1
|
Saade-Lemus S, Videnovic A. Sleep Disorders and Circadian Disruption in Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2023; 12:121-131. [PMID: 37424473 PMCID: PMC10473087 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-230576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Sleep and circadian alterations are common in patients with Huntington's disease (HD). Understanding the pathophysiology of these alterations and their association with disease progression and morbidity can guide HD management. We provide a narrative review of the clinical and basic-science studies centered on sleep and circadian function on HD. Sleep/wake disturbances among HD patients share many similarities with other neurodegenerative diseases. Overall, HD patients and animal models of the disease present with sleep changes early in the clinical course of the disease, including difficulties with sleep initiation and maintenance leading to decreased sleep efficiency, and progressive deterioration of normal sleep architecture. Despite this, sleep alterations remain frequently under-reported by patients and under-recognized by health professionals. The degree of sleep and circadian alterations has not consistently shown to be CAG dose-dependent. Evidence based treatment recommendations are insufficient due to lack of well-designed intervention trials. Approaches aimed at improving circadian entrainment, such as including light therapy, and time-restricted feeding have demonstrated a potential to delay symptom progression in some basic HD investigations. Larger study cohorts, comprehensive assessment of sleep and circadian function, and reproducibility of findings are needed in future in order to better understand sleep and circadian function in HD and to develop effective treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Saade-Lemus
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aleksandar Videnovic
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Morton AJ. Sleep and Circadian Rhythm Dysfunction in Animal Models of Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2023; 12:133-148. [PMID: 37334613 PMCID: PMC10473141 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-230574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Sleep and circadian disruption affects most individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) at some stage in their lives. Sleep and circadian dysregulation are also present in many mouse and the sheep models of HD. Here I review evidence for sleep and/or circadian dysfunction in HD transgenic animal models and discuss two key questions: 1) How relevant are such findings to people with HD, and 2) Whether or not therapeutic interventions that ameliorate deficits in animal models of HD might translate to meaningful therapies for people with HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A. Jennifer Morton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Whittaker DS, Tamai TK, Bains RS, Villanueva SAM, Luk SHC, Dell’Angelica D, Block GD, Ghiani CA, Colwell CS. Dietary ketosis improves circadian dysfunction as well as motor symptoms in the BACHD mouse model of Huntington's disease. Front Nutr 2022; 9:1034743. [PMID: 36407529 PMCID: PMC9669764 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.1034743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Disturbances in sleep/wake cycles are common among patients with neurodegenerative diseases including Huntington's disease (HD) and represent an appealing target for chrono-nutrition-based interventions. In the present work, we sought to determine whether a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet would ameliorate the symptoms and delay disease progression in the BACHD mouse model of HD. Adult WT and BACHD male mice were fed a normal or a ketogenic diet (KD) for 3 months. The KD evoked a robust rhythm in serum levels of β-hydroxybutyrate and dramatic changes in the microbiome of male WT and BACHD mice. NanoString analysis revealed transcriptional changes driven by the KD in the striatum of both WT and BACHD mice. Disturbances in sleep/wake cycles have been reported in mouse models of HD and are common among HD patients. Having established that the KD had effects on both the WT and mutant mice, we examined its impact on sleep/wake cycles. KD increased daytime sleep and improved the timing of sleep onset, while other sleep parameters were not altered. In addition, KD improved activity rhythms, including rhythmic power, and reduced inappropriate daytime activity and onset variability. Importantly, KD improved motor performance on the rotarod and challenging beam tests. It is worth emphasizing that HD is a genetically caused disease with no known cure. Life-style changes that not only improve the quality of life but also delay disease progression for HD patients are greatly needed. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of diet-based treatment strategies in a pre-clinical model of HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S. Whittaker
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - T. Katherine Tamai
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Raj S. Bains
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Sophia Anne Marie Villanueva
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Shu Hon Christopher Luk
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Derek Dell’Angelica
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Gene D. Block
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Cristina A. Ghiani
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christopher S. Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cheng WY, Ho YS, Chang RCC. Linking circadian rhythms to microbiome-gut-brain axis in aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 78:101620. [PMID: 35405323 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that both disruption of circadian rhythms and gut dysbiosis are closely related to aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases. Over the last decade, the microbiota-gut-brain axis has been an emerging field and revolutionized studies in pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological disorders. Crosstalk between the brain and gut microbiota can be accomplished via the endocrine, immune, and nervous system. Recent studies have shown that the composition and diurnal oscillation of gut microbiota are influenced by host circadian rhythms. This provides a new perspective for investigating the microbiome-gut-brain axis. We aim to review current understanding and research on the dynamic interaction between circadian rhythms and the microbiome-gut-brain axis. Furthermore, we will address the possible neurodegenerative disease contribution through circadian rhythms and microbiome-gut-brain axis crosstalk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wai-Yin Cheng
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Yuen-Shan Ho
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Delorme TC, Srikanta SB, Fisk AS, Cloutier MÈ, Sato M, Pothecary CA, Merz C, Foster RG, Brown SA, Peirson SN, Cermakian N, Banks GT. Chronic Exposure to Dim Light at Night or Irregular Lighting Conditions Impact Circadian Behavior, Motor Coordination, and Neuronal Morphology. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:855154. [PMID: 35495037 PMCID: PMC9043330 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.855154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Mistimed exposure to light has been demonstrated to negatively affect multiple aspects of physiology and behavior. Here we analyzed the effects of chronic exposure to abnormal lighting conditions in mice. We exposed mice for 1 year to either: a standard light/dark cycle, a “light-pollution” condition in which low levels of light were present in the dark phase of the circadian cycle (dim light at night, DLAN), or altered light cycles in which the length of the weekday and weekend light phase differed by 6 h (“social jetlag”). Mice exhibited several circadian activity phenotypes, as well as changes in motor function, associated particularly with the DLAN condition. Our data suggest that these phenotypes might be due to changes outside the core clock. Dendritic spine changes in other brain regions raise the possibility that these phenotypes are mediated by changes in neuronal coordination outside of the clock. Given the prevalence of artificial light exposure in the modern world, further work is required to establish whether these negative effects are observed in humans as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tara C. Delorme
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Shashank B. Srikanta
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Angus S. Fisk
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marie-Ève Cloutier
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Miho Sato
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Carina A. Pothecary
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chantal Merz
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Russell G. Foster
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Steven A. Brown
- Chronobiology and Sleep Research Group, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stuart N. Peirson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Cermakian
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Nicolas Cermakian,
| | - Gareth T. Banks
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
- Gareth T. Banks,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Environmental stimulation in Huntington disease patients and animal models. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105725. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
|
7
|
A Growing Link between Circadian Rhythms, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23010504. [PMID: 35008933 PMCID: PMC8745289 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Mounting evidence suggests the emerging important role of circadian rhythms in many diseases. Circadian rhythm disruption is considered to contribute to both T2DM and AD. Here, we review the relationship among circadian rhythm disruption, T2DM and AD, and suggest that the occurrence and progression of T2DM and AD may in part be associated with circadian disruption. Then, we summarize the promising therapeutic strategies targeting circadian dysfunction for T2DM and AD, including pharmacological treatment such as melatonin, orexin, and circadian molecules, as well as non-pharmacological treatments like light therapy, feeding behavior, and exercise.
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Endogenous biological clocks, orchestrated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus, time the circadian rhythms that synchronize physiological and behavioural functions in humans. The circadian system influences most physiological processes, including sleep, alertness and cognitive performance. Disruption of circadian homeostasis has deleterious effects on human health. Neurodegenerative disorders involve a wide range of symptoms, many of which exhibit diurnal variations in frequency and intensity. These disorders also disrupt circadian homeostasis, which in turn has negative effects on symptoms and quality of life. Emerging evidence points to a bidirectional relationship between circadian homeostasis and neurodegeneration, suggesting that circadian function might have an important role in the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the circadian system has become an attractive target for research and clinical care innovations. Studying circadian disruption in neurodegenerative disorders could expand our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration and facilitate the development of novel, circadian-based interventions for these disabling disorders. In this Review, we discuss the alterations to the circadian system that occur in movement (Parkinson disease and Huntington disease) and cognitive (Alzheimer disease and frontotemporal dementia) neurodegenerative disorders and provide directions for future investigations in this field.
Collapse
|
9
|
van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA. Hypothalamic pathology in Huntington disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 182:245-255. [PMID: 34266596 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819973-2.00017-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder associated with the accumulation of mutant huntingtin, is classically associated with cognitive decline and motor symptoms, notably chorea. However, growing evidence suggests that nonmotor symptoms are equally prevalent and debilitating. Some of these symptoms may be linked to hypothalamic pathology, demonstrated by findings in HD animal models and HD patients showing specific changes in hypothalamic neuropeptidergic populations and their associated functions. At least some of these alterations are likely due to local mutant huntingtin expression and toxicity, while others are likely caused by disturbed hypothalamic circuitry. Common problems include circadian rhythm disorders, including desynchronization of daily hormone excretion patterns, which could be targeted by novel therapeutic interventions, such as timed circadian interventions with light therapy or melatonin. However, translation of these findings from bench-to-bedside is hampered by differences in murine HD models and HD patients, including mutant huntingtin trinucleotide repeat length, which is highly heterogeneous across the various models. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge regarding hypothalamic alterations in HD patients and animal models, and the potential for these findings to be translated into clinical practice and management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J van Wamelen
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Parkinson's Foundation Centre of Excellence, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - N Ahmad Aziz
- Population Health Sciences, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Song J, Chu S, Fang X, Xu F, Zhang P, Zhao X, Ma Z, Xia T, Gu X. Time-restricted feeding alters isoflurane-induced memory deficits. Transl Neurosci 2020; 11:341-355. [PMID: 33335774 PMCID: PMC7718622 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2020-0130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Food consumption during the rest phase promotes circadian desynchrony, which is corrected with harmful physiological and mental disorders. Previously, we found that circadian desynchrony was involved in isoflurane-induced cognitive impairment. Here, we scheduled food access to modulate daily rhythm to examine its impact on isoflurane-induced cognitive impairments. Mice were randomly transferred to restricted feeding (RF) time groups: Control group (Zeitgeber time (ZT) 0–ZT24, ad libitum feeding), Day-Feeding group (ZT0–ZT12, misaligned feeding), and Night-Feeding group (ZT12–ZT24, aligned feeding). Then, some of them were subjected to 5 h of 1.3% isoflurane anaesthesia from ZT14 to ZT19 and were divided into the Control + Anes group, the Day-Feeding + Anes group, and the Night-Feeding + Anes group. Mini-Mitter was used to monitor the daily rhythm. Fear conditioning system was conducted to assess cognition of mice. We observed that the Night-Feeding group adapted to RF gradually, whereas the Day-Feeding group exhibited a disturbed daily rhythm. The Night-Feeding + Anes group exhibited a partially enhanced daily rhythm, whereas the Day-Feeding + Anes group exhibited sustained phase advances and diurnality score increase 7 days after isoflurane anaesthesia. Notably, in tests of hippocampus-dependent contextual memory, the Night-Feeding + Anes group demonstrated decreased deficits; the Day-Feeding + Anes group showed prolonged post-anaesthetic deficits 14 days after isoflurane anaesthesia. However, amygdala-dependent cued-fear conditioning post-anaesthesia was not altered by the RF schedule. In conclusion, we demonstrated that misaligned feeding disturbed the daily rhythm and led to persistent post-anaesthetic cognitive dysfunction. Aligned feeding enhanced the daily rhythm partially and improved post-anaesthetic cognitive dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Song
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| | - Shuaishuai Chu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| | - Xin Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| | - Fangxia Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, No 30 Zhongyang Road, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Zhengliang Ma
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| | - Tianjiao Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xiaoping Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Medical Department of Nanjing University, 321 Zhong Shan Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abnormal Photic Entrainment to Phase-Delaying Stimuli in the R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease, despite Retinal Responsiveness to Light. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0088-19.2019. [PMID: 31744839 PMCID: PMC6905640 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0088-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian clock located in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in mammals entrains to ambient light via the retinal photoreceptors. This allows behavioral rhythms to change in synchrony with seasonal and daily changes in light period. Circadian rhythmicity is progressively disrupted in Huntington's disease (HD) and in HD mouse models such as the transgenic R6/2 line. Although retinal afferent inputs to the SCN are disrupted in R6/2 mice at late stages, they can respond to changes in light/dark cycles, as seen in jet lag and 23 h/d paradigms. To investigate photic entrainment and SCN function in R6/2 mice at different stages of disease, we first assessed the effect on locomotor activity of exposure to a 15 min light pulse given at different times of the day. We then placed the mice under five non-standard light conditions. These were light cycle regimes (T-cycles) of T21 (10.5 h light/dark), T22 (11 h light/dark), T26 (13 h light/dark), constant light, or constant dark. We found a progressive impairment in photic synchronization in R6/2 mice when the stimuli required the SCN to lengthen rhythms (phase-delaying light pulse, T26, or constant light), but normal synchronization to stimuli that required the SCN to shorten rhythms (phase-advancing light pulse and T22). Despite the behavioral abnormalities, we found that Per1 and c-fos gene expression remained photo-inducible in SCN of R6/2 mice. Both the endogenous drift of the R6/2 mouse SCN to shorter periods and its inability to adapt to phase-delaying changes will contribute to the HD circadian dysfunction.
Collapse
|
12
|
Bartlett DM, Dominguez D JF, Lazar AS, Kordsachia CC, Rankin TJ, Lo J, Govus AD, Power BD, Lampit A, Eastwood PR, Ziman MR, Cruickshank TM. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation reduces hypothalamic grey matter volume loss in individuals with preclinical Huntington's disease: A nine-month pilot study. J Neurol Sci 2019; 408:116522. [PMID: 31665619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.116522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypothalamic pathology is a well-documented feature of Huntington's disease (HD) and is believed to contribute to circadian rhythm and habitual sleep disturbances. Currently, no therapies exist to combat hypothalamic changes, nor circadian rhythm and habitual sleep disturbances in HD. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation on hypothalamic volume, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), circadian rhythm and habitual sleep in individuals with preclinical HD. METHODS Eighteen individuals with HD (ten premanifest and eight prodromal) undertook a nine-month multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention (intervention group), which included exercise, cognitive and dual task training and social events, and were compared to a community sample of eleven individuals with premanifest HD receiving no intervention (control group). Hypothalamic volume, serum BDNF, salivary cortisol and melatonin concentrations, subjective sleep quality, daytime somnolence, habitual sleep-wake patterns, stress and anxiety and depression symptomatology were evaluated. RESULTS Hypothalamus grey matter volume loss was significantly attenuated in the intervention group compared to the control group after controlling for age, gender, Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale-Total Motor Score and number of cytosine-adenine-guanine repeats. Serum BDNF levels were maintained in the intervention group, but decreased in the control group following the study period. Both groups exhibited decreases in cortisol and melatonin concentrations. No changes were observed in sleep or mood outcomes. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study provides evidence that multidisciplinary rehabilitation can reduce hypothalamic volume loss and maintain peripheral BDNF levels in individuals with preclinical HD but may not impact on circadian rhythm. Larger, randomised controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Bartlett
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Juan F Dominguez D
- Cognition and Emotion Research Centre & Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alpar S Lazar
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
| | - Catarina C Kordsachia
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Tim J Rankin
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Johnny Lo
- School of Science, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew D Govus
- School of Allied Health, Department of Human Services, Nutrition and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brian D Power
- School of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amit Lampit
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter R Eastwood
- Centre for Sleep Science, School of Human Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mel R Ziman
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia; School of Biomedical Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Travis M Cruickshank
- Exercise Medicine Research Institute, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia; Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Smarr B, Cutler T, Loh DH, Kudo T, Kuljis D, Kriegsfeld L, Ghiani CA, Colwell CS. Circadian dysfunction in the Q175 model of Huntington's disease: Network analysis. J Neurosci Res 2019; 97:1606-1623. [PMID: 31359503 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24505] [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: 05/16/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Disturbances in sleep/wake cycle are a common complaint of individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) and are displayed by HD mouse models. The underlying mechanisms, including the possible role of the circadian timing system, have been the topic of a number of recent studies. The (z)Q175 mouse is a knock-in model in which the human exon 1 sequence of the huntingtin gene is inserted into the mouse DNA with approximately 190 CAG repeats. Among the numerous models available, the heterozygous Q175 offers strong construct validity with a single copy of the mutation, genetic precision of the insertion and control of mutation copy number. In this review, we will summarize the evidence that this model exhibits disrupted diurnal and circadian rhythms in locomotor activity. We found overwhelming evidence for autonomic dysfunction including blunted daily rhythms in heart rate and core body temperature (CBT), reduced heart rate variability, and almost a complete failure of the sympathetic arm of the autonomic nervous system to function during the baroreceptor reflex. Mechanistically, the Q175 mouse model exhibits deficits in the neural output of the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus along with an enhancement of at least one type of potassium current in these neurons. Finally, we report a novel network analysis examining the phase coherence between activity, CBT, and cardiovascular measures. Such analyses found that even young Q175 mutants (heterozygous or homozygous) show coherence degradation, and suggests that loss of phase coherence is a variable that should be considered as a possible biomarker for HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Smarr
- Department of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Tamara Cutler
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dawn H Loh
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Dika Kuljis
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Lance Kriegsfeld
- Department of Psychology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California.,Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California
| | - Cristina A Ghiani
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pathology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christopher S Colwell
- Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Cabanas M, Pistono C, Puygrenier L, Rakesh D, Jeantet Y, Garret M, Cho YH. Neurophysiological and Behavioral Effects of Anti-Orexinergic Treatments in a Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. Neurotherapeutics 2019; 16:784-796. [PMID: 30915710 PMCID: PMC6694444 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-019-00726-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is associated with sleep and circadian disturbances in addition to hallmark motor and cognitive impairments. Electrophysiological studies on HD mouse models have revealed an aberrant oscillatory activity at the beta frequency, during sleep, that is associated with HD pathology. Moreover, HD animal models display an abnormal sleep-wake cycle and sleep fragmentation. In this study, we investigated a potential involvement of the orexinergic system dysfunctioning in sleep-wake and circadian disturbances and abnormal network (i.e., beta) activity in the R6/1 mouse model. We found that the age at which orexin activity starts to deviate from normal activity pattern coincides with that of sleep disturbances as well as the beta activity. We also found that acute administration of Suvorexant, an orexin 1 and orexin 2 receptor antagonist, was sufficient to decrease the beta power significantly and to improve sleep in R6/1 mice. In addition, a 5-day treatment paradigm alleviated cognitive deficits and induced a gain of body weight in female HD mice. These results suggest that restoring normal activity of the orexinergic system could be an efficient therapeutic solution for sleep and behavioral disturbances in HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magali Cabanas
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Cristiana Pistono
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laura Puygrenier
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Divyangana Rakesh
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yannick Jeantet
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Maurice Garret
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Yoon H Cho
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, CNRS UMR 5287, Allee Geoffroy St Hilaire, CS 50023, 33615, Pessac Cedex, France.
- Institute of Cognitive and Integrative Neuroscience of Aquitaine, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kuljis D, Kudo T, Tahara Y, Ghiani CA, Colwell CS. Pathophysiology in the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mouse models of Huntington's disease. J Neurosci Res 2018; 96:1862-1875. [PMID: 30168855 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/04/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Disturbances in sleep/wake cycle are a common complaint of individuals with Huntington's disease (HD) and are displayed by HD mouse models. The underlying mechanisms, including the possible role of the circadian timing system, are not well established. The BACHD mouse model of HD exhibits disrupted behavioral and physiological rhythms, including decreased electrical activity in the central circadian clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus, SCN). In this study, electrophysiological techniques were used to explore the ionic underpinning of the reduced spontaneous neural activity in male mice. We found that SCN neural activity rhythms were lost early in the disease progression and was accompanied by loss of the normal daily variation in resting membrane potential in the mutant SCN neurons. The low neural activity could be transiently reversed by direct current injection or application of exogenous N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) thus demonstrating that the neurons have the capacity to discharge at WT levels. Exploring the potassium currents known to regulate the electrical activity of SCN neurons, our most striking finding was that these cells in the mutants exhibited an enhancement in the large-conductance calcium activated K+ (BK) currents. The expression of the pore forming subunit (Kcnma1) of the BK channel was higher in the mutant SCN. We found a similar decrease in daytime electrical activity and enhancement in the magnitude of the BK currents early in disease in another HD mouse model (Q175). These findings suggest that SCN neurons of both HD models exhibit early pathophysiology and that dysregulation of BK current may be responsible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dika Kuljis
- Department of Neurobiology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Biological Sciences, Mellon Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Takashi Kudo
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna-son, Japan
| | - Yu Tahara
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Cristina A Ghiani
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christopher S Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Whittaker DS, Loh DH, Wang HB, Tahara Y, Kuljis D, Cutler T, Ghiani CA, Shibata S, Block GD, Colwell CS. Circadian-based Treatment Strategy Effective in the BACHD Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. J Biol Rhythms 2018; 33:535-554. [PMID: 30084274 DOI: 10.1177/0748730418790401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) patients suffer from progressive neurodegeneration that results in cognitive, psychiatric, cardiovascular, and motor dysfunction. Disturbances in sleep-wake cycles are common among HD patients with reports of delayed sleep onset, frequent bedtime awakenings, and excessive fatigue. The BACHD mouse model exhibits many HD core symptoms including circadian dysfunction. Because circadian dysfunction manifests early in the disease in both patients and mouse models, we sought to determine if early interventions that improve circadian rhythmicity could benefit HD symptoms and delay disease progression. We evaluated the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) on the BACHD mouse model. At 3 months of age, the animals were divided into 2 groups: ad lib and TRF. The TRF-treated BACHD mice were exposed to a 6-h feeding/18-h fasting regimen that was designed to be aligned with the middle (ZT 15-21) of the period when mice are normally active (ZT 12-24). Following 3 months of treatment (when mice reached the early disease stage), the TRF-treated BACHD mice showed improvements in their locomotor activity and sleep behavioral rhythms. Furthermore, we found improved heart rate variability, suggesting that their autonomic nervous system dysfunction was improved. On a molecular level, TRF altered the phase but not the amplitude of the PER2::LUC rhythms measured in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, treated BACHD mice exhibited improved motor performance compared with untreated BACHD controls, and the motor improvements were correlated with improved circadian output. It is worth emphasizing that HD is a genetically caused disease with no known cure. Lifestyle changes that not only improve the quality of life but also delay disease progression for HD patients are greatly needed. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of circadian-based treatment strategies in a preclinical model of HD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Whittaker
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dawn H Loh
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Huei-Bin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yu Tahara
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Dika Kuljis
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Tamara Cutler
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Cristina A Ghiani
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Shigenobu Shibata
- Waseda Institute for Advanced Study, Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gene D Block
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christopher S Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang HB, Loh DH, Whittaker DS, Cutler T, Howland D, Colwell CS. Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Circadian Dysfunction as well as Motor Symptoms in the Q175 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease. eNeuro 2018; 5:ENEURO.0431-17.2017. [PMID: 29302618 PMCID: PMC5752678 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0431-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) patients suffer from a progressive neurodegeneration that results in cognitive, psychiatric, cardiovascular, and motor dysfunction. Disturbances in sleep/wake cycles are common among HD patients with reports of delayed sleep onset, frequent bedtime awakenings, and fatigue during the day. The heterozygous Q175 mouse model of HD has been shown to phenocopy many HD core symptoms including circadian dysfunctions. Because circadian dysfunction manifests early in the disease in both patients and mouse models, we sought to determine if early intervention that improve circadian rhythmicity can benefit HD and delay disease progression. We determined the effects of time-restricted feeding (TRF) on the Q175 mouse model. At six months of age, the animals were divided into two groups: ad libitum (ad lib) and TRF. The TRF-treated Q175 mice were exposed to a 6-h feeding/18-h fasting regimen that was designed to be aligned with the middle of the time when mice are normally active. After three months of treatment (when mice reached the early disease stage), the TRF-treated Q175 mice showed improvements in their locomotor activity rhythm and sleep awakening time. Furthermore, we found improved heart rate variability (HRV), suggesting that their autonomic nervous system dysfunction was improved. Importantly, treated Q175 mice exhibited improved motor performance compared to untreated Q175 controls, and the motor improvements were correlated with improved circadian output. Finally, we found that the expression of several HD-relevant markers was restored to WT levels in the striatum of the treated mice using NanoString gene expression assays.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huei-Bin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759
| | - Dawn H. Loh
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759
| | - Daniel S. Whittaker
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759
| | - Tamara Cutler
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759
| | | | - Christopher S. Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Boggs KN, Kakalec PA, Smith ML, Howell SN, Flinn JM. Circadian wheel running behavior is altered in an APP/E4 mouse model of late onset Alzheimer's disease. Physiol Behav 2017; 182:137-142. [PMID: 28958954 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Circadian rhythms are altered in several diseases associated with aging, one of which is Alzheimer's disease (AD). One example of a circadian rhythm is the rest-activity cycle, which can be measured in mice by monitoring their wheel-running. The present study sought to investigate differences in light phase/dark phase activity between a mouse model of late onset AD (APP/E4) and control (C57Bl6J) mice, in both the pre-plaque and post-plaques stages of the disease. To assess activity level, 24-h wheel running behavior was monitored at six months (pre-plaque) and twelve months (post-plaque) for a period of nine days. The following measures were analyzed: counts (wheel rotations) during the dark phase, counts during the light phase, hour of activity onset, and hour of activity offset. Key findings indicate that activity onset is delayed in APP/E4 mice at six and twelve months, and activity profiles for APP/E4 and C57Bl6J mice differ during the light and dark phase in such a way that APP/E4 mice run less in the early hours of the dark phase and more in the later hours of the dark phase compared to C57Bl6J mice. These findings imply that rest-activity cycle is altered in the pre-plaque stages of AD in APP/E4 mice, as they show impairments as early as six months of age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn N Boggs
- George Mason University, Psychology Department, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Peter A Kakalec
- George Mason University, Psychology Department, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Meghann L Smith
- George Mason University, Psychology Department, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Stefanie N Howell
- George Mason University, Psychology Department, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| | - Jane M Flinn
- George Mason University, Psychology Department, 4400 University Dr., Fairfax, VA 22030, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Leinonen H, Tanila H. Vision in laboratory rodents-Tools to measure it and implications for behavioral research. Behav Brain Res 2017; 352:172-182. [PMID: 28760697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Mice and rats are nocturnal mammals and their vision is specialized for detection of motion and contrast in dim light conditions. These species possess a large proportion of UV-sensitive cones in their retinas and the majority of their optic nerve axons target superior colliculus rather than visual cortex. Therefore, it was a widely held belief that laboratory rodents hardly utilize vision during day-time behavior. This dogma is being questioned as accumulating evidence suggests that laboratory rodents are able to perform complex visual functions, such as perceiving subjective contours, and that declined vision may affect their performance in many behavioral tasks. For instance, genetic engineering may have unexpected consequences on vision as mouse models of Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases have declined visual function. Rodent vision can be tested in numerous ways using operant training or reflex-based behavioral tasks, or alternatively using electrophysiological recordings. In this article, we will first provide a summary of visual system and explain its characteristics unique to rodents. Then, we present well-established techniques to test rodent vision, with an emphasis on pattern vision: visual water test, optomotor reflex test, pattern electroretinography and pattern visual evoked potentials. Finally, we highlight the importance of visual phenotyping in rodents. As the number of genetically engineered rodent models and volume of behavioral testing increase simultaneously, the possibility of visual dysfunctions needs to be addressed. Neglect in this matter potentially leads to crude biases in the field of neuroscience and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henri Leinonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Heikki Tanila
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, Neulaniementie 2, 70211 Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Wang HB, Whittaker DS, Truong D, Mulji AK, Ghiani CA, Loh DH, Colwell CS. Blue light therapy improves circadian dysfunction as well as motor symptoms in two mouse models of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2017; 2:39-52. [PMID: 31236494 PMCID: PMC6575206 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Huntington's disease (HD) exhibit movement disorders, psychiatric disturbance and cognitive impairments as the disease progresses. Abnormal sleep/wake cycles are common among HD patients with reports of delayed sleep onset, fatigue during the day, and a delayed pattern of melatonin secretion all of which suggest circadian dysfunction. Mouse models of HD confirm disrupted circadian rhythms with pathophysiology found in the central circadian clock (suprachiasmatic nucleus). Importantly, circadian dysfunction manifests early in disease, even before the classic motor symptoms, in both patients and mouse models. Therefore, we hypothesize that the circadian dysfunction may interact with the disease pathology and exacerbate the HD symptoms. If correct, early intervention may benefit patients and delay disease progression. One test of this hypothesis is to determine whether light therapy designed to strengthen this intrinsic timing system can delay the disease progression in mouse models. Therefore, we determined the impact of blue wavelength-enriched light on two HD models: the BACHD and Q175 mice. Both models received 6 h of blue-light at the beginning of their daily light cycle for 3 months. After treatment, both genotypes showed improvements in their locomotor activity rhythm without significant change to their sleep behavior. Critically, treated mice of both lines exhibited improved motor performance compared to untreated controls. Focusing on the Q175 genotype, we sought to determine whether the treatment altered signaling pathways in brain regions known to be impacted by HD using NanoString gene expression assays. We found that the expression of several HD relevant markers was altered in the striatum and cortex of the treated mice. Our study demonstrates that strengthening the circadian system can delay the progression of HD in pre-clinical models. This work suggests that lighting conditions should be considered when managing treatment of HD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Key Words
- BACHD
- BACHD, bacterial artificial chromosome mouse model of HD
- Blue light therapy
- Circadian rhythms
- HD, Huntington's disease
- HTT, Huntingtin protein
- Htt, huntingtin gene
- Huntington's disease
- KI, knock in
- Photic therapy
- Q175
- SCN, suprachiasmatic nucleus
- UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles
- ZT, Zeitgeber time
- ipRGCs, intrinsically photoreceptive retinal ganglion cells
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huei-Bin Wang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| | - Daniel S. Whittaker
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| | - Danny Truong
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| | - Aly K. Mulji
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
- Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| | - Cristina A. Ghiani
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
- Department of Pathology, Laboratory of Circadian and Sleep Medicine, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| | - Dawn H. Loh
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| | - Christopher S. Colwell
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California - Los Angeles, 710 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1759, USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Bartlett DM, Cruickshank TM, Hannan AJ, Eastwood PR, Lazar AS, Ziman MR. Neuroendocrine and neurotrophic signaling in Huntington’s disease: Implications for pathogenic mechanisms and treatment strategies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 71:444-454. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
22
|
Prolonged day length exposure improves circadian deficits and survival in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2016; 2:27-38. [PMID: 31236493 PMCID: PMC6575567 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2016.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The circadian disruption seen in patients of Huntington's disease (HD) is recapitulated in the R6/2 mouse model. As the disease progresses, the activity of R6/2 mice increases dramatically during the rest (light) period and decreases during the active (dark) period, eventually leading to a complete disintegration of rest-activity rhythms by the age of ~16 weeks. The suprachiasmatic nucleus controls circadian rhythms by entraining the rest-activity rhythms to the environmental light-dark cycle. Since R6/2 mice can shift their rest-activity rhythms in response to a jet-lag paradigm and also respond positively to bright light therapy (1000 lx), we investigated whether or not a prolonged day length exposure could reduce their daytime activity and improve their behavioural circadian rhythms. We found that a long-day photoperiod (16 h light/8 h dark cycle; 100 lx) significantly improved the survival of R6/2 female mice by 2.4 weeks, compared to mice kept under standard conditions (12 h light/12 h dark cycle). Furthermore, a long-day photoperiod improved the nocturnality of R6/2 female mice. Mice kept under long-day photoperiod also maintained acrophase in activity rhythms (a parameter of rhythmicity strength) in phase with that of WT mice, even if they were symptomatic. By contrast, a short-day photoperiod (8 h light/16 h dark cycle) was deleterious to R6/2 female mice and further reduced the survival by ~1 week. Together, our results support the idea that light therapy may be beneficial for improving circadian dysfunction in HD patients. Chronic exposure to a long day (16:8 LD) is beneficial to R6/2 female mice. The 16:8 LD cycle slowed body weight loss and improved survival of R6/2 mice. Lifespan of R6/2 female mice was extended by ~2.4 weeks under 16:8 LD cycle. R6/2 female mice under 16:8 LD had stabilised acrophase in activity rhythms. Lifespan of R6/2 female mice was reduced by chronic exposure to a short day (8:16 LD).
Collapse
Key Words
- ANOVA, analysis of variance
- DD, constant darkness
- Depression
- EEG, electroencephalography
- Estrogen
- HD, Huntington's disease
- HPA axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
- L-DOPA, levodopa
- LD, light-dark
- Lifespan
- REM sleep, rapid eye movement sleep
- SCN, suprachiasmatic nucleus
- Sleep
- Transgenic mouse
- WT, wild type
Collapse
|
23
|
Ouk K, Hughes S, Pothecary CA, Peirson SN, Morton AJ. Attenuated pupillary light responses and downregulation of opsin expression parallel decline in circadian disruption in two different mouse models of Huntington's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2016; 25:ddw359. [PMID: 28031289 PMCID: PMC5418835 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddw359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Circadian deficits in Huntington's disease (HD) are recapitulated in both fragment (R6/2) and full-length (Q175) mouse models of HD. Circadian rhythms are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, which are primarily entrained by light detected by the retina. The SCN receives input from intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) that express the photopigment melanopsin, but also receive input from rods and cones. In turn, ipRGCs mediate a range of non-image forming responses to light including circadian entrainment and the pupillary light response (PLR). Retinal degeneration/dysfunction has been described previously in R6/2 mice. We investigated, therefore, whether or not circadian disruption in HD mice is due to abnormalities in retinal photoreception. We measured the expression of melanopsin, rhodopsin and cone opsin, as well as other retinal markers (tyrosine hydroxylase, calbindin, PKCα and Brna3), in R6/2 and Q175 mice at different stages of disease. We also measured the PLR as a 'readout' for ipRGC function and a marker of light reception by the retina. We found that the PLR was attenuated in both lines of HD mice. This was accompanied by a progressive downregulation of cone opsin and melanopsin expression. We suggest that disease-related changes in photoreception by the retina contribute to the progressive dysregulation of circadian rhythmicity and entrainment seen in HD mice. Colour vision is abnormal in HD patients. Therefore, if retinal deficits similar to those seen in HD mice are confirmed in patients, specifically designed light therapy may be an effective strategy to improve circadian dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koliane Ouk
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Steven Hughes
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carina A Pothecary
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stuart N Peirson
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - A Jennifer Morton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ouk K, Aungier J, Morton AJ. Progressive gene dose-dependent disruption of the methamphetamine-sensitive circadian oscillator-driven rhythms in a knock-in mouse model of Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2016; 286:69-82. [PMID: 27646506 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive genetic neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor and cognitive deficits, as well as sleep and circadian abnormalities. In the R6/2 mouse, a fragment model of HD, rest-activity rhythms controlled by the suprachiasmatic nucleus disintegrate completely by 4months of age. Rhythms driven by a second circadian oscillator, the methamphetamine-sensitive circadian oscillator (MASCO), are disrupted even earlier, and cannot be induced after 2months of age. Here, we studied the effect of the HD mutation on the expression of MASCO-driven rhythms in a more slowly developing, genetically relevant mouse model of HD, the Q175 'knock-in' mouse. We induced expression of MASCO output by administering low dose methamphetamine (0.005%) chronically via the drinking water. We measured locomotor activity in constant darkness in wild-type and Q175 mice at 2 (presymptomatic), 6 (early symptomatic), and 12 (symptomatic) months of age. At 2months, all mice expressed MASCO-driven rhythms, regardless of genotype. At older ages, however, there was a progressive gene dose-dependent deficit in MASCO output in Q175 mice. At 6months of age, these rhythms could be observed in only 45% of heterozygous and 15% of homozygous mice. By 1year of age, 90% of homozygous mice had an impaired MASCO output. There was also an age-dependent disruption of MASCO output seen in wild-type mice. The fact that the progressive deficit in MASCO-driven rhythms in Q175 mice is HD gene dose-dependent suggests that, whatever its role in humans, abnormalities in MASCO output may contribute to the HD circadian phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Koliane Ouk
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.
| | - Juliet Aungier
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.
| | - A Jennifer Morton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, Downing Street, CB2 3DY, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Curtin PCP, Farrar AM, Oakeshott S, Sutphen J, Berger J, Mazzella M, Cox K, He D, Alosio W, Park LC, Howland D, Brunner D. Cognitive Training at a Young Age Attenuates Deficits in the zQ175 Mouse Model of HD. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 9:361. [PMID: 26793080 PMCID: PMC4707270 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes motor, cognitive, and psychiatric symptoms. In these experiments, we tested if operant training at an early age affected adult cognitive deficits in the zQ175 KI Het (zQ175) mouse model of HD. In Experiment 1 we trained zQ175 mice in a fixed-ratio/progressive ratio (FR/PR) task to assay learning and motivational deficits. We found pronounced deficits in response rates and task engagement in naïve adult zQ175 mice (32-33 weeks age), while deficits in zQ175 mice trained from 6-7 weeks age were either absent or less severe. When those mice were re-tested as adults, FR/PR performance deficits were absent or otherwise less severe than deficits observed in naïve adult zQ175 relative to wild type (WT) mice. In Experiment 2, we used a Go/No-go operant task to assess the effects of early cognitive testing on response inhibition deficits in zQ175 mice. We found that zQ175 mice that began testing at 7-8 weeks did not exhibit deficits in Go/No-go testing, but when re-tested at 28-29 weeks age exhibited an initial impairment that diminished with training. These transient deficits were nonetheless mild relative to deficits observed among adult zQ175 mice without prior testing experience. In Experiment 3 we trained mice in a two-choice visual discrimination test to evaluate cognitive flexibility. As in prior experiments, we found performance deficits were mild or absent in mice that started training at 6-9 weeks of age, while deficits in naive mice exposed to training at 28-29 weeks were severe. Re-testing mice at 28-29 weeks age, were previously trained starting at 6-9 weeks, revealed that deficits in learning and cognitive flexibility were absent or reduced relative to effects observed in naive adults. In Experiment 4, we tested working memory deficits with a delayed non-match to position (DNMTP) test. Mice with prior experience exhibited mild working memory deficits, with males zQ175 exhibiting no deficits, and females performing significantly worse than WT mice at a single delay interval, whereas naive zQ175 exhibited severe delay-dependent deficits at all intervals exceeding 1 s. In sum, these experiments indicate that CAG-dependent impairments in motivation, motor control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory are sensitive to the environmental enrichment and experience. These findings are of clinical relevance, as HD carrier status can potentially be detected at an early age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dansha He
- Psychogenics Inc. Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Daniela Brunner
- Psychogenics Inc.Tarrytown, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia UniversityNew York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
van Wamelen DJ, Roos RA, Aziz NA. Therapeutic strategies for circadian rhythm and sleep disturbances in Huntington disease. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2015; 5:549-59. [PMID: 26621387 DOI: 10.2217/nmt.15.45] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aside from the well-known motor, cognitive and psychiatric signs and symptoms, Huntington disease (HD) is also frequently complicated by circadian rhythm and sleep disturbances. Despite the observation that these disturbances often precede motor onset and have a high prevalence, no studies are available in HD patients which assess potential treatments. In this review, we will briefly outline the nature of circadian rhythm and sleep disturbances in HD and subsequently focus on potential treatments based on findings in other neurodegenerative diseases with similarities to HD, such as Parkinson and Alzheimer disease. The most promising treatment options to date for circadian rhythm and sleep disruption in HD include melatonin (agonists) and bright light therapy, although further corroboration in clinical trials is warranted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J van Wamelen
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, K5-Q 110, PO Box 9600, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Raymund Ac Roos
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, K5-Q 110, PO Box 9600, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nasir A Aziz
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, K5-Q 110, PO Box 9600, 2300RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Mo C, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. What's wrong with my mouse cage? Methodological considerations for modeling lifestyle factors and gene-environment interactions in mice. J Neurosci Methods 2015; 265:99-108. [PMID: 26279343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2015.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The mechanistic understanding of lifestyle contributions to disease has been largely driven by work in laboratory rodent models using environmental interventions. These interventions show an array of methodologies and sometimes unclear collective conclusions, hampering clinical interpretations. Here we discuss environmental enrichment, exercise and stress interventions to illustrate how different protocols can affect the interpretations of environmental factors in disease. We use Huntington's disease (HD) as an example because its mouse models exhibit excellent validity and HD was the first genetic animal model in which environmental stimulation was found to be beneficial. We make a number of observations and recommendations. Firstly, environmental enrichment and voluntary exercise generally show benefits across laboratories and mouse models. However, the extent to which these environmental interventions have beneficial effects depends on parameters such as the structural complexity of the cage in the case of enrichment, the timing of the intervention and the nature of the control conditions. In particular, clinical interpretations should consider deprived control living conditions and the ethological relevance of the enrichment. Secondly, stress can have negative effects on the phenotype in mouse models of HD and other brain disorders. When modeling stress, the effects of more than one type of experimental stressor should be investigated due to the heterogeneity and complexity of stress responses. With stress in particular, but ideally in all studies, both sexes should be used and the randomized group sizes need to be sufficiently powered to detect any sex effects. Opportunities for clinical translation will be guided by the 'environmental construct validity' of the preclinical data, including the culmination of complementary protocols across multiple animal models. Environmental interventions in mouse models of HD provide illustrative examples of how valid preclinical studies can lead to conclusions relevant to clinical populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Thibault Renoir
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Ramkisoensing A, Meijer JH. Synchronization of Biological Clock Neurons by Light and Peripheral Feedback Systems Promotes Circadian Rhythms and Health. Front Neurol 2015; 6:128. [PMID: 26097465 PMCID: PMC4456861 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2015.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) functions as a circadian clock that drives 24-h rhythms in both physiology and behavior. The SCN is a multicellular oscillator in which individual neurons function as cell-autonomous oscillators. The production of a coherent output rhythm is dependent upon mutual synchronization among single cells and requires both synaptic communication and gap junctions. Changes in phase-synchronization between individual cells have consequences on the amplitude of the SCN’s electrical activity rhythm, and these changes play a major role in the ability to adapt to seasonal changes. Both aging and sleep deprivation negatively affect the circadian amplitude of the SCN, whereas behavioral activity (i.e., exercise) has a positive effect on amplitude. Given that the amplitude of the SCN’s electrical activity rhythm is essential for achieving robust rhythmicity in physiology and behavior, the mechanisms that underlie neuronal synchronization warrant further study. A growing body of evidence suggests that the functional integrity of the SCN contributes to health, well-being, cognitive performance, and alertness; in contrast, deterioration of the 24-h rhythm is a risk factor for neurodegenerative disease, cancer, depression, and sleep disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashna Ramkisoensing
- Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
| | - Johanna H Meijer
- Laboratory for Neurophysiology, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center , Leiden , Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mo C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Environmental factors as modulators of neurodegeneration: Insights from gene–environment interactions in Huntington's disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 52:178-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
30
|
Cuesta M, Cermakian N, Boivin DB. Glucocorticoids entrain molecular clock components in human peripheral cells. FASEB J 2015; 29:1360-70. [PMID: 25500935 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-265686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
In humans, shift work induces a desynchronization between the circadian system and the outside world, which contributes to shift work-associated medical disorders. Using a simulated night shift experiment, we previously showed that 3 d of bright light at night fully synchronize the central clock to the inverted sleep schedule, whereas the peripheral clocks located in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) took longer to reset. This underlines the need for testing the effects of synchronizers on both the central and peripheral clocks. Glucocorticoids display circadian rhythms controlled by the central clock and are thought to act as synchronizers of rodent peripheral clocks. In the present study, we tested whether the human central and peripheral clocks were sensitive to exogenous glucocorticoids (Cortef) administered in the late afternoon. We showed that 20 mg Cortef taken orally acutely increased PER1 expression in PBMC peripheral clocks. After 6 d of Cortef administration, the phases of central markers were not affected, whereas those of PER2-3 and BMAL1 expression in PBMCs were shifted by ∼ 9.5-11.5 h. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that human peripheral clocks are entrained by glucocorticoids. Importantly, they suggest innovative interventions for shift workers and jet-lag travelers, combining synchronizing agents for the central and peripheral clocks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marc Cuesta
- *Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms, Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Cermakian
- *Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms, Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Diane B Boivin
- *Centre for Study and Treatment of Circadian Rhythms, Laboratory of Molecular Chronobiology, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA, Roos RAC, Swaab DF. Hypothalamic alterations in Huntington's disease patients: comparison with genetic rodent models. J Neuroendocrinol 2014; 26:761-75. [PMID: 25074766 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Revised: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Unintended weight loss, sleep and circadian disturbances and autonomic dysfunction are prevalent features of Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat sequence in the HTT gene. These features form a substantial contribution to disease burden in HD patients and appear to be accompanied by a number of neuroendocrine and metabolic changes, pointing towards hypothalamic pathology as a likely underlying mechanism. Neuronal inclusion bodies of mutant huntingtin, which are hallmarks of the disease, occur throughout the hypothalamus, and indicate local mutant huntingtin expression that could interfere with hypothalamic neuropeptide production. Also, several genetic rodent models of HD show features that could be related to hypothalamic pathology, such as weight loss and circadian rhythm disturbances. In these rodents, several hypothalamic neuropeptide populations are affected. In the present review, we summarise the changes in genetic rodent models of HD for individual hypothalamic nuclei, compare these observations to the hypothalamic changes that occur in HD patients, and make an inventory of the work that still needs to be done. Surprisingly, there is only limited overlap in the hypothalamic changes reported in HD patients and genetic rodent models. At present, the only similarity between the hypothalamic alterations in HD patients and genetic rodent models is a decrease in the number of orexin-expressing neurones in the lateral hypothalamus. Possible reasons for these discrepancies, as well as potential consequences for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D J van Wamelen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam ZO, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Skillings EA, Wood NI, Morton AJ. Beneficial effects of environmental enrichment and food entrainment in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Brain Behav 2014; 4:675-86. [PMID: 25328844 PMCID: PMC4107380 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2013] [Revised: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In addition to their cognitive and motor deficits, R6/2 mice show a progressive disintegration in circadian rhythms that mirrors the problems associated with sleep-wake disturbances experienced by patients with Huntington's disease (HD). It has been shown previously that motor and cognitive performance, as well as survival, can be improved in transgenic mouse models of HD through the provision of environmental enrichment. METHODS We compared the effect of two different overnight entrainment paradigms presented either separately or in combination. The first was environmental enrichment, the second was temporal food-entrainment. Environmental enrichment was provided in the dark period (the natural active period for mice) in the form of access to a Perspex playground containing running wheels, tunnels, climbing frame, ropes and chew blocks. Food entrainment was imposed by allowing access to food only during the dark period. We assessed a number of different aspects of function in the mice, measuring general health (by SHIRPA testing, body temperature and body weight measurements), cognitive performance in the touchscreen and locomotor behavior in the open field. RESULTS There were no significant differences in cognitive performance between groups on different schedules. Environmental enrichment delayed the onset of general health deterioration, while food entrainment slowed the loss of body weight, aided the maintenance of body temperature and improved locomotor behavior. Effects were limited however, and in combination had deleterious effects on survival. CONCLUSIONS Our results support previous studies showing that environmental enrichment can be beneficial and might be used to enhance the quality of life of HD patients. However, improvements are selective and 'enrichment' per se is likely to only be useful as an adjunct to a more direct therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Skillings
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Nigel I Wood
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - A Jennifer Morton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| |
Collapse
|