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Palamarchuk IS, Slavich GM, Vaillancourt T, Rajji TK. Stress-related cellular pathophysiology as a crosstalk risk factor for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders. BMC Neurosci 2023; 24:65. [PMID: 38087196 PMCID: PMC10714507 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-023-00831-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we examine biological processes linking psychological stress and cognition, with a focus on how psychological stress can activate multiple neurobiological mechanisms that drive cognitive decline and behavioral change. First, we describe the general neurobiology of the stress response to define neurocognitive stress reactivity. Second, we review aspects of epigenetic regulation, synaptic transmission, sex hormones, photoperiodic plasticity, and psychoneuroimmunological processes that can contribute to cognitive decline and neuropsychiatric conditions. Third, we explain mechanistic processes linking the stress response and neuropathology. Fourth, we discuss molecular nuances such as an interplay between kinases and proteins, as well as differential role of sex hormones, that can increase vulnerability to cognitive and emotional dysregulation following stress. Finally, we explicate several testable hypotheses for stress, neurocognitive, and neuropsychiatric research. Together, this work highlights how stress processes alter neurophysiology on multiple levels to increase individuals' risk for neurocognitive and psychiatric disorders, and points toward novel therapeutic targets for mitigating these effects. The resulting models can thus advance dementia and mental health research, and translational neuroscience, with an eye toward clinical application in cognitive and behavioral neurology, and psychiatry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Division of Neurology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - George M Slavich
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tarek K Rajji
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON, M6J1H4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Temerty Faculty of Medicine, Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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2
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Frankfurt M, Nassrallah Z, Luine V. Steroid Hormone Interaction with Dendritic Spines: Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disease. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 34:349-366. [PMID: 37962800 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-36159-3_8] [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: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Dendritic spines, key sites for neural plasticity, are influenced by gonadal steroids. In this chapter, we review the effects of gonadal steroids on dendritic spine density in areas important to cognitive function, the hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Most of these animal model studies investigated the effects of estrogen in females, but we also include more recent data on androgen effects in both males and females. The underlying genomic and non-genomic mechanisms related to gonadal steroid-induced spinogenesis are also reviewed. Subsequently, we discuss possible reasons for the observed sex differences in many neuropsychiatric diseases, which appear to be caused, in part, by aberrant synaptic connections that may involve dendritic spine pathology. Overall, knowledge concerning the regulation of dendritic spines by gonadal hormones has grown since the initial discoveries in the 1990s, and current research points to a potential role for aberrant spine functioning in many neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Frankfurt
- Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, Hempstead, NY, USA.
| | - Zeinab Nassrallah
- Department of Science Education Zucker School of Medicine, 500 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, USA
| | - Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
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3
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Tronson NC, Schuh KM. Hormonal contraceptives, stress, and the brain: The critical need for animal models. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101035. [PMID: 36075276 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives are among the most important health and economic developments in the 20thCentury, providing unprecedented reproductive control and a range of health benefits including decreased premenstrual symptoms and protections against various cancers. Hormonal contraceptives modulate neural function and stress responsivity. These changes are usually innocuous or even beneficial, including their effects onmood. However, in approximately 4-10% of users, or up to 30 million people at any given time, hormonal contraceptives trigger depression or anxiety symptoms. How hormonal contraceptives contribute to these responses and who is at risk for adverse outcomes remain unknown. In this paper, we discussstudies of hormonal contraceptive use in humans and describe the ways in which laboratory animal models of contraceptive hormone exposure will be an essential tool for expanding findings to understand the precise mechanisms by which hormonal contraceptives influence the brain, stress responses, and depression risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Tronson
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Kristen M Schuh
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Sex Differences in Psychostimulant Abuse: Implications for Estrogen Receptors and Histone Deacetylases. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13050892. [PMID: 35627277 PMCID: PMC9140379 DOI: 10.3390/genes13050892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Substance abuse is a chronic pathological disorder that negatively affects many health and neurological processes. A growing body of literature has revealed gender differences in substance use. Compared to men, women display distinct drug-use phenotypes accompanied by recovery and rehabilitation disparities. These observations have led to the notion that sex-dependent susceptibilities exist along the progression to addiction. Within this scope, neuroadaptations following psychostimulant exposure are thought to be distinct for each sex. This review summarizes clinical findings and animal research reporting sex differences in the subjective and behavioral responses to cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine. This discussion is followed by an examination of epigenetic and molecular alterations implicated in the addiction process. Special consideration is given to histone deacetylases and estrogen receptor-mediated gene expression.
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Marchant IC, Chabert S, Martínez-Pinto J, Sotomayor-Zárate R, Ramírez-Barrantes R, Acevedo L, Córdova C, Olivero P. Estrogen, Cognitive Performance, and Functional Imaging Studies: What Are We Missing About Neuroprotection? Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:866122. [PMID: 35634466 PMCID: PMC9133497 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.866122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Menopause transition can be interpreted as a vulnerable state characterized by estrogen deficiency with detrimental systemic effects as the low-grade chronic inflammation that appears with aging and partly explains age-related disorders as cancer, diabetes mellitus and increased risk of cognitive impairment. Over the course of a lifetime, estrogen produces several beneficial effects in healthy neurological tissues as well as cardioprotective effects, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, clinical evidence on the efficacy of hormone treatment in menopausal women has failed to confirm the benefit reported in observational studies. Unambiguously, enhanced verbal memory is the most robust finding from longitudinal and cross-sectional studies, what merits consideration for future studies aiming to determine estrogen neuroprotective efficacy. Estrogen related brain activity and functional connectivity remain, however, unexplored. In this context, the resting state paradigm may provide valuable information about reproductive aging and hormonal treatment effects, and their relationship with brain imaging of functional connectivity may be key to understand and anticipate estrogen cognitive protective effects. To go in-depth into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying rapid-to-long lasting protective effects of estrogen, we will provide a comprehensive review of cognitive tasks used in animal studies to evaluate the effect of hormone treatment on cognitive performance and discuss about the tasks best suited to the demonstration of clinically significant differences in cognitive performance to be applied in human studies. Eventually, we will focus on studies evaluating the DMN activity and responsiveness to pharmacological stimulation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivanny Carolina Marchant
- Laboratorio de Modelamiento en Medicina, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Chile
- Centro Interoperativo en Ciencias Odontológicas y Médicas, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- *Correspondence: Ivanny Carolina Marchant
| | - Stéren Chabert
- Millennium Nucleus in Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, Santiago, Chile
- Escuela de Ingeniería Biomédica, Universidad de Valparaiso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería en Salud, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Jonathan Martínez-Pinto
- Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa, Valparaíso, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica y Neurofarmacología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Ramón Sotomayor-Zárate
- Centro de Neurobiología y Fisiopatología Integrativa, Valparaíso, Chile
- Laboratorio de Neuroquímica y Neurofarmacología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaiso, Chile
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Lilian Acevedo
- Servicio de Neurología Hospital Carlos van Buren, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudio Córdova
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Función Celular, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Pablo Olivero
- Centro Interoperativo en Ciencias Odontológicas y Médicas, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Laboratorio de Estructura y Función Celular, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
- Pablo Olivero
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Vitku J, Hill M, Kolatorova L, Kubala Havrdova E, Kancheva R. Steroid Sulfation in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:839887. [PMID: 35281259 PMCID: PMC8904904 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.839887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Steroid sulfation and desulfation participates in the regulation of steroid bioactivity, metabolism and transport. The authors focused on sulfation and desulfation balance in three neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer´s disease (AD), Parkinson´s disease (PD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Circulating steroid conjugates dominate their unconjugated counterparts, but unconjugated steroids outweigh their conjugated counterparts in the brain. Apart from the neurosteroid synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS), most brain steroids cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) from the periphery and then may be further metabolized. Therefore, steroid levels in the periphery partly reflect the situation in the brain. The CNS steroids subsequently influence the neuronal excitability and have neuroprotective, neuroexcitatory, antidepressant and memory enhancing effects. They also exert anti-inflammatory and immunoprotective actions. Like the unconjugated steroids, the sulfated ones modulate various ligand-gated ion channels. Conjugation by sulfotransferases increases steroid water solubility and facilitates steroid transport. Steroid sulfates, having greater half-lives than their unconjugated counterparts, also serve as a steroid stock pool. Sulfotransferases are ubiquitous enzymes providing massive steroid sulfation in adrenal zona reticularis and zona fasciculata.. Steroid sulfatase hydrolyzing the steroid conjugates is exceedingly expressed in placenta but is ubiquitous in low amounts including brain capillaries of BBB which can rapidly hydrolyze the steroid sulfates coming across the BBB from the periphery. Lower dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) plasma levels and reduced sulfotransferase activity are considered as risk factors in AD patients. The shifted balance towards unconjugated steroids can participate in the pathophysiology of PD and anti-inflammatory effects of DHEAS may counteract the MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Vitku
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jana Vitku,
| | - Martin Hill
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lucie Kolatorova
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
| | - Eva Kubala Havrdova
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radmila Kancheva
- Department of Steroids and Proteofactors, Institute of Endocrinology, Prague, Czechia
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Datta G, Miller NM, Du W, Geiger JD, Chang S, Chen X. Endolysosome Localization of ERα Is Involved in the Protective Effect of 17α-Estradiol against HIV-1 gp120-Induced Neuronal Injury. J Neurosci 2021; 41:10365-10381. [PMID: 34764157 PMCID: PMC8672688 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1475-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurotoxic HIV-1 viral proteins contribute to the development of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), the prevalence of which remains high (30-50%) with no effective treatment available. Estrogen is a known neuroprotective agent; however, the diverse mechanisms of estrogen action on the different types of estrogen receptors is not completely understood. In this study, we determined the extent to which and mechanisms by which 17α-estradiol (17αE2), a natural less-feminizing estrogen, offers neuroprotection against HIV-1 gp120-induced neuronal injury. Endolysosomes are important for neuronal function, and endolysosomal dysfunction contributes to HAND and other neurodegenerative disorders. In hippocampal neurons, estrogen receptor α (ERα) is localized to endolysosomes and 17αE2 acidifies endolysosomes. ERα knockdown or overexpressing an ERα mutant that is deficient in endolysosome localization prevents 17αE2-induced endolysosome acidification. Furthermore, 17αE2-induced increases in dendritic spine density depend on endolysosome localization of ERα. Pretreatment with 17αE2 protected against HIV-1 gp120-induced endolysosome deacidification and reductions in dendritic spines; such protective effects depended on endolysosome localization of ERα. In male HIV-1 transgenic rats, we show that 17αE2 treatment prevents the development of enlarged endolysosomes and reduction in dendritic spines. Our findings demonstrate a novel endolysosome-dependent pathway that governs the ERα-mediated neuroprotective actions of 17αE2, findings that might lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies against HAND.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Extranuclear presence of membrane-bound estrogen receptors (ERs) underlie the enhancing effect of estrogen on cognition and synaptic function. The estrogen receptor subtype ERα is present on endolysosomes and plays a critical role in the enhancing effects of 17αE2 on endolysosomes and dendritic spines. These findings provide novel insight into the neuroprotective actions of estrogen. Furthermore, 17αE2 protected against HIV-1 gp120-induced endolysosome dysfunction and reductions in dendritic spines, and these protective effects of 17αE2 were mediated via endolysosome localization of ERα. Such findings provide a rationale for developing 17αE2 as a therapeutic strategy against HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Datta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
| | - Nicole M Miller
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
| | - Wenjuan Du
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079
| | - Jonathan D Geiger
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
| | - Sulie Chang
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology and Department of Biological Sciences, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey 07079
| | - Xuesong Chen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9037
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Palamarchuk IS, Vaillancourt T. Mental Resilience and Coping With Stress: A Comprehensive, Multi-level Model of Cognitive Processing, Decision Making, and Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:719674. [PMID: 34421556 PMCID: PMC8377204 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.719674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aversive events can evoke strong emotions that trigger cerebral neuroactivity to facilitate behavioral and cognitive shifts to secure physiological stability. However, upon intense and/or chronic exposure to such events, the neural coping processes can be maladaptive and disrupt mental well-being. This maladaptation denotes a pivotal point when psychological stress occurs, which can trigger subconscious, "automatic" neuroreactivity as a defence mechanism to protect the individual from potential danger including overwhelming unpleasant feelings and disturbing or threatening thoughts.The outcomes of maladaptive neural activity are cognitive dysfunctions such as altered memory, decision making, and behavior that impose a risk for mental disorders. Although the neurocognitive phenomena associated with psychological stress are well documented, the complex neural activity and pathways related to stressor detection and stress coping have not been outlined in detail. Accordingly, we define acute and chronic stress-induced pathways, phases, and stages in relation to novel/unpredicted, uncontrollable, and ambiguous stressors. We offer a comprehensive model of the stress-induced alterations associated with multifaceted pathophysiology related to cognitive appraisal and executive functioning in stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iryna S Palamarchuk
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tracy Vaillancourt
- Counselling Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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AhR/miR-23a-3p/PKCα axis contributes to memory deficits in ovariectomized and normal aging female mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 24:79-91. [PMID: 33738140 PMCID: PMC7940705 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of estrogen deficiency-induced cognitive impairment is still not fully elucidated. In this study, we assessed the effect of microRNA (miRNA) on the memory of long-term estrogen-deficient mice after ovariectomy (OVX) and normal aging. We observed that 5-month OVX and 22-month-old normal aging female mice showed significantly impaired spatial and object recognition memory, declined hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), and decreased hippocampal protein kinase C α (PKCα) protein. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis showed upregulated miRNA-23a-3p (miR-23a-3p) in the hippocampus of 5-month OVX and 22-month-old female mice. In vitro, overexpression of miR-23a-3p downregulated PKCα by binding the 3¢ UTRs of Prkca mRNAs, which was prevented by its antisense oligonucleotide AMO-23a. In vivo, adeno-associated virus-mediated overexpression of miR-23a-3p (AAV-pre-miR-23a-3p) suppressed hippocampal PKCα and impaired the memory of mice. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binds the promoter region of miR-23a-3p. The AhR-dependent downregulation of PKCα could be prevented by AMO-23a as well. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-23a-3p using AAV-AMO-23a rescued the cognitive and electrophysiological impairments of OVX and normal aging female mice. We conclude that long-term estrogen deficiency impairs cognition and hippocampal LTP by activating the AhR/miR-23a-3p/PKCα axis. The knockdown of miR-23a-3p may be a potentially valuable therapeutic strategy for estrogen deficiency-induced memory deficits.
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Yap K, Drakew A, Smilovic D, Rietsche M, Paul MH, Vuksic M, Del Turco D, Deller T. The actin-modulating protein synaptopodin mediates long-term survival of dendritic spines. eLife 2020; 9:e62944. [PMID: 33275099 PMCID: PMC7717903 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Large spines are stable and important for memory trace formation. The majority of large spines also contains synaptopodin (SP), an actin-modulating and plasticity-related protein. Since SP stabilizes F-actin, we speculated that the presence of SP within large spines could explain their long lifetime. Indeed, using 2-photon time-lapse imaging of SP-transgenic granule cells in mouse organotypic tissue cultures we found that spines containing SP survived considerably longer than spines of equal size without SP. Of note, SP-positive (SP+) spines that underwent pruning first lost SP before disappearing. Whereas the survival time courses of SP+ spines followed conditional two-stage decay functions, SP-negative (SP-) spines and all spines of SP-deficient animals showed single-phase exponential decays. This was also the case following afferent denervation. These results implicate SP as a major regulator of long-term spine stability: SP clusters stabilize spines, and the presence of SP indicates spines of high stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenrick Yap
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Alexander Drakew
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Dinko Smilovic
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Michael Rietsche
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Mandy H Paul
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Mario Vuksic
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
- Croatian Institute for Brain Research, School of Medicine, University of ZagrebZagrebCroatia
| | - Domenico Del Turco
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
| | - Thomas Deller
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Dr. Senckenberg Anatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University FrankfurtFrankfurtGermany
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Marbouti L, Zahmatkesh M, Riahi E, Shafiee Sabet M. GnRH protective effects against amyloid β-induced cognitive decline: A potential role of the 17β-estradiol. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 518:110985. [PMID: 32805333 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The 17β-estradiol (E2) enhances hippocampal dendritic spine synapses, facilitates learning processes, and exerts neuroprotection. Brain estrogen decline has been reported in Alzheimer's disease. The role of GnRH in modulating steroid biosynthesis convinced us to examine whether hippocampal GnRH administration could enhance the local E2 levels and overcome the development of cognition decline in amyloid β (Aβ) neurotoxicity. To explore if GnRH acts through regulating E2 synthesis, letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, has been applied in combination with GnRH. METHODS Female rats received an intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ. The GnRH and, or letrozole were injected into the CA1 for 14 consecutive days. Working memory, novel object recognition memory, and anxiety-like behavior were evaluated. Serum and hippocampal E2 levels were measured. Hippocampal mRNA expression of GnRH (GnRH-R) and E2 (ERα and ERβ) receptors was assessed. GnRH effect on the excitability of pyramidal cells was studied by in vivo single-unit recording. RESULTS GnRH increased hippocampal E2 levels, evoked an increase in the spontaneous firing of pyramidal neurons, and caused mRNA overexpression of hippocampal GnRH receptors. GnRH prevented the adverse effects of Aβ on working memory, NOR index, and anxiogenic behavior. Letrozole did not reverse GnRH modulatory effects on hippocampal E2 levels and neuroprotection. CONCLUSION GnRH prevented the Aβ-induced memory deficit, which may be mediated through hippocampal E2 levels enhancement. The electrophysiological analysis revealed the enhanced neuronal excitability in the CA1 region. All these data suggest that GnRH might be a promising candidate that reduces anxiety and improves memory indices in the context of Aβ neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ladan Marbouti
- Neuroscience and Addiction Studies Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Zahmatkesh
- Neuroscience and Addiction Studies Department, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cognitive and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Esmail Riahi
- Physiology Department, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Shafiee Sabet
- Family Medicine Department, Ziaeian Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Pace SA, Christensen C, Schackmuth MK, Wallace T, McKlveen JM, Beischel W, Morano R, Scheimann JR, Wilson SP, Herman JP, Myers B. Infralimbic cortical glutamate output is necessary for the neural and behavioral consequences of chronic stress. Neurobiol Stress 2020; 13:100274. [PMID: 33344727 PMCID: PMC7739189 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2020.100274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to prolonged stress is a major risk-factor for psychiatric disorders such as generalized anxiety and major depressive disorder. Human imaging studies have identified structural and functional abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex of subjects with depression and anxiety disorders, particularly Brodmann's area 25 (BA25). Further, deep brain stimulation of BA25 reduces symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. The rat homolog of BA25 is the infralimbic cortex (IL), which is critical for cognitive appraisal, executive function, and physiological stress reactivity. Previous studies indicate that the IL undergoes stress-induced changes in excitatory/inhibitory balance culminating in reduced activity of glutamate output neurons. However, the regulatory role of IL glutamate output in mood-related behaviors after chronic variable stress (CVS) is unknown. Here, we utilized a lentiviral-packaged small-interfering RNA to reduce translation of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (vGluT1 siRNA), thereby constraining IL glutamate output. This viral-mediated gene transfer was used in conjunction with a quantitative anatomical analysis of cells expressing the stable immediate-early gene product FosB/ΔFosB, which accumulates in response to repeated neural activation. Through assessment of FosB/ΔFosB-expressing neurons across the frontal lobe in adult male rats, we mapped regions altered by chronic stress and determined the coordinating role of the IL in frontal cortical plasticity. Specifically, CVS-exposed rats had increased density of FosB/ΔFosB-expressing cells in the IL and decreased density in the insula. The latter effect was dependent on IL glutamate output. Next, we examined the interaction of CVS and reduced IL glutamate output in behavioral assays examining coping, anxiety-like behavior, associative learning, and nociception. IL glutamate knockdown decreased immobility during the forced swim test compared to GFP controls, both in rats exposed to CVS as well as rats without previous stress exposure. Further, vGluT1 siRNA prevented CVS-induced avoidance behaviors, while also reducing risk aversion and passive coping. Ultimately, this study identifies the necessity of IL glutamatergic output for regulating frontal cortical neural activity and behavior following chronic stress. These findings also highlight how disruption of excitatory/inhibitory balance within specific frontal cortical cell populations may impact neurobehavioral adaptation and lead to stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Pace
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Tyler Wallace
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Jessica M McKlveen
- National Institutes of Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Will Beischel
- Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rachel Morano
- Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jessie R Scheimann
- Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Steven P Wilson
- Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - James P Herman
- Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Brent Myers
- Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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13
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Tozzi A, Bellingacci L, Pettorossi VE. Rapid Estrogenic and Androgenic Neurosteroids Effects in the Induction of Long-Term Synaptic Changes: Implication for Early Memory Formation. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:572511. [PMID: 33192257 PMCID: PMC7653679 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.572511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mounting experimental evidence demonstrate that sex neuroactive steroids (neurosteroids) are essential for memory formation. Neurosteroids have a profound impact on the function and structure of neural circuits and their local synthesis is necessary for the induction of both long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission and for neural spine formation in different areas of the central nervous system (CNS). Several studies demonstrated that in the hippocampus, 17β-estradiol (E2) is necessary for inducing LTP, while 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is necessary for inducing LTD. This contribution has been proven by administering sex neurosteroids in rodent models and by using blocking agents of their synthesis or of their specific receptors. The general opposite role of sex neurosteroids in synaptic plasticity appears to be dependent on their different local availability in response to low or high frequency of synaptic stimulation, allowing the induction of bidirectional synaptic plasticity. The relevant contribution of these neurosteroids to synaptic plasticity has also been described in other brain regions involved in memory processes such as motor learning, as in the case of the vestibular nuclei, the cerebellum, and the basal ganglia, or as the emotional circuit of the amygdala. The rapid effects of sex neurosteroids on neural synaptic plasticity need the maintenance of a tonic or phasic local steroid synthesis determined by neural activity but might also be influenced by circulating hormones, age, and gender. To disclose the exact mechanisms how sex neurosteroids participate in finely tuning long-term synaptic changes and spine remodeling, further investigation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tozzi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Laura Bellingacci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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14
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Supplementation of fenugreek with choline-docosahexaenoic acid attenuates menopause induced memory loss, BDNF and dendritic arborization in ovariectomized rats. Anat Sci Int 2020; 96:197-211. [PMID: 32944877 DOI: 10.1007/s12565-020-00574-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairment due to natural or surgical menopause is always associated with estrogen deficiency leading to reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Reduced BDNF levels in menopause affect neuronal maturation, survival, axonal and dendritic arborization and the maintenance of dendritic spine density. Conventional long-term estrogen replacement therapy reported causing the risk of venous thromboembolism and breast cancer. To overcome these undesirable effects, phytoestrogens have been used in menopause-induced condition without the risk of side effects. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of fenugreek seed extract (FG) either alone or in combination with choline-DHA on BDNF and dendritic arborization of pyramidal neurons in CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus in ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats of 9-10 months old were divided into six groups as normal control (NC); ovariectomy (OVX); OVX + FG; OVX + choline-DHA; OVX + FG + choline-DHA; and OVX + estradiol. All the groups, except NC, were ovariectomized. After 2 weeks of ovariectomy, dietary supplementation was initiated for a period of 30 days. After supplementation, behavioral studies, BDNF levels and dendritic arborization were estimated. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats showed reduced BDNF levels, dendritic branching points and dendritic intersections of pyramidal neurons in CA1 and CA3 regions of the hippocampus. OVX rats supplemented with FG with choline-DHA showed significantly improved BDNF levels, dendritic branching points and dendritic intersections. These results are demonstrating that FG with choline-DHA supplementation can be an alternative for estrogen replacement therapy to modulate menopause-induced learning and memory deficits.
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15
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Abstract
17β-Estradiol (E2) is a potent steroid hormone of both gonadal and neuronal origin that exerts profound effects on neuroplasticity in several brain regions. Dendritic spine and synapse formation and rearrangements are modulated and mediated by estrogens. In this chapter, we highlighted the essential background concerning the effects of E2 on synaptic rearrangements accompanied by synaptic plasticity in E2-sensitive brain regions that mediate learning and memory, i.e., cortex and hippocampus. We also address details of the molecular mechanisms underlying E2 regulation of spine dynamics. The proposed models of action of E2 overlaps with that for well-established synaptic modulators, such as adenosine. Thus, the possible synergistic effects of those two molecules in respect to synaptic rearrangement and plasticity were presented.
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16
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Abstract
This review highlights fifty years of progress in research on estradiol's role in regulating behavior(s). It was initially thought that estradiol was only involved in regulating estrus/menstrual cycles and concomitant sexual behavior, but it is now clear that estradiol also influences the higher order neural function of cognition. We provide a brief overview of estradiol's regulation of memory and some mechanisms which underlie its effects. Given systemically or directly into the hippocampus, to ovariectomized female rodents, estradiol or specific agonists, enhance learning and/or memory in a variety of rodent cognitive tasks. Acute (within minutes) or chronic (days) treatments enhance cognitive functions. Under the same treatment conditions, dendritic spine density on pyramidal neurons in the CA1 area of the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex increase which suggests that these changes are an important component of estrogen's ability to impact memory processes. Noradrenergic, dopaminergic and serotoninergic activity are also altered in these areas following estrogen treatments. Memory enhancements and increased spine density by estrogens are not limited to females but are also present in castrate males. In the next fifty years, neuroscientists need to determine how currently described neural changes mediate improved memory, how interactions among areas important for memory promote memory and the potential significance of neurally derived estrogens in normal cognitive processing. Answering these questions may provide significant advances for treatment of dementias as well as age and neuro-degenerative disease related memory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Science Education, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
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17
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Pompili A, Iorio C, Gasbarri A. Effects of sex steroid hormones on memory. Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars) 2020. [DOI: 10.21307/ane-2020-012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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18
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Vazquez M, Frazier JH, Reichel CM, Peters J. Acute ovarian hormone treatment in freely cycling female rats regulates distinct aspects of heroin seeking. Learn Mem 2020; 27:6-11. [PMID: 31843977 PMCID: PMC6919190 DOI: 10.1101/lm.050187.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Females are at higher risk for certain opioid addictive behaviors, but the influence of ovarian hormones is unknown. In our rat model of heroin self-administration, females exhibited higher relapse rates that correlated with rates of heroin seeking on the first extinction session. We administered estradiol alone, or in combination with progesterone, 30 min prior to the first extinction session in freely cycling, heroin-seeking female rats. Although neither treatment produced long-term effects on relapse, each treatment regulated distinct aspects of heroin seeking. Estradiol treatment enhanced extinction memory retention, whereas the combination treatment acutely reduced expression of heroin seeking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maribel Vazquez
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Jessica H Frazier
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Carmela M Reichel
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
| | - Jamie Peters
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA
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19
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Tronson NC, Keiser AA. A Dynamic Memory Systems Framework for Sex Differences in Fear Memory. Trends Neurosci 2019; 42:680-692. [PMID: 31473031 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Emerging research demonstrates that a pattern of overlapping but distinct molecular and circuit mechanisms are engaged by males and females during memory tasks. Importantly, sex differences in neural mechanisms and behavioral strategies are evident even when performance on a memory task is similar between females and males. We propose that sex differences in memory may be best understood within a dynamic memory systems framework. Specifically, sex differences in hormonal influences and neural circuit development result in biases in the circuits engaged and the information preferentially stored or retrieved in males and females. By using animal models to understand the neural networks and molecular mechanisms required for memory in both sexes, we can gain crucial insights into sex and gender biases in disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie C Tronson
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Ashley A Keiser
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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20
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Pan Y, Xu J, Jin P, Yang Q, Zhu K, You M, Chen M, Hu F. Royal Jelly Ameliorates Behavioral Deficits, Cholinergic System Deficiency, and Autonomic Nervous Dysfunction in Ovariectomized Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24061149. [PMID: 30909491 PMCID: PMC6470943 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24061149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Estrogen deficiency after menopause is associated with autonomic nervous changes, leading to memory impairment and increased susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Royal jelly (RJ) from honeybees (Apis mellifera) has estrogenic activity. Here, we investigated whether RJ can improve behavior, cholinergic and autonomic nervous function in ovariectomized (OVX) cholesterol-fed rabbits. OVX rabbits on high-cholesterol diet were administered with RJ for 12 weeks. The results showed that RJ could significantly improve the behavioral deficits of OVX cholesterol-fed rabbits and image structure of the brain. RJ reduced body weight, blood lipid, as well as the levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ), acetylcholinesterase (AchE), and malonaldehyde (MDA) in the brain. Moreover, RJ also increased the activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the brain, and enhanced heart rate variability (HRV) and Baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) in OVX cholesterol-fed rabbits. Furthermore, RJ was also shown to reduce the content of Evans blue and the expression levels of Aβ, beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1(BACE1), and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), and increase the expression level of LDL(low density lipoprotein) receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1) in the brain. Our findings suggested that RJ has beneficial effects in neurological disorders of postmenopausal women, which were associated with reducing cholesterol and Aβ deposition, enhancing the estrogen levels and the activities of cholinergic and antioxidant systems, and ameliorating the blood⁻brain barrier (BBB) permeability and restoring autonomic nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongming Pan
- Comparative medical Research Institute, Experimental Animal Research Center, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Jianqin Xu
- Comparative medical Research Institute, Experimental Animal Research Center, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Ping Jin
- The third clinical medical college, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Qinqin Yang
- Comparative medical Research Institute, Experimental Animal Research Center, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Keyan Zhu
- Comparative medical Research Institute, Experimental Animal Research Center, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Mengmeng You
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Minli Chen
- Comparative medical Research Institute, Experimental Animal Research Center, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 310053, China.
| | - Fuliang Hu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Yuhangtang Road 866, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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21
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Eskandary A, Moazedi AA. Effect of co-administration of donepezil and folic acid on spatial memory impairment in adult male rat model of Alzheimer's disease. THE JOURNAL OF QAZVIN UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES 2018. [DOI: 10.29252/qums.22.5.14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
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22
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Sellers KJ, Watson IA, Gresz RE, Raval P, Srivastava DP. Cyto-nuclear shuttling of afadin is required for rapid estradiol-mediated modifications of histone H3. Neuropharmacology 2018; 143:153-162. [PMID: 30268521 PMCID: PMC6277849 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens have been shown to rapidly regulate local signalling at synapses and within the nucleus. The result of these signalling events is to rapidly modulate synapse structure and function, as well as epigenetic mechanisms including histone modifications. Ultimately these mechanisms are thought to contribute to long-lasting changes in neural circuitry, and thus influence cognitive functions such as learning and memory. However, the mechanisms by which estrogen-mediated local synaptic and nuclear signalling events are coordinated are not well understood. In this study we have found that the scaffold protein afadin, (also known as AF-6), undergoes a bi-directional trafficking to both synaptic and nuclear compartment in response to acute 17β-estradiol (estradiol) treatment, in mixed sex neuronal cultures derived from fetal cortex. Interestingly, nuclear accumulation of afadin was coincidental with an increase in the phosphorylation of histone H3 at serine 10 (H3S10p). This epigenetic modification is associated with the remodeling of chromatin into an open euchromatin state, allowing for transcriptional activation and related learning and memory processes. Critically, the cyto-nuclear trafficking of afadin was required for estradiol-dependent H3S10p. We further determined that nuclear accumulation of afadin is sufficient to induce phosphorylation of the mitogentic kinases ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) within the nucleus. Moreover, nuclear pERK1/2 was required for estradiol-dependent H3S10p. Taken together, we propose a model whereby estradiol induces the bi-directional trafficking of afadin to synaptic and nuclear sub-compartments. Within the nucleus, afadin is required for increased pERK1/2 which in turn is required for H3S10p. Therefore this represents a mechanism through which estrogens may be able to coordinate both synaptic and nucleosomal events within the same neuronal population. 17β-estradiol targets afadin to membrane and nuclear subcompartments. Histone H3 is rapidly phosphorylated by 17β-estradiol. Histone H3 phosphorylation by 17β-estradiol requires afadin nuclear accumulation. 17β-estradiol-mediated ERK1/2 activation is required for histone H3 phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine J Sellers
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Iain A Watson
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Rahel E Gresz
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Pooja Raval
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK
| | - Deepak P Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, UK; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, SE5 9RT, UK.
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23
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Tonn Eisinger KR, Gross KS, Head BP, Mermelstein PG. Interactions between estrogen receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors and their impact on drug addiction in females. Horm Behav 2018; 104:130-137. [PMID: 29505763 PMCID: PMC6131090 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Contribution to Special Issue on Fast effects of steroids. Estrogen receptors α and β (ERα and ERβ) have a unique relationship with metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in the female rodent brain such that estradiol is able to recruit intracellular G-protein signaling cascades to influence neuronal physiology, structure, and ultimately behavior. While this association between ERs and mGluRs exists in many cell types and brain regions, its effects are perhaps most striking in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). This review will discuss the original characterization of ER/mGluR signaling and how estradiol activity in the NAc confers increased sensitivity to drugs of abuse in females through this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R Tonn Eisinger
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Kellie S Gross
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA
| | - Brian P Head
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Paul G Mermelstein
- Department of Neuroscience and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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24
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Luine V, Serrano P, Frankfurt M. Rapid effects on memory consolidation and spine morphology by estradiol in female and male rodents. Horm Behav 2018; 104:111-118. [PMID: 29669258 PMCID: PMC6274598 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 04/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Contribution to Special Issue on Fast effects of steroids. Rapid, neurosteroid-like effects of estrogens on memory consolidation during recognition memory tasks in both male and female rodents are described. We discuss how these mnemonic changes are related to rapid estrogenic effects on dendritic spine density, the distribution of spine types and the expression of PSD95 and GluA2 within spines in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex, two areas critical for learning and memory. Overall, these data lead to the conclusion that estrogens are capable of exerting rapid and potent influences on memory and spine morphology in both sexes. The demonstration of estrogenic effects in males, which are used in the majority of memory studies, may provide a model for better understanding how hormone dependent changes in signaling pathways mediating memory and spinogenesis are coordinated to promote memory consolidation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Peter Serrano
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Science Education, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, NY, USA
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25
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Vahaba DM, Remage-Healey L. Neuroestrogens rapidly shape auditory circuits to support communication learning and perception: Evidence from songbirds. Horm Behav 2018; 104:77-87. [PMID: 29555375 PMCID: PMC7025793 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Contribution to Special Issue on Fast effects of steroids. Steroid hormones, such as estrogens, were once thought to be exclusively synthesized in the ovaries and enact transcriptional changes over the course of hours to days. However, estrogens are also locally synthesized within neural circuits, wherein they rapidly (within minutes) modulate a range of behaviors, including spatial cognition and communication. Here, we review the role of brain-derived estrogens (neuroestrogens) as modulators within sensory circuits in songbirds. We first present songbirds as an attractive model to explore how neuroestrogens in auditory cortex modulate vocal communication processing and learning. Further, we examine how estrogens may enhance vocal learning and auditory memory consolidation in sensory cortex via mechanisms similar to those found in the hippocampus of rodents and birds. Finally, we propose future directions for investigation, including: 1) the extent of developmental and hemispheric shifts in aromatase and membrane estrogen receptor expression in auditory circuits; 2) how neuroestrogens may impact inhibitory interneurons to regulate audition and critical period plasticity; and, 3) dendritic spine plasticity as a candidate mechanism mediating estrogen-dependent effects on vocal learning. Together, this perspective of estrogens as neuromodulators in the vertebrate brain has opened new avenues in understanding sensory plasticity, including how hormones can act on communication circuits to influence behaviors in other vocal learning species, such as in language acquisition and speech processing in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Vahaba
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA 01003, United States.
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26
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Djiogue S, Djiyou Djeuda AB, Seke Etet PF, Ketcha Wanda GJM, Djikem Tadah RN, Njamen D. Memory and exploratory behavior impairment in ovariectomized Wistar rats. Behav Brain Funct 2018; 14:14. [PMID: 30012162 PMCID: PMC6047120 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-018-0146-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Estrogen deficiency is linked to changes in several physiological processes, but the extent to which it associates with cognitive changes in menopause context is controversial. Rationale We evaluated the impact of ovariectomy on memory processes and normal exploratory behavior in Wistar rats. Methods Young adult rats (4–6 months) were either ovariectomized (OVX group) (N = 10), sham operated (N = 10), or untouched (naïve controls) (N = 8). Afterwards, they were monitored for 12 weeks during which their cognitive functions were evaluated at first week (S1), second (S2), every 3 weeks (S5, S8) and then at week 12 (S12) using: (i) object recognition test to evaluate the short-term and long-term non-spatial memory; (ii) the object placement test to assess the spatial memory; and (iii) normal exploratory behavior components like locomotor and vertical activities in an open field arena. Results Marked changes in ovariectomized rats were observed in long-term non-spatial memory (~ 40% change vs. naïve and sham, P < 0.001) and spatial memory (~ 30% change, P < 0.05) from S2. Instead, from S5 the exploratory behavior was affected, with decreases in line crossing and rearing episode numbers (~ 40% change, P < 0.01), and in the time spent in the center of open field arena (~ 60% change, P < 0.01). Conclusions Our findings support the involvement of sex hormones in cognitive functions in female rats and suggest that controversy on the importance of cognitive affections in menopause context may emerge from differences between short-term and long-term memory processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sefirin Djiogue
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Armando Blondel Djiyou Djeuda
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Paul Faustin Seke Etet
- Center for Sustainable Health and Development, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundere, Cameroon
| | | | - Rudig Nikanor Djikem Tadah
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Dieudonne Njamen
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon
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27
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Soma M, Kim J, Kato A, Kawato S. Src Kinase Dependent Rapid Non-genomic Modulation of Hippocampal Spinogenesis Induced by Androgen and Estrogen. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:282. [PMID: 29765299 PMCID: PMC5938344 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic spine is a small membranous protrusion from a neuron's dendrite that typically receives input from an axon terminal at the synapse. Memories are stored in synapses which consist of spines and presynapses. Rapid modulations of dendritic spines induced by hippocampal sex steroids, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), and estradiol (E2), are essential for synaptic plasticity. Molecular mechanisms underlying the rapid non-genomic modulation through synaptic receptors of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ER) as well as its downstream kinase signaling, however, have not been well understood. We investigated the possible involvement of Src tyrosine kinase in rapid changes of dendritic spines in response to androgen and estrogen, including DHT, T, and E2, using hippocampal slices from adult male rats. We found that the treatments with DHT (10 nM), T (10 nM), and E2 (1 nM) increased the total density of spines by ~1.22 to 1.26-fold within 2 h using super resolution confocal imaging of Lucifer Yellow-injected CA1 pyramidal neurons. We examined also morphological changes of spines in order to clarify differences between three sex steroids. From spine head diameter analysis, DHT increased middle- and large-head spines, whereas T increased small- and middle-head spines, and E2 increased small-head spines. Upon application of Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the spine increases induced through DHT, T, and E2 treatments were completely blocked. These results imply that Src kinase is essentially involved in sex steroid-induced non-genomic modulation of the spine density and morphology. These results also suggest that rapid effects of exogenously applied androgen and estrogen can occur in steroid-depleted conditions, including “acute” hippocampal slices and the hippocampus of gonadectomized animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Soma
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Japan
| | - Jonghyuk Kim
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Japan
| | - Asami Kato
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Japan
| | - Suguru Kawato
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Japan.,Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Hongo, Japan.,Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Meguro, Japan
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Murakami G, Hojo Y, Kato A, Komatsuzaki Y, Horie S, Soma M, Kim J, Kawato S. Rapid nongenomic modulation by neurosteroids of dendritic spines in the hippocampus: Androgen, oestrogen and corticosteroid. J Neuroendocrinol 2018; 30. [PMID: 29194818 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Revised: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Memories are stored in synapses that consist of axon terminals and dendritic spines. Dendritic spines are postsynaptic structures of synapses and are essential for synaptic plasticity and cognition. Therefore, extensive investigations concerning the functions and structures of spines have been performed. Sex steroids and stress steroids have been shown to modulate hippocampal synapses. Although the rapid modulatory action of sex steroids on synapses has been studied in hippocampal neurones over several decades, the essential molecular mechanisms have not been fully understood. Here, a description of kinase-dependent signalling mechanisms is provided that can explain the rapid nongenomic modulation of dendritic spinogenesis in rat and mouse hippocampal slices by the application of sex steroids, including dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, oestradiol and progesterone. We also indicate the role of synaptic (classic) sex steroid receptors that trigger these rapid synaptic modulations. Moreover, we describe rapid nongenomic spine modulation by applying corticosterone, which is an acute stress model of the hippocampus. The explanations for the results obtained are mainly based on the optical imaging of dendritic spines. Comparisons are also performed with results obtained from other types of imaging, including electron microscopic imaging. Relationships between spine modulation and modulation of cognition are discussed. We recognise that most of rapid effects of exogenously applied oestrogen and androgen were observed in steroid-depleted conditions, including acute slices of the hippocampus, castrated male animals and ovariectomised female animals. Therefore, the previously observed effects can be considered as a type of recovery event, which may be essentially similar to hormone replacement therapy under hormone-decreased conditions. On the other hand, in gonadally intact young animals with high levels of endogenous sex hormones, further supplementation of sex hormones might not be effective, whereas the infusion of blockers for steroid receptors or kinases may be effective, with respect to suppressing sex hormone functions, thus providing useful information regarding molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Murakami
- Department of Liberal Arts, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Iruma, Saitama, Japan
| | - Y Hojo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University, Iruma, Saitama, Japan
| | - A Kato
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Komatsuzaki
- Department of Physics, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Horie
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Hongo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Soma
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - J Kim
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Kawato
- Department of Biophysics and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, Meguro, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, Hongo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharma-Science, Teikyo University, Itabashi, Tokyo, Japan
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Wang S, Zhu J, Xu T. 17β-estradiol (E2) promotes growth and stability of new dendritic spines via estrogen receptor β pathway in intact mouse cortex. Brain Res Bull 2017; 137:241-248. [PMID: 29288734 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.12.011] [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: 09/09/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The steroid hormone 17β-estradiol (E2) remodels neural circuits at the synaptic level in the mammalian hippocampus and cortex. However, the underlying mechanism of synapse dynamics remains unclear. To elucidate the mechanism, we traced individual dendritic spines on layer V pyramidal neurons of the primary sensory cortex in adult female mice under E2 intervention using two-photon in vivo imaging microscopy. We confirmed the increase of the spine density upon E2 treatment in the intact mouse cortex. Furthermore, we found that this increase is due to the promotion of spine formation and the stability of newly formed spines. E2 treatment doesn't alter the elimination rate of pre-existing spines. Our results also indicate that the activation of the estrogen receptor β (ERβ) mimics the effects of E2 administration on spine dynamics. Taken together, our findings suggest that estrogen promotes growth and stability of new dendritic spines via the ERβ pathway in the intact cortex of female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaofang Wang
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Chengdu Military General Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Tonghui Xu
- Britton Chance Center for Biomedical Photonics, Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics-Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China; MOE Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering Sciences, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430074, China.
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30
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Avila JA, Alliger AA, Carvajal B, Zanca RM, Serrano PA, Luine VN. Estradiol rapidly increases GluA2-mushroom spines and decreases GluA2-filopodia spines in hippocampus CA1. Hippocampus 2017; 27:1224-1229. [PMID: 28833901 PMCID: PMC5744887 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal dendritic spine density rapidly increases following estradiol (E2 ) treatment, but the types of spines and trafficking of synaptic markers have received little investigation. We assessed rapid effects of E2 over time on the density of four spine types (stubby, filopodial, long thin, and mushroom) and trafficking of AMPA receptor subunit GluA2 and PSD95 on tertiary, apical dendrites in CA1. Castrated male rats received 20 μg kg-1 of E2 or vehicle and were sacrificed 30 or 120 min later. Images of Golgi-Cox impregnated and PSD95/GluA2 stained dendrites were captured under the confocal microscope and quantified with IMARIS-XT. Stubby and filopodial spine densities did not change following treatment. Long-thin spines significantly decreased at 30 min while mushroom spines significantly increased at 120 min. GluA2, PSD95, and GluA2/PSD95 colocalization levels in stubby or long thin spines did not change, but filopodial spines had significantly reduced GluA2 levels at 30 min. Mushroom spines showed significantly increased levels for GluA2, PSD95 and GluA2/PSD95 colocalization at 120 min. Because GluA2 is important for memory consolidation, current results present novel data suggesting that trafficking of GluA2 to mushroom spines provides one mechanism contributing to estradiol's ability to enhance learning and memory by the PI3 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Avila
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York
| | - Amber A Alliger
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
| | - Brigett Carvajal
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
| | - Roseanna M Zanca
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York
| | - Peter A Serrano
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York
| | - Victoria N Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
- Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Program, The Graduate Center of CUNY, New York, New York
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On the role of brain aromatase in females: why are estrogens produced locally when they are available systemically? J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol 2017; 204:31-49. [PMID: 29086012 DOI: 10.1007/s00359-017-1224-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The ovaries are often thought of as the main and only source of estrogens involved in the regulation of female behavior. However, aromatase, the key enzyme for estrogen synthesis, although it is more abundant in males, is expressed and active in the brain of females where it is regulated by similar mechanisms as in males. Early work had shown that estrogens produced in the ventromedial hypothalamus are involved in the regulation of female sexual behavior in musk shrews. However, the question of the role of central aromatase in general had not received much attention until recently. Here, I will review the emerging concept that central aromatization plays a role in the regulation of physiological and behavioral endpoints in females. The data support the notion that in females, brain aromatase is not simply a non-functional evolutionary vestige, and provide support for the importance of locally produced estrogens for brain function in females. These observations should also have an impact for clinical research.
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Jia JX, Yan XS, Cai ZP, Song W, Huo DS, Zhang BF, Wang H, Yang ZJ. The effects of phenylethanoid glycosides, derived from Herba cistanche, on cognitive deficits and antioxidant activities in male SAMP8 mice. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2017; 80:1180-1186. [PMID: 28880744 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2017.1367097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are closely associated with hippocampal synaptic changes. Phenylethanoid glycosides (PhG), derived from Herba cistanche, are known to exert protective effects on cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the underlying mechanisms of this herbal extract on cognitive performance remain unclear. The aim of this study was thus to examine the protective mechanism attributed to PhG on cognitive deficits in an AD senescence accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) model. Cognitive deficit parameters examined included (1) Morris water maze (MWM) assessing cognitive performance and (2) quantification of dendritic spine density in hippocampal CA1 region by Golgi staining, a molecular biomarker of synaptic function. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined to examine the potential role of oxidant processes in cognitive dysfunction. Data showed that PhG significantly decreased escape latency and path length, associated with a rise in the percentage of time spent in the target quadrant and number of platform crossings. In addition, PhG significantly increased dendritic spine density in the hippocampal CA1 region accompanied by elevated expression levels of synaptophysin (SYN) and post synaptic density 95 (PSD-95), reduced MDA content, and elevated the activities of SOD and GSH-Px. Data suggest that the ability of PhG to ameliorate cognitive deficits in SAMP8 mice may be related to promotion in synaptic plasticity involving antioxidant processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Xin Jia
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Xu-Sheng Yan
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Zhi-Ping Cai
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Wei Song
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Dong-Sheng Huo
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Bai-Feng Zhang
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - He Wang
- b School of Health Sciences , University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Australia
| | - Zhan-Jun Yang
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
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Xu G, Hu F, Wang X, Zhang B, Zhou Y. Bisphenol A exposure perturbs visual function of adult cats by remodeling the neuronal activity in the primary visual pathway. Arch Toxicol 2017; 92:455-468. [PMID: 28875311 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-017-2047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA), a common environmental xenoestrogen, has been implicated in physiological and behavioral impairment, but the neuronal basis remains elusive. Although various synaptic mechanisms have been shown to mediate BPA-induced brain deficits, there are almost no reports addressing its underlying physiological mechanisms at the individual neuron level, particularly in the primary visual system. In the present study, using multiple-channel recording technique, we recorded the responses of single neurons in the primary visual system of cats to various direction stimuli both before and after BPA exposure. The results showed that the orientation selectivity of neurons in the primary visual cortex (area 17, A17) was obviously decreased after 2 h of intravenous BPA administration (0.2 mg/kg). Moreover, there were worse performances of information transmission of A17 neurons, presenting markedly decreased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To some extent, these functional decreases were attributable to the altered information inputs from lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), which showed an increased spontaneous activity. Additionally, local injection of BPA (3.3 μg/ml) in A17 resulted in an obvious increase in orientation selectivity and a decrease in neuronal activity, involving enhanced activity of fast-spiking inhibitory interneurons. In conclusion, our results first demonstrate that acute BPA exposure can restrict the visual perception of cats, mainly depending on the alteration of the LGN projection, not the intercortical interaction. Importantly, BPA-induced-brain deficits might not only be confined to the cortical level but also occur as early as at the subcortical level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangwei Xu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Hu
- School of Food Science and Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui, 230009, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xuan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Bing Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, People's Republic of China
| | - Yifeng Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Diseases, School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230027, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, 15 Datun Road, Beijing, 100101, People's Republic of China.
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Mitrović N, Zarić M, Drakulić D, Martinović J, Sévigny J, Stanojlović M, Nedeljković N, Grković I. 17β-Estradiol-Induced Synaptic Rearrangements Are Accompanied by Altered Ectonucleotidase Activities in Male Rat Hippocampal Synaptosomes. J Mol Neurosci 2016; 61:412-422. [PMID: 27981418 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-016-0877-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
17β-Estradiol (E2) rapidly, by binding to membrane estrogen receptors, activates cell signaling cascades which induce formation of new dendritic spines in the hippocampus of males as in females, but the interaction with other metabolic processes, such as extracellular adenine nucleotides metabolism, are currently unknown. Extracellular adenine nucleotides play significant roles, controlling excitatory glutamatergic synapses and development of neural circuits and synaptic plasticity. Their precise regulation in the synaptic cleft is tightly controlled by ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase)/ecto-5'-nucleotidase (eN) enzyme chain. Therefore, we sought to clarify whether a single systemic injection of E2 in male rats is accompanied by changes in the expression of the pre- and postsynaptic proteins and downstream kinases linked to E2-induced synaptic rearrangement as well as alterations in NTPDase/eN pathway in the hippocampal synaptosomes. Obtained data showed activation of mammalian target of rapamycin and upregulation of key synaptic proteins necessary for spine formation, 24 h after systemic E2 administration. In E2-mediated conditions, we found downregulation of NTPDase1 and NTPDase2 and attenuation of adenine nucleotide hydrolysis by NTPDase/eN enzyme chain, without changes in NTPDase3 properties and augmentation of synaptic tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) activity. Despite reduced NTPDase activities, increased TNAP activity probably prevents toxic accumulation of ATP in the extracellular milieu and also hydrolyzes accumulated ADP due to unchanged NTPDase3 activity. Thus, our initial evaluation supports idea of specific roles of different ectonucleotidases and their coordinated actions in E2-mediated spine remodeling and maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataša Mitrović
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Belgrade, 11001, Serbia
| | - Marina Zarić
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Belgrade, 11001, Serbia
| | - Dunja Drakulić
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Belgrade, 11001, Serbia
| | - Jelena Martinović
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Belgrade, 11001, Serbia
| | - Jean Sévigny
- Département de microbiologie-infectiologie et d'immunologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.,Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada
| | - Miloš Stanojlović
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Belgrade, 11001, Serbia
| | - Nadežda Nedeljković
- Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Ivana Grković
- Department of Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, VINČA Institute of Nuclear Sciences, University of Belgrade, Mike Petrovića Alasa 12-14, Belgrade, 11001, Serbia.
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35
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Minami A, Matsushita H, Ieno D, Matsuda Y, Horii Y, Ishii A, Takahashi T, Kanazawa H, Wakatsuki A, Suzuki T. Improvement of neurological disorders in postmenopausal model rats by administration of royal jelly. Climacteric 2016; 19:568-573. [PMID: 27736245 DOI: 10.1080/13697137.2016.1238452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Royal jelly (RJ) from honeybees (Apis mellifera) has estrogenic activity. Estrogen deficiency after menopause leads to a high risk of memory impairment and depression as well as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. We here investigated the effect of RJ on memory impairment and depression-like behaviors in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS OVX rats were administered with RJ for 82 days. Hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and depression-like behaviors were assessed by the Morris water maze test and the forced swimming test, respectively. The weights of body, brain and uterus and the contents of protein and myelin galactolipids including galactosylceramide and sulfatide were measured. RESULTS Memory impairment and depression-like behaviors in OVX rats were recovered to the levels of sham-operated rats by RJ administration. Increased body weight and decreased uterine weight in OVX rats were recovered to the levels of sham-operated rats by 17β-estradiol (E2) administration but not by RJ administration. In contrast, brain weight was slightly increased by RJ administration but not by E2 administration. The contents of protein and myelin galactolipids were higher in the brains of RJ-administered OVX rats than in the brains of E2-administered OVX rats. CONCLUSION The results suggest that RJ has a beneficial effect on neurological symptoms of a menopausal disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Minami
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - H Matsushita
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University , Nagakute , Japan
| | - D Ieno
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - Y Matsuda
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - Y Horii
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - A Ishii
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - T Takahashi
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - H Kanazawa
- c Department of Functional Anatomy, School of Nursing , University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
| | - A Wakatsuki
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , School of Medicine, Aichi Medical University , Nagakute , Japan
| | - T Suzuki
- a Department of Biochemistry , School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka , Shizuoka , Japan
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36
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Lisofsky N, Wiener J, de Condappa O, Gallinat J, Lindenberger U, Kühn S. Differences in navigation performance and postpartal striatal volume associated with pregnancy in humans. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2016; 134 Pt B:400-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.08.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2016] [Revised: 08/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Wang W, Kantorovich S, Babayan AH, Hou B, Gall CM, Lynch G. Estrogen's Effects on Excitatory Synaptic Transmission Entail Integrin and TrkB Transactivation and Depend Upon β1-integrin function. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2723-32. [PMID: 27272766 PMCID: PMC5026741 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) perfusion rapidly increases the strength of fast excitatory transmission and facilitates long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, two effects likely related to its memory-enhancing properties. Past studies showed that E2's facilitation of transmission involves activation of RhoA signaling leading to actin polymerization in dendritic spines. Here we report that brief exposure of adult male hippocampal slices to 1 nM E2 increases the percentage of postsynaptic densities associated with high levels of immunoreactivity for activated forms of the BDNF receptor TrkB and β1-integrins, two synaptic receptors that engage actin regulatory RhoA signaling. The effects of E2 on baseline synaptic responses were unaffected by pretreatment with the TrkB-Fc scavenger for extracellular BDNF or TrkB antagonism, but were eliminated by neutralizing antisera for β1-integrins. E2 effects on synaptic responses were also absent in conditional β1-integrin knockouts, and with inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases, extracellular enzymes that generate integrin ligands. We propose that E2, acting through estrogen receptor-β, transactivates synaptic TrkB and β1-integrin, and via mechanisms dependent on integrin activation and signaling, reversibly reorganizes the spine cytoskeleton and thereby enhances synaptic responses in adult hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weisheng Wang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Svetlana Kantorovich
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Alex H Babayan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Bowen Hou
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Christine M Gall
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Science Road, Irvine, CA 92697, USA, Tel: +1 949 824 8652, Fax: +1 949 824 0276, E-mail: or
| | - Gary Lynch
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, 837 Health Science Road, Irvine, CA 92697, USA, Tel: +1 949 824 8652, Fax: +1 949 824 0276, E-mail: or
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38
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Competition, testosterone, and adult neurobehavioral plasticity. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2016; 229:213-238. [PMID: 27926439 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2016.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Motivation in performance is often measured via competitions. Winning a competition has been found to increase the motivation to perform in subsequent competitions. One potential neurobiological mechanism that regulates the motivation to compete involves sex hormones, such as the steroids testosterone and estradiol. A wealth of studies in both nonhuman animals and humans have shown that a rise in testosterone levels before and after winning a competition enhances the motivation to compete. There is strong evidence for acute behavioral effects in response to steroid hormones. Intriguingly, a substantial testosterone surge following a win also appears to improve an individual's performance in later contests resulting in a higher probability of winning again. These effects may occur via androgen and estrogen pathways modulating dopaminergic regions, thereby behavior on longer timescales. Hormones thus not only regulate and control social behavior but are also key to adult neurobehavioral plasticity. Here, we present literature showing hormone-driven behavioral effects that persist for extended periods of time beyond acute effects of the hormone, highlighting a fundamental role of sex steroid hormones in adult neuroplasticity. We provide an overview of the relationship between testosterone, motivation measured from objective effort, and their influence in enhancing subsequent effort in competitions. Implications for an important role of testosterone in enabling neuroplasticity to improve performance will be discussed.
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Tuscher JJ, Szinte JS, Starrett JR, Krentzel AA, Fortress AM, Remage-Healey L, Frick KM. Inhibition of local estrogen synthesis in the hippocampus impairs hippocampal memory consolidation in ovariectomized female mice. Horm Behav 2016; 83:60-67. [PMID: 27178577 PMCID: PMC4915975 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The potent estrogen 17β-Estradiol (E2) plays a critical role in mediating hippocampal function, yet the precise mechanisms through which E2 enhances hippocampal memory remain unclear. In young adult female rodents, the beneficial effects of E2 on memory are generally attributed to ovarian-synthesized E2. However, E2 is also synthesized in the adult brain in numerous species, where it regulates synaptic plasticity and is synthesized in response to experiences such as exposure to females or conspecific song. Although de novo E2 synthesis has been demonstrated in rodent hippocampal cultures, little is known about the functional role of local E2 synthesis in mediating hippocampal memory function. Therefore, the present study examined the role of hippocampal E2 synthesis in hippocampal memory consolidation. Using bilateral dorsal hippocampal infusions of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole, we first found that blockade of dorsal hippocampal E2 synthesis impaired hippocampal memory consolidation. We next found that elevated levels of E2 in the dorsal hippocampus observed 30min after object training were blocked by dorsal hippocampal infusion of letrozole, suggesting that behavioral experience increases acute and local E2 synthesis. Finally, aromatase inhibition did not prevent exogenous E2 from enhancing hippocampal memory consolidation, indicating that hippocampal E2 synthesis is not necessary for exogenous E2 to enhance hippocampal memory. Combined, these data are consistent with the hypothesis that hippocampally-synthesized E2 is necessary for hippocampus-dependent memory consolidation in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer J Tuscher
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States
| | - Julia S Szinte
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States
| | - Joseph R Starrett
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Amanda A Krentzel
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Ashley M Fortress
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States
| | - Luke Remage-Healey
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Neuroscience and Behavior Program, Center for Neuroendocrine Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
| | - Karyn M Frick
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States.
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Goetghebeur PJ, Swartz JE. True alignment of preclinical and clinical research to enhance success in CNS drug development: a review of the current evidence. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:586-94. [PMID: 27147593 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116645269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system pharmacological research and development has reached a critical turning point. Patients suffering from disorders afflicting the central nervous system are numerous and command significant attention from the pharmaceutical industry. However, given the numerous failures of promising drugs, many companies are no longer investing in or, indeed, are divesting from this therapeutic area. Central nervous system drug development must change in order to develop effective therapies to treat these patients. Preclinical research is a cornerstone of drug development; however, it is frequently criticised for its lack of predictive validity. Animal models and assays can be shown to be more predictive than reported and, on many occasions, the lack of thorough preclinical testing is potentially to blame for some of the clinical failures. Important factors such as translational aspects, nature of animal models, variances in acute versus chronic dosing, development of add-on therapies and understanding of the full dose-response relationship are too often neglected. Reducing the attrition rate in central nervous system drug development could be achieved by addressing these important questions before novel compounds enter the clinical phase. This review illustrates the relevance of employing these criteria to translational central nervous system research, better to ensure success in developing new drugs in this therapeutic area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jina E Swartz
- CNS Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda Development Centre Europe Ltd, London, UK
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Estradiol-Mediated Spine Changes in the Dorsal Hippocampus and Medial Prefrontal Cortex of Ovariectomized Female Mice Depend on ERK and mTOR Activation in the Dorsal Hippocampus. J Neurosci 2016; 36:1483-9. [PMID: 26843632 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3135-15.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Dendritic spine plasticity underlies the formation and maintenance of memories. Both natural fluctuations and systemic administration of 17β-estradiol (E2) alter spine density in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) of rodents. DH E2 infusion enhances hippocampal-dependent memory by rapidly activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-dependent signaling of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a key protein synthesis pathway involved in spine remodeling. Here, we investigated whether infusion of E2 directly into the DH drives spine changes in the DH and other brain regions, and identified cell-signaling pathways that mediate these effects. E2 significantly increased basal and apical spine density on CA1 pyramidal neurons 30 min and 2 h after infusion. DH E2 infusion also significantly increased basal spine density on pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) 2 h later, suggesting that E2-mediated activity in the DH drives mPFC spinogenesis. The increase in CA1 and mPFC spine density observed 2 h after intracerebroventricular infusion of E2 was blocked by DH infusion of an ERK or mTOR inhibitor. DH E2 infusion did not affect spine density in the dentate gyrus or ventromedial hypothalamus, suggesting specific effects of E2 on the DH and mPFC. Collectively, these data demonstrate that DH E2 treatment elicits ERK- and mTOR-dependent spinogenesis on CA1 and mPFC pyramidal neurons, effects that may support the memory-enhancing effects of E2. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Although systemically injected 17β-estradiol (E2) increases CA1 dendritic spine density, the molecular mechanisms regulating E2-induced spinogenesis in vivo are largely unknown. We found that E2 infused directly into the dorsal hippocampus (DH) increased CA1 spine density 30 min and 2 h later. Surprisingly, DH E2 infusion also increased spine density in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), suggesting that estrogenic regulation of the DH influences mPFC spinogenesis. Moreover, inhibition of ERK and mTOR activation in the DH prevented E2 from increasing DH and mPFC spines, demonstrating that DH ERK and mTOR activation is necessary for E2-induced spinogenesis in the DH and mPFC. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms through which E2 mediates dendritic spine density in CA1 and mPFC.
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Luine V. Estradiol: Mediator of memories, spine density and cognitive resilience to stress in female rodents. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2016; 160:189-95. [PMID: 26241030 PMCID: PMC4734902 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Revised: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Estradiol rapidly activates, within minutes, various physiological functions and behaviors including cognition in rodents. This review describes rapid effects of estradiol on hippocampal dependent learning and memory tasks in rodents. Mechanisms underlying the memory enhancements including the activation of signaling molecules and the enhancement of dendritic spinogenesis are briefly reviewed. In addition, the role of estradiol in the cognitive resilience to chronic stress exhibited only in females is discussed including contributions of ovarian as well as intra-hippocampally derived estrogens to this sex difference. Finally, speculations on possible physiologic functions for rapid mnemonic changes mediated by estrogens are made. Overall, the emergence of a novel and powerful mechanism for regulation of cognition by estradiol is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Luine
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College of CUNY, 695 Park Ave., Rm 611 HN, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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Paulukat L, Frintrop L, Liesbrock J, Heussen N, Johann S, Exner C, Kas MJ, Tolba R, Neulen J, Konrad K, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Beyer C, Seitz J. Memory impairment is associated with the loss of regular oestrous cycle and plasma oestradiol levels in an activity-based anorexia animal model. World J Biol Psychiatry 2016; 17:274-84. [PMID: 27160428 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2016.1173725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) suffer from neuropsychological deficits including memory impairments. Memory partially depends on 17β-oestradiol (E2), which is reduced in patients with AN. We assessed whether memory functions correlate with E2 plasma levels in the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rat model. METHODS Nine 4-week-old female Wistar rats were sacrificed directly after weight loss of 20-25% (acute starvation), whereas 17 animals had additional 2-week weight-holding (chronic starvation). E2 serum levels and novel object recognition tasks were tested before and after starvation and compared with 21 normally fed controls. RESULTS Starvation disrupted menstrual cycle and impaired memory function, which became statistically significant in the chronic state (oestrous cycle (P < 0.001), E2 levels (P = 0.011) and object recognition memory (P = 0.042) compared to controls). E2 reduction also correlated with the loss of memory in the chronic condition (r = 0.633, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that starvation reduces the E2 levels which are associated with memory deficits in ABA rats. These effects might explain reduced memory capacity in patients with AN as a consequence of E2 deficiency and the potentially limited effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions in the starved state. Future studies should examine whether E2 substitution could prevent cognitive deficits and aid in earlier readiness for therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Paulukat
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany ;,b Institute of Neuroanatomy , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Linda Frintrop
- b Institute of Neuroanatomy , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Johanna Liesbrock
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany ;,b Institute of Neuroanatomy , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Nicole Heussen
- c Department of Medical Statistics , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Sonja Johann
- b Institute of Neuroanatomy , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Cornelia Exner
- d Department of Animal Physiology , Philipps-University Marburg , Marburg , Germany
| | - Martien J Kas
- e Department of Translational Neuroscience, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus , University Medical Center Utrecht , Utrecht , the Netherlands
| | - Rene Tolba
- f Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Experimental Surgery , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Joseph Neulen
- g Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine , University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Kerstin Konrad
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Beate Herpertz-Dahlmann
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Cordian Beyer
- b Institute of Neuroanatomy , RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Jochen Seitz
- a Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy , University Hospital Aachen, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
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Jacome LF, Barateli K, Buitrago D, Lema F, Frankfurt M, Luine VN. Gonadal Hormones Rapidly Enhance Spatial Memory and Increase Hippocampal Spine Density in Male Rats. Endocrinology 2016; 157:1357-62. [PMID: 26844375 PMCID: PMC4816741 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) rapidly, within minutes, activates behaviors and cognition by binding to membrane estrogen receptors, activating cell signaling cascades and increasing dendritic spines. In female rodents, E2 enhances spatial memory within 2-4 hours, and spine density is increased in the CA1 area of the hippocampus within 30-60 minutes. Although chronic gonadal hormone treatments in male rats alter cognition and spines/spine synapses and acute hormone effects occur in hippocampal slices, effects of acute, in vivo hormone administration in males are unknown. Therefore, we assessed rapid effects of E2 (20 μg/kg) and testosterone (T) (750 μg/kg) on spatial memory using the object placement task and on hippocampal spine density using Golgi impregnation. Orchidectomized rats received hormones immediately after the training trial and were tested for retention 2 hours later. Vehicle-injected orchidectomized males spent equal time exploring objects in the old and new locations, but E2- or T-treated subjects spent more time exploring objects at the new location, suggesting enhanced memory. Both hormones also increased spine density in CA1, but not the dentate gyrus, by 20%-40% at 30 minutes and 2 hours after injections. This report is the first, to our knowledge, to show E2 and T enhancements of memory and spine density within such a short time frame in male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Jacome
- Department of Psychology (L.F.J., K.B., D.B., F.L., V.N.L.), Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Science Education (M.F.), Hofstra North Shore Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York 11549
| | - Ketti Barateli
- Department of Psychology (L.F.J., K.B., D.B., F.L., V.N.L.), Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Science Education (M.F.), Hofstra North Shore Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York 11549
| | - Dina Buitrago
- Department of Psychology (L.F.J., K.B., D.B., F.L., V.N.L.), Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Science Education (M.F.), Hofstra North Shore Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York 11549
| | - Franklin Lema
- Department of Psychology (L.F.J., K.B., D.B., F.L., V.N.L.), Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Science Education (M.F.), Hofstra North Shore Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York 11549
| | - Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Psychology (L.F.J., K.B., D.B., F.L., V.N.L.), Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Science Education (M.F.), Hofstra North Shore Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York 11549
| | - Victoria N Luine
- Department of Psychology (L.F.J., K.B., D.B., F.L., V.N.L.), Hunter College of City University of New York, New York, New York 10021; and Department of Science Education (M.F.), Hofstra North Shore Long Island Jewish School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York 11549
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Jia JX, Cui CL, Yan XS, Zhang BF, Song W, Huo DS, Wang H, Yang ZJ. Effects of testosterone on synaptic plasticity mediated by androgen receptors in male SAMP8 mice. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2016; 79:849-855. [PMID: 27599230 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2016.1193113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic changes are closely associated with cognitive deficits. In addition, testosterone (T) is known to exert regulative effects on synaptic plasticity. T may improve cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, but the underlying mechanisms of androgenic action on cognitive performance remain unclear. The aim of this study was thus to examine the protective mechanism attributed to T on cognitive performance in an AD senescence, accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) animal model. Using Golgi staining to quantify the dendritic spine density in hippocampal CA1 region, molecular biomarkers of synapse function were analyzed using immunohistochemistry and western blot. T significantly increased the dendritic spine density in hippocampal CA1 region, while flutamide (F) inhibited these T-mediated effects. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), and p-cyclic-AMP response element binding protein (CREB)/CREB levels were significantly elevated in the T group, but F reduced the T-induced effects in these biomarkers to control levels. There were no significant differences in the expression levels of PSD-95, BDNF, and p-CREB/CREB between C and F. These findings indicate that the effects of T on improvement in synaptic plasticity were mediated via androgen receptor (AR). It is conceivable that new treatments targeted toward preventing synaptic pathology in AD may involve the use of androgen-acting drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Xin Jia
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Cheng-Li Cui
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Xu-Sheng Yan
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Bai-Feng Zhang
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Wei Song
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - Dong-Sheng Huo
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
| | - He Wang
- b School of Health Sciences , University of Newcastle , Newcastle , Australia
| | - Zhan-Jun Yang
- a Department of Human Anatomy , Baotou Medical College , Inner Mongolia , China
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Arevalo MA, Azcoitia I, Gonzalez-Burgos I, Garcia-Segura LM. Signaling mechanisms mediating the regulation of synaptic plasticity and memory by estradiol. Horm Behav 2015; 74:19-27. [PMID: 25921586 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and Cognition". Estradiol participates in the regulation of the function and plasticity of synaptic circuits in key cognitive brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. The mechanisms elicited by estradiol are mediated by the regulation of transcriptional activity by nuclear estrogen receptors and by intracellular signaling cascades activated by estrogen receptors associated with the plasma membrane. In addition, the mechanisms include the interaction of estradiol with the signaling of other factors involved in the regulation of cognition, such as brain derived neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 and Wnt. Modifications in these signaling pathways by aging or by a long-lasting ovarian hormone deprivation after menopause may impair the enhancing effects of estradiol on synaptic plasticity and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Angeles Arevalo
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, E-28002 Madrid, Spain
| | - Iñigo Azcoitia
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad Complutense, Calle José Antonio Novais 12, Ciudad Universitaria, E-28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio Gonzalez-Burgos
- Laboratorio de Psicobiología, División de Neurociencias, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Occidente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Guadalajara, Jal. Mexico
| | - Luis M Garcia-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Avenida Doctor Arce 37, E-28002 Madrid, Spain.
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Frankfurt M, Luine V. The evolving role of dendritic spines and memory: Interaction(s) with estradiol. Horm Behav 2015; 74:28-36. [PMID: 25993604 PMCID: PMC4573337 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 04/21/2015] [Accepted: 05/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and Cognition". Memory processing is presumed to depend on synaptic plasticity, which appears to have a role in mediating the acquisition, consolidation, and retention of memory. We have studied the relationship between estrogen, recognition memory, and dendritic spine density in the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex, areas critical for memory, across the lifespan in female rodents. The present paper reviews the literature on dendritic spine plasticity in mediating both short and long term memory, as well as the decreased memory that occurs with aging and Alzheimer's disease. It also addresses the role of acute and chronic estrogen treatments in these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Frankfurt
- Department of Science Education, Hofstra-North Shore LIJ School of Medicine, USA.
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Ikeda M, Hojo Y, Komatsuzaki Y, Okamoto M, Kato A, Takeda T, Kawato S. Hippocampal spine changes across the sleep-wake cycle: corticosterone and kinases. J Endocrinol 2015; 226:M13-27. [PMID: 26034071 DOI: 10.1530/joe-15-0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The corticosterone (CORT) level changes along the circadian rhythm. Hippocampus is sensitive to CORT, since glucocorticoid receptors are highly expressed. In rat hippocampus fixed in a living state every 3 h, we found that the dendritic spine density of CA1 pyramidal neurons increased upon waking (within 3 h), as compared with the spine density in the sleep state. Particularly, the large-head spines increased. The observed change in the spine density may be due to the change in the hippocampal CORT level, since the CORT level at awake state (∼30 nM) in cerebrospinal fluid was higher than that at sleep state (∼3 nM), as observed from our earlier study. In adrenalectomized (ADX) rats, such a wake-induced increase of the spine density disappeared. S.c. administration of CORT into ADX rats rescued the decreased spine density. By using isolated hippocampal slices, we found that the application of 30 nM CORT increased the spine density within 1 h and that the spine increase was mediated via PKA, PKC, ERK MAPK, and LIMK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that the moderately rapid increase of the spine density on waking might mainly be caused by the CORT-driven kinase networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneki Ikeda
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hojo
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Komatsuzaki
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
| | - Masahiro Okamoto
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
| | - Asami Kato
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
| | - Taishi Takeda
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
| | - Suguru Kawato
- Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan Department of Biophysics and Life SciencesGraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo, 3-8-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8902, JapanBioinformatics Project of Japan Science and Technology AgencyUniversity of Tokyo, Tokyo, JapanLaboratory of Exercise Biochemistry and NeuroendocrinologyFaculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, JapanDepartment of UrologyGraduate School of Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-8424, Japan
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Glover EM, Jovanovic T, Norrholm SD. Estrogen and extinction of fear memories: implications for posttraumatic stress disorder treatment. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:178-85. [PMID: 25796471 PMCID: PMC4757430 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric illness whose prevalence in women is more than twice the rate as men. Despite a burgeoning literature characterizing sex differences in PTSD incidence and its disproportionate burden on society, there is a dearth of literature describing biological mechanisms underlying these disparities. However, the recent identification of biomarkers of PTSD by translational neuroscientists offers a promising opportunity to explore sex interactions in PTSD phenotypes. A notable observation is that individuals with PTSD show deficits in their ability to inhibit conditioned fear responding after extinction training. Given that extinction procedures, via exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy, make up one of the predominant modes of treatment in PTSD, there is a critical need for more research on sex interactions in this form of fear regulation. An emerging hypothesis is that fluctuating gonadal hormones, especially estrogen, in the menstrual cycle may play a critical role in fear extinction and, hence, PTSD vulnerability and symptom severity in women. The current review discusses how the study of putative activational effects of estrogen on fear extinction may be harnessed to advance the search for better treatments for PTSD in women. We conclude that estrogen treatment may be a putative pharmacologic adjunct in extinction-based therapies and should be tracked in the menstrual cycle during the course of PTSD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebony M Glover
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta; Department of Psychology, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw
| | - Tanja Jovanovic
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta
| | - Seth Davin Norrholm
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta; Mental Health Service Line , Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, Georgia.
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Shum C, Macedo SC, Warre-Cornish K, Cocks G, Price J, Srivastava DP. Utilizing induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to understand the actions of estrogens in human neurons. Horm Behav 2015; 74:228-42. [PMID: 26143621 PMCID: PMC4579404 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Estradiol and Cognition". Over recent years tremendous progress has been made towards understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism by which estrogens exert enhancing effects on cognition, and how they act as a neuroprotective or neurotrophic agent in disease. Currently, much of this work has been carried out in animal models with only a limited number of studies using native human tissue or cells. Recent advances in stem cell technology now make it possible to reprogram somatic cells from humans into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can subsequently be differentiated into neurons of specific lineages. Importantly, the reprogramming of cells allows for the generation of iPSCs that retain the genetic "makeup" of the donor. Therefore, it is possible to generate iPSC-derived neurons from patients diagnosed with specific diseases, that harbor the complex genetic background associated with the disorder. Here, we review the iPSC technology and how it's currently being used to model neural development and neurological diseases. Furthermore, we explore whether this cellular system could be used to understand the role of estrogens in human neurons, and present preliminary data in support of this. We further suggest that the use of iPSC technology offers a novel system to not only further understand estrogens' effects in human cells, but also to investigate the mechanism by which estrogens are beneficial in disease. Developing a greater understanding of these mechanisms in native human cells will also aid in the development of safer and more effective estrogen-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Shum
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Cell and Behaviour Unit, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Sara C Macedo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Cell and Behaviour Unit, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; Faculty of Engineering, Universidade do Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Katherine Warre-Cornish
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Cell and Behaviour Unit, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Graham Cocks
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Cell and Behaviour Unit, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Jack Price
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Cell and Behaviour Unit, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Deepak P Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Cell and Behaviour Unit, The James Black Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
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