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Nachtigall EG, de Freitas JDR, Marcondes LA, Furini CRG. Memory persistence induced by environmental enrichment is dependent on different brain structures. Physiol Behav 2023; 272:114375. [PMID: 37806510 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect on different functions of the central nervous system in several mammal species, being used to improve behavior and cell damage in various neurological and psychiatric diseases. However, little has been investigated on the effect of EE in healthy animals, particularly regarding its impact on memory persistence and the brain structures involved. Therefore, here we verified in male Wistar rats that contextual fear conditioning (CFC) memory persistence, tested 28 days after the CFC training session, was facilitated by 5 weeks of exposure to EE, with no effect in groups tested 7 or 14 days after CFC training. However, a two-week exposure to EE did not affect memory persistence. Moreover, we investigated the role of specific brain regions in mediating the effect of EE on memory persistence. We conducted inactivation experiments using the GABAergic agonist Muscimol to target the basolateral amygdala (BLA), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), and CA1 region of the hippocampus (CA1). Inactivation of the BLA immediately and 12 h after CFC training impaired the effect of EE on memory persistence. Similarly, inactivation of the CA1 region and mPFC 12 h after training, but not immediately, also impaired the effect of EE on memory persistence. These results have important scientific implications as they shed new light on the effect of an enriched environment on memory persistence and the brain structures involved, thereby helping elucidate how an environment rich in experiences can modify the persistence of learned information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduarda G Nachtigall
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Júlia D R de Freitas
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas Aschidamini Marcondes
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiane R G Furini
- Laboratory of Cognition and Memory Neurobiology, Brain Institute, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Av. Ipiranga, 6690 - 3rd floor, 90610-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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2
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Alarcón TA, Presti-Silva SM, Simões APT, Ribeiro FM, Pires RGW. Molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection of environmental enrichment in Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1450-1456. [PMID: 36571341 PMCID: PMC10075132 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the most common movement disorder, affecting about 1% of the population over the age of 60 years. Parkinson's disease is characterized clinically by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability, as a result of the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. In addition to this neuronal cell loss, Parkinson's disease is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, composed primarily of the protein α-synuclein. Although it was first described almost 200 years ago, there are no disease-modifying drugs to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. In addition to conventional therapies, non-pharmacological treatment strategies are under investigation in patients and animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. Among such strategies, environmental enrichment, comprising physical exercise, cognitive stimulus, and social interactions, has been assessed in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease. Environmental enrichment can cause structural and functional changes in the brain and promote neurogenesis and dendritic growth by modifying gene expression, enhancing the expression of neurotrophic factors and modulating neurotransmission. In this review article, we focus on the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental enrichment neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease, highlighting its influence on the dopaminergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic systems, as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors. We describe experimental pre-clinical data showing how environmental enrichment can act as a modulator in a neurochemical and behavioral context in different animal models of Parkinson's disease, highlighting the potential of environmental enrichment as an additional strategy in the management and prevention of this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Andrea Alarcón
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Sarah Martins Presti-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniato Simões
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Mara Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rita Gomes Wanderley Pires
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
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Xu L, Jiao M, Cui ZL, Zhao QY, Wang Y, Chen S, Zhang JJ, Jin YH, Mu D, Yang YQ. Enriched environment during adolescence modulates lipid metabolism and emotion-related behaviors in mice. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2023; 26:218-228. [PMID: 34470518 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2021.1972421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Enriched environment (EE) is an important animal experimental paradigm to decipher gene-environment interaction. It is thought to be efficient in aiding recovery from certain metabolism disorders or cognitive impairments. Recently, the effects of EE during adolescence in mice gradually draw much attention. We first established an EE model in adolescent mice, dissected lipid metabolism, and further examined baseline level of anxiety and depression by multiple behavioral tests, including open field test (OFT), elevated zero maze (EZM), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swimming test (FST). EE mice exhibited lower weights, lower cholesterol than standard housing (SH) mice. Behaviorally, EE mice traveled more distance and had higher velocity than SH mice in OFT and EZM. Besides, EE mice showed reduced anxiety levels in OFT and EZM. Furthermore, EE mice also had less immobility time than SH mice in TST and FST. Thus, these results suggest that EE during adolescence has metabolic and behavioral benefits in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Jiao
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ze-Lin Cui
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qing-Ya Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-Jie Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yin-Hui Jin
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Mu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Qin Yang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Mañas‐Padilla MC, Tezanos P, Cintado E, Vicente L, Sánchez‐Salido L, Gil‐Rodríguez S, Trejo JL, Santín LJ, Castilla‐Ortega E. Environmental enrichment alleviates cognitive and psychomotor alterations and increases adult hippocampal neurogenesis in cocaine withdrawn mice. Addict Biol 2023; 28:e13244. [PMID: 36577726 PMCID: PMC9786803 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine is a widely used psychostimulant drug whose repeated exposure induces persistent cognitive/emotional dysregulation, which could be a predictor of relapse in users. However, there is scarce evidence on effective treatments to alleviate these symptoms. Environmental enrichment (EE) has been shown to be associated with improved synaptic function and cellular plasticity changes related to adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN), resulting in cognitive enhancement. Therefore, EE could mitigate the negative impact of chronic administration of cocaine in mice and reduce the emotional and cognitive symptoms present during cocaine abstinence. In this study, mice were chronically administered with cocaine for 14 days, and control mice received saline. After the last cocaine or saline dose, mice were submitted to control or EE housing conditions, and they stayed undisturbed for 28 days. Subsequently, mice were evaluated with a battery of behavioural tests for exploratory activity, emotional behaviour, and cognitive performance. EE attenuated hyperlocomotion, induced anxiolytic-like behaviour and alleviated cognitive impairment in spatial memory in the cocaine-abstinent mice. The EE protocol notably upregulated AHN in both control and cocaine-treated mice, though cocaine slightly reduced the number of immature neurons. Altogether, these results demonstrate that EE could enhance hippocampal neuroplasticity ameliorating the behavioural and cognitive consequences of repeated administration of cocaine. Therefore, environmental stimulation may be a useful strategy in the treatment cocaine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Carmen Mañas‐Padilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Patricia Tezanos
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceCajal Institute, Spanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | - Elisa Cintado
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceCajal Institute, Spanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | - Lucía Vicente
- Centro de Experimentación AnimalUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain,Departamento de PsicologíaUniversidad de DeustoBilbaoSpain
| | - Lourdes Sánchez‐Salido
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud MentalHospital Regional Universitario de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Sara Gil‐Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - José L. Trejo
- Department of Translational NeuroscienceCajal Institute, Spanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | - Luis J. Santín
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
| | - Estela Castilla‐Ortega
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga‐IBIMAMálagaSpain,Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del ComportamientoUniversidad de MálagaMálagaSpain
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Manosso LM, Broseghini LDR, Campos JMB, Padilha APZ, Botelho MEM, da Costa MA, Abelaira HM, Gonçalves CL, Réus GZ. Beneficial effects and neurobiological aspects of environmental enrichment associated to major depressive disorder and autism spectrum disorder. Brain Res Bull 2022; 190:152-167. [PMID: 36191730 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.09.024] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A suitable enriched environment favors development but can also influence behavior and neuronal circuits throughout development. Studies have shown that environmental enrichment (EE) can be used as an essential tool or combined with conventional treatments to improve psychiatric and neurological symptoms, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Both disorders affect a significant percentage of the world's population and have complex pathophysiology. Moreover, the available treatments for MDD and ASD are still inadequate for many affected individuals. Experimental models demonstrate that EE has significant positive effects on behavioral modulation. In addition, EE has effects on neurobiology, including improvement in synaptic connections and neuroplasticity, modulation of neurotransmissions, a decrease in inflammation and oxidative stress, and other neurobiology effects that can be involved in the pathophysiology of MDD and ASD. Thus, this review aims to describe the leading behavioral and neurobiological effects associated with EE in MDD and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana M Manosso
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Lia D R Broseghini
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - José Marcelo B Campos
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Alex Paulo Z Padilha
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maria Eduarda M Botelho
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Maiara A da Costa
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Helena M Abelaira
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Cinara L Gonçalves
- Experimental Neurology Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Z Réus
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, Brazil.
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Ji NN, Xia M. Enriched environment alleviates adolescent visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors induced by neonatal maternal separation. Transl Pediatr 2022; 11:1398-1407. [PMID: 36072545 PMCID: PMC9442205 DOI: 10.21037/tp-22-410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neonatal maternal separation (NMS), a major kind of early life stress, increases the risk of visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in adulthood. An enriched environment (EE) has been shown to successfully rescue the brain from various early life psychological stressors. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether NMS induces visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in adolescents and to evaluate the impact of EE in infancy on these symptoms. METHODS Male C57BL/6 J mice that had been subjected to NMS were used in this study. The visceral pain threshold test (PTT), open field test (OFT), and sucrose preference test (SPT) were conducted to evaluate visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice, respectively. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β, (IL-1β), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) was performed to assess neuroinflammatory responses. Then, the effects of EE (free-turning running wheels, pipes, stairs, and various colored ocean balls, etc.) on NMS-induced behaviors and neuroinflammatory factors were examined. RESULTS The impacts of NMS included adolescent visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), basolateral amygdala (BLA), and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) were biased towards pro-inflammatory features. Further, EE alleviated adolescent visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. The application of EE up-regulated the expression of IL-10, and down-regulated the expression of IL-1β and TNF-α in mPFC, BLA, and PVN. CONCLUSIONS The effects of NMS include adolescent visceral pain, anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, accompanied by an imbalance of neuroinflammation. Intervention with EE in pediatric mice relieved these symptoms by reducing neuroinflammation in the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Ning Ji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ming Xia
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Keloglan Musuroglu S, Ozturk DM, Sahin L, Cevik OS, Cevik K. Environmental enrichment as a strategy: Attenuates the anxiety and memory impairment in social isolation stress. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:499-512. [PMID: 35724417 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Social isolation (SI) early in life produces behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. On the contrary, environmental enrichment (EE) offers beneficial effects on brain plasticity and development. This study was designed to examine how EE affects memory functions, anxiety level, and the expression levels of memory/anxiety-related genes such as NR2A, NR2B, BDNF, and cFos in the hippocampus of socially isolated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Wistar albino male rats (n = 40) were separated into the five groups: Standard cage (SC), SI, EE, SI + SC, and SI + EE group. For each group, eight rats were housed, either grouped or isolated, in a standard or 3-week EE, respectively. Morris water maze test (MWMT) was used for measuring the learning and memory function. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) were used for the evaluation of anxiety behavior. Blood corticosterone level was evaluated by the ELISA method. The expression levels of genes were measured by the RT-PCR method. RESULTS Results showed that EE increased memory performance in the SI group (p < 0.05). SI caused anxiety while EE improved anxiety behavior (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the groups in the OF test. Corticosterone levels did not change between groups. BDNF expression level was downregulated in EE and SI + SC compared with the SC group (respectively; p = 0.012; p = 0.011). NR2A, NR2B, and cFos expression levels did not change between groups significantly. CONCLUSIONS SI impaired memory performance while EE has beneficial effects on memory in socially isolated rats. EE alone was insufficient to cause alterations in the memory performance. The therapeutic effects of EE became strengthened while applied together with stress protocol. Together with improving the effectiveness of memory function, EE has the potential to decrease anxiety behavior. EE seemed to be the reason for decreasing in BDNF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Duygu Murat Ozturk
- Midwifery Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Amasya University, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Leyla Sahin
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Ozge Selin Cevik
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Kenan Cevik
- Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
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Environmental enrichment: dissociated effects between physical activity and changing environmental complexity on anxiety and neurogenesis in adult male Balb/C mice. Physiol Behav 2022; 254:113878. [PMID: 35700814 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113878] [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: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Several factors, including environmental modifications, stimulate neuroplasticity. One type of neuroplasticity consists in the generation of new neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Neurogenesis is modulated by environmental enrichment (ENR, tunnels plus running wheel) and affected by the time of exposure to ENR. Despite the wide use of ENR to stimulate neuroplasticity, the degree to which ENR variations modeled by temporally changing the level of environmental complexity affect hippocampal neurogenesis and anxiety is still unclear. Thus, we investigated the effects of five housing conditions on young adult male Balb/C mice exposed for 42 days. The groups were as follows: standard conditions without ENR, constant ENR complexity, gradual increase of ENR complexity followed by a gradual decrease of ENR complexity, gradual increase of ENR complexity followed by constant ENR complexity, and constant ENR complexity followed by a gradual decrease of ENR complexity. On day 44, mice were exposed to the elevated plus-maze to evaluate anxiety. Further, we analyzed neurogenesis and quantified corticosterone levels. In an additional experiment, we explored the effect of voluntary physical activity on anxiety, neurogenesis, and corticosterone during the variations in ENR complexity. Our results showed that any change in ENR complexity over time reduced anxiety. Also, voluntary physical activity alone or in the context of a complex environment increased doublecortin cell maturation in the granular cell layer of the hippocampus. Finally, our study supports that physical activity acts proneurogenic, whereas any change in environmental complexity decreases anxiety-like behavior. However, the decrease in corticosterone levels elicited by physical activity was lower than the decrease produced by the decrement in environmental complexity.
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Dos Anjos-Garcia T, Kanashiro A, de Campos AC, Coimbra NC. Environmental Enrichment Facilitates Anxiety in Conflict-Based Tests but Inhibits Predator Threat-Induced Defensive Behaviour in Male Mice. Neuropsychobiology 2022; 81:225-236. [PMID: 35026760 DOI: 10.1159/000521184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Environmental enrichment (EE) is a useful and sophisticated tool that improves rodents' well-being by stimulating social behaviour and cognitive, motor, and sensory functions. Exposure to EE induces neuroplasticity in different brain areas, including the limbic system, which has been implicated in the control of anxiety and fear. However, the effects of EE on ethologically relevant naturalistic behaviours, such as those displayed by prey in the presence of predators, remain largely unexplored. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the present study, we investigated anxiety- and panic attack-like behaviours in a predator (cat)-prey confrontation paradigm and compared them with those in classical assays, such as the elevated plus-maze (EPM), marble-burying, and open field tests (OFTs), using C57BL/6J male mice housed in enriched or standard environments for 6 weeks. RESULTS We observed that EE exposure caused enhancement of the levels of anxiety-like behaviours in the EPM and OFTs, increasing risk assessment (an anxiety-related response), and decreasing escape (a panic attack-like response) behaviours during exposure to the predator versus prey confrontation paradigm. CONCLUSION Taken together, our findings suggest that enriched external environments can modify the processing of fear- and anxiety-related stimuli in dangerous situations, changing the decision-making defensive strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayllon Dos Anjos-Garcia
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), São Paulo, Brazil.,Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Kanashiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioural Sciences, Post-Graduation Program in Neurology/Neurosciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alline Cristina de Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacology of Neuroplasticity Laboratory, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Norberto Cysne Coimbra
- Department of Pharmacology, Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Neuropsychobiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,NAP-USP-Neurobiology of Emotions Research Centre (NuPNE), Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil.,Behavioural Neurosciences Institute (INeC), São Paulo, Brazil.,Ophidiarium LNN-FMRP-USP/INeC, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience and Behavioural Sciences, Post-Graduation Program in Neurology/Neurosciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School of the University of São Paulo (FMRP-USP), São Paulo, Brazil
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10
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Corredor K, Marín DP, García CC, Restrepo DA, Martínez GS, Cardenas FP. Providing Environmental Enrichment without Altering Behavior in Male and Female Wistar Rats ( Rattus norvegicus). JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:234-240. [PMID: 35379381 PMCID: PMC9137287 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-21-000075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In research using animal models, subjects are commonly maintained under standard housing conditions, mainly because of the idea that enhancing welfare conditions could alter experimental data. Another common practice in many laboratories relates to the preponderant use of males. Several reasons justifying this practice include the rapid hormonal and endocrine change in females, which may require a higher number of female animals to achieve more homogenous groups, thereby creating a dilemma with the reduction principle in animal research. In past decades, a relationship between enriched environments and enhanced cognitive functions has been reported in rats, but many of those enriched environmental protocols were not systematically or rigorously studied, leading to unexpected effects on behavior. Here we report the effects of 4 types of housing conditions (standard, structural changes, exercise, and foraging) in Wistar rats on anxiety (elevated plus maze), exploratory (open field), and stress vulnerability (forced swim test) responses. Sex was used as a blocking factor. Data show no effect of housing conditions on anxiety and exploratory behaviors, but do show an effect on stress responses. These results suggest the possibility of using a protocol for environmental enrichment without concern about altering experimental data. From this stand, new ways to enhance animal welfare in research laboratories could be designed and implemented.
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Key Words
- ee, environmental enrichment
- of, open field
- epm, elevated plus maze
- fst, forced swim test
- sd, standard condition
- st, structural modification
- ex, exercise, playing, and exploration
- fg, foraging
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Corredor
- Universidad de los Andes, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Bogotá, Colombia; Centro de Investigaciones en Biomodelos, Bogotá, Colombia;,
| | - Daniela P Marín
- Universidad de los Andes, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Christian C García
- Universidad de los Andes, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Daniela A Restrepo
- Universidad de los Andes, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Fernando P Cardenas
- Universidad de los Andes, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Bogotá, Colombia
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11
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Li L, Medina-Menéndez C, García-Corzo L, Córdoba-Beldad CM, Quiroga AC, Calleja Barca E, Zinchuk V, Muñoz-López S, Rodríguez-Martín P, Ciorraga M, Colmena I, Fernández S, Vicario C, Nicolis SK, Lefebvre V, Mira H, Morales AV. SoxD genes are required for adult neural stem cell activation. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110313. [PMID: 35108528 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The adult neurogenic niche in the hippocampus is maintained through activation of reversibly quiescent neural stem cells (NSCs) with radial glia-like morphology (RGLs). Here, we show that the expression of SoxD transcription factors Sox5 and Sox6 is enriched in activated RGLs. Using inducible deletion of Sox5 or Sox6 in the adult mouse brain, we show that both genes are required for RGL activation and the generation of new neurons. Conversely, Sox5 overexpression in cultured NSCs interferes with entry in quiescence. Mechanistically, expression of the proneural protein Ascl1 (a key RGL regulator) is severely downregulated in SoxD-deficient RGLs, and Ascl1 transcription relies on conserved Sox motifs. Additionally, loss of Sox5 hinders the RGL activation driven by neurogenic stimuli such as environmental enrichment. Altogether, our data suggest that SoxD genes are key mediators in the transition of adult RGLs from quiescence to an activated mitotic state under physiological situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carlos Vicario
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC, 28002 Madrid, Spain; CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Helena Mira
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, CSIC, 46010 Valencia, Spain
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12
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Jia N, Chong J, Sun L. Application of stem cell biology in treating neurodegenerative diseases. Int J Neurosci 2020; 132:815-825. [PMID: 33081549 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1840376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The appropriate strategies are needed for stimulating the endogenous neurogenesis or introducing extrinsic neural progenitors, which could be harnessed as the regenerative resources for cueing the neurodegenerations. Adult neurogenesis is the endogenous continuing physiology in limited brain regions such as hippocampus, olfactory system, and hypothalamus. Besides adult neurogenesis, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) induced functional neurons could be another option for regenerative therapies. OBJECTIVE Current studies are trying to improve the adult neurogenesis and enable the iPSCs induced neurons into neural regeneration. Methods: Here in this review, we mainly introduced the recent progress in neural stem cell biology and its application in the treatment of the neurodegenerations. We main separated the strategy in summarizing the mediators and potential targets to promoting endogenous neural regeneration and transplantation of neural progenitors. CONCLUSION By collecting and comparing the advantages disadvantages between above-mentioned two strategies, we will offer the insight on future development of stem cell therapy in treating neurodegenerative patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Jia
- Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China
| | - Jingping Chong
- Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China.,Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing, China.,College of PE and Sport, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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13
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Sakhaie N, Sadegzadeh F, Mohammadnia A, Dadkhah M, Saadati H. Sex-dependent effects of postweaning exposure to an enriched environment on novel objective recognition memory and anxiety-like behaviors: The role of hippocampal BDNF level. Int J Dev Neurosci 2020; 80:396-408. [PMID: 32416621 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to enriched environment (EE) has been indicated to enhance cognitive functions, hippocampal neural plasticity, neurogenesis, long-term potentiation, and levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in laboratory animals. Also, studies on the sex-dependent effects of exposure to EE during adolescence on adult cognitive functions are less. This is important because the beneficial effects of EE may be predominant in the adolescence stage. Therefore, the present study was designed to compare the effects of EE during adolescence (PND21-PND60) on novel objective recognition memory (NORM), anxiety-like behaviors, and hippocampal BDNF mRNA level in the adult male and female rats. Assessment of NORM and anxiety-like behaviors has been done by novel objective recognition task, open field (OF), and elevated plus maze (EPM), respectively. The expression of BDNF mRNA level was also evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR. Our findings demonstrated that housing in the EE during adolescence improves NORM in adult male rats. Also, exposure to EE during adolescence had a different effect on anxiety-like behaviors in both sexes. Additionally, our results indicated an augmented BDNF level in the hippocampus of male and female rats. In conclusion, adolescent exposure to EE has sex-dependent effects on cognitive functions and anxiety-like behaviors and increases BDNF mRNA expression in the hippocampus of both male and female rats; thus, BDNF is an important factor that can mediate the beneficial effects of EE and running exercise on cognitive functions and psychiatric traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nona Sakhaie
- Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Farshid Sadegzadeh
- Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Alireza Mohammadnia
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Basic Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Dadkhah
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Hakimeh Saadati
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Physiological Studies Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
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14
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Gómez-Oliva R, Geribaldi-Doldán N, Domínguez-García S, Carrascal L, Verástegui C, Nunez-Abades P, Castro C. Vitamin D deficiency as a potential risk factor for accelerated aging, impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive decline: a role for Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:13824-13844. [PMID: 32554862 PMCID: PMC7377904 DOI: 10.18632/aging.103510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D is an essential fat-soluble vitamin that participates in several homeostatic functions in mammalian organisms. Lower levels of vitamin D are produced in the older population, vitamin D deficiency being an accelerating factor for the progression of the aging process. In this review, we focus on the effect that vitamin D exerts in the aged brain paying special attention to the neurogenic process. Neurogenesis occurs in the adult brain in neurogenic regions, such as the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG). This region generates new neurons that participate in cognitive tasks. The neurogenic rate in the DG is reduced in the aged brain because of a reduction in the number of neural stem cells (NSC). Homeostatic mechanisms controlled by the Wnt signaling pathway protect this pool of NSC from being depleted. We discuss in here the crosstalk between Wnt signaling and vitamin D, and hypothesize that hypovitaminosis might cause failure in the control of the neurogenic homeostatic mechanisms in the old brain leading to cognitive impairment. Understanding the relationship between vitamin D, neurogenesis and cognitive performance in the aged brain may facilitate prevention of cognitive decline and it can open a door into new therapeutic fields by perspectives in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Gómez-Oliva
- Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Noelia Geribaldi-Doldán
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Samuel Domínguez-García
- Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Livia Carrascal
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Cristina Verástegui
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humanas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
| | - Pedro Nunez-Abades
- Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carmen Castro
- Área de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica de Cádiz, Cádiz, Spain
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