognitive training can help alleviate complaints and improve daily life functioning of TBI patients. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of cognitive training in TBI are not fully understood. In the present study, we utilised for the first time a touchscreen cognitive training system in a rat model of mild TBI. Moreover, we wanted to examine whether the beneficial effects of a cognitive training are task-dependent and selective in their target. Specifically, we examined the effect of two training tasks, i.e. the Paired Associate Learning (PAL) task targeting spatial memory functioning and 5-Choice Continuous Performance (5-CCP) task loading on attention and inhibition control, on the microstructural organization of the hippocampus and cingulum, respectively, using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Our findings revealed that the two training protocols induced similar effects on the diffusion MRI metrics. Further, in the TBI groups who received training microstructural organization in the hippocampus and cingulum improved (as denoted by increases in fractional anisotropy), while a worsening (i.e., increases in mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity) was found in the TBI control group. In addition, these alterations in diffusion MRI metrics coincided with improved performance on the training tasks in the TBI groups who received training. Our findings show the potential of DTI metrics as reliable measure to evaluate cognitive training in TBI patients and to facilitate future research investigating further improvement of cognitive training targeting deficits in spatial memory and attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Braeckman
- Infinity Lab, Medical Imaging and Signal Processing Group-IBiTech, UGent, Blok B-5 (Ingang 36), Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Benedicte Descamps
- Infinity Lab, Medical Imaging and Signal Processing Group-IBiTech, UGent, Blok B-5 (Ingang 36), Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Vanhove
- Infinity Lab, Medical Imaging and Signal Processing Group-IBiTech, UGent, Blok B-5 (Ingang 36), Campus UZ Gent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karen Caeyenberghs
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, 470.5.02, Level 5, Building 470, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia
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Shepherd A, May C, Churilov L, Adlard PA, Hannan AJ, Burrows EL. Evaluation of attention in APP/PS1 mice shows impulsive and compulsive behaviours. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 20:e12594. [PMID: 31177612 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While Alzheimer's disease (AD) is traditionally associated with deficits in episodic memory, early changes in other cognitive domains, such as attention, have been gaining interest. In line with clinical observations, some animal models of AD have been shown to develop attentional deficits, but this is not consistent across all models. The APPswe/PS1ΔE9 (APP/PS1) mouse is one of the most commonly used AD models and attention has not yet been scrutinised in this model. We set out to assess attention using the 5-choice serial reaction time task (5CSRTT) early in the progression of cognitive symptoms in APP/PS1 mice, using clinically translatable touchscreen chambers. APP/PS1 mice showed no attentional changes across 5CSRTT training or any probes from 9 to 11 months of age. Interestingly, APP/PS1 mice showed increased impulsive and compulsive responding when task difficulty was high. This suggests that while the APP/PS1 mouse model may not be a good model of attentional changes in AD, it may be useful to study the early changes in impulsive and compulsive behaviour that have been identified in patient studies. As these changes have not previously been reported without attentional deficits in the clinic, the APP/PS1 mouse model may provide a unique opportunity to study these specific behavioural changes seen in AD, including their mechanistic underpinnings and therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlos May
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Leonid Churilov
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul A Adlard
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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21
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Bergeron S, Chen Y, Auger F, Deguil J, Durieux N, Skrobala E, Barus R, Potey C, Cordonnier C, Pasquier F, Ravasi L, Bordet R, Gautier S. Role of cortical microbleeds in cognitive impairment: In vivo behavioral and imaging characterization of a novel murine model. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2019; 39:1015-1025. [PMID: 29333917 PMCID: PMC6547192 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x17752765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) could contribute to cognitive impairment in the general population and in patients with dementia. We designed a study to (i) develop a murine model of CMBs, (ii) assess whether CMBs affect cognition in this model and (iii) assess whether this model is sensitive to pharmacological modulation. Male C57Bl6/J mice were stereotactically administered collagenase to induce cortical lesion analysed by MRI at 24 h. CMB-mice were assessed at six weeks post-lesion for cognitive performances (Barnes maze and Touchscreen automated paired-associated learning (PAL) task) and for cerebral metabolism (in vivo PET/CT with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)). CMB-model sensitivity to pharmacological modulation was assessed by administering atorvastatin (5 mg/kg/day) over the follow-up period. CMB mice were compared to naïve littermates. Collagenase at 0.8 µU/µl appeared suitable to induce reproducible and reliable CMBs. At six weeks, a decline in learning, spatial and visuospatial memory was significantly observed in CMB-mice. Brain metabolism was impaired in all cortex, striatum and the ipsilateral dentate gyrus. A significant improvement in cognition performances was depicted under atorvastatin. In this novel murine model of CMBs, we validated that CMBs lowered cognitive performances and affected regional metabolism. We also proved that this CMB-model is sensitive to pharmacological modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Bergeron
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Yaohua Chen
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Florent Auger
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, In Vivo
Imaging Core Facility, Lille, France
| | - Julie Deguil
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Nicolas Durieux
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, In Vivo
Imaging Core Facility, Lille, France
| | - Emilie Skrobala
- Univ. Lille Labex DISTALZ, CHU Lille,
Biostatistics Platform, and memory clinic, Lille, France
| | - Romain Barus
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Camille Potey
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Charlotte Cordonnier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Florence Pasquier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Laura Ravasi
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, In Vivo
Imaging Core Facility, Lille, France
| | - Régis Bordet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Sophie Gautier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille,
Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders, Lille, France
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22
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Van den Broeck L, Hansquine P, Callaerts-Vegh Z, D'Hooge R. Impaired Reversal Learning in APPPS1-21 Mice in the Touchscreen Visual Discrimination Task. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:92. [PMID: 31143103 PMCID: PMC6521801 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preclinical-clinical translation of cognitive functions has been difficult in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research but is crucial to the (predictive) validity of AD animal models. Reversal learning, a representation of flexibility and adaptability to a changing environment, might represent such a translatable feature of human cognition. We, therefore, examined visual discrimination (VD) and reversal learning in the APPPS1-21 mouse model of amyloid-based AD pathology. We used touchscreen operant cages in novel and translationally valid, as well as objective testing methodology that minimizes within- or between-trial handling. Mice were trained to associate a visual cue with a food reward (VD learning), and subsequently learned to adjust their response when this rule changed (reversal learning). We assessed performance at two different ages, namely at 6 months of age, considered an early disease stage, and at 9 months, a stage of established pathology. Both at 6 and 9 months, transgenic animals needed more sessions to reach criterion performance, compared to wild-type controls. Overall, transgenic animals do not show a general cognitive, motivational or motor deficit, but experience specific difficulties to adapt to reward contingency changes, already at an early pathology stage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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23
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Sanchez-Bezanilla S, TeBay C, Nilsson M, Walker FR, Ong LK. Visual discrimination impairment after experimental stroke is associated with disturbances in the polarization of the astrocytic aquaporin-4 and increased accumulation of neurotoxic proteins. Exp Neurol 2019; 318:232-243. [PMID: 31077714 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Numerous clinical studies have documented the high incidence of cognitive impairment after stroke. However, there is only limited knowledge about the underlying mechanisms. Interestingly, there is emerging evidence suggesting that cognitive function after stroke may be affected due to reduced waste clearance and subsequent accumulation of neurotoxic proteins. To further explore this potential association, we utilised a model of experimental stroke in mice. Specifically, a photothrombotic vascular occlusion targeting motor and sensory parts of the cerebral cortex was induced in young adult mice, and changes in cognition were assessed using a touchscreen platform for pairwise visual discrimination. The results showed that the execution of the visual discrimination task was impaired in mice 10 to 14 days post-stroke compared to sham. Stroke also induced significant neuronal loss within the peri-infarct, thalamus and the CA1 sub-region of the hippocampus. Further, immunohistochemical and protein analyses of the selected brain regions revealed an increased accumulation and aggregation of both amyloid-β and α-synuclein. These alterations were associated with significant disturbances in the aquaporin-4 protein expression and polarization at the astrocytic end-feet. The results suggest a link between the increased accumulation of neurotoxic proteins and the stroke-induced cognitive impairment. Given that the neurotoxic protein accumulation appeared alongside changes in astrocytic aquaporin-4 distribution, we suggest that the function of the waste clearance pathways in the brain post-stroke may represent a therapeutic target to improve brain recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Sanchez-Bezanilla
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Clifford TeBay
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael Nilsson
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Heights, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia; Centre for Rehab Innovations, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; LKC School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Frederick R Walker
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Heights, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia; Centre for Rehab Innovations, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Lin Kooi Ong
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy and Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, Heights, NSW, Australia; NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
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24
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Shepherd A, Zhang TD, Zeleznikow-Johnston AM, Hannan AJ, Burrows EL. Transgenic Mouse Models as Tools for Understanding How Increased Cognitive and Physical Stimulation Can Improve Cognition in Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Plast 2018; 4:127-150. [PMID: 30564551 PMCID: PMC6296266 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-180076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline appears as a core feature of dementia, of which the most prevalent form, Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects more than 45 million people worldwide. There is no cure, and therapeutic options remain limited. A number of modifiable lifestyle factors have been identified that contribute to cognitive decline in dementia. Sedentary lifestyle has emerged as a major modifier and accordingly, boosting mental and physical activity may represent a method to prevent decline in dementia. Beneficial effects of increased physical activity on cognition have been reported in healthy adults, showing potential to harness exercise and cognitive stimulation as a therapy in dementia. 'Brain training' (cognitive stimulation) has also been investigated as an intervention protecting against cognitive decline with normal aging. Consequently, the utility of exercise regimes and/or cognitive stimulation to improve cognition in dementia in clinical populations has been a major area of study. However, these therapies are in their infancy and efficacy is unclear. Investigations utilising animal models, where dose and timing of treatment can be tightly controlled, have provided many mechanistic insights. Genetically engineered mouse models are powerful tools to investigate mechanisms underlying cognitive decline, and also how environmental manipulations can alter both cognitive outcomes and pathology. A myriad of effects following physical activity and housing in enriched environments have been reported in transgenic mice expressing Alzheimer's disease-associated mutations. In this review, we comprehensively evaluate all studies applying environmental enrichment and/or increased physical exercise to transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. It is unclear whether interventions must be applied before first onset of cognitive deficits to be effective. In order to determine the importance of timing of interventions, we specifically scrutinised studies exposing transgenic mice to exercise and environmental enrichment before and after first report of cognitive impairment. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these preclinical studies and suggest approaches for enhancing rigor and using mechanistic insights to inform future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracy D Zhang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ariel M Zeleznikow-Johnston
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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25
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Savelieff MG, Nam G, Kang J, Lee HJ, Lee M, Lim MH. Development of Multifunctional Molecules as Potential Therapeutic Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in the Last Decade. Chem Rev 2018; 119:1221-1322. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.8b00138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Masha G. Savelieff
- SciGency Science Communications, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104, United States
| | - Geewoo Nam
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Juhye Kang
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuck Jin Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Misun Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi Hee Lim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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26
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Ameen-Ali KE, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Sharp P, Berwick J. Review: Neuropathology and behavioural features of transgenic murine models of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2018; 43:553-570. [PMID: 28880417 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the underlying biology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been steadily progressing; however, this is yet to translate into a successful treatment in humans. The use of transgenic mouse models has helped to develop our understanding of AD, not only in terms of disease pathology, but also with the associated cognitive impairments typical of AD. Plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are often among the last pathological changes in AD mouse models, after neuronal loss and gliosis. There is a general consensus that successful treatments need to be applied before the onset of these pathologies and associated cognitive symptoms. This review discusses the different types of AD mouse models in terms of the temporal progression of the disease, how well they replicate the pathological changes seen in human AD and their cognitive defects. We provide a critical assessment of the behavioural tests used with AD mice to assess cognitive changes and decline, and discuss how successfully they correlate with cognitive impairments in humans with AD. This information is an important tool for AD researchers when deciding on appropriate mouse models, and when selecting measures to assess behavioural and cognitive change.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Ameen-Ali
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - S B Wharton
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - J E Simpson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P R Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - J Berwick
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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27
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Ong LK, Chow WZ, TeBay C, Kluge M, Pietrogrande G, Zalewska K, Crock P, Åberg ND, Bivard A, Johnson SJ, Walker FR, Nilsson M, Isgaard J. Growth Hormone Improves Cognitive Function After Experimental Stroke. Stroke 2018; 49:1257-1266. [PMID: 29636425 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.117.020557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Cognitive impairment is a common outcome for stroke survivors. Growth hormone (GH) could represent a potential therapeutic option as this peptide hormone has been shown to improve cognition in various clinical conditions. In this study, we evaluated the effects of peripheral administration of GH at 48 hours poststroke for 28 days on cognitive function and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS Experimental stroke was induced by photothrombotic occlusion in young adult mice. We assessed the associative memory cognitive domain using mouse touchscreen platform for paired-associate learning task. We also evaluated neural tissue loss, neurotrophic factors, and markers of neuroplasticity and cerebrovascular remodeling using biochemical and histology analyses. RESULTS Our results show that GH-treated stroked mice made a significant improvement on the paired-associate learning task relative to non-GH-treated mice at the end of the study. Furthermore, we observed reduction of neural tissue loss in GH-treated stroked mice. We identified that GH treatment resulted in significantly higher levels of neurotrophic factors (IGF-1 [insulin-like growth factor-1] and VEGF [vascular endothelial growth factor]) in both the circulatory and peri-infarct regions. GH treatment in stroked mice not only promoted protein levels and density of presynaptic marker (SYN-1 [synapsin-1]) and marker of myelination (MBP [myelin basic protein]) but also increased the density and area coverage of 2 major vasculature markers (CD31 and collagen-IV), within the peri-infarct region. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide compelling preclinical evidence for the usage of GH as a potential therapeutic tool in the recovery phase of patients after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Kooi Ong
- From the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury (L.K.O., F.R.W., M.N., J.I.) .,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.).,National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Australia (F.R.W., M.N., L.K.O.)
| | - Wei Zhen Chow
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Clifford TeBay
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Murielle Kluge
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Giovanni Pietrogrande
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Katarzyna Zalewska
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy (W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Patricia Crock
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Priority Research Centre Grow Up Well, John Hunter Children's Hospital (P.C.)
| | - N David Åberg
- Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Sweden (N.D.A.)
| | - Andrew Bivard
- Department of Neurology, John Hunter Hospital (A.B.), University of Newcastle, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Sarah J Johnson
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computing (S.J.J.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.)
| | - Frederick R Walker
- From the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury (L.K.O., F.R.W., M.N., J.I.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.).,National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Australia (F.R.W., M.N., L.K.O.)
| | - Michael Nilsson
- From the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury (L.K.O., F.R.W., M.N., J.I.).,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Australia (L.K.O., A.B., F.R.W., M.N., W.Z.C., C.T., M.K., G.P., K.Z., S.J.J.).,National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Australia (F.R.W., M.N., L.K.O.)
| | - Jörgen Isgaard
- From the Priority Research Centre for Stroke and Brain Injury (L.K.O., F.R.W., M.N., J.I.) .,Centre for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology and Department of Internal Medicine (J.I.)
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28
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Pulley JM, Jerome RN, Zaleski NM, Shirey-Rice JK, Pruijssers AJ, Lavieri RR, Chettiar SN, Naylor HM, Aronoff DM, Edwards DA, Niswender CM, Dugan LL, Crofford LJ, Bernard GR, Holroyd KJ. When Enough Is Enough: Decision Criteria for Moving a Known Drug into Clinical Testing for a New Indication in the Absence of Preclinical Efficacy Data. Assay Drug Dev Technol 2017; 15:354-361. [PMID: 29193979 DOI: 10.1089/adt.2017.821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Many animal models of disease are suboptimal in their representation of human diseases and lack of predictive power in the success of pivotal human trials. In the context of repurposing drugs with known human safety, it is sometimes appropriate to conduct the "last experiment first," that is, progressing directly to human investigations. However, there are not accepted criteria for when to proceed straight to humans to test a new indication. We propose a specific set of criteria to guide the decision-making around when to initiate human proof of principle without preclinical efficacy studies in animal models. This approach could accelerate the transition of novel therapeutic approaches to human applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Pulley
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Rebecca N Jerome
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Nicole M Zaleski
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jana K Shirey-Rice
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Andrea J Pruijssers
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Robert R Lavieri
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Somsundaram N Chettiar
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Helen M Naylor
- 2 Center for Knowledge Management, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David M Aronoff
- 3 Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David A Edwards
- 4 Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Colleen M Niswender
- 5 Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee.,6 Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development , Nashville Tennessee
| | - Laura L Dugan
- 7 Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Leslie J Crofford
- 8 Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Gordon R Bernard
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Kenneth J Holroyd
- 1 Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Vanderbilt University Medical Center , Nashville, Tennessee.,9 Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, Vanderbilt University , Nashville, Tennessee
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29
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Huang S, Wei G, Hua F. Fragmented Sleep Enhances Postoperative Neuroinflammation but Not Cognitive Dysfunction: Really? Anesth Analg 2017; 125:695. [PMID: 28661921 DOI: 10.1213/ane.0000000000002212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Song Huang
- Anesthesia Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China,
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30
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Piiponniemi TO, Bragge T, Vauhkonen EE, Vartiainen P, Puoliväli JT, Sweeney PJ, Kopanitsa MV. Acquisition and reversal of visual discrimination learning in APPSwDI/Nos2−/− (CVN) mice. Neurosci Lett 2017; 650:126-133. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 04/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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31
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Dementia Research Australia: the Australian Dementia Research Development Fellowship Program. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 60:277-278. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0842-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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