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Satarker S, Gurram PC, Nassar A, Manandhar S, Vibhavari R, Yarlagadda DL, Mudgal J, Lewis S, Arora D, Nampoothiri M. Evaluating the Role of N-Acetyl-L-Tryptophan in the Aβ 1-42-Induced Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:4421-4440. [PMID: 38091207 PMCID: PMC11236887 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition previously known to affect the older population, is also now seen in younger individuals. AD is often associated with cognitive decline and neuroinflammation elevation primarily due to amyloid β (Aβ) accumulation. Multiple pathological complications in AD call for therapies with a wide range of neuroprotection. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of N-acetyl-L-tryptophan (NAT) in ameliorating the cognitive decline and neuroinflammation induced by Aβ 1-42 oligomers and to determine the therapeutic concentration of NAT in the brain. We administered Aβ 1-42 oligomers in rats via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection to induce AD-like conditions. The NAT-treated animals lowered the cognitive decline in the Morris water maze characterized by shorter escape latency and increased path efficiency and platform entries. Interestingly, the hippocampus and frontal cortex showed downregulation of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-6, and substance P levels. NAT treatment also reduced acetylcholinesterase activity and total and phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa B and Tau levels. Lastly, we observed upregulation of cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) signaling. Surprisingly, our HPLC method was not sensitive enough to detect the therapeutic levels of NAT in the brain, possibly due to NAT concentrations being below the lowest limit of quantification of our validated method. To summarize, the administration of NAT significantly lowered cognitive decline, neuroinflammatory pathways, and Tau protein and triggered the upregulation of CREB1 signaling, suggesting its neuroprotective role in AD-like conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sairaj Satarker
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Prasada Chowdari Gurram
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Ajmal Nassar
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Suman Manandhar
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Rja Vibhavari
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Dani Lakshman Yarlagadda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Jayesh Mudgal
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Shaila Lewis
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Devinder Arora
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, QLD, Gold Coast, 4222, Australia
| | - Madhavan Nampoothiri
- Department of Pharmacology, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Lei A, Breit KR, Thomas JD. Prenatal alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol exposure: Effects on spatial and working memory. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1192786. [PMID: 37383100 PMCID: PMC10293645 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1192786] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alcohol and cannabis are widely used recreational drugs that can negatively impact fetal development, leading to cognitive impairments. However, these drugs may be used simultaneously and the effects of combined exposure during the prenatal period are not well understood. Thus, this study used an animal model to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH), Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the combination on spatial and working memory. Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vaporized ethanol (EtOH; 68 ml/h), THC (100 mg/ml), the combination, or vehicle control during gestational days 5-20. Adolescent male and female offspring were evaluated using the Morris water maze task to assess spatial and working memory. Results Prenatal THC exposure impaired spatial learning and memory in female offspring, whereas prenatal EtOH exposure impaired working memory. The combination of THC and EtOH did not exacerbate the effects of either EtOH or THC, although subjects exposed to the combination were less thigmotaxic, which might represent an increase in risk-taking behavior. Discussion Our results highlight the differential effects of prenatal exposure to THC and EtOH on cognitive and emotional development, with substance- and sex-specific patterns. These findings highlight the potential harm of THC and EtOH on fetal development and support public health policies aimed at reducing cannabis and alcohol use during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Lei
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Kristen R. Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer D. Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
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High Fructose and High Fat Diet Impair Different Types of Memory through Oxidative Stress in a Sex- and Hormone-Dependent Manner. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12040341. [PMID: 35448528 PMCID: PMC9024673 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12040341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) contributes to the spread of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, and neurodegenerative diseases. Evaluation of sex- and hormone-dependent changes in body weight, blood pressure, blood lipids, oxidative stress markers, and alterations in different types of memory in Sprague–Dawley rats fed with a high fat and high fructose (HFHF) diet were evaluated. After 12 weeks of feeding the male and female rats with HFHF, body weight gain, increase in blood pressure, and generation of dyslipidemia compared to the animals fed with chow diet were observed. Regarding memory, it was noted that gonadectomy reverted the effects of HFHF in the 24 h novel object recognition task and in spatial learning/memory analyzed through Morris water maze, males being more affected than females. Nevertheless, gonadectomy did not revert long-term memory impairment in the passive avoidance task induced by HFHF nor in male or female rats. On the other hand, sex-hormone–diet interaction was observed in the plasma concentration of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide. These results suggest that the changes observed in the memory and learning of MetS animals are sex- and hormone-dependent and correlate to an increase in oxidative stress.
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OTHMAN MZ, HASSAN Z, CHE HAS AT. Morris water maze: a versatile and pertinent tool for assessing spatial learning and memory. Exp Anim 2022; 71:264-280. [PMID: 35314563 PMCID: PMC9388345 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.21-0120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Since its development about 40 years ago (1981–2021), Morris water maze has turned into a very popular tool for assessing spatial learning and memory. Its many advantages have ensured its
pertinence to date. These include its effectiveness in evaluating hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, exemption from motivational differences across diverse experimental
manipulations, reliability in various cross-species studies, and adaptability to many experimental conditions with various test protocols. Nonetheless, throughout its establishment, several
experimental and analysis loopholes have galvanized researchers to assess ways in which it could be improved and adapted to fill this gap. Therefore, in this review, we briefly summarize
these developments since the early years of its establishment through to the most recent advancements in computerized analysis, offering more comprehensive analysis paradigms. In addition,
we discuss the adaptability of the Morris water maze across different test versions and analysis paradigms, providing suggestions with regard to the best paradigms for particular
experimental conditions. Hence, the proper selection of the experimental protocols, analysis paradigms, and consideration of the assay’s limitations should be carefully considered. Given
that appropriate measures are taken, with various adaptations made, the Morris water maze will likely remain a relevant tool to assess the mechanisms of spatial learning and memory.
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Salimi Z, Khajehpour L, Moradpour F, Moazedi AA, Pourmotabbed A, Zarei F. Nandrolone improve synaptic plasticity at the hippocampus CA1 area and spatial localization in the Morris water maze of male adolescent rats. Neurosci Res 2019; 158:21-29. [PMID: 31499080 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Nandrolone is the most popular compound that are mainly abused. Experimental studies have reported that administration of nandrolone affects cognitive performance. So, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of nandrolone on spatial localization and synaptic plasticity of male adolescent rats. Experimantal groups received DMSO and nandrolone (10, 30 and 60 μg, i.c.v.). Another aim is to evaluate the role of castration on spatial learning and memory changes induced by nandrolone. Therefore, the rats of fifth and sixth groups were castrated and received DMSO or nandrolone. Analysis showed that escape latency and traveled distance in the group which received nandrolone (60 μg) were significantly lower than control group. Also, the escape latency and traveled distance in the group of castration which received nandrolone was significantly higher than nandrolone treated group. The results of field potential recording showed that fEPSP-LTP in nandrolone-treated group was higher than DMSO-treated group. The magnitude of fEPSP-LTP in the group of castration which received nandrolone was significantly lower than nandrolone-treated group. The results demonstrated that nandrolone improved spatial learning, but castration could abolished nandrolone-induced spatial learning improvement. These results indicating that at least some effect of nandrolone on learning induced through changes in gonadal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Salimi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Lotfollah Khajehpour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Farshad Moradpour
- Fertility & Infertility Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Physiology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Biology, Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada.
| | - Ahmad Ali Moazedi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Pourmotabbed
- Department of Physiology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Zarei
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
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Yagi S, Galea LAM. Sex differences in hippocampal cognition and neurogenesis. Neuropsychopharmacology 2019; 44:200-213. [PMID: 30214058 PMCID: PMC6235970 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-018-0208-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 193] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2018] [Revised: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Sex differences are reported in hippocampal plasticity, cognition, and in a number of disorders that target the integrity of the hippocampus. For example, meta-analyses reveal that males outperform females on hippocampus-dependent tasks in rodents and in humans, furthermore women are more likely to experience greater cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease and depression, both diseases characterized by hippocampal dysfunction. The hippocampus is a highly plastic structure, important for processing higher order information and is sensitive to the environmental factors such as stress. The structure retains the ability to produce new neurons and this process plays an important role in pattern separation, proactive interference, and cognitive flexibility. Intriguingly, there are prominent sex differences in the level of neurogenesis and the activation of new neurons in response to hippocampus-dependent cognitive tasks in rodents. However, sex differences in spatial performance can be nuanced as animal studies have demonstrated that there are task, and strategy choice dependent sex differences in performance, as well as sex differences in the subregions of the hippocampus influenced by learning. This review discusses sex differences in pattern separation, pattern completion, spatial learning, and links between adult neurogenesis and these cognitive functions of the hippocampus. We emphasize the importance of including both sexes when studying genomic, cellular, and structural mechanisms of the hippocampal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunya Yagi
- Department of Psychology, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Liisa A M Galea
- Department of Psychology, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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Moradpour F, Fathollahi Y, Naghdi N, Hosseinmardi N, Javan M. Prepubertal castration-associated developmental changes in sigma-1 receptor gene expression levels regulate hippocampus area CA1 activity during adolescence. Hippocampus 2016; 26:933-46. [PMID: 26860755 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The functional relevance of sigma-1 (σ1 ) receptor expression in the rat hippocampal CA1 during adolescence (i.e., 35-60 days old) was explored. A selective antagonist for the σ1 receptor subtype, BD-1047, was applied to study hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning performance. Changes in the expression of the σ1 receptor subtype and its function were compared between castrated and sham-castrated rats. Castration reduced the magnitude of both field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP)-LTP and population spike (PS)-LTP at 35 days (d). BD-1047 decreased PS-LTP in sham-castrated rats, whereas BD-1047 reversed the effect of castration on fEPSP-LTP at 35 d. In addition, BD1047 impaired spatial learning and augmented σ1 receptor mRNA levels in castrated rats at 35 d. Surprisingly, neither castration nor BD1047 had an effect on fEPSP-LTP and PS-LTP, spatial learning ability or gene expression levels at 45 d. Castration had no effect on fEPSP-LTP but reduced PS-LTP at 60 d. BD1047 increased the magnitude of fEPSP-LTP, but had no effect on PS-LTP in castrated rats at 60 d. However, BD1047 reduced spatial learning ability, and σ1 receptor mRNA levels were decreased in castrated rats at 60 d. This study shows that σ1 receptors play a role in the regulation of both CA1 synaptic efficacy and spatial learning performance. The regulatory role of σ1 receptors in activity-dependent CA1-LTP is locality- and age-dependent, whereas its role in spatial learning ability is only age-dependent. Prepubertal castration-associated changes in the expression and function of the σ1 receptor during adolescence may play a developmental role in the regulation of hippocampal area CA1 activity and plasticity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad Moradpour
- Department of Physiology Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Yaghoub Fathollahi
- Department of Physiology Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasser Naghdi
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nargess Hosseinmardi
- Department of Physiology School of Medicine, Shahid Behsheti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Javan
- Department of Physiology Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Celec P, Ostatníková D, Hodosy J. On the effects of testosterone on brain behavioral functions. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:12. [PMID: 25741229 PMCID: PMC4330791 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Testosterone influences the brain via organizational and activational effects. Numerous relevant studies on rodents and a few on humans focusing on specific behavioral and cognitive parameters have been published. The results are, unfortunately, controversial and puzzling. Dosing, timing, even the application route seem to considerably affect the outcomes. In addition, the methods used for the assessment of psychometric parameters are a bit less than ideal regarding their validity and reproducibility. Metabolism of testosterone contributes to the complexity of its actions. Reduction to dihydrotestosterone by 5-alpha reductase increases the androgen activity; conversion to estradiol by aromatase converts the androgen to estrogen activity. Recently, the non-genomic effects of testosterone on behavior bypassing the nuclear receptors have attracted the interest of researchers. This review tries to summarize the current understanding of the complexity of the effects of testosterone on brain with special focus on their role in the known sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Celec
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Center for Molecular Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia ; Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Ostatníková
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Július Hodosy
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia ; Center for Molecular Medicine, Slovak Academy of Sciences Bratislava, Slovakia ; Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
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Li R, Singh M. Sex differences in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2014; 35:385-403. [PMID: 24434111 PMCID: PMC4087048 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2014.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 356] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2013] [Revised: 12/31/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown differences in specific cognitive ability domains and risk of Alzheimer's disease between the men and women at later age. However it is important to know that sex differences in cognitive function during adulthood may have their basis in both organizational effects, i.e., occurring as early as during the neuronal development period, as well as in activational effects, where the influence of the sex steroids influence brain function in adulthood. Further, the rate of cognitive decline with aging is also different between the sexes. Understanding the biology of sex differences in cognitive function will not only provide insight into Alzheimer's disease prevention, but also is integral to the development of personalized, gender-specific medicine. This review draws on epidemiological, translational, clinical, and basic science studies to assess the impact of sex differences in cognitive function from young to old, and examines the effects of sex hormone treatments on Alzheimer's disease in men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rena Li
- Center for Hormone Advanced Science and Education (CHASE), Roskamp Institute, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States.
| | - Meharvan Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Institute for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research (IAADR), Center FOR HER, University of North Texas, Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States
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