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Yoshida J, Oñate M, Khatami L, Vera J, Nadim F, Khodakhah K. Cerebellar Contributions to the Basal Ganglia Influence Motor Coordination, Reward Processing, and Movement Vigor. J Neurosci 2022; 42:8406-8415. [PMID: 36351826 PMCID: PMC9665921 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1535-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Both the cerebellum and the basal ganglia are known for their roles in motor control and motivated behavior. These two systems have been classically considered as independent structures that coordinate their contributions to behavior via separate cortico-thalamic loops. However, recent evidence demonstrates the presence of a rich set of direct connections between these two regions. Although there is strong evidence for connections in both directions, for brevity we limit our discussion to the better-characterized connections from the cerebellum to the basal ganglia. We review two sets of such connections: disynaptic projections through the thalamus and direct monosynaptic projections to the midbrain dopaminergic nuclei, the VTA and the SNc. In each case, we review the evidence for these pathways from anatomic tracing and physiological recordings, and discuss their potential functional roles. We present evidence that the disynaptic pathway through the thalamus is involved in motor coordination, and that its dysfunction contributes to motor deficits, such as dystonia. We then discuss how cerebellar projections to the VTA and SNc influence dopamine release in the respective targets of these nuclei: the NAc and the dorsal striatum. We argue that the cerebellar projections to the VTA may play a role in reward-based learning and therefore contribute to addictive behavior, whereas the projection to the SNc may contribute to movement vigor. Finally, we speculate how these projections may explain many of the observations that indicate a role for the cerebellum in mental disorders, such as schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junichi Yoshida
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Maritza Oñate
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Leila Khatami
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Jorge Vera
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
| | - Farzan Nadim
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
- Department of Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, 07102
| | - Kamran Khodakhah
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461
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2
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Chen CY, Seward CH, Song Y, Inamdar M, Leddy AM, Zhang H, Yoo J, Kao WC, Pawlowski H, Stubbs LJ. Galnt17 loss-of-function leads to developmental delay and abnormal coordination, activity, and social interactions with cerebellar vermis pathology. Dev Biol 2022; 490:155-171. [PMID: 36002036 PMCID: PMC10671221 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
GALNT17 encodes a N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase (GalNAc-T) protein specifically involved in mucin-type O-linked glycosylation of target proteins, a process important for cell adhesion, cell signaling, neurotransmitter activity, neurite outgrowth, and neurite sensing. GALNT17, also known as WBSCR17, is located at the edge of the Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) critical region and adjacent to the AUTS2 locus, genomic regions associated with neurodevelopmental phenotypes that are thought to be co-regulated. Although previous data have implicated Galnt17 in neurodevelopment, the in vivo functions of this gene have not been investigated. In this study, we have analyzed behavioral, brain pathology, and molecular phenotypes exhibited by Galnt17 knockout (Galnt17-/-) mice. We show that Galnt17-/- mutants exhibit developmental neuropathology within the cerebellar vermis, along with abnormal activity, coordination, and social interaction deficits. Transcriptomic and protein analysis revealed reductions in both mucin type O-glycosylation and heparan sulfate synthesis in the developing mutant cerebellum along with disruption of pathways central to neuron differentiation, axon pathfinding, and synaptic signaling, consistent with the mutant neuropathology. These brain and behavioral phenotypes and molecular data confirm a specific role for Galnt17 in brain development and suggest new clues to factors that could contribute to phenotypes in certain WBS and AUTS2 syndrome patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Ying Chen
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA.
| | - Christopher H Seward
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Yunshu Song
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Manasi Inamdar
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Analise M Leddy
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Huimin Zhang
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Jennifer Yoo
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Wei-Chun Kao
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Hanna Pawlowski
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA
| | - Lisa J Stubbs
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology and School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA.
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3
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Na +/K +-ATPase activity is regionally regulated by acute hypoxia in naked mole-rat brain. Neurosci Lett 2021; 764:136244. [PMID: 34530116 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Matching ATP supply and demand is key to neuronal hypoxia-tolerance and failure to achieve this balance leads to excitotoxic cell death in most adult mammalian brains. Ion pumping is the most energy-demanding process in the brain and some hypoxia-tolerant vertebrates coordinately down-regulate ion movement across neuronal membranes to reduce the workload of energy-expensive ion pumps, and particularly the Na+/K+-ATPase. Naked mole-rats are among the most hypoxia-tolerant mammals and achieve a hypometabolic state while maintaining brain [ATP] during severe hypoxia; however, whether ionic homeostasis is plastic in naked mole-rat brain is unknown. To examine this question, we exposed animals to 4 h of normoxia or moderate or severe hypoxia (11 or 3% O2, respectively) and measured changes in brain Na+/K+-ATPase activity. We found that 1) whole body metabolic rate decreased ∼25 and 75% in moderate and severe hypoxia, respectively, and 2) Na+/K+-ATPase activity decreased ∼50% in forebrain but increased 2-fold in cerebellum and was unchanged in brainstem. These results indicate that naked mole-rats acutely modulate brain energy demand in a region-specific manner to prioritize energy usage by the cerebellum. This may support exploration, navigation, and escape behaviours, while also enabling ATP savings when encountering hypoxia in nature.
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Glenk LM, Foltin S. Therapy Dog Welfare Revisited: A Review of the Literature. Vet Sci 2021; 8:226. [PMID: 34679056 PMCID: PMC8538106 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8100226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During the past decade, the field of human-animal interaction(s) research has been characterized by a significant increase in scientific findings. These data have contributed to our current understanding of how humans may benefit from contact with animals. However, the animal experience of these interactions is still an under-researched area. This paper addresses the welfare of dogs who participate in animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) to improve health in human recipients. This paper builds on previous work by Glenk (2017) and provides an updated review of the literature on therapy dog welfare published from 2017-2021. New advances in scientific methodology, such as the determination of salivary oxytocin, breath rate and tympanic membrane temperature, are analyzed regarding their value and limitations for research in AAIs. Moreover, welfare-related social and environmental factors (e.g., freedom of choice, exploration of novel environments, inequity aversion, individual development, working experience, relationship with handler and handler skills) that profoundly influence dog perception and well-being are reviewed and discussed. Accounting for the globally increasing interest and the number of dogs utilized in AAIs, safeguarding therapy dog well-being, and identifying situations, circumstances and protocols that may challenge animal welfare remains an emerging and crucial area of scientific effort.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Maria Glenk
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Foltin
- Department of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45141 Essen, Germany;
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Salomova M, Tichanek F, Jelinkova D, Cendelin J. Forced activity and environmental enrichment mildly improve manifestation of rapid cerebellar degeneration in mice. Behav Brain Res 2020; 401:113060. [PMID: 33316321 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Exercise therapy represents an important tool for the treatment of many neurological diseases, including cerebellar degenerations. In mouse models, exercise may decelerate the progression of gradual cerebellar degeneration via potent activation of neuroprotective pathways. However, whether exercise could also improve the condition in mice with already heavily damaged cerebella remains an open question. Here we aimed to explore this possibility, employing a mouse model with dramatic early-onset cerebellar degeneration, the Lurcher mice. The potential of forced physical activity and environmental enrichment (with the possibility of voluntary running) for improvement of behaviour and neuroplasticity was evaluated by a series of behavioural tests, measuring BDNF levels and using stereological histology techniques. Using advanced statistical analysis, we showed that while forced physical activity improved motor learning by ∼26 % in Lurcher mice and boosted BDNF levels in the diseased cerebellum by 57 %, an enriched environment partially alleviated some behavioural deficits related to behavioural disinhibition. Specifically, Lurcher mice exposed to the enriched environment evinced reduced open arm exploration in elevated plus maze test by 18 % and increased immobility almost 9-fold in the forced swim test. However, we must conclude that the overall beneficial effects were very mild and much less clear, compared to previously demonstrated effects in slowly-progressing cerebellar degenerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Salomova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
| | - Filip Tichanek
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
| | - Dana Jelinkova
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Cendelin
- Department of Pathological Physiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic; Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
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6
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Familiarization effects on the behavioral disinhibition of the cerebellar Lurcher mutant mice: use of the innovative Dual Maze. Behav Brain Res 2020; 398:112972. [PMID: 33091448 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety-related behaviors in mice are often assessed over short periods starting immediately after introducing the animals in a dedicated apparatus. In these usual conditions (5-10 min periods), the cerebellar Lurcher mutants showed disinhibited behaviors characterized by abnormally high exploration of the aversive areas in the elevated plus-maze test. We nevertheless observed that this disinhibition sharply weakened after 10 min. We therefore decided to further investigate the influence of the disinhibition on the intrinsic and anxiety-related exploratory behaviors in Lurcher mice, with a special focus on familiarization effects. To this end, we used an innovative apparatus, the Dual Maze, permitting to tune the familiarization level of animals to the experimental context before they are faced with more (open configuration of the device) or less (closed configuration of the device) aversive areas. Chlordiazepoxide administration in BALB/c mice in a preliminary experiment confirmed both the face and the predictive validity of our device as anxiety test and its ability to measure exploratory motivation. The results obtained with the Lurcher mice in the open configuration revealed that 20 min of familiarization to the experimental context abolished the behavioral abnormalities they exhibited when not familiarized with it. In addition, their exploratory motivation, as measured in the closed configuration, was comparable to that of their non-mutant littermates, whatever the level of familiarization applied. Exemplifying the interest of this innovative device, the results we obtained in the Lurcher mutants permitted to differentiate between the roles played by the cerebellum in exploratory motivation and stress-related behaviors.
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7
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Kilroy E, Aziz-Zadeh L, Cermak S. Ayres Theories of Autism and Sensory Integration Revisited: What Contemporary Neuroscience Has to Say. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9030068. [PMID: 30901886 PMCID: PMC6468444 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9030068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal sensory-based behaviors are a defining feature of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Dr. A. Jean Ayres was the first occupational therapist to conceptualize Sensory Integration (SI) theories and therapies to address these deficits. Her work was based on neurological knowledge of the 1970’s. Since then, advancements in neuroimaging techniques make it possible to better understand the brain areas that may underlie sensory processing deficits in ASD. In this article, we explore the postulates proposed by Ayres (i.e., registration, modulation, motivation) through current neuroimaging literature. To this end, we review the neural underpinnings of sensory processing and integration in ASD by examining the literature on neurophysiological responses to sensory stimuli in individuals with ASD as well as structural and network organization using a variety of neuroimaging techniques. Many aspects of Ayres’ hypotheses about the nature of the disorder were found to be highly consistent with current literature on sensory processing in children with ASD but there are some discrepancies across various methodological techniques and ASD development. With additional characterization, neurophysiological profiles of sensory processing in ASD may serve as valuable biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of therapeutic interventions, such as SI therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Kilroy
- Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Lisa Aziz-Zadeh
- Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
- Brain and Creativity Institute, University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
| | - Sharon Cermak
- Mrs. T.H. Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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8
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Pendergast JS, Yamazaki S. The Mysterious Food-Entrainable Oscillator: Insights from Mutant and Engineered Mouse Models. J Biol Rhythms 2018; 33:458-474. [PMID: 30033846 DOI: 10.1177/0748730418789043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The food-entrainable oscillator (FEO) is a mysterious circadian clock because its anatomical location(s) and molecular timekeeping mechanism are unknown. Food anticipatory activity (FAA), which is defined as the output of the FEO, emerges during temporally restricted feeding. FAA disappears immediately during ad libitum feeding and reappears during subsequent fasting. A free-running FAA rhythm has been observed only in rare circumstances when food was provided with a period outside the range of entrainment. Therefore, it is difficult to study the circadian properties of the FEO. Numerous studies have attempted to identify the critical molecular components of the FEO using mutant and genetically engineered mouse models. Herein we critically review the experimental protocols and findings of these studies in mouse models. Several themes emerge from these studies. First, there is little consistency in restricted feeding protocols between studies. Moreover, the protocols were sometimes not optimal, resulting in erroneous conclusions that FAA was absent in some mouse models. Second, circadian genes are not necessary for FEO timekeeping. Thus, another noncanonical timekeeping mechanism must exist in the FEO. Third, studies of mouse models have shown that signaling pathways involved in circadian timekeeping, reward (dopaminergic), and feeding and energy homeostasis can modulate, but are not necessary for, the expression of FAA. In sum, the approaches to date have been largely unsuccessful in discovering the timekeeping mechanism of the FEO. Moving forward, we propose the use of standardized and optimized experimental protocols that focus on identifying genes that alter the period of FAA in mutant and engineered mouse models. This approach is likely to permit discovery of molecular components of the FEO timekeeping mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shin Yamazaki
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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9
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Laricchiuta D, Andolina D, Angelucci F, Gelfo F, Berretta E, Puglisi-Allegra S, Petrosini L. Cerebellar BDNF Promotes Exploration and Seeking for Novelty. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21:485-498. [PMID: 29471437 PMCID: PMC5932472 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Approach system considered a motivational system that activates reward-seeking behavior is associated with exploration/impulsivity, whereas avoidance system considered an attentional system that promotes inhibition of appetitive responses is associated with active overt withdrawal. Approach and avoidance dispositions are modulated by distinct neurochemical profiles and synaptic patterns. However, the precise working of neurons and trafficking of molecules in the brain activity predisposing to approach and avoidance are yet unclear. Methods In 3 phenotypes of inbred mice, avoiding, balancing, and approaching mice, selected by using the Approach/Avoidance Y-maze, we analyzed endogenous brain levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor, one of the main secretory proteins with pleiotropic action. To verify the effects of the acute increase of brain derived neurotrophic factor, balancing and avoiding mice were bilaterally brain derived neurotrophic factor-infused in the cortical cerebellar regions. Results Approaching animals showed high levels of explorative behavior and response to novelty and exhibited higher brain derived neurotrophic factor levels in the cerebellar structures in comparison to the other 2 phenotypes of mice. Interestingly, brain derived neurotrophic factor-infused balancing and avoiding mice significantly increased their explorative behavior and response to novelty. Conclusions Cerebellar brain derived neurotrophic factor may play a role in explorative and novelty-seeking responses that sustain the approach predisposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Laricchiuta
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Andolina
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Angelucci
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Francesca Gelfo
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of TeCoS, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
| | - Erica Berretta
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Behavioral Neuroscience PhD Programme
| | - Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy
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10
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Muñoz-Castañeda R, Díaz D, Peris L, Andrieux A, Bosc C, Muñoz-Castañeda JM, Janke C, Alonso JR, Moutin MJ, Weruaga E. Cytoskeleton stability is essential for the integrity of the cerebellum and its motor- and affective-related behaviors. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3072. [PMID: 29449678 PMCID: PMC5814431 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21470-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum plays a key role in motor tasks, but its involvement in cognition is still being considered. Although there is an association of different psychiatric and cognitive disorders with cerebellar impairments, the lack of time-course studies has hindered the understanding of the involvement of cerebellum in cognitive and non-motor functions. Such association was here studied using the Purkinje Cell Degeneration mutant mouse, a model of selective and progressive cerebellar degeneration that lacks the cytosolic carboxypeptidase 1 (CCP1). The effects of the absence of this enzyme on the cerebellum of mutant mice were analyzed both in vitro and in vivo. These analyses were carried out longitudinally (throughout both the pre-neurodegenerative and neurodegenerative stages) and different motor and non-motor tests were performed. We demonstrate that the lack of CCP1 affects microtubule dynamics and flexibility, defects that contribute to the morphological alterations of the Purkinje cells (PCs), and to progressive cerebellar breakdown. Moreover, this degeneration led not only to motor defects but also to gradual cognitive impairments, directly related to the progression of cellular damage. Our findings confirm the cerebellar implication in non-motor tasks, where the formation of the healthy, typical PCs structure is necessary for normal cognitive and affective behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Muñoz-Castañeda
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity and Neurorepair. Institute for Neurosciences of Castile and Leon (INCyL), University of Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - David Díaz
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity and Neurorepair. Institute for Neurosciences of Castile and Leon (INCyL), University of Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Leticia Peris
- Inserm, U1216, F-38000, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Annie Andrieux
- Inserm, U1216, F-38000, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000, Grenoble, France.,CEA, BIG-GPC, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Christophe Bosc
- Inserm, U1216, F-38000, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - José M Muñoz-Castañeda
- Physics Department, Aeronautics Engineering School, Polytechnic University of Madrid, E-28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carsten Janke
- Institut Curie, F-91405, Orsay, France.,Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, F-75005, Paris, France.,Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR3348, F-91405, Orsay, France
| | - José R Alonso
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity and Neurorepair. Institute for Neurosciences of Castile and Leon (INCyL), University of Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.,Institute for Higher Research, University of Tarapaca, Arica, Chile
| | - Marie-Jo Moutin
- Inserm, U1216, F-38000, Grenoble, France.,Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut des Neurosciences, GIN, F-38000, Grenoble, France
| | - Eduardo Weruaga
- Laboratory of Neural Plasticity and Neurorepair. Institute for Neurosciences of Castile and Leon (INCyL), University of Salamanca, E-37007, Salamanca, Spain. .,Institute for Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), E-37007, Salamanca, Spain.
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11
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Guissoni Campos LM, Hataka A, Vieira IZ, Buchaim RL, Robalinho IF, Arantes GEPS, Viégas JS, Bosso H, Bravos RM, Pinato L. Circadian Clock Proteins and Melatonin Receptors in Neurons and Glia of the Sapajus apella Cerebellum. Front Physiol 2018; 9:5. [PMID: 29479318 PMCID: PMC5811497 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Oscillations of brain proteins in circadian rhythms are important for determining several cellular and physiological processes in anticipation of daily and seasonal environmental rhythms. In addition to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the primary central oscillator, the cerebellum shows oscillations in gene and protein expression. The variety of local circuit rhythms that the cerebellar cortex contains influences functions such as motivational processes, regulation of feeding, food anticipation, language, and working memory. The molecular basis of the cerebellar oscillator has been demonstrated by "clock gene" expression within cells of the cerebellar layers. Genetic and epidemiological evidence suggests that disruption of circadian rhythms in humans can lead to many pathological conditions. Despite this importance, data about clock gene and protein expression in the cerebellum of diurnal (day-active) species, specifically primates, is currently poorly explored, mainly in regard to cellular identity, as well as the relationship with other molecules also involved in cerebellar functions. These studies could contribute to clarification of the possible mechanisms behind cerebellar rhythmicity. Considering that calcium binding proteins (CaBPs) play crucial roles in preserving and modulating cerebellar functions and that clock gene expression can be controlled by afferent projections or paracrine circadian signals such as the hormone melatonin, the present study aimed to describe cellular identities, distribution patterns and day/night expression changes in PER1, PER2, CaBPs, and MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors in the cerebellar cortex of a diurnal primate using conventional fluorescence and peroxidase-antiperoxidase immunocytochemical techniques. PER1 and PER2 immunoreactive (IR) cells were observed in the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, and MT1 and MT2 receptors were localized around Purkinje cells in the Pj layer in Bergmann cells. This identity was confirmed by the S100β-IR of these cells. The highest expression of PER seen in the daytime analysis coincided with the highest expression of melatonin receptors. CaBPs showed day/night morphological and density changes in the cerebellar cortex. The presence of the same temporal variations in the expression of PER in the Pj neurons and in MT1 and MT2 receptors in Bergmann cells indicates a possible relation between these cells during the rhythmic processing of the cerebellum, in addition to the CaBP temporal morphological and density changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila M Guissoni Campos
- São Paulo State University (UNESP), Marília, Brazil.,University of Marília (UNIMAR), Marília, Brazil
| | | | | | - Rogério L Buchaim
- University of Marília (UNIMAR), Marília, Brazil.,University of São Paulo - USP, Bauru, Brazil
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12
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Singh D, Kumar V. Extra-hypothalamic brain clocks in songbirds: Photoperiodic state dependent clock gene oscillations in night-migratory blackheaded buntings, Emberiza melanocephala. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY B-BIOLOGY 2017; 169:13-20. [PMID: 28254568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2017.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2016] [Revised: 02/18/2017] [Accepted: 02/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The avian circadian pacemaker system is comprised of independent clocks in the retina, pineal and hypothalamus, as shown by daily and circadian oscillations of core clock genes (Per2, Cry1, Bmal1 and Clock) in several birds including migratory blackheaded buntings (Emberiza melanocephala). This study investigated the extra-hypothalamic brain circadian clocks in blackheaded buntings, and measured Per2, Cry1, Cry2, Bmal1 and Clock mRNA expressions at 4h intervals over 24h beginning 1h after light-on in the left and right telencephalon, optic tectum and cerebellum, the brain regions involved in several physiological and cognitive functions. Because of seasonal alterations in the circadian clock dependent brain functions, we measured daily clock gene oscillations in buntings photoperiod-induced with the non-migratory state under short days (SDnM), and the pre-migratory (LDpM), migratory (LDM) and post-migratory (refractory, LDR) states under long days. Daily Per2 oscillations were not altered with changes in the photoperiodic states, except for about 2-3h phase difference in the optic tectum between the SDnM and LDpM states. However, there were about 3-5h differences in the phase and 2 to 4 fold change in the amplitude of daily Bmal1 and Cry1 mRNA oscillations between the photoperiod-induced states. Further, Cry2 and Clock genes lacked a significant oscillation, except in Cb (Cry2) and TeO and Rt (Clock) under LDR state. Overall, these results show the presence of circadian clocks in extra-hypothalamic brain regions of blackheaded buntings, and suggest tissue-dependent alterations in the waveforms of mRNA oscillations with transitions in the photoperiod-induced seasonal states in a long-day species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devraj Singh
- IndoUS Center for Biological Timing, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- IndoUS Center for Biological Timing, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110 007, India.
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13
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Chiba R, Shiraishi S, Takakusaki K, Ota J. A model for the initial diagnosis of cerebellar disease. Adv Robot 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/01691864.2016.1272490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Chiba
- Research Center for Brain Function and Medical Engineering, Asahikawa Medical University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Sho Shiraishi
- Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kaoru Takakusaki
- Research Center for Brain Function and Medical Engineering, Asahikawa Medical University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Jun Ota
- Research into Artifacts, Center for Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Chiba, Japan
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14
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Shin CW, Kim GA, Park WJ, Park KY, Jeon JM, Oh HJ, Kim MJ, Lee BC. Learning, memory and exploratory similarities in genetically identical cloned dogs. J Vet Sci 2016; 17:563-567. [PMID: 27030191 PMCID: PMC5204035 DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2016.17.4.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Somatic cell nuclear transfer allows generation of genetically identical animals using donor cells derived from animals with particular traits. To date, few studies have investigated whether or not these cloned dogs will show identical behavior patterns. To address this question, learning, memory and exploratory patterns were examined using six cloned dogs with identical nuclear genomes. The variance of total incorrect choice number in the Y-maze test among cloned dogs was significantly lower than that of the control dogs. There was also a significant decrease in variance in the level of exploratory activity in the open fields test compared to age-matched control dogs. These results indicate that cloned dogs show similar cognitive and exploratory patterns, suggesting that these behavioral phenotypes are related to the genotypes of the individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Won Shin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Geon A Kim
- Department of Theriogenology & Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Won Jun Park
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Kwan Yong Park
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA90089, USA
| | - Jeong Min Jeon
- Department of Statistics, College of Natural Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Oh
- Department of Theriogenology & Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Min Jung Kim
- Department of Theriogenology & Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
| | - Byeong Chun Lee
- Department of Theriogenology & Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea
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15
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Cerebellum Transcriptome of Mice Bred for High Voluntary Activity Offers Insights into Locomotor Control and Reward-Dependent Behaviors. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0167095. [PMID: 27893846 PMCID: PMC5125674 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 11/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the cerebellum in motivation and addictive behaviors is less understood than that in control and coordination of movements. High running can be a self-rewarding behavior exhibiting addictive properties. Changes in the cerebellum transcriptional networks of mice from a line selectively bred for High voluntary running (H) were profiled relative to an unselected Control (C) line. The environmental modulation of these changes was assessed both in activity environments corresponding to 7 days of Free (F) access to running wheel and to Blocked (B) access on day 7. Overall, 457 genes exhibited a significant (FDR-adjusted P-value < 0.05) genotype-by-environment interaction effect, indicating that activity genotype differences in gene expression depend on environmental access to running. Among these genes, network analysis highlighted 6 genes (Nrgn, Drd2, Rxrg, Gda, Adora2a, and Rab40b) connected by their products that displayed opposite expression patterns in the activity genotype contrast within the B and F environments. The comparison of network expression topologies suggests that selection for high voluntary running is linked to a predominant dysregulation of hub genes in the F environment that enables running whereas a dysregulation of ancillary genes is favored in the B environment that blocks running. Genes associated with locomotor regulation, signaling pathways, reward-processing, goal-focused, and reward-dependent behaviors exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction (e.g. Pak6, Adora2a, Drd2, and Arhgap8). Neuropeptide genes including Adcyap1, Cck, Sst, Vgf, Npy, Nts, Penk, and Tac2 and related receptor genes also exhibited significant genotype-by-environment interaction. The majority of the 183 differentially expressed genes between activity genotypes (e.g. Drd1) were under-expressed in C relative to H genotypes and were also under-expressed in B relative to F environments. Our findings indicate that the high voluntary running mouse line studied is a helpful model for understanding the molecular mechanisms in the cerebellum that influence locomotor control and reward-dependent behaviors.
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16
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Viewing the Personality Traits Through a Cerebellar Lens: a Focus on the Constructs of Novelty Seeking, Harm Avoidance, and Alexithymia. THE CEREBELLUM 2016; 16:178-190. [PMID: 26739351 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-015-0754-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The variance in the range of personality trait expression appears to be linked to structural variance in specific brain regions. In evidencing associations between personality factors and neurobiological measures, it seems evident that the cerebellum has not been up to now thought as having a key role in personality. This paper will review the most recent structural and functional neuroimaging literature that engages the cerebellum in personality traits, as novelty seeking and harm avoidance, and it will discuss the findings in the context of contemporary theories of affective and cognitive cerebellar function. By using region of interest (ROI)- and voxel-based approaches, we recently evidenced that the cerebellar volumes correlate positively with novelty seeking scores and negatively with harm avoidance scores. Subjects who search for new situations as a novelty seeker does (and a harm avoiding does not do) show a different engagement of their cerebellar circuitries in order to rapidly adapt to changing environments. The emerging model of cerebellar functionality may explain how the cerebellar abilities in planning, controlling, and putting into action the behavior are associated to normal or abnormal personality constructs. In this framework, it is worth reporting that increased cerebellar volumes are even associated with high scores in alexithymia, construct of personality characterized by impairment in cognitive, emotional, and affective processing. On such a basis, it seems necessary to go over the traditional cortico-centric view of personality constructs and to address the function of the cerebellar system in sustaining aspects of motivational network that characterizes the different temperamental traits.
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Abstract
The name of Jan Evangelista Purkyně and the cerebellum belong inseparably together. He was the first who saw and described the largest nerve cells in the brain, de facto in the cerebellum. The most distinguished researchers of the nervous system then showed him the highest recognition by naming these neurons as Purkinje cells. Through experiments by J. E. Purkyně and his followers properly functionally was attributed to the cerebellum share in precision of motor skills. Despite ongoing and fruitful research, after a relatively long time, especially in the last two decades, scientists had to constantly replenish and re-evaluate the traditional conception of the cerebellum and formulate a new one. It started in the early 1990s, when it was found that cerebellar cortex contains more neurons than the cerebral cortex. Shortly thereafter it was gradually revealed that such enormous numbers of neural cells are not without an impact on brain functions and that the cerebellum, except its traditional role in the motor skills, also participates in higher nervous activity. These new findings were obtained thanks to the introduction of modern methods of examination into the clinical praxis, and experimental procedures using animal models of cerebellar disorders described below.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Vožeh
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
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18
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Tuma J, Kolinko Y, Vozeh F, Cendelin J. Mutation-related differences in exploratory, spatial, and depressive-like behavior in pcd and Lurcher cerebellar mutant mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:116. [PMID: 26029065 PMCID: PMC4429248 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebellum is not only essential for motor coordination but is also involved in cognitive and affective processes. These functions of the cerebellum and mechanisms of their disorders in cerebellar injury are not completely understood. There is a wide spectrum of cerebellar mutant mice which are used as models of hereditary cerebellar degenerations. Nevertheless, they differ in pathogenesis of manifestation of the particular mutation and also in the strain background. The aim of this work was to compare spatial navigation, learning, and memory in pcd and Lurcher mice, two of the most frequently used cerebellar mutants. The mice were tested in the open field for exploration behavior, in the Morris water maze with visible as well as reversal hidden platform tasks and in the forced swimming test for motivation assessment. Lurcher mice showed different space exploration activity in the open field and a lower tendency to depressive-like behavior in the forced swimming test compared with pcd mice. Severe deficit of spatial navigation was shown in both cerebellar mutants. However, the overall performance of Lurcher mice was better than that of pcd mutants. Lurcher mice showed the ability of visual guidance despite difficulties with the direct swim toward a goal. In the probe trial test, Lurcher mice preferred the visible platform rather than the more recent localization of the hidden goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Tuma
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Centre, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic ; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Yaroslav Kolinko
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Centre, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic ; Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Frantisek Vozeh
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Centre, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic ; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Cendelin
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Centre, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic ; Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague Pilsen, Czech Republic
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19
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Rosin JM, McAllister BB, Dyck RH, Percival CJ, Kurrasch DM, Cobb J. Mice lacking the transcription factor SHOX2 display impaired cerebellar development and deficits in motor coordination. Dev Biol 2015; 399:54-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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20
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Cendelin J, Tuma J, Korelusova I, Vozeh F. The effect of genetic background on behavioral manifestation of Grid2Lc mutation. Behav Brain Res 2014; 271:218-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Cendelin J. From mice to men: lessons from mutant ataxic mice. CEREBELLUM & ATAXIAS 2014; 1:4. [PMID: 26331028 PMCID: PMC4549131 DOI: 10.1186/2053-8871-1-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ataxic mutant mice can be used to represent models of cerebellar degenerative disorders. They serve for investigation of cerebellar function, pathogenesis of degenerative processes as well as of therapeutic approaches. Lurcher, Hot-foot, Purkinje cell degeneration, Nervous, Staggerer, Weaver, Reeler, and Scrambler mouse models and mouse models of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, SCA23, DRPLA, Niemann-Pick disease and Friedreich ataxia are reviewed with special regard to cerebellar pathology, pathogenesis, functional changes and possible therapeutic influences, if any. Finally, benefits and limitations of mouse models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cendelin
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Lidicka 1, 301 66 Plzen, Czech Republic ; Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University in Prague, Plzen, Czech Republic
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22
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Cerebellar dentate nuclei lesions alter prefrontal cortex dendritic spine morphology. Brain Res 2014; 1544:15-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2013.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2013] [Revised: 10/22/2013] [Accepted: 11/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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23
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Picerni E, Petrosini L, Piras F, Laricchiuta D, Cutuli D, Chiapponi C, Fagioli S, Girardi P, Caltagirone C, Spalletta G. New evidence for the cerebellar involvement in personality traits. Front Behav Neurosci 2013; 7:133. [PMID: 24106465 PMCID: PMC3788336 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Following the recognition of its role in sensory-motor coordination and learning, the cerebellum has been involved in cognitive, emotional, and even personality domains. This study investigated the relationships between cerebellar macro- and micro-structural variations and temperamental traits measured by Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI). High resolution T1-weighted, and Diffusion Tensor Images of 100 healthy subjects aged 18-59 years were acquired by 3 Tesla Magnetic Resonance scanner. In multiple regression analyses, cerebellar Gray Matter (GM) or White Matter (WM) volumes, GM Mean Diffusivity (MD), and WM Fractional Anisotropy (FA) were used as dependent variables, TCI scores as regressors, gender, age, and education years as covariates. Novelty Seeking scores were associated positively with the cerebellar GM volumes and FA, and negatively with MD. No significant association between Harm Avoidance, Reward Dependence or Persistence scores and cerebellar structural measures was found. The present data put toward a cerebellar involvement in the management of novelty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Picerni
- I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrosini
- I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Laricchiuta
- I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Debora Cutuli
- I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
| | | | | | - Paolo Girardi
- NESMOS Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University “Sapienza” of RomeRome, Italy
| | - Carlo Caltagirone
- I.R.C.C.S. Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Tor Vergata UniversityRome, Italy
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24
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Jung YC, Schulte T, Müller-Oehring EM, Hawkes W, Namkoong K, Pfefferbaum A, Sullivan EV. Synchrony of anterior cingulate cortex and insular-striatal activation predicts ambiguity aversion in individuals with low impulsivity. Cereb Cortex 2013; 24:1397-408. [PMID: 23355606 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bht008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Personal attitude toward ambiguity contributes to individual differences in decision making in uncertain situations. Operationally, these attitudes reflect the various coping strategies elected to overcome the limited information. A key brain region involved in cognitive control for performance adjustments is the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). To test how dACC functional network connectivity would be modulated by uncertainty and differ between individuals, 24 healthy participants underwent functional MRI in 3 sequential runs: 1 resting-state and 2 decision-making task runs. Individuals with lower nonplanning impulsiveness made greater use of a Pass option and avoided uncertain ambiguous situations. Seed-based functional connectivity analysis during the task runs revealed that stronger activation synchrony between the left dACC and the right anterior insula correlated with greater use of a Pass response option. During the resting-state, stronger resting-state functional connectivity between the left dACC and the ventral striatum predicted the adoption of Pass as a behavioral strategy and correlated with stronger task-activated synchrony between the dACC and the right anterior insula. Our findings indicate that that the synchrony between the dACC and insula-striatal circuitry was greater in individuals with low compared with high nonplanning impulsiveness and contributed to adopting Pass as a useful behavioral strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Chul Jung
- Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science in Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 120-752, South Korea
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Maur DG, Romero CB, Burdet B, Palumbo ML, Zorrilla-Zubilete MA. Prenatal stress induces alterations in cerebellar nitric oxide that are correlated with deficits in spatial memory in rat’s offspring. Neurochem Int 2012; 61:1294-301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2012] [Revised: 09/07/2012] [Accepted: 09/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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26
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Wei H, Dobkin C, Sheikh AM, Malik M, Brown WT, Li X. The therapeutic effect of memantine through the stimulation of synapse formation and dendritic spine maturation in autism and fragile X syndrome. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36981. [PMID: 22615862 PMCID: PMC3352866 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2011] [Accepted: 04/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the pathogenic mechanisms that underlie autism are not well understood, there is evidence showing that metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors are hyper-stimulated and the GABAergic system is hypo-stimulated in autism. Memantine is an uncompetitive antagonist of NMDA receptors and is widely prescribed for treatment of Alzheimer's disease treatment. Recently, it has been shown to improve language function, social behavior, and self-stimulatory behaviors of some autistic subjects. However the mechanism by which memantine exerts its effect remains to be elucidated. In this study, we used cultured cerebellar granule cells (CGCs) from Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice, a mouse model for fragile X syndrome (FXS) and syndromic autism, to examine the effects of memantine on dendritic spine development and synapse formation. Our results show that the maturation of dendritic spines is delayed in Fmr1-KO CGCs. We also detected reduced excitatory synapse formation in Fmr1-KO CGCs. Memantine treatment of Fmr1-KO CGCs promoted cell adhesion properties. Memantine also stimulated the development of mushroom-shaped mature dendritic spines and restored dendritic spine to normal levels in Fmr1-KO CGCs. Furthermore, we demonstrated that memantine treatment promoted synapse formation and restored the excitatory synapses to a normal range in Fmr1-KO CGCs. These findings suggest that memantine may exert its therapeutic capacity through a stimulatory effect on dendritic spine maturation and excitatory synapse formation, as well as promoting adhesion of CGCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongen Wei
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, United States of America
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Carl Dobkin
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ashfaq M. Sheikh
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Mazhar Malik
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - W. Ted Brown
- Department of Human Genetics, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Xiaohong Li
- Department of Neurochemistry, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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27
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Rosado B, González-Martínez A, Pesini P, García-Belenguer S, Palacio J, Villegas A, Suárez ML, Santamarina G, Sarasa M. Effect of age and severity of cognitive dysfunction on spontaneous activity in pet dogs - part 1: locomotor and exploratory behaviour. Vet J 2012; 194:189-95. [PMID: 22591786 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2011] [Revised: 03/27/2012] [Accepted: 03/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Age-related cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) has been reported in dogs and it is considered a natural model for Alzheimer's disease in humans. Changes in spontaneous activity (including locomotor and exploratory behaviour) and social responsiveness have been related to the age and cognitive status of kennel-reared Beagle dogs. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age and severity of CDS on locomotor and exploratory behaviour of privately owned dogs. This is the first part of a two-part report on spontaneous activity in pet dogs. An open-field (OF) test and a curiosity test were administered at baseline and 6 months later to young (1-4 years, n=9), middle-aged (5-8 years, n=9), cognitively unimpaired aged (≥ 9 years, n=31), and cognitively impaired aged ( ≥ 9 years, n=36) animals. Classification of cognitive status was carried out using an owner-based observational questionnaire, and in the cognitively impaired group, the dogs were categorised as having either mild or severe cognitive impairment. Dogs were recorded during sessions in the testing room and the video-recordings were subsequently analysed. The severity of CDS (but not age) influenced locomotion and exploratory behaviour so that the more severe the impairment, the higher the locomotor activity and frequency of corner-directed (aimless) behaviours, and the lower the frequency of door-aimed activities. Curiosity directed toward novel stimuli exhibited an age-dependent decline although severely affected animals displayed more sniffing episodes directed towards the objects. OF activity did not change after 6 months. Testing aged pet dogs for spontaneous behaviour might help to better characterise cognitively affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Rosado
- Departamento de Patología Animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
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28
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Armstrong CL, Duffin CA, McFarland R, Vogel MW. Mechanisms of compartmental purkinje cell death and survival in the lurcher mutant mouse. THE CEREBELLUM 2012; 10:504-14. [PMID: 21104177 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-010-0231-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Lurcher mutant mouse is characterized by its ataxic gait and loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells and their afferents, granule cells and olivary neurons, during the first weeks of postnatal development. For the 50 years since its discovery, the heterozygous Lurcher mutant has served as an important model system for studying neuron-target interactions in the developing cerebellum and cerebellar function. The identification of the Lurcher (Lc) gene over 10 years ago as a gain-of-function mutation in the δ2 glutamate receptor (GluRδ2) led to extensive studies of cell death mechanisms in the Lc/+ cerebellum. The advantage of this model system is that GluRδ2(+) receptors and GluRδ2(Lc) channels are expressed predominantly in Purkinje cells, making it possible to study the effects of a well-characterized leak current in a well-defined cell type during a critical phase of neuronal development. Yet there is still controversy surrounding the mechanisms of neuronal death in Lc/+ Purkinje cells with competing hypotheses for necrotic, apoptotic, and autophagic cell death pathways as a consequence of the excitotoxic stress caused by the GluRδ2(Lc) leak current. The goal of this review is to summarize recent studies that critically test the role of various cell death pathways in Lc/+ Purkinje cell degeneration with respect to evidence for the molecular heterogeneity of Purkinje cells. We propose that the expression of putative survival factors, such as heat shock proteins, in a subset of cerebellar Purkinje cells may affect cell death pathways and account for the pattern and diverse mechanisms of Lc/+ Purkinje degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol L Armstrong
- Department of Chemical and Biological Sciences, Mt Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada, T3E 6K6
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29
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Koziol LF, Budding DE, Chidekel D. Adaptation, expertise, and giftedness: towards an understanding of cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar network contributions. THE CEREBELLUM 2011; 9:499-529. [PMID: 20680539 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-010-0192-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Current cortico-centric models of cognition lack a cohesive neuroanatomic framework that sufficiently considers overlapping levels of function, from "pathological" through "normal" to "gifted" or exceptional ability. While most cognitive theories presume an evolutionary context, few actively consider the process of adaptation, including concepts of neurodevelopment. Further, the frequent co-occurrence of "gifted" and "pathological" function is difficult to explain from a cortico-centric point of view. This comprehensive review paper proposes a framework that includes the brain's vertical organization and considers "giftedness" from an evolutionary and neurodevelopmental vantage point. We begin by discussing the current cortico-centric model of cognition and its relationship to intelligence. We then review an integrated, dual-tiered model of cognition that better explains the process of adaptation by simultaneously allowing for both stimulus-based processing and higher-order cognitive control. We consider the role of the basal ganglia within this model, particularly in relation to reward circuitry and instrumental learning. We review the important role of white matter tracts in relation to speed of adaptation and development of behavioral mastery. We examine the cerebellum's critical role in behavioral refinement and in cognitive and behavioral automation, particularly in relation to expertise and giftedness. We conclude this integrated model of brain function by considering the savant syndrome, which we believe is best understood within the context of a dual-tiered model of cognition that allows for automaticity in adaptation as well as higher-order executive control.
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Swain RA, Kerr AL, Thompson RF. The cerebellum: a neural system for the study of reinforcement learning. Front Behav Neurosci 2011; 5:8. [PMID: 21427778 PMCID: PMC3049318 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2011.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2010] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In its strictest application, the term “reinforcement learning” refers to a computational approach to learning in which an agent (often a machine) interacts with a mutable environment to maximize reward through trial and error. The approach borrows essentials from several fields, most notably Computer Science, Behavioral Neuroscience, and Psychology. At the most basic level, a neural system capable of mediating reinforcement learning must be able to acquire sensory information about the external environment and internal milieu (either directly or through connectivities with other brain regions), must be able to select a behavior to be executed, and must be capable of providing evaluative feedback about the success of that behavior. Given that Psychology informs us that reinforcers, both positive and negative, are stimuli or consequences that increase the probability that the immediately antecedent behavior will be repeated and that reinforcer strength or viability is modulated by the organism's past experience with the reinforcer, its affect, and even the state of its muscles (e.g., eyes open or closed); it is the case that any neural system that supports reinforcement learning must also be sensitive to these same considerations. Once learning is established, such a neural system must finally be able to maintain continued response expression and prevent response drift. In this report, we examine both historical and recent evidence that the cerebellum satisfies all of these requirements. While we report evidence from a variety of learning paradigms, the majority of our discussion will focus on classical conditioning of the rabbit eye blink response as an ideal model system for the study of reinforcement and reinforcement learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney A Swain
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI, USA
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Bauer DJ, Kerr AL, Swain RA. Cerebellar dentate nuclei lesions reduce motivation in appetitive operant conditioning and open field exploration. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2011; 95:166-75. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2010.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2010] [Revised: 12/11/2010] [Accepted: 12/18/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Tamada K, Tomonaga S, Hatanaka F, Nakai N, Takao K, Miyakawa T, Nakatani J, Takumi T. Decreased exploratory activity in a mouse model of 15q duplication syndrome; implications for disturbance of serotonin signaling. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15126. [PMID: 21179543 PMCID: PMC3002297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have garnered significant attention as an important grouping of developmental brain disorders. Recent genomic studies have revealed that inherited or de novo copy number variations (CNVs) are significantly involved in the pathophysiology of ASDs. In a previous report from our laboratory, we generated mice with CNVs as a model of ASDs, with a duplicated mouse chromosome 7C that is orthologous to human chromosome 15q11-13. Behavioral analyses revealed paternally duplicated (patDp/+) mice displayed abnormal behaviors resembling the symptoms of ASDs. In the present study, we extended these findings by performing various behavioral tests with C57BL/6J patDp/+ mice, and comprehensively measuring brain monoamine levels with ex vivo high performance liquid chromatography. Compared with wild-type controls, patDp/+ mice exhibited decreased locomotor and exploratory activities in the open field test, Y-maze test, and fear-conditioning test. Furthermore, their decreased activity levels overcame increased appetite induced by 24 hours of food deprivation in the novelty suppressed feeding test. Serotonin levels in several brain regions of adult patDp/+ mice were lower than those of wild-type control, with no concurrent changes in brain levels of dopamine or norepinephrine. Moreover, analysis of monoamines in postnatal developmental stages demonstrated reduced brain levels of serotonin in young patDp/+ mice. These findings suggest that a disrupted brain serotonergic system, especially during postnatal development, may generate the phenotypes of patDp/+ mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Tamada
- Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Japan
- Kyoto University Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | | | - Fumiyuki Hatanaka
- Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuhiro Nakai
- Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Japan
- Kyoto University Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Keizo Takao
- Frontier Technology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Division of Systems Medicine, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- Section of Behavior Patterns, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
- Frontier Technology Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Division of Systems Medicine, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University, Aichi, Japan
- Section of Behavior Patterns, Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agent (JST), Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Saitama, Japan
| | | | - Toru Takumi
- Osaka Bioscience Institute, Suita, Japan
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
- Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
- Japan Science and Technology Agent (JST), Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (CREST), Saitama, Japan
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Behavioral and cerebellar transmission deficits in mice lacking the autism-linked gene islet brain-2. J Neurosci 2010; 30:14805-16. [PMID: 21048139 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1161-10.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Deletion of the human SHANK3 gene near the terminus of chromosome 22q is associated with Phelan-McDermid syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. Nearly all such deletions also span the tightly linked IB2 gene. We show here that IB2 protein is broadly expressed in the brain and is highly enriched within postsynaptic densities. Experimental disruption of the IB2 gene in mice reduces AMPA and enhances NMDA receptor-mediated glutamatergic transmission in cerebellum, changes the morphology of Purkinje cell dendritic arbors, and induces motor and cognitive deficits suggesting an autism phenotype. These findings support a role for human IB2 mutation as a contributing genetic factor in Chr22qter-associated cognitive disorders.
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Abstract
The cerebellum participates in motor coordination as well as in numerous cerebral processes, including temporal discrimination. Animals can predict daily timing of food availability, as manifested by food-anticipatory activity under restricted feeding. By studying ex vivo clock gene expression by in situ hybridization and recording in vitro Per1-luciferase bioluminescence, we report that the cerebellum contains a circadian oscillator sensitive to feeding cues (i.e., whose clock gene oscillations are shifted in response to restricted feeding). Food-anticipatory activity was markedly reduced in mice injected intracerebroventricularly with an immunotoxin that depletes Purkinje cells (i.e., OX7-saporin). Mice bearing the hotfoot mutation (i.e., Grid2(ho/ho)) have impaired cerebellar circuitry and mild ataxic phenotype. Grid2(ho/ho) mice fed ad libitum showed regular behavioral rhythms and day-night variations of clock gene expression in the hypothalamus and cerebellum. When challenged with restricted feeding, however, Grid2(ho/ho) mice did not show any food-anticipatory rhythms, nor timed feeding-induced changes in cerebellar clock gene expression. In hypothalamic arcuate and dorsomedial nuclei, however, shifts in Per1 expression in response to restricted feeding were similar in cerebellar mutant and wild-type mice. Furthermore, plasma corticosterone and metabolites before mealtime did not differ between cerebellar mutant and wild-type mice. Together, these data define a role for the cerebellum in the circadian timing network and indicate that the cerebellar oscillator is required for anticipation of mealtime.
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Martin LA, Goldowitz D, Mittleman G. Repetitive behavior and increased activity in mice with Purkinje cell loss: a model for understanding the role of cerebellar pathology in autism. Eur J Neurosci 2010; 31:544-55. [PMID: 20105240 DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2009.07073.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive behaviors and hyperactivity are common features of developmental disorders, including autism. Neuropathology of the cerebellum is also a frequent occurrence in autism and other developmental disorders. Recent studies have indicated that cerebellar pathology may play a causal role in the generation of repetitive and hyperactive behaviors. In this study, we examined the relationship between cerebellar pathology and these behaviors in a mouse model of Purkinje cell loss. Specifically, we made aggregation chimeras between Lc/+ mutant embryos and +/+ embryos. Lc/+ mice lose 100% of their Purkinje cells postnatally due to a cell-intrinsic gain-of-function mutation. Through our histological examination, we demonstrated that Lc/+<-->+/+ chimeric mice have Purkinje cells ranging from zero to normal numbers. Our analysis of these chimeric cerebella confirmed previous studies on Purkinje cell lineage. The results of both open-field activity and hole-board exploration testing indicated negative relationships between Purkinje cell number and measures of activity and investigatory nose-poking. Additionally, in a progressive-ratio operant paradigm, we found that Lc/+ mice lever-pressed significantly less than +/+ controls, which led to significantly lower breakpoints in this group. In contrast, chimeric mice lever-pressed significantly more than controls and this repetitive lever-pressing behavior was significantly and negatively correlated with total Purkinje cell numbers. Although the performance of Lc/+ mice is probably related to their motor deficits, the significant relationships between Purkinje cell number and repetitive lever-pressing behavior as well as open-field activity measures provide support for a role of cerebellar pathology in generating repetitive behavior and increased activity in chimeric mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren A Martin
- Department of Psychology, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA 91702, USA.
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36
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Foti F, Mandolesi L, Cutuli D, Laricchiuta D, De Bartolo P, Gelfo F, Petrosini L. Cerebellar Damage Loosens the Strategic Use of the Spatial Structure of the Search Space. THE CEREBELLUM 2009; 9:29-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-009-0134-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Obayashi S, Nagai Y, Suhara T, Okauchi T, Inaji M, Iriki A, Maeda J. Monkey brain activity modulated by reward preferences: A positron emission tomography study. Neurosci Res 2009; 64:421-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2009.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2009] [Revised: 04/23/2009] [Accepted: 04/27/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Magalhães A, Melo P, Alves CJ, Tavares MA, de Sousa L, Summavielle T. Exploratory behavior in rats postnatally exposed to cocaine and housed in an enriched environment. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2008; 1139:358-65. [PMID: 18991882 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1432.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to cocaine in early periods of postnatal life is usually associated with changes in development of neurotransmitter systems and structure of the central nervous system. Such changes are most likely correlated with behavioral alterations. Environmental enrichment conditions (EC) in early stages is a factor that affects structural and behavioral development. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of EC on rats postnatally exposed to cocaine on exploratory behavior. Wistar rats were assigned to four groups-Group 1: pups exposed to cocaine hydrochloride (15 mg/kg body weight/day) s.c., in two daily doses, from postnatal day (PND) 1 to 28 and reared in EC; Group 2: pups exposed to cocaine as previously described and reared in a standard environmental conditions (SC); Group 3: pups saline-injected and reared in EC; and Group 4: pups saline-injected and reared in SC. On PND 21, 24, and 28, groups of four rats (to reduce anxiety) were placed for 10 minutes into an arena with several objects. The following exploratory behavioral categories were examined: object interaction, exploration, manipulation, approximation, and total time of object contact. Animals from Group 2 showed decreased object interaction and total contact on PND 21. Control offspring reared in EE showed decreases in exploratory behavior at all ages analyzed compared with the control SE group, while cocaine-exposed animals reared in EC showed decreased object interaction, object approximation, and total exploratory behavior. The results in this group suggest that EC improved information acquisition and memory processes in animals postnatally exposed to cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Magalhães
- Neurocomportamento, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Lorivel T, Hilber P. Motor effects of delta 9 THC in cerebellar Lurcher mutant mice. Behav Brain Res 2007; 181:248-53. [PMID: 17531329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2007] [Revised: 04/13/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study evaluated the effects of the principal active component of marijuana (delta 9 THC) on motor abilities and motor learning in mice with cerebellar dysfunction. For this purpose, spontaneous locomotor activity, equilibrium abilities, muscular tone, motor coordination and motor learning were investigated in Lurcher mutant and non-mutant B6/CBA mice 20 min after i.p. administration of 4 or 8 mg kg(-1) of delta 9 tetra hydro cannabinol (delta 9 THC). The performances were compared to those obtained by Lurcher and non-mutant mice injected with vehicle (Tween 80). The results showed that at the dose of 4 mg kg(-1) but not at the dose of 8 mg kg(-1), the cannabinoid (CB) substance reduced deficits in motor coordination, equilibrium and muscular tone and facilitated motor learning in Lurcher mice. On the other hand, only a muscular strength decrease was observed in control B6/CBA mice injected with the dose of 8 mg kg(-1) of delta 9 THC. These results suggested that cannabinoid derivative could represent a new field of investigation concerning the treatment of cerebellar ataxic syndrome in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Lorivel
- UPRES PSY.CO EA 1780, Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de l'Apprentissage, Université de Rouen, Faculté des Sciences, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France
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Oliver PL, Keays DA, Davies KE. Behavioural characterisation of the robotic mouse mutant. Behav Brain Res 2007; 181:239-47. [PMID: 17532061 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2006] [Revised: 04/12/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The ataxic mouse mutant robotic is characterised by progressive adult-onset Purkinje cell loss that occurs in a distinctive region-specific pattern. We report the first behavioural characterisation of this mutant and quantify its performance on tests of motor function, locomotor and exploratory activity over a time course that reflects specific stages of cell loss in the cerebellum. Robotic mutants are significantly impaired on the rotarod and static rod tests of coordination and their performance declined during aging. In addition, gait analysis revealed an increase in the severity of the ataxia displayed by mutants over time. Interestingly, spontaneous alternation testing in a T-maze was not significantly affected in robotic mice, unlike other ataxic mutants with more rapid and extensive cerebellar degeneration; robotic therefore provides an opportunity to investigate the necessity of specific Purkinje cell populations for various behavioural tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Oliver
- MRC Functional Genetics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
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41
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Vogel MW, Caston J, Yuzaki M, Mariani J. The Lurcher mouse: Fresh insights from an old mutant. Brain Res 2007; 1140:4-18. [PMID: 16412991 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.11.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Accepted: 11/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Lurcher mouse was first discovered in 1954 as a spontaneously occurring autosomal dominant mutation that caused the degeneration of virtually all cerebellar Purkinje cells and most olivary neurons and granule cells. More recent molecular studies revealed that Lurcher is a gain of function mutation in the delta2 glutamate receptor (GluRdelta2) that converts an alanine to threonine in the highly conserved third hydrophobic segment of GluRdelta2. The mutation converts the receptor into a constitutively leaky cation channel. The GluRdelta2 receptor is predominantly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and in the heterozygous Lurcher mutant (+/Lc). Purkinje cells die due to the mutation in the GluRdelta2 receptor, while olivary neurons and granule cells degenerate due to the loss of their Purkinje cell targets. The purpose of the review is to provide highlights from 5 decades of research on the Lurcher mutant that have provided insights into the developmental mechanisms that regulate cell number during development, cerebellar pattern formation, cerebellar physiology, and the role of the cerebellum in CNS function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W Vogel
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21228, USA.
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Coluccia A, Borracci P, Giustino A, Sakamoto M, Carratù MR. Effects of low dose methylmercury administration during the postnatal brain growth spurt in rats. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2007; 29:282-7. [PMID: 17141469 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2006.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2006] [Revised: 10/17/2006] [Accepted: 10/17/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Male Sprague-Dawley rats from eight litters were orally administered 0.75 mg/kg/day methylmercury (MeHg) chloride from postnatal day (PD) 14 to PD 23. One male pup per litter from eight different litters per treatment group was used. Each pup was used only for a single behavioral test and tested once. The MeHg dose level resulted in Hg brain concentrations of 0.82+/-0.05 microg/g tissue (n=4). Locomotor behavior was studied in the Opto-Varimex apparatus by testing rats (n=8) weekly from PD 24 to PD 45. Performance of rats (n=8) on learning paradigm was analysed on PD 90. MeHg treatment induced a significant reduction in the number of rearings without altering the distance travelled, the resting time and the time spent in the central part of the arena. Results of conditioned avoidance task showed that, unlike control rats, MeHg-treated animals did not show improvement over blocks and never reached a level of performance that would indicate significant learning had taken place. The present results show that low level exposure to MeHg during late brain growth spurt induces subtle and persistent motor and learning deficits, further underlining the serious potential hazard for the exposed children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addolorata Coluccia
- Department of Pharmacology and Human Physiology, Medical School, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
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Lalonde R, Strazielle C. Brain regions and genes affecting postural control. Prog Neurobiol 2007; 81:45-60. [PMID: 17222959 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2006.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2006] [Revised: 08/05/2006] [Accepted: 11/08/2006] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Postural control is integrated in all facets of motor commands. The role of cortico-subcortical pathways underlying postural control, including cerebellum and its afferents (climbing, mossy, and noradrenergic fibers), basal ganglia, motor thalamus, and parieto-frontal neocortex has been identified in animal models, notably through the brain lesion technique in rats and in mice with spontaneous and induced mutations. These studies are complemented by analyses of the factors underlying postural deficiencies in patients with cerebellar atrophy. With the gene deletion technique in mice, specific genes expressed in cerebellum encoding glutamate receptors (Grid2 and Grm1) and other molecules (Prkcc, Cntn6, Klf9, Syt4, and En2) have also been shown to affect postural control. In addition, transgenic mouse models of the synucleinopathies and of Huntington's disease cause deficiencies of motor coordination resembling those of patients with basal ganglia damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lalonde
- Université de Rouen, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, INSERM U614, IFRMP, 76183 Rouen Cedex,
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Federico F, Leggio MG, Neri P, Mandolesi L, Petrosini L. NMDA receptor activity in learning spatial procedural strategies II. The influence of cerebellar lesions. Brain Res Bull 2006; 70:356-67. [PMID: 17027771 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2006.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2006] [Revised: 06/12/2006] [Accepted: 06/15/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Experimental data support the involvement of cerebellar circuits in the acquisition of spatial procedural competences. Since the ability to acquire new procedural competences is lost when cerebellar regions are lesioned or when NMDA receptor activity is blocked, we analyzed whether the learning of explorative strategies is affected by blocking NMDA receptor activity in the presence of cerebellar lesions. To this aim, the NMDA receptor antagonist (CGS 19755, 7 mg/kg) was administered i.p. to un-lesioned rats, or rats subjected to total ablation of the cerebellum or to hemi-cerebellectomy. CGS 19755 and cerebellectomy both produced water maze behavior characterized by circling. Administration of CGS 19755 did not modify the Morris Water Maze (MWM) peripheral circling behavior of cerebellectomized animals. Circling was the dominant strategy of hemicerebellectomized animals in the absence of drugs. However, increasingly compulsive circling was observed under the action of CGS 19755. Circling was not observed if the drug-treated animals (un-lesioned or lesioned) had been previously trained. In conclusion, the NMDA antagonist caused severe impairment in the acquisition of spatial procedures, thus mimicking the consequences of cerebellar ablation on spatial procedural learning. Based on the present findings, we hypothesize that cerebellar NMDA receptor activity is involved in the acquisition of procedural spatial competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Federico
- Department of Psychology, University of Rome La Sapienza, IRCCS S. Lucia, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Abstract
Autism is a behaviorally defined disorder associated with characteristic impairments in social interactions and communication, as well as restricted and repetitive behaviors and interest. Its prevalence was once thought to be 2/10,000, but recently several large autism prevalence reviews revealed that the rate of occurrence was roughly 30/10,000. While it has been considered a developmental disorder, little is certain about its etiology. Neuroanatomical studies at the histological level in the brains of autistic patients provide many arguments in the etiology of autism. Results from postmortem and imaging studies have implicated many major structures of the brain including the limbic system, cerebellum, corpus callosum, basal ganglia and brainstem. There is no single biological or clinical marker for autism. While several promising candidate genes have been presented, the critical loci are yet unknown. Environmental influences such as rubella virus, valproic acid, and thalidomide exposure during pregnancy are also considered important, as concordance in monozygotic twins is less than 100% and the phenotypic expression of the disorder varies widely. It is thus hypothesized that non-genetic mechanisms contribute to the onset of autistic syndrome. In light of these ambiguities, hope is held that an animal model of autism may help elucidate matters. In this article, we overview most of the currently available animal models for autism, and propose the rat with mild and transient neonatal hypothyroidism as a novel model for autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miyuki Sadamatsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Japan
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46
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Lalonde R, Strazielle C. Spontaneous and induced mouse mutations with cerebellar dysfunctions: behavior and neurochemistry. Brain Res 2006; 1140:51-74. [PMID: 16499884 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2006.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2005] [Accepted: 01/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Grid2(Lc) (Lurcher), Grid2(ho) (hot-foot), Rora(sg) (staggerer), nr (nervous), Agtpbp1(pcd) (Purkinje cell degeneration), Reln(rl) (reeler), and Girk2(Wv) (Weaver) are spontaneous mutations with cerebellar atrophy, ataxia, and deficits in motor coordination tasks requiring balance and equilibrium. In addition to these signs, the Dst(dt) (dystonia musculorum) spinocerebellar mutant displays dystonic postures and crawling. More recently, transgenic models with human spinocerebellar ataxia mutations and alterations in calcium homeostasis have been shown to exhibit cerebellar anomalies and motor coordination deficits. We describe neurochemical characteristics of these mutants with respect to regional brain metabolism as well as amino acid and biogenic amine concentrations, uptake sites, and receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Lalonde
- Université de Rouen, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie, INSERM U614, 76183 Rouen Cedex, France.
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47
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Carratù MR, Borracci P, Coluccia A, Giustino A, Renna G, Tomasini MC, Raisi E, Antonelli T, Cuomo V, Mazzoni E, Ferraro L. Acute exposure to methylmercury at two developmental windows: Focus on neurobehavioral and neurochemical effects in rat offspring. Neuroscience 2006; 141:1619-29. [PMID: 16781816 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2006] [Revised: 05/04/2006] [Accepted: 05/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The neurobehavioral and neurochemical effects produced by prenatal methylmercury exposure (8 mg/kg, gestational-days 8 or 15), were investigated in rats. On postnatal day 40, animals exposed to methylmercury and tested in the open field arena, showed a reduction in the number of rearings, whereas the number of crossings and resting time was not altered with respect to the age-matched control rats. The methylmercury-exposed groups showed a lower level of exploratory behavior as well as an impairment in habituation and working memory when subjected to the novel object exploration task. The neophobia displayed by methylmercury-exposed rats is unlikely to be attributed to a higher degree of anxiety. Prenatal methylmercury exposure did not affect motor coordination or motor learning in 40-day-old rats subjected to the balance task on a rotating rod, and it did not impair the onset of reflexive behavior in pups screened for righting reflex, cliff aversion and negative geotaxis. In cortical cell cultures from pups exposed to methylmercury during gestation, basal extracellular glutamate levels were higher, whereas the KCl-evoked extracellular glutamate levels were lower than that measured in cultures from rats born to control mothers. In addition, a higher responsiveness of glutamate release to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor activation was evident in cortical cell cultures from pups born from methylmercury-treated dams than in cultures obtained from control rats. The present results suggest that acute maternal methylmercury exposure induces, in rat offspring, subtle changes in short-term memory as well as in exploratory behavior. These impairments seem to be associated to alterations of cortical glutamatergic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Carratù
- Department of Pharmacology and Human Physiology, Medical School, University of Bari, Policlinico, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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48
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Summavielle T, Alves CJ, Monteiro PRR, Tavares MA. Abnormal Immunoreactivity to Serotonin in Cerebellar Purkinje Cells after Neonatal Cocaine Exposure. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2004; 1025:630-7. [PMID: 15542772 DOI: 10.1196/annals.1316.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Neonatal cocaine is known to affect the developing serotonergic system in many brain structures, including the cerebellum. Changes in the cerebellar Purkinje cells after drug exposure are well documented and result in impairment of movement and other cerebellar disorders such as ataxia. These cells have a major postnatal developmental pattern; therefore, neonatal exposure to cocaine is likely to affect them. In this work, male and female Wistar rats were injected with 15 mg of cocaine hydrochloride/kg body weight/day, subcutaneously, in two daily doses, from postnatal day 1 (PND1) to PND29. Controls were given 0.9% of saline. On PND14, PND21, and PND30, rats were transcardially perfused, and brains removed and cryoprotected. Coronal sections from the cerebellum were processed for immunocytochemistry of cells containing serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT). At the same postnatal age, rats from at least three different litters were sacrificed by decapitation, and brains were dissected for determination of 5-HT in the cerebellum by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Upon the expected distribution of immunoreactivity to 5-HT, an abnormal immunoreactivity to 5-HT was observed in the Purkinje cells of six cocaine-exposed animals, but not in control animals. Also, levels of cerebellar 5-HT in cocaine-exposed rats were significantly increased on PND21. These results, together with previously reported observations of altered patterns of motor behavior, indicate that neonatal cocaine exposure affects the serotonergic cerebellar system, altering the standard development of Purkinje cells and possibly compromising the motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Summavielle
- Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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49
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Wright JW, Murphy ES, Elijah IE, Holtfreter KL, Davis CJ, Olson ML, Muhunthan K, Harding JW. Influence of hippocampectomy on habituation, exploratory behavior, and spatial memory in rats. Brain Res 2004; 1023:1-14. [PMID: 15364013 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.06.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Two frequently cited functions of the hippocampus are mediation of spatial memories and habituation. The present investigation employed head-shake response (HSR) as the habituated behavior in intact and bilaterally hippocampectomized rats. This HSR appears to be minimally influenced by spatial cues. These rats were further tested on two behavioral paradigms that make use of spatial cues, namely open field object exploration, and the Morris water maze. The results indicate that hippocampectomized rats revealed habituation of the HSR, but not to objects within the open field. In agreement with previous reports, hippocampectomized rats were severely impaired both in acquiring and recalling the location of the submerged platform in the Morris water maze task. In a separate experiment independent groups of rats were trained on one of these three paradigms, and tissues were collected from hippocampal, prefrontal, and piriform cortices for the measurement of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as markers of neural plasticity. There were significant MMP-9 elevations in the prefrontal and piriform cortices of rats tested using the object exploration task, in the prefrontal and hippocampal cortices of rats that solved the Morris water maze task, but minimal MMP changes in any tissues taken from HSR habituated rats. These results question the hypothesis that habituation is solely mediated by the hippocampus in favor of a process that utilizes different brain structures and degrees of neural plasticity dependent upon task requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W Wright
- Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4820, USA.
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50
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Hilber P, Lorivel T, Delarue C, Caston J. Stress and anxious-related behaviors in Lurcher mutant mice. Brain Res 2004; 1003:108-12. [PMID: 15019569 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2004.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/02/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Blood corticosterone levels (CORT) were measured before and after the completion of the elevated +-maze test in cerebellar Lurcher mutant and control mice. Consistent with the existence of a much more pronounced activation of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system in the mutants, our results showed that while basal CORT were similar in mutants and controls, the surge of this stress indicator was enhanced in the Lurcher mice after completion of a behavioral test of anxiety. In contrast, at the behavioral level, we also observed that Lurcher exhibited significantly reduced anxiety related indices; they spent a significant greater amount of time in the aversive places of the apparatus and entered them more frequently than non mutant mice. It is proposed that rather than less anxious, the Lurcher mice are less inhibited than controls when placed in anxiogenic situation and that such poor inhibition could be causally related to changes in HPA system regulation. The overall patterns of our behavioral and endocrinological results thereby provided the evidence that cerebellar circuitry is involved in producing changes in physiological and behavioral stress-related emotional responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Hilber
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de l'Apprentissage, UPRES PSY.CO EA 1780, Université de Rouen UFR Sciences, Place E. Blondel, 76821 Mont Saint Aignan Cedex, France.
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