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Hanzel M, Fernando K, Maloney SE, Horn Z, Gong S, Mätlik K, Zhao J, Pasolli HA, Heissel S, Dougherty JD, Hull C, Hatten ME. Mice lacking Astn2 have ASD-like behaviors and altered cerebellar circuit properties. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2405901121. [PMID: 39150780 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2405901121] [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: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrotactin 2 (ASTN2) is a transmembrane neuronal protein highly expressed in the cerebellum that functions in receptor trafficking and modulates cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) synaptic activity. Individuals with ASTN2 mutations exhibit neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, and language delay. To provide a genetic model for the role of the cerebellum in ASD-related behaviors and study the role of ASTN2 in cerebellar circuit function, we generated global and PC-specific conditional Astn2 knockout (KO and cKO, respectively) mouse lines. Astn2 KO mice exhibit strong ASD-related behavioral phenotypes, including a marked decrease in separation-induced pup ultrasonic vocalization calls, hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, altered behavior in the three-chamber test, and impaired cerebellar-dependent eyeblink conditioning. Hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors are also prominent in Astn2 cKO animals, but they do not show altered behavior in the three-chamber test. By Golgi staining, Astn2 KO PCs have region-specific changes in dendritic spine density and filopodia numbers. Proteomic analysis of Astn2 KO cerebellum reveals a marked upregulation of ASTN2 family member, ASTN1, a neuron-glial adhesion protein. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy demonstrate a significant increase in Bergmann glia volume in the molecular layer of Astn2 KO animals. Electrophysiological experiments indicate a reduced frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), as well as increased amplitudes of both spontaneous EPSCs and inhibitory postsynaptic currents in the Astn2 KO animals, suggesting that pre- and postsynaptic components of synaptic transmission are altered. Thus, ASTN2 regulates ASD-like behaviors and cerebellar circuit properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalina Hanzel
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Kayla Fernando
- Neurobiology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Susan E Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Zachi Horn
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
- InVitro Cell Research LLC, Englewood, NJ 07631
| | - Shiaoching Gong
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Kärt Mätlik
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Jiajia Zhao
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - H Amalia Pasolli
- Electron Microscopy Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Søren Heissel
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Psychiatry and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO 63130
- Department of Genetics, Washington University Medical School, St. Louis, MO 63130
| | - Court Hull
- Neurobiology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Mary E Hatten
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065
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Hanzel M, Fernando K, Maloney SE, Gong S, Mätlik K, Zhao J, Pasolli HA, Heissel S, Dougherty JD, Hull C, Hatten ME. Mice lacking Astn2 have ASD-like behaviors and altered cerebellar circuit properties. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.18.580354. [PMID: 38405978 PMCID: PMC10888872 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.18.580354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Astrotactin 2 (ASTN2) is a transmembrane neuronal protein highly expressed in the cerebellum that functions in receptor trafficking and modulates cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) synaptic activity. We recently reported a family with a paternally inherited intragenic ASTN2 duplication with a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), learning difficulties, and speech and language delay. To provide a genetic model for the role of the cerebellum in ASD-related behaviors and study the role of ASTN2 in cerebellar circuit function, we generated global and PC-specific conditional Astn2 knockout (KO and cKO, respectively) mouse lines. Astn2 KO mice exhibit strong ASD-related behavioral phenotypes, including a marked decrease in separation-induced pup ultrasonic vocalization calls, hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors, altered social behaviors, and impaired cerebellar-dependent eyeblink conditioning. Hyperactivity and repetitive behaviors were also prominent in Astn2 cKO animals. By Golgi staining, Astn2 KO PCs have region-specific changes in dendritic spine density and filopodia numbers. Proteomic analysis of Astn2 KO cerebellum reveals a marked upregulation of ASTN2 family member, ASTN1, a neuron-glial adhesion protein. Immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy demonstrates a significant increase in Bergmann glia volume in the molecular layer of Astn2 KO animals. Electrophysiological experiments indicate a reduced frequency of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), as well as increased amplitudes of both spontaneous EPSCs and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the Astn2 KO animals, suggesting that pre- and postsynaptic components of synaptic transmission are altered. Thus, ASTN2 regulates ASD-like behaviors and cerebellar circuit properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalina Hanzel
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA 10065
| | - Kayla Fernando
- Neurobiology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Susan E. Maloney
- Dept of Psychiatry and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Kärt Mätlik
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA 10065
| | - Jiajia Zhao
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA 10065
| | - H. Amalia Pasolli
- Electron Microscopy Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA 10065
| | - Søren Heissel
- Proteomics Resource Center, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA 10065
| | - Joseph D. Dougherty
- Dept of Psychiatry and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, USA
- Dept of Genetics, Washington University Medical School, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Court Hull
- Neurobiology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mary E. Hatten
- Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA 10065
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Cundari M, Vestberg S, Gustafsson P, Gorcenco S, Rasmussen A. Neurocognitive and cerebellar function in ADHD, autism and spinocerebellar ataxia. Front Syst Neurosci 2023; 17:1168666. [PMID: 37415926 PMCID: PMC10321758 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2023.1168666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum plays a major role in balance, motor control and sensorimotor integration, but also in cognition, language, and emotional regulation. Several neuropsychiatric disorders such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as neurological diseases such as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) are associated with differences in cerebellar function. Morphological abnormalities in different cerebellar subregions produce distinct behavioral symptoms related to the functional disruption of specific cerebro-cerebellar circuits. The specific contribution of the cerebellum to typical development may therefore involve the optimization of the structure and function of cerebro-cerebellar circuits underlying skill acquisition in multiple domains. Here, we review cerebellar structural and functional differences between healthy and patients with ADHD, ASD, and SCA3, and explore how disruption of cerebellar networks affects the neurocognitive functions in these conditions. We discuss how cerebellar computations contribute to performance on cognitive and motor tasks and how cerebellar signals are interfaced with signals from other brain regions during normal and dysfunctional behavior. We conclude that the cerebellum plays a role in many cognitive functions. Still, more clinical studies with the support of neuroimaging are needed to clarify the cerebellum's role in normal and dysfunctional behavior and cognitive functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Cundari
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Unit of Neuropsychiatry, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
- Unit of Neurology, Hospital of Helsingborg, Helsingborg, Sweden
| | - Susanna Vestberg
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Peik Gustafsson
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Medical Faculty, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sorina Gorcenco
- Department for Clinical Sciences Lund, Neurology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Rasmussen
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Xi K, Cai SQ, Yan HF, Tian Y, Cai J, Yang XM, Wang JM, Xing GG. CSMD3 Deficiency Leads to Motor Impairments and Autism-Like Behaviors via Dysfunction of Cerebellar Purkinje Cells in Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3949-3969. [PMID: 37037606 PMCID: PMC10219040 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1835-22.2023] [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: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with highly heritable heterogeneity. Mutations of CUB and sushi multiple domains 3 (CSMD3) gene have been reported in individuals with ASD. However, the underlying mechanisms of CSMD3 for the onset of ASD remain unexplored. Here, using male CSMD3 knock-out (CSMD3 -/-) mice, we found that genetic deletion of CSMD3 produced core autistic-like symptoms (social interaction deficits, restricted interests, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors) and motor dysfunction in mice, indicating that the CSMD3 gene can be considered as a candidate for ASD. Moreover, we discovered that the ablation of CSMD3 in mice led to abnormal cerebellar Purkinje cell (PC) morphology in Crus I/II lobules, including aberrant developmental dendritogenesis and spinogenesis of PCs. Furthermore, combining in vivo fiber photometry calcium imaging and ex vivo electrophysiological recordings, we showed that the CSMD3 -/- mice exhibited an increased neuronal activity (calcium fluorescence signals) in PCs of Crus I/II lobules in response to movement activity, as well as an enhanced intrinsic excitability of PCs and an increase of excitatory rather than inhibitory synaptic input to the PCs, and an impaired long-term depression at the parallel fiber-PC synapse. These results suggest that CSMD3 plays an important role in the development of cerebellar PCs. Loss of CSMD3 causes abnormal PC morphology and dysfunction in the cerebellum, which may underlie the pathogenesis of motor deficits and core autistic-like symptoms in CSMD3 -/- mice. Our findings provide novel insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms by which CSMD3 mutations cause impairments in cerebellar function that may contribute to ASD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with highly heritable heterogeneity. Advances in genomic analysis have contributed to numerous candidate genes for the risk of ASD. Recently, a novel giant gene CSMD3 encoding a protein with CUB and sushi multiple domains (CSMDs) has been identified as a candidate gene for ASD. However, the underlying mechanisms of CSMD3 for the onset of ASD remain largely unknown. Here, we unravel that loss of CSMD3 results in abnormal morphology, increased intrinsic excitabilities, and impaired synaptic plasticity in cerebellar PCs, subsequently leading to motor deficits and ASD-like behaviors in mice. These results provide novel insight into the pathophysiological mechanisms by which CSMD3 mutations cause impairments in cerebellar function that may contribute to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Xi
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Si-Qing Cai
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Fang Yan
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Tian
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Cai
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Mei Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing-Min Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, People's Republic of China
| | - Guo-Gang Xing
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Health Science Center, Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education of China and National Health Commission of China, Beijing 100191, People's Republic of China
- Second Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University, Henan 453002, People's Republic of China
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5
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Oyaga MR, Serra I, Kurup D, Koekkoek SKE, Badura A. Delay eyeblink conditioning performance and brain-wide c-Fos expression in male and female mice. Open Biol 2023; 13:220121. [PMID: 37161289 PMCID: PMC10170203 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Delay eyeblink conditioning has been extensively used to study associative learning and the cerebellar circuits underlying this task have been largely identified. However, there is a little knowledge on how factors such as strain, sex and innate behaviour influence performance during this type of learning. In this study, we used male and female mice of C57BL/6J (B6) and B6CBAF1 strains to investigate the effect of sex, strain and locomotion in delay eyeblink conditioning. We performed a short and a long delay eyeblink conditioning paradigm and used a c-Fos immunostaining approach to explore the involvement of different brain areas in this task. We found that both B6 and B6CBAF1 females reach higher learning scores compared to males in the initial stages of learning. This sex-dependent difference was no longer present as the learning progressed. Moreover, we found a strong positive correlation between learning scores and voluntary locomotion irrespective of the training duration. c-Fos immunostainings after the short paradigm showed positive correlations between c-Fos expression and learning scores in the cerebellar cortex and brainstem, as well as previously unreported areas. By contrast, after the long paradigm, c-Fos expression was only significantly elevated in the brainstem. Taken together, we show that differences in voluntary locomotion and activity across brain areas correlate with performance in delay eyeblink conditioning across strains and sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Roa Oyaga
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ines Serra
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Devika Kurup
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Aleksandra Badura
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, 3000 Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience, Royal Dutch Academy for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam 1105 BA, the Netherlands
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6
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Zeng J, Li X, Zhang R, Lv M, Wang Y, Tan K, Xia X, Wan J, Jing M, Zhang X, Li Y, Yang Y, Wang L, Chu J, Li Y, Li Y. Local 5-HT signaling bi-directionally regulates the coincidence time window for associative learning. Neuron 2023; 111:1118-1135.e5. [PMID: 36706757 PMCID: PMC11152601 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The coincidence between conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US) is essential for associative learning; however, the mechanism regulating the duration of this temporal window remains unclear. Here, we found that serotonin (5-HT) bi-directionally regulates the coincidence time window of olfactory learning in Drosophila and affects synaptic plasticity of Kenyon cells (KCs) in the mushroom body (MB). Utilizing GPCR-activation-based (GRAB) neurotransmitter sensors, we found that KC-released acetylcholine (ACh) activates a serotonergic dorsal paired medial (DPM) neuron, which in turn provides inhibitory feedback to KCs. Physiological stimuli induce spatially heterogeneous 5-HT signals, which proportionally gate the intrinsic coincidence time windows of different MB compartments. Artificially reducing or increasing the DPM neuron-released 5-HT shortens or prolongs the coincidence window, respectively. In a sequential trace conditioning paradigm, this serotonergic neuromodulation helps to bridge the CS-US temporal gap. Altogether, we report a model circuitry for perceiving the temporal coincidence and determining the causal relationship between environmental events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianzhi Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, Anhui, China.
| | - Xuelin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Renzimo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Yuanpei College, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Mingyue Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yipan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ke Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xiju Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-THU-NIBS Joint Graduate Program, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jinxia Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Miao Jing
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Xiuning Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yu Li
- School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518172, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Optical Imaging Technology & Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging & CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jun Chu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Optical Imaging Technology & Center for Biomedical Optics and Molecular Imaging & CAS Key Laboratory of Health Informatics, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Biophysics, State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yulong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Institute of Molecular Physiology, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518132, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 100871, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; National Biomedical Imaging Center, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Yuanpei College, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; PKU-THU-NIBS Joint Graduate Program, Beijing 100871, China; Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing 102206, China.
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7
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Welsh JP, Munson J, St John T, Meehan CN, Tran Abraham E, Reitz FB, Begay KK, Dager SR, Estes AM. Relationship of Impairments in Associative Learning With Intellectual Disability and Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Autistic Children. Neurology 2023; 100:e639-e650. [PMID: 36443015 PMCID: PMC9946191 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) varies widely and is associated with intellectual disability (ID) and brain dysmorphology. We tested the hypothesis that the heterogeneity of ASD can be accounted for, in part, by altered associative learning measured by eye-blink conditioning (EBC) paradigms, used to test for forebrain and cerebellar dysfunction across the full range of ASD severity and intellectual ability. METHODS Children in this cohort study were diagnosed with ASD or typical development (TD); most children were recruited from a 10-year longitudinal study. Outcome measures were the percentage and timing of conditioned eye-blink responses (CRs) acquired to a tone, recorded photometrically and related to measures of ASD severity, IQ, and age 2 brain morphometry by MRI. A sequence of trace and delay EBC was used. Analysis of variance, t test, and logistic regression (LR) were used. RESULTS Sixty-two children were studied at school age. Nine children with ASD with ID since age 2 (ASD + ID; IQ = 49 ± 6; 11.9 ± 0.2 years old [±SD]) learned more slowly than 30 children with TD (IQ = 120 ± 16; 10.5 ± 1.5 years old [±SD]) during trace EBC and showed atypically early-onset CRs (1.4 SD pre-TD) related to hypoplasia of the cerebellum at age 2 but not of the amygdala, hippocampus, or cerebral cortex. Conversely, 16 children with ASD with robust intellectual development since age 2 (IQ = 100 ± 3; 12.0 ± 0.4 years old [±SD]) learned typically but showed early-onset CRs only during long-delay EBC (0.8 SD pre-TD) unrelated to hypoplasia of any measured brain area. Using 16 EBC measures, binary LR classified ASD and TD with 80% accuracy (95% CI = 72-88%), 81% sensitivity (95% CI = 69-92%), and 79% specificity (95% CI = 68-91%); multinomial LR more accurately classified children based on ID (94% accuracy, 95% CI = 89-100%) than ASD severity (85% accuracy, 95% CI = 77-93%). Separate analyses of 39 children with MRI (2.1 ± 0.3 years old [±SD]) indicated that cerebellar hypoplasia did not predict ASD + ID over ages 2-4 (Cohen d = 0.3) compared with early-onset CRs during age 11 trace EBC (Cohen d = -1.3). DISCUSSION Trace EBC reveals the relationship between cerebellar hypoplasia and ASD + ID likely by engaging cerebrocerebellar circuits involved in intellectual ability and implicit timing. Follow-up prospective studies using associative learning can determine whether ID can be predicted in children with early ASD diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Welsh
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma.
| | - Jeffrey Munson
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Tanya St John
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Christina N Meehan
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Elise Tran Abraham
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Frederick B Reitz
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - K Kawena Begay
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Stephen R Dager
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
| | - Annette M Estes
- From the Departments of Pediatrics (J.P.W.), Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (J.M.), Speech and Hearing Sciences (T.S.J., A.M.E.), Radiology (S.R.D.), and Bioengineering (S.R.D.), University of Washington; Center for Integrative Brain Research (J.P.W.), Seattle Children's Research Institute; University of Washington Center on Human Development and Disability (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); University of Washington Autism Center (J.P.W., J.M., T.S.J., C.N.M., E.T.A., F.B.R., K.K.B., S.R.D., A.M.E.); and School of Education (K.K.B.), University of Washington Tacoma
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8
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Deficits in Cerebellum-Dependent Learning and Cerebellar Morphology in Male and Female BTBR Autism Model Mice. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better understand the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in ASD, it is necessary to have a variety of mouse models that have face validity for cerebellar disruption in humans. Here, we add to the literature on the cerebellum in mouse models of autism with the characterization of the cerebellum in the idiopathic BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mouse strain, which has behavioral phenotypes that are reminiscent of ASD in patients. When we examined both male and female BTBR mice in comparison to C57BL/6J (C57) controls, we noted that both sexes of BTBR mice showed motor coordination deficits characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction, but only the male mice showed differences in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent learning task that is known to be disrupted in ASD patients. Both male and female BTBR mice showed considerable expansion of, and abnormal foliation in, the cerebellum vermis—including a significant expansion of specific lobules in the anterior cerebellum. In addition, we found a slight but significant decrease in Purkinje cell density in both male and female BTBR mice, irrespective of the lobule. Finally, there was a marked reduction of Purkinje cell dendritic spine density in both male and female BTBR mice. These findings suggest that, for the most part, the BTBR mouse model phenocopies many of the characteristics of the subpopulation of ASD patients that have a hypertrophic cerebellum. We discuss the significance of strain differences in the cerebellum as well as the importance of this first effort to identify both similarities and differences between male and female BTBR mice with regard to the cerebellum.
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9
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Li R, Li Q, Chu X, Li L, Li X, Li J, Yang Z, Xu M, Luo C, Zhang K. Role of cerebellar cortex in associative learning and memory in guinea pigs. Open Life Sci 2022; 17:1208-1216. [PMID: 36185409 PMCID: PMC9482424 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Time-related cognitive function refers to the capacity of the brain to store, extract, and process specific information. Previous studies demonstrated that the cerebellar cortex participates in advanced cognitive functions, but the role of the cerebellar cortex in cognitive functions is unclear. We established a behavioral model using classical eyeblink conditioning to study the role of the cerebellar cortex in associative learning and memory and the underlying mechanisms. We performed an investigation to determine whether eyeblink conditioning could be established by placing the stimulating electrode in the middle cerebellar peduncle. Behavior training was performed using a microcurrent pulse as a conditioned stimulus to stimulate the middle cerebellar peduncle and corneal blow as an unconditioned stimulus. After 10 consecutive days of training, a conditioned response was successfully achieved in the Delay, Trace-200-ms, and Trace-300-ms groups of guinea pigs, with acquisition rates of >60%, but the Trace-400-ms and control groups did not achieve a conditioned stimulus-related blink conditioned response. It could be a good model for studying the function of the cerebellum during the establishment of eyeblink conditioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Hospital Tianjin University, Jiefang South Road 406, Tianjin 300211, Tianjin, China.,Academy of Medical Engineering and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaolei Chu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Tianjin Hospital Tianjin University, Jiefang South Road 406, Tianjin 300211, Tianjin, China
| | - Lan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Li
- Department of Neuroelectrophysiology, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Using Quality Management, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhen Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Mingjing Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Changlu Luo
- Department of Rehabilitation, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
| | - Kui Zhang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Zhongshan East Road 83, Guiyang 550001, Guizhou, China
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10
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Simmons DH, Busch SE, Titley HK, Grasselli G, Shih J, Du X, Wei C, Gomez CM, Piochon C, Hansel C. Sensory Over-responsivity and Aberrant Plasticity in Cerebellar Cortex in a Mouse Model of Syndromic Autism. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY GLOBAL OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 2:450-459. [PMID: 36324646 PMCID: PMC9616247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsgos.2021.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Patients with autism spectrum disorder often show altered responses to sensory stimuli as well as motor deficits, including an impairment of delay eyeblink conditioning, which involves integration of sensory signals in the cerebellum. Here, we identify abnormalities in parallel fiber (PF) and climbing fiber (CF) signaling in the mouse cerebellar cortex that may contribute to these pathologies. Methods We used a mouse model for the human 15q11-13 duplication (patDp/+) and studied responses to sensory stimuli in Purkinje cells from awake mice using two-photon imaging of GCaMP6f signals. Moreover, we examined synaptic transmission and plasticity using in vitro electrophysiological, immunohistochemical, and confocal microscopic techniques. Results We found that spontaneous and sensory-evoked CF-calcium transients are enhanced in patDp/+ Purkinje cells, and aversive movements are more severe across sensory modalities. We observed increased expression of the synaptic organizer NRXN1 at CF synapses and ectopic spread of these synapses to fine dendrites. CF-excitatory postsynaptic currents recorded from Purkinje cells are enlarged in patDp/+ mice, while responses to PF stimulation are reduced. Confocal measurements show reduced PF+CF-evoked spine calcium transients, a key trigger for PF long-term depression, one of several plasticity types required for eyeblink conditioning learning. Long-term depression is impaired in patDp/+ mice but is rescued on pharmacological enhancement of calcium signaling. Conclusions Our findings suggest that this genetic abnormality causes a pathological inflation of CF signaling, possibly resulting from enhanced NRXN1 expression, with consequences for the representation of sensory stimuli by the CF input and for PF synaptic organization and plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana H Simmons
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Silas E Busch
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Heather K Titley
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Department of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Giorgio Grasselli
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.,Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Genoa, Italy.,IRCC Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Justine Shih
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Xiaofei Du
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Cenfu Wei
- Department of Neurology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Claire Piochon
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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11
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Okada NJ, Liu J, Tsang T, Nosco E, McDonald N, Cummings KK, Jung J, Patterson G, Bookheimer SY, Green SA, Jeste SS, Dapretto M. Atypical cerebellar functional connectivity at 9 months of age predicts delayed socio-communicative profiles in infants at high and low risk for autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2022; 63:1002-1016. [PMID: 34882790 PMCID: PMC9177892 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While the cerebellum is traditionally known for its role in sensorimotor control, emerging research shows that particular subregions, such as right Crus I (RCrusI), support language and social processing. Indeed, cerebellar atypicalities are commonly reported in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by socio-communicative impairments. However, the cerebellum's contribution to early socio-communicative development remains virtually unknown. METHODS Here, we characterized functional connectivity within cerebro-cerebellar networks implicated in language/social functions in 9-month-old infants who exhibit distinct 3-year socio-communicative developmental profiles. We employed a data-driven clustering approach to stratify our sample of infants at high (n = 82) and low (n = 37) familial risk for ASD into three cohorts-Delayed, Late-Blooming, and Typical-who showed unique socio-communicative trajectories. We then compared the cohorts on indices of language and social development. Seed-based functional connectivity analyses with RCrusI were conducted on infants with fMRI data (n = 66). Cohorts were compared on connectivity estimates from a-priori regions, selected on the basis of reported coactivation with RCrusI during language/social tasks. RESULTS The three trajectory-based cohorts broadly differed in social communication development, as evidenced by robust differences on numerous indices of language and social skills. Importantly, at 9 months, the cohorts showed striking differences in cerebro-cerebellar circuits implicated in language/social functions. For all regions examined, the Delayed cohort exhibited significantly weaker RCrusI connectivity compared to both the Late-Blooming and Typical cohorts, with no significant differences between the latter cohorts. CONCLUSIONS We show that hypoconnectivity within distinct cerebro-cerebellar networks in infancy predicts altered socio-communicative development before delays overtly manifest, which may be relevant for early detection and intervention. As the cerebellum is implicated in prediction, our findings point to probabilistic learning as a potential intermediary mechanism that may be disrupted in infancy, cascading into alterations in social communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nana J. Okada
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Janelle Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Tawny Tsang
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Erin Nosco
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Nicole McDonald
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Kaitlin K. Cummings
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Jiwon Jung
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Genevieve Patterson
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Susan Y. Bookheimer
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Shulamite A. Green
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Shafali S. Jeste
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USC Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles
| | - Mirella Dapretto
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles
- Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles
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12
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Haldipur P, Millen KJ, Aldinger KA. Human Cerebellar Development and Transcriptomics: Implications for Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Annu Rev Neurosci 2022; 45:515-531. [PMID: 35440142 PMCID: PMC9271632 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-111020-091953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Developmental abnormalities of the cerebellum are among the most recognized structural brain malformations in human prenatal imaging. Yet reliable information regarding their cause in humans is sparse, and few outcome studies are available to inform prognosis. We know very little about human cerebellar development, in stark contrast to the wealth of knowledge from decades of research on cerebellar developmental biology of model organisms, especially mice. Recent studies show that multiple aspects of human cerebellar development significantly differ from mice and even rhesus macaques, a nonhuman primate. These discoveries challenge many current mouse-centric models of normal human cerebellar development and models regarding the pathogenesis of several neurodevelopmental phenotypes affecting the cerebellum, including Dandy-Walker malformation and medulloblastoma. Since we cannot model what we do not know, additional normative and pathological human developmental data are essential, and new models are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parthiv Haldipur
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA;
| | - Kathleen J Millen
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA; .,Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kimberly A Aldinger
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA;
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13
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Trimarco E, Mirino P, Caligiore D. Cortico-Cerebellar Hyper-Connections and Reduced Purkinje Cells Behind Abnormal Eyeblink Conditioning in a Computational Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 15:666649. [PMID: 34975423 PMCID: PMC8719301 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2021.666649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Empirical evidence suggests that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show abnormal behavior during delay eyeblink conditioning. They show a higher conditioned response learning rate and earlier peak latency of the conditioned response signal. The neuronal mechanisms underlying this autistic behavioral phenotype are still unclear. Here, we use a physiologically constrained spiking neuron model of the cerebellar-cortical system to investigate which features are critical to explaining atypical learning in ASD. Significantly, the computer simulations run with the model suggest that the higher conditioned responses learning rate mainly depends on the reduced number of Purkinje cells. In contrast, the earlier peak latency mainly depends on the hyper-connections of the cerebellum with sensory and motor cortex. Notably, the model has been validated by reproducing the behavioral data collected from studies with real children. Overall, this article is a starting point to understanding the link between the behavioral and neurobiological basis in ASD learning. At the end of the paper, we discuss how this knowledge could be critical for devising new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Trimarco
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Pierandrea Mirino
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.,Laboratory of Neuropsychology of Visuo-Spatial and Navigational Disorders, Department of Psychology, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy.,AI2Life s.r.l., Innovative Start-Up, ISTC-CNR Spin-Off, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniele Caligiore
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.,AI2Life s.r.l., Innovative Start-Up, ISTC-CNR Spin-Off, Rome, Italy
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14
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Yang X, Yin H, Wang X, Sun Y, Bian X, Zhang G, Li A, Cao A, Li B, Ebrahimi-Fakhari D, Yang Z, Meisler MH, Liu Q. Social Deficits and Cerebellar Degeneration in Purkinje Cell Scn8a Knockout Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:822129. [PMID: 35557557 PMCID: PMC9087741 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.822129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the SCN8A gene encoding the voltage-gated sodium channel α-subunit Nav1. 6 have been reported in individuals with epilepsy, intellectual disability and features of autism spectrum disorder. SCN8A is widely expressed in the central nervous system, including the cerebellum. Cerebellar dysfunction has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder. We investigated conditional Scn8a knockout mice under C57BL/6J strain background that specifically lack Scn8a expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells (Scn8a flox/flox , L7Cre + mice). Cerebellar morphology was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and MR imaging. Mice were subjected to a battery of behavioral tests including the accelerating rotarod, open field, elevated plus maze, light-dark transition box, three chambers, male-female interaction, social olfaction, and water T-maze tests. Patch clamp recordings were used to evaluate evoked action potentials in Purkinje cells. Behavioral phenotyping demonstrated that Scn8a flox/flox , L7Cre + mice have impaired social interaction, motor learning and reversal learning as well as increased repetitive behavior and anxiety-like behaviors. By 5 months of age, Scn8a flox/flox , L7Cre + mice began to exhibit cerebellar Purkinje cell loss and reduced molecular thickness. At 9 months of age, Scn8a flox/flox , L7Cre + mice exhibited decreased cerebellar size and a reduced number of cerebellar Purkinje cells more profoundly, with evidence of additional neurodegeneration in the molecular layer and deep cerebellar nuclei. Purkinje cells in Scn8a flox/flox , L7Cre + mice exhibited reduced repetitive firing. Taken together, our experiments indicated that loss of Scn8a expression in cerebellar Purkinje cells leads to cerebellar degeneration and several ASD-related behaviors. Our study demonstrated the specific contribution of loss of Scn8a in cerebellar Purkinje cells to behavioral deficits characteristic of ASD. However, it should be noted that our observed effects reported here are specific to the C57BL/6 genome type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Hongqiang Yin
- Medical School, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Department of Operational Medicine, Tianjin Institute of Environmental & Operational Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaojing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yueqing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xianli Bian
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Gaorui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Anning Li
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Aihua Cao
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baomin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari
- Department of Neurology, The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zhuo Yang
- Medical School, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Miriam H Meisler
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States.,Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Qiji Liu
- Key Laboratory of Experimental Teratology, Ministry of Education, Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China.,Key Laboratory of Birth Regulation and Control Technology of National Health Commission of China, Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Shandong Province, Jinan, China
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15
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Kight KE, Argue KJ, Bumgardner JG, Bardhi K, Waddell J, McCarthy MM. Social behavior in prepubertal neurexin 1α deficient rats: A model of neurodevelopmental disorders. Behav Neurosci 2021; 135:782-803. [PMID: 34323517 PMCID: PMC8649076 DOI: 10.1037/bne0000482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the synaptic protein neurexin1α (NRXN1α) are associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and many of these disorders are defined by core deficits in social cognition. Mouse models of Nrxn1α deficiency are not amenable to studying aspects of social cognition because, in general, mice do not engage in complex social interactions such as social play or prosocial helping behaviors. Rats, on the contrary, engage in these complex, well-characterized social behaviors. Using the Nrxn1tm1Sage Sprague Dawley rat, we tested a range of cognitive and social behaviors in juveniles with haplo- or biallelic Nrxn1α mutation. We found a deficit in ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of male and female neonatal rats with Nrxn1α deficiency. A male-specific deficit in social play was observed in Nrxn1α-deficient juveniles, although sociability and social discrimination were unaltered. Nurturing behavior induced by exposure to pups was enhanced in male and female juveniles with biallelic Nrxn1α mutation. Performance in tasks of prosocial helping behavior and food retrieval indicated severe deficits in learning and cognition in juveniles with biallelic Nrxn1α mutation, and a less severe deficit in haploinsufficient rats, although Pavlovian learning was altered only in haploinsufficient males. We also observed a male-specific increase in mobility and object investigation in juveniles with complete Nrxn1α deficiency. Together, these observations more fully characterize the Nrxn1tm1Sage Sprague Dawley rat as a model for Nrxn1α-related neurodevelopmental disorders, and support a rationale for the juvenile rat as a more appropriate model for disorders that involve core deficits in complex social behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Kight
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Kathryn J Argue
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | | | - Keti Bardhi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine
| | - Jaylyn Waddell
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine
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16
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Nadeem MS, Murtaza BN, Al-Ghamdi MA, Ali A, Zamzami MA, Khan JA, Ahmad A, Rehman MU, Kazmi I. Autism - A Comprehensive Array of Prominent Signs and Symptoms. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:1418-1433. [PMID: 33494665 DOI: 10.2174/1381612827666210120095829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a multifaceted neurodevelopmental condition characterized by multiple psychological and physiological impairments in young children. According to the recent reports, 1 out of every 58 newly-born children is suffering from autism. The aetiology of the disorder is complex and poorly understood, hindering the adaptation of targeted and effective therapies. There are no well- established diagnostic biomarkers for autism. Hence the analysis of symptoms by the pediatricians plays a critical role in the early intervention. METHODS In the present report, we have emphasized 24 behavioral, psychological and clinical symptoms of autism. RESULTS Impaired social interaction, restrictive and narrow interests, anxiety, depression; aggressive, repetitive, rigid and self-injurious behavior, lack of consistency, short attention span, fear, shyness and phobias, hypersensitivity and rapid mood alterations, high level of food and toy selectivity; inability to establish friendships or follow the instructions; fascination by round spinning objects and eating non-food materials are common psychological characteristics of autism. Speech or hearing impairments, poor cognitive function, gastrointestinal problems, weak immunity, disturbed sleep and circadian rhythms, weak motor neuromuscular interaction, lower level of serotonin and neurotransmitters, headache and body pain are common physiological symptoms. CONCLUSION A variable qualitative and quantitative impact of this wide range of symptoms is perceived in each autistic individual, making him/her distinct, incomparable and exceptional. Selection and application of highly personalized medical and psychological therapies are therefore recommended for the management and treatment of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Maryam A Al-Ghamdi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Akbar Ali
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mazin A Zamzami
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jalaluddin A Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aftab Ahmad
- College of Pharmacy, Northern Border University Rafha 1321, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mujaddad Ur Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad, Pakistan
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
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17
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Boele HJ, Joung S, Fil JE, Mudd AT, Fleming SA, Koekkoek SKE, Dilger RN. Young Domestic Pigs (Sus scrofa) Can Perform Pavlovian Eyeblink Conditioning. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:690019. [PMID: 34267630 PMCID: PMC8275650 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.690019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Pigs have been an increasingly popular preclinical model in nutritional neuroscience, as their anatomy, physiology, and nutrition requirements are highly comparable to those of humans. Eyeblink conditioning is one of the most well-validated behavioral paradigms in neuroscience to study underlying mechanisms of learning and memory formation in the cerebellum. Eyeblink conditioning has been performed in many species but has never been done on young pigs. Therefore, our aim here was to develop and validate an eyeblink conditioning paradigm in young pigs. Method: Eighteen intact male pigs were artificially reared from postnatal day 2-30. The eyeblink conditioning setup consisted of a sound-damping box with a hammock that pigs were placed in, which allowed the pig to remain comfortable yet maintain a typical range of head motion. In a delay conditioning paradigm, the conditional stimulus (CS) was a 550 ms blue light-emitting diode (LED), the unconditional stimulus (US) was a 50 ms eye air-puff, the CS-US interval was 500 ms. Starting at postnatal day 14, pigs were habituated for 5 days to the eyeblink conditioning setup, followed by 5 daily sessions of acquisition training (40 paired CS-US trials each day). Results: The group-averaged amplitude of conditioned eyelid responses gradually increased over the course of the 5 days of training, indicating that pigs learned to make the association between the LED light CS and the air-puff US. A similar increase was found for the conditioned response (CR) probability: the group-averaged CR probability on session 1 was about 12% and reached a CR probability of 55% on day 5. The latency to CR peak time lacked a temporal preference in the first session but clearly showed preference from the moment that animals started to show more CRs in session 2 and onwards whereby the eyelid was maximally closed exactly at the moment that the US would be delivered. Conclusion: We concluded that 3-week-old pigs have the capability of performing in a cerebellar classical conditioning task, demonstrating for the first time that eyeblink conditioning in young pigs has the potential to be a valuable behavioral tool to measure neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henk-Jan Boele
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, United States
| | - Sangyun Joung
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Joanne E Fil
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Austin T Mudd
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Stephen A Fleming
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | | | - Ryan N Dilger
- Neuroscience Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States.,Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States.,Division of Nutritional Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
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18
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Simmons DH, Titley HK, Hansel C, Mason P. Behavioral Tests for Mouse Models of Autism: An Argument for the Inclusion of Cerebellum-Controlled Motor Behaviors. Neuroscience 2021; 462:303-319. [PMID: 32417339 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been interrogated using a variety of behavioral tests in order to understand the symptoms of ASD. However, the hallmark behaviors that are classically affected in ASD - deficits in social interaction and communication as well as the occurrence of repetitive behaviors - do not have direct murine equivalents. Thus, it is critical to identify the caveats that come with modeling a human disorder in mice. The most commonly used behavioral tests represent complex cognitive processes based on largely unknown brain circuitry. Motor impairments provide an alternative, scientifically rigorous approach to understanding ASD symptoms. Difficulties with motor coordination and learning - seen in both patients and mice - point to an involvement of the cerebellum in ASD pathology. This brain area supports types of motor learning that are conserved throughout vertebrate evolution, allowing for direct comparisons of functional abnormalities between humans with autism and ASD mouse models. Studying simple motor behaviors provides researchers with clearly interpretable results. We describe and evaluate methods used on mouse behavioral assays designed to test for social, communicative, perseverative, anxious, nociceptive, and motor learning abnormalities. We comment on the effectiveness and validity of each test based on how much information its results give, as well as its relevance to ASD, and will argue for an inclusion of cerebellum-supported motor behaviors in the phenotypic description of ASD mouse models. LAY SUMMARY: Mouse models of Autism Spectrum Disorder help us gain insight about ASD symptoms in human patients. However, there are many differences between mice and humans, which makes interpreting behaviors challenging. Here, we discuss a battery of behavioral tests for specific mouse behaviors to explore whether each test does indeed evaluate the intended measure, and whether these tests are useful in learning about ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana H Simmons
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Heather K Titley
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Peggy Mason
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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19
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Kelly E, Escamilla CO, Tsai PT. Cerebellar Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Deriving Mechanistic Insights from an Internal Model Framework. Neuroscience 2021; 462:274-287. [PMID: 33253824 PMCID: PMC8076058 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders; however, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying disordered behavior in ASD remain poorly understood. Notably, individuals with ASD have demonstrated difficulties generating implicitly derived behavioral predictions and adaptations. Although many brain regions are involved in these processes, the cerebellum contributes an outsized role to these behavioral functions. Consistent with this prominent role, cerebellar dysfunction has been increasingly implicated in ASD. In this review, we will utilize the foundational, theoretical contributions of the late neuroscientist Masao Ito to establish an internal model framework for the cerebellar contribution to ASD-relevant behavioral predictions and adaptations. Additionally, we will also explore and then apply his key experimental contributions towards an improved, mechanistic understanding of the contribution of cerebellar dysfunction to ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elyza Kelly
- Department of Neurology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Peter T Tsai
- Departments of Pediatrics and Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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20
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Polarity- and Intensity-Independent Modulation of Timing During Delay Eyeblink Conditioning Using Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 19:383-391. [PMID: 32036562 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-020-01114-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Delay eyeblink conditioning (dEBC) is widely used to assess cerebellar-dependent associative motor learning, including precise timing processes. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), noninvasive brain stimulation used to indirectly excite and inhibit select brain regions, may be a promising tool for understanding how functional integrity of the cerebellum influences dEBC behavior. The aim of this study was to assess whether tDCS-induced inhibition (cathodal) and excitation (anodal) of the cerebellum differentially impact timing of dEBC. A standard 10-block dEBC paradigm was administered to 102 healthy participants. Participants were randomized to stimulation conditions in a double-blind, between-subjects sham-controlled design. Participants received 20-min active (anodal or cathodal) stimulation at 1.5 mA (n = 20 anodal, n = 22 cathodal) or 2 mA (n = 19 anodal, n = 21 cathodal) or sham stimulation (n = 20) concurrently with dEBC training. Stimulation intensity and polarity effects on percent conditioned responses (CRs) and CR peak and onset latency were examined using repeated-measures analyses of variance. Acquisition of CRs increased over time at a similar rate across sham and all active stimulation groups. CR peak and onset latencies were later, i.e., closer to air puff onset, in all active stimulation groups compared to the sham group. Thus, tDCS facilitated cerebellar-dependent timing of dEBC, irrespective of stimulation intensity and polarity. These findings highlight the feasibility of using tDCS to modify cerebellar-dependent functions and provide further support for cerebellar contributions to human eyeblink conditioning and for exploring therapeutic tDCS interventions for cerebellar dysfunction.
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21
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de Oude NL, Hoebeek FE, Ten Brinke MM, de Zeeuw CI, Boele HJ. Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning is severely impaired in tottering mice. J Neurophysiol 2020; 125:398-407. [PMID: 33326350 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00578.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cacna1a encodes the pore-forming α1A subunit of CaV2.1 voltage-dependent calcium channels, which regulate neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission. Purkinje cells in the cortex of cerebellum abundantly express these CaV2.1 channels. Here, we show that homozygous tottering (tg) mice, which carry a loss-of-function Cacna1a mutation, exhibit severely impaired learning in Pavlovian eyeblink conditioning, which is a cerebellar-dependent learning task. Performance of reflexive eyeblinks is unaffected in tg mice. Transient seizure activity in tg mice further corrupted the amplitude of eyeblink conditioned responses. Our results indicate that normal calcium homeostasis is imperative for cerebellar learning and that the oscillatory state of the brain can affect the expression thereof.NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we confirm the importance of normal calcium homeostasis in neurons for learning and memory formation. In a mouse model with a mutation in an essential calcium channel that is abundantly expressed in the cerebellum, we found severely impaired learning in eyeblink conditioning. Eyeblink conditioning is a cerebellar-dependent learning task. During brief periods of brain-wide oscillatory activity, as a result of the mutation, the expression of conditioned eyeblinks was even further disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina L de Oude
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Freek E Hoebeek
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Department for Developmental Origins of Disease, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - Chris I de Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Boele
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
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22
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Dellatolas G, Câmara-Costa H. The role of cerebellum in the child neuropsychological functioning. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2020; 173:265-304. [PMID: 32958180 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-64150-2.00023-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
This chapter proposes a review of neuropsychologic and behavior findings in pediatric pathologies of the cerebellum, including cerebellar malformations, pediatric ataxias, cerebellar tumors, and other acquired cerebellar injuries during childhood. The chapter also contains reviews of the cerebellar mutism/posterior fossa syndrome, reported cognitive associations with the development of the cerebellum in typically developing children and subjects born preterm, and the role of the cerebellum in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and developmental dyslexia. Cognitive findings in pediatric cerebellar disorders are considered in the context of known cerebellocerebral connections, internal cellular organization of the cerebellum, the idea of a universal cerebellar transform and computational internal models, and the role of the cerebellum in specific cognitive and motor functions, such as working memory, language, timing, or control of eye movements. The chapter closes with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of the cognitive affective syndrome as it has been described in children and some conclusions and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Dellatolas
- GRC 24, Handicap Moteur et Cognitif et Réadaptation, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.
| | - Hugo Câmara-Costa
- GRC 24, Handicap Moteur et Cognitif et Réadaptation, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Centre d'Etudes en Santé des Populations, INSERM U1018, Paris, France
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23
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Caligiore D, Mirino P. How the Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex Cooperate During Trace Eyeblinking Conditioning. Int J Neural Syst 2020; 30:2050041. [PMID: 32618205 DOI: 10.1142/s0129065720500410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Several data have demonstrated that during the widely used experimental paradigm for studying associative learning, trace eye blinking conditioning (TEBC), there is a strong interaction between cerebellum and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Despite this evidence, the neural mechanisms underlying this interaction are still not clear. Here, we propose a neurophysiologically plausible computational model to address this issue. The model is constrained on the basis of two critical anatomo-physiological features: (i) the cerebello-cortical organization through two circuits, respectively, targeting M1 and mPFC; (ii) the different timing in the plasticity mechanisms of these parallel circuits produced by the granule cells time sensitivity according to which different subpopulations are active at different moments during conditioned stimuli. The computer simulations run with the model suggest that these features are critical to understand how the cooperation between cerebellum and mPFC supports motor areas during TEBC. In particular, a greater trace interval produces greater plasticity changes at the slow path synapses involving mPFC with respect to plasticity changes at the fast path involving M1. As a consequence, the greater is the trace interval, the stronger is the mPFC involvement. The model has been validated by reproducing data collected through recent real mice experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Caligiore
- Computational and Translational Neuroscience Laboratory (CTNLab), Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, National Research Council, Via San Martino della Battaglia 44, Rome, 00185, Italy
| | - Pierandrea Mirino
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, Rome, 00185, Italy
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24
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Abstract
Eyeblink conditioning, finger tapping, and prism adaptation are three tasks that have been linked to the cerebellum. Previous research suggests that these tasks recruit distinct but partially overlapping parts of the cerebellum, as well as different extra-cerebellar networks. However, the relationships between the performances on these tasks remain unclear. Here we tested eyeblink conditioning, finger tapping, and prism adaptation in 42 children and 44 adults and estimated the degree of correlation between the performance measures. The results show that performance on all three tasks improves with age in typically developing school-aged children. However, the correlations between the performance measures of the different tasks were consistently weak and without any consistent directions. This reinforces the view that eyeblink conditioning, finger tapping, and prism adaptation rely on distinct mechanisms. Consequently, performance on these tasks cannot be used separately to assess a common cerebellar function or to make general conclusions about cerebellar dysfunction. However, together, these three behavioral tasks have the potential to contribute to a nuanced picture of human cerebellar functions during development.
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25
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Sathyanesan A, Zhou J, Scafidi J, Heck DH, Sillitoe RV, Gallo V. Emerging connections between cerebellar development, behaviour and complex brain disorders. Nat Rev Neurosci 2019; 20:298-313. [PMID: 30923348 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-019-0152-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The human cerebellum has a protracted developmental timeline compared with the neocortex, expanding the window of vulnerability to neurological disorders. As the cerebellum is critical for motor behaviour, it is not surprising that most neurodevelopmental disorders share motor deficits as a common sequela. However, evidence gathered since the late 1980s suggests that the cerebellum is involved in motor and non-motor function, including cognition and emotion. More recently, evidence indicates that major neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and Down syndrome have potential links to abnormal cerebellar development. Out of recent findings from clinical and preclinical studies, the concept of the 'cerebellar connectome' has emerged that can be used as a framework to link the role of cerebellar development to human behaviour, disease states and the design of better therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Sathyanesan
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Joy Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph Scafidi
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA.,George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Detlef H Heck
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Roy V Sillitoe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute of Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vittorio Gallo
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA. .,George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
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26
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Hansel C. Deregulation of synaptic plasticity in autism. Neurosci Lett 2019; 688:58-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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27
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Goodman LK, Anstice NS, Stevens S, Thompson B, Wouldes TA. Classical Short-Delay Eyeblink Conditioning in One-Year-Old Children. J Vis Exp 2018. [PMID: 30222167 PMCID: PMC6235083 DOI: 10.3791/58037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical eyeblink conditioning (EBC) refers to the learned association between a conditioned stimulus (an auditory tone) and an unconditioned stimulus (a puff of air to the cornea). Eyeblink conditioning is often used experimentally to detect abnormalities in cerebellar-dependent learning and memory that underlies this type of associative learning. While experiments in adults and older children are relatively simple to administer using commercial equipment, eyeblink conditioning in infants is more challenging due to their poor compliance, which makes correct positioning of the equipment difficult. To achieve conditioning in one-year-old infants, a custom-made or an adapted commercial system can be used to deliver the air puff to the infant's cornea. The main challenge lies in successfully detecting and classifying the behavioral responses. We report that automated blink detection methods are unreliable in this population, and that conditioning experiments should be analyzed using frame-by-frame analysis of supplementary video camera recordings. This method can be applied to study developmental changes in eyeblink conditioning and to examine whether this paradigm can detect children with neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy K Goodman
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland
| | - Nicola S Anstice
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland; Discipline of Optometry, University of Canberra
| | - Suzanne Stevens
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland; School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo
| | - Trecia A Wouldes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The University of Auckland;
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28
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Chahrour M, Kleiman RJ, Manzini MC. Translating genetic and preclinical findings into autism therapies. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2017. [PMID: 29398929 PMCID: PMC5789211 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2017.19.4/cmanzini] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social deficits and repetitive/restrictive interests. ASD is associated with multiple comorbidities, including intellectual disability, anxiety, and epilepsy. Evidence that ASD is highly heritable has spurred major efforts to unravel its genetics, revealing possible contributions from hundreds of genes through rare and common variation and through copy-number changes. In this perspective, we provide an overview of the current state of ASD genetics and of how genetic research has spurred the development of in vivo and in vitro models using animals and patient cells to evaluate the impact of genetic mutations on cellular function leading to disease. Efforts to translate these findings into successful therapies have yet to bear fruit. We discuss how the valuable insight into the disorder provided by these new models can be used to better understand ASD and develop future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chahrour
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | | | - M Chiara Manzini
- Institute for Neuroscience, Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, and Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
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29
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Schuetze M, Rohr CS, Dewey D, McCrimmon A, Bray S. Reinforcement Learning in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychol 2017; 8:2035. [PMID: 29209259 PMCID: PMC5702301 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Early behavioral interventions are recognized as integral to standard care in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and often focus on reinforcing desired behaviors (e.g., eye contact) and reducing the presence of atypical behaviors (e.g., echoing others' phrases). However, efficacy of these programs is mixed. Reinforcement learning relies on neurocircuitry that has been reported to be atypical in ASD: prefrontal-sub-cortical circuits, amygdala, brainstem, and cerebellum. Thus, early behavioral interventions rely on neurocircuitry that may function atypically in at least a subset of individuals with ASD. Recent work has investigated physiological, behavioral, and neural responses to reinforcers to uncover differences in motivation and learning in ASD. We will synthesize this work to identify promising avenues for future research that ultimately can be used to enhance the efficacy of early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Schuetze
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christiane S. Rohr
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Deborah Dewey
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Adam McCrimmon
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Educational Psychology, Werklund School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Signe Bray
- Child and Adolescent Imaging Research Program, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Behaviour and the Developing Brain, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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30
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Löwgren K, Bååth R, Rasmussen A, Boele HJ, Koekkoek SKE, De Zeeuw CI, Hesslow G. Performance in eyeblink conditioning is age and sex dependent. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177849. [PMID: 28542383 PMCID: PMC5436819 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that the cerebellum is involved in both cognition and language. Abnormal cerebellar development may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, fetal alcohol syndrome, dyslexia, and specific language impairment. Performance in eyeblink conditioning, which depends on the cerebellum, can potentially be used to clarify the neural mechanisms underlying the cerebellar dysfunction in disorders like these. However, we must first understand how the performance develops in children who do not have a disorder. In this study we assessed the performance in eyeblink conditioning in 42 typically developing children between 6 and 11 years old as well as in 26 adults. Older children produced more conditioned eyeblink responses than younger children and adults produced more than children. In addition, females produced more conditioned eyeblink responses than males among both children and adults. These results highlight the importance of considering the influence of age and sex on the performance when studying eyeblink conditioning as a measure of cerebellar development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Löwgren
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- * E-mail:
| | - Rasmus Bååth
- Department of Philosophy, Cognitive Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anders Rasmussen
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Boele
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Chris I. De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Germund Hesslow
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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31
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Peter S, De Zeeuw CI, Boeckers TM, Schmeisser MJ. Cerebellar and Striatal Pathologies in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder. ADVANCES IN ANATOMY, EMBRYOLOGY, AND CELL BIOLOGY 2017; 224:103-119. [PMID: 28551753 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-52498-6_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic component. To date, several hundred different genetic mutations have been identified to play a role in its aetiology. The heterogeneity of genetic abnormalities combined with the different brain regions where aberrations are found makes the search for causative mechanisms a daunting task. Even within a limited number of brain regions, a myriad of different neural circuit dysfunctions may lead to ASD. Here, we review mouse models that incorporate mutations of ASD risk genes causing pathologies in the cerebellum and striatum and highlight the vulnerability of related circuit dysfunctions within these brain regions in ASD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saša Peter
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. .,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany. .,Division of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany. .,Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
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32
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A developmental neuroscience approach to the search for biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder. Curr Opin Neurol 2016; 29:123-9. [PMID: 26953849 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The delineation of biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) offers a promising approach to inform precision-medicine-based approaches to ASD diagnosis and treatment and to move toward a mechanistic description of the disorder. However, biomarkers with sufficient sensitivity or specificity for clinical application in ASD are yet to be realized. Here, we review recent evidence for early, low-level alterations in brain and behavior development that may offer promising avenues for biomarker development in ASD. RECENT FINDINGS Accumulating evidence suggests that signs associated with ASD may unfold in a manner that maps onto the hierarchical organization of brain development. Genetic and neuroimaging evidence points towards perturbations in brain development early in life, and emerging evidence indicates that sensorimotor development may be among the earliest emerging signs associated with ASD, preceding social and cognitive impairment. SUMMARY The search for biomarkers of risk, prediction and stratification in ASD may be advanced through a developmental neuroscience approach that looks outside of the core signs of ASD and considers the bottom-up nature of brain development alongside the dynamic nature of development over time. We provide examples of assays that could be incorporated in studies to target low-level circuits.
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33
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Chahrour M, O'Roak BJ, Santini E, Samaco RC, Kleiman RJ, Manzini MC. Current Perspectives in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Genes to Therapy. J Neurosci 2016; 36:11402-11410. [PMID: 27911742 PMCID: PMC5125207 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2335-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a constellation of neurodevelopmental presentations with high heritability and both phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. To date, mutations in hundreds of genes have been associated to varying degrees with increased ASD risk. A better understanding of the functions of these genes and whether they fit together in functional groups or impact similar neuronal circuits is needed to develop rational treatment strategies. We will review current areas of emphasis in ASD research, starting from human genetics and exploring how mouse models of human mutations have helped identify specific molecular pathways (protein synthesis and degradation, chromatin remodeling, intracellular signaling), which are linked to alterations in circuit function and cognitive/social behavior. We will conclude by discussing how we can leverage the findings on molecular and cellular alterations found in ASD to develop therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chahrour
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390,
| | - Brian J O'Roak
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Emanuela Santini
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York 10003
| | - Rodney C Samaco
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - Robin J Kleiman
- Translational Neuroscience Center, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, and
| | - M Chiara Manzini
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC 20037
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Piochon C, Kano M, Hansel C. LTD-like molecular pathways in developmental synaptic pruning. Nat Neurosci 2016; 19:1299-310. [PMID: 27669991 PMCID: PMC5070480 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In long-term depression (LTD) at synapses in the adult brain, synaptic strength is reduced in an experience-dependent manner. LTD thus provides a cellular mechanism for information storage in some forms of learning. A similar activity-dependent reduction in synaptic strength also occurs in the developing brain and there provides an essential step in synaptic pruning and the postnatal development of neural circuits. Here we review evidence suggesting that LTD and synaptic pruning share components of their underlying molecular machinery and may thus represent two developmental stages of the same type of synaptic modulation that serve different, but related, functions in neural circuit plasticity. We also assess the relationship between LTD and synaptic pruning in the context of recent findings of LTD dysregulation in several mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and discuss whether LTD deficits can indicate impaired pruning processes that are required for proper brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Piochon
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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35
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Peter S, ten Brinke MM, Stedehouder J, Reinelt CM, Wu B, Zhou H, Zhou K, Boele HJ, Kushner SA, Lee MG, Schmeisser MJ, Boeckers TM, Schonewille M, Hoebeek FE, De Zeeuw CI. Dysfunctional cerebellar Purkinje cells contribute to autism-like behaviour in Shank2-deficient mice. Nat Commun 2016; 7:12627. [PMID: 27581745 PMCID: PMC5025785 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the postsynaptic scaffolding protein SHANK2 are a highly penetrant cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) involving cerebellum-related motor problems. Recent studies have implicated cerebellar pathology in the aetiology of ASD. Here we evaluate the possibility that cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) represent a critical locus of ASD-like pathophysiology in mice lacking Shank2. Absence of Shank2 impairs both PC intrinsic plasticity and induction of long-term potentiation at the parallel fibre to PC synapse. Moreover, inhibitory input onto PCs is significantly enhanced, most prominently in the posterior lobe where simple spike (SS) regularity is most affected. Using PC-specific Shank2 knockouts, we replicate alterations of SS regularity in vivo and establish cerebellar dependence of ASD-like behavioural phenotypes in motor learning and social interaction. These data highlight the importance of Shank2 for PC function, and support a model by which cerebellar pathology is prominent in certain forms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saša Peter
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1105 CA, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Claudia M. Reinelt
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Bin Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
| | - Haibo Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
| | - Kuikui Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
| | - Henk-Jan Boele
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
| | - Steven A. Kushner
- Department of Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
| | - Min Goo Lee
- Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120–752, Korea
| | - Michael J. Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm 89081, Germany
| | | | - Freek E. Hoebeek
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
| | - Chris I. De Zeeuw
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam 1105 CA, Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3000 DR, Netherlands
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36
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Welsh JP, Oristaglio JT. Autism and Classical Eyeblink Conditioning: Performance Changes of the Conditioned Response Related to Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis. Front Psychiatry 2016; 7:137. [PMID: 27563293 PMCID: PMC4980680 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2016.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in the timing performance of conditioned responses (CRs) acquired during trace and delay eyeblink conditioning (EBC) are presented for diagnostic subgroups of children having autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 6-15 years. Children diagnosed with autistic disorder (AD) were analyzed separately from children diagnosed with either Asperger's syndrome or Pervasive developmental disorder (Asp/PDD) not otherwise specified and compared to an age- and IQ-matched group of children who were typically developing (TD). Within-subject and between-groups contrasts in CR performance on sequential exposure to trace and delay EBC were analyzed to determine whether any differences would expose underlying functional heterogeneities of the cerebral and cerebellar systems, in ASD subgroups. The EBC parameters measured were percentage CRs, CR onset latency, and CR peak latency. Neither AD nor Asp/PDD groups were impaired in CR acquisition during trace or delay EBC. Both AD and Asp/PDD altered CR timing, but not always in the same way. Although the AD group showed normal CR timing during trace EBC, the Asp/PDD group showed a significant 27 and 28 ms increase in CR onset and peak latency, respectively, during trace EBC. In contrast, the direction of the timing change was opposite during delay EBC, during which the Asp/PDD group showed a significant 29 ms decrease in CR onset latency and the AD group showed a larger 77 ms decrease in CR onset latency. Only the AD group showed a decrease in CR peak latency during delay EBC, demonstrating another difference between AD and Asp/PDD. The difference in CR onset latency during delay EBC for both AD and Asp/PDD was due to an abnormal prevalence of early onset CRs that were intermixed with CRs having normal timing, as observed both in CR onset histograms and mean CR waveforms. In conclusion, significant heterogeneity in EBC performance was apparent between diagnostic groups, and this may indicate that EBC performance can report the heterogeneity in the neurobiological predispositions for ASD. The findings will inform further explorations with larger cohorts, different sensory modalities, and different EBC paradigms and provide a reference set for future EBC studies of children having ASD and non-human models.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Welsh
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington Autism Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Oristaglio
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Drexel University College of Medicine , Philadelphia, PA , USA
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37
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Mosconi MW, Wang Z, Schmitt LM, Tsai P, Sweeney JA. The role of cerebellar circuitry alterations in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:296. [PMID: 26388713 PMCID: PMC4555040 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum has been repeatedly implicated in gene expression, rodent model and post-mortem studies of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). How cellular and molecular anomalies of the cerebellum relate to clinical manifestations of ASD remains unclear. Separate circuits of the cerebellum control different sensorimotor behaviors, such as maintaining balance, walking, making eye movements, reaching, and grasping. Each of these behaviors has been found to be impaired in ASD, suggesting that multiple distinct circuits of the cerebellum may be involved in the pathogenesis of patients' sensorimotor impairments. We will review evidence that the development of these circuits is disrupted in individuals with ASD and that their study may help elucidate the pathophysiology of sensorimotor deficits and core symptoms of the disorder. Preclinical studies of monogenetic conditions associated with ASD also have identified selective defects of the cerebellum and documented behavioral rescues when the cerebellum is targeted. Based on these findings, we propose that cerebellar circuits may prove to be promising targets for therapeutic development aimed at rescuing sensorimotor and other clinical symptoms of different forms of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Mosconi
- Clinical Child Psychology Program and Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas Lawrence, KS, USA ; Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Zheng Wang
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lauren M Schmitt
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Peter Tsai
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
| | - John A Sweeney
- Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Dallas, TX, USA
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38
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Kloth AD, Badura A, Li A, Cherskov A, Connolly SG, Giovannucci A, Bangash MA, Grasselli G, Peñagarikano O, Piochon C, Tsai PT, Geschwind DH, Hansel C, Sahin M, Takumi T, Worley PF, Wang SSH. Cerebellar associative sensory learning defects in five mouse autism models. eLife 2015; 4:e06085. [PMID: 26158416 PMCID: PMC4512177 DOI: 10.7554/elife.06085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Accepted: 07/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sensory integration difficulties have been reported in autism, but their underlying brain-circuit mechanisms are underexplored. Using five autism-related mouse models, Shank3+/ΔC, Mecp2(R308/Y), Cntnap2-/-, L7-Tsc1 (L7/Pcp2(Cre)::Tsc1(flox/+)), and patDp(15q11-13)/+, we report specific perturbations in delay eyeblink conditioning, a form of associative sensory learning requiring cerebellar plasticity. By distinguishing perturbations in the probability and characteristics of learned responses, we found that probability was reduced in Cntnap2-/-, patDp(15q11-13)/+, and L7/Pcp2(Cre)::Tsc1(flox/+), which are associated with Purkinje-cell/deep-nuclear gene expression, along with Shank3+/ΔC. Amplitudes were smaller in L7/Pcp2(Cre)::Tsc1(flox/+) as well as Shank3+/ΔC and Mecp2(R308/Y), which are associated with granule cell pathway expression. Shank3+/ΔC and Mecp2(R308/Y) also showed aberrant response timing and reduced Purkinje-cell dendritic spine density. Overall, our observations are potentially accounted for by defects in instructed learning in the olivocerebellar loop and response representation in the granule cell pathway. Our findings indicate that defects in associative temporal binding of sensory events are widespread in autism mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander D Kloth
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Aleksandra Badura
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Amy Li
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Adriana Cherskov
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Sara G Connolly
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - Andrea Giovannucci
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
| | - M Ali Bangash
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Giorgio Grasselli
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Olga Peñagarikano
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Claire Piochon
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Peter T Tsai
- The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, United States
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, United States
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- The F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, United States
| | | | - Paul F Worley
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, United States
| | - Samuel S-H Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology and Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, United States
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39
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Vieites V, Nazareth A, Reeb-Sutherland BC, Pruden SM. A new biomarker to examine the role of hippocampal function in the development of spatial reorientation in children: a review. Front Psychol 2015; 6:490. [PMID: 25964770 PMCID: PMC4408750 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial navigation is an adaptive skill that involves determining the route to a particular goal or location, and then traveling that path. A major component of spatial navigation is spatial reorientation, or the ability to reestablish a sense of direction after being disoriented. The hippocampus is known to be critical for navigating, and has more recently been implicated in reorienting in adults, but relatively little is known about the development of the hippocampus in relation to these large-scale spatial abilities in children. It has been established that, compared to school-aged children, preschool children tend to perform poorly on certain spatial reorientation tasks, suggesting that their hippocampi may not be mature enough to process the demands of such a task. Currently, common techniques used to examine underlying brain activity, such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), are not suitable for examining hippocampal development in young children. In the present paper, we argue instead for the use of eyeblink conditioning (EBC), a relatively under-utilized, inexpensive, and safe method that is easy to implement in developing populations. In addition, EBC has a well defined neural circuitry, which includes the hippocampus, making it an ideal tool to indirectly measure hippocampal functioning in young children. In this review, we will evaluate the literature on EBC and its relation to hippocampal development, and discuss the possibility of using EBC as an objective measure of associative learning in relation to large-scale spatial skills. We support the use of EBC as a way to indirectly access hippocampal function in typical and atypical populations in order to characterize the neural substrates associated with the development of spatial reorientation abilities in early childhood. As such, EBC is a potential, simple biomarker for success in tasks that require the hippocampus, including spatial reorientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Vieites
- Department of Psychology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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40
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Modeling possible effects of atypical cerebellar processing on eyeblink conditioning in autism. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2015; 14:1142-64. [PMID: 24590391 DOI: 10.3758/s13415-014-0263-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Autism is unique among other disorders in that acquisition of conditioned eyeblink responses is enhanced in children, occurring in a fraction of the trials required for control participants. The timing of learned responses is, however, atypical. Two animal models of autism display a similar phenotype. Researchers have hypothesized that these differences in conditioning reflect cerebellar abnormalities. The present study used computer simulations of the cerebellar cortex, including inhibition by the molecular layer interneurons, to more closely examine whether atypical cerebellar processing can account for faster conditioning in individuals with autism. In particular, the effects of inhibitory levels on delay eyeblink conditioning were simulated, as were the effects of learning-related synaptic changes at either parallel fibers or ascending branch synapses from granule cells to Purkinje cells. Results from these simulations predict that whether molecular layer inhibition results in an enhancement or an impairment of acquisition, or changes in timing, may depend on (1) the sources of inhibition, (2) the levels of inhibition, and (3) the locations of learning-related changes (parallel vs. ascending branch synapses). Overall, the simulations predict that a disruption in the balance or an overall increase of inhibition within the cerebellar cortex may contribute to atypical eyeblink conditioning in children with autism and in animal models of autism.
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41
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Caria A, de Falco S. Anterior insular cortex regulation in autism spectrum disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:38. [PMID: 25798096 PMCID: PMC4351628 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Accepted: 02/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise a heterogeneous set of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by dramatic impairments of interpersonal behavior, communication, and empathy. Recent neuroimaging studies suggested that ASD are disorders characterized by widespread abnormalities involving distributed brain network, though clear evidence of differences in large-scale brain network interactions underlying the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of ASD are still lacking. Consistent findings of anterior insula cortex hypoactivation and dysconnectivity during tasks related to emotional and social processing indicates its dysfunctional role in ASD. In parallel, increasing evidence showed that successful control of anterior insula activity can be attained using real-time fMRI paradigms. More importantly, successful regulation of this region was associated with changes in behavior and brain connectivity in both healthy individuals and psychiatric patients. Building on these results we here propose and discuss the use of real-time fMRI neurofeedback in ASD aiming at improving emotional and social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Caria
- Institut für Medizinische Psychologie und Verhaltensneurobiologie, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Tübingen, Germany ; Fondazione Ospedale San Camillo IRCCS Venezia, Italy
| | - Simona de Falco
- Department of Psychology and Cognitive Science, University of Trento Rovereto, Italy
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42
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Piochon C, Kloth AD, Grasselli G, Titley HK, Nakayama H, Hashimoto K, Wan V, Simmons DH, Eissa T, Nakatani J, Cherskov A, Miyazaki T, Watanabe M, Takumi T, Kano M, Wang SSH, Hansel C. Cerebellar plasticity and motor learning deficits in a copy-number variation mouse model of autism. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5586. [PMID: 25418414 PMCID: PMC4243533 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2014] [Accepted: 10/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A common feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the impairment of motor control and learning, occurring in a majority of children with autism, consistent with perturbation in cerebellar function. Here we report alterations in motor behaviour and cerebellar synaptic plasticity in a mouse model (patDp/+) for the human 15q11-13 duplication, one of the most frequently observed genetic aberrations in autism. These mice show ASD-resembling social behaviour deficits. We find that in patDp/+ mice delay eyeblink conditioning--a form of cerebellum-dependent motor learning--is impaired, and observe deregulation of a putative cellular mechanism for motor learning, long-term depression (LTD) at parallel fibre-Purkinje cell synapses. Moreover, developmental elimination of surplus climbing fibres--a model for activity-dependent synaptic pruning--is impaired. These findings point to deficits in synaptic plasticity and pruning as potential causes for motor problems and abnormal circuit development in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Piochon
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Alexander D Kloth
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Giorgio Grasselli
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Heather K Titley
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Hisako Nakayama
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Kouichi Hashimoto
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan
| | - Vivian Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Dana H Simmons
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Tahra Eissa
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
| | - Jin Nakatani
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Ohtsu 520-2192, Japan
| | - Adriana Cherskov
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Taisuke Miyazaki
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Masahiko Watanabe
- Department of Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan
| | - Toru Takumi
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako 351-0198, Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Samuel S-H Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, United States
| | - Christian Hansel
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, United States
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43
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Abstract
Cerebellar research has focused principally on adult motor function. However, the cerebellum also maintains abundant connections with nonmotor brain regions throughout postnatal life. Here we review evidence that the cerebellum may guide the maturation of remote nonmotor neural circuitry and influence cognitive development, with a focus on its relationship with autism. Specific cerebellar zones influence neocortical substrates for social interaction, and we propose that sensitive-period disruption of such internal brain communication can account for autism's key features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S-H Wang
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Alexander D Kloth
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Aleksandra Badura
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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44
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Effects of OEF/OIF-related physical and emotional co-morbidities on associative learning: concurrent delay and trace eyeblink classical conditioning. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2014; 11:3046-73. [PMID: 24625622 PMCID: PMC3987020 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph110303046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This study examined the performance of veterans and active duty personnel who served in Operation Enduring Freedom and/or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) on a basic associative learning task. Eighty-eight individuals participated in this study. All received a comprehensive clinical evaluation to determine the presence and severity of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The eyeblink conditioning task was composed of randomly intermixed delay and trace conditioned stimulus (CS) and unconditioned stimulus (US) pairs (acquisition) followed by a series of CS only trials (extinction). Results revealed that those with a clinical diagnosis of PTSD or a diagnosis of PTSD with comorbid mTBI acquired delay and trace conditioned responses (CRs) to levels and at rates similar to a deployed control group, thus suggesting intact basic associative learning. Differential extinction impairment was observed in the two clinical groups. Acquisition of CRs for both delay and trace conditioning, as well as extinction of trace CRs, was associated with alcoholic behavior across all participants. These findings help characterize the learning and memory function of individuals with PTSD and mTBI from OEF/OIF and raise the alarming possibility that the use of alcohol in this group may lead to more significant cognitive dysfunction.
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