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Gonçalves-Garcia M, Barto D, Reyna N, Clark BJ, Hamilton DA. The Prominence of Action Sequences and Behavioral Similarity in the Morris Water Task. Perspect Behav Sci 2024; 47:449-470. [PMID: 39099741 PMCID: PMC11294510 DOI: 10.1007/s40614-024-00402-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The question of What is learned when navigating to a place is reinforced has been the subject of considerable debate. Prevailing views emphasize cognitive structures (e.g., maps) or associative learning, which has shaped measurement in spatial navigation tasks (e.g., the Morris water task [MWT]) toward selection of coarse measures that do not capture precise behaviors of individual animals. We analyzed the navigation paths of 15 rats (60 trials each) in the MWT at high temporal resolution (30Hz) and utilized dynamic time warping to quantify the similarity of paths within and between animals. Paths were largely direct, yet suboptimal, and included changes in speed and trajectory that were established early in training and unique to each animal. Individual rats executed similar paths from the same release point from trial to trial, which were distinct from paths executed by other rats as well as paths performed by the same rat from other release points. These observations suggest that rats learn to execute similar path sequences from trial to trial for each release point in the MWT. Occasional spontaneous deviations from the established, unique behavioral sequence, resulted in profound disruption in navigation accuracy. We discuss the potential implications of sequence navigation behaviors for understanding relations between behavior and spatial neural signals such as place cells, grid cells, and head direction cells. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40614-024-00402-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mônica Gonçalves-Garcia
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, 1, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Daniel Barto
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, 1, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Nicole Reyna
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, 1, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Benjamin J. Clark
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, 1, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
| | - Derek A. Hamilton
- Department of Psychology, University of New Mexico, MSC03 2220, 1, Albuquerque, NM 87131 USA
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Pegueros-Maldonado R, Pech-Pool SM, Blancas JJ, Prado-Alcalá RA, Arámburo C, Luna M, Quirarte GL. Inhibition of corticosterone synthesis impairs cued water maze consolidation, but it does not affect the expression of BDNF, CK2 and SGK1 genes in dorsal striatum. Front Behav Neurosci 2024; 18:1341883. [PMID: 38468708 PMCID: PMC10925660 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2024.1341883] [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: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Corticosterone (CORT) release during learning experiences is associated with strong memories and activity of the glucocorticoid receptor. It has been shown that lesions of the dorsal striatum (DS) of rats trained in the cued version of the Morris water maze impair memory, and that local injection of CORT improves its performance, suggesting that DS activity is involved in procedural memory which may be modulated by CORT. We trained rats in cued Morris water maze and analyzed the effect of CORT synthesis inhibition on performance, CORT levels, expression of plasticity-involved genes, such as the brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), casein kinase 2 (CK2), and the serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1 (SGK1), as well as the presence of phosphorylated nuclear glucocorticoid receptor in serine 232 (pGR-S232) in the DS. The inhibition of CORT synthesis by metyrapone reduced CORT levels in plasma, prevented its increment in DS and impaired the performance of cued water maze. Additionally, there was an increase of CK2 and SGK1 mRNAs expression in trained subjects, which was unrelated to CORT levels. Finally, we did not observe changes in nuclear pGR-S232 in any condition. Our findings agree with evidence demonstrating that decreasing CORT levels hinders acquisition and consolidation of the spatial version of the Morris water maze; these novel findings broaden our knowledge about the involvement of the DS in the mechanisms underlying procedural memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogelio Pegueros-Maldonado
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Santiago M. Pech-Pool
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Jaisson J. Blancas
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Roberto A. Prado-Alcalá
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Carlos Arámburo
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Maricela Luna
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Gina L. Quirarte
- Departamento de Neurobiología Conductual y Cognitiva, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Mexico
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Tochon L, Vouimba RM, Corio M, Henkous N, Béracochéa D, Guillou JL, David V. Chronic alcohol consumption shifts learning strategies and synaptic plasticity from hippocampus to striatum-dependent pathways. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1129030. [PMID: 37304443 PMCID: PMC10250670 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1129030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The hippocampus and striatum have dissociable roles in memory and are necessary for spatial and procedural/cued learning, respectively. Emotionally charged, stressful events promote the use of striatal- over hippocampus-dependent learning through the activation of the amygdala. An emerging hypothesis suggests that chronic consumption of addictive drugs similarly disrupt spatial/declarative memory while facilitating striatum-dependent associative learning. This cognitive imbalance could contribute to maintain addictive behaviors and increase the risk of relapse. Methods We first examined, in C57BL/6 J male mice, whether chronic alcohol consumption (CAC) and alcohol withdrawal (AW) might modulate the respective use of spatial vs. single cue-based learning strategies, using a competition protocol in the Barnes maze task. We then performed in vivo electrophysiological studies in freely moving mice to assess learning-induced synaptic plasticity in both the basolateral amygdala (BLA) to dorsal hippocampus (dCA1) and BLA to dorsolateral striatum (DLS) pathways. Results We found that both CAC and early AW promote the use of cue-dependent learning strategies, and potentiate plasticity in the BLA → DLS pathway while reducing the use of spatial memory and depressing BLA → dCA1 neurotransmission. Discussion These results support the view that CAC disrupt normal hippocampo-striatal interactions, and suggest that targeting this cognitive imbalance through spatial/declarative task training could be of great help to maintain protracted abstinence in alcoholic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Tochon
- *Correspondence: Léa Tochon, ; Vincent David,
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Manrique HM, Canales JJ. Are there disciplinary boundaries in the comparative study of primate cognition? CURRENT RESEARCH IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 4:100088. [PMID: 37397817 PMCID: PMC10313864 DOI: 10.1016/j.crneur.2023.100088] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
A view continues to gain momentum that regards investigation of the cognition of great apes in captive settings as affording us a model for human cognitive evolution. Researchers from disciplines such as comparative psychology, anthropology, and even archaeology, seem eager to put their theories to the test by using great apes as their chosen experimental model. Questions addressed currently by comparative psychologists have long been the object of attention by neurophysiologists, psychobiologists and neuroscientists, who, however, often use rodents and monkeys as the species of choice. Whereas comparative psychology has been influenced greatly by ethology, much neuroscience has developed against a background of physiology and medicine. This separation of the intellectual contexts wherein they have arisen and flourished has impeded the development of fluid interaction between comparative psychologists and researchers in the other disciplines. We feel that it would be beneficial for comparative psychologists and neuroscientists to combine research endeavours far more often, in order to address common questions of interest related to cognition. We regard interdisciplinary cross-pollination to be particularly desirable, even if many comparative psychologists lack deep expertise about the workings of the brain, and even if many neuroscientists lack expert knowledge about the behaviour of different species. Furthermore, we believe that anthropology, archaeology, human evolutionary studies, and related disciplines, may well provide us with significant contextual knowledge about the physical and temporal background to the evolution in humans of specific cognitive skills. To that end, we urge researchers to dismantle methodological, conceptual and historical disciplinary boundaries, in order to strengthen cross-disciplinary cooperation in order to broaden and deepen our insights into the cognition of nonhuman and human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Héctor M. Manrique
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Juan J. Canales
- School of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
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Harding CF, Liao D, Persaud R, DeStefano RA, Page KG, Stalbow LL, Roa T, Ford JC, Goman KD, Pytte CL. Differential effects of exposure to toxic or nontoxic mold spores on brain inflammation and Morris water maze performance. Behav Brain Res 2023; 442:114294. [PMID: 36638914 PMCID: PMC10460635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
People who live or work in moldy buildings often complain of "brain fog" that interferes with cognitive performance. Until recently, there was no published research on the effects of controlled exposure to mold stimuli on cognitive function or an obvious mechanism of action, fueling controversy over these claims. The constellation of health problems reported by mold-exposed individuals (respiratory issues, fatigue, pain, anxiety, depression, and cognitive deficits) correspond to those caused by innate immune activation following exposure to bacterial or viral stimuli. To determine if mold-induced innate immune activation might cause cognitive issues, we quantified the effects of both toxic and nontoxic mold on brain immune activation and spatial memory in the Morris water maze. We intranasally administered either 1) intact, toxic Stachybotrys chartarum spores; 2) ethanol-extracted, nontoxic Stachybotrys chartarum spores; or 3) control saline vehicle to mice. Inhalation of nontoxic spores caused significant deficits in the test of long-term memory of platform location, while not affecting short-term memory. Inhalation of toxic spores increased motivation to reach the platform. Interestingly, in both groups of mold-exposed males, numbers of interleukin-1β-immunoreactive cells in many areas of the hippocampus significantly correlated with latency to find the platform, path length, and swimming speed during training, but not during testing for long-term memory. These data add to our prior evidence that mold inhalation can interfere with cognitive processing in different ways depending on the task, and that brain inflammation is significantly correlated with changes in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl F Harding
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - David Liao
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, 35 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA
| | - Ramona Persaud
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA; Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, 35 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA; Chemistry Department, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Richard A DeStefano
- Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, 35 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA; Chemistry Department, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Kimberly G Page
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Lauren L Stalbow
- Macaulay Honors College, CUNY, 35 West 67th Street, New York, NY 10023, USA; Psychology Department, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing 11367, NY, USA
| | - Tina Roa
- Biological Sciences, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jordan C Ford
- Biological Sciences, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ksenia D Goman
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Carolyn L Pytte
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Doctoral Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA; Psychology Department, Queens College, CUNY, 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing 11367, NY, USA
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Ramos JMJ, Morón I. Ventral hippocampus lesions and allocentric spatial memory in the radial maze: Anterograde and retrograde deficits. Behav Brain Res 2022; 417:113620. [PMID: 34624425 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Although the dorsal hippocampus (DHip) has been clearly implicated in spatial learning and memory, there is currently debate as to whether the ventral hippocampus (VHip) is also necessary in allocentric-based navigation tasks. To differentiate between these two subregions of the hippocampal dorsoventral axis, we examined the effect of neurotoxic lesions to the DHip and VHip in different learning situations, using a four-arm plus-shaped maze. In experiment 1 a spatial reference memory task was used, with results showing an acquisition deficit in DHip-lesioned rats but perfect learning in VHip-lesioned rats. However, in experiment 2 an acquisition deficit was found in VHip-lesioned rats using a doubly marked training protocol. In this case the position of the goal arm during training was marked simultaneously by the extramaze constellation of stimuli around the maze and an intramaze cue. The main results indicated that DHip and VHip groups presented significantly more allocentric errors in the probe test than the control rats. In experiments 3 and 4, animals with their brains still intact learned, respectively, a spatial reference memory task or a purely cue-guided navigation task, and DHip and VHip lesions were made 2-3 days after reaching learning criterion. Results indicated a profound retrograde deficit in both lesioned groups but only with regard to allocentric information. So, depending on the training protocol used, our results point to increased integration and cooperation throughout the hippocampal dorsoventral axis when allocentric learning and memory is involved. These data support the existence of a functional continuum from the dorsal to the ventral hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M J Ramos
- Department of Psychobiology and Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.
| | - Ignacio Morón
- Department of Psychobiology and Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain
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Lissner LJ, Wartchow KM, Toniazzo AP, Gonçalves CA, Rodrigues L. Object recognition and Morris water maze to detect cognitive impairment from mild hippocampal damage in rats: A reflection based on the literature and experience. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2021; 210:173273. [PMID: 34536480 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2021.173273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Object recognition (OR) and the Morris water maze (MWM) are classical tasks widely used to assess memory parameters and deficits in rodents. Learning processes in both tasks involve integrity of the hippocampus and associated regions, and prefrontal cortex connections. Here, we highlight the idea that these classical tests can be used to indicate memory deficits caused by models of disease that affect hippocampal function in rats, and identify some practical issues of OR and MWM, based on the literature and our experience. Additionally, we have shown that the performance of both tasks does not alter blood levels of corticosterone, considering exposure to a single task. Hence, taking into consideration the difficulties and care required during task execution, the infrastructure needed and the training of the experimenter, we suggest that OR and its variations offer minimal manageable stressful conditions, representing an effective and practical tool for hippocampal-related memory assessment of rats. Thus, OR may provide similar information to that of the MWM, despite controversy regarding hippocampus participation in OR and given due differences in the types of memory evaluated and researchers' objectives. We recommend the observation of some important precautions and details, also based on the literature and our own experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lílian Juliana Lissner
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Biochemistry Post-Graduate Program, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Krista Minéia Wartchow
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Biochemistry Post-Graduate Program, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniazzo
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Biochemistry Post-Graduate Program, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Carlos-Alberto Gonçalves
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Biochemistry Post-Graduate Program, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Leticia Rodrigues
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Biochemistry Post-Graduate Program, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
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Nicolay-Kritter K, Lassalle J, Guillou JL, Mons N. The histone H3 lysine 9 methyltransferase G9a/GLP complex activity is required for long-term consolidation of spatial memory in mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 179:107406. [PMID: 33609736 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The G9a/G9a-like protein (GLP) histone lysine dimethyltransferase complex and downstream histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) repressive mark have recently emerged as key transcriptional regulators of gene expression programs necessary for long-term memory (LTM) formation in the dorsal hippocampus. However, the role for hippocampal G9a/GLP complex in mediating the consolidation of spatial LTM remains largely unknown. Using a water maze competition task in which both dorsal hippocampus-dependent spatial and striatum-dependent cue navigation strategies are effective to solve the maze, we found that pharmacological inhibition of G9a/GLP activity immediately after learning disrupts long-term consolidation of previously learned spatial information in male mice, hence producing cue bias on the competition test performed 24 h later. Importantly, the inhibition of hippocampal G9a/GLP did not disrupt short-term memory retention. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed increases in global levels of permissive histone H3K9 acetylation in the dorsal hippocampus and dorsal striatum at 1 h post-training, which persisted up to 24 h in the hippocampus. Conversely, H3K9me2 levels were either unchanged in the dorsal hippocampus or transiently decreased at 15 min post-training in the dorsal striatum. Finally, the inhibition of G9a/GLP activity further increased global levels of H3K9 acetylation while decreasing H3K9me2 in the hippocampus at 1 h post-training. However, both marks returned to vehicle control levels at 24 h. Together, these findings support the possibility that G9a/GLP in the dorsal hippocampus is required for the transcriptional switch from short-term to long-term spatial memory formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyrian Nicolay-Kritter
- Université de Bordeaux, France; Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Jordan Lassalle
- Université de Bordeaux, France; Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Jean-Louis Guillou
- Université de Bordeaux, France; Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287, 33615 Pessac, France
| | - Nicole Mons
- Université de Bordeaux, France; Institut de Neurosciences Cognitives et Intégratives d'Aquitaine, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5287, 33615 Pessac, France.
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Farina FR, Commins S. Hippocampal and prefrontal contributions to memory retrieval: Examination of immediate early gene, NMDA receptor and environmental interactions. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2982-2994. [PMID: 32365416 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Animals can use a range of strategies to recall important locations. These include simple stimulus-response strategies and more complex spatial (place) strategies, which are thought to have distinct neural substrates. The hippocampus-and NMDA receptor activation therein-is considered to be crucial for spatial, but not response strategies. The medial prefrontal cortex has also been implicated in memory retrieval; however, evidence concerning its specific role is equivocal. Both hippocampal and prefrontal regions have been associated with flexible behavioural responding (e.g. when task demands change). Here, we investigated the use of spatial and non-spatial strategies in the Morris water maze and their associated brain areas in rats using immediate early gene (IEG) imaging of Zif268 and c-Fos. Specifically, we charted the involvement of hippocampal and prefrontal subregions during retrieval of spatial and non-spatial memories. Behavioural flexibility was also examined using intact and partial cue configurations during recall. Results indicated that regions of both the hippocampus (area CA3) and prefrontal cortex (anterior cingulate cortex) were preferentially engaged in spatial memory recall compared to response learning. In addition, both spatial and non-spatial memories were dependent on NMDA receptor activation. MK801 impaired recall performance across all groups and reduced IEG activation across hippocampal and prefrontal regions. Finally, IEG results revealed divergent patterns of Zif268 and c-Fos activity and support the suggestion that Zif268 plays a functional role in the recall of long-term memories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca R Farina
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland.,Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Seán Commins
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Gasser J, Pereira de Vasconcelos A, Cosquer B, Boutillier AL, Cassel JC. Shifting between response and place strategies in maze navigation: Effects of training, cue availability and functional inactivation of striatum or hippocampus in rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 167:107131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2019.107131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Zhang T, Hou C, Zhang S, Liu S, Li Z, Gao J. Lgl1 deficiency disrupts hippocampal development and impairs cognitive performance in mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 18:e12605. [PMID: 31415124 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Cellular polarity is crucial for brain development and morphogenesis. Lethal giant larvae 1 (Lgl1) plays a crucial role in the establishment of cell polarity from Drosophila to mammalian cells. Previous studies have found the importance of Lgl1 in the development of cerebellar, olfactory bulb, and cerebral cortex. However, the role of Lgl1 in hippocampal development during the embryonic stage and function in adult mice is still unknown. In our study, we created Lgl1-deficient hippocampus mice by using Emx1-Cre mice. Histological analysis showed that the Emx1-Lgl1-/- mice exhibited reduced size of the hippocampus with severe malformations of hippocampal cytoarchitecture. These defects mainly originated from the disrupted hippocampal neuroepithelium, including increased cell proliferation, abnormal interkinetic nuclear migration, reduced differentiation, increased apoptosis, gradual disruption of adherens junctions, and abnormal neuronal migration. The radial glial scaffold was disorganized in the Lgl1-deficient hippocampus. Thus, Lgl1 plays a distinct role in hippocampal neurogenesis. In addition, the Emx1-Lgl1-/- mice displayed impaired behavioral performance in the Morris water maze and fear conditioning test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhang
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Congzhe Hou
- Department of Reproductive medicine, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Sen Zhang
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuoyang Liu
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhenzu Li
- Department of Bioengineering, Shandong Polytechnic, Jinan, China
| | - Jiangang Gao
- School of Life Science and Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Experimental Teratology, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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12
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Glikmann-Johnston Y, Carmichael AM, Mercieca EC, Stout JC. 'Real-life' hippocampal-dependent spatial memory impairments in Huntington's disease. Cortex 2019; 119:46-60. [PMID: 31071556 DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal-dependent spatial memory impairments are seen in Huntington's disease animal models. Similar impairments were recently reported in Huntington's disease participants on analogous spatial memory tasks (e.g., virtual Morris Water Maze), however, these tasks do not translate well to the range of functions involved in day-to-day spatial cognition. In this study we examined 'real-life' hippocampal-dependent spatial memory in Huntington's disease participants. We studied premanifest Huntington's disease (N = 24), early manifest Huntington's disease (N = 14), and matched healthy controls (N = 33) with a virtual environment, which demanded spatial memory function on three levels: navigation, object location, and plan drawing. To examine the case for hippocampal-dependent spatial memory more closely, we compared the performance of our Huntington's disease participants to that of a group of temporal lobe epilepsy patients (N = 30) who were previously tested on the virtual environment. Spatial memory performance was also compared to two common neuropsychological tests of spatial cognition, the Paired Associates Learning from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Automated Test Battery, and the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. People with early manifest Huntington's disease were impaired across all spatial memory tasks. Premanifest Huntington's disease participants were most notably impaired on the object location measure of the virtual environment, which is heavily dependent on hippocampal function, but showed no such impairments on the Paired Associates Learning or the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test. Object location memory and navigation performance did not differ between people with Huntington's disease and temporal lobe epilepsy. Aligned with studies in Huntington's disease animal models, 'real-life' spatial memory is impaired in people with Huntington's disease prior to clinical diagnosis. This alignment has important implications for testing treatments for Huntington's disease. From the standpoint of neurodegeneration, the dependence of our spatial memory measures on hippocampal function extends the focus of cognitive assessment research in Huntington's disease beyond its primary pathology within the striato-frontal circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifat Glikmann-Johnston
- Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
| | - Anna M Carmichael
- Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Emily-Clare Mercieca
- Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Julie C Stout
- Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Short-term westernized (HFFD) diet fed in adolescent rats: Effect on glucose homeostasis, hippocampal insulin signaling, apoptosis and related cognitive and recognition memory function. Behav Brain Res 2019; 361:113-121. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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14
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Spatial memory in Huntington’s disease: A comparative review of human and animal data. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 98:194-207. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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15
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Two strategies used to solve a navigation task: A different use of the hippocampus by males and females? A preliminary study in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.2478/psicolj-2018-0014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
There is abundant research (both in rodents and in humans) showing that males and females often use different types of information in spatial navigation. Males prefer geometry as a source of information, whereas females tend to focus on landmarks (which are often near to a goal objects). However, when considering the role of the hippocampus, the research focuses primarily on males only. In the present study, based on Rodríguez, Torres, Mackintosh, and Chamizo’s (2010, Experiment 2) navigation protocol, we conducted two experiments, one with males and another with females, in order to tentatively evaluate the role of the dorsal hippocampus in the acquisition of two tasks: one based on landmark learning and the alternate one on local pool-geometry learning. Both when landmark learning and when geometry learning, Sham male rats learned significantly faster than Lesion male animals. This was not the case with female rats in geometry learning. These results suggest that the dorsal hippocampus could play an important role in males only.
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16
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Orr AG, Lo I, Schumacher H, Ho K, Gill M, Guo W, Kim DH, Knox A, Saito T, Saido TC, Simms J, Toddes C, Wang X, Yu GQ, Mucke L. Istradefylline reduces memory deficits in aging mice with amyloid pathology. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 110:29-36. [PMID: 29100987 PMCID: PMC5747997 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine A2A receptors are putative therapeutic targets for neurological disorders. The adenosine A2A receptor antagonist istradefylline is approved in Japan for Parkinson's disease and is being tested in clinical trials for this condition elsewhere. A2A receptors on neurons and astrocytes may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) by impairing memory. However, it is not known whether istradefylline enhances cognitive function in aging animals with AD-like amyloid plaque pathology. Here, we show that elevated levels of Aβ, C-terminal fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), or amyloid plaques, but not overexpression of APP per se, increase astrocytic A2A receptor levels in the hippocampus and neocortex of aging mice. Moreover, in amyloid plaque-bearing mice, low-dose istradefylline treatment enhanced spatial memory and habituation, supporting the conclusion that, within a well-defined dose range, A2A receptor blockers might help counteract memory problems in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna G Orr
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Iris Lo
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Heike Schumacher
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Ho
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael Gill
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Weikun Guo
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Daniel H Kim
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Anthony Knox
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Jeffrey Simms
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Carlee Toddes
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xin Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Gui-Qiu Yu
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Lennart Mucke
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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17
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Davis-Anderson KL, Wesseling H, Siebert LM, Lunde-Young ER, Naik VD, Steen H, Ramadoss J. Fetal regional brain protein signature in FASD rat model. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 76:84-92. [PMID: 29408587 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) describe neurodevelopmental deficits in children exposed to alcohol in utero. We hypothesized that gestational alcohol significantly alters fetal brain regional protein signature. Pregnant rats were binge-treated with alcohol or pair-fed and nutritionally-controlled. Mass spectrometry identified 1806, 2077, and 1456 quantifiable proteins in the fetal hippocampus, cortex, and cerebellum, respectively. A stronger effect of alcohol exposure on the hippocampal proteome was noted: over 600 hippocampal proteins were significantly (P < .05) altered, including annexin A2, nucleobindin-1, and glypican-4, regulators of cellular growth and developmental morphogenesis. In the cerebellum, cadherin-13, reticulocalbin-2, and ankyrin-2 (axonal growth regulators) were significantly (P < .05) altered; altered cortical proteins were involved in autophagy (endophilin-B1, synaptotagmin-1). Ingenuity analysis identified proteins involved in protein homeostasis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and mTOR as major pathways in the cortex and hippocampus significantly (P < .05) affected by alcohol. Thus, neurodevelopmental protein changes may directly relate to FASD neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie L Davis-Anderson
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA
| | - Hendrik Wesseling
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Lara M Siebert
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Emilie R Lunde-Young
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA
| | - Vishal D Naik
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA
| | - Hanno Steen
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jayanth Ramadoss
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA.
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18
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Santos AS, Almeida W, Popik B, Sbardelotto BM, Torrejais MM, Souza MA, Centenaro LA. Characterization of a cerebral palsy‐like model in rats: Analysis of gait pattern and of brain and spinal cord motor areas. Int J Dev Neurosci 2017; 60:48-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2017] [Revised: 04/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Souza Santos
- Laboratório de Morfologia Experimental, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária1619, CascavelParanáCEP: 85819‐110Brazil
| | - Wellington Almeida
- Laboratório de Morfologia Experimental, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária1619, CascavelParanáCEP: 85819‐110Brazil
| | - Bruno Popik
- Laboratório de Morfologia Experimental, Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária1619, CascavelParanáCEP: 85819‐110Brazil
| | - Bruno Marques Sbardelotto
- Laboratório de Morfologia Experimental, Centro de Ciências Médicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária1619, CascavelParanáCEP: 85819‐110Brazil
| | - Márcia Miranda Torrejais
- Laboratório de Morfologia Experimental, Programa de Pós‐Graduação em Biociências e Saúde, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária1619, CascavelParanáCEP: 85819‐110Brazil
| | - Marcelo Alves Souza
- Universidade Federal do Paraná, Rua General Rondon2195, ToledoParanáCEP: 85902‐090Brazil
| | - Lígia Aline Centenaro
- Laboratório de Morfologia Experimental, Centro de Ciências Médicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná, Rua Universitária1619, CascavelParanáCEP: 85819‐110Brazil
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Do the anterior and lateral thalamic nuclei make distinct contributions to spatial representation and memory? Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 133:69-78. [PMID: 27266961 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The anterior and lateral thalamus has long been considered to play an important role in spatial and mnemonic cognitive functions; however, it remains unclear whether each region makes a unique contribution to spatial information processing. We begin by reviewing evidence from anatomical studies and electrophysiological recordings which suggest that at least one of the functions of the anterior thalamus is to guide spatial orientation in relation to a global or distal spatial framework, while the lateral thalamus serves to guide behavior in relation to a local or proximal framework. We conclude by reviewing experimental work using targeted manipulations (lesion or neuronal silencing) of thalamic nuclei during spatial behavior and single-unit recordings from neuronal representations of space. Our summary of this literature suggests that although the evidence strongly supports a working model of spatial information processing involving the anterior thalamus, research regarding the role of the lateral thalamus is limited and requires further attention. We therefore identify a number of major gaps in this research and suggest avenues of future study that could potentially solidify our understanding of the relative roles of anterior and lateral thalamic regions in spatial representation and memory.
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