1
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Salling MC, Pleil KE. A Little "Re-Cognition" Goes a Long Way for Pro-Cognitive Therapeutics in Alcohol Studies. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 389:254-257. [PMID: 38772715 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.002058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Salling
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (M.C.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York (K.E.P.)
| | - Kristen E Pleil
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (M.C.S.); and Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, New York (K.E.P.)
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2
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Kniffin A, Bangasser DA, Parikh V. Septohippocampal cholinergic system at the intersection of stress and cognition: Current trends and translational implications. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2155-2180. [PMID: 37118907 PMCID: PMC10875782 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Deficits in hippocampus-dependent memory processes are common across psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders such as depression, anxiety and Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, stress is a major environmental risk factor for these pathologies and it exerts detrimental effects on hippocampal functioning via the activation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The medial septum cholinergic neurons extensively innervate the hippocampus. Although, the cholinergic septohippocampal pathway (SHP) has long been implicated in learning and memory, its involvement in mediating the adaptive and maladaptive impact of stress on mnemonic processes remains less clear. Here, we discuss current research highlighting the contributions of cholinergic SHP in modulating memory encoding, consolidation and retrieval. Then, we present evidence supporting the view that neurobiological interactions between HPA axis stress response and cholinergic signalling impact hippocampal computations. Finally, we critically discuss potential challenges and opportunities to target cholinergic SHP as a therapeutic strategy to improve cognitive impairments in stress-related disorders. We argue that such efforts should consider recent conceptualisations on the dynamic nature of cholinergic signalling in modulating distinct subcomponents of memory and its interactions with cellular substrates that regulate the adaptive stress response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Kniffin
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
| | - Debra A. Bangasser
- Neuroscience Institute and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
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3
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Moss M, Ho J, Swinburne S, Turner A. Aroma of the essential oil of peppermint reduces aggressive driving behaviour in healthy adults. Hum Psychopharmacol 2023; 38:e2865. [PMID: 36799100 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Aggressive driving is of increasing concern in modern society. This study investigated the potential for the presence of an ambient aroma to reduce aggressive responses in a simulated driving situation. Previous literature has demonstrated the beneficial effect of peppermint (Mentha piperita) aroma on driver alertness and we aimed to identify any impact on aggressive driver behaviour. Fifty volunteers were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (peppermint essential oil aroma and no aroma). Aggressive driving behaviours were measured in a virtual reality driving simulator. The analysis indicated that the peppermint aroma significantly reduced aggressive driving behaviours. The presence of the aroma also produced medium sized effects on some aspects of mood from pre-test levels. These results provide support for the use of ambient aromas for the modification of driving behaviours. It is proposed that applying peppermint into daily driving may be a beneficial for reducing driver aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Moss
- Department of Psychology, Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jasmine Ho
- Department of Psychology, Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sophie Swinburne
- Department of Psychology, Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anna Turner
- Department of Psychology, Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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4
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Siecinski SK, Giamberardino SN, Spanos M, Hauser AC, Gibson JR, Chandrasekhar T, Trelles MDP, Rockhill CM, Palumbo ML, Cundiff AW, Montgomery A, Siper P, Minjarez M, Nowinski LA, Marler S, Kwee LC, Shuffrey LC, Alderman C, Weissman J, Zappone B, Mullett JE, Crosson H, Hong N, Luo S, She L, Bhapkar M, Dean R, Scheer A, Johnson JL, King BH, McDougle CJ, Sanders KB, Kim SJ, Kolevzon A, Veenstra-VanderWeele J, Hauser ER, Sikich L, Gregory SG. Genetic and epigenetic signatures associated with plasma oxytocin levels in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Autism Res 2023; 16:502-523. [PMID: 36609850 PMCID: PMC10023458 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Oxytocin (OT), the brain's most abundant neuropeptide, plays an important role in social salience and motivation. Clinical trials of the efficacy of OT in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have reported mixed results due in part to ASD's complex etiology. We investigated whether genetic and epigenetic variation contribute to variable endogenous OT levels that modulate sensitivity to OT therapy. To carry out this analysis, we integrated genome-wide profiles of DNA-methylation, transcriptional activity, and genetic variation with plasma OT levels in 290 participants with ASD enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of OT. Our analysis identified genetic variants with novel association with plasma OT, several of which reside in known ASD risk genes. We also show subtle but statistically significant association of plasma OT levels with peripheral transcriptional activity and DNA-methylation profiles across several annotated gene sets. These findings broaden our understanding of the effects of the peripheral oxytocin system and provide novel genetic candidates for future studies to decode the complex etiology of ASD and its interaction with OT signaling and OT-based interventions. LAY SUMMARY: Oxytocin (OT) is an abundant chemical produced by neurons that plays an important role in social interaction and motivation. We investigated whether genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to variable OT levels in the blood. To this, we integrated genetic, gene expression, and non-DNA regulated (epigenetic) signatures with blood OT levels in 290 participants with autism enrolled in an OT clinical trial. We identified genetic association with plasma OT, several of which reside in known autism risk genes. We also show statistically significant association of plasma OT levels with gene expression and epigenetic across several gene pathways. These findings broaden our understanding of the factors that influence OT levels in the blood for future studies to decode the complex presentation of autism and its interaction with OT and OT-based treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen K Siecinski
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Marina Spanos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Annalise C Hauser
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jason R Gibson
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Tara Chandrasekhar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - M D Pilar Trelles
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carol M Rockhill
- Department of Psychiatry, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michelle L Palumbo
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Paige Siper
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mendy Minjarez
- Department of Psychiatry, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lisa A Nowinski
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Marler
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lydia C Kwee
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | | | - Cheryl Alderman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jordana Weissman
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brooke Zappone
- Department of Psychiatry, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer E Mullett
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hope Crosson
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Natalie Hong
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sheng Luo
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lilin She
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Manjushri Bhapkar
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Russell Dean
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Abby Scheer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jacqueline L Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bryan H King
- Department of Psychiatry, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Christopher J McDougle
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin B Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Soo-Jeong Kim
- Department of Psychiatry, Seattle Children’s Hospital and the University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Elizabeth R Hauser
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Linmarie Sikich
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Simon G Gregory
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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5
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Dion C, Tanner JJ, Formanski EM, Davoudi A, Rodriguez K, Wiggins ME, Amin M, Penney D, Davis R, Heilman KM, Garvan C, Libon DJ, Price CC. The functional connectivity and neuropsychology underlying mental planning operations: data from the digital clock drawing test. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:868500. [PMID: 36204547 PMCID: PMC9530582 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.868500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We examined the construct of mental planning by quantifying digital clock drawing digit placement accuracy in command and copy conditions, and by investigating its underlying neuropsychological correlates and functional connectivity. We hypothesized greater digit misplacement would associate with attention, abstract reasoning, and visuospatial function, as well as functional connectivity from a major source of acetylcholine throughout the brain: the basal nucleus of Meynert (BNM). Participants (n = 201) included non-demented older adults who completed all metrics within 24 h of one another. A participant subset met research criteria for mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 28) and was compared to non-MCI participants on digit misplacement accuracy and expected functional connectivity differences. Digit misplacement and a comparison dissociate variable of total completion time were acquired for command and copy conditions. a priori fMRI seeds were the bilateral BNM. Command digit misplacement is negatively associated with semantics, visuospatial, visuoconstructional, and reasoning (p's < 0.01) and negatively associated with connectivity from the BNM to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; p = 0.001). Individuals with MCI had more misplacement and less BNM-ACC connectivity (p = 0.007). Total completion time involved posterior and cerebellar associations only. Findings suggest clock drawing digit placement accuracy may be a unique metric of mental planning and provide insight into neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Dion
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jared J Tanner
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Erin M Formanski
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Anis Davoudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Katie Rodriguez
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Margaret E Wiggins
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Manish Amin
- Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Dana Penney
- Department of Neurology, Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, Burlington, MA, United States
| | - Randall Davis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Kenneth M Heilman
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, & North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Cynthia Garvan
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - David J Libon
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
| | - Catherine C Price
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Psychology, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ, United States
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6
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Chandramouleeshwaran S, Ghazala Z, Nobrega JN, Raymond R, Gambino S, Pollock BG, Rajji TK. Cell-based serum anticholinergic activity assay and working memory in cognitively healthy older adults before and after scopolamine: An exploratory study. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:1070-1076. [PMID: 36112867 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221122019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A new cell-based serum anticholinergic activity (cSAA) assay that measures anticholinergic activity specifically at muscarinic M1 receptors and eliminates many of the drawbacks of the existing assay was developed by our team. AIMS We aimed to study the relationship between changes in working memory and executive function with changes in cSAA using the new assay in cognitively healthy older adults. METHODS Cognitively healthy participants aged 50 years and above, received a single dose of 0.4 mg of intravenous scopolamine. Cognition and cSAA levels were measured before and 30 min after receiving scopolamine. Cognition was measured using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. RESULTS Ten participants were recruited, and nine (mean age = 69.8, SD = 9.5, range 59-86 years) completed the study. Following scopolamine, participants experienced an increase in cSAA (cSAA pre = 0.90 ± 0.97 vs cSAA post = 12.0 ± 3.70 pmol/L; t-test (df = (8) = -9.5, p < 0.001). In addition, there was an association between change in cSAA and changes in working memory (Spearman's ρ = 0.68, p = 0.042) and executive function (Spearman's ρ = 0.72, p = 0.027). CONCLUSIONS In our sample of cognitively healthy older adults, the new cSAA assay was able to quantify the scopolamine induced increase in anticholinergic load which correlated significantly with the observed decline in working memory and executive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susmita Chandramouleeshwaran
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Zaid Ghazala
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - José N Nobrega
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Roger Raymond
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sara Gambino
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Bruce G Pollock
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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7
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Avram M, Grothe MJ, Meinhold L, Leucht C, Leucht S, Borgwardt S, Brandl F, Sorg C. Lower cholinergic basal forebrain volumes link with cognitive difficulties in schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:2320-2329. [PMID: 34188186 PMCID: PMC8580980 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01070-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A potential pathophysiological mechanism of cognitive difficulties in schizophrenia is a dysregulated cholinergic system. Particularly, the cholinergic basal forebrain nuclei (BFCN), the source of cortical cholinergic innervation, support multiple cognitive functions, ranging from attention to decision-making. We hypothesized that BFCN structural integrity is altered in schizophrenia and associated with patients' attentional deficits. We assessed gray matter (GM) integrity of cytoarchitectonically defined BFCN region-of-interest in 72 patients with schizophrenia and 73 healthy controls, matched for age and gender, from the COBRE open-source database, via structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based volumetry. MRI-derived measures of GM integrity (i.e., volumes) were linked with performance on a symbol coding task (SCT), a paper-pencil-based metric that assesses attention, by correlation and mediation analysis. To assess the replicability of findings, we repeated the analyses in an independent dataset comprising 26 patients with schizophrenia and 24 matched healthy controls. BFCN volumes were lower in patients (t(139)=2.51, p = 0.01) and significantly associated with impaired SCT performance (r = 0.31, p = 0.01). Furthermore, lower BFCN volumes mediated the group difference in SCT performance. When including global GM volumes, which were lower in patients, as covariates-of-no-interest, these findings disappeared, indicating that schizophrenia did not have a specific effect on BFCN relative to other regional volume changes. We replicated these findings in the independent cohort, e.g., BFCN volumes were lower in patients and mediated patients' impaired SCT performance. Results demonstrate lower BFCN volumes in schizophrenia, which link with patients' attentional deficits. Data suggest that a dysregulated cholinergic system might contribute to cognitive difficulties in schizophrenia via impaired BFCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai Avram
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schleswig Holstein University Hospital, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, 23538, Germany.
| | - Michel J. Grothe
- grid.414816.e0000 0004 1773 7922Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Lena Meinhold
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany
| | - Claudia Leucht
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany
| | - Stefan Leucht
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany
| | - Stefan Borgwardt
- grid.4562.50000 0001 0057 2672Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Schleswig Holstein University Hospital, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, 23538 Germany
| | - Felix Brandl
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany
| | - Christian Sorg
- grid.6936.a0000000123222966TUM-NIC Neuroimaging Center, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany ,grid.6936.a0000000123222966Department of Neuroradiology, Technical University of Munich, School of Medicine, Munich, 81675 Germany
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8
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Zhao S, Bury G, Milne A, Chait M. Pupillometry as an Objective Measure of Sustained Attention in Young and Older Listeners. Trends Hear 2020; 23:2331216519887815. [PMID: 31775578 PMCID: PMC6883360 DOI: 10.1177/2331216519887815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to sustain attention on a task-relevant sound source while avoiding
distraction from concurrent sounds is fundamental to listening in crowded
environments. We aimed to (a) devise an experimental paradigm with which this
aspect of listening can be isolated and (b) evaluate the applicability of
pupillometry as an objective measure of sustained attention in young and older
populations. We designed a paradigm that continuously measured behavioral
responses and pupillometry during 25-s trials. Stimuli contained a number of
concurrent, spectrally distinct tone streams. On each trial, participants
detected gaps in one of the streams while resisting distraction from the others.
Behavior demonstrated increasing difficulty with time-on-task and with
number/proximity of distractor streams. In young listeners
(N = 20; aged 18 to 35 years), pupil diameter (on the group and
individual level) was dynamically modulated by instantaneous task difficulty:
Periods where behavioral performance revealed a strain on sustained attention
were accompanied by increased pupil diameter. Only trials on which participants
performed successfully were included in the pupillometry analysis so that the
observed effects reflect task demands as opposed to failure to attend. In line
with existing reports, we observed global changes to pupil dynamics in the older
group (N = 19; aged 63 to 79 years) including decreased pupil
diameter, limited dilation range, and reduced temporal variability. However,
despite these changes, older listeners showed similar effects of attentive
tracking to those observed in the young listeners. Overall, our results
demonstrate that pupillometry can be a reliable and time-sensitive measure of
attentive tracking over long durations in both young and (with caveats) older
listeners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijia Zhao
- Ear Institute, University College London, UK
| | | | - Alice Milne
- Ear Institute, University College London, UK
| | - Maria Chait
- Ear Institute, University College London, UK
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9
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Gongora M, Nicoliche E, Magalhães J, Vicente R, Teixeira S, Bastos VH, Bittencourt J, Cagy M, Basile LF, Budde H, Velasques B, Ribeiro P. Event-related potential (P300): the effects of levetiracetam in cognitive performance. Neurol Sci 2020; 42:2309-2316. [PMID: 33037974 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-020-04786-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study is a reanalysis in the time domain of EEG data collection in healthy adults during an oddball paradigm using levetiracetam (LEV) vs. placebo acute administration. Specifically, the event-related potential (ERP) technique provides a tool for exploring the EEG responses to a specific event/stimulus. One of the ERP components widely studied is the P300 component, which is associated with the last stage of information processing and a general measurement of "cognitive efficiency." METHODS The sample was composed of thirteen healthy right-handed individuals randomized to participate under two conditions: LEV and placebo. Electrophysiological measures were collected before and after drug intake. We explored the oddball paradigm, which is commonly used with healthy individuals to investigate the stages of information processing. RESULTS The electrophysiological results showed a main effect of condition on P300 amplitude for the frontal (F3, Fz, F4), central (C3, Cz, C4), and parietal electrodes (P3, Pz, P4). The post hoc comparisons (Scheffé's test) demonstrated the significant differences between electrodes. Regarding P300 latency, all regions represented a main effect of condition. A P300 latency reduction was observed during LEV condition compared with placebo. CONCLUSION Our study observed the ERP component-P300-through the variation of its amplitude and latency to evaluate a supposed higher CNS efficiency when participants were under the LEV effect. Our findings sustain this premise, mainly due to reducing in P300 latency for the LEV condition, supporting the neural efficiency hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Gongora
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Nicoliche
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- Neurophysiology and Neuropsychology of Attention, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- School of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Julio Magalhães
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Renan Vicente
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Silmar Teixeira
- Brain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Bastos
- Brain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba, Brazil
| | - Juliana Bittencourt
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratory of Physical therapy - Veiga de Almeida University of Rio de Janeiro (UVA/RJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Mauricio Cagy
- Biomedical Engineering Program, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luis F Basile
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Faculdade da Saúde, UMESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Henning Budde
- Faculty of Human Sciences, Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bruna Velasques
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Neurophysiology and Neuropsychology of Attention, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Pedro Ribeiro
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Neurophysiology and Neuropsychology of Attention, Institute of Psychiatry of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brain Mapping and Functionality Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba, Piauí, Brazil
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10
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Pichon S, Garibotto V, Wissmeyer M, Seimbille Y, Antico L, Ratib O, Vuilleumier P, Haller S, Picard F. Higher availability of α4β2 nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) in dorsal ACC is linked to more efficient interference control. Neuroimage 2020; 214:116729. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
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11
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Vaucher E, Laliberté G, Higgins MC, Maheux M, Jolicoeur P, Chamoun M. Cholinergic potentiation of visual perception and vision restoration in rodents and humans. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2020; 37:553-569. [PMID: 31839615 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-190947] [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] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cholinergic system is a potent neuromodulator system that plays a critical role in cortical plasticity, attention, and learning. Recently, it was found that boosting this system during perceptual learning robustly enhances sensory perception in rodents. In particular, pairing cholinergic activation with visual stimulation increases neuronal responses, cue detection ability, and long-term facilitation in the primary visual cortex. The mechanisms of cholinergic enhancement are closely linked to attentional processes, long-term potentiation, and modulation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance. Some studies currently examine this effect in humans. OBJECTIVE The present article reviews the research from our laboratory, examining whether potentiating the central cholinergic system could help visual perception and restoration. METHODS Electrophysiological or pharmacological enhancement of the cholinergic system are administered during a visual training. Electrophysiological responses and perceptual learning performance are investigated before and after the training in rats and humans. This approach's ability to restore visual capacities following a visual deficit induced by a partial optic nerve crush is also investigated in rats. RESULTS The coupling of visual training to cholinergic stimulation improved visual discrimination and visual acuity in rats, and improved residual vision after a deficit. These changes were due to muscarinic and nicotinic transmissions and were associated with a functional improvement of evoked potentials. In humans, potentiation of cholinergic transmission with 5 mg of donepezil showed improved learning and ocular dominance plasticity, although this treatment was ineffective in augmenting the perceptual threshold and electroencephalography. CONCLUSIONS Potential therapeutic outcomes ought to facilitate vision restoration using commercially available cholinergic agents combined with visual stimulation in order to prevent irreversible vision loss in patients. This approach has the potential to help a large population of visually impaired individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvire Vaucher
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Centre de recherche en neuropsychologie et cognition (CERNEC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Guillaume Laliberté
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Marie-Charlotte Higgins
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Manon Maheux
- Centre de recherche en neuropsychologie et cognition (CERNEC), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Pierre Jolicoeur
- Centre de recherche en neuropsychologie et cognition (CERNEC), Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Département de Psychologie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mira Chamoun
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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12
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Faiq MA, Wollstein G, Schuman JS, Chan KC. Cholinergic nervous system and glaucoma: From basic science to clinical applications. Prog Retin Eye Res 2019; 72:100767. [PMID: 31242454 PMCID: PMC6739176 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The cholinergic system has a crucial role to play in visual function. Although cholinergic drugs have been a focus of attention as glaucoma medications for reducing eye pressure, little is known about the potential modality for neuronal survival and/or enhancement in visual impairments. Citicoline, a naturally occurring compound and FDA approved dietary supplement, is a nootropic agent that is recently demonstrated to be effective in ameliorating ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular diseases, memory disorders and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in both humans and animal models. The mechanisms of its action appear to be multifarious including (i) preservation of cardiolipin, sphingomyelin, and arachidonic acid contents of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, (ii) restoration of phosphatidylcholine, (iii) stimulation of glutathione synthesis, (iv) lowering glutamate concentrations and preventing glutamate excitotoxicity, (v) rescuing mitochondrial function thereby preventing oxidative damage and onset of neuronal apoptosis, (vi) synthesis of myelin leading to improvement in neuronal membrane integrity, (vii) improving acetylcholine synthesis and thereby reducing the effects of mental stress and (viii) preventing endothelial dysfunction. Such effects have vouched for citicoline as a neuroprotective, neurorestorative and neuroregenerative agent. Retinal ganglion cells are neurons with long myelinated axons which provide a strong rationale for citicoline use in visual pathway disorders. Since glaucoma is a form of neurodegeneration involving retinal ganglion cells, citicoline may help ameliorate glaucomatous damages in multiple facets. Additionally, trans-synaptic degeneration has been identified in humans and experimental models of glaucoma suggesting the cholinergic system as a new brain target for glaucoma management and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneeb A Faiq
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gadi Wollstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Joel S Schuman
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States; Department of Radiology, New York University (NYU) School of Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States; Center for Neural Science, Faculty of Arts and Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States.
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13
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Verbal learning deficits associated with increased anticholinergic burden are attenuated with targeted cognitive training in treatment refractory schizophrenia patients. Schizophr Res 2019; 208:384-389. [PMID: 30738698 PMCID: PMC8215853 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Targeted cognitive training (TCT) has been reported to improve verbal learning deficits in patients with schizophrenia (SZ). Despite positive findings, it is not clear whether demographic factors and clinical characteristics contribute to the success of TCT on an individual basis. Medication-associated anticholinergic burden has been shown to impact TCT-associated verbal learning gains in SZ outpatients, but the role of anticholinergic medication burden on TCT gains in treatment refractory SZ patients has not been described. In this study, SZ patients mandated to a locked residential rehabilitation center were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU; n=22) or a course of TAU augmented with TCT (n=24). Anticholinergic medication burden was calculated from medication data at baseline and follow-up using the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB) Scale. MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery Verbal Learning domain scores were used as the primary outcome variable. The TAU and TCT groups were matched in ACB at baseline and follow-up. While baseline ACB was not associated with verbal learning in either group, increases in ACB over the course of the study were significantly associated with deterioration of verbal learning in the TAU group (r=-0.51, p=0.02). This was not seen in subjects randomized to TCT (r=-0.13, p=0.62). Our results suggest that TCT may blunt anticholinergic medication burden associated reduction in verbal learning in severely disabled SZ inpatients.
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14
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Quintana DS, Rokicki J, van der Meer D, Alnæs D, Kaufmann T, Córdova-Palomera A, Dieset I, Andreassen OA, Westlye LT. Oxytocin pathway gene networks in the human brain. Nat Commun 2019; 10:668. [PMID: 30737392 PMCID: PMC6368605 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08503-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin is a neuropeptide involved in animal and human reproductive and social behavior. Three oxytocin signaling genes have been frequently implicated in human social behavior: OXT (structural gene for oxytocin), OXTR (oxytocin receptor), and CD38 (oxytocin secretion). Here, we characterized the distribution of OXT, OXTR, and CD38 mRNA across the human brain by creating voxel-by-voxel volumetric expression maps, and identified putative gene pathway interactions by comparing gene expression patterns across 20,737 genes. Expression of the three selected oxytocin pathway genes was enriched in subcortical and olfactory regions and there was high co-expression with several dopaminergic and muscarinic acetylcholine genes, reflecting an anatomical basis for critical gene pathway interactions. fMRI meta-analysis revealed that the oxytocin pathway gene maps correspond with the processing of anticipatory, appetitive, and aversive cognitive states. The oxytocin signaling system may interact with dopaminergic and muscarinic acetylcholine signaling to modulate cognitive state processes involved in complex human behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel S Quintana
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jaroslav Rokicki
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0373, Norway
| | - Dennis van der Meer
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway
| | - Dag Alnæs
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tobias Kaufmann
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aldo Córdova-Palomera
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingrid Dieset
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars T Westlye
- NORMENT, KG Jebsen Centre for Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo, and Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, 0373, Norway
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15
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Strafella AP, Bohnen NI, Pavese N, Vaillancourt DE, van Eimeren T, Politis M, Tessitore A, Ghadery C, Lewis S. Imaging Markers of Progression in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2018; 5:586-596. [PMID: 30637278 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.12673] [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: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 07/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease; however, to date, there is no approved treatment that stops or slows down disease progression. Over the past decades, neuroimaging studies, including molecular imaging and MRI are trying to provide insights into the mechanisms underlying PD. Methods This work utilized a literature review. Results It is now becoming clear that these imaging modalities can provide biomarkers that can objectively detect brain changes related to PD and monitor these changes as the disease progresses, and these biomarkers are required to establish a breakthrough in neuroprotective or disease-modifying therapeutics. Conclusions Here, we provide a review of recent observations deriving from PET, single-positron emission tomography, and MRI studies exploring PD and other parkinsonian disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio P Strafella
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit & E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada.,Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour-Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, UHN University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada.,Research Imaging Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Nico I Bohnen
- Department of Radiology & Neurology University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA.,Veterans Administration Ann Arbor Healthcare System Ann Arbor Michigan USA.,Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
| | - Nicola Pavese
- Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre & Positron Emission Tomography Centre Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing & Vitality Newcastle upon Tyne United Kingdom
| | - David E Vaillancourt
- Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurology University of Florida Gainesville Florida USA
| | - Thilo van Eimeren
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Department of Neurology University of Cologne Cologne Germany.,Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, Jülich Research Centre Jülich Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn-Cologne Bonn Germany
| | - Marios Politis
- Neurodegeneration Imaging Group (NIG), Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London London United Kingdom
| | - Alessandro Tessitore
- Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences-MRI Research Center SUN-FISM University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" Naples Italy
| | - Christine Ghadery
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorder Unit & E.J. Safra Parkinson Disease Program, Neurology Division, Department of Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, UHN University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada.,Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour-Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, UHN University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada.,Research Imaging Centre, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health University of Toronto Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Simon Lewis
- Parkinson's Disease Research Clinic, Brain and Mind Centre University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
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16
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Oboshi Y, Kikuchi M, Terada T, Yoshikawa E, Bunai T, Ouchi Y. Alterations in Phase-Related Prefrontal Activation During Cognitive Tasks and Nicotinic α4β2 Receptor Availability in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 53:817-30. [PMID: 27258412 DOI: 10.3233/jad-151165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence shows that the cholinergic system plays an important role in regulating working memory and that working memory-related prefrontal activation decreases with age and neuronal degeneration, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the relation between attention-related α4β2 nicotinic cholinergic function and task-induced prefrontal activation especially time course-related activation remains to be explored. OBJECTIVE We aimed to elucidate the relationship between changes in task-induced oxy-hemoglobin concentration (cerebral blood flow, CBF) in the prefrontal cortex and the availability of α4β2 nicotinic receptors in the brain of AD patients in light of their task performance. METHODS Eleven mild-to-moderate AD patients and eleven normal elderly subjects underwent the near-infrared spectroscopy during easy and difficult working memory tasks for estimating prefrontal CBF changes and positron emission tomography with the α4β2 tracer [18F]2FA-85380 ([18F]2FA) for measuring the α4β2 nicotinic receptor binding. RESULTS Significant correlations between mean oxy-hemoglobin concentration in the channels with significant [group] main effects and prefrontal [18F]2FA binding were observed during the early easy task period in the normal group and during the late difficult task in the AD group. In addition, those prefrontal CBF responses were significantly correlated with not correct performance but the execution time to spend. CONCLUSION The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the prefrontal cortex play an important role in increasing prefrontal activation when attending to novel stimuli, irrespective of the accuracy of the outcome. A delay in the cholinergic-induced increase in prefrontal activation in AD patients might explain their delayed responses in the cognitive task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumi Oboshi
- Department of Biofunctional Imaging, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Kikuchi
- Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Tatsuhiro Terada
- Department of Biofunctional Imaging, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Shizuoka Institute of Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Etsuji Yoshikawa
- Central Research Laboratory, Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Tomoyasu Bunai
- Department of Biofunctional Imaging, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Yasuomi Ouchi
- Department of Biofunctional Imaging, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
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17
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Fortenbaugh FC, DeGutis J, Esterman M. Recent theoretical, neural, and clinical advances in sustained attention research. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2017; 1396:70-91. [PMID: 28260249 PMCID: PMC5522184 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.13318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Models of attention often distinguish among attention subtypes, with classic models separating orienting, switching, and sustaining functions. Compared with other forms of attention, the neurophysiological basis of sustaining attention has received far less notice, yet it is known that momentary failures of sustained attention can have far-ranging negative effects in healthy individuals, and lasting sustained attention deficits are pervasive in clinical populations. In recent years, however, there has been increased interest in characterizing moment-to-moment fluctuations in sustained attention, in addition to the overall vigilance decrement, and understanding how these neurocognitive systems change over the life span and across various clinical populations. The use of novel neuroimaging paradigms and statistical approaches has allowed for better characterization of the neural networks supporting sustained attention and has highlighted dynamic interactions within and across multiple distributed networks that predict behavioral performance. These advances have also provided potential biomarkers to identify individuals with sustained attention deficits. These findings have led to new theoretical models explaining why sustaining focused attention is a challenge for individuals and form the basis for the next generation of sustained attention research, which seeks to accurately diagnose and develop theoretically driven treatments for sustained attention deficits that affect a variety of clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca C. Fortenbaugh
- Neuroimaging Research for Veterans (NeRVe) Center, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Boston Attention & Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Joseph DeGutis
- Boston Attention & Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Michael Esterman
- Neuroimaging Research for Veterans (NeRVe) Center, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Boston Attention & Learning Laboratory, VA Boston Healthcare System
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Boston Healthcare System
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine
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18
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Chamoun M, Huppé-Gourgues F, Legault I, Rosa-Neto P, Dumbrava D, Faubert J, Vaucher E. Cholinergic Potentiation Improves Perceptual-Cognitive Training of Healthy Young Adults in Three Dimensional Multiple Object Tracking. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 11:128. [PMID: 28377707 PMCID: PMC5359296 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2017.00128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A large body of literature supports cognitive enhancement as an effect of cholinergic potentiation. However, it remains elusive whether pharmacological manipulations of cholinergic neurotransmission enhance complex visual processing in healthy individuals. To test this hypothesis, we randomly administered either the cholinergic transmission enhancer donepezil (DPZ; 5 mg P.O.) or placebo (lactose) to young adults (n = 17) 3 h before each session of the three-dimensional (3D) multiple object tracking (3D-MOT) task. This multi-focal attention task evaluates perceptual-cognitive learning over five sessions conducted 7 days apart. A significant amount of learning was observed in the DPZ group but not the placebo group in the fourth session. In the fifth session, this learning effect was observed in both groups. Furthermore, preliminary results for a subgroup of participants (n = 9) 4–14 months later suggested the cholinergic enhancement effect was long lasting. On the other hand, DPZ had no effect on basic visual processing as measured by a motion and orientation discrimination task performed as an independent one-time, pre-post drug study without placebo control (n = 10). The results support the construct that cholinergic enhancement facilitates the encoding of a highly demanding perceptual-cognitive task although there were no significant drug effects on the performance levels compared to placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Chamoun
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Huppé-Gourgues
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Legault
- Laboratoire de Psychophysique et de Perception Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging Douglas Research Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniela Dumbrava
- Laboratoire des Neurosciences de la Vision, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jocelyn Faubert
- Laboratoire de Psychophysique et de Perception Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elvire Vaucher
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
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19
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Berthier ML, Moreno-Torres I. Commentary: Visual Feedback of Tongue Movement for Novel Speech Sound Learning. Front Hum Neurosci 2017; 10:662. [PMID: 28066219 PMCID: PMC5179538 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo L Berthier
- Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia Unit and Cathedra ARPA of Aphasia, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga, University of Malaga Malaga, Spain
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20
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Wicks B, Waxler DE, White KM, Duncan N, Bergmann J, Cole RD, Parikh V, Bangasser DA. Method for testing sustained attention in touchscreen operant chambers in rats. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 277:30-37. [PMID: 27939962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sustained attention, the ability to detect rare and unpredictable events, is central to cognitive performance. This construct can be tested in rodents using a Sustained Attention Task (SAT), where rats are trained to detect an unpredictably occurring signal (a brief light presentation) from non-signal events. The traditional version of this task utilizes an operant chamber with a central panel light for the signal and two retractable response levers. Adaptation of SAT to the increasingly popular touchscreen operant chambers, which do not have levers or fixed lights, could enhance the versatility of the task. NEW METHOD Here we developed a touchscreen version of SAT where the light signal is presented in the center of the touchscreen, followed by a tone to indicate the beginning of the response period. Rats indicate their choice during this period by touching their nose to one of two touchscreen response areas. The remaining parameters were kept similar to the traditional version. RESULTS Rats acquired touchscreen SAT at a similar rate to the traditional version. As with the traditional version, shorter stimulus durations on the signaled trials reduced accuracy and the presence of a distractor (a flashing houselight) disrupted performance on the touchscreen version. COMPARISON TO EXISTING METHOD Collectively, these data suggest that the touchscreen version is comparable to the traditional version of the SAT, and is an equally valid way of measuring sustained attention. CONCLUSIONS Many researchers with touchscreen chambers could easily implement our modifications in order to study sustained attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittany Wicks
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - David E Waxler
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Kyle M White
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Nina Duncan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Joy Bergmann
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Robert D Cole
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Vinay Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - Debra A Bangasser
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.
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21
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Erel H, Levy DA. Orienting of visual attention in aging. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 69:357-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2015] [Revised: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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The distribution of muscarinic M1 receptors in the human hippocampus. J Chem Neuroanat 2016; 77:187-192. [PMID: 27435807 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2016.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2016] [Revised: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The muscarinic M1 receptor plays a significant role in cognition, probably by modulating information processing in key regions such as the hippocampus. To understand how the muscarinic M1 receptor achieves these functions in the hippocampus, it is critical to know the distribution of the receptor within this complex brain region. To date, there are limited data on the distribution of muscarinic M1 receptors in the human hippocampus which may also be confounded because some anti-muscarinic receptor antibodies have been shown to lack specificity. Initially, using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, we showed the anti-muscarinic M1 receptor antibody to be used in our study bound to a single 62kDa protein that was absent in mice lacking the muscarinic M1 receptor gene. Then, using immunohistochemistry, we determined the distribution of muscarinic M1 receptors in human hippocampus from 10 subjects with no discernible history of a neurological or psychiatric disorder. Our data shows the muscarinic M1 receptor to be predominantly on pyramidal cells in the hippocampus. Muscarinic M1 receptor positive cells were most apparent in the deep polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus, the pyramidal cell layer of cornu ammonis region 3, the cellular layers of the subiculum, layer II of the presubiculum and layer III and V of the parahippocampal gyrus. Positive cells were less numerous and less intensely stained in the pyramidal layer of cornu ammonis region 2 and were sparse in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus as well as cornu ammonis region 1. Although immunoreactivity was present in the granular layer of the dentate gyrus, it was difficult to identity individual immunopositive cells, possibly due to the density of cells. This distribution of the muscarinic M1 receptors in human hippocampus, and its localisation on glutamatergic cells, would suggest the receptor has a significant role in modulating excitatory hippocampal neurotransmission.
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Freeman SM, Young LJ. Comparative Perspectives on Oxytocin and Vasopressin Receptor Research in Rodents and Primates: Translational Implications. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 26940141 PMCID: PMC4886472 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 02/01/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the last several decades, sophisticated experimental techniques have been used to determine the neurobiology of the oxytocin and vasopressin systems in rodents. Using a suite of methodologies, including electrophysiology, site-specific selective pharmacology, receptor autoradiography, in vivo microdialysis, and genetic and optogenetic manipulations, we have gained unprecedented knowledge about how these neuropeptides engage neural circuits to regulate behaviour, particularly social behaviour. Based on this foundation of information from rodent studies, we have started generating new hypotheses and frameworks about how the oxytocin and vasopressin systems could be acting in humans to influence social cognition. However, despite the recent inundation of publications using intranasal oxytocin in humans, we still know very little about the neurophysiology of the oxytocin system in primates more broadly. Furthermore, the design and analysis of these human studies have remained largely uninformed of the potential neurobiological mechanisms underlying their findings. Although the methods available for studying the oxytocin and vasopressin systems in humans are incredibly limited as a result of practical and ethical considerations, there is great potential to fill the gaps in our knowledge by developing better nonhuman primate models of social functioning. Behavioural pharmacology and receptor autoradiography have been used to study the oxytocin and vasopressin systems in nonhuman primates, and there is now great potential to broaden our understanding of the neurobiology of these systems. In this review, we discuss comparative findings in receptor distributions in rodents and primates, with perspectives on the functionality of conserved regions of expression in these distinct mammalian clades. We also identify specific ways that established technologies can be used to answer basic research questions in primates. Finally, we highlight areas of future research in nonhuman primates that are experimentally poised to yield critical insights into the anatomy, physiology and behavioural effects of the oxytocin system, given its remarkable translational potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Freeman
- Department of Psychology, California National Primate Research Center, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Larry J Young
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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Sutherland MT, Ray KL, Riedel MC, Yanes JA, Stein EA, Laird AR. Neurobiological impact of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of pharmacologic neuroimaging studies. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:711-20. [PMID: 25662104 PMCID: PMC4494985 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Revised: 12/03/2014] [Accepted: 12/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists augment cognition among cigarette smokers and nonsmokers, yet the systems-level neurobiological mechanisms underlying such improvements are not fully understood. Aggregating neuroimaging results regarding nAChR agonists provides a means to identify common functional brain changes that may be related to procognitive drug effects. METHODS We conducted a meta-analysis of pharmacologic neuroimaging studies within the activation likelihood estimation framework. We identified published studies contrasting a nAChR drug condition versus a baseline and coded each contrast by activity change direction (decrease or increase), participant characteristics (smokers or nonsmokers), and drug manipulation employed (pharmacologic administration or cigarette smoking). RESULTS When considering all studies, nAChR agonist administration was associated with activity decreases in multiple regions, including the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), parahippocampus, insula, and the parietal and precentral cortices. Conversely, activity increases were observed in lateral frontoparietal cortices, the anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cuneus. Exploratory analyses indicated that both smokers and nonsmokers showed activity decreases in the vmPFC and PCC, and increases in lateral frontoparietal regions. Among smokers, both pharmacologic administration and cigarette smoking were associated with activity decreases in the vmPFC, PCC, and insula and increases in the lateral PFC, dorsal anterior cingulate cortex, thalamus, and cuneus. CONCLUSIONS These results provide support for the systems-level perspective that nAChR agonists suppress activity in default-mode network regions and enhance activity in executive control network regions in addition to reducing activation of some task-related regions. We speculate these are potential mechanisms by which nAChR agonists enhance cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. Sutherland
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL,Correspondence: Matthew T. Sutherland, Ph.D. Florida International University Department of Psychology AHC-4, RM 312 11299 S.W. 8th St Miami, FL 33199
| | - Kimberly L. Ray
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA
| | - Michael C. Riedel
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX
| | - Julio A. Yanes
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL
| | - Elliot A. Stein
- Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Intramural Research Program, NIH/DHHS, Baltimore, MD
| | - Angela R. Laird
- Department of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL
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Spagna A, Dong Y, Mackie MA, Li M, Harvey PD, Tian Y, Wang K, Fan J. Clozapine improves the orienting of attention in schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2015; 168:285-91. [PMID: 26298539 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Attentional deficits are prominent in the cognitive profile of patients with schizophrenia. However, it remains unclear whether treatment with clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic and first-line intervention used to reduce positive and negative symptoms of psychosis, improves the attentional functions. We used the revised attention network test to measure alerting, orienting, and executive control of attention both pre- and post-treatment with clozapine in patients with schizophrenia (n=32) and compared performance to healthy controls (n=32). Results revealed that there were deficits in all three attentional functions pre-treatment, and while clozapine improved the orienting function in patients with schizophrenia, there was no evidence for improvement in the alerting and executive control of attention. The enhancement of the orienting function by clozapine may increase the ability of patients with schizophrenia to orient towards objects and thoughts of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Spagna
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, The City University of New York, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Yi Dong
- Hefei Psychiatry Hospital, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Melissa-Ann Mackie
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, The City University of New York, Queens, NY, USA
| | - Ming Li
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Philip D Harvey
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Research Service, Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Yanghua Tian
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Jin Fan
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, The City University of New York, Queens, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Smucny J, Olincy A, Eichman LC, Tregellas JR. Neuronal effects of nicotine during auditory selective attention. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:2017-28. [PMID: 25491929 PMCID: PMC4426219 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3832-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Although the attention-enhancing effects of nicotine have been behaviorally and neurophysiologically well-documented, its localized functional effects during selective attention are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES In this study, we examined the neuronal effects of nicotine during auditory selective attention in healthy human nonsmokers. We hypothesized to observe significant effects of nicotine in attention-associated brain areas, driven by nicotine-induced increases in activity as a function of increasing task demands. METHODS A single-blind, prospective, randomized crossover design was used to examine neuronal response associated with a go/no-go task after 7 mg nicotine or placebo patch administration in 20 individuals who underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging at 3T. The task design included two levels of difficulty (ordered vs. random stimuli) and two levels of auditory distraction (silence vs. noise). RESULTS Significant treatment × difficulty × distraction interaction effects on neuronal response were observed in the hippocampus, ventral parietal cortex, and anterior cingulate. In contrast to our hypothesis, U and inverted U-shaped dependencies were observed between the effects of nicotine on response and task demands, depending on the brain area. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that nicotine may differentially affect neuronal response depending on task conditions. These results have important theoretical implications for understanding how cholinergic tone may influence the neurobiology of selective attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Smucny
- Research Service, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA,
| | - Ann Olincy
- Research Service, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO USA
| | - Lindsay C. Eichman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO USA
| | - Jason R. Tregellas
- Research Service, Denver VA Medical Center, Denver, CO USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO USA,Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora CO USA
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Magalhães JC, Gongora M, Vicente R, Bittencourt J, Tanaka G, Velasques B, Teixeira S, Morato G, Basile LF, Arias-Carrión O, Pompeu FA, Cagy M, Ribeiro P. The influence of levetiracetam in cognitive performance in healthy individuals: neuropsychological, behavioral and electrophysiological approach. CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN COLLEGE OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY 2015; 13:83-93. [PMID: 25912541 PMCID: PMC4423160 DOI: 10.9758/cpn.2015.13.1.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Revised: 12/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study sought to analyze the influence of Levetiracetam (LEV) in cognitive performance by identifying the changes produced by LEV in reaction time, in neuropsychological assessment of attention and memory and in absolute theta power in frontal activity. METHODS Twelve healthy subjects (5 men and 7 women; mean age, 30.08 years, standard deviation, 4.71) were recruited for this study. The neuropsychological tests: Trail Making Test (A and B), Digit Span (direct and indirect numerical orders/working memory); Stroop test (inhibitory control of attention); Tower of London (planning and decision-making) and a quantitative electroencephalography were applied in 2 different days after and before the participants ingested the capsule of placebo or 500 mg LEV. RESULTS A two-way-ANOVA was implemented to observe the interaction between conditions (placebo or LEV 500 mg) and moments (pre- and post-ingestion of LEV or placebo). The data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical package (p<0.05). For the neuropsychological parameter, the Trail Making Test (A) was the only test that showed significant difference for condition in the task execution time (p=0.026). Regarding the reaction time in the behavioral parameter, an interaction between both factors (p=0.034) was identified through a two-way-ANOVA (condition versus moment). Electrophysiological measures showed a significant interaction for electrodes: F7, F3, and FZ. CONCLUSIONS The findings showed that LEV promotes an important cognitive enhancement in the executive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Cesar Magalhães
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Mariana Gongora
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Renan Vicente
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Bioscience Department (EEFD/UFRJ), School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Juliana Bittencourt
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Veiga de Almeida University, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Guaraci Tanaka
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Bruna Velasques
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Bioscience Department (EEFD/UFRJ), School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Silmar Teixeira
- Brain Mapping and Plasticity Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina,
Brazil
| | - Gledys Morato
- Brain Mapping and Plasticity Laboratory, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina,
Brazil
| | - Luis F. Basile
- Laboratory of Psychophysiology, Faculdade da Saúde, UMESP, São Paulo,
Brazil
| | - Oscar Arias-Carrión
- Movement Disorders and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Unit, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzãlez, Mexico D.F.,
Mexico
- Neurology Department, Hospital General Ajusco Medio, Mexico D.F.,
Mexico
| | - Fernando A.M.S Pompeu
- Bioscience Department (EEFD/UFRJ), School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Mauricio Cagy
- Biomedical Engineering Program, COPPE, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
| | - Pedro Ribeiro
- Brain Mapping and Sensory Motor Integration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (IPUB/UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Bioscience Department (EEFD/UFRJ), School of Physical Education, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
- Institute of Applied Neuroscience (INA), Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil
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Cole RD, Poole RL, Guzman DM, Gould TJ, Parikh V. Contributions of β2 subunit-containing nAChRs to chronic nicotine-induced alterations in cognitive flexibility in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:1207-17. [PMID: 25281224 PMCID: PMC4361240 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3754-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Deficits in executive functions underlie compulsive drug use, and understanding how nicotine influences these cognitive processes may provide important information on neurobiological substrates of nicotine addiction. Accumulating evidence suggests that β2 subunit-containing nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) are involved in the reinforcing process of nicotine addiction. Whether these nAChRs also contributes to the detrimental effects of chronic nicotine on flexible decision-making is not known. OBJECTIVES In the present study, the effects of chronic nicotine were assessed in mice with partial or complete deletion of the β2 subunit-containing nAChR gene (β2+/- or β2-/-) performing an operant cognitive flexibility task. RESULTS Visual discrimination learning was not affected in saline-treated β2 nAChR mutants as compared to the wild-type (β2+/+) mice; yet, chronic nicotine facilitated acquisition of visual discrimination in all genotypes. The acquisition of new egocentric response strategy set-shifting remained similar in all genotypes, and there was no effect of treatment. Chronic nicotine treatment impaired reversal learning in β2+/+ mice by increasing response perseveration to the previously rewarded stimulus. Moreover, the acquisition of inverted stimulus-reward contingencies did not differ between β2+/+ and β2-/- mice exposed to chronic nicotine. Interestingly, nicotine-induced reversal learning deficits were not observed in β2+/- mice. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these findings suggest that β2 subunit-containing nAChRs are not critical for visual discrimination learning and extra dimensional rule shift. However, sustained activation of these nAChRs with nicotine may interfere with inhibitory control processes influencing affective shifts in stimulus-reward contingencies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Vinay Parikh
- Corresponding author: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Phone: 215-204-1572,
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Hawi Z, Cummins TDR, Tong J, Johnson B, Lau R, Samarrai W, Bellgrove MA. The molecular genetic architecture of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2015; 20:289-97. [PMID: 25600112 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2014.183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood behavioral condition which affects 2-10% of school age children worldwide. Although the underlying molecular mechanism for the disorder is poorly understood, familial, twin and adoption studies suggest a strong genetic component. Here we provide a state-of-the-art review of the molecular genetics of ADHD incorporating evidence from candidate gene and linkage designs, as well as genome-wide association (GWA) studies of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and rare copy number variations (CNVs). Bioinformatic methods such as functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein network analysis are used to highlight biological processes of likely relevance to the aetiology of ADHD. Candidate gene associations of minor effect size have been replicated across a number of genes including SLC6A3, DRD5, DRD4, SLC6A4, LPHN3, SNAP-25, HTR1B, NOS1 and GIT1. Although case-control SNP-GWAS have had limited success in identifying common genetic variants for ADHD that surpass critical significance thresholds, quantitative trait designs suggest promising associations with Cadherin13 and glucose-fructose oxidoreductase domain 1 genes. Further, CNVs mapped to glutamate receptor genes (GRM1, GRM5, GRM7 and GRM8) have been implicated in the aetiology of the disorder and overlap with bioinformatic predictions based on ADHD GWAS SNP data regarding enriched pathways. Although increases in sample size across multi-center cohorts will likely yield important new results, we advocate that this must occur in parallel with a shift away from categorical case-control approaches that view ADHD as a unitary construct, towards dimensional approaches that incorporate endophenotypes and statistical classification methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Hawi
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - T D R Cummins
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J Tong
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - B Johnson
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - R Lau
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - W Samarrai
- New York City College of Technology, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - M A Bellgrove
- School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Rowe AR, Mercer L, Casetti V, Sendt KV, Giaroli G, Shergill SS, Tracy DK. Dementia praecox redux: a systematic review of the nicotinic receptor as a target for cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2015; 29:197-211. [PMID: 25567553 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114564096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Most individuals with schizophrenia suffer some cognitive dysfunction: such deficits are predictive of longer-term functioning; and current dopamine-blocking antipsychotics have made little impact on this domain. There is a pressing need to develop novel pharmacological agents to tackle this insidious but most disabling of problems. The acetylcholinergic system is involved in cognitive and attentional processing, and its metabotropic and nicotinic receptors are widespread throughout the brain. Deficits in acetylcholinergic functioning occur in schizophrenia, and high rates of tobacco smoking have been posited to represent a form of self-medication. The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) has emerged as a putative target to improve cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, and this study systematically reviewed the emerging data. Nineteen studies were identified, covering three compound classes: agonists at the α7 and α 4β2 nAChRs, and positive allosteric modulators. Overall data are underwhelming: some studies showed significant improvements in cognition but as many studies had negative findings. It remains unclear if this represents drug limitations or nascent study methodology problems. The literature is particularly hindered by variability in inclusion of smokers, generally small sample sizes, and a lack of consensus on cognitive test batteries. Future work should evaluate longer-term outcomes, and, particularly, the effects of concomitant cognitive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arann R Rowe
- The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Louise Mercer
- The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Valentina Casetti
- The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | | | - Sukhwinder S Shergill
- The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Derek K Tracy
- The Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Giovannini MG, Lana D, Pepeu G. The integrated role of ACh, ERK and mTOR in the mechanisms of hippocampal inhibitory avoidance memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2015; 119:18-33. [PMID: 25595880 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 12/30/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to summarize the present knowledge on the interplay among the cholinergic system, Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathways in the development of short and long term memories during the acquisition and recall of the step-down inhibitory avoidance in the hippocampus. The step-down inhibitory avoidance is a form of associative learning that is acquired in a relatively simple one-trial test through several sensorial inputs. Inhibitory avoidance depends on the integrated activity of hippocampal CA1 and other brain areas. Recall can be performed at different times after acquisition, thus allowing for the study of both short and long term memory. Among the many neurotransmitter systems involved, the cholinergic neurons that originate in the basal forebrain and project to the hippocampus are of crucial importance in inhibitory avoidance processes. Acetylcholine released from cholinergic fibers during acquisition and/or recall of behavioural tasks activates muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and brings about a long-lasting potentiation of the postsynaptic membrane followed by downstream activation of intracellular pathway (ERK, among others) that create conditions favourable for neuronal plasticity. ERK appears to be salient not only in long term memory, but also in the molecular mechanisms underlying short term memory formation in the hippocampus. Since ERK can function as a biochemical coincidence detector in response to extracellular signals in neurons, the activation of ERK-dependent downstream effectors is determined, in part, by the duration of ERK phosphorylation itself. Long term memories require protein synthesis, that in the synapto-dendritic compartment represents a direct mechanism that can produce rapid changes in protein content in response to synaptic activity. mTOR in the brain regulates protein translation in response to neuronal activity, thereby modulating synaptic plasticity and long term memory formation. Some studies demonstrate a complex interplay among the cholinergic system, ERK and mTOR. It has been shown that co-activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors and β-adrenergic receptors facilitates the conversion of short term to long term synaptic plasticity through an ERK- and mTOR-dependent mechanism which requires translation initiation. It seems therefore that the complex interplay among the cholinergic system, ERK and mTOR is crucial in the development of new inhibitory avoidance memories in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Giancarlo Pepeu
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
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Uchida S, Kagitani F. Effect of acupuncture-like stimulation on cortical cerebral blood flow in aged rats. J Physiol Sci 2015; 65:67-75. [PMID: 25300864 PMCID: PMC10717680 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-014-0340-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/17/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the effect of acupuncture-like stimulation on cortical cerebral blood flow (CBF) in aged rats and the contribution of the intracranial cholinergic vasodilatory system on its response. In urethane-anesthetized rats of 30-37 months of age, manual acupuncture-like stimulation of a forepaw produced an increase in the CBF, independent of systemic arterial pressure. The increase in the CBF induced by forepaw stimulation was abolished by intravenous administration of cholinergic receptor antagonists. Manual acupuncture-like stimulation of a forepaw increased extracellular acetylcholine release in the cerebral cortex. These results suggest that natural somatic afferent stimulation, such as acupuncture-like stimulation, activates the intracranial - most likely, basal forebrain - cholinergic vasodilatory system in the cerebral cortex, even in extremely aged rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae Uchida
- Department of Autonomic Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan,
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Cifuentes Castro VH, López Valenzuela CL, Salazar Sánchez JC, Peña KP, López Pérez SJ, Ibarra JO, Villagrán AM. An update of the classical and novel methods used for measuring fast neurotransmitters during normal and brain altered function. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 12:490-508. [PMID: 25977677 PMCID: PMC4428024 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666141223223657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 11/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To understand better the cerebral functions, several methods have been developed to study the brain activity, they could be related with morphological, electrophysiological, molecular and neurochemical techniques. Monitoring neurotransmitter concentration is a key role to know better how the brain works during normal or pathological conditions, as well as for studying the changes in neurotransmitter concentration with the use of several drugs that could affect or reestablish the normal brain activity. Immediate response of the brain to environmental conditions is related with the release of the fast acting neurotransmission by glutamate (Glu), γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and acetylcholine (ACh) through the opening of ligand-operated ion channels. Neurotransmitter release is mainly determined by the classical microdialysis technique, this is generally coupled to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Detection of neurotransmitters can be done by fluorescence, optical density, electrochemistry or other detection systems more sophisticated. Although the microdialysis method is the golden technique to monitor the brain neurotransmitters, it has a poor temporal resolution. Recently, with the use of biosensor the drawback of temporal resolution has been improved considerably, however other inconveniences have merged, such as stability, reproducibility and the lack of reliable biosensors mainly for GABA. The aim of this review is to show the important advances in the different ways to measure neurotransmitter concentrations; both with the use of classic techniques as well as with the novel methods and alternant approaches to improve the temporal resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alberto Morales Villagrán
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Camino Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Nextipac, Zapopan,
Jalisco, México, Zip code: 45110, Mexico
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Morasch KC, Aaron CL, Moon JE, Gordon RK. Physiological and neurobehavioral effects of cholinesterase inhibition in healthy adults. Physiol Behav 2014; 138:165-72. [PMID: 25455867 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 09/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Based on common pharmacodynamic mechanisms, recent efforts to develop second generation alternatives for organophosphate (OP) prophylaxis have expanded to include cholinesterase (ChE) inhibiting compounds traditionally approved for use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The primary purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which low-dose huperzine A, galantamine, or donepezil selectively inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) versus butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in healthy adults and whether such inhibition impacted neurobehavioral performance. METHODS In addition to hourly red blood cell cholinesterase sampling, neurobehavioral function was assessed before and after a single oral dose of huperzine A (100 or 200 μg), galantamine (4 or 8 mg), donepezil (2.5 or 5mg), or placebo (n=12 subjects per drug/dose). RESULTS Compared to placebo, both dosages of huperzine A and galantamine inhibited circulating AChE but not BChE. With the exception of huperzine A (200 μg), which maintained declarative recall performance across sessions, compounds did not improve neurobehavioral performance. Some aspects of neurobehavioral performance correlated with AChE activity, although associations may have reflected time of day effects. DISCUSSION Although huperzine A and galantamine significantly inhibited AChE (and likely increased central acetylcholine levels), neither compound improved neurobehavioral performance. The latter was likely due to ceiling effects in this young, healthy test population. Under conditions of reduced cholinergic activity (e.g., Alzheimer's disease), AChE inhibition (and corresponding maintenance of cholinergic tone) could potentially maintain/augment some aspects of neurobehavioral function.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James E Moon
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, United States
| | - Richard K Gordon
- United States Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, United States
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Kang JI, Huppé-Gourgues F, Vaucher E. Boosting visual cortex function and plasticity with acetylcholine to enhance visual perception. Front Syst Neurosci 2014; 8:172. [PMID: 25278848 PMCID: PMC4167004 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system is a potent neuromodulatory system that plays critical roles in cortical plasticity, attention and learning. In this review, we propose that the cellular effects of acetylcholine (ACh) in the primary visual cortex during the processing of visual inputs might induce perceptual learning; i.e., long-term changes in visual perception. Specifically, the pairing of cholinergic activation with visual stimulation increases the signal-to-noise ratio, cue detection ability and long-term facilitation in the primary visual cortex. This cholinergic enhancement would increase the strength of thalamocortical afferents to facilitate the treatment of a novel stimulus while decreasing the cortico-cortical signaling to reduce recurrent or top-down modulation. This balance would be mediated by different cholinergic receptor subtypes that are located on both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons of the different cortical layers. The mechanisms of cholinergic enhancement are closely linked to attentional processes, long-term potentiation (LTP) and modulation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance. Recently, it was found that boosting the cholinergic system during visual training robustly enhances sensory perception in a long-term manner. Our hypothesis is that repetitive pairing of cholinergic and sensory stimulation over a long period of time induces long-term changes in the processing of trained stimuli that might improve perceptual ability. Various non-invasive approaches to the activation of the cholinergic neurons have strong potential to improve visual perception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Il Kang
- École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada ; Département de Neuroscience, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Elvire Vaucher
- École d'optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
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Abstract
Intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) is a behavioral procedure in which operant responding is maintained by pulses of electrical brain stimulation. In research to study abuse-related drug effects, ICSS relies on electrode placements that target the medial forebrain bundle at the level of the lateral hypothalamus, and experimental sessions manipulate frequency or amplitude of stimulation to engender a wide range of baseline response rates or response probabilities. Under these conditions, drug-induced increases in low rates/probabilities of responding maintained by low frequencies/amplitudes of stimulation are interpreted as an abuse-related effect. Conversely, drug-induced decreases in high rates/probabilities of responding maintained by high frequencies/amplitudes of stimulation can be interpreted as an abuse-limiting effect. Overall abuse potential can be inferred from the relative expression of abuse-related and abuse-limiting effects. The sensitivity and selectivity of ICSS to detect abuse potential of many classes of abused drugs is similar to the sensitivity and selectivity of drug self-administration procedures. Moreover, similar to progressive-ratio drug self-administration procedures, ICSS data can be used to rank the relative abuse potential of different drugs. Strengths of ICSS in comparison with drug self-administration include 1) potential for simultaneous evaluation of both abuse-related and abuse-limiting effects, 2) flexibility for use with various routes of drug administration or drug vehicles, 3) utility for studies in drug-naive subjects as well as in subjects with controlled levels of prior drug exposure, and 4) utility for studies of drug time course. Taken together, these considerations suggest that ICSS can make significant contributions to the practice of abuse potential testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Stevens Negus
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Laurence L Miller
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
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Lynch G, Cox CD, Gall CM. Pharmacological enhancement of memory or cognition in normal subjects. Front Syst Neurosci 2014; 8:90. [PMID: 24904313 PMCID: PMC4033242 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The possibility of expanding memory or cognitive capabilities above the levels in high functioning individuals is a topic of intense discussion among scientists and in society at large. The majority of animal studies use behavioral endpoint measures; this has produced valuable information but limited predictability for human outcomes. Accordingly, several groups are pursuing a complementary strategy with treatments targeting synaptic events associated with memory encoding or forebrain network operations. Transcription and translation figure prominently in substrate work directed at enhancement. Notably, the question of why new proteins would be needed for a now-forming memory given that learning-driven synthesis presumably occurred throughout the immediate past has been largely ignored. Despite this conceptual problem, and some controversy, recent studies have reinvigorated the idea that selective gene manipulation is a plausible route to enhancement. Efforts to improve memory by facilitating synaptic encoding of information have also progressed, in part due of breakthroughs on mechanisms that stabilize learning-related, long-term potentiation (LTP). These advances point to a reductionistic hypothesis for a diversity of experimental results on enhancement, and identify under-explored possibilities. Cognitive enhancement remains an elusive goal, in part due to the difficulty of defining the target. The popular view of cognition as a collection of definable computations seems to miss the fluid, integrative process experienced by high functioning individuals. The neurobiological approach obviates these psychological issues to directly test the consequences of improving throughput in networks underlying higher order behaviors. The few relevant studies testing drugs that selectively promote excitatory transmission indicate that it is possible to expand cortical networks engaged by complex tasks and that this is accompanied by capabilities not found in normal animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Lynch
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California Irvine, CA, USA ; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Conor D Cox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Christine M Gall
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, CA, USA
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Berry AS, Demeter E, Sabhapathy S, English BA, Blakely RD, Sarter M, Lustig C. Disposed to distraction: genetic variation in the cholinergic system influences distractibility but not time-on-task effects. J Cogn Neurosci 2014; 26:1981-91. [PMID: 24666128 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Both the passage of time and external distraction make it difficult to keep attention on the task at hand. We tested the hypothesis that time-on-task and external distraction pose independent challenges to attention and that the brain's cholinergic system selectively modulates our ability to resist distraction. Participants with a polymorphism limiting cholinergic capacity (Ile89Val variant [rs1013940] of the choline transporter gene SLC5A7) and matched controls completed self-report measures of attention and a laboratory task that measured decrements in sustained attention with and without distraction. We found evidence that distraction and time-on-task effects are independent and that the cholinergic system is strongly linked to greater vulnerability to distraction. Ile89Val participants reported more distraction during everyday life than controls, and their task performance was more severely impacted by the presence of an ecologically valid video distractor (similar to a television playing in the background). These results are the first to demonstrate a specific impairment in cognitive control associated with the Ile89Val polymorphism and add to behavioral and cognitive neuroscience studies indicating the cholinergic system's critical role in overcoming distraction.
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Cannon J, McCarthy MM, Lee S, Lee J, Börgers C, Whittington MA, Kopell N. Neurosystems: brain rhythms and cognitive processing. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 39:705-19. [PMID: 24329933 PMCID: PMC4916881 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Revised: 10/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal rhythms are ubiquitous features of brain dynamics, and are highly correlated with cognitive processing. However, the relationship between the physiological mechanisms producing these rhythms and the functions associated with the rhythms remains mysterious. This article investigates the contributions of rhythms to basic cognitive computations (such as filtering signals by coherence and/or frequency) and to major cognitive functions (such as attention and multi-modal coordination). We offer support to the premise that the physiology underlying brain rhythms plays an essential role in how these rhythms facilitate some cognitive operations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Cannon
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBoston University111 Cummington MallBostonMA02215USA
| | - Michelle M. McCarthy
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBoston University111 Cummington MallBostonMA02215USA
| | - Shane Lee
- Department of NeuroscienceBrown UniversityProvidenceRIUSA
| | - Jung Lee
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBoston University111 Cummington MallBostonMA02215USA
| | | | | | - Nancy Kopell
- Department of Mathematics and StatisticsBoston University111 Cummington MallBostonMA02215USA
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Iglesias S, Mathys C, Brodersen KH, Kasper L, Piccirelli M, den Ouden HEM, Stephan KE. Hierarchical prediction errors in midbrain and basal forebrain during sensory learning. Neuron 2014; 80:519-30. [PMID: 24139048 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 221] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In Bayesian brain theories, hierarchically related prediction errors (PEs) play a central role for predicting sensory inputs and inferring their underlying causes, e.g., the probabilistic structure of the environment and its volatility. Notably, PEs at different hierarchical levels may be encoded by different neuromodulatory transmitters. Here, we tested this possibility in computational fMRI studies of audio-visual learning. Using a hierarchical Bayesian model, we found that low-level PEs about visual stimulus outcome were reflected by widespread activity in visual and supramodal areas but also in the midbrain. In contrast, high-level PEs about stimulus probabilities were encoded by the basal forebrain. These findings were replicated in two groups of healthy volunteers. While our fMRI measures do not reveal the exact neuron types activated in midbrain and basal forebrain, they suggest a dichotomy between neuromodulatory systems, linking dopamine to low-level PEs about stimulus outcome and acetylcholine to more abstract PEs about stimulus probabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Iglesias
- Translational Neuromodeling Unit (TNU), Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research (SNS), University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Yegla B, Parikh V. Effects of sustained proNGF blockade on attentional capacities in aged rats with compromised cholinergic system. Neuroscience 2013; 261:118-32. [PMID: 24374328 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.12.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Revised: 12/05/2013] [Accepted: 12/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Disruption in nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling via tropomyosin-related kinase A (trkA) receptors compromises the integrity of the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system, yielding cognitive, specifically attentional, impairments in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although normal aging is considered a risk factor for AD, the mechanisms underlying the selective vulnerability of the aging cholinergic system to trkA disruption is not clear. The levels of proNGF, a proneurotrophin that possesses higher affinity for p75 receptors, increase in aging. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that cholinergic and attentional dysfunction in aged rats with reduced BF trkA receptors occurs due to the overactivation of endogenous proNGF signaling. We employed a viral vector that produced trkA shRNA to suppress trkA receptors in the corticopetal cholinergic neurons of aged rats. BF trkA suppression impaired animals' performance on signal trials in both the sustained attention task (SAT) and the cognitively taxing distractor version of SAT (dSAT) and these deficits were normalized by chronic intracerebroventricular administration of proNGF antibody. Moreover, depolarization-evoked acetylcholine (ACh) release and the density of cortical cholinergic fibers were partially restored in these animals. However, SAT/dSAT scores reflecting overall performance did not improve following proNGF blockade in trkA knockdown rats due to impaired performance in non-signal trials. Sustained proNGF blockade alone did not alter baseline attentional performance but produced moderate impairments during challenging conditions. Collectively, our findings indicate that barring proNGF-p75 signaling may exert some beneficial effects on attentional capacities specifically when BF trkA signaling is abrogated. However, endogenous proNGF may also possess neurotrophic effects and blockade of this proneurotrophin may not completely ameliorate attentional impairments in AD and potentially hinder performance during periods of high cognitive load in normal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Yegla
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States
| | - V Parikh
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, United States.
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42
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Phasic nicotinic potentiation of frog retinotectal transmission facilitates eliciting of higher activity level of the tectum column. Neurosci Lett 2013; 554:1-5. [PMID: 24012815 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2013.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 08/07/2013] [Accepted: 08/25/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors contribute to the mediation of cholinergic role in attention, vigilance, orienting and detection of behavioral significant stimuli. We have recently demonstrated an increase of the intrinsic recurrent excitatory activity of the tectum column caused by the phasic (after-burst) nicotinic potentiation of a frog single axon retinotectal transmission to the tectum layer F. We have shown in the present study that the phasic nicotinic potentiation facilitates eliciting of higher activity level of the tectum column featured by generation of output signals from the tectum column. Since these signals can lead to an escape from danger reactions, a functional significance of nicotinic modulation of the neural network has been demonstrated. The phasic nicotinic potentiation that facilitates eliciting of higher activity level of the tectum column can be considered as a mechanism of vigilance and cue detection at the level of small neural network.
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Grupe M, Paolone G, Jensen AA, Sandager-Nielsen K, Sarter M, Grunnet M. Selective potentiation of (α4)3(β2)2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors augments amplitudes of prefrontal acetylcholine- and nicotine-evoked glutamatergic transients in rats. Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 86:1487-96. [PMID: 24051136 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2013] [Revised: 09/09/2013] [Accepted: 09/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Prefrontal glutamate release evoked through activation of α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) situated on thalamic glutamatergic afferents mediates cue detection processes and thus contributes to attentional performance. However, little is known about the respective contributions of the high sensitivity and low sensitivity (LS) stoichiometries of the α4β2 nAChR, (α4)2(β2)3 and (α4)3(β2)2, to these processes. In the present study we employed glutamate-sensitive microelectrodes and the (α4)3(β2)2-selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM) NS9283 to investigate the importance of the LS α4β2 nAChR for glutamate release in the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Firstly, the signaling evoked by physiologically relevant ACh concentrations through the (α4)3(β2)2 nAChR in HEK293 cells was potentiated by NS9283, consistent with the classification of NS9283 as a PAM. In urethane-anesthetized rats, intra-prefrontal pressure ejections of NS9283 evoked glutamatergic transients. Importantly, this glutamate release was attenuated by removal of cholinergic projections to the recording area. This finding indicates that the effects of NS9283 depend on endogenous ACh, again consistent with effects of a PAM. We then conducted microdialysis to demonstrate the presence of extracellular ACh in urethane-anesthetized control rats. While detectable, those levels were significantly lower than in awake rats. Finally, the amplitudes of glutamatergic transients evoked by local pressure ejections of a low concentration of nicotine were significantly augmented following systemic administration of NS9283 (3.0mg/kg). In conclusion, our results indicate that a LS α4β2 nAChR PAM such as NS9283 may enhance the cholinergic modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the cortex, thereby perhaps alleviating the attentional impairments common to a range of brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morten Grupe
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Program, University of Michigan, 530 Church Street, 4030 East Hall, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1109, USA; Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 2, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; NeuroSearch A/S, Pederstrupvej 93, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark.
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The neural and genetic basis of executive function: attention, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2013; 123:45-54. [PMID: 23978501 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2013.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 251] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2013] [Revised: 07/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Executive function is a collection of cognitive processes essential for higher order mental function. Processes involved in executive function include, but are not limited to, working memory, attention, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. These complex behaviors are largely mediated by prefrontal cortical function but are modulated by dopaminergic, noradrenergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic input. The ability of these neurotransmitter systems to modulate executive function allows for adaptation in cognitive behavior in response to changes in the environment. Because of the important role these neurotransmitter systems play in regulating executive function, changes in these systems can also have a grave impact on executive function. In addition, polymorphisms in genes associated with these neurotransmitters are associated with phenotypic differences in executive function. Understanding how these naturally occurring polymorphisms contribute to different executive function phenotypes will advance basic knowledge of cognition and potentially further understanding and treatment of mental illness that involve changes in executive function. In this review, we will examine the influence of dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and acetylcholine on the following measures of executive function: attention, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. We will also review the effects of polymorphisms in genes associated with these neurotransmitter systems on these measures of executive function.
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Poorthuis RB, Mansvelder HD. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors controlling attention: behavior, circuits and sensitivity to disruption by nicotine. Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 86:1089-98. [PMID: 23856288 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Attention is a central cognitive function that enables long-term engagement in a task and suppression of irrelevant information to obtain future goals. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the main link in integrating emotional and motivational state of an animal to regulate top-down attentional processes. Acetylcholine modulates PFC neuronal networks by activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) to support attention. However, how neuronal activity changes in the PFC during attention and which nAChR subtypes mediate this is only rudimentarily understood, but progress is being made. Recently, exciting new insights were obtained in the dynamics of cholinergic signaling in the PFC and modes of acetylcholine transmission via nAChRs in the cortex. In addition, mechanisms are uncovered on how the PFC circuitry is regulated by nAChRs. Novel studies show that endogenous activation of nAChRs in the PFC plays a central role in controlling attention. Here, we review current insights into how different subtypes of nAChRs expressed by distinct types of neurons in the PFC circuitry shape attention. In addition we discuss the impact of nicotine on the cholinergic system and prefrontal cortical circuits. Low concentrations of nicotine, as experienced by smokers, interfere with cholinergic signaling. In the long-term exposure to nicotine during adolescence leads to maladaptive adaptations of the PFC circuitry, which ultimately leads to a decrement in attention performance, again emphasizing the importance of nAChRs in attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier B Poorthuis
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, CNCR, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Hijazi M, Fillat C, Medina JM, Velasco A. Overexpression of DYRK1A inhibits choline acetyltransferase induction by oleic acid in cellular models of Down syndrome. Exp Neurol 2013; 239:229-34. [PMID: 23124096 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2012] [Revised: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 10/26/2012] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Histological brain studies of individuals with DS have revealed an aberrant formation of the cerebral cortex. Previous work from our laboratory has shown that oleic acid acts as a neurotrophic factor and induces neuronal differentiation. In order to characterize the effects of oleic acid in a cellular model of DS, immortalized cell lines derived from the cortex of trisomy Ts16 (CTb) and normal mice (CNh) were incubated in the absence or presence of oleic acid. Oleic acid increased choline acetyltransferase expression (ChAT), a marker of cholinergic differentiation in CNh cells. However, in trisomic cells (CTb line) oleic acid failed to increase ChAT expression. These results suggest that the overdose of specific genes in trisomic lines delays differentiation in the presence of oleic acid by inhibiting acetylcholine production mediated by ChAT. The dual-specificity tyrosine (Y) phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) gene is located on human chromosome 21 and encodes a proline-directed protein kinase. It has been proposed that DYRK1A plays a prominent role in several biological functions, leading to mental retardation in DS patients. Here we explored the potential role of DYRK1A in the modulation of ChAT expression in trisomic cells and in the signaling pathways of oleic acid. Down-regulation of DYRK1A by siRNA in trisomic CTb cells rescued ChAT expression up to levels similar to those of normal cells in the presence of oleic acid. In agreement with these results, oleic acid was unable to increase ChAT expression in neuronal cultures of transgenic mice overexpressing DYRK1A. In summary, our results highlight the role played by DYRK1A in brain development through the control of ChAT expression. In addition, the overexpression of DYRK1A in DS models prevented the neurotrophic effect of oleic acid, a fact that may account for mental retardation in DS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruan Hijazi
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Castilla y León (INCYL), Universidad de Salamanca, (IBSAL), Spain
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