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Isparta S, Töre-Yargın G, Wagner SC, Mundorf A, Cinar Kul B, Da Graça Pereira G, Güntürkün O, Ocklenburg S, Freund N, Salgirli Demirbas Y. Measuring paw preferences in dogs, cats and rats: Design requirements and innovations in methodology. Laterality 2024; 29:246-282. [PMID: 38669348 DOI: 10.1080/1357650x.2024.2341459] [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: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Studying behavioural lateralization in animals holds great potential for answering important questions in laterality research and clinical neuroscience. However, comparative research encounters challenges in reliability and validity, requiring new approaches and innovative designs to overcome. Although validated tests exist for some species, there is yet no standard test to compare lateralized manual behaviours between individuals, populations, and animal species. One of the main reasons is that different fine-motor abilities and postures must be considered for each species. Given that pawedness/handedness is a universal marker for behavioural lateralization across species, this article focuses on three commonly investigated species in laterality research: dogs, cats, and rats. We will present six apparatuses (two for dogs, three for cats, and one for rats) that enable an accurate assessment of paw preference. Design requirements and specifications such as zoometric fit for different body sizes and ages, reliability, robustness of the material, maintenance during and after testing, and animal welfare are extremely important when designing a new apparatus. Given that the study of behavioural lateralization yields crucial insights into animal welfare, laterality research, and clinical neuroscience, we aim to provide a solution to these challenges by presenting design requirements and innovations in methodology across species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevim Isparta
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Gülşen Töre-Yargın
- Brunel Design School College of Engineering Design & Physical Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
- METU/BILTIR-UTEST Product Usability Unit, Department of Industrial Design, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selina C Wagner
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Annakarina Mundorf
- Institute for Systems Medicine and Department of Human Medicine, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Bengi Cinar Kul
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Goncalo Da Graça Pereira
- Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Egas Moniz School of Health & Science, Almada, Portugal
| | - Onur Güntürkün
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Research Center One Health Ruhr, Research Alliance Ruhr, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Biopsychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- Department of Psychology, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- ICAN Institute for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, MSH Medical School Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Nadja Freund
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Prieto I, Segarra AB, Banegas I, Martínez-Cañamero M, Durán R, Vives F, Domínguez-Vías G, Ramírez-Sánchez M. Correlational Study of Aminopeptidase Activities between Left or Right Frontal Cortex versus the Hypothalamus, Pituitary, Adrenal Axis of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Treated with Hypotensive or Hypertensive Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16007. [PMID: 37958990 PMCID: PMC10647763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242116007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that the neuro-visceral integration works asymmetrically and that this asymmetry is dynamic and modifiable by physio-pathological influences. Aminopeptidases of the renin-angiotensin system (angiotensinases) have been shown to be modifiable under such conditions. This article analyzes the interactions of these angiotensinases between the left or right frontal cortex (FC) and the same enzymes in the hypothalamus (HT), pituitary (PT), adrenal (AD) axis (HPA) in control spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), in SHR treated with a hypotensive agent in the form of captopril (an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor), and in SHR treated with a hypertensive agent in the form of the L-Arginine hypertensive analogue L-NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME). In the control SHR, there were significant negative correlations between the right FC with HPA and positive correlations between the left FC and HPA. In the captopril group, the predominance of negative correlations between the right FC and HPA and positive correlations between the HPA and left FC was maintained. In the L-NAME group, a radical change in all types of interactions was observed; particularly, there was an inversion in the predominance of negative correlations between the HPA and left FC. These results indicated a better balance of neuro-visceral interactions after captopril treatment and an increase in these interactions in the hypertensive animals, especially in those treated with L-NAME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Prieto
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (I.P.); (A.B.S.); (I.B.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Ana Belén Segarra
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (I.P.); (A.B.S.); (I.B.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Inmaculada Banegas
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (I.P.); (A.B.S.); (I.B.); (M.M.-C.)
| | | | - Raquel Durán
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (R.D.); (F.V.)
| | - Francisco Vives
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (R.D.); (F.V.)
| | - Germán Domínguez-Vías
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ceuta Campus, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Manuel Ramírez-Sánchez
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain; (I.P.); (A.B.S.); (I.B.); (M.M.-C.)
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Looti Bashiyan M, Nasehi M, Vaseghi S, Khalifeh S. Investigating the effect of crocin on memory deficits induced by total sleep deprivation (TSD) with respect to the BDNF, TrkB and ERK levels in the hippocampus of male Wistar rats. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:744-754. [PMID: 33899577 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211000762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sleep deprivation (SD) induces cognitive impairments such as memory deficit. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is considered as the most critical neurotrophin in the central nervous system that is involved in sleep and memory. The main receptor of BDNF, tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), is dramatically expressed in the hippocampus. Also, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has a significant role in memory function. Crocin is a carotenoid chemical compound and the active component of the flower Crocus sativus L. (saffron) that improves memory function and increases the level of BDNF, TrkB and ERK. AIMS In this research, we aimed to investigate the effect of total SD (TSD, 24 h) and crocin on memory performance, and BDNF, TrkB and ERK hippocampal levels. METHODS Passive avoidance memory was assessed using step-through, and working memory was measured using Y-maze tasks. The level of proteins in both hemispheres of the hippocampus was evaluated using Western blotting. Crocin was injected intraperitoneally at doses of 1, 5 and 15 mg/kg. RESULTS Twenty-four-hour TSD impaired both types of memories and decreased the level of all proteins in both hemispheres of the hippocampus. Crocin at all doses restored TSD-induced memory deficits. Crocin (15 mg/kg) reversed the effect of TSD on levels of all proteins. CONCLUSIONS The adverse effect of TSD on the level of proteins in the hippocampus may disrupt synaptic plasticity and transmission, which induces memory impairment. Additionally, the restoration effect of crocin on the decrease in protein levels may be involved in its improvement effect on memory performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malihe Looti Bashiyan
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Nasehi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Salar Vaseghi
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran.,Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Solmaz Khalifeh
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Amir-Almomenin Hospital, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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Manns M, Basbasse YE, Freund N, Ocklenburg S. Paw preferences in mice and rats: Meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 127:593-606. [PMID: 34004244 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Mice and rats are among the most common animal model species in both basic and clinical neuroscience. Despite their ubiquity as model species, many clinically relevant brain-behaviour relationships in rodents are not well understood. In particular, data on hemispheric asymmetries, an important organizational principle in the vertebrate brain, are conflicting as existing studies are often statistically underpowered due to small sample sizes. Paw preference is one of the most frequently investigated forms of hemispheric asymmetries on the behavioural level. Here, we used meta-analysis to statistically integrate findings on paw preferences in rats and mice. For both species, results indicate significant hemispheric asymmetries on the individual level. In mice, 81 % of animals showed a preference for either the left or the right paw, while 84 % of rats showed this preference. However, contrary to what has been reported in humans, population level asymmetries were not observed. These results are particularly significant as they point out that paying attention to potential individual hemispheric differences is important in both basic and clinical neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Manns
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
| | - Yasmin El Basbasse
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
| | - Nadja Freund
- Division of Experimental and Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine, LWL University Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
| | - Sebastian Ocklenburg
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department Biopsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany
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Unmasking the relevance of hemispheric asymmetries—Break on through (to the other side). Prog Neurobiol 2020; 192:101823. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Cunha AM, Esteves M, das Neves SP, Borges S, Guimarães MR, Sousa N, Almeida A, Leite-Almeida H. Pawedness Trait Test (PaTRaT)-A New Paradigm to Evaluate Paw Preference and Dexterity in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:192. [PMID: 29089877 PMCID: PMC5651527 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In rodents, dexterity is commonly analyzed in preference paradigms in which animals are given the chance to use either the left or the right front paws to manipulate food. However, paw preference and dexterity at population and individual levels are controversial as results are incongruent across paradigms. We have therefore developed a semi-quantitative method—the pawdeness trait test (PaTRaT)—to evaluate paw preference degree in rats. The PaTRaT consists in a classification system, ranging from +4 to −4 where increasingly positive and negative values reflect the bias for left or right paw use, respectively. Sprague-Dawley male rats were confined into a metal rectangular mesh cylinder, from which they can see, smell and reach sugared rewards with their paws. Due to its size, the reward could only cross the mesh if aligned with its diagonal, imposing additional coordination. Animals were allowed to retrieve 10 rewards per session in a total of four sessions while their behavior was recorded. PaTRaT was repeated 4 and 8 weeks after the first evaluation. To exclude potential bias, rats were also tested for paw fine movement and general locomotion in other behavioral paradigms as well as impulsivity (variable delay-to-signal, VDS), memory and cognitive flexibility (water maze). At the population level 54% of the animals presented a rightward bias. Individually, all animals presented marked side-preferences, >2 and <−2 for left- and right-sided bias, respectively, and this preference was stable across the three evaluations. Inter-rater consistency was very high between two experienced raters and substantial when two additional inexperienced raters were included. Left- and right-biased animals presented no differences in the ability to perform fine movements with any of the forelimbs (staircase) and general locomotor performance. Additionally, these groups performed similarly in executive function and memory tasks. In conclusion, PaTRaT is able to reliably classify rats’ pawedness direction and degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sofia P das Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Borges
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Marco R Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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8
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Hernández J, Prieto I, Segarra AB, de Gasparo M, Wangensteen R, Villarejo AB, Banegas I, Vives F, Cobo J, Ramírez-Sánchez M. Interaction of neuropeptidase activities in cortico-limbic regions after acute restraint stress. Behav Brain Res 2015; 287:42-8. [PMID: 25819424 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.03.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Revised: 03/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Brain enkephalin, vasopressin and oxytocin are anxiolytic agents involved in the stress response. Acute restraint stress influences certain neuropeptidase activities, such as some enkephalin-degrading peptidases and vasopressinase/oxytocinase, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala (AM) or hippocampus (HC), which are involved in this response. Because these regions form a unified circuit and cooperate in their response to stress, it is important to analyze the profile of the regional distribution of these activities as well as their inter-regional model of interaction in this circuit. Regarding the regional study, although most activities showed a marked predominance of the AM over the HC and mPFC, both in control and stressed animals, enkephalin-degrading activity, assayed as membrane-bound alanyl aminopeptidase activity, showed a change after stress, increasing in the HC and decreasing in the AM. The correlational study in controls indicated essentially a positive interaction between the mPFC and AM. In marked contrast, there was a highly significant change in the functional status of this circuit after stress, showing mainly a positive correlation between the mPFC and HC and between the AM and HC. The existence of correlations does not demonstrate a direct relationship between regions. However, reasons for such strong associations after restraint stress should be examined. The present study may indicate a connection between neuropeptidase activities and their corresponding neuropeptidergic substrates due to significant changes in the functional status of the cortico-limbic circuit after restraint stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Hernández
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Isabel Prieto
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Ana B Segarra
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Marc de Gasparo
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Syndrome Adviser, Rue es Planches 5, 2842 Rossemaison, Switzerland
| | - Rosemary Wangensteen
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Ana B Villarejo
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Inmaculada Banegas
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain
| | - Francisco Vives
- Instituto de Neurociencia 'Federico Oloriz', University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Justo Cobo
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, University of Jaen, Spain
| | - Manuel Ramírez-Sánchez
- Unit of Physiology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain.
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Zannas AS, McQuoid DR, Payne ME, MacFall JR, Ashley-Koch A, Steffens DC, Potter GG, Taylor WD. Association of gene variants of the renin-angiotensin system with accelerated hippocampal volume loss and cognitive decline in old age. Am J Psychiatry 2014; 171:1214-21. [PMID: 25124854 PMCID: PMC4329281 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13111543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genetic factors confer risk for neuropsychiatric phenotypes, but the polygenic etiology of these phenotypes makes identification of genetic culprits challenging. An approach to this challenge is to examine the effects of genetic variation on relevant endophenotypes, such as hippocampal volume loss. A smaller hippocampus is associated with gene variants of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), a system implicated in vascular disease. However, no studies to date have investigated longitudinally the effects of genetic variation of RAS on the hippocampus. METHOD The authors examined the effects of polymorphisms of AGTR1, the gene encoding angiotensin-II type 1 receptor of RAS, on longitudinal hippocampal volumes of older adults. In all, 138 older adults (age ≥60 years) were followed for an average of about 4 years. The participants underwent repeated structural MRI and comprehensive neurocognitive testing, and they were genotyped for four AGTR1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with low pairwise linkage disequilibrium values and apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype. RESULTS Genetic variants at three AGTR1 SNPs (rs2638363, rs1492103, and rs2675511) were independently associated with accelerated hippocampal volume loss over the 4-year follow-up period in the right but not left hemisphere. Intriguingly, these AGTR1 risk alleles also predicted worse episodic memory performance but were not related to other cognitive measures. Two risk variants (rs2638363 and rs12721331) interacted with the APOE4 allele to accelerate right hippocampal volume loss. CONCLUSIONS Risk genetic variants of the RAS may accelerate memory decline in older adults, an effect that may be conferred by accelerated hippocampal volume loss. Molecules involved in this system may hold promise as early therapeutic targets for late-life neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony S. Zannas
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710,Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, 80804, Germany,Correspondence: Anthony S. Zannas, MD, MSc, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Kraepelinstrasse 2-10, 80804, Munich, Germany, , Telephone: 00498930622323
| | - Douglas R. McQuoid
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710
| | - Martha E Payne
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710,Neuropsychiatric Imaging Research Laboratory, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705
| | - James R. MacFall
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Allison Ashley-Koch
- Center for Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - David C. Steffens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Sciences Center, Farmington, CT, 06030
| | - Guy G. Potter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27710
| | - Warren D. Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37212
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Alteration of imprinted Dlk1-Dio3 miRNA cluster expression in the entorhinal cortex induced by maternal immune activation and adolescent cannabinoid exposure. Transl Psychiatry 2014; 4:e452. [PMID: 25268256 PMCID: PMC4203021 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2014.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant feature of the cortical neuropathology of schizophrenia is a disturbance in the biogenesis of short non-coding microRNA (miRNA) that regulate translation and stability of mRNA. While the biological origin of this phenomenon has not been defined, it is plausible that it relates to major environmental risk factors associated with the disorder such as exposure to maternal immune activation (MIA) and adolescent cannabis use. To explore this hypothesis, we administered the viral mimic poly I:C to pregnant rats and further exposed some of their maturing offsprings to daily injections of the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 for 14 days starting on postnatal day 35. Whole-genome miRNA expression analysis was then performed on the left and right hemispheres of the entorhinal cortex (EC), a region strongly associated with schizophrenia. Animals exposed to either treatment alone or in combination exhibited significant differences in the expression of miRNA in the left hemisphere, whereas the right hemisphere was less responsive. Hemisphere-associated differences in miRNA expression were greatest in the combined treatment and highly over-represented in a single imprinted locus on chromosome 6q32. This observation was significant as the syntenic 14q32 locus in humans encodes a large proportion of miRNAs differentially expressed in peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with schizophrenia, suggesting that interaction of early and late environmental insults may affect miRNA expression, in a manner that is relevant to schizophrenia.
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