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Narattil NR, Maroun M. Differential role of NMDA receptors in hippocampal-dependent spatial memory and plasticity in juvenile male and female rats. Hippocampus 2024. [PMID: 39143939 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23631] [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: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Early life, or juvenility, stands out as the most pivotal phase in neurodevelopment due to its profound impact over the long-term cognition. During this period, significant changes are made in the brain's connections both within and between different areas, particularly in tandem with the development of more intricate behaviors. The hippocampus is among the brain regions that undergo significant postnatal remodeling, including dendritic arborization, synaptogenesis, the formation of complex spines and neuron proliferation. Given the crucial role of the hippocampus in spatial memory processing, it has been observed that spatial memory abilities continue to develop as the hippocampus matures, particularly before puberty. The N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) type of glutamate receptor channel is crucial for the induction of activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and spatial memory formation in both rodents and humans. Although extensive evidence shows the role of NMDA receptors (NMDAr) in spatial memory and synaptic plasticity, the studies addressing the role of NMDAr in spatial memory of juveniles are sparse and mostly limited to adult males. In the present study, we, therefore, aimed to investigate the effects of systemic NMDAr blockade by the MK-801 on spatial memory (novel object location memory, OLM) and hippocampal plasticity in the form of long-term potentiation (LTP) of both male and female juvenile rats. Our results show the sex-dimorphic role of NMDAr in spatial memory and plasticity during juvenility, as systemic NMDAr blockade impairs the OLM and LTP in juvenile males without an effect on juvenile females. Taken together, our results demonstrate that spatial memory and hippocampal plasticity are NMDAr-dependent in juvenile males and NMDAr-independent in juvenile females. These sex-specific differences in the mechanisms of spatial memory and plasticity may imply gender-specific treatment for spatial memory disorders even in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Rajan Narattil
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Integrated Brain and Behavior Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Mouna Maroun
- Sagol Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, and the Integrated Brain and Behavior Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
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2
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Piccardi L, Nori R, Cimadevilla JM, Kozhevnikov M. The Contribution of Internal and External Factors to Human Spatial Navigation. Brain Sci 2024; 14:585. [PMID: 38928585 PMCID: PMC11201702 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spatial navigation is a multifaceted cognitive function essential for planning and finding routes in one's environment [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Piccardi
- Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- San Raffaele Cassino Hospital, 03043 Cassino, Italy
| | - Raffaella Nori
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, 40127 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Jose Manuel Cimadevilla
- Faculty of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120 Almería, Spain;
| | - María Kozhevnikov
- Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 17570, Singapore
- Martinos Canter for Biomedical Imaging, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02129, USA
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3
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Zorzo C, Arias JL, Méndez M. Are there sex differences in spatial reference memory in the Morris water maze? A large-sample experimental study. Learn Behav 2024; 52:179-190. [PMID: 37723403 PMCID: PMC11186955 DOI: 10.3758/s13420-023-00598-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Sex differences have been found in allocentric spatial learning and memory tasks, with the literature indicating that males outperform females, although this issue is still controversial. This study aimed to explore the behavior of male and female rats during the habituation and learning of a spatial memory task performed in the Morris Water Maze (MWM). The study included a large sample of 89 males and 85 females. We found that females searched slightly faster than males during habituation with a visible platform. During learning, both male and female rats decreased the latency and distance traveled to find the hidden platform over the days, with males outperforming females in the distance traveled. Females swam faster but did not find the platform earlier, suggesting a less directed navigational strategy. Both sexes increased time spent in the target zone over the days, with no sex differences. Although females swam more in the periphery during the first days of the task, both sexes decreased the time spent in this area. Finally, only males increased swimming in the pool's center over the days, spending more time than females in this area across the entire training. In conclusion, we need to register several variables in the MWM and analyze path strategies to obtain more robust results concerning sex differences. Research on spatial learning should include both sexes to achieve a more equitable, representative, and translational science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela Zorzo
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Instituo de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain.
| | - Jorge L Arias
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituo de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
| | - Marta Méndez
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituo de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Faculty of Psychology, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario, s/n, 33011, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
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Lv Y, Su H, Li R, Yang Z, Chen Q, Zhang D, Liang S, Hu C, Ni X. A cross-sectional study of the major risk factor at different levels of cognitive performance within Chinese-origin middle-aged and elderly individuals. J Affect Disord 2024; 349:377-383. [PMID: 38199420 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Senior citizens suffering from cognitive impairment (CI) are on the East Asia rise. Multiple variables could lead to inter-/intra-individual cognition effectiveness variations, though previous research efforts did not consider weighting issues. METHODS This study scrutinized 5639 participants meeting required inclusion criteria by the CHARLS. Cognitive capacity was evaluated through Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Considering that MMSE scorings were not following normal distribution, a non-parametric test and multiple linear regression were performed to screen candidate variables linked to cognitive capacity. Such applicability of candidate factors in the cumulative effect and the weighting of the impact on cognitive performance were evaluated by random forest (RF) algorithm. RESULTS Age, gender, education, marital status, residence, the type of residence, exercise, socialization level and drinking were correlated to MMSE scorings (p < 0.05). Among them, age, education, gender and sociality were correlated to individual MMSE items (p < 0.05). Regardless of MMSE scores and several MMSE items, age is always a prime factor. However, in the attention and computation item, education is better than age and ranks first. CONCLUSIONS This preliminary study prompted age, education, gender, and sociality with varying weightings to be linked to cognitive capacity within a Chinese cohort by differing cognitive aspects. At different levels of cognitive performance, the main risk factors are basically similar, but there are still some differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Lv
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Huabin Su
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Rongqiao Li
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Ze Yang
- The Key Laboratory of Geriatrics, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing Hospital/National Center of Gerontology of National Health Commission, 100730, PR China
| | - Qing Chen
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Di Zhang
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Shuolin Liang
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Caiyou Hu
- Jiangbin Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 530021, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Ni
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, PR China.
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Nikolic B, Trnski-Levak S, Kosic K, Drlje M, Banovac I, Hranilovic D, Jovanov-Milosevic N. Lasting mesothalamic dopamine imbalance and altered exploratory behavior in rats after a mild neonatal hypoxic event. Front Integr Neurosci 2024; 17:1304338. [PMID: 38304737 PMCID: PMC10832065 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1304338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adversities during the perinatal period can decrease oxygen supply to the fetal brain, leading to various hypoxic brain injuries, which can compromise the regularity of brain development in different aspects. To examine the catecholaminergic contribution to the link between an early-life hypoxic insult and adolescent behavioral aberrations, we used a previously established rat model of perinatal hypoxia but altered the hypobaric to normobaric conditions. Methods Exploratory and social behavior and learning abilities were tested in 70 rats of both sexes at adolescent age. Inherent vertical locomotion, sensory-motor functions and spatial learning abilities were explored in a subset of animals to clarify the background of altered exploratory behavior. Finally, the concentrations of dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline in midbrain and pons, and the relative expression of genes for DA receptors D1 and D2, and their down-stream targets (DA- and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein, Mr 32 kDa, the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A, and inhibitor-5 of protein phosphatase 1) in the hippocampus and thalamus were investigated in 31 rats. Results A lesser extent of alterations in exploratory and cognitive aspects of behavior in the present study suggests that normobaric conditions mitigate the hypoxic injury compared to the one obtained under hypobaric conditions. Increased exploratory rearing was the most prominent consequence, with impaired spatial learning in the background. In affected rats, increased midbrain/pons DA content, as well as mRNA levels for DA receptors and their down-stream elements in the thalamus, but not the hippocampus, were found. Conclusion We can conclude that a mild hypoxic event induced long-lasting disbalances in mesothalamic DA signaling, contributing to the observed behavioral alterations. The thalamus was thereby indicated as another structure, besides the well-established striatum, involved in mediating hypoxic effects on behavior through DA signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nikolic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Sara Trnski-Levak
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Kristina Kosic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Drlje
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Banovac
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department for Anatomy and Clinical Anatomy, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dubravka Hranilovic
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Natasa Jovanov-Milosevic
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Biology, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
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6
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Bidô RDCDA, Pereira DE, Alves MDC, Dutra LMG, Costa ACDS, Viera VB, Araújo WJD, Leite EL, Oliveira CJBD, Alves AF, Freitas JCR, Martins ACS, Cirino JA, Soares JKB. Mix of almond baru (Dipteryx alata Vog.) and goat whey modulated intestinal microbiota, improved memory and induced anxiolytic like behavior in aged rats. J Psychiatr Res 2023; 164:98-117. [PMID: 37331263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2023.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The objective was to evaluate the effects of the consumption of a mix of baru almond and goat whey on memory performance and anxiety parameters related to the intestinal health of rats treated during aging. The animals were divided into three groups and treated by gavage for 10 weeks (n = 10/each group): Control (CT) - distilled water; Baru almond (BA) - 2000 mg of baru/kg of body weight; and Baru + Whey (BW) - 2000 mg of baru + 2000 mg of goat milk whey/kg of body weight. Anxiety behavior, memory, brain fatty acid profile and fecal microbiota were measured. BA and BW realized less grooming, spent more time in the central area of the open field and the open arms, and realized more head dipping in the elevated plus maze. A higher rate of exploration of the new object in the short and long-term memory was observed in BA and BW. There was an increase in the deposition of MUFAs and PUFAs and oleic acid in the brain of BA and BW. Regarding spatial memory, BA and BW performed better, with an emphasis on BW. There was a beneficial modulation of the fecal microbiota with a reduction of the pathogenic genus Clostridia_UFC-014 in BA and BW and an increase in the abundance of metabolic pathways of interest in the brain-gut axis. Thus, consumption of the mix is efficient in beneficially altering the intestinal microbiota, improving memory and anxiolytic-like behavior in rats during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita de Cássia de Araújo Bidô
- Program of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil.
| | - Diego Elias Pereira
- Program of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil
| | - Maciel da Costa Alves
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Larissa Maria Gomes Dutra
- Program of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Dos Santos Costa
- Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil; Department of Rural Technology, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Bordin Viera
- Laboratory of Bromatology, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil
| | - Wydemberg José de Araújo
- Laboratory for the Evaluation of Products of Animal Origin, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Elma Lima Leite
- Laboratory for the Evaluation of Products of Animal Origin, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Celso José Bruno de Oliveira
- Laboratory for the Evaluation of Products of Animal Origin, Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia, PB, Brazil
| | - Adriano Francisco Alves
- Laboratory of General Pathology, Department of Physiology and Pathology, Center for Health Sciences, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Juliano Carlo Rufino Freitas
- Education and Health Center, Academic Unit of Biology and Chemistry, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil
| | | | - Janaína André Cirino
- National Institute of Technology in Bonding and Coating Materials, University City, Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Juliana Késsia Barbosa Soares
- Program of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil; Laboratory of Experimental Nutrition, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité, PB, Brazil
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7
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Vinogradova A, Sysova M, Smirnova P, Sidorova M, Turkin A, Kurilova E, Tuchina O. Enriched Environment Induces Sex-Specific Changes in the Adult Neurogenesis, Cytokine and miRNA Expression in Rat Hippocampus. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1341. [PMID: 37239012 PMCID: PMC10215805 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
An enriched environment stimulates adult hippocampal plasticity, but the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms are complex, and thus a matter of debate. We studied the behavior and hippocampal neurogenesis in adult male and female Wistar rats that were housed in an enriched environment (EE) for two months. Both EE males and females performed better than control animals in a Barnes maze, meaning that EE enhances spatial memory. However, the expression levels of neurogenesis markers KI67, DCX, Nestin, and Syn1 increased only in EE females, while in EE males only KI67 and BDNF were higher than in the corresponding control. The number of DCX+ neurons on brain slices increased in the dentate gyrus of EE females only, i.e., the level of adult hippocampal neurogenesis was increased in female but not in male rats. The level of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and signaling pathway components was upregulated in EE females. Of 84 miRNAs tested, in the hippocampi of EE female rats we detected upregulation in the expression levels of 12 miRNAs related to neuronal differentiation and morphogenesis, while in EE males four miRNAs were upregulated and involved in the regulation of cell proliferation/differentiation, and one was downregulated and associated with the stimulation of proliferation. Taken altogether, our results point to sex-specific differences in adult hippocampal plasticity, IL-10 expression, and miRNA profiles induced by an enriched environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Oksana Tuchina
- Educational and Scientific Cluster “Institute of Medicine and Life Sciences (MEDBIO)”, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 14 A. Nevskogo str., 236016 Kaliningrad, Russia
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8
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Tascón L, León I, Fernández R, Cimadevilla JM. Reversal Training Discloses Gender Differences in a Spatial Memory Task in Humans. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050740. [PMID: 37239212 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050740] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past few years, spatial memory has been studied using virtual-reality-based tasks. Reversal learning has been widely used in spatial orientation tasks for testing, among other things, new learning and flexibility. By means of a reversal-learning protocol, we assessed spatial memory in men and women. A total of sixty participants (half of them women) performed a task that included two phases: during the acquisition phase, participants were asked to find one or three rewarded positions in the virtual room across ten trials. During the reversal phase, the rewarded boxes were moved to a new position and maintained for four trials. The results showed that men and women differed in the reversal phase, with men outperforming women in high demanding conditions. Dissimilarities in several cognitive abilities between both genders are the base of these differences and are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tascón
- Department of Psychology, University of Cordoba, C/San Alberto Magno, s/n, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
| | - Irene León
- Facultad de Educación, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Av. de la Paz, 137, 26006 Logroño, Spain
| | - Rubén Fernández
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Almeria, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almeria, Spain
| | - José Manuel Cimadevilla
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Almeria, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almeria, Spain
- Health Research Center, University of Almeria, Carretera de Sacramento s/n, 04120 Almeria, Spain
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Gutiérrez-Menéndez A, Méndez M, Arias JL. Learning and metabolic brain differences between juvenile male and female rats in the execution of different training regimes of a spatial memory task. Physiol Behav 2023; 267:114203. [PMID: 37086830 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114203] [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: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023]
Abstract
Spatial memory is responsible for encoding spatial information to form a path, storing this mental representation, and evaluating and recovering spatial configurations to find a target location in the environment. It is mainly supported by the hippocampus and its interaction with other structures, such as the prefrontal cortex, and emerges in rodents around postnatal day (PND) 20. Sex differences in spatial tasks have been found in adults, with a supposedly better performance in males. However, few studies have examined sex differences in orientation throughout postnatal development. This study aimed to analyse the performance of juvenile (PND 23) male (n=18) and female (n=21) Wistar rats in a spatial reference memory task in the Morris water maze (MWM) with two different training regimes in the acquisition phase, and their subjacent metabolic brain activity. Based on sex, subjects were assigned to two different groups: one that performed four learning trials per day (n=9 males and n=8 females) and the other that was submitted to two trials per day (n=9 males and n=13 females). After the behavioural protocols, metabolic activity was evaluated using cytochrome c oxidase histochemistry. Results showed no metabolic brain or behavioural differences in the four-trial protocol performance, in which both sexes reached the learning criterion on the fourth day. By contrast, the two-trial protocol revealed an advantage for females, who reached the learning criterion on day four, whereas males needed more training and succeeded on day six. The female group showed lower metabolic activity than the male group in the cingulate and prelimbic cortex. These results suggest a faster consolidation process in the female group than the male group. Further research is needed to understand sex differences in spatial memory at early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Gutiérrez-Menéndez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijóo, s/n, E-33003, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Marta Méndez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijóo, s/n, E-33003, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Jorge L Arias
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijóo, s/n, E-33003, Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Oviedo, Spain
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10
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López-Taboada I, Sal-Sarria S, Vallejo G, Coto-Montes A, Conejo NM, González-Pardo H. Sexual dimorphism in spatial learning and brain metabolism after exposure to a western diet and early life stress in rats. Physiol Behav 2022; 257:113969. [PMID: 36181786 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged daily intake of Western-type diet rich in saturated fats and sugars, and exposure to early life stress have been independently linked to impaired neurodevelopment and behaviour in animal models. However, sex-specific effects of both environmental factors combined on spatial learning and memory, behavioural flexibility, and brain oxidative capacity have still not been addressed. The current study aimed to evaluate the impact of maternal and postnatal exposure to a high-fat and high-sugar diet (HFS), and exposure to early life stress by maternal separation in adult male and female Wistar rats. For this purpose, spatial learning and memory and behavioural flexibility were evaluated in the Morris water maze, and regional brain oxidative capacity and oxidative stress levels were measured in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex. Spatial memory, regional brain oxidative metabolism, and levels of oxidative stress differed between females and males, suggesting sexual dimorphism in the effects of a HFS diet and early life stress. Males fed the HFS diet performed better than all other experimental groups independently of early life stress exposure. However, behavioural flexibility evaluated in the spatial reversal leaning task was impaired in males fed the HFS diet. In addition, exposure to maternal separation or the HFS diet increased the metabolic capacity of the prefrontal cortex and dorsal hippocampus in males and females. Levels of oxidative stress measured in the latter brain regions were also increased in groups fed the HFS diet, but maternal separation seemed to dampen regional brain oxidative stress levels. Therefore, these results suggest a compensatory effect resulting from the interaction between prolonged exposure to a HFS diet and early life stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel López-Taboada
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Saúl Sal-Sarria
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain
| | - Guillermo Vallejo
- Methodology area, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Coto-Montes
- Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain; Department of Morphology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oviedo, Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Nélida M Conejo
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Héctor González-Pardo
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003, Oviedo, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences of the Principality of Asturias (INEUROPA), Oviedo, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Av. del Hospital Universitario s/n, 33011 Oviedo, Spain
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11
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Bowman R, Frankfurt M, Luine V. Sex differences in cognition following variations in endocrine status. Learn Mem 2022; 29:234-245. [PMID: 36206395 PMCID: PMC9488023 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053509.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Spatial memory, mediated primarily by the hippocampus, is responsible for orientation in space and retrieval of information regarding location of objects and places in an animal's environment. Since the hippocampus is dense with steroid hormone receptors and is capable of robust neuroplasticity, it is not surprising that changes in spatial memory performance occur following a variety of endocrine alterations. Here, we review cognitive changes in both spatial and nonspatial memory tasks following manipulations of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axes and after exposure to endocrine disruptors in rodents. Chronic stress impairs male performance on numerous behavioral cognitive tasks and enhances or does not impact female cognitive function. Sex-dependent changes in cognition following stress are influenced by both organizational and activational effects of estrogen and vary depending on the developmental age of the stress exposure, but responses to gonadal hormones in adulthood are more similar than different in the sexes. Also discussed are possible underlying neural mechanisms for these steroid hormone-dependent, cognitive effects. Bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor, given at low levels during adolescent development, impairs spatial memory in adolescent male and female rats and object recognition memory in adulthood. BPA's negative effects on memory may be mediated through alterations in dendritic spine density in areas that mediate these cognitive tasks. In summary, this review discusses the evidence that endocrine status of an animal (presence or absence of stress hormones, gonadal hormones, or endocrine disruptors) impacts cognitive function and, at times, in a sex-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Bowman
- Department of Psychology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825, USA
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Psychology, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut 06825, USA
- Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York 11549, USA
| | - Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10065, USA
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12
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Effects of grade, academic performance, and sex on spatial working memory and attention in primary school children: a cross-sectional observational study. JOURNAL OF BIO-X RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/jbr.0000000000000120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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13
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Marion M, Hamilton J, Richardson B, Roeder N, Figueiredo A, Nubelo A, Hetelekides E, Penman S, Owada Y, Kagawa Y, Thanos PK. Environmental Enrichment Sex-dependently Rescues Memory Impairment in FABP5 KO Mice Not Mediated by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. Behav Brain Res 2022; 425:113814. [PMID: 35202717 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid-binding proteins (FABPs) are intracellular carriers of bioactive lipids and play a role in the trafficking of endocannabinoids as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids. Mice lacking the FABP5 gene have memory impairments. Environmental enrichment is a potent manipulation known to rescue or improve memory performance. The extent to which the memory impairments in FABP5 knockout (KO) mice can be rescued or improved through environmental conditions remains to be understood. To address this, we raised wild type (WT) and FABP5 KO mice in either socially isolated or environmental enrichment conditions during adolescence. Once in adulthood, mice were tested for Novel Object Recognition (NOR), T-maze, and Morris Water Maze (MWM) to evaluate memory performance. Mice were then euthanized to assess hippocampal brain-dervied neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations. MWM results showed that male FABP5 KO mice performed worse compared to WT counterparts. Male and female mice raised in an enriched environment improved performance regardless of genotype. Results on the NOR test showed that male FABP5 KO mice displayed lower object recognition compared to WT counterparts across both environments. No differences of genotype or environment were seen in female mice. T maze findings showed that impaired performance in socially isolated FABP5 KO mice. Adolescent environmental enrichment rescued this deficit in male, but not female, FABP5 KO mice. Lastly, environmental enrichment increased hippocampal BDNF levels in male WT mice only. Our results corroborate the previously observed role of the FABP5 gene on memory performance and identify an important interaction with the environment during adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Marion
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - John Hamilton
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Brittany Richardson
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Roeder
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Antonio Figueiredo
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Amanda Nubelo
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Eleftherios Hetelekides
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Samantha Penman
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Yuji Owada
- Department of Organ Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Seiryo-cho 2-1, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Yoshiteru Kagawa
- Department of Organ Anatomy, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Seiryo-cho 2-1, Aobaku, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Panayotis K Thanos
- Behavioral Neuropharmacology and Neuroimaging Laboratory on Addictions (BNNLA), Clinical and Research Institute on Addictions, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA; Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.
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14
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Safari S, Ahmadi N, Mohammadkhani R, Ghahremani R, Khajvand-Abedeni M, Shahidi S, Komaki A, Salehi I, Karimi SA. Sex differences in spatial learning and memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation at perforant pathway-dentate gyrus (PP-DG) synapses in Wistar rats. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2021; 17:9. [PMID: 34724971 PMCID: PMC8559395 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-021-00184-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies show that gender may have a significant impact on brain functions. However, the reports of sex effects on spatial ability and synaptic plasticity in rodents are divergent and controversial. Here spatial learning and memory was measured in male and female rats by using Morris water maze (MWM) task. Moreover, to assess sex difference in hippocampal synaptic plasticity we examined hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) at perforant pathway-dentate gyrus (PP-DG) synapses. RESULTS In MWM task, male rats outperformed female rats, as they had significantly shorter swim distance and escape latency to find the hidden platform during training days. During spatial reference memory test, female rats spent less time and traveled less distance in the target zone. Male rats also had larger LTP at PP-DG synapses, which was evident in the high magnitude of population spike (PS) potentiation and the field excitatory post synaptic potentials (fEPSP) slope. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that sex differences in the LTP at PP-DG synapses, possibly contribute to the observed sex difference in spatial learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samaneh Safari
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Nesa Ahmadi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | | | - Reza Ghahremani
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran
| | | | - Siamak Shahidi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Science and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Street, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Alireza Komaki
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Science and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Street, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Iraj Salehi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Seyed Asaad Karimi
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Science and Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Fahmideh Street, Hamadan, Iran.
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15
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Babaei P, Eyvani K, Kouhestani S. Sex-Independent Cognition Improvement in Response to Kaempferol in the Model of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1480-1486. [PMID: 33710535 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03289-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with neural oxidative stress and inflammation, and it is assumed to affect more women than men with unknown mechanisms. Kaempferol (KMP) as a potent natural antioxidant has been known to exhibit various biological and pharmacological functions, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. We aimed here to evaluate the role of gender difference in response to KMP on the rat model of sporadic AD. Forty-six female and male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of sham, streptozotocin (STZ) + saline (SAL), STZ + KMP. Female rats were ovariectomized, and then all animals received an intracerebroventricular bilateral injection of STZ (3 mg/kg) to induce the AD model. KMP (10 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered for 21 consecutive days. Afterward, spatial learning and memory were assessed via the Morris water maze task (MWM). Finally, the hippocampus level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione, and malondialdehyde were measured using calorimetric kits. Data showed a significant cognition deficit in STZ + SAL compared with the sham. To sum up, we reported that chronic KMP treatment increase significantly improved acquisition and retrieval of spatial memory as evident by longer TTS (total time spent) and short-latency to the platform in MWM. In addition, KMP increased the levels of SOD and glutathione in the hippocampus of rats. Also, KMP decreased hippocampal levels of malondialdehyde in both genders. In conclusion, KMP successfully restores spatial memory impairment independent of gender difference. This memory restoration may at least in part be mediated through boosting the hippocampal level of SOD and glutathione.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Babaei
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Kimia Eyvani
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran
| | - Somayeh Kouhestani
- Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
- Cellular & Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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