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Bragg MG, Gorski-Steiner I, Song A, Chavarro JE, Hart JE, Tabb LP, Weisskopf MG, Volk H, Lyall K. Prenatal air pollution and children's autism traits score: Examination of joint associations with maternal intake of vitamin D, methyl donors, and polyunsaturated fatty acids using mixture methods. Environ Epidemiol 2024; 8:e316. [PMID: 38919264 PMCID: PMC11196080 DOI: 10.1097/ee9.0000000000000316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Maternal nutrient intake may moderate associations between environmental exposures and children's neurodevelopmental outcomes, but few studies have assessed joint effects. We aimed to evaluate whether prenatal nutrient intake influences the association between air pollutants and autism-related trait scores. Methods We included 126 participants from the EARLI (Early Autism Risk Longitudinal Investigation, 2009-2012) cohort, which followed US pregnant mothers who previously had a child with autism. Bayesian kernel machine regression and traditional regression models were used to examine joint associations of prenatal nutrient intake (vitamins D, B12, and B6; folate, choline, and betaine; and total omega 3 and 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, reported via food frequency questionnaire), air pollutant exposure (particulate matter <2.5 μm [PM2.5], nitrogen dioxide [NO2], and ozone [O3], estimated at the address level), and children's autism-related traits (measured by the Social Responsiveness Scale [SRS] at 36 months). Results Most participants had nutrient intakes and air pollutant exposures that met US standards. Bayesian kernel machine regression mixture models and traditional regression models provided little evidence of individual or joint associations of nutrients and air pollutants with SRS scores or of an association between the overall mixture and SRS scores. Conclusion In this cohort with a high familial likelihood of autism, we did not observe evidence of joint associations between air pollution exposures and nutrient intake with autism-related traits. Future work should examine the use of these methods in larger, more diverse samples, as our results may have been influenced by familial liability and/or relatively high nutrient intakes and low air pollutant exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan G. Bragg
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Irena Gorski-Steiner
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ashley Song
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jorge E. Chavarro
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jaime E. Hart
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Loni P. Tabb
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Marc G. Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Heather Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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King C, Plakke B. Maternal choline supplementation in neurodevelopmental disorders: mechanistic insights from animal models and future directions. Nutr Neurosci 2024:1-20. [PMID: 39046330 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2024.2377084] [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: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To synthesize evidence from animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) using maternal choline supplementation, to characterize current knowledge on the mechanisms of choline's protective effects against NDD, and to identify gaps in knowledge for future study. METHODS A literature review was conducted in PubMed to identify studies using prenatal choline supplementation interventions in rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders. 24 studies were identified, and behavioral and biological findings were extracted from each. Studies examining both genetic and environmental risk factors were included. RESULTS Maternal choline supplementation during gestation is protective against both genetic and environmental NDD risk factors. Maternal choline supplementation improves both cognitive and affective outcomes throughout the lifespan in NDD models. Prenatal choline improved these outcomes through its participation in processes like neurogenesis, epigenetic regulation, and anti-inflammatory signaling. DISCUSSION Maternal choline supplementation improves behavioral and neurobiological outcomes in animal models of NDD, paralleling findings in humans. Animal models provide a unique opportunity to study the mechanisms by which gestational choline improves neurodevelopmental outcomes. This is especially important since nearly 90% of pregnant people in the United States are deficient in choline intake. However, much is still unknown about the mechanisms through which choline and its derivatives act. Further research into this topic, especially mechanistic studies in animal models, is critical to modernize maternal choline intake guidelines and to develop interventions to increase maternal choline intake in vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole King
- Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Bethany Plakke
- Psychological Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
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3
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Chartampila E, Elayouby KS, Leary P, LaFrancois JJ, Alcantara-Gonzalez D, Jain S, Gerencer K, Botterill JJ, Ginsberg SD, Scharfman HE. Choline supplementation in early life improves and low levels of choline can impair outcomes in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. eLife 2024; 12:RP89889. [PMID: 38904658 PMCID: PMC11192536 DOI: 10.7554/elife.89889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Maternal choline supplementation (MCS) improves cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) models. However, the effects of MCS on neuronal hyperexcitability in AD are unknown. We investigated the effects of MCS in a well-established mouse model of AD with hyperexcitability, the Tg2576 mouse. The most common type of hyperexcitability in Tg2576 mice are generalized EEG spikes (interictal spikes [IIS]). IIS also are common in other mouse models and occur in AD patients. In mouse models, hyperexcitability is also reflected by elevated expression of the transcription factor ∆FosB in the granule cells (GCs) of the dentate gyrus (DG), which are the principal cell type. Therefore, we studied ΔFosB expression in GCs. We also studied the neuronal marker NeuN within hilar neurons of the DG because reduced NeuN protein expression is a sign of oxidative stress or other pathology. This is potentially important because hilar neurons regulate GC excitability. Tg2576 breeding pairs received a diet with a relatively low, intermediate, or high concentration of choline. After weaning, all mice received the intermediate diet. In offspring of mice fed the high choline diet, IIS frequency declined, GC ∆FosB expression was reduced, and hilar NeuN expression was restored. Using the novel object location task, spatial memory improved. In contrast, offspring exposed to the relatively low choline diet had several adverse effects, such as increased mortality. They had the weakest hilar NeuN immunoreactivity and greatest GC ΔFosB protein expression. However, their IIS frequency was low, which was surprising. The results provide new evidence that a diet high in choline in early life can improve outcomes in a mouse model of AD, and relatively low choline can have mixed effects. This is the first study showing that dietary choline can regulate hyperexcitability, hilar neurons, ΔFosB, and spatial memory in an animal model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissavet Chartampila
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
| | - Karim S Elayouby
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
| | - Paige Leary
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - John J LaFrancois
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - David Alcantara-Gonzalez
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Swati Jain
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
| | - Kasey Gerencer
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
| | - Justin J Botterill
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric ResearchOrangeburgUnited States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- Departments of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkUnited States
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Vallianou NG, Kounatidis D, Psallida S, Panagopoulos F, Stratigou T, Geladari E, Karampela I, Tsilingiris D, Dalamaga M. The Interplay Between Dietary Choline and Cardiometabolic Disorders: A Review of Current Evidence. Curr Nutr Rep 2024; 13:152-165. [PMID: 38427291 PMCID: PMC11133147 DOI: 10.1007/s13668-024-00521-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Choline is an essential nutrient for human health and cellular homeostasis as it is necessary for the synthesis of lipid cell membranes, lipoproteins, and the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. The aim of this review is to analyze the beneficial effects of choline and its significance in cellular metabolism and various inflammatory pathways, such as the inflammasome. We will discuss the significance of dietary choline in cardiometabolic disorders, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic kidney disease (CKD) as well as in cognitive function and associated neuropsychiatric disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Choline deficiency has been related to the development of NAFLD and cognitive disability in the offspring as well as in adulthood. In sharp contrast, excess dietary intake of choline mediated via the increased production of trimethylamine by the gut microbiota and increased trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels has been related to atherosclerosis in most studies. In this context, CVD and CKD through the accumulation of TMAO, p-Cresyl-sulfate (pCS), and indoxyl-sulfate (IS) in serum may be the result of the interplay between excess dietary choline, the increased production of TMAO by the gut microbiota, and the resulting activation of inflammatory responses and fibrosis. A balanced diet, with no excess nor any deficiency in dietary choline, is of outmost importance regarding the prevention of cardiometabolic disorders as well as cognitive function. Large-scale studies with the use of next-generation probiotics, especially Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, should further examine their therapeutic potential in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia G Vallianou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, Athens, Greece.
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias str, Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitris Kounatidis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, 114 Vassilissis Sofias str, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotiria Psallida
- Department of Microbiology, KAT General Hospital of Attica, 2 Nikis str, Athens, Greece
| | - Fotis Panagopoulos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodora Stratigou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Geladari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Evangelismos General Hospital, 45-47 Ipsilantou str, Athens, Greece
| | - Irene Karampela
- 2nd Department of Critical Care, Medical School, University of Athens, Attikon General University Hospital, 1 Rimini str, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tsilingiris
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, 68100, Alexandroupoli, Greece
| | - Maria Dalamaga
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 75 Mikras Asias str, Athens, Greece.
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Chartampila E, Elayouby KS, Leary P, LaFrancois JJ, Alcantara-Gonzalez D, Jain S, Gerencer K, Botterill JJ, Ginsberg SD, Scharfman HE. Choline supplementation in early life improves and low levels of choline can impair outcomes in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.12.540428. [PMID: 37214805 PMCID: PMC10197642 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.12.540428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Maternal choline supplementation (MCS) improves cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) models. However, effects of MCS on neuronal hyperexcitability in AD are unknown. We investigated effects of MCS in a well-established mouse model of AD with hyperexcitability, the Tg2576 mouse. The most common type of hyperexcitability in Tg2576 mice are generalized EEG spikes (interictal spikes; IIS). IIS also are common in other mouse models and occur in AD patients. Im mouse models, hyperexcitability is also reflected by elevated expression of the transcription factor ΔFosB in the granule cells (GCs) of the dentate gyrus (DG), which are the principal cell type. Therefore we studied ΔFosB expression in GCs. We also studied the the neuronal marker NeuN within hilar neurons of the DG because other studies have reduced NeuN protein expression is a sign of oxidative stress or other pathology. This is potentially important because hilar neurons regulate GC excitability. Tg2576 breeding pairs received a diet with a relatively low, intermediate or high concentration of choline. After weaning, all mice received the intermediate diet. In offspring of mice fed the high choline diet, IIS frequency declined, GC ΔFosB expression was reduced, and NeuN expression was restored. Using the novel object location task, spatial memory improved. In contrast, offspring exposed to the relatively low choline diet had several adverse effects, such as increased mortality. They had the weakest hilar NeuN immunoreactivity and greatest GC ΔFosB protein expression. However, their IIS frequency was low, which was surprising. The results provide new evidence that a diet high in choline in early life can improve outcomes in a mouse model of AD, and relatively low choline can have mixed effects. This is the first study showing that dietary choline can regulate hyperexcitability, hilar neurons, ΔFosB and spatial memory in an animal model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elissavet Chartampila
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Current address:Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27510
| | - Karim S. Elayouby
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Current address: Department of Neurology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029
| | - Paige Leary
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 100016
| | - John J. LaFrancois
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - David Alcantara-Gonzalez
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Swati Jain
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
| | - Kasey Gerencer
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Current address: Department of Psychology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469
| | - Justin J. Botterill
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Current address: Department of Anatomy, Physiology, & Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5
| | - Stephen D. Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 100016
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine New York, NY 10016
- NYU Neuroscience Institute,, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
| | - Helen E. Scharfman
- Center for Dementia Research, The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 100016
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine New York, NY 10016
- NYU Neuroscience Institute,, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016
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Howard SL, Beaudin SA, Strupp BJ, Smith DR. Maternal choline supplementation lessens the behavioral dysfunction produced by developmental manganese exposure in a rodent model of ADHD. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2024; 102:107337. [PMID: 38423398 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2024.107337] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Studies in children have reported associations between elevated manganese (Mn) exposure and ADHD-related symptoms of inattention, impulsivity/hyperactivity, and psychomotor impairment. Maternal choline supplementation (MCS) during pregnancy/lactation may hold promise as a protective strategy because it has been shown to lessen cognitive dysfunction caused by numerous early insults. Our objectives were to determine whether (1) developmental Mn exposure alters behavioral reactivity/emotion regulation, in addition to impairing learning, attention, impulse control, and sensorimotor function, and (2) MCS protects against these Mn-induced impairments. Pregnant Long-Evans rats were given standard diet, or a diet supplemented with additional choline throughout gestation and lactation (GD 3 - PND 21). Male offspring were exposed orally to 0 or 50 mg Mn/kg/day over PND 1-21. In adulthood, animals were tested in a series of learning, attention, impulse control, and sensorimotor tasks. Mn exposure caused lasting dysfunction in attention, reactivity to errors and reward omission, learning, and sensorimotor function, recapitulating the constellation of symptoms seen in ADHD children. MCS lessened Mn-induced attentional dysfunction and partially normalized reactivity to committing an error or not receiving an expected reward but provided no protection against Mn-induced learning or sensorimotor dysfunction. In the absence of Mn exposure, MCS produces lasting offspring benefits in learning, attention, and reactivity to errors. To conclude, developmental Mn exposure produces a constellation of deficits consistent with ADHD symptomology, and MCS offered some protection against the adverse Mn effects, adding to the evidence that maternal choline supplementation is neuroprotective for offspring and improves offspring cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna L Howard
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Stephane A Beaudin
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Barbara J Strupp
- Division of Nutritional Sciences and Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Donald R Smith
- Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA.
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Derbyshire E, Maes M. The Role of Choline in Neurodevelopmental Disorders-A Narrative Review Focusing on ASC, ADHD and Dyslexia. Nutrients 2023; 15:2876. [PMID: 37447203 DOI: 10.3390/nu15132876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders appear to be rising in prevalence, according to the recent Global Burden of Disease Study. This rise is likely to be multi-factorial, but the role of certain nutrients known to facilitate neurodevelopment should be considered. One possible contributing factor could be attributed to deficits in choline intake, particularly during key stages of neurodevelopment, which includes the first 1000 days of life and childhood. Choline, a key micronutrient, is crucial for optimal neurodevelopment and brain functioning of offspring. The present narrative review discusses the main research, describing the effect of choline in neurodevelopmental disorders, to better understand its role in the etiology and management of these disorders. In terms of findings, low choline intakes and reduced or altered choline status have been reported in relevant population subgroups: pregnancy (in utero), children with autism spectrum disorders, people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and those with dyslexia. In conclusion, an optimal choline provision may offer some neuronal protection in early life and help to mitigate some cognitive effects in later life attributed to neurodevelopmental conditions. Research indicates that choline may act as a modifiable risk factor for certain neurodevelopmental conditions. Ongoing research is needed to unravel the mechanisms and explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael Maes
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 4002, Thailand
- Research Institute, Medical University of Plovdiv, 10330 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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Arakawa H, Higuchi Y, Ozawa A. Oxytocin neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus circuit-dependently regulates social behavior, which malfunctions in BTBR mouse model of autism. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2621359. [PMID: 36909537 PMCID: PMC10002846 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2621359/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OXT) a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamic nuclei has a variety of function including socio-emotional processes in mammals. While the neural circuits and signaling pathways in central OXT converge in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), we illuminate specific function of discrete PVN OXT circuits, which connect to the medial amygdala (MeA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BnST) in mouse models. The OXTPVN→BnST projections are innervated from entire portions of the PVN, while those OXTPVN→MeA projections are asymmetrically innervated from the posterior portion of the PVN. Compared with OXT neurons in B6 wild type mice, BTBR mice that are recognized as a behavior-based autism model exhibited defect in the OXTPVN→BnST projection. We demonstrate that chemogenetic activation of OXTPVN→MeA circuit enhances anxiety-like behavior and facilitates social approach behavior, while activation of OXTPVN→BnST circuit suppresses anxiety-like behavior along with inhibiting social approach. This chemogenetic manipulation on the OXTPVN→BnST circuit proves ineffective in BTBR mice. Accordingly, chemogenetic activation of OXTPVN neurons that stimulate both OXT circuits induces OXT receptor expressions in both MeA and BnST as with those by social encounter in B6 mice. The induction of OXT receptor genes in the BnST was not observed in BTBR mice. These data support the hypothesis that OXT circuits serve as a regulator for OXT signaling in PVN to control socio-emotional approach/avoidance behavior, and a defect of OXTPVN→BnST circuit contributes to autism-like social phenotypes in BTBR mice.
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A comparison of stress reactivity between BTBR and C57BL/6J mice: an impact of early-life stress. Exp Brain Res 2023; 241:687-698. [PMID: 36670311 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06541-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Early-life stress (ELS) is associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation and can increase the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of ELS on baseline HPA axis functioning and on the response to additional stress in adolescent male mice of strains C57BL/6J and BTBR. As a model of ELS, prolonged separation of pups from their mothers (for 3 h once a day: maternal separation [MS]) was implemented. To evaluate HPA axis activity, we assessed serum corticosterone levels and mRNA expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (Crh) in the hypothalamus, of steroidogenesis genes in adrenal glands, and of an immediate early gene (c-Fos) in both tissues at baseline and immediately after 1 h of restraint stress. HPA axis activity at baseline did not depend on the history of ELS in mice of both strains. After the exposure to the acute restraint stress, C57BL/6J-MS mice showed less pronounced upregulation of Crh and of corticosterone concentration as compared to the control, indicating a decrease in stress reactivity. By contrast, BTBR-MS mice showed stronger upregulation of c-Fos in the hypothalamus and adrenal glands as compared to controls, thus pointing to greater activation of these organs in response to the acute restraint stress. In addition, we noted that BTBR mice are more stress reactive (than C57BL/6J mice) because they exhibited greater upregulation of corticosterone, c-Fos, and Cyp11a1 in response to the acute restraint stress. Taken together, these results indicate strain-specific and situation-dependent effects of ELS on HPA axis functioning and on c-Fos expression.
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Tallarico M, Leo A, Russo E, Citraro R, Palma E, De Sarro G. Seizure susceptibility to various convulsant stimuli in the BTBR mouse model of autism spectrum disorders. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1155729. [PMID: 37153775 PMCID: PMC10157402 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1155729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are one of the most severe chronic childhood disorders in terms of prevalence, morbidity, and impact on society. Interestingly, several systematic reviews and meta-analyses documented a bidirectional link between epilepsy and ASD, supporting the hypothesis that both disorders may have common neurobiological pathways. According to this hypothesis, an imbalance of the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) ratio in several brain regions may represent a causal mechanism underpinning the co-occurrence of these neurological diseases. Methods: To investigate this bidirectional link, we first tested the seizure susceptibility to chemoconvulsants acting on GABAergic and glutamatergic systems in the BTBR mice, in which an imbalance between E/I has been previously demonstrated. Subsequently, we performed the PTZ kindling protocol to study the impact of seizures on autistic-like behavior and other neurological deficits in BTBR mice. Results: We found that BTBR mice have an increased susceptibility to seizures induced by chemoconvulsants impairing GABAA neurotransmission in comparison to C57BL/6J control mice, whereas no significant difference in seizure susceptibility was observed after administration of AMPA, NMDA, and Kainate. This data suggests that deficits in GABAergic neurotransmission can increase seizure susceptibility in this strain of mice. Interestingly, BTBR mice showed a longer latency in the development of kindling compared to control mice. Furthermore, PTZ-kindling did not influence autistic-like behavior in BTBR mice, whereas it was able to significantly increase anxiety and worsen cognitive performance in this strain of mice. Interestingly, C57BL/6J displayed reduced sociability after PTZ injections, supporting the hypothesis that a tight connection exists between ASD and epilepsy. Conclusion: BTBR mice can be considered a good model to study epilepsy and ASD contemporarily. However, future studies should shed light on the mechanisms underpinning the co-occurrence of these neurological disorders in the BTBR model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- *Correspondence: Antonio Leo,
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- System and Applied Pharmacology@University Magna Grecia, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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11
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Neuwirth LS, Verrengia MT, Harikinish-Murrary ZI, Orens JE, Lopez OE. Under or Absent Reporting of Light Stimuli in Testing of Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents: The Need for Standardization. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:912146. [PMID: 36061362 PMCID: PMC9428565 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.912146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience tests such as the Light/Dark Test, the Open Field Test, the Elevated Plus Maze Test, and the Three Chamber Social Interaction Test have become both essential and widely used behavioral tests for transgenic and pre-clinical models for drug screening and testing. However, as fast as the field has evolved and the contemporaneous involvement of technology, little assessment of the literature has been done to ensure that these behavioral neuroscience tests that are crucial to pre-clinical testing have well-controlled ethological motivation by the use of lighting (i.e., Lux). In the present review paper, N = 420 manuscripts were examined from 2015 to 2019 as a sample set (i.e., n = ~20–22 publications per year) and it was found that only a meager n = 50 publications (i.e., 11.9% of the publications sampled) met the criteria for proper anxiogenic and anxiolytic Lux reported. These findings illustrate a serious concern that behavioral neuroscience papers are not being vetted properly at the journal review level and are being released into the literature and public domain making it difficult to assess the quality of the science being reported. This creates a real need for standardizing the use of Lux in all publications on behavioral neuroscience techniques within the field to ensure that contributions are meaningful, avoid unnecessary duplication, and ultimately would serve to create a more efficient process within the pre-clinical screening/testing for drugs that serve as anxiolytic compounds that would prove more useful than what prior decades of work have produced. It is suggested that improving the standardization of the use and reporting of Lux in behavioral neuroscience tests and the standardization of peer-review processes overseeing the proper documentation of these methodological approaches in manuscripts could serve to advance pre-clinical testing for effective anxiolytic drugs. This report serves to highlight this concern and proposes strategies to proactively remedy them as the field moves forward for decades to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S. Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Lorenz S. Neuwirth
| | - Michael T. Verrengia
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Zachary I. Harikinish-Murrary
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Jessica E. Orens
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Oscar E. Lopez
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
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12
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Jennings L, Basiri R. Amino Acids, B Vitamins, and Choline May Independently and Collaboratively Influence the Incidence and Core Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142896. [PMID: 35889852 PMCID: PMC9318435 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder of variable severity, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior. In 2018, the incidence of ASD was 2.4 times higher than estimated in 2000. Behavior and brain development abnormalities are present in the complex disorder of ASD. Nutritional status plays a key role in the incidence and severity of the core symptoms of ASD. The aim of this study was to review the available peer-reviewed studies that evaluated the relationship between amino acids, choline, B vitamins, and ASD incidence and/or severity of symptoms. Through examining plasma profiles, urine samples, and dietary intake, researchers found that low choline, abnormal amino acid, and low B vitamin levels were present in children with ASD compared to those without ASD. The evidence supports the need for future research that implements simultaneous supplementation of all essential nutrients in individuals with ASD and among prenatal mothers. Future evidence could lead to scientific breakthroughs, ultimately reducing the rates of ASD incidence and severity of symptoms by applying nutritional interventions in at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurel Jennings
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
| | - Raedeh Basiri
- Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA;
- Institute for Biohealth Innovation, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030, USA
- Correspondence:
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13
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Selective Probiotic Treatment Positively Modulates the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in the BTBR Mouse Model of Autism. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060781. [PMID: 35741667 PMCID: PMC9220969 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have shown promise for the use of probiotics in modulating behaviour through the microbiota–gut–brain axis. In the present study, we assessed the impact of two probiotic strains in mitigating autism-related symptomology in the BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Male juvenile BTBR mice were randomized into: (1) control, (2) Lr probiotic (1 × 109 CFU/mL Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus HA-114), and (3) Ls probiotic groups (1 × 109 CFU/mL Ligilactobacillus salivarius HA-118) (n = 18–21/group), receiving treatments in drinking water for 4 weeks. Gut microbiota profiling by 16S rRNA showed Lr, but not Ls supplementation, to increase microbial richness and phylogenetic diversity, with a rise in potential anti-inflammatory and butyrate-producing taxa. Assessing serum and brain metabolites, Lr and Ls supplementation produced distinct metabolic profiles, with Lr treatment elevating concentrations of potentially beneficial neuroactive compounds, such as 5-aminovaleric acid and choline. As mitochondrial dysfunction is often observed in ASD, we assessed mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. No differences were observed for either treatment. Both Lr and Ls treatment reduced behavioural deficits in social novelty preference. However, no changes in hyperactivity, repetitive behaviour, and sociability were observed. Results show Lr to impart positive changes along the microbiota–gut–brain axis, exhibiting beneficial effects on selected behaviour, gut microbial diversity, and metabolism in BTBR mice.
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14
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Bragg M, Chavarro JE, Hamra GB, Hart JE, Tabb LP, Weisskopf MG, Volk HE, Lyall K. Prenatal Diet as a Modifier of Environmental Risk Factors for Autism and Related Neurodevelopmental Outcomes. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:324-338. [PMID: 35305256 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Environmental chemicals and toxins have been associated with increased risk of impaired neurodevelopment and specific conditions like autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Prenatal diet is an individually modifiable factor that may alter associations with such environmental factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize studies examining prenatal dietary factors as potential modifiers of the relationship between environmental exposures and ASD or related neurodevelopmental outcomes. RECENT FINDINGS Twelve studies were identified; five examined ASD diagnosis or ASD-related traits as the outcome (age at assessment range: 2-5 years) while the remainder addressed associations with neurodevelopmental scores (age at assessment range: 6 months to 6 years). Most studies focused on folic acid, prenatal vitamins, or omega-3 fatty acids as potentially beneficial effect modifiers. Environmental risk factors examined included air pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals. Most studies took place in North America. In 10/12 studies, the prenatal dietary factor under study was identified as a significant modifier, generally attenuating the association between the environmental exposure and ASD or neurodevelopment. Prenatal diet may be a promising target to mitigate adverse effects of environmental exposures on neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further research focused on joint effects is needed that encompasses a broader variety of dietary factors, guided by our understanding of mechanisms linking environmental exposures with neurodevelopment. Future studies should also aim to include diverse populations, utilize advanced methods to optimize detection of novel joint effects, incorporate consideration of timing, and consider both synergistic and antagonistic potential of diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Bragg
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jorge E Chavarro
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ghassan B Hamra
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jaime E Hart
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Loni Philip Tabb
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3020 Market St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Marc G Weisskopf
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Heather E Volk
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kristen Lyall
- AJ Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University, 3020 Market St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University, 3020 Market St., Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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15
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Monteiro S, Nejad YS, Aucoin M. Perinatal diet and offspring anxiety: A scoping review. Transl Neurosci 2022; 13:275-290. [PMID: 36128579 PMCID: PMC9449687 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0242] [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: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Health behaviors during pregnancy have an impact on the developing offspring. Dietary factors play a role in the development of mental illness: however, less is known about the impact of diet factors during pre-conception, gestation, and lactation on anxiety levels in offspring. This scoping review sought to systematically map the available research involving human and animal subjects to identify nutritional interventions which may have a harmful or protective effect, as well as identify gaps. Studies investigating an association between any perinatal diet pattern or diet constituent and offspring anxiety were included. The number of studies reporting an association with increased or decreased levels of anxiety were counted and presented in figures. A total of 55,914 results were identified as part of a larger scoping review, and 120 articles met the criteria for inclusion. A greater intake of phytochemicals and vitamins were associated with decreased offspring anxiety whereas maternal caloric restriction, protein restriction, reduced omega-3 consumption, and exposure to a high fat diet were associated with higher levels of offspring anxiety. Results were limited by a very large proportion of animal studies. High quality intervention studies involving human subjects are warranted to elucidate the precise dietary factors or constituents that modulate the risk of anxiety in offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sasha Monteiro
- Department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1255 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON, M2K 1E2, Canada
| | - Yousef Sadat Nejad
- Department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1255 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON, M2K 1E2, Canada
| | - Monique Aucoin
- Department of Research and Clinical Epidemiology, Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, 1255 Sheppard Ave E, Toronto, ON, M2K 1E2, Canada
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16
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Bahnfleth CL, Strupp BJ, Caudill MA, Canfield RL. Prenatal choline supplementation improves child sustained attention: A 7-year follow-up of a randomized controlled feeding trial. FASEB J 2021; 36:e22054. [PMID: 34962672 PMCID: PMC9303951 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202101217r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Numerous rodent studies demonstrate developmental programming of offspring cognition by maternal choline intake, with prenatal choline deprivation causing lasting adverse effects and supplemental choline producing lasting benefits. Few human studies have evaluated the effect of maternal choline supplementation on offspring cognition, with none following children to school age. Here, we report results from a controlled feeding study in which pregnant women were randomized to consume 480 mg choline/d (approximately the Adequate Intake [AI]) or 930 mg choline/d during the 3rd trimester. Sustained attention was assessed in the offspring at age 7 years (n = 20) using a signal detection task that showed benefits of maternal choline supplementation in a murine model. Children in the 930 mg/d group showed superior performance (vs. 480 mg/d group) on the primary endpoint (SAT score, p = .02) and a superior ability to maintain correct signal detections (hits) across the 12‐min session (p = .02), indicative of improved sustained attention. This group difference in vigilance decrement varied by signal duration (p = .04). For the briefest (17 ms) signals, the 480 mg/d group showed a 22.9% decline in hits across the session compared to a 1.5% increase in hits for the 930 mg/d group (p = .04). The groups did not differ in vigilance decrement for 29 or 50 ms signals. This pattern suggests an enhanced ability to sustain perceptual amplification of a brief low‐contrast visual signal by children in the 930 mg/d group. This inference of improved sustained attention by the 930 mg/d group is strengthened by the absence of group differences for false alarms, omissions, and off‐task behaviors. This pattern of results indicates that maternal 3rd trimester consumption of the choline AI for pregnancy (vs. double the AI) produces offspring with a poorer ability to sustain attention—reinforcing concerns that, on average, choline consumption by pregnant women is approximately 70% of the AI.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Barbara J Strupp
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.,Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Richard L Canfield
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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17
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Shahraki S, Esmaeilpour K, Shabani M, Sepehri G, Rajizadeh MA, Maneshian M, Joushi S, Sheibani V. Choline chloride modulates learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity impairments in maternally separated adolescent male rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 82:19-38. [PMID: 34727391 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal separation (MS) is a model to induce permanent alternations in the central nervous system (CNS) and is associated with increased levels of anxiety and cognitive deficiencies. Since Methyl donor choline (Ch) has been shown to play a significant role in learning and memory and enhances synaptic plasticity, the authors hypothesized that Ch may attenuate MS-induced impairments in synaptic plasticity and cognitive performance. Rat pups underwent a MS protocol for 180 min/day from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 21. Ch was administered subcutaneously (100 mg/kg, 21 days) to the Choline chloride and MS + Choline chloride groups from PND 29 to 49. Anxiety-like behavior, recognition memory, spatial and passive avoidance learning and memory were measured in the adolescent rats. In addition, evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSP) were recorded from the CA1 region of the hippocampus. MS induced higher anxiety-like behavior in the animals. It also impaired learning and memory. However, MS had no effect on locomotor activity. Subcutaneous administration of Ch attenuated MS-induced cognitive deficits and enhanced the learning and memory of MS rats. Ch also decreased anxiety-like behavior in the open field test. The present results showed that long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced in all groups except MS and MS + saline animals. However, Ch injection induced LTP and had maintenance in MS + choline chloride, but it was not statistically significant compared with the MS group. In summary, the present findings indicate that MS can interfere with normal animal's cognition and subcutaneous of Ch may be considered an appropriate therapeutic strategy for promoting cognitive dysfunctions in MS animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarieh Shahraki
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Department of Physiology & pharmacology, school of medicine, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Esmaeilpour
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mohammad Shabani
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Sepehri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mohammad Amin Rajizadeh
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Marzieh Maneshian
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Sara Joushi
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Vahid Sheibani
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
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18
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Korsmo HW, Jiang X. One carbon metabolism and early development: a diet-dependent destiny. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:579-593. [PMID: 34210607 PMCID: PMC8282711 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
One carbon metabolism (OCM) is critical for early development, as it provides one carbon (1C) units for the biosynthesis of DNA, proteins, and lipids and epigenetic modification of the genome. Epigenetic marks established early in life can be maintained and exert lasting impacts on gene expression and functions later in life. Animal and human studies have increasingly demonstrated that prenatal 1C nutrient deficiencies impair fetal growth, neurodevelopment, and cardiometabolic parameters in childhood, while sufficient maternal 1C nutrient intake is protective against these detrimental outcomes. However, recent studies also highlight the potential risk of maternal 1C nutrient excess or imbalance in disrupting early development. Further studies are needed to delineate the dose-response relationship among prenatal 1C nutrient exposure, epigenetic modifications, and developmental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hunter W Korsmo
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center CUNY (City University of New York), New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA
| | - Xinyin Jiang
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center CUNY (City University of New York), New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY 11210, USA.
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19
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Gámiz F, Gallo M. A Systematic Review of the Dietary Choline Impact on Cognition from a Psychobiological Approach: Insights from Animal Studies. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13061966. [PMID: 34201092 PMCID: PMC8229126 DOI: 10.3390/nu13061966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of dietary choline availability on cognition is currently being suggested by animal and human studies which have focused mainly on the early developmental stages. The aim of this review is to systematically search through the available rodent (rats and mice) research published during the last two decades that has assessed the effect of dietary choline interventions on cognition and related attentional and emotional processes for the entire life span. The review has been conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines covering peer-reviewed studies included in PubMed and Scopus databases. After excluding duplicates and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria we have reviewed a total of 44 articles published in 25 journals with the contribution of 146 authors. The results are analyzed based on the timing and duration of the dietary intervention and the behavioral tests applied, amongst other variables. Overall, the available results provide compelling support for the relevance of dietary choline in cognition. The beneficial effects of choline supplementation is more evident in recognition rather than in spatial memory tasks when assessing nonpathological samples whilst these effects extend to other relational memory tasks in neuropathological models. However, the limited number of studies that have evaluated other cognitive functions suggest a wider range of potential effects. More research is needed to draw conclusions about the critical variables and the nature of the impact on specific cognitive processes. The results are discussed on the terms of the theoretical framework underlying the relationship between the brain systems and cognition.
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20
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Agam G, Taylor Z, Vainer E, Golan HM. The influence of choline treatment on behavioral and neurochemical autistic-like phenotype in Mthfr-deficient mice. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:316. [PMID: 32948746 PMCID: PMC7501861 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Imbalanced one carbon metabolism and aberrant autophagy is robustly reported in patients with autism. Polymorphism in the gene methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (Mthfr), encoding for a key enzyme in this pathway is associated with an increased risk for autistic-spectrum-disorders (ASDs). Autistic-like core and associated behaviors have been described, with contribution of both maternal and offspring Mthfr+/- genotype to the different domains of behavior. Preconception and prenatal supplementation with methyl donor rich diet to human subjects and mice reduced the risk for developing autism and autistic-like behavior, respectively. Here we tested the potential of choline supplementation to Mthfr-deficient mice at young-adulthood to reduce behavioral and neurochemical changes reminiscent of autism characteristics. We show that offspring of Mthfr+/- mothers, whether wildtype or heterozygote, exhibit autistic-like behavior, altered brain p62 protein levels and LC3-II/LC3-I levels ratio, both, autophagy markers. Choline supplementation to adult offspring of Mthfr+/- mothers for 14 days counteracted characteristics related to repetitive behavior and anxiety both in males and in females and improved social behavior solely in male mice. Choline treatment also normalized deviant cortical levels of the autophagy markers measured in male mice. The results demonstrate that choline supplementation even at adulthood, not tested previously, to offspring of Mthfr-deficient mothers, attenuates the autistic-like phenotype. If this proof of concept is replicated it might promote translation of these results to treatment recommendation for children with ASDs bearing similar genetic/metabolic make-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galila Agam
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Psychiatry Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel ,grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Zoe Taylor
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ella Vainer
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology and Psychiatry Research Unit, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Mental Health Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Hava M. Golan
- grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Zlotowski Center for Neurosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel ,grid.7489.20000 0004 1937 0511Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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21
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Mahmood HM, Aldhalaan HM, Alshammari TK, Alqasem MA, Alshammari MA, Albekairi NA, AlSharari SD. The Role of Nicotinic Receptors in the Attenuation of Autism-Related Behaviors in a Murine BTBR T + tf/J Autistic Model. Autism Res 2020; 13:1311-1334. [PMID: 32691528 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic receptors are distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system. Postmortem studies have reported that some nicotinic receptor subtypes are altered in the brains of autistic people. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the autistic behavior of BTBR T + tf/J mouse model of autism. This study was undertaken to examine the behavioral effects of targeted nAChRs using pharmacological ligands, including nicotine and mecamylamine in BTBR T + tf/J and C57BL/6J mice in a panel of behavioral tests relating to autism. These behavioral tests included the three-chamber social interaction, self-grooming, marble burying, locomotor activity, and rotarod test. We examined the effect of various oral doses of nicotine (50, 100, and 400 mcg/mL; po) over a period of 2 weeks in BTBR T + tf/J mouse model. The results indicated that the chronic administration of nicotine modulated sociability and repetitive behavior in BTBR T + tf/J mice while no effects observed in C57BL/6J mice. Furthermore, the nonselective nAChR antagonist, mecamylamine, reversed nicotine effects on sociability and increased repetitive behaviors in BTBR T + tf/J mice. Overall, the findings indicate that the pharmacological modulation of nicotinic receptors is involved in modulating core behavioral phenotypes in the BTBR T + tf/J mouse model. LAY SUMMARY: The involvement of brain nicotinic neurotransmission system plays a crucial role in regulating autism-related behavioral features. In addition, the brain of the autistic-like mouse model has a low acetylcholine level. Here, we report that nicotine, at certain doses, improved sociability and reduced repetitive behaviors in a mouse model of autism, implicating the potential therapeutic values of a pharmacological intervention targeting nicotinic receptors for autism therapy. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1311-1334. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz M Mahmood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hesham M Aldhalaan
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Autism Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tahani K Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mashael A Alqasem
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Musaad A Alshammari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Norah A Albekairi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shakir D AlSharari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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Derbyshire E, Obeid R. Choline, Neurological Development and Brain Function: A Systematic Review Focusing on the First 1000 Days. Nutrients 2020; 12:E1731. [PMID: 32531929 PMCID: PMC7352907 DOI: 10.3390/nu12061731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The foundations of neurodevelopment across an individual's lifespan are established in the first 1000 days of life (2 years). During this period an adequate supply of nutrients are essential for proper neurodevelopment and lifelong brain function. Of these, evidence for choline has been building but has not been widely collated using systematic approaches. Therefore, a systematic review was performed to identify the animal and human studies looking at inter-relationships between choline, neurological development, and brain function during the first 1000 days of life. The database PubMed was used, and reference lists were searched. In total, 813 publications were subject to the title/abstract review, and 38 animal and 16 human studies were included after evaluation. Findings suggest that supplementing the maternal or child's diet with choline over the first 1000 days of life could subsequently: (1) support normal brain development (animal and human evidence), (2) protect against neural and metabolic insults, particularly when the fetus is exposed to alcohol (animal and human evidence), and (3) improve neural and cognitive functioning (animal evidence). Overall, most offspring would benefit from increased choline supply during the first 1000 days of life, particularly in relation to helping facilitate normal brain development. Health policies and guidelines should consider re-evaluation to help communicate and impart potential choline benefits through diet and/or supplementation approaches across this critical life stage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rima Obeid
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of the Saarland, Building 57, 66424 Homburg, Germany;
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Prenatal S-Adenosine Methionine (SAMe) Induces Changes in Gene Expression in the Brain of Newborn Mice That Are Prevented by Co-Administration of Valproic Acid (VPA). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21082834. [PMID: 32325788 PMCID: PMC7215397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21082834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In previous studies, we produced changes in gene expression in the brain of mice by early postnatal administration of valproic acid (VPA), with distinct differences between genders. The addition of S-adenosine methionine (SAMe) normalized the expression of most genes in both genders, while SAMe alone induced no changes. We treated pregnant dams with a single injection of VPA on day 12.5 of gestation, or with SAMe during gestational days 12–14, or by a combination of VPA and SAMe. In the frontal half of the brain, we studied the expression of 770 genes of the pathways involved in neurophysiology and neuropathology using the NanoString nCounter method. SAMe, but not VPA, induced statistically significant changes in the expression of many genes, with differences between genders. The expression of 112 genes was changed in both sexes, and another 170 genes were changed only in females and 31 only in males. About 30% of the genes were changed by more than 50%. One of the most important pathways changed by SAMe in both sexes was the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) pathway. Pretreatment with VPA prevented almost all the changes in gene expression induced by SAMe. We conclude that large doses of SAMe, if administered prenatally, may induce significant epigenetic changes in the offspring. Hence, SAMe and possibly other methyl donors may be epigenetic teratogens.
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Peris-Sampedro F, Guardia-Escote L, Basaure P, Cabré M, Colomina MT. Improvement of APOE4-dependent non-cognitive behavioural traits by postnatal cholinergic stimulation in female mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 384:112552. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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McKee SE, Reyes TM. Effect of supplementation with methyl-donor nutrients on neurodevelopment and cognition: considerations for future research. Nutr Rev 2019; 76:497-511. [PMID: 29701796 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuy007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a critical period in fetal development, such that the prenatal environment can, in part, establish a lifelong trajectory of health or disease for the offspring. Poor nutrition (macro- or micronutrient deficiencies) can adversely affect brain development and significantly increase offspring risk for metabolic and neurological disease development. The concentration of dietary methyl-donor nutrients is known to alter DNA methylation in the brain, and alterations in DNA methylation can have long-lasting effects on gene expression and neuronal function. The decreased availability of methyl-donor nutrients to the developing fetus in models of poor maternal nutrition is one mechanism hypothesized to link maternal malnutrition and disease risk in offspring. Animal studies indicate that supplementation of both maternal and postnatal (early- and later-life) diets with methyl-donor nutrients can attenuate disease risk in offspring; however, clinical research is more equivocal. The objective of this review is to summarize how specific methyl-donor nutrient deficiencies and excesses during pre- and postnatal life alter neurodevelopment and cognition. Emphasis is placed on reviewing the current literature, highlighting challenges within nutrient supplementation research, and considering potential strategies to ensure robust findings in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E McKee
- Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Teresa M Reyes
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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Muehlmann AM, Bliznyuk N, Duerr I, Yang TP, Lewis MH. Early exposure to a methyl donor supplemented diet and the development of repetitive motor behavior in a mouse model. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 62:77-87. [DOI: 10.1002/dev.21914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Nikolay Bliznyuk
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Isaac Duerr
- Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Thomas P. Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
| | - Mark H. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry University of Florida Gainesville FL USA
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Choline: Exploring the Growing Science on Its Benefits for Moms and Babies. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11081823. [PMID: 31394787 PMCID: PMC6722688 DOI: 10.3390/nu11081823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of ensuring adequate choline intakes during pregnancy is increasingly recognized. Choline is critical for a number of physiological processes during the prenatal period with roles in membrane biosynthesis and tissue expansion, neurotransmission and brain development, and methyl group donation and gene expression. Studies in animals and humans have shown that supplementing the maternal diet with additional choline improves several pregnancy outcomes and protects against certain neural and metabolic insults. Most pregnant women in the U.S. are not achieving choline intake recommendations of 450 mg/day and would likely benefit from boosting their choline intakes through dietary and/or supplemental approaches.
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Amodeo DA, Pahua AE, Zarate M, Taylor JA, Peterson S, Posadas R, Oliver BL, Amodeo LR. Differences in the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors in female and male BTBR T + tf/J mice. Behav Brain Res 2019; 372:112028. [PMID: 31212059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by the expression of restricted repetitive behaviors (RRBs) and impairments in social recognition and communication. Epidemiological studies demonstrate males are three times more likely than females to be affected. Although this is the case, more recent studies suggest females may be underrepresented in these numbers due to standard clinical measures of RRBs and social behaviors. In addition, many studies examining mouse models of ASD exclude females due to the sex disparity in diagnoses. The present study examined how female and male BTBR T + Itpr3tf /J (BTBR) compare to control C57BL/6J mice on tests of RRBs (probabilistic reversal learning, repetitive grooming, spontaneous alternation, and marble burying) and social behaviors (three chambered social approach task). Utilizing a spatial reversal learning test with 80/20 probabilistic feedback, in which ASD individuals have exhibited deficits, we find that female BTBR mice do not show the same impairment found in male BTBR mice. Interestingly, control female C57BL/6J mice required more trials to reach criterion. Female BTBR mice expressed comparable rates of repetitive grooming, marble burying and spontaneous alternation compared to female C57BL/6J mice. Male BTBR mice expressed higher rates of grooming behavior and locomotor activity compared to male C57BL/6J mice, as found in previous studies. Similarly, male BTBR mice showed a reduction in both measures of social approach compared to controls. Both male and female BTBR mice showed a reduction in sniff time for the stranger mouse compared to controls. Together these findings demonstrate how female BTBR mice do not display the RRB profile expressed by male BTBR mice. Testing of repetitive behaviors in ASD needs to better reflect the sex differences in how RRBs manifest in females compared to their extensively researched male counterparts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dionisio A Amodeo
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States.
| | - Alma E Pahua
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
| | - Marta Zarate
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
| | - Jordan A Taylor
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
| | - Sophie Peterson
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
| | - Rebekah Posadas
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
| | - Brandon L Oliver
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
| | - Leslie R Amodeo
- Department of Psychology, California State University San Bernardino, 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, CA, 92407, United States
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Orenbuch A, Fortis K, Taesuwan S, Yaffe R, Caudill MA, Golan HM. Prenatal Nutritional Intervention Reduces Autistic-Like Behavior Rates Among Mthfr-Deficient Mice. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:383. [PMID: 31133774 PMCID: PMC6511811 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The causes and contributing factors of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are poorly understood. One gene associated with increased risk for ASD is methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR), which encodes a key enzyme in one carbon (C1) metabolism. The MTHFR 677C > T polymorphism reduces the efficiency of methyl group production with possible adverse downstream effects on gene expression. In this study, the effects of prenatal and/or postnatal diets enriched in C1 nutrients on ASD-like behavior were evaluated in Mthfr-deficient mice. Differences in intermediate pathways between the mice with and without ASD-like behaviors were tested. The findings indicate that maternal and offspring Mthfr deficiency increased the risk for an ASD-like phenotype in the offspring. The risk of ASD-like behavior was reduced in Mthfr-deficient mice supplemented with C1 nutrients prenatally. Specifically, among offspring of Mthfr+/- dams, prenatal diet supplementation was protective against ASD-like symptomatic behavior compared to the control diet with an odds ratio of 0.18 (CI:0.035, 0.970). Changes in major C1 metabolites, such as the ratios between betaine/choline and SAM/SAH in the cerebral-cortex, were associated with ASD-like behavior. Symptomatic mice presenting ASD-like behavior showed decreased levels of GABA pathway proteins such as GAD65/67 and VGAT and altered ratios of the glutamate receptor subunits GluR1/GluR2 in males and NR2A/NR2B in females. The altered ratios, in turn, favor receptor subunits with higher sensitivity to neuronal activity. Our study suggests that MTHFR deficiency can increase the risk of ASD-like behavior in mice and that prenatal dietary intervention focused on MTHFR genotypes can reduce the risk of ASD-like behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Orenbuch
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Keren Fortis
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Siraphat Taesuwan
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.,Division of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agro-Industry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Raz Yaffe
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Marie A Caudill
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Hava M Golan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel.,Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheba, Israel
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30
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Preventing childhood and lifelong disability: Maternal dietary supplementation for perinatal brain injury. Pharmacol Res 2018; 139:228-242. [PMID: 30227261 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The majority of brain injuries that lead to cerebral palsy, developmental disability, and mental health disorders have their onset in utero. These lifelong conditions come with great economic and emotional burden as they impact function in nearly all domains of affected individuals' lives. Unfortunately, current therapeutic options are limited. There remains a focus on rescue, rehabilitation, and regeneration after the injury has occurred, rather than aiming to prevent the initial injury. Prevention would imply treating the mother during pregnancy to alter the fetal environment and in turn, treat the fetus. Fear of harming the developing fetus remains as a result of errors of the past such as the release of thalidomide. In this review, we outline evidence from animal studies and clinical trials that have explored maternal dietary supplementation with natural health products (including nutraceuticals and functional foods) for perinatal brain injury prevention. Namely, we discuss magnesium sulphate, creatine, choline, melatonin, resveratrol and broccoli sprouts/sulforaphane. Although clinical trials have only been completed in this realm for magnesium sulphate, results in animal models have been promising, suggesting that this is a productive avenue for further research. Natural health products may provide safe, effective, affordable, and easily accessible prevention of fetal brain injury and resulting lifelong disabilities.
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Chao OY, Yunger R, Yang YM. Behavioral assessments of BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mice by tests of object attention and elevated open platform: Implications for an animal model of psychiatric comorbidity in autism. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:140-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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Schoenrock SA, Oreper D, Farrington J, McMullan RC, Ervin R, Miller DR, Pardo-Manuel de Villena F, Valdar W, Tarantino LM. Perinatal nutrition interacts with genetic background to alter behavior in a parent-of-origin-dependent manner in adult Collaborative Cross mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2017; 17:e12438. [PMID: 29125223 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies in animal models and humans have shown that exposure to nutritional deficiencies in the perinatal period increases the risk of psychiatric disease. Less well understood is how such effects are modulated by the combination of genetic background and parent-of-origin (PO). To explore this, we exposed female mice from 20 Collaborative Cross (CC) strains to protein deficient, vitamin D deficient, methyl donor enriched or standard diet during the perinatal period. These CC females were then crossed to a male from a different CC strain to produce reciprocal F1 hybrid females comprising 10 distinct genetic backgrounds. The adult F1 females were then tested in the open field, light/dark, stress-induced hyperthermia, forced swim and restraint stress assays. Our experimental design allowed us to estimate effects of genetic background, perinatal diet, PO and their interactions on behavior. Genetic background significantly affected all assessed phenotypes. Perinatal diet exposure interacted with genetic background to affect body weight, basal body temperature, anxiety-like behavior and stress response. In 8 of 9 genetic backgrounds, PO effects were observed on multiple phenotypes. Additionally, we identified a small number of diet-by-PO effects on body weight, stress response, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior. Our data show that rodent behaviors that model psychiatric disorders are affected by genetic background, PO and perinatal diet, as well as interactions among these factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Schoenrock
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Neuroscience Curriculum, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - D Oreper
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Curriculum, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - J Farrington
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - R C McMullan
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - R Ervin
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - D R Miller
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - F Pardo-Manuel de Villena
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - W Valdar
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - L M Tarantino
- Department of Genetics, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.,Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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34
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Neuroprotective Actions of Dietary Choline. Nutrients 2017; 9:nu9080815. [PMID: 28788094 PMCID: PMC5579609 DOI: 10.3390/nu9080815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Choline is an essential nutrient for humans. It is a precursor of membrane phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidylcholine (PC)), the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, and via betaine, the methyl group donor S-adenosylmethionine. High choline intake during gestation and early postnatal development in rat and mouse models improves cognitive function in adulthood, prevents age-related memory decline, and protects the brain from the neuropathological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and neurological damage associated with epilepsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, and inherited conditions such as Down and Rett syndromes. These effects of choline are correlated with modifications in histone and DNA methylation in brain, and with alterations in the expression of genes that encode proteins important for learning and memory processing, suggesting a possible epigenomic mechanism of action. Dietary choline intake in the adult may also influence cognitive function via an effect on PC containing eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids; polyunsaturated species of PC whose levels are reduced in brains from AD patients, and is associated with higher memory performance, and resistance to cognitive decline.
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余 军, 赵 维, 杜 春, 张 娜, 张 卫, 晋 圣, 汪 海, 冯 泽. [Choline improves lipopolysaccharide-induced central nervous system inflammatory response and cognitive dysfunction in mice]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2017; 37:600-606. [PMID: 28539281 PMCID: PMC6780474 DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-4254.2017.05.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of choline in ameliorating lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced central nervous system inflammation and cognitive deficits in mice and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS Seventy-two mice were randomized into saline control group, LPS group, choline intervention group and choline control group. In the latter two groups, the mice received pretreatment with intraperitoneal injections of choline (40 mg/kg, 3 times daily for 3 consecutive days) prior to microinjection of LPS into the lateral cerebral ventricle to induce central nervous system inflammation; in saline and LPS groups, the mice were pretreated with saline in the same manner before intraventicular injection of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Choline treatment was administered in the mice till the end of the experiment. The locomotor activity and spatial learning and memory capacity of the mice were examined. The expressions of Iba1 protein and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-β) I the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and the expressions of α 7nAchR, p38 MAPK and phosphorylated p38 MAPK in the hippocampus of the mice were detected. RESULTS Water maze test showed that compared with the saline control group, the mice in LPS group exhibited significantly reduced platform crossings (P<0.05), which was significantly increased by choline pretreatment (P<0.05). The mice pretreated with LPS expressed obviously increased levels of IBA-1 protein, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the hippocampus (P<0.01), and choline pretreatment significantly lowered the expressions of IBA-1 protein and IL-1β (P<0.05). The phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK increased significantly after LPS pretreatment (P<0.05), and was reduced by choline pretreatment (P<0.05); α 7nAchR expression increased significantly in choline intervention group as compared with that in the other 3 groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Choline can probably antagonize LPS-induced hippocampal p38 MAPK phosphorylation in mice via the α 7nAchR signaling pathway to protective against LPS-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- 军 余
- 解放军总医院麻醉手术中心,北京 100853Department of Anesthesiology and Operation Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - 维星 赵
- 解放军总医院麻醉手术中心,北京 100853Department of Anesthesiology and Operation Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - 春彦 杜
- 解放军总医院麻醉手术中心,北京 100853Department of Anesthesiology and Operation Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - 娜 张
- 解放军总医院麻醉手术中心,北京 100853Department of Anesthesiology and Operation Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - 卫东 张
- 解放军总医院麻醉手术中心,北京 100853Department of Anesthesiology and Operation Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
| | - 圣阳 晋
- 中国医学科学院北京协和医学院,北京 100730Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China
| | - 海 汪
- 军事医学科学院卫生学环境医学研究所心血管药物研究中心,北京 100850Cardiovascular Drug Research Center, Institute of Hea1th and Environmental Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - 泽国 冯
- 解放军总医院麻醉手术中心,北京 100853Department of Anesthesiology and Operation Center, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, China
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Notarangelo FM, Schwarcz R. Restraint Stress during Pregnancy Rapidly Raises Kynurenic Acid Levels in Mouse Placenta and Fetal Brain. Dev Neurosci 2017; 38:458-468. [PMID: 28214871 DOI: 10.1159/000455228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stressful events during pregnancy adversely affect brain development and may increase the risk of psychiatric disorders later in life. Early changes in the kynurenine (KYN) pathway (KP) of tryptophan (TRP) degradation, which contains several neuroactive metabolites, including kynurenic acid (KYNA), 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), and quinolinic acid (QUIN), may constitute a molecular link between prenatal stress and delayed pathological consequences. To begin testing this hypothesis experimentally, we examined the effects of a 2-h restraint stress on KP metabolism in pregnant FVB/N mice on gestational day 17. TRP, KYN, KYNA, 3-HK, and QUIN levels were measured in maternal and fetal plasma and brain, as well as in the placenta, immediately after stress termination and 2 h later. In the same animals, we determined the activity of TRP 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO) in the maternal liver and in the placenta. Compared to unstressed controls, mostly transient changes in KP metabolism were observed in all of the tissues examined. Specifically, stress caused significant elevations of KYNA levels in the maternal plasma, placenta, and fetal brain, and also resulted in increased levels of TRP and KYN in the placenta, fetal plasma, and fetal brain. In contrast, 3-HK and QUIN levels remained unchanged from control values in all tissues at any time point. In the maternal liver, TDO activity was increased 2 h after stress cessation. Taken together, these findings indicate that an acute stress during the late gestational period preferentially affects the KYNA branch of KP metabolism in the fetal brain. Possible long-term consequences for postnatal brain development and pathology remain to be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca M Notarangelo
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Mellott TJ, Huleatt OM, Shade BN, Pender SM, Liu YB, Slack BE, Blusztajn JK. Perinatal Choline Supplementation Reduces Amyloidosis and Increases Choline Acetyltransferase Expression in the Hippocampus of the APPswePS1dE9 Alzheimer's Disease Model Mice. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170450. [PMID: 28103298 PMCID: PMC5245895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major goal of biomedical sciences. In previous studies we showed that high intake of the essential nutrient, choline, during gestation prevented age-related memory decline in a rat model. In this study we investigated the effects of a similar treatment on AD-related phenotypes in a mouse model of AD. We crossed wild type (WT) female mice with hemizygous APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP.PS1) AD model male mice and maintained the pregnant and lactating dams on a control AIN76A diet containing 1.1 g/kg of choline or a choline-supplemented (5 g/kg) diet. After weaning all offspring consumed the control diet. As compared to APP.PS1 mice reared on the control diet, the hippocampus of the perinatally choline-supplemented APP.PS1 mice exhibited: 1) altered levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolites-specifically elevated amounts of β-C-terminal fragment (β-CTF) and reduced levels of solubilized amyloid Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides; 2) reduced number and total area of amyloid plaques; 3) preserved levels of choline acetyltransferase protein (CHAT) and insulin-like growth factor II (IGF2) and 4) absence of astrogliosis. The data suggest that dietary supplementation of choline during fetal development and early postnatal life may constitute a preventive strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany J. Mellott
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Olivia M. Huleatt
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bethany N. Shade
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Pender
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Yi B. Liu
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Barbara E. Slack
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jan K. Blusztajn
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Wang GH, Liu Y, Wu XB, Lu Y, Liu J, Qin YR, Li T, Duan HF. Neuroprotective effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells combined with nimodipine against radiation-induced brain injury through inhibition of apoptosis. Cytotherapy 2016; 18:53-64. [PMID: 26719199 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AIMS Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) possess the ability to repair brain injuries. Additionally, nimodipine is a neuroprotective agent that increases cerebral blood flow and may help with the homing of MSCs to the injury site. Here we investigate the effectiveness of a combined human umbilical cord-derived MSCs and nimodipine therapy in radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI). METHODS Female mice received whole brain irradiation (WBI) and were treated with saline, nimodipine, hUC-MSCs, or hUC-MSCs combined with nimodipine. Body weight was measured weekly. An open field test for locomotor activity and a step-down avoidance test for learning and memory function were conducted at week 4 and week 12 post-WBI. The histological damage was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunohistochemistry. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect apoptosis-related mediators (p53, Bax and Bcl-2). RESULTS In mice receiving the hUC-MSCs or the combined treatment, their body weight recovered, their locomotor and cognitive ability improved, and the percentage of necrotic neurons and astrocytes was reduced. The combined therapy was significantly (P < 0.05) more effective than hUC-MSCs alone; these mice showed decreased expression of pro-apoptotic indicators (p53, Bax) and increased expression of an anti-apoptotic indicator (Bcl-2), which may protect brain cells. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that hUC-MSCs therapy helps recover body weight loss and behavior dysfunction in a mice model of RIBI. Moreover, the effectiveness of the combined hUC-MSCs and nimodipine therapy is due to apoptosis inhibition and enhancing homing of MSCs to the injured brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Hua Wang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China; Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Wu
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Lu
- No. 307 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Beijing, China
| | - Jin Liu
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Ru Qin
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Tong Li
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan, China.
| | - Hai-Feng Duan
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China.
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Moreno Gudiño H, Carías Picón D, de Brugada Sauras I. Dietary choline during periadolescence attenuates cognitive damage caused by neonatal maternal separation in male rats. Nutr Neurosci 2015; 20:327-335. [DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2015.1126444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hayarelis Moreno Gudiño
- Department of Experimental Psychology and Physiology of behavior, University of Granada, Spain
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Processes, Simón Bolívar University, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Diamela Carías Picón
- Department of Biological and Biochemical Processes, Simón Bolívar University, Caracas, Venezuela
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Kratsman N, Getselter D, Elliott E. Sodium butyrate attenuates social behavior deficits and modifies the transcription of inhibitory/excitatory genes in the frontal cortex of an autism model. Neuropharmacology 2015; 102:136-45. [PMID: 26577018 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Revised: 10/26/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The core behavioral symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) include dysregulation of social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors. However, there is no pharmacological agent that is currently used to target these core symptoms. Epigenetic dysregulation has been implicated in the etiology of ASD, and may present a pharmacological target. The effect of sodium butyrate, a histone deacetylase inhibitor, on social behavior and repetitive behavior, and the frontal cortex transcriptome, was examined in the BTBR autism mouse model. A 100 mg/kg dose, but not a 1200 mg/kg dose, of sodium butyrate attenuated social deficits in the BTBR mouse model. In addition, both doses decreased marble burying, an indication of repetitive behavior, but had no significant effect on self-grooming. Using RNA-seq, we determined that the 100 mg/kg dose of sodium butyrate induced changes in many behavior-related genes in the prefrontal cortex, and particularly affected genes involved in neuronal excitation or inhibition. The decrease in several excitatory neurotransmitter and neuronal activation marker genes, including cFos Grin2b, and Adra1, together with the increase in inhibitory neurotransmitter genes Drd2 and Gabrg1, suggests that sodium butyrate promotes the transcription of inhibitory pathway transcripts. Finally, DMCM, a GABA reverse agonist, decreased social behaviors in sodium-butyrate treated BTBR mice, suggesting that sodium butyrate increases social behaviors through modulation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance. Therefore, transcriptional modulation by sodium butyrate may have beneficial effects on autism related behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neta Kratsman
- Bar Ilan University Faculty of Medicine, Safed, Israel
| | | | - Evan Elliott
- Bar Ilan University Faculty of Medicine, Safed, Israel.
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Rivera HM, Christiansen KJ, Sullivan EL. The role of maternal obesity in the risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:194. [PMID: 26150767 PMCID: PMC4471351 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that perinatal exposure to maternal obesity, metabolic disease, including diabetes and hypertension, and unhealthy maternal diet has a long-term impact on offspring behavior and physiology. During the past three decades, the prevalence of both obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders has rapidly increased. Epidemiologic studies provide evidence that maternal obesity and metabolic complications increase the risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, eating disorders (food addiction, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa), and impairments in cognition in offspring. Animal models of maternal high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity also document persistent changes in offspring behavior and impairments in critical neural circuitry. Animals exposed to maternal obesity and HFD consumption display hyperactivity, impairments in social behavior, increased anxiety-like and depressive-like behaviors, substance addiction, food addiction, and diminished cognition. During development, these offspring are exposed to elevated levels of nutrients (fatty acids, glucose), hormones (leptin, insulin), and inflammatory factors (C-reactive protein, interleukin, and tumor necrosis factor). Such factors appear to permanently change neuroendocrine regulation and brain development in offspring. In addition, inflammation of the offspring brain during gestation impairs the development of neural pathways critical in the regulation of behavior, such as serotoninergic, dopaminergic, and melanocortinergic systems. Dysregulation of these circuits increases the risk of mental health disorders. Given the high rates of obesity in most developed nations, it is critical that the mechanisms by which maternal obesity programs offspring behavior are thoroughly characterized. Such knowledge will be critical in the development of preventative strategies and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi M Rivera
- Division of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Oregon National Primate Research Center Beaverton, OR, USA
| | | | - Elinor L Sullivan
- Division of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Oregon National Primate Research Center Beaverton, OR, USA ; Department of Biology, University of Portland Portland, OR, USA
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Ago Y, Hasebe S, Nishiyama S, Oka S, Onaka Y, Hashimoto H, Takuma K, Matsuda T. The Female Encounter Test: A Novel Method for Evaluating Reward-Seeking Behavior or Motivation in Mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyv062. [PMID: 26025781 PMCID: PMC4756727 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced motivation is an important marker of psychiatric disorders, including depression. We describe the female encounter test, a novel method of evaluating reward-seeking behavior in mice. METHODS The test apparatus consists of three open chambers, formed with partitions that allow the animal to move freely from one chamber to another. A test male mouse is habituated in the apparatus, and subsequently a female and male mouse are introduced into a wire-mesh box in the left and right chamber, respectively. The time the test male mouse spends in the female or male area is measured for 10 min. RESULTS All six strains of mice tested showed a significant preference for female encounters. The preference was observed in 7-30-week-old mice. The preference was blocked by castration of the resident male test mouse, and was not affected by the phase of the menstrual cycle of the female intruder. The preference was impaired in mouse models of depression, including social isolation-reared, corticosterone-treated, and lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. The impairment was alleviated by fluvoxamine in isolation-reared and lipopolysaccharide-treated mice, and it was improved by the metabotropic glutamate 2/3 receptor antagonist LY341495 in corticosterone-treated mice. Encounter with a female, but not male, mouse increased c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens shell of test male mice. Furthermore, both the preference and encounter-induced increases in c-Fos expression were blocked by dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that motivation in adult male mice can be easily evaluated by quantitating female encounters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukio Ago
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Shigeru Hasebe
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Saki Nishiyama
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Satoshi Oka
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Yusuke Onaka
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Hitoshi Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Kazuhiro Takuma
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma)
| | - Toshio Matsuda
- Laboratory of Medicinal Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Ago, Mr Hasebe, Ms Nishiyama, Mr Oka, Mr Onaka, Drs Takuma, and Matsuda); Laboratory of Molecular Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Hashimoto); United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University, and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Drs Hashimoto and Matsuda); Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan (Dr Takuma).
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Wu WL, Adams CE, Stevens KE, Chow KH, Freedman R, Patterson PH. The interaction between maternal immune activation and alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in regulating behaviors in the offspring. Brain Behav Immun 2015; 46:192-202. [PMID: 25683697 PMCID: PMC4414803 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Revised: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutation of human chromosome 15q13.3 increases the risk for autism and schizophrenia. One of the noteworthy genes in 15q13.3 is CHRNA7, which encodes the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alpha 7 subunit (α7nAChR) associated with schizophrenia in clinical studies and rodent models. This study investigates the role of α7nAChR in maternal immune activation (MIA) mice model, a murine model of environmental risk factor for autism and schizophrenia. We provided choline, a selective α7nAChR agonist among its several developmental roles, in the diet of C57BL/6N wild-type dams throughout the gestation and lactation period and induced MIA at mid-gestation. The adult offspring behavior and gene expression profile in the maternal-placental-fetal axis at mid-gestation were investigated. We found that choline supplementation prevented several MIA-induced behavioral abnormalities in the wild-type offspring. Pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (Il6) and Chrna7 gene expression in the wild-type fetal brain were elevated by poly(I:C) injection and were suppressed by gestational choline supplementation. We further investigated the gene expression level of Il6 in Chrna7 mutant mice. We found that the basal level of Il6 was higher in Chrna7 mutant fetal brain, which suggests that α7nAChR may serve an anti-inflammatory role in the fetal brain during development. Lastly, we induced MIA in Chrna7(+/-) offspring. The Chrna7(+/-) offspring were more vulnerable to MIA, with increased behavioral abnormalities. Our study shows that α7nAChR modulates inflammatory response affecting the fetal brain and demonstrates its effects on offspring behavior development after MIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Li Wu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Catherine E. Adams
- Denver VA Medical Center, 1055 Clermont St., Denver, CO 80220,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Karen E. Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Ke-Huan Chow
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Robert Freedman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus, 12800 E. 19th Ave., Aurora, CO 80045
| | - Paul H. Patterson
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
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Wöhr M. Effect of social odor context on the emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations in the BTBR T+tf/J mouse model for autism. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:73. [PMID: 25852455 PMCID: PMC4364166 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An important diagnostic criterion for social communication deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are difficulties in adjusting behavior to suit different social contexts. While the BTBR T+tf/J (BTBR) inbred strain of mice is one of the most commonly used mouse models for ASD, little is known about whether BTBR mice display deficits in detecting changes in social context and their ability to adjust to them. Here, it was tested therefore whether the emission of isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USV) in BTBR mouse pups is affected by the social odor context, in comparison to the standard control strain with high sociability, C57BL/6J (B6). It is known that the presence of odors from mothers and littermates leads to a calming of the isolated mouse pup, and hence to a reduction in isolation-induced USV emission. In accordance with their behavioral phenotypes with relevance to all diagnostic core symptoms of ASD, it was predicted that BTBR mouse pups would not display a calming response when tested under soiled bedding conditions with home cage bedding material containing maternal odors, and that similar isolation-induced USV emission rates would be seen in BTBR mice tested under clean and soiled bedding conditions. Unexpectedly, however, the present findings show that BTBR mouse pups display such a calming response and emit fewer isolation-induced USV when tested under soiled as compared to clean bedding conditions, similar to B6 mouse pups. Yet, in contrast to B6 mouse pups, which emitted isolation-induced USV with shorter call durations and lower levels of frequency modulation under soiled bedding conditions, social odor context had no effect on acoustic call features in BTBR mouse pups. This indicates that the BTBR mouse model for ASD does not display deficits in detecting changes in social context, but has a limited ability and/or reduced motivation to adjust to them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Wöhr
- Behavioral Neuroscience, Experimental and Physiological Psychology, Philipps-University of Marburg Marburg, Germany
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