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Popović N, Baño-Otalora B, Rol MÁ, Venero C, Madrid JA, Popović M. Effects of long-term individual housing of middle-aged female Octodon degus on spatial learning and memory in the Barnes maze task. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1221090. [PMID: 37600762 PMCID: PMC10435294 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1221090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Prolonged social isolation is a form of passive chronic stress that has consequences on human and animal behavior. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether the long-term isolation would precipitate age-related changes in anxiety and spatial learning and memory in degus. Methods We investigated the effects of long-term social isolation on anxiety levels in the light-dark test, and spatial orientation abilities in the Barnes maze. Middle-aged female Octodon degus were allocated to either group-housed (3 animals per cage) or individually-housed for 5 months. Results Under this experimental condition, there were no significant group differences in the anxiety level tested in the light-dark test and in the motivation to escape from the Barnes maze. There were no significant differences in cortisol levels between individually- and group-housed animals. On the last acquisition training day of spatial learning, individually- housed animals had a significantly higher number of correct responses and a smaller number of reference and working memory errors than the group-housed animals. In addition, isolated animals showed a tendency for reference and working memory impairment on the retention trial, while group-housed degus showed improvement in these parameters. Discussion and conclusion The present study indicates that prolonged social isolation during adulthood in female degus has a dual effect on spatial orientation. Specifically, it results in a significant improvement in acquisition skills but a slight impairment in memory retention. The obtained cognitive changes were not accompanied by modification in anxiety and cortisol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Popović
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Baño-Otalora
- Chronobiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Mare Nostrum Campus, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Envejecimiento, Murcia, Spain
| | - María Ángeles Rol
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Chronobiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Mare Nostrum Campus, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Envejecimiento, Murcia, Spain
- Ciber Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Madrid, Spain
| | - César Venero
- Department of Psychobiology, Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto Mixto de Investigación–Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Madrid
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Chronobiology Lab, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Murcia, Mare Nostrum Campus, Instituto Universitario de Investigación en Envejecimiento, Murcia, Spain
- Ciber Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miroljub Popović
- Department of Human Anatomy and Psychobiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain
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Inyang D, Saumtally T, Nnadi CN, Devi S, So PW. A Systematic Review of the Effects of Capsaicin on Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10176. [PMID: 37373321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by cognitive impairment, and amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tau tangles at neuropathology. Capsaicin is a spicy-tasting compound found in chili peppers, with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and possible neuroprotective properties. Capsaicin intake has been associated with greater cognitive function in humans, and attenuating aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation in a rat model of AD. This systematic review discusses the potential of capsaicin in improving AD pathology and symptoms. A systematic analysis was conducted on the effect of capsaicin on AD-associated molecular changes, cognitive and behaviour resulting in 11 studies employing rodents and/or cell cultures, which were appraised with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Ten studies showed capsaicin attenuated tau deposition, apoptosis, and synaptic dysfunction; was only weakly effective on oxidative stress; and had conflicting effects on amyloid processing. Eight studies demonstrated improved spatial and working memory, learning, and emotional behaviours in rodents following capsaicin treatment. Overall, capsaicin showed promise in improving AD-associated molecular, cognitive, and behavioural changes in cellular and animal models, and further investigations are recommended to test the readily available bioactive, capsaicin, to treat AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Inyang
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Tasneem Saumtally
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Chinelo Nonyerem Nnadi
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Sharmila Devi
- Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Po-Wah So
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
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Clarke A, Ashe C, Jenkinson J, Rowe O, A D N I, Hyland P, Commins S. Predicting conversion of patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's disease using bedside cognitive assessments. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2022; 44:703-712. [PMID: 36803664 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2167942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) often go on to develop dementia, however many do not. Although cognitive tests are widely used in the clinic, there is limited research on their potential to help predict which patients may progress to Alzheimer's disease (AD) from those that do not. METHODS MCI patients (n = 325) from the longitudinal Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI-2) dataset were tracked across a 5 year period. Upon initial diagnosis, all patients underwent a series of cognitive tests including the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog 13). Twenty-five percent (n = 83) of those initially diagnosed with MCI subsequently developed AD within 5 years. RESULTS We showed that those individuals that progressed to AD had significantly lower scores upon baseline testing on the MMSE and MoCA, and higher scores on the ADAS-13, compared to those that did not convert. However, not all tests were equivalent. We showed that the ADAS-13 offers the best predictability of conversion (Adjusted Odds ratio (AOR) = 3.91). This predictability was higher than that offered by the two primary biomarker Amyloid-beta (Aβ, AOR = 1.99) and phospho-tau (Ptau, AOR = 1.72). Further analysis on the ADAS-13 showed that MCI patients that subsequently converted to AD performed particularly poorly on delayed-recall (AOR = 1.93), word recognition (AOR = 1.66), word finding difficulty (AOR = 1.55) and orientation (1.38) test items. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive testing using the ADAS-13 may offer a simpler, less invasive, more clinically relevant and a more effective method of determining those that are in danger of converting from MCI to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abby Clarke
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Calvin Ashe
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Jill Jenkinson
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Olivia Rowe
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - A D N I
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Philip Hyland
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
| | - Sean Commins
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Ireland
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Treatment with Autophagy Inducer Trehalose Alleviates Memory and Behavioral Impairments and Neuroinflammatory Brain Processes in db/db Mice. Cells 2021; 10:cells10102557. [PMID: 34685538 PMCID: PMC8533743 DOI: 10.3390/cells10102557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy attenuation has been found in neurodegenerative diseases, aging, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis. In experimental models of neurodegenerative diseases, the correction of autophagy in the brain reverses neuronal and behavioral deficits and hence seems to be a promising therapy for neuropathologies. Our aim was to study the effect of an autophagy inducer, trehalose, on brain autophagy and behavior in a genetic model of diabetes with signs of neuronal damage (db/db mice). A 2% trehalose solution was administered as drinking water during 24 days of the experiment. Expressions of markers of autophagy (LC3-II), neuroinflammation (IBA1), redox state (NOS), and neuronal density (NeuN) in the brain were assessed by immunohistochemical analysis. For behavioral phenotyping, the open field, elevated plus-maze, tail suspension, pre-pulse inhibition, and passive avoidance tests were used. Trehalose caused a slight reduction in increased blood glucose concentration, considerable autophagy activation, and a decrease in the neuroinflammatory response in the brain along with improvements of exploration, locomotor activity, anxiety, depressive-like behavior, and fear learning and memory in db/db mice. Trehalose exerted some beneficial peripheral and systemic effects and partially reversed behavioral alterations in db/db mice. Thus, trehalose as an inducer of mTOR-independent autophagy is effective at alleviating neuronal and behavioral disturbances accompanying experimental diabetes.
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Thornberry C, Cimadevilla JM, Commins S. Virtual Morris water maze: opportunities and challenges. Rev Neurosci 2021; 32:887-903. [PMID: 33838098 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The ability to accurately recall locations and navigate our environment relies on multiple cognitive mechanisms. The behavioural and neural correlates of spatial navigation have been repeatedly examined using different types of mazes and tasks with animals. Accurate performances of many of these tasks have proven to depend on specific circuits and brain structures and some have become the standard test of memory in many disease models. With the introduction of virtual reality (VR) to neuroscience research, VR tasks have become a popular method of examining human spatial memory and navigation. However, the types of VR tasks used to examine navigation across laboratories appears to greatly differ, from open arena mazes and virtual towns to driving simulators. Here, we examined over 200 VR navigation papers, and found that the most popular task used is the virtual analogue of the Morris water maze (VWM). Although we highlight the many advantages of using the VWM task, there are also some major difficulties related to the widespread use of this behavioural method. Despite the task's popularity, we demonstrate an inconsistency of use - particularly with respect to the environmental setup and procedures. Using different versions of the virtual water maze makes replication of findings and comparison of results across researchers very difficult. We suggest the need for protocol and design standardisation, alongside other difficulties that need to be addressed, if the virtual water maze is to become the 'gold standard' for human spatial research similar to its animal counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Thornberry
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, John Hume Building, North Campus, Maynooth, Co KildareW23 F2H6, Ireland
| | - Jose M Cimadevilla
- Department of Psychology and Health Research Center, University of Almeria, 04120La Cañada, Almería, Spain
| | - Sean Commins
- Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, John Hume Building, North Campus, Maynooth, Co KildareW23 F2H6, Ireland
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Arruda HS, Neri-Numa IA, Kido LA, Maróstica Júnior MR, Pastore GM. Recent advances and possibilities for the use of plant phenolic compounds to manage ageing-related diseases. J Funct Foods 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.104203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Sahin Z, Biltekin SN, Bülbül EF, Yurttas L, Berk B, Demirayak Ş. Design and synthesis of new donepezil analogs derived from arylpiperazine scaffold as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. PHOSPHORUS SULFUR 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/10426507.2020.1830773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zafer Sahin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Sevde Nur Biltekin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emre Fatih Bülbül
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Leyla Yurttas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Barkin Berk
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Şeref Demirayak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
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