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Bespalov A, van Gaalen M, Steckler T. Back to the Future of Neuropsychopharmacology. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 30:207-224. [PMID: 36928852 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21054-9_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Disappointments in translating preclinical findings into clinical efficacy have triggered a number of changes in neuroscience drug discovery ranging from investments diverted to other therapeutic areas to reduced reliance on efficacy claims derived from preclinical models. In this chapter, we argue that there are several existing examples that teach us on what needs to be done to improve the success rate. We advocate the reverse engineering approach that shifts the focus from preclinical efforts to "model" human disease states to pharmacodynamic activity as a common denominator in the journey to translate clinically validated phenomena to preclinical level and then back to humans. Combined with the research rigor, openness, and transparency, this reverse engineering approach is well set to bring new effective and safe medications to patients in need.
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2
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Blokland A. Cholinergic models of memory impairment in animals and man: scopolamine vs. biperiden. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:231-237. [PMID: 35621168 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Scopolamine has been used as a pharmacologic model for cognitive impairments in dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The validity of this model seems to be limited because findings in animals do not readily translate to novel treatments in humans. Biperiden is also a cholinergic deficit model for cognitive impairments but specifically blocks muscarinic M1 receptors. The effects of scopolamine and biperiden (and pirenzepine) are compared in animal studies and related to findings in humans. It is concluded that the effects on cognitive functions are different for scopolamine and biperiden, and they should be considered as different cognitive deficit models. Scopolamine may model more advanced stages of Alzheimer's disease whereas biperiden may model the early deficits in declarative memory in aging and mild cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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3
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Pang K, Jiang R, Zhang W, Yang Z, Li LL, Shimozawa M, Tambaro S, Mayer J, Zhang B, Li M, Wang J, Liu H, Yang A, Chen X, Liu J, Winblad B, Han H, Jiang T, Wang W, Nilsson P, Guo W, Lu B. An App knock-in rat model for Alzheimer's disease exhibiting Aβ and tau pathologies, neuronal death and cognitive impairments. Cell Res 2022; 32:157-175. [PMID: 34789895 PMCID: PMC8807612 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00582-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A major obstacle in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is the lack of predictive and translatable animal models that reflect disease progression and drug efficacy. Transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid precursor protein (App) gene manifest non-physiological and ectopic expression of APP and its fragments in the brain, which is not observed in AD patients. The App knock-in mice circumvented some of these problems, but they do not exhibit tau pathology and neuronal death. We have generated a rat model, with three familiar App mutations and humanized Aβ sequence knocked into the rat App gene. Without altering the levels of full-length APP and other APP fragments, this model exhibits pathologies and disease progression resembling those in human patients: deposit of Aβ plaques in relevant brain regions, microglia activation and gliosis, progressive synaptic degeneration and AD-relevant cognitive deficits. Interestingly, we have observed tau pathology, neuronal apoptosis and necroptosis and brain atrophy, phenotypes rarely seen in other APP models. This App knock-in rat model may serve as a useful tool for AD research, identifying new drug targets and biomarkers, and testing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keliang Pang
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XBeijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Richeng Jiang
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.430605.40000 0004 1758 4110Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengyi Yang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin-Lin Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Makoto Shimozawa
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Tambaro
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna Mayer
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Baogui Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Man Li
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiesi Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Liu
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China ,grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong China ,grid.24696.3f0000 0004 0369 153XBeijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ailing Yang
- grid.12527.330000 0001 0662 3178School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiazheng Liu
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bengt Winblad
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.24381.3c0000 0000 9241 5705Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hua Han
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwen Wang
- grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Per Nilsson
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. .,Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Bai Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. .,R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. .,Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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4
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Smith SM, Zequeira S, Ravi M, Johnson SA, Hampton AM, Ross AM, Pyon W, Maurer AP, Bizon JL, Burke SN. Age-related impairments on the touchscreen paired associates learning (PAL) task in male rats. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 109:176-191. [PMID: 34749169 PMCID: PMC9351724 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Discovery research in rodent models of cognitive aging is instrumental for identifying mechanisms of behavioral decline in old age that can be therapeutically targeted. Clinically relevant behavioral paradigms, however, have not been widely employed in aged rats. The current study aimed to bridge this translational gap by testing cognition in a cross-species touchscreen-based platform known as paired-associates learning (PAL) and then utilizing a trial-by-trial behavioral analysis approach. This study found age-related deficits in PAL task acquisition in male rats. Furthermore, trial-by-trial analyses and testing rats on a novel interference version of PAL suggested that age-related impairments were not due to differences in vulnerability to an irrelevant distractor, motivation, or to forgetting. Rather, impairment appeared to arise from vulnerability to accumulating, proactive interference, with aged animals performing worse than younger rats in later trial blocks within a single testing session. The detailed behavioral analysis employed in this study provides new insights into the etiology of age-associated cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Concentration, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sabrina Zequeira
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Concentration, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Meena Ravi
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sarah A Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andriena M Hampton
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Aleyna M Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Concentration, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Wonn Pyon
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA; Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Neuroscience Concentration, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Andrew P Maurer
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer L Bizon
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sara N Burke
- Department of Neuroscience, Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA; Institute on Aging, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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5
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Awathale SN, Waghade AM, Kawade HM, Jadhav G, Choudhary AG, Sagarkar S, Sakharkar AJ, Subhedar NK, Kokare DM. Neuroplastic Changes in the Superior Colliculus and Hippocampus in Self-rewarding Paradigm: Importance of Visual Cues. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 59:890-915. [PMID: 34797522 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02597-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Coincident excitation via different sensory modalities encoding objects of positive salience is known to facilitate learning and memory. With a view to dissect the contribution of visual cues in inducing adaptive neural changes, we monitored the lever press activity of a rat conditioned to self-administer sweet food pellets in the presence/absence of light cues. Application of light cues facilitated learning and consolidation of long-term memory. The superior colliculus (SC) of rats trained on light cue showed increased neuronal activity, dendritic branching, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein and mRNA expression. Concomitantly, the hippocampus showed augmented neurogenesis as well as BDNF protein and mRNA expression. While intra-SC administration of U0126 (inhibitor of ERK 1/2 and long-term memory) impaired memory formation, lidocaine (local anaesthetic) hindered memory recall. The light cue-dependent sweet food pellet self-administration was coupled with increased efflux of dopamine (DA) and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the nucleus accumbens shell (AcbSh). In conditioned rats, pharmacological inhibition of glutamatergic signalling in dentate gyrus (DG) reduced lever press activity, as well as DA and DOPAC secretion in the AcbSh. We suggest that the neuroplastic changes in the SC and hippocampus might represent memory engrams sculpted by visual cues encoding reward information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay N Awathale
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440 033, India
| | - Akash M Waghade
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440 033, India
| | - Harish M Kawade
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440 033, India
| | - Gouri Jadhav
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411 007, India
| | - Amit G Choudhary
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411 008, India
| | - Sneha Sagarkar
- Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411 007, India
| | - Amul J Sakharkar
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411 007, India
| | - Nishikant K Subhedar
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pune, 411 008, India
| | - Dadasaheb M Kokare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur, 440 033, India.
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6
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Holter KM, Lekander AD, LaValley CM, Bedingham EG, Pierce BE, Sands LP, Lindsley CW, Jones CK, Gould RW. Partial mGlu 5 Negative Allosteric Modulator M-5MPEP Demonstrates Antidepressant-Like Effects on Sleep Without Affecting Cognition or Quantitative EEG. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:700822. [PMID: 34276300 PMCID: PMC8283128 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.700822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective negative allosteric modulators (NAMs) targeting the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGlu5) demonstrate anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like effects yet concern regarding adverse effect liability remains. Functional coupling of mGlu5 with ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) represents a potential mechanism through which full inhibition leads to adverse effects, as NMDAR inhibition can induce cognitive impairments and psychotomimetic-like effects. Recent development of "partial" mGlu5 NAMs, characterized by submaximal but saturable levels of blockade, may represent a novel development approach to broaden the therapeutic index of mGlu5 NAMs. This study compared the partial mGlu5 NAM, M-5MPEP, with the full mGlu5 NAM, VU0424238 on sleep, cognition, and brain function alone and in combination with a subthreshold dose of the NMDAR antagonist, MK-801, using a paired-associates learning (PAL) cognition task and electroencephalography (EEG) in rats. M-5MPEP and VU0424238 decreased rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and increased REM sleep latency, both putative biomarkers of antidepressant-like activity. Neither compound alone affected accuracy, but 30 mg/kg VU0424238 combined with MK-801 decreased accuracy on the PAL task. Using quantitative EEG, VU0424238, but not M-5MPEP, prolonged arousal-related elevations in high gamma power, and, in combination, VU0424238 potentiated effects of MK-801 on high gamma power. Together, these studies further support a functional interaction between mGlu5 and NMDARs that may correspond with cognitive impairments. Present data support further development of partial mGlu5 NAMs given their potentially broader therapeutic index than full mGlu5 NAMs and use of EEG as a translational biomarker to titrate doses aligning with therapeutic versus adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly M. Holter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Alex D. Lekander
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Christina M. LaValley
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | | | - Bethany E. Pierce
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - L. Paul Sands
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Craig W. Lindsley
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Carrie K. Jones
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Robert W. Gould
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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7
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Sullivan JA, Dumont JR, Memar S, Skirzewski M, Wan J, Mofrad MH, Ansari HZ, Li Y, Muller L, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ. New frontiers in translational research: Touchscreens, open science, and the mouse translational research accelerator platform. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12705. [PMID: 33009724 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases and other brain disorders are accompanied by impairments in high-level cognitive functions including memory, attention, motivation, and decision-making. Despite several decades of extensive research, neuroscience is little closer to discovering new treatments. Key impediments include the absence of validated and robust cognitive assessment tools for facilitating translation from animal models to humans. In this review, we describe a state-of-the-art platform poised to overcome these impediments and improve the success of translational research, the Mouse Translational Research Accelerator Platform (MouseTRAP), which is centered on the touchscreen cognitive testing system for rodents. It integrates touchscreen-based tests of high-level cognitive assessment with state-of-the art neurotechnology to record and manipulate molecular and circuit level activity in vivo in animal models during human-relevant cognitive performance. The platform also is integrated with two Open Science platforms designed to facilitate knowledge and data-sharing practices within the rodent touchscreen community, touchscreencognition.org and mousebytes.ca. Touchscreencognition.org includes the Wall, showcasing touchscreen news and publications, the Forum, for community discussion, and Training, which includes courses, videos, SOPs, and symposia. To get started, interested researchers simply create user accounts. We describe the origins of the touchscreen testing system, the novel lines of research it has facilitated, and its increasingly widespread use in translational research, which is attributable in part to knowledge-sharing efforts over the past decade. We then identify the unique features of MouseTRAP that stand to potentially revolutionize translational research, and describe new initiatives to partner with similar platforms such as McGill's M3 platform (m3platform.org).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline A Sullivan
- Department of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Rotman Institute of Philosophy, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Julie R Dumont
- BrainsCAN, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sara Memar
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Miguel Skirzewski
- BrainsCAN, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jinxia Wan
- Division of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Maryam H Mofrad
- Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Applied Mathematics, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Yulong Li
- Division of Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life Sciences, Beijing, China.,PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China.,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Lyle Muller
- Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Applied Mathematics, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,BrainsCAN, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,BrainsCAN, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
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8
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The striatum, the hippocampus, and short-term memory binding: Volumetric analysis of the subcortical grey matter's role in mild cognitive impairment. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 25:102158. [PMID: 31918064 PMCID: PMC7036699 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 12/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal atrophy plays no role in short-term memory binding. The globus pallidus could be part of the brain network supporting binding. Total brain atrophy does not correlate with striatal grey matter atrophy in MCI. Striatal grey matter atrophy reflects in total brain atrophy in controls. Hippocampal and parahippocampal volumes correlate in MCI and controls.
Background Deficits in short-term memory (STM) binding are a distinguishing feature of preclinical stages leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neuroanatomical correlates of conjunctive STM binding are largely unexplored. Here we examine the possible association between the volumes of hippocampi, parahippocampal gyri, and grey matter within the subcortical structures – all found to have foci that seemingly correlate with basic daily living activities in AD patients - with cognitive tests related to conjunctive STM binding. Materials and methods Hippocampal, thalamic, parahippocampal and corpus striatum volumes were semi-automatically quantified in brain magnetic resonance images from 25 cognitively normal people and 21 patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) at high risk of AD progression, who undertook a battery of cognitive tests and the short-term memory binding test. Associations were assessed using linear regression models and group differences were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results Hippocampal and parahippocampal gyrus volumes differed between MCI and control groups. Although the grey matter volume in the globus pallidus (r = -0.71, p < 0.001) and parahippocampal gyry (r = -0.63, p < 0.05) correlated with a STM binding task in the MCI group, only the former remained associated with STM binding deficits in MCI patients, after correcting for age, gender and years of education (β = -0.56,P = 0.042) although with borderline significance. Conclusions Loss of hippocampal volume plays no role in the processing of STM binding. Structures within the basal ganglia, namely the globus pallidus, could be part of the extrahippocampal network supporting binding. Replication of this study in large samples is now needed.
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9
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Schuch CP, Balbinot G, Jeffers MS, McDonald MW, Dykes A, Kuhl LM, Corbett D. An RFID-based activity tracking system to monitor individual rodent behavior in environmental enrichment: Implications for post-stroke cognitive recovery. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 324:108306. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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10
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Abela AR, Rahbarnia A, Wood S, Lê AD, Fletcher PJ. Adolescent exposure to Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol delays acquisition of paired-associates learning in adulthood. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:1875-1886. [PMID: 30694374 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-5171-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Adolescence is a sensitive period of brain development, during which there may be a heightened vulnerability to the effects of drug use. Despite this, the long-term effects of cannabis use during this developmental period on cognition are poorly understood. METHODS We exposed adolescent rats to escalating doses of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-the primary psychoactive component of cannabis-or vehicle solution during postnatal days (PND) 35-45, a period of development that is analogous to human adolescence (THC doses: PND 35-37, 2.5 mg/kg; PND 38-41, 5 mg/kg; PND 42-45, 10 mg/kg). After a period of abstinence, in adulthood, rats were tested on an automated touchscreen version of a paired-associates learning (PAL) task to assess their ability to learn and recall object-location associations. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response was also measured at three time points (5 days, 4 months, and 6 months after exposure) to assess sensorimotor gating, the ability to filter out insignificant sensory information from the environment. RESULTS Compared to rats exposed to vehicle alone, rats exposed to THC during adolescence took longer to learn the PAL task when tested in adulthood, even when trials contained visually identical stimuli that differed only in location. Despite this, no differences were observed later in testing, when trials contained visually distinct stimuli in different locations. Rats exposed to THC also displayed impairments in sensorimotor gating, as measured by prepulse inhibition of the startle response, though this deficit did appear to decrease over time. CONCLUSION Taken together, THC exposure during adolescence produces long-term deficits in associative learning and sensorimotor gating, though the impact of these deficits seems to diminish with time. Thus, adolescence may represent a period of neurocognitive development that is vulnerable to the harms of cannabis use, though the stability of such harms is uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Abela
- Preclinical Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Neuroscience, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Russell Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
| | - Arya Rahbarnia
- Preclinical Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Suzanne Wood
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anh D Lê
- Preclinical Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul J Fletcher
- Preclinical Research and Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1R8, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Hailwood JM, Heath CJ, Phillips BU, Robbins TW, Saksida LM, Bussey TJ. Blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors facilitates motivated behaviour and rescues a model of antipsychotic-induced amotivation. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:1068-1075. [PMID: 30478410 PMCID: PMC6397643 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0281-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Disruptions to motivated behaviour are a highly prevalent and severe symptom in a number of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Current treatment options for these disorders have little or no effect upon motivational impairments. We assessed the contribution of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors to motivated behaviour in mice, as a novel pharmacological target for motivational impairments. Touchscreen progressive ratio (PR) performance was facilitated by the nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist scopolamine as well as the more subtype-selective antagonists biperiden (M1) and tropicamide (M4). However, scopolamine and tropicamide also produced increases in non-specific activity levels, whereas biperiden did not. A series of control tests suggests the effects of the mAChR antagonists were sensitive to changes in reward value and not driven by changes in satiety, motor fatigue, appetite or perseveration. Subsequently, a sub-effective dose of biperiden was able to facilitate the effects of amphetamine upon PR performance, suggesting an ability to enhance dopaminergic function. Both biperiden and scopolamine were also able to reverse a haloperidol-induced deficit in PR performance, however only biperiden was able to rescue the deficit in effort-related choice (ERC) performance. Taken together, these data suggest that the M1 mAChR may be a novel target for the pharmacological enhancement of effort exertion and consequent rescue of motivational impairments. Conversely, M4 receptors may inadvertently modulate effort exertion through regulation of general locomotor activity levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan M. Hailwood
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Christopher J. Heath
- 0000000096069301grid.10837.3dSchool of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA UK
| | - Benjamin U. Phillips
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Trevor W. Robbins
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Lisa M. Saksida
- 0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON Canada
| | - Timothy J. Bussey
- 0000000121885934grid.5335.0Department of Psychology and Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON Canada ,0000 0004 1936 8884grid.39381.30The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON Canada
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Ferretti A, Ienca M. Enhanced Cognition, Enhanced Self? On Neuroenhancement and Subjectivity. JOURNAL OF COGNITIVE ENHANCEMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s41465-018-0109-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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13
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Effects of the T-type calcium channel antagonist Z944 on paired associates learning and locomotor activity in rats treated with the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:3339-3350. [PMID: 30251162 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5040-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Currently available antipsychotics are unsatisfactory given their side effects and limited efficacy for the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Many currently available drugs, such as haloperidol, are T-type calcium channel antagonists in addition to their well-established antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Thus, preclinical research into the effects of T-type calcium channel antagonists/blockers in behavioral assays related to schizophrenia may inform novel therapeutic strategies. OBJECTIVES We explored the effects of a recently developed highly selective T-type calcium channel antagonist, Z944 (2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/kg), on the MK-801 (0.15 mg/kg) model of acute psychosis. METHODS To examine the effects of Z944 on behaviors relevant to schizophrenia, we tested touchscreen-based paired associates learning given its relevance to the cognitive symptoms of the disorder and locomotor activity given its relevance to the positive symptoms. RESULTS Acute treatment with Z944 failed to reverse the visuospatial associative memory impairments caused by MK-801 in paired associates learning. The highest dose of drug (10.0 mg/kg) given alone produced subtle impairments on paired associates learning. In contrast, Z944 (5.0 mg/kg) blocked the expected increase in locomotion following MK-801 treatment in a locomotor assay. CONCLUSIONS These experiments provide support that Z944 may reduce behaviors relevant to positive symptoms of schizophrenia, although additional study of its effects on cognition is required. These findings and other research suggest T-type calcium channel antagonists may be an alternative to currently available antipsychotics with less serious side effects.
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Büki A, Horvath G, Benedek G, Ducza E, Kekesi G. Impaired GAD1 expression in schizophrenia‐related WISKET rat model with sex‐dependent aggressive behavior and motivational deficit. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12507. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Büki
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - G. Horvath
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - G. Benedek
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - E. Ducza
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and BiopharmacyFaculty of Pharmacy, University of Szeged Szeged Hungary
| | - G. Kekesi
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Szeged Szeged Hungary
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Martis LS, Brision C, Holmes MC, Wiborg O. Resilient and depressive-like rats show distinct cognitive impairments in the touchscreen paired-associates learning (PAL) task. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 155:287-296. [PMID: 30138691 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Depression-associated cognitive impairments persist after remission from affective symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD), decreasing quality of life and increasing risk of relapse in patients. Conventional antidepressants are ineffective in restoring cognitive functions. Therefore, novel antidepressants with improved efficacy for ameliorating cognitive symptoms are required. For tailoring such antidepressants, translational animal models are in demand. The chronic mild stress (CMS) model is a well-validated preclinical model of depression and known for eliciting the MDD core symptom "anhedonia" in stress-susceptible rats. Thus, cognitive performance was assessed in rats susceptible (depressive-like) or resilient to CMS and in unchallenged controls. The rodent analogue of the human touchscreen Paired-Associates Learning (PAL) task was used for cognitive assessment. Both stress groups exhibited a lack of response inhibition compared to controls while only the depressive-like group was impaired in task acquisition. The results indicate that cognitive deficits specifically associate with the anhedonic-like state rather than being a general consequence of stress exposure. Hence, we propose that the application of a translational touchscreen task on the etiologically valid CMS model, displaying depression-associated cognitive impairments, provides a novel platform for pro-cognitive and clinically pertinent antidepressant drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena-Sophie Martis
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Claudia Brision
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Megan C Holmes
- Centre for Cardiovascular Science, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom; Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Denmark; Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Denmark.
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16
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Nikiforuk A. Assessment of cognitive functions in animal models of schizophrenia. Pharmacol Rep 2018; 70:639-649. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Mnemonic and behavioral effects of biperiden, an M1-selective antagonist, in the rat. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:2013-2025. [PMID: 29680966 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4899-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE There is a persistent pressing need for valid animal models of cognitive and mnemonic disruptions (such as seen in Alzheimer's disease and other dementias) usable for preclinical research. OBJECTIVES We have set out to test the validity of administration of biperiden, an M1-acetylcholine receptor antagonist with central selectivity, as a potential tool for generating a fast screening model of cognitive impairment, in outbred Wistar rats. METHODS We used several variants of the Morris water maze task: (1) reversal learning, to assess cognitive flexibility, with probe trials testing memory retention; (2) delayed matching to position (DMP), to evaluate working memory; and (3) "counter-balanced acquisition," to test for possible anomalies in acquisition learning. We also included a visible platform paradigm to reveal possible sensorimotor and motivational deficits. RESULTS A significant effect of biperiden on memory acquisition and retention was found in the counter-balanced acquisition and probe trials of the counter-balanced acquisition and reversal tasks. Strikingly, a less pronounced deficit was observed in the DMP. No effects were revealed in the reversal learning task. CONCLUSIONS Based on our results, we do not recommend biperiden as a reliable tool for modeling cognitive impairment.
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Roebuck AJ, Liu MC, Lins BR, Scott GA, Howland JG. Acute stress, but not corticosterone, facilitates acquisition of paired associates learning in rats using touchscreen-equipped operant conditioning chambers. Behav Brain Res 2018; 348:139-149. [PMID: 29684470 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Acute stress influences learning and memory in humans and rodents, enhancing performance in some tasks while impairing it in others. Typically, subjects preferentially employ striatal-mediated stimulus-response strategies in spatial memory tasks following stress, making use of fewer hippocampal-based strategies which may be more cognitively demanding. Previous research demonstrated that the acquisition of rodent paired associates learning (PAL) relies primarily on the striatum, while task performance after extensive training is impaired by hippocampal disruption. Therefore, we sought to explore whether the acquisition of PAL, an operant conditioning task involving spatial stimuli, could be enhanced by acute stress. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to a predefined criterion in PAL and then subjected to either a single session of restraint stress (30 min) or injection of corticosterone (CORT; 3 mg/kg). Subsequent task performance was monitored for one week. We found that rats subjected to restraint stress, but not those rats injected with CORT, performed with higher accuracy and efficiency, when compared to untreated controls. These results suggest that while acute stress enhances the acquisition of PAL, CORT alone does not. This dissociation may be due to differences between these treatments and their ability to produce sufficient catecholamine release in the amygdala, a requirement for stress effects on memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Roebuck
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Max C Liu
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Brittney R Lins
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Gavin A Scott
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.
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Mitchnick KA, Wideman CE, Huff AE, Palmer D, McNaughton BL, Winters BD. Development of novel tasks for studying view-invariant object recognition in rodents: Sensitivity to scopolamine. Behav Brain Res 2018; 344:48-56. [PMID: 29412155 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The capacity to recognize objects from different view-points or angles, referred to as view-invariance, is an essential process that humans engage in daily. Currently, the ability to investigate the neurobiological underpinnings of this phenomenon is limited, as few ethologically valid view-invariant object recognition tasks exist for rodents. Here, we report two complementary, novel view-invariant object recognition tasks in which rodents physically interact with three-dimensional objects. Prior to experimentation, rats and mice were given extensive experience with a set of 'pre-exposure' objects. In a variant of the spontaneous object recognition task, novelty preference for pre-exposed or new objects was assessed at various angles of rotation (45°, 90° or 180°); unlike control rodents, for whom the objects were novel, rats and mice tested with pre-exposed objects did not discriminate between rotated and un-rotated objects in the choice phase, indicating substantial view-invariant object recognition. Secondly, using automated operant touchscreen chambers, rats were tested on pre-exposed or novel objects in a pairwise discrimination task, where the rewarded stimulus (S+) was rotated (180°) once rats had reached acquisition criterion; rats tested with pre-exposed objects re-acquired the pairwise discrimination following S+ rotation more effectively than those tested with new objects. Systemic scopolamine impaired performance on both tasks, suggesting involvement of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors in view-invariant object processing. These tasks present novel means of studying the behavioral and neural bases of view-invariant object recognition in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista A Mitchnick
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Canada; Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Canada.
| | - Cassidy E Wideman
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Canada; Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - Andrew E Huff
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - Daniel Palmer
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Canada; Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Canada
| | - Bruce L McNaughton
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Canada; Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California Irvine, United States
| | - Boyer D Winters
- Department of Psychology, University of Guelph, Canada; Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Canada
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Frameworking memory and serotonergic markers. Rev Neurosci 2017; 28:455-497. [DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2016-0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:The evidence for neural markers and memory is continuously being revised, and as evidence continues to accumulate, herein, we frame earlier and new evidence. Hence, in this work, the aim is to provide an appropriate conceptual framework of serotonergic markers associated with neural activity and memory. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) has multiple pharmacological tools, well-characterized downstream signaling in mammals’ species, and established 5-HT neural markers showing new insights about memory functions and dysfunctions, including receptors (5-HT1A/1B/1D, 5-HT2A/2B/2C, and 5-HT3-7), transporter (serotonin transporter [SERT]) and volume transmission present in brain areas involved in memory. Bidirectional influence occurs between 5-HT markers and memory/amnesia. A growing number of researchers report that memory, amnesia, or forgetting modifies neural markers. Diverse approaches support the translatability of using neural markers and cerebral functions/dysfunctions, including memory formation and amnesia. At least, 5-HT1A, 5-HT4, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7receptors and SERT seem to be useful neural markers and therapeutic targets. Hence, several mechanisms cooperate to achieve synaptic plasticity or memory, including changes in the expression of neurotransmitter receptors and transporters.
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McArthur RA. Aligning physiology with psychology: Translational neuroscience in neuropsychiatric drug discovery. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 76:4-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Malikowska N, Sałat K, Podkowa A. Comparison of pro-amnesic efficacy of scopolamine, biperiden, and phencyclidine by using passive avoidance task in CD-1 mice. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2017; 86:76-80. [PMID: 28412329 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2017.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Memory disorders accompany numerous diseases and therapies, and this is becoming a growing medical issue worldwide. Currently, various animal models of memory impairments are available; however, many of them require high financial outlay and/or are time-consuming. A simple way to achieve an efficient behavioral model of cognitive disorders is to inject defined drug that has pro-amnesic properties. Since the involvement of cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission in cognition is well established, the utilization of a nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist, scopolamine (SCOP), a selective M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist, biperiden (BIP), and a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, phencyclidine (PCP) seems to be reliable tools to induce amnesia. As the determination of their effective doses remains vague and the active doses vary significantly in laboratory settings and in mouse species being tested, the aim of this study was to compare these three models of amnesia in CD-1 mice. METHODS Male Swiss Albino mice were used in passive avoidance (PA) test. All the compounds were administered intraperitoneally (ip) at doses 1mg/kg, 5mg/kg, and 10mg/kg (SCOP and BIP), and 1mg/kg, 3mg/kg, and 6mg/kg (PCP). RESULTS In the retention trial of the PA task, SCOP and PCP led to the reduction of step-through latency at all the tested doses as compared to control, but BIP was effective only at the dose of 10mg/kg. CONCLUSION This study revealed the effectiveness of SCOP, PCP, and BIP as tools to induce amnesia, with the PCP model being the most efficacious and SCOP being the only model that demonstrates a clear dose-response relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Malikowska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9 St., 30-688 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Kinga Sałat
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9 St., 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Adrian Podkowa
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Medyczna 9 St., 30-688 Krakow, Poland
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Gyertyán I. Cognitive ‘Omics’: Pattern-Based Validation of Potential Drug Targets. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2017; 38:113-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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Roschlau C, Hauber W. Effects of dorsal hippocampus catecholamine depletion on paired-associates learning and place learning in rats. Behav Brain Res 2017; 323:124-132. [PMID: 28153394 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.01.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that the catecholamine (CA) neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline support hippocampus-mediated learning and memory. However, little is known to date about which forms of hippocampus-mediated spatial learning are modulated by CA signaling in the hippocampus. Therefore, in the current study we examined the effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced CA depletion in the dorsal hippocampus on two prominent forms of hippocampus-based spatial learning, that is learning of object-location associations (paired-associates learning) as well as learning and choosing actions based on a representation of the context (place learning). Results show that rats with CA depletion of the dorsal hippocampus were able to learn object-location associations in an automated touch screen paired-associates learning (PAL) task. One possibility to explain this negative result is that object-location learning as tested in the touchscreen PAL task seems to require relatively little hippocampal processing. Results further show that in rats with CA depletion of the dorsal hippocampus the use of a response strategy was facilitated in a T-maze spatial learning task. We suspect that impaired hippocampus CA signaling may attenuate hippocampus-based place learning and favor dorsolateral striatum-based response learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Roschlau
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hauber
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany.
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Galizio M. Olfactory Stimulus Control and the Behavioral Pharmacology of Remembering. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 16:169-178. [PMID: 27896309 DOI: 10.1037/bar0000033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Behavior analytic approaches and techniques have much to offer to the study of remembering. There is currently great interest in the development of animal models of human memory processes in order to enhance understanding of the neurobiology of memory and treatment of dementia and related disorders. Because rodent models are so important in contemporary neuroscience and genetics, development of procedures to study various forms of memory in rodents is a point of emphasis. The sense of smell plays an important role in rodent behavior and use of olfactory stimuli has permitted demonstrations of complex forms of stimulus control that have also served as baselines for studying drug effects on remembering. This article focuses on the effects of drugs on behavior maintained by two related procedures: delayed matching-to-sample with odors and the Odor Span Task. These types of procedures provide an opportunity to explore drug effects on behavior maintained by multiple stimuli and across a range of delay intervals with potential to advance analysis of the behavioral pharmacology of remembering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Galizio
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington
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Blokland A, Sambeth A, Prickaerts J, Riedel WJ. Why an M1 Antagonist Could Be a More Selective Model for Memory Impairment than Scopolamine. Front Neurol 2016; 7:167. [PMID: 27746762 PMCID: PMC5042959 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anke Sambeth
- Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
| | | | - Wim J Riedel
- Maastricht University , Maastricht , Netherlands
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Kim M, Kwak C, Yu NK, Kaang BK. Optimization of the touchscreen paired-associate learning (PAL) task for mice and its dorsal hippocampal dependency. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2016.1221855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Roschlau C, Votteler A, Hauber W. Stimulant drug effects on touchscreen automated paired-associates learning (PAL) in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 23:422-6. [PMID: 27421894 PMCID: PMC4947238 DOI: 10.1101/lm.040345.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Here we tested in rats effects of the procognitive drugs modafinil and methylphenidate on post-acquisition performance in an object–location paired-associates learning (PAL) task. Modafinil (32; 64 mg/kg) was without effect, while higher (9 mg/kg) but not lower (4.5 mg/kg) doses of methylphenidate impaired PAL performance. Likewise, higher but not lower doses of amphetamine (0.4; 0.8 mg/kg) and MK-801 (0.08; 0.12 mg/kg) decreased PAL performance. Impaired PAL performance induced by methylphenidate, amphetamine, and MK801 most likely reflects compromised cognitive function, e.g., retrieval of learned paired associates. Our data suggest that stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate and modafinil might not facilitate performance in hippocampus-related cognitive tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Roschlau
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Angeline Votteler
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hauber
- Department Animal Physiology, University of Stuttgart, D-70550 Stuttgart, Germany
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Lins BR, Howland JG. Effects of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 positive allosteric modulator CDPPB on rats tested with the paired associates learning task in touchscreen-equipped operant conditioning chambers. Behav Brain Res 2015; 301:152-60. [PMID: 26721467 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Effective treatments for the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are critically needed. Positive allosteric modulation (PAM) of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) is one strategy currently under investigation to improve these symptoms. Examining cognition using touchscreen-equipped operant chambers may increase translation between preclinical and clinical research through analogous behavioral testing paradigms in rodents and humans. We used acute CDPPB (1-30mg/kg) treatment to examine the effects of mGluR5 PAM in the touchscreen paired associates learning (PAL) task using well-trained rats with and without co-administration of acute MK-801 (0.15mg/kg). CDPPB had no consistent effects on task performance when administered alone and failed to reverse the MK-801 induced impairments at any of the examined doses. Overall, the disruptive effects of MK-801 on PAL were consistent with previous research but increasing mGluR5 signaling is not beneficial in the PAL task. Future research should test whether administration of CDPPB during PAL acquisition increases performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney R Lins
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5, Canada.
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Lins BR, Phillips AG, Howland JG. Effects of D- and L-govadine on the disruption of touchscreen object-location paired associates learning in rats by acute MK-801 treatment. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:4371-82. [PMID: 26359226 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4064-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE New pharmacological treatments for the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are needed. Tetrahydroprotoberberines, such as govadine, are one class of compounds with dopaminergic activities that may be useful in treating some aspects of the cognitive symptoms of the disorder. OBJECTIVE The objective of the present studies was to test the effects of the D- and L-enantiomers of govadine on the impairment in a paired-associate learning (PAL) task produced by acute MK-801 in rats. We also assessed effects of the typical antipsychotic haloperidol as a comparator compound. METHODS MK-801 (0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mg/kg), D- and L-govadine (0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/kg), and haloperidol (0.05, 0.1, and 0.25 mg/kg) were administered acutely to rats well trained on the PAL task in touchscreen-equipped operant conditioning chambers. RESULTS Acute MK-801 impaired performance of PAL in a dose-dependent manner by reducing accuracy and increasing correction trials. L-Govadine (1.0 mg/kg), but not D-govadine, blocked the disruptive effects of MK-801 (0.15 mg/kg) on PAL. Haloperidol failed to affect the MK-801-induced disruption of PAL. Higher doses of L-govadine and haloperidol dramatically impaired performance of the task which confounded interpretation of cognitive outcomes. CONCLUSION L-Govadine appears unique in its ability to improve performance of the MK-801-induced impairment in the PAL task. This behavioral effect may relate the ability of L-govadine to antagonize dopamine D2 receptors while also promoting dopamine efflux. Future research should further characterize the role of the dopamine system in the rodent PAL task to elucidate the mechanisms of its pro-cognitive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney R Lins
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 5E5
| | - Anthony G Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 2A1
| | - John G Howland
- Department of Physiology, University of Saskatchewan, GB33, Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Rd, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, S7N 5E5.
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Hvoslef-Eide M, Mar AC, Nilsson SRO, Alsiö J, Heath CJ, Saksida LM, Robbins TW, Bussey TJ. The NEWMEDS rodent touchscreen test battery for cognition relevant to schizophrenia. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015. [PMID: 26202612 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The NEWMEDS initiative (Novel Methods leading to New Medications in Depression and Schizophrenia, http://www.newmeds-europe.com ) is a large industrial-academic collaborative project aimed at developing new methods for drug discovery for schizophrenia. As part of this project, Work package 2 (WP02) has developed and validated a comprehensive battery of novel touchscreen tasks for rats and mice for assessing cognitive domains relevant to schizophrenia. OBJECTIVES This article provides a review of the touchscreen battery of tasks for rats and mice for assessing cognitive domains relevant to schizophrenia and highlights validation data presented in several primary articles in this issue and elsewhere. METHODS The battery consists of the five-choice serial reaction time task and a novel rodent continuous performance task for measuring attention, a three-stimulus visual reversal and the serial visual reversal task for measuring cognitive flexibility, novel non-matching to sample-based tasks for measuring spatial working memory and paired-associates learning for measuring long-term memory. RESULTS The rodent (i.e. both rats and mice) touchscreen operant chamber and battery has high translational value across species due to its emphasis on construct as well as face validity. In addition, it offers cognitive profiling of models of diseases with cognitive symptoms (not limited to schizophrenia) through a battery approach, whereby multiple cognitive constructs can be measured using the same apparatus, enabling comparisons of performance across tasks. CONCLUSION This battery of tests constitutes an extensive tool package for both model characterisation and pre-clinical drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Hvoslef-Eide
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK. .,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.
| | - A C Mar
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, 10016, USA
| | - S R O Nilsson
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - J Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,Department of Neuroscience, Unit of Functional Neurobiology, University of Uppsala, 75124, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C J Heath
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - L M Saksida
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - T W Robbins
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - T J Bussey
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.,MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
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Kumar G, Olley J, Steckler T, Talpos J. Dissociable effects of NR2A and NR2B NMDA receptor antagonism on cognitive flexibility but not pattern separation. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3991-4003. [PMID: 26184010 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4008-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play crucial roles in learning and memory, but the role of each NMDA receptor subtype in a specific cognitive process is unclear. Non-selective blockers of NMDA receptor are used to model the cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Counter-intuitively selective NR2A and 2B NMDA receptor antagonists are thought to have pro-cognitive properties. These seemingly contrasting findings might in part be the result of different compounds and behavioral measures used across studies. OBJECTIVE We compared the effect of NVP-AAM077 (NR2A antagonist), CP 101-606 (NR2B antagonist), and MK-801 (non-selective antagonist) in a series of touch screen tasks that can be used to measure spatial cognition and cognitive flexibility. METHODS NVP-AAM077, CP 101-606, and MK-801 were administered prior to testing, in adult male Lister-hooded rats trained in tasks of location discrimination, paired associate learning (PAL), and trial unique non-match to location (TUNL). RESULTS Results showed that MK-801 impaired performance on all the tasks. In contrast, CP 101-606 only impaired reversal learning in location discrimination and had minimal effect on working memory in TUNL and caused a modest improvement in accuracy in PAL and acquisition of a spatial discrimination. NVP-AAM077 had little effect on performance across tasks, although these data allude to a potential enhancement of acquisition of a spatial location and impairments in spatial reversal learning in a separation-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrated that non-selective NMDA antagonism will disrupt numerous aspects of cognitive function. However, selective antagonism is capable of impairing or enhancing cognitive function in a task-dependent fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Kumar
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium.
| | - Joseph Olley
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Thomas Steckler
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - John Talpos
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
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Talpos J, Aerts N, Waddell J, Steckler T. MK-801 and amphetamine result in dissociable profiles of cognitive impairment in a rodent paired associates learning task with relevance for schizophrenia. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3911-20. [PMID: 25902874 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3934-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Paired associates learning (PAL) has been suggested to be predictive of functional outcomes in first episode psychosis and of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. An automated touch screen-based rodent PAL (rPAL) task has been developed and is sensitive to manipulations of the dopaminergic and glutamatergic system. Accordingly, rPAL when used with pharmacological models of schizophrenia, like NMDA receptor blockade with MK-801 or dopaminergic stimulation with amphetamine, may have utility as a translational model of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine if amphetamine- and MK-801-induced impairment represent distinct models of cognitive impairment by testing their sensitivity to common antipsychotics and determine the relative contributions of D1 versus D2 receptors on performance of PAL. METHOD Rats were trained in rPAL and were then treated with MK-801, amphetamine, risperidone, haloperidol, quinpirole, SK-82958, or SCH-23390 alone and in combination. RESULTS While both amphetamine and MK-801 caused clear impairments in accuracy, MK-801 induced a profound "perseverative" type behavior that was more pronounced when compared to amphetamine. Moreover, amphetamine-induced impairments, but not the effects of MK-801, could be reversed by antipsychotics as well as the D1 receptor antagonist SCH-23390, suggesting a role for both the D1 and D2 receptor in the amphetamine impairment model. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that amphetamine and MK-801 represent dissociable models of impairment in PAL, dependent on different underlying neurobiology. The ability to distinguish dopaminergic versus glutamatergic effects on performance in rPAL makes it a unique and useful tool in the modeling of cognitive impairments in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Talpos
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium.
| | - Nancy Aerts
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jason Waddell
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Thomas Steckler
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
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Talpos JC, Riordan J, Olley J, Waddell J, Steckler T. Opposing effects of glutamatergic and GABAergic pharmacological manipulations on a visual perception task with relevance to schizophrenia. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:3967-76. [PMID: 26014109 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-3964-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Numerous psychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases have been associated with differences in visual perception, and it has been proposed that the treatment of these differences may represent a novel means to treat disorders like schizophrenia. Unfortunately, few methods exist to study visual perception in pre-clinical species. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the present study was to adapt a task of visual integration by proximity with relevance to schizophrenia to a rodent touchscreen environment to determine the effects of glutamatergic and GABAergic compounds. In this way, we could evaluate the effects of common models of cognitive impairment, as well as the effects of net excitation versus inhibition, on a task of visual integration. METHOD Rats were trained to perform a visual discrimination where the stimuli were composed of rows of dots differing only in there horizontal and vertical proximity. Once stable performance had been achieved, animals were tested under the influence of glutamatergic or GABAergic drugs (ketamine, MK-801, PCP, memantine, chlordiazepoxide, or diazepam) while attempting to perform a visual discrimination with altered stimuli. RESULTS Ketamine appeared to impair perceptual grouping in this paradigm, while the GABA agonist chlordiazepoxide enhanced grouping even in the presence of non-selective effects. CONCLUSIONS In general, these findings support the theory that NMDA antagonists may disrupt visual grouping by proximity and highlight a potential beneficial effect of enhanced GABA activity in perception. However, additional research will be required to confirm the stimulus selectivity of this effect, and the clinical significance of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Talpos
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium.
| | - John Riordan
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Joseph Olley
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jason Waddell
- Open Analytics, 20 Jupiterstraat, 2600, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Thomas Steckler
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, 30 Turnhoutseweg, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
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Abstract
Diverse neuropsychiatric disorders present dysfunctional memory and no effective treatment exits for them; likely as result of the absence of neural markers associated to memory. Neurotransmitter systems and signaling pathways have been implicated in memory and dysfunctional memory; however, their role is poorly understood. Hence, neural markers and cerebral functions and dysfunctions are revised. To our knowledge no previous systematic works have been published addressing these issues. The interactions among behavioral tasks, control groups and molecular changes and/or pharmacological effects are mentioned. Neurotransmitter receptors and signaling pathways, during normal and abnormally functioning memory with an emphasis on the behavioral aspects of memory are revised. With focus on serotonin, since as it is a well characterized neurotransmitter, with multiple pharmacological tools, and well characterized downstream signaling in mammals' species. 5-HT1A, 5-HT4, 5-HT5, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 receptors as well as SERT (serotonin transporter) seem to be useful neural markers and/or therapeutic targets. Certainly, if the mentioned evidence is replicated, then the translatability from preclinical and clinical studies to neural changes might be confirmed. Hypothesis and theories might provide appropriate limits and perspectives of evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfredo Meneses
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico City, Mexico
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Strain-dependent effects on acquisition and reversal of visual and spatial tasks in a rat touchscreen battery of cognition. Physiol Behav 2015; 144:26-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Fellini L, Kumar G, Gibbs S, Steckler T, Talpos J. Re-evaluating the PCP challenge as a pre-clinical model of impaired cognitive flexibility in schizophrenia. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2014; 24:1836-49. [PMID: 25300235 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2014.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Revised: 08/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
NMDA-R antagonists are a popular translational pharmacological challenge to induce cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. Amongst their many cognitive and non-cognitive effects is an ability to impair cognitive flexibility in general, and reversal learning in particular. Here, we test the hypothesis that the NMDA-R antagonist phencyclidine when given acutely selectively effects reversal learning by simultaneously measuring reversal learning and baseline responding, or acquisition and baseline responding, under identical conditions. Animals were trained to simultaneously perform two different visual discriminations in a touch-screen equipped operant box. Accordingly the reward contingencies associated with one pair could be altered, while the second pair acted as an experimental control. As such, the effect of a manipulation on reversal learning, stimuli acquisition, or baseline responding can be more accurately evaluated through the use of a double visual discrimination. A similar approach was also used to investigate the influence of sub-chronic phencyclidine administration on cognitive flexibility. Phencyclidine (1mg/kg) given before testing caused a slowing in acquisition and reversal learning, while having a minimal effect on secondary measures. Sub-chronic phencyclidine administration had no significant effect on any of the measures used within this study. While acute phencyclidine impairs reversal learning, it is clear from these results that other aspects of cognition (learning/relearning) are also impaired, potentially questioning the specificity of acute phencyclidine in conjunction with reversal learning paradigms as a model of impaired cognitive flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Fellini
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Gaurav Kumar
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Steven Gibbs
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Thomas Steckler
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - John Talpos
- Janssen Research & Development, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340 Beerse, Belgium
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Rambousek L, Palenicek T, Vales K, Stuchlik A. The effect of psilocin on memory acquisition, retrieval, and consolidation in the rat. Front Behav Neurosci 2014; 8:180. [PMID: 24904332 PMCID: PMC4032947 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The involvement of the serotonin system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia has been elucidated by experiments with hallucinogens. Application of a hallucinogen to humans leads to changes in perception, cognition, emotions, and induction of psychotic-like symptoms that resemble symptoms of schizophrenia. In rodent studies, their acute administration affects sensorimotor gating, locomotor activity, social behavior, and cognition including working memory, the phenotypes are considered as an animal model of schizophrenia. The complexity and singularity of human cognition raises questions about the validity of animal models utilizing agonists of 5-HT2A receptors. The present study thus investigated the effect of psilocin on memory acquisition, reinforced retrieval, and memory consolidation in rats. Psilocin is a main metabolite of psilocybin acting as an agonist at 5-HT2A receptors with a contribution of 5-HT2C and 5-HT1A receptors. First, we tested the effect of psilocin on the acquisition of a Carousel maze, a spatial task requiring navigation using distal cues, attention, and cognitive coordination. Psilocin significantly impaired the acquisition of the Carousel maze at both doses (1 and 4 mg/kg). The higher dose of psilocin blocked the learning processes even in an additional session when the rats received only saline. Next, we examined the effect of psilocin on reinforced retrieval and consolidation in the Morris water maze (MWM). The dose of 4 mg/kg disrupted reinforced retrieval in the MWM. However, the application of a lower dose was without any significant effect. Finally, neither the low nor high dose of psilocin injected post-training caused a deficit in memory consolidation in the MWM. Taken together, the psilocin dose dependently impaired the acquisition of the Carousel maze and reinforced retrieval in MWM; however, it had no effect on memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Rambousek
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | | | - Karel Vales
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic , Prague , Czech Republic
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