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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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Mahmoud YK, Ali AA, Abdelrazek HMA, Aldayel TS, Abdel-Daim MM, El-Menyawy MAI. Neurotoxic Effect of Fipronil in Male Wistar Rats: Ameliorative Effect of L-Arginine and L-Carnitine. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10070682. [PMID: 34356537 PMCID: PMC8301478 DOI: 10.3390/biology10070682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Insecticides are widely used in agricultural and household environments. They induce wide range of deleterious effects. Fipronil is one of the most widely used phenylpyrazoles insecticides. The neurotoxic effect of such insecticide was tested in the present study with special emphasis on cognitive deficit as well as testing the possible ameliorative impacts of L-arginine and L-carnitine. The study proposed fipronil-induced cognitive deficit as a reflection to oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation. Moreover, L-arginine and L-carnitine exerted ameliorative influence on fipronil induced oxidative stress and neuro-inflammation. Therefore, L-arginine and L-carnitine can be considered as prospective candidates for mitigation of pesticide induced neurotoxicity especially in people with high-risk exposure to pesticide. Abstract The ameliorative effect of L-arginine (LA) and L-carnitine (LC) against fipronil (FPN)-induced neurotoxicity was explored. In this case, 36 adult male rats were randomly divided into six groups: group I received distilled water, group II received 500 mg/kg LA, group III received 100 mg/kg LC, group IV received 4.85 mg/kg FPN, group V received 4.85 mg/kg FPN and 500 mg/kg LA and group VI received 4.85 mg/kg FPN and 100 mg/kg LC for 6 weeks. Cognitive performance was assessed using Barnes maze (BM). Serum corticosterone, brain total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) and dopamine were measured. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry of ionized calcium-binding adaptor (Iba-1), doublecortin (DCX) and serotonin (S-2A) receptors were performed. Fipronil induced noticeable deterioration in spatial learning and memory performance. In addition, FPN significantly (p < 0.05) diminished brain antioxidant defense system and dopamine coincide with elevated serum corticosterone level. Histopathological examination revealed degenerative and necrotic changes. Furthermore, Iba-1 and DCX were significantly expressed in cortex and hippocampus whereas S-2A receptors were significantly lowered in FPN group. However, administration of LA or LC alleviated FPN-induced deteriorations. In conclusion, LA and LC could be prospective candidates for mitigation of FPN-induced neurotoxicity via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuropotentiating effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmina K. Mahmoud
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Ahmed A. Ali
- Hygiene, Zoonosis and Animal Behavior Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
| | - Heba M. A. Abdelrazek
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +2-012-23399477; Fax: +2-064-3207052
| | - Tahany Saleh Aldayel
- Nutrition and Food Science, Department of Physical Sport Sciences, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt;
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Berezhnoy DS, Troshev DV, Nalobin DS, Fedorova TN. Changes in COX histochemistry in the brain of mice and rats exposed to chronic subcutaneous rotenone. J Chem Neuroanat 2020; 110:101880. [PMID: 33160047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2020.101880] [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: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Exposure of experimental animals to the mitochondrial toxin rotenone is considered to be a model of environmental progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated the differential vulnerability of various brain regions to generalized inhibition of complex I, induced by subcutaneous rotenone injections for the duration of 1, 3 and 7 days in both rats (2 mg/kg dosage) and mice (4 mg/kg dosage). To examine patterns of metabolic activity changes in the brain, histochemical evaluation of cytochrome C oxidase (COX) activity was performed in post mortem brain sections. Animals displayed a similar time course of neuronal loss in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), reaching 44 % in mice and 42 % in rats by the 7th day. The pattern of COX activity changes, however, was different for the two species. In both experiments, metabolic changes were evident not only in the substantia nigra, but also in non-specific structures (cortex and hippocampus). In mice, a decrease in COX activity was shown mostly for the non-specific areas (V1 cortex and ventral hippocampus) after the single exposure to rotenone. Data from the experiment conducted on rats demonstrated both an acute metabolic decrease in mesencephalic structures (SNpc and nucleus ruber) after a single injection of rotenone and secondary changes in cortical structures (S1 cortex and dorsal hippocampus) after chronic 7 day exposure. These changes reflect the general effect of rotenone on neuronal metabolic rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniil S Berezhnoy
- Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Leninskie Gory, 1s12, Russia; Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurochemistry, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, 125367, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, Russia.
| | - Dmitry V Troshev
- Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Leninskie Gory, 1s12, Russia
| | - Denis S Nalobin
- Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Leninskie Gory, 1s12, Russia; Faculty of Biotechnology, Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Leninskie Gory, 1s51, Russia
| | - Tatiana N Fedorova
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurochemistry, Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, 125367, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, Russia
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Assessment of spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze task in rodents-methodological consideration. Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 2018; 392:1-18. [PMID: 30470917 PMCID: PMC6311199 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-018-1589-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Among the methods valuable for assessing spatial learning and memory impairments in rodents, the Barnes maze (BM) task deserves special attention. It is based on the assumption that the animal placed into the aversive environment should learn and remember the location of an escape box located below the surface of the platform. Different phases of the task allow to measure spatial learning, memory retrieval, and cognitive flexibility. Herein, we summarize current knowledge about the BM procedure, its variations and critical parameters measured in the task. We highlight confounding factors which should be taken into account when conducting BM task, discussing briefly its advantages and disadvantages. We then propose an extended version of the BM protocol which allows to measure different aspects of spatial learning and memory in rodents. We believe that this review will help to standardize the BM methodology across the laboratories and eventually make the results comparable.
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Álvarez-Suárez P, Moreno-Fernández RD, García-Castro G, Cuesta M, Begega A. Environmental Enrichment Results in Both Brain Connectivity Efficiency and Selective Improvement in Different Behavioral Tasks. Neuroscience 2018; 388:374-383. [PMID: 30086366 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.07.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) has been a useful model for studying the effects of experience on brain plasticity, but to date, few is known about the impact of this condition on the brain functional networks that probably underlies the multiple behavioral improvements. Hence, we assessed the effect of an EE protocol in adult Wistar rats on the performance in several behavioral tasks testing different domains (Open field (OP): locomotor activity; Elevated-zero maze (EZM): anxiety-related behaviors; 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT): attentional processes; 4-arm radial water maze (4-RAWM): spatial memory) in order to check its effectiveness in a wide range of functions. After this, we analyzed the functional brain connectivity underlying each experimental condition through cytochrome C oxidase (COx) histochemistry. Our EE protocol reduced both locomotor activity in the OP and anxiety-related behaviors in the EZM. On the other hand, enriched rats showed more accuracy in the 4-RAWM, whereas 5-CSRTT performance was not significantly ameliorated by EE condition. In relation to COx functional connectivity, we found that EE reduced the number of strong positive correlations both in basal and training conditions, suggesting a modulating effect on specific brain connections. Our results suggest that EE seems to have a selective effect on specific brain regions, such as prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, leading to a more efficient brain connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sampedro-Piquero
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Spain.
| | | | - R D Moreno-Fernández
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga (IBIMA), Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, Spain
| | - G García-Castro
- Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias INEUROPA, Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
| | - M Cuesta
- Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias INEUROPA, Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
| | - A Begega
- Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias INEUROPA, Departamento de Psicología, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Begega A. Environmental Enrichment as a Positive Behavioral Intervention Across the Lifespan. Curr Neuropharmacol 2018; 15:459-470. [PMID: 27012955 PMCID: PMC5543669 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x14666160325115909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent decades, the interest in behavioral interventions has been growing due to the higher prevalence of age-related cognitive impairments. Hence, behavioral interventions, such as cognitive stimulation and physical activity, and along with these, our lifestyle (education level, work position, frequency of cognitive and social activities) have shown important benefits during the cognitive impairment, dementia and even recovery after brain injury. This is due to the fact that this type of intervention and activities promote the formation of a cognitive and brain reserve that allows tolerating brain damage during a long period of time without the appearance of cognitive symptoms. With regard to this, animal models have proved very useful in providing information about the brain mechanisms involved in the development of these cognitive and brain reserves and how they interact with each other. METHODS We summarize several studies showing the positive effects of Environmental Enrichment (EE), understood as a housing condition in which animals benefit from the sensory, physical, cognitive and social stimulation provided, on brain and cognitive functions usually impaired during aging. RESULTS Most of studies have shown that EE is a successful protocol to improve cognitive functions and reduce anxiety-related behaviors across the lifespan, as well as in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases. CONCLUSION Therefore, EE is a laboratory condition in which some aspects of an active lifestyle are reproduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sampedro-Piquero
- Department of Biological and Health Psychology, Autonomous University of Madrid, Cantoblanco 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Begega
- Neuroscience Laboratory, Psychology Department, University of Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n 33003 Oviedo, INEUROPA, Spain
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Requiring collaboration: Hippocampal-prefrontal networks needed in spatial working memory and ageing. A multivariate analysis approach. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 140:33-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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López-Avalos MD, Fernández-Llebrez Zayas R, Cifuentes M, De Andrés MV, Fernández-Llebrez Del Rey P, Grondona JM, Pérez-Martín M, Pedraza C. Mente Activa® Improves Impaired Spatial Memory in Aging Rats. J Nutr Health Aging 2015; 19:819-27. [PMID: 26412286 DOI: 10.1007/s12603-015-0546-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aging is accompanied by a decline in several aspects of the cognitive function, having negative personal and socioeconomic impacts. Dietary supplements could be beneficial for preventing age-related cognitive decline. In this context, we examined whether the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® has beneficial effects on aging-related cognitive deficits without inducing side effects. METHODS Mente Activa® was administered to old rats (n= 30 treated rats and n= 30 control rats) during 5 months, and the Morris water maze was used to test the learning capacities of the animals. The first assessment was conducted before the nutritional intervention (age of 18-19 months), to determine the baseline of the performance of animals on this test, and the second assessment was performed at the end of the treatment (23-24 moths). In order to examine possible secondary effects of this nutritional supplement, plasma, heart anatomy and liver parameters were evaluated. RESULTS Our data indicate that supplemented rats showed less escape latency, distance swum, higher use of spatial search strategies, and crossed the former platform location with higher frequency than control rats. These effects were specific of the treatment, indicating that this nutritional supplement has a beneficial effect on spatial memory. On the other hand, the regular intake of Mente Activa® did not induce any negative effects in plasma parameters and heart size. CONCLUSIONS Aged rats under a sustained dietary intake of the nutritional supplement Mente Activa® displayed improved learning and memory abilities compared to the non-treated rats. These results suggest the therapeutic potential and safety of use of Mente Activa® for age-related cognitive deficits, particularly, in the onset of the first cognitive dysfunction symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- M D López-Avalos
- C. Pedraza, Dpto. Psicobiología y Metodología de las CC. Facultad de Psicología. Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n., Málaga, 29071. Spain, Tel: +34 952 132 510; Fax: +34 952 134 142, E-mail:
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Morel GR, Andersen T, Pardo J, Zuccolilli GO, Cambiaggi VL, Hereñú CB, Goya RG. Cognitive impairment and morphological changes in the dorsal hippocampus of very old female rats. Neuroscience 2015; 303:189-99. [PMID: 26141841 PMCID: PMC4532610 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus, a medial temporal lobe structure necessary for the formation of spatial memory, is particularly affected by both normal and pathologic aging. In previous studies, we observed a significant age-related increase in dopaminergic neuron loss in the hypothalamus and the substantia nigra of female rats, which becomes more conspicuous at extreme ages. Here, we extend our studies by assessing spatial memory in 4-6 month-old (young), 26-month-old (old) and 29-32-month-old (senile) Sprague-Dawley female rats as well as the age-related histopathological changes in their dorsal hippocampus. Age changes in spatial memory performance were assessed with a modified version of the Barnes maze test. We employed two probe trials (PTs), one and five days after training, respectively, in order to evaluate learning ability as well as short-term and longer-term spatial memory retention. A set of relevant hippocampal cell markers was also quantitated in the animals by means of an unbiased stereological approach. The results revealed that old rats perform better than senile rats in acquisition trials and young rats perform better than both aging groups. However, during short-term PT both aging groups showed a preserved spatial memory while in longer-term PT, spatial memory showed deterioration in both aged groups. Morphological analysis showed a marked decrease (94-97%) in doublecortin neuron number in the dentate gyrus in both aged groups and a reduction in glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cell number in the stratum radiatum of aging rats. Astroglial process length and branching complexity decreased in aged rats. We conclude that while target-seeking activity and learning ability decrease in aged females, spatial memory only declines in the longer-term tests. The reduction in neuroblast number and astroglial arborescence complexity in the dorsal hippocampus are likely to play a role in the cognitive deficits of aging rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- G R Morel
- INIBIOLP-Histology B-Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina
| | - T Andersen
- INIBIOLP-Histology B-Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina
| | - J Pardo
- INIBIOLP-Histology B-Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina
| | - G O Zuccolilli
- Institute of Anatomy, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina
| | - V L Cambiaggi
- Institute of Anatomy, School of Veterinary Sciences, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina
| | - C B Hereñú
- INIBIOLP-Histology B-Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina
| | - R G Goya
- INIBIOLP-Histology B-Pathology B, School of Medicine, National University of La Plata, La Plata city, Argentina.
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Beaudet G, Bouet V, Jozet-Alves C, Schumann-Bard P, Dauphin F, Paizanis E, Boulouard M, Freret T. Spatial memory deficit across aging: current insights of the role of 5-HT7 receptors. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 8:448. [PMID: 25642173 PMCID: PMC4294164 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Elderly persons often face biological, psychological or social changes over time that may cause discomfort or morbidity. While some cognitive domains remain stable over time, others undergo a decline. Spatial navigation is a complex cognitive function essential for independence, safety and quality of life. While egocentric (body-centered) navigation is quite preserved during aging, allocentric (externally-centered) navigation-based on a cognitive map using distant landmarks-declines with age. Recent preclinical studies showed that serotonergic 5-HT7 receptors are localized in brain regions associated with allocentric spatial navigation processing. Behavioral assessments with pharmacological or genetic tools have confirmed the role of 5-HT7 receptors in allocentric navigation. Moreover, few data suggested a selective age-related decrease in the expression of 5-HT7 receptors in pivotal brain structures implicated in allocentric navigation such as the hippocampal CA3 region. We aim to provide a short overview of the potential role of 5-HT7 receptors in spatial navigation, and to argue for their interests as therapeutic targets against age-related cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Beaudet
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - Valentine Bouet
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - Christelle Jozet-Alves
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - Pascale Schumann-Bard
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - François Dauphin
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - Eleni Paizanis
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - Michel Boulouard
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
| | - Thomas Freret
- Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, Groupe Mémoire et Plasticité Comportementale (GMPc), EA 4259 Caen, France
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Metabolic brain activity underlying behavioral performance and spatial strategy choice in sedentary and exercised Wistar rats. Neuroscience 2014; 281:110-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2014.09.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 09/05/2014] [Accepted: 09/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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Sampedro-Piquero P, De Bartolo P, Petrosini L, Zancada-Menendez C, Arias JL, Begega A. Astrocytic plasticity as a possible mediator of the cognitive improvements after environmental enrichment in aged rats. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2014; 114:16-25. [PMID: 24727294 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Currently, little is known about the effect of environmental enrichment (EE) on astrocytic plasticity, especially during aging. Given the newly discovered role of the astrocytes in regulating the synaptic transmission and thereby, the cognitive functions, we aimed to study the impact of EE on the performance in a spatial memory task and on the number and morphology of GFAP immunopositive cells in the dorsal hippocampus. After two months of EE (3 h/per day), the animals were tested in the Radial-Arm Water Maze (RAWM) for four days, with six daily trials. Next, we analyzed the changes in the GFAP immunopositive cells in CA1, CA3 and Dentate Gyrus (DG). Behavioral results showed that, even in advanced ages, EE improved the performance in a spatial memory task. Also, we found that aged rats submitted to EE had more GFAP immunopositive cells in the DG and more complex astrocytes, revealed by Sholl analysis, in all hippocampal subfields with respect to the other experimental conditions. Interestingly, the learning of a spatial memory task produced more morphological complexity and higher levels of GFAP immunopositive cells with regard to a standard control group, but not at the same level of the enriched groups. Thus, it is possible that the plastic changes found in the hippocampal astrocytes after EE are involved in a brain reserve to cope with age-related cognitive impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sampedro-Piquero
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias, INEUROPA, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Paola De Bartolo
- Department of Psychology, University "Sapienza", via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; IRCCS S. Lucia Foundation, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Department of Psychology, University "Sapienza", via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy; IRCCS S. Lucia Foundation, via del Fosso di Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - C Zancada-Menendez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias, INEUROPA, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - J L Arias
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias, INEUROPA, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - A Begega
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto de Neurociencias del Principado de Asturias, INEUROPA, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
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Increase of glucocorticoid receptor expression after environmental enrichment: Relations to spatial memory, exploration and anxiety-related behaviors. Physiol Behav 2014; 129:118-29. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2014.02.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2013] [Revised: 01/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Arnold AEGF, Protzner AB, Bray S, Levy RM, Iaria G. Neural network configuration and efficiency underlies individual differences in spatial orientation ability. J Cogn Neurosci 2013; 26:380-94. [PMID: 24047389 DOI: 10.1162/jocn_a_00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Spatial orientation is a complex cognitive process requiring the integration of information processed in a distributed system of brain regions. Current models on the neural basis of spatial orientation are based primarily on the functional role of single brain regions, with limited understanding of how interaction among these brain regions relates to behavior. In this study, we investigated two sources of variability in the neural networks that support spatial orientation--network configuration and efficiency--and assessed whether variability in these topological properties relates to individual differences in orientation accuracy. Participants with higher accuracy were shown to express greater activity in the right supramarginal gyrus, the right precentral cortex, and the left hippocampus, over and above a core network engaged by the whole group. Additionally, high-performing individuals had increased levels of global efficiency within a resting-state network composed of brain regions engaged during orientation and increased levels of node centrality in the right supramarginal gyrus, the right primary motor cortex, and the left hippocampus. These results indicate that individual differences in the configuration of task-related networks and their efficiency measured at rest relate to the ability to spatially orient. Our findings advance systems neuroscience models of orientation and navigation by providing insight into the role of functional integration in shaping orientation behavior.
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Zancada-Menendez C, Begega A, Rubio S, Arias J. Effects of environmental enrichment on anxiety responses, spatial memory and cytochrome c oxidase activity in adult rats. Brain Res Bull 2013; 98:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/22/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Begega A, Zancada-Menendez C, Cuesta M, Arias JL. Age-dependent effects of environmental enrichment on brain networks and spatial memory in Wistar rats. Neuroscience 2013; 248:43-53. [PMID: 23769820 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Revised: 05/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/03/2013] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the effect of 3h of environmental enrichment (EE) exposure per day started at different ages (3 and 18months old) on the performance in a spatial memory task and on brain regions involved in the spatial learning (SPL) process using the principal component analysis (PCA). The animals were tested in the four-arm radial water maze (4-RAWM) for 4days, with six daily trials. We used cytochrome c oxidase (COx) histochemistry to determine the brain oxidative metabolic changes related to age, SPL and EE. Behavioural results showed that the enriched groups, regardless of their age, achieved better performance in the spatial task. Interestingly, in the case of the distance travelled in the 4-RAWM, the effect of the EE was dependent on the age, so the young enriched group travelled a shorter distance compared to the aged enriched group. Respect to COx histochemistry results, we found that different brain mechanisms are triggered in aged rats to solve the spatial task, compared to young rats. PCA revealed the same brain functional network in both age groups, but the contribution of the brain regions involved in this network was slightly different depending on the age of the rats. Thus, in the aged group, brain regions involved in anxiety-like behaviour, such as the amygdala or the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis had more relevance; whereas in the young enriched group the frontal and the hippocampal subregions had more contribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sampedro-Piquero
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - A Begega
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - C Zancada-Menendez
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - M Cuesta
- Área de Metodología, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
| | - J L Arias
- Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Departamento de Psicología, Universidad de Oviedo, Plaza Feijoo s/n, 33003 Oviedo, Spain.
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Sampedro-Piquero P, Zancada-Menendez C, Begega A, Mendez M, Arias J. Effects of forced exercise on spatial memory and cytochrome c oxidase activity in aged rats. Brain Res 2013; 1502:20-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2012.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 11/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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