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Castillo-Vazquez SK, Massieu L, Rincón-Heredia R, García-de la Torre P, Quiroz-Baez R, Gomez-Verjan JC, Rivero-Segura NA. Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Potential Target to Improve Cognitive Impairment in Aging. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103039. [PMID: 38981341 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by the decline in many of the individual's capabilities. It has been recognized that the brain undergoes structural and functional changes during aging that are occasionally associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In this sense, altered glutamatergic neurotransmission, which involves the release, binding, reuptake, and degradation of glutamate (Glu) in the brain, has been widely studied in physiological and pathophysiological aging. In particular, changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission are exacerbated during neurodegenerative diseases and are associated with cognitive impairment, characterized by difficulties in memory, learning, concentration, and decision-making. Thus, in the present manuscript, we aim to highlight the relevance of glutamatergic neurotransmission during cognitive impairment to develop novel strategies to prevent, ameliorate, or delay cognitive decline. To achieve this goal, we provide a comprehensive review of the changes reported in glutamatergic neurotransmission components, such as Glu transporters and receptors during physiological aging and in the most studied neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we describe the current therapeutic strategies developed to target glutamatergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Karime Castillo-Vazquez
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Massieu
- Departamento de Neuropatología Molecular, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ruth Rincón-Heredia
- Unidad de Imagenología, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola García-de la Torre
- 4 Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área de Envejecimiento, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City Mexico
| | - Ricardo Quiroz-Baez
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City, Mexico
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Wang H, Li X, Li J, Yu F, Li Q, Qin M, Gui L, Qian Y, Huang M. Long-term exposure to ionic liquid [C 8mim]Br induces the potential risk of anxiety and memory deterioration through disturbing neurotransmitter systems. Neurotoxicology 2024; 104:66-74. [PMID: 39084264 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2024.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C8mim]Br), one of the ionic liquids (ILs), has been used in various fields as an alternative green solvent of conventional organic solvents. Increased application and stabilization of imidazole ring structure lead to its release into the aquatic environment and long-term retention. Structure-activity relationship consideration suggested that ILs may be acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; however, neurotoxicity in vivo, especially the underlying mechanisms is rarely studied. In this study, the zebrafish were exposed to 2.5-10 mg/L [C8mim]Br for 28 days to comprehensively evaluate the neurotoxicity of ILs on adult zebrafish from the behavioral profiles and neurotransmitter systems for the first time. The results indicate that zebrafish exhibit suppressed spatial working memory and anxious behaviors. To assess the potential neurotoxic mechanisms underlying the behavioral responses of zebrafish, we measured the levels of neurotransmitters and precursors, key enzyme activities, and expression levels of relevant genes. Nissl staining showed significant neural cell death in zebrafish after 28-day [C8mim]Br exposure, with corresponding decreases in the levels of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, glutamate, 5-hydroxytryptophan, gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and norepinephrine). Furthermore, these results were associated with mRNA expression levels of the disrupted neurotransmitter key genes (th, tph2, mao, slc6a3, ache, gad67). Overall, our study determined that [C8mim]Br caused potential mental disorders like anxiety and memory deterioration in zebrafish by impairing neurotransmitter systems, providing recommendations for the industrial production and application of [C8mim]Br.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huangyingzi Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xuhua Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jun Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University of Engineering Science, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Fan Yu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qi Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Mijia Qin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Lin Gui
- Shanghai American School, Pudong District, Shanghai 201201, China
| | - Yajie Qian
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Manhong Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, State Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Pollution Treatment and Control in Textile Industry, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Chujan S, Cholpraipimolrat W, Satayavivad J. Integrated Transcriptomics and Network Analysis Identified Altered Neural Mechanisms in Frontal Aging Brain-Associated Alzheimer's Disease. Biochem Genet 2024; 62:2382-2398. [PMID: 37934339 DOI: 10.1007/s10528-023-10549-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. The late stage of AD typically develops after 60 years of age and AD pathogenesis can be detected predominately in the frontal lobe, which is responsible for memory. Multiple alterations in cellular mechanisms have been associated with AD, but there is no clear information on AD pathogenesis during brain aging. This study aimed to explore the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the frontal lobe of aging brains and to identify shared crucial mechanisms in the aging brain linked to AD pathogenesis. Three datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Biological function analysis was performed by DAVID and KEGG databases. An AD patient's cohort (GSE150696) was collected for verification of the enriched pathway. The results demonstrated that multiple neurochemical synapsis and regulation of the cytoskeleton are linked to AD pathogenesis during aging. Taken together, this study contributes to our further understanding of neural alterations during aging in AD that could be used to develop therapeutics for early intervention to prevent or slow progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suthipong Chujan
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | | | - Jutamaad Satayavivad
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Chulabhorn Research Institute, Bangkok, 10210, Thailand.
- Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology (EHT), OPS, MHESI, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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Tasca CI, Zuccarini M, Di Iorio P, Ciruela F. Lessons from the physiological role of guanosine in neurodegeneration and cancer: Toward a multimodal mechanism of action? Purinergic Signal 2024:10.1007/s11302-024-10033-y. [PMID: 39004650 DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10033-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumours represent important health challenges due to their severe nature and debilitating consequences that require substantial medical care. Interestingly, these conditions share common physiological characteristics, namely increased glutamate, and adenosine transmission, which are often associated with cellular dysregulation and damage. Guanosine, an endogenous nucleoside, is safe and exerts neuroprotective effects in preclinical models of excitotoxicity, along with cytotoxic effects on tumour cells. However, the lack of well-defined mechanisms of action for guanosine hinders a comprehensive understanding of its physiological effects. In fact, the absence of specific receptors for guanosine impedes the development of structure-activity research programs to develop guanosine derivatives for therapeutic purposes. Alternatively, given its apparent interaction with the adenosinergic system, it is plausible that guanosine exerts its neuroprotective and anti-tumorigenic effects by modulating adenosine transmission through undisclosed mechanisms involving adenosine receptors, transporters, and purinergic metabolism. Here, several potential molecular mechanisms behind the protective actions of guanosine will be discussed. First, we explore its potential interaction with adenosine receptors (A1R and A2AR), including the A1R-A2AR heteromer. In addition, we consider the impact of guanosine on extracellular adenosine levels and the role of guanine-based purine-converting enzymes. Collectively, the diverse cellular functions of guanosine as neuroprotective and antiproliferative agent suggest a multimodal and complementary mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Inês Tasca
- Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry-4, Neuroscience Program/Biochemistry Program, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Di Iorio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technologies (CAST), University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Francisco Ciruela
- Pharmacology Unit, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08907 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Neuropharmacology & Pain Group, Neuroscience Program, Bellvitge Institute for Biomedical Research, 08907L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Bellvitge, Spain
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Findley CA, McFadden S.A, Hill T, Peck MR, Quinn K, Hascup KN, Hascup ER. Sexual Dimorphism, Altered Hippocampal Glutamatergic Neurotransmission and Cognitive Impairment in APP Knock-In Mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.05.570100. [PMID: 38106074 PMCID: PMC10723272 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.570100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background It is well established that glutamatergic neurotransmission plays an essential role in learning and memory. Previous studies indicate that glutamate dynamics shift with Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, contributing to negative cognitive outcomes. Objective In this study, we characterized hippocampal glutamatergic signaling with age and disease progression in a knock-in mouse model of AD (APPNL-F/NL-F). Methods At 2-4 and 18+ months old, male and female APPNL/NL, APPNL-F/NL-F, and C57BL/6 mice underwent cognitive assessment using Morris water maze (MWM) and Novel Object Recognition (NOR). Then, basal and 70 mM KCl stimulus-evoked glutamate release was measured in the dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, and CA1 regions of the hippocampus using a glutamate-selective microelectrode in anesthetized mice. Results Glutamate recordings support elevated stimulus-evoked glutamate release in the DG and CA3 of young APPNL-F/NL-F male mice that declined with age compared to age-matched control mice. Young female APPNL-F/NL-F mice exhibited increased glutamate clearance in the CA1 that slowed with age compared to age-matched control mice. Male and female APPNL-F/NL-F mice exhibited decreased CA1 basal glutamate levels, while males also showed depletion in the CA3. Cognitive assessment demonstrated impaired spatial cognition in aged male and female APPNL-F/NL-F mice, but only aged females displayed recognition memory deficits compared to age-matched control mice. Conclusions: These findings confirm a sex-dependent hyper-to-hypoactivation glutamatergic paradigm in APPNL-F/NL-F mice. Further, data illustrate a sexually dimorphic biological aging process resulting in a more severe cognitive phenotype for female APPNL-F/NL-F mice than their male counterparts. Research outcomes mirror that of human AD pathology and provide further evidence of divergent AD pathogenesis between sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caleigh A. Findley
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
- Pharmacology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Samuel .A. McFadden
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Tiarra. Hill
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Mackenzie R. Peck
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Kathleen Quinn
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Kevin N. Hascup
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
- Pharmacology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
- Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
| | - Erin R. Hascup
- Neuroscience Institute, Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Depts of Neurology, Springfield, IL, USA
- Pharmacology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA
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Buck SA, Mabry SJ, Glausier JR, Banks-Tibbs T, Ward C, Kozel JG, Fu C, Fish KN, Lewis DA, Logan RW, Freyberg Z. Aging disrupts the coordination between mRNA and protein expression in mouse and human midbrain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.01.596950. [PMID: 38854057 PMCID: PMC11160743 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.01.596950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Age-related dopamine (DA) neuron loss is a primary feature of Parkinson's disease. However, it remains unclear whether similar biological processes occur during healthy aging, albeit to a lesser degree. We therefore determined whether midbrain DA neurons degenerate during aging in mice and humans. In mice, we identified no changes in midbrain neuron numbers throughout aging. Despite this, we found age-related decreases in midbrain mRNA expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (Th), the rate limiting enzyme of DA synthesis. Among midbrain glutamatergic cells, we similarly identified age-related declines in vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) mRNA expression. In co-transmitting Th +/Vglut2 + neurons, Th and Vglut2 transcripts decreased with aging. Importantly, striatal Th and Vglut2 protein expression remained unchanged. In translating our findings to humans, we found no midbrain neurodegeneration during aging and identified age-related decreases in TH and VGLUT2 mRNA expression similar to mouse. Unlike mice, we discovered diminished density of striatal TH+ dopaminergic terminals in aged human subjects. However, TH and VGLUT2 protein expression were unchanged in the remaining striatal boutons. Finally, in contrast to Th and Vglut2 mRNA, expression of most ribosomal genes in Th + neurons was either maintained or even upregulated during aging. This suggests a homeostatic mechanism where age-related declines in transcriptional efficiency are overcome by ongoing ribosomal translation. Overall, we demonstrate species-conserved transcriptional effects of aging in midbrain dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurons that are not accompanied by marked cell death or lower striatal protein expression. This opens the door to novel therapeutic approaches to maintain neurotransmission and bolster neuronal resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silas A. Buck
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Samuel J. Mabry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jill R. Glausier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tabitha Banks-Tibbs
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Caroline Ward
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jenesis Gayden Kozel
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chen Fu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth N. Fish
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David A. Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ryan W. Logan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Zachary Freyberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Holter KM, Lekander AD, Pierce BE, Sands LP, Gould RW. Use of Quantitative Electroencephalography to Inform Age- and Sex-Related Differences in NMDA Receptor Function Following MK-801 Administration. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:237. [PMID: 38399452 PMCID: PMC10892193 DOI: 10.3390/ph17020237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Sex- and age-related differences in symptom prevalence and severity have been widely reported in patients with schizophrenia, yet the underlying mechanisms contributing to these differences are not well understood. N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor hypofunction contributes to schizophrenia pathology, and preclinical models often use NMDA receptor antagonists, including MK-801, to model all symptom clusters. Quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) represents a translational approach to measure neuronal activity, identify targetable biomarkers in neuropsychiatric disorders and evaluate possible treatments. Abnormalities in gamma power have been reported in patients with schizophrenia and correspond to psychosis and cognitive impairment. Further, as gamma power reflects cortical glutamate and GABA signaling, it is highly sensitive to changes in NMDA receptor function, and NMDA receptor antagonists aberrantly increase gamma power in rodents and humans. To evaluate the role of sex and age on NMDA receptor function, MK-801 (0.03-0.3 mg/kg, SC) was administered to 3- and 9-month-old male and female Sprague-Dawley rats that were implanted with wireless EEG transmitters to measure cortical brain function. MK-801-induced elevations in gamma power were observed in 3-month-old male and female and 9-month-old male rats. In contrast, 9-month-old female rats demonstrated blunted maximal elevations across a wide dose range. Importantly, MK-801-induced hyperlocomotor effects, a common behavioral screen used to examine antipsychotic-like activity, were similar across all groups. Overall, sex-by-age-related differences in gamma power support using qEEG as a translational tool to evaluate pathological progression and predict treatment response across a heterogeneous population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Robert W. Gould
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (K.M.H.)
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Almeida MF, Farizatto KLG, Almeida RS, Bahr BA. Lifestyle strategies to promote proteostasis and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other proteinopathies. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 93:102162. [PMID: 38070831 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Unhealthy lifestyle choices, poor diet, and aging can have negative influences on cognition, gradually increasing the risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the continuum comprising early dementia. Aging is the greatest risk factor for age-related dementias such as Alzheimer's disease, and the aging process is known to be influenced by life events that can positively or negatively affect age-related diseases. Remarkably, life experiences that make the brain vulnerable to dementia, such as seizure episodes, neurotoxin exposures, metabolic disorders, and trauma-inducing events (e.g. traumatic injuries or mild neurotrauma from a fall or blast exposure), have been associated with negative effects on proteostasis and synaptic integrity. Functional compromise of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway, a major contributor to proteostasis, has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, obesity-related pathology, Huntington's disease, as well as in synaptic degeneration which is the best correlate of cognitive decline. Correspondingly, pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies that positively modulate lysosomal proteases are recognized as synaptoprotective through degradative clearance of pathogenic proteins. Here, we discuss life-associated vulnerabilities that influence key hallmarks of brain aging and the increased burden of age-related dementias. Additionally, we discuss exercise and diet among the lifestyle strategies that regulate proteostasis as well as synaptic integrity, leading to evident prevention of cognitive deficits during brain aging in pre-clinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Almeida
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA; Department of Biology, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA; Department of Biology & Marine Biology, and the Integrative, Comparative & Marine Biology Program, University of North Carolina - Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28409, USA
| | - Karen L G Farizatto
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA
| | - Renato S Almeida
- Department of Biosciences, University of Taubate, Taubate, SP 12020-270, Brazil
| | - Ben A Bahr
- Biotechnology Research and Training Center, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA; Department of Biology, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, Pembroke, NC 28372, USA.
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Lin CH, Liao HY, Lane HY, Chen CJ. Elucidating the Mechanisms of Sodium Benzoate in Alzheimer Disease: Insights from Quantitative Proteomics Analysis of Serum Samples. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2023; 26:856-866. [PMID: 37875373 PMCID: PMC10726399 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyad061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) are crucial components of brain function involved in memory and neurotransmission. Sodium benzoate is a promising NMDAR enhancer and has been proven to be a novel, safe, and efficient therapy for patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). However, in addition to the role of sodium benzoate as an NMDA enhancer, other mechanisms of sodium benzoate in treating AD are still unclear. To elucidate the potential mechanisms of sodium benzoate in Alzheimer disease, this study employed label-free quantitative proteomics to analyze serum samples from AD cohorts with and without sodium benzoate treatment. METHODS The serum proteins from each patient were separated into 24 fractions using an immobilized pH gradient, digested with trypsin, and then subjected to nanoLC‒MS/MS to analyze the proteome of all patients. The nanoLC‒MS/MS data were obtained with a label-free quantitative proteomic approach. Proteins with fold changes were analyzed with STRING and Cytoscape to find key protein networks/processes and hub proteins. RESULTS Our analysis identified 861 and 927 protein groups in the benzoate treatment cohort and the placebo cohort, respectively. The results demonstrated that sodium benzoate had the most significant effect on the complement and coagulation cascade pathways, amyloidosis disease, immune responses, and lipid metabolic processes. Moreover, Transthyretin, Fibrinogen alpha chain, Haptoglobin, Apolipoprotein B-100, Fibrinogen beta chain, Apolipoprotein E, and Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein 1 were identified as hub proteins in the protein‒protein interaction networks. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that sodium benzoate may exert its influence on important pathways associated with AD, thus contributing to the improvement in the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Yi Liao
- Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Jung Chen
- Proteomics Core Laboratory, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Burnyasheva AO, Stefanova NA, Kolosova NG, Telegina DV. Changes in the Glutamate/GABA System in the Hippocampus of Rats with Age and during Alzheimer's Disease Signs Development. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:1972-1986. [PMID: 38462444 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297923120027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
GABA and glutamate are the most abundant neurotransmitters in the CNS and play a pivotal part in synaptic stability/plasticity. Glutamate and GABA homeostasis is important for healthy aging and reducing the risk of various neurological diseases, while long-term imbalance can contribute to the development of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Normalization of the homeostasis has been discussed as a promising strategy for prevention and/or treatment of AD, however, data on the changes in the GABAergic and glutamatergic systems with age, as well as on the dynamics of AD development, are limited. It is not clear whether imbalance of the excitatory/inhibitory systems is the cause or the consequence of the disease development. Here we analyzed the age-related alterations of the levels of glutamate, GABA, as well as enzymes that synthesize them (glutaminase, glutamine synthetase, GABA-T, and GAD67), transporters (GLAST, GLT-1, and GAT1), and relevant receptors (GluA1, NMDAR1, NMDA2B, and GABAAr1) in the whole hippocampus of the Wistar rats and of the senescence-accelerated OXYS rats, a model of the most common (> 95%) sporadic AD. Our results suggest that there is a decline in glutamate and GABA signaling with age in hippocampus of the both rat strains. However, we have not identified significant changes or compensatory enhancements in this system in the hippocampus of OXYS rats during the development of neurodegenerative processes that are characteristic of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena O Burnyasheva
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Natalia A Stefanova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
| | - Nataliya G Kolosova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.
| | - Darya V Telegina
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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Chung BT, Kim Y, Gordon JW, Chen HY, Autry AW, Lee PM, Hu JY, Tan CT, Suszczynski C, Chang SM, Villanueva-Meyer JE, Bok RA, Larson PEZ, Xu D, Li Y, Vigneron DB. Hyperpolarized [2- 13C]pyruvate MR molecular imaging with whole brain coverage. Neuroimage 2023; 280:120350. [PMID: 37634883 PMCID: PMC10530049 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperpolarized (HP) 13C Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was applied for the first time to image and quantify the uptake and metabolism of [2-13C]pyruvate in the human brain to provide new metabolic information on cerebral energy metabolism. HP [2-13C]pyruvate was injected intravenously and imaged in 5 healthy human volunteer exams with whole brain coverage in a 1-minute acquisition using a specialized spectral-spatial multi-slice echoplanar imaging (EPI) pulse sequence to acquire 13C-labeled volumetric and dynamic images of [2-13C]pyruvate and downstream metabolites [5-13C]glutamate and [2-13C]lactate. Metabolic ratios and apparent conversion rates of pyruvate-to-lactate (kPL) and pyruvate-to-glutamate (kPG) were quantified to investigate simultaneously glycolytic and oxidative metabolism in a single injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian T Chung
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF - UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, USA
| | - Yaewon Kim
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Jeremy W Gordon
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Hsin-Yu Chen
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Adam W Autry
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Philip M Lee
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF - UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, USA
| | - Jasmine Y Hu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF - UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, USA
| | - Chou T Tan
- ISOTEC Stable Isotope Division, MilliporeSigma, Merck KGaA, Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA
| | - Chris Suszczynski
- ISOTEC Stable Isotope Division, MilliporeSigma, Merck KGaA, Miamisburg, OH 45342, USA
| | - Susan M Chang
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Javier E Villanueva-Meyer
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Robert A Bok
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Peder E Z Larson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF - UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, USA
| | - Duan Xu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF - UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, USA
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Daniel B Vigneron
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, 1700 Fourth Street, Byers Hall Suite 102, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; UCSF - UC Berkeley Graduate Program in Bioengineering, University of California, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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12
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Lane HY, Wang SH, Lin CH. Adjunctive transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) plus sodium benzoate for the treatment of early-phase Alzheimer's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Psychiatry Res 2023; 328:115461. [PMID: 37729717 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies found that an NMDA receptor (NMDAR) enhancer, sodium benzoate, improved cognitive function of patients with early-phase Alzheimer's disease (AD). Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) induces NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity and strengthens cognitive function of AD patients. This study aimed to evaluate efficacy and safety of tDCS plus benzoate in early-phase dementia. In this 24-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 97 patients with early-phase AD received 10-session tDCS during the first 2 weeks. They then took benzoate or placebo for 24 weeks. We assessed the patients using Alzheimer's disease assessment scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change plus Caregiver Input, Mini Mental Status Examination, Alzheimer's disease Cooperative Study scale for ADL in MCI, and a battery of additional cognitive tests. Forty-seven patients received sodium benzoate, and the other 50 placebo. The two treatment groups didn't differ significantly in ADAS-cog or other measures. Addition of benzoate to tDCS didn't get extra benefit or side effect in this study. For more thoroughly studying the potential of combining tDCS with benzoate in the AD treatment, future research should use other study designs, such as longer-term benzoate treatment, adding benzoate in the middle of tDCS trial sessions, or administering benzoate then tDCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry & Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Heng Wang
- National Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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13
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Zacharopoulos G, Sella F, Emir U, Cohen Kadosh R. Dissecting the chain of information processing and its interplay with neurochemicals and fluid intelligence across development. eLife 2023; 12:e84086. [PMID: 37772958 PMCID: PMC10541179 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research has highlighted the role of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in perceptual, cognitive, and motor tasks. However, the exact involvement of these neurochemical mechanisms in the chain of information processing, and across human development, is unclear. In a cross-sectional longitudinal design, we used a computational approach to dissociate cognitive, decision, and visuomotor processing in 293 individuals spanning early childhood to adulthood. We found that glutamate and GABA within the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) explained unique variance in visuomotor processing, with higher glutamate predicting poorer visuomotor processing in younger participants but better visuomotor processing in mature participants, while GABA showed the opposite pattern. These findings, which were neurochemically, neuroanatomically and functionally specific, were replicated ~21 mo later and were generalized in two further different behavioral tasks. Using resting functional MRI, we revealed that the relationship between IPS neurochemicals and visuomotor processing is mediated by functional connectivity in the visuomotor network. We then extended our findings to high-level cognitive behavior by predicting fluid intelligence performance. We present evidence that fluid intelligence performance is explained by IPS GABA and glutamate and is mediated by visuomotor processing. However, this evidence was obtained using an uncorrected alpha and needs to be replicated in future studies. These results provide an integrative biological and psychological mechanistic explanation that links cognitive processes and neurotransmitters across human development and establishes their potential involvement in intelligent behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Zacharopoulos
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- School of Psychology, Swansea UniversitySwanseaUnited Kingdom
| | - Francesco Sella
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- Centre for Mathematical Cognition, Loughborough UniversityLoughboroughUnited Kingdom
| | - Uzay Emir
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Human Sciences, Purdue UniversityWest LafayetteUnited States
| | - Roi Cohen Kadosh
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of OxfordOxfordUnited Kingdom
- School of Psychology, University of SurreyGuildfordUnited Kingdom
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14
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Francos-Quijorna I, Carrasco E, Gabandé-Rodríguez E. Editorial: Molecular and epigenetic mechanisms in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2023; 4:1271714. [PMID: 37645543 PMCID: PMC10461551 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2023.1271714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Francos-Quijorna
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisa Carrasco
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Gabandé-Rodríguez
- Tissue and Organ Homeostasis Program, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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15
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Tian L, Yu T. An integrated deep learning framework for the interpretation of untargeted metabolomics data. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:bbad244. [PMID: 37369636 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbad244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Untargeted metabolomics is gaining widespread applications. The key aspects of the data analysis include modeling complex activities of the metabolic network, selecting metabolites associated with clinical outcome and finding critical metabolic pathways to reveal biological mechanisms. One of the key roadblocks in data analysis is not well-addressed, which is the problem of matching uncertainty between data features and known metabolites. Given the limitations of the experimental technology, the identities of data features cannot be directly revealed in the data. The predominant approach for mapping features to metabolites is to match the mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of data features to those derived from theoretical values of known metabolites. The relationship between features and metabolites is not one-to-one since some metabolites share molecular composition, and various adduct ions can be derived from the same metabolite. This matching uncertainty causes unreliable metabolite selection and functional analysis results. Here we introduce an integrated deep learning framework for metabolomics data that take matching uncertainty into consideration. The model is devised with a gradual sparsification neural network based on the known metabolic network and the annotation relationship between features and metabolites. This architecture characterizes metabolomics data and reflects the modular structure of biological system. Three goals can be achieved simultaneously without requiring much complex inference and additional assumptions: (1) evaluate metabolite importance, (2) infer feature-metabolite matching likelihood and (3) select disease sub-networks. When applied to a COVID metabolomics dataset and an aging mouse brain dataset, our method found metabolic sub-networks that were easily interpretable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leqi Tian
- School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data, Guangdong, China
| | - Tianwei Yu
- School of Data Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Big Data, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Big Data Computing, Guangdong, China
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16
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Lane HY, Wang SH, Lin CH. Differential relationships of NMDAR hypofunction and oxidative stress with cognitive decline. Psychiatry Res 2023; 326:115288. [PMID: 37343463 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
NMDAR hypofunction and oxidative stress are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) regulates NMDAR function. Glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase are three first-line endogenous antioxidants. This study explored the associations of these potential biomarkers with mild cognitive impairment. Cognitive function and blood levels of DAO, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were measured in 63 mild cognitive impairment patients and 24 healthy individuals every 6 months for 2 years. Among the patients, DAO and glutathione levels at baseline contributed to the cognitive decline 2 years later. Among the healthy individuals, only glutathione levels were associated with cognitive change. The four biomarkers differed in change directions (upward vs. downward) in the patients and in the healthy individuals. Among patients, glutathione levels were negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase and positively correlated with catalase, and DAO levels were negatively correlated with superoxide dismutase. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the differential associations of NMDAR hypofunction and oxidative stress with cognitive change between the mild cognitive impairment patients and healthy people. Glutathione may be regarded as an aging marker for both mild cognitive impairment and normal aging; and DAO, a biomarker exclusively for mild cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry & Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Heng Wang
- National Center for Geriatrics and Welfare Research, National Health Research Institutes, Yunlin, Taiwan; College of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
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17
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Hou X, Hayashi R, Itoh M, Tonoki A. Small-molecule screening in aged Drosophila identifies mGluR as a regulator of age-related sleep impairment. Sleep 2023; 46:zsad018. [PMID: 36721967 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsad018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
As a normal physiological phenomenon, aging has a significant impact on sleep. Aging leads to sleep impairment, including sleep loss, fragmented sleep, and a lower arousal threshold, leading to various diseases. Because sleep regulates memory consolidation, age-dependent sleep impairment also affects memory. However, the mechanisms underlying age-related sleep dysregulation and its impact on memory remain unclear. Using male and female Drosophila as a model, which possesses sleep characteristics similar to those of mammals and exhibits age-dependent sleep impairment, we performed small-molecule screening to identify novel regulators of age-dependent decline in sleep. The screening identified 3,3'-difluorobenzaldazine (DFB), a positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) 5, as a novel sleep-promoting compound in aged flies. We found that mutant flies of mGluR, a single mGluR gene in Drosophila, and decreased mGluR expression had significant impairment in sleep and memory due to olfactory conditioning. The decreased sleep phenotype in the mGluR mutants was not promoted by DFB, suggesting that the effects of DFB on age-dependent sleep impairment are dependent on mGluR. Although aging decreases the expression of mGluR and the binding scaffold proteins Homer and Shank, the transient overexpression of mGluR in neurons improves sleep in both young and aged flies. Overall, these findings indicate that age-dependent decreased expression or function of mGluR impairs sleep and memory in flies, which could lead to age-related sleep and memory impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Hou
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Reina Hayashi
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Motoyuki Itoh
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
| | - Ayako Tonoki
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8675, Japan
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18
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Konar-Nié M, Guzman-Castillo A, Armijo-Weingart L, Aguayo LG. Aging in nucleus accumbens and its impact on alcohol use disorders. Alcohol 2023; 107:73-90. [PMID: 36087859 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol is one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world and prolonged excessive ethanol intake might lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which are characterized by neuroadaptations in different brain regions, such as in the reward circuitry. In addition, the global population is aging, and it appears that they are increasing their ethanol consumption. Although research involving the effects of alcohol in aging subjects is limited, differential effects have been described. For example, studies in human subjects show that older adults perform worse in tests assessing working memory, attention, and cognition as compared to younger adults. Interestingly, in the field of the neurobiological basis of ethanol actions, there is a significant dichotomy between what we know about the effects of ethanol on neurochemical targets in young animals and how it might affect them in the aging brain. To be able to understand the distinct effects of ethanol in the aging brain, the following questions need to be answered: (1) How does physiological aging impact the function of an ethanol-relevant region (e.g., the nucleus accumbens)? and (2) How does ethanol affect these neurobiological systems in the aged brain? This review discusses the available data to try to understand how aging affects the nucleus accumbens (nAc) and its neurochemical response to alcohol. The data show that there is little information on the effects of ethanol in aged mice and rats, and that many studies had considered 2-3-month-old mice as adults, which needs to be reconsidered since more recent literature defines 6 months as young adults and >18 months as an older mouse. Considering the actual relevance of an aged worldwide population and that this segment is drinking more frequently, it appears at least reasonable to explore how ethanol affects the brain in adult and aged models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Konar-Nié
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Alejandra Guzman-Castillo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Lorena Armijo-Weingart
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Luis Gerardo Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
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19
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Lane HY, Wang SH, Lin CH. Endogenous antioxidants predicted outcome and increased after treatment: A benzoate dose-finding, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for Alzheimer's disease. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 77:102-109. [PMID: 36335573 PMCID: PMC10099492 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
AIM Previous pilot studies suggest that sodium benzoate may be a potential cognitive enhancer for patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, or late-life depression. Especially for AD treatment, a confirmatory trial with predictive biomarkers is urgently needed. This study aimed to confirm benzoate as a novel treatment for AD and to discover its optimal dose and biomarkers. METHODS A 24-week, dose-finding, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, with clinical measurements at weeks 0, 8, 16, and 24, was conducted in three major medical centers in Taiwan. Among 154 patients screened for AD, 149 were eligible and randomized to one of the four treatments: (i) benzoate 500 group (fixed 500 mg/day); (ii) benzoate 750 (500 mg/day for the first 4 weeks, 750 mg/day from the 5th week); (iii) benzoate 1000 (500 mg/day for the first 4 weeks, 1000 mg/day from the 5th week); and (iv) placebo. The primary outcome measure was AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). RESULTS The benzoate 1000 group performed best in improving ADAS-cog (P = 0.026 at week 24), with female advantage. Higher plasma catalase at baseline predicted better outcome. Benzoate receivers tended to have higher catalase and glutathione than placebo recipients after treatment. The four intervention groups showed similar safety profiles. CONCLUSIONS By enhancing two vital endogenous antioxidants, catalase and glutathione, sodium benzoate therapy improved cognition of patients with AD, with higher baseline catalase predicting better response. Supporting the oxidative stress theory, the results show promise for benzoate as a novel treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry & Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Heng Wang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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20
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Cognitive Healthy Aging in Mice: Boosting Memory by an Ergothioneine-Rich Hericium erinaceus Primordium Extract. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020196. [PMID: 36829475 PMCID: PMC9953177 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Brain aging is a crucial risk factor for several neurodegenerative disorders and dementia. The most affected cognitive function is memory, worsening early during aging. Inflammation and oxidative stress are known to have a role in pathogenesis of cognitive impairments, and a link exists between aging/frailty and immunosenescence/inflammaging. Based on anti-aging properties, medicinal mushrooms represent a source to develop medicines and functional foods. In particular, Hericium erinaceus (He) displays several actions ranging from boosting the immune system to fighting senescence, due to its active ingredients/metabolites. Among these, Ergothioneine (ERGO) is known as the longevity vitamin. Currently, we demonstrated the efficacy of an ERGO-rich He primordium extract (He2) in preventing cognitive decline in a murine model of aging. We focused on recognition memory deterioration during aging, monitored through spontaneous behavioral tests assessing both memory components and frailty index. A parallel significant decrease in key markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, i.e., IL6, TGFβ1, GFAP, Nrf2, SOD1, COX2, NOS2, was revealed in the hippocampus by immunohistochemistry, accompanied by an enhancement of NMDAR1and mGluR2, crucially involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission. In summary, we disclosed a selective, preventive and neuroprotective effect of He2 on aged hippocampus, both on recognition memory as well on inflammation/oxidative stress/glutamate receptors expression.
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21
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Martinovic J, Zaric Kontic M, Dragic M, Todorovic A, Gusevac Stojanovic I, Mitrovic N, Grkovic I, Drakulic D. Chronic oral d-galactose intake provokes age-related changes in the rat prefrontal cortex. Behav Brain Res 2023; 436:114072. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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22
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Kanishka, Jha SK. Compensatory cognition in neurological diseases and aging: A review of animal and human studies. AGING BRAIN 2023; 3:100061. [PMID: 36911258 PMCID: PMC9997140 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Specialized individual circuits in the brain are recruited for specific functions. Interestingly, multiple neural circuitries continuously compete with each other to acquire the specialized function. However, the dominant among them compete and become the central neural network for that particular function. For example, the hippocampal principal neural circuitries are the dominant networks among many which are involved in learning processes. But, in the event of damage to the principal circuitry, many times, less dominant networks compensate for the primary network. This review highlights the psychopathologies of functional loss and the aspects of functional recuperation in the absence of the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanishka
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
| | - Sushil K Jha
- School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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23
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Lane HY, Lin CH. Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease Specifically and Sensitively With pLG72 and Cystine/Glutamate Antiporter SLC7A11 AS Blood Biomarkers. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 26:1-8. [PMID: 35986919 PMCID: PMC9850657 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reliable blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been lacking. The D-amino acids oxidase modulator (named pLG72) modulates glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity. The cystine/glutamate antiporter contains a SLC7A11 subunit, which mediates glutamate release. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of pLG72 protein and SLC7A11 mRNA in diagnosing AD. METHODS This study enrolled 130 healthy controls and 109 unmatched AD patients; among them, 40 controls and 70 patients were selected to match by age. We measured their pLG72 protein in plasma and SLC7A11 mRNA in white blood cells. RESULTS AD patients had markedly higher pLG72 levels and SLC7A11 mRNA ΔCT values than healthy controls (in both unmatched and matched cohorts; all 4 P values <.001). The receiver operating characteristics analysis in the unmatched cohorts demonstrated that the pLG72 level had a high specificity (0.900) at the optimal cutoff value of 2.3285, the ΔCT of SLC7A11 mRNA displayed an excellent sensitivity (0.954) at the cutoff of 12.185, and the combined value of pLG72 and SLC7A11 ΔCT determined a favorable area under the curve (AUC) (0.882) at the cutoff of 21.721. The AUC of the combined value surpassed that of either biomarker. The specificity, sensitivity, and AUC of the matched cohort were like those of the unmatched cohort. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest that pLG72 protein and SLC7A11 mRNA can distinguish AD patients from healthy controls with excellent specificity and sensitivity, respectively. The combination of pLG72 and SLC7A11 yields better AUC than either, suggesting the superiority of simultaneously measuring both biomarkers in identifying AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan,Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Correspondence: Chieh-Hsin Lin, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, No. 123, Da-Pi Rd, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan ()
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24
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Monteverdi A, Palesi F, Costa A, Vitali P, Pichiecchio A, Cotta Ramusino M, Bernini S, Jirsa V, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott CAM, D’Angelo E. Subject-specific features of excitation/inhibition profiles in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:868342. [PMID: 35992607 PMCID: PMC9391060 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.868342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain pathologies are characterized by microscopic changes in neurons and synapses that reverberate into large scale networks altering brain dynamics and functional states. An important yet unresolved issue concerns the impact of patients' excitation/inhibition profiles on neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's Disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In this work, we used The Virtual Brain (TVB) simulation platform to simulate brain dynamics in healthy and neurodegenerative conditions and to extract information about the excitatory/inhibitory balance in single subjects. The brain structural and functional connectomes were extracted from 3T-MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans and TVB nodes were represented by a Wong-Wang neural mass model endowing an explicit representation of the excitatory/inhibitory balance. Simulations were performed including both cerebral and cerebellar nodes and their structural connections to explore cerebellar impact on brain dynamics generation. The potential for clinical translation of TVB derived biophysical parameters was assessed by exploring their association with patients' cognitive performance and testing their discriminative power between clinical conditions. Our results showed that TVB biophysical parameters differed between clinical phenotypes, predicting higher global coupling and inhibition in Alzheimer's Disease and stronger N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent excitation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. These physio-pathological parameters allowed us to perform an advanced analysis of patients' conditions. In backward regressions, TVB-derived parameters significantly contributed to explain the variation of neuropsychological scores and, in discriminant analysis, the combination of TVB parameters and neuropsychological scores significantly improved the discriminative power between clinical conditions. Moreover, cluster analysis provided a unique description of the excitatory/inhibitory balance in individual patients. Importantly, the integration of cerebro-cerebellar loops in simulations improved TVB predictive power, i.e., the correlation between experimental and simulated functional connectivity in all pathological conditions supporting the cerebellar role in brain function disrupted by neurodegeneration. Overall, TVB simulations reveal differences in the excitatory/inhibitory balance of individual patients that, combined with cognitive assessment, can promote the personalized diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Monteverdi
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Fulvia Palesi
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Alfredo Costa
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Paolo Vitali
- Department of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Pichiecchio
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Advanced Imaging and Radiomic Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Matteo Cotta Ramusino
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Unit of Behavioral Neurology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Bernini
- Dementia Research Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Viktor Jirsa
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, INSERM, INS, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France
| | - Claudia A. M. Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- NMR Research Unit, Department of Neuroinflammation, Queen Square MS Centre, University College London (UCL) Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Egidio D’Angelo
- Brain Connectivity Center, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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25
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Huffels CFM, van Dijk RE, Karst H, Meye FJ, Hol EM, Middeldorp J. Systemic Injection of Aged Blood Plasma in Adult C57BL/6 Mice Induces Neurophysiological Impairments in the Hippocampal CA1. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 89:283-297. [PMID: 35871343 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aging is characterized by systemic alterations and forms an important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Recently, it has been indicated that blood-borne factors present in the systemic milieu contribute to the aging process. Exposing young mice to aged blood plasma results in impaired neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus, as well as impaired cognition. Vice versa, treating aged mice with young blood plasma rescues impairments associated with aging. OBJECTIVE Whether blood-borne factors are sufficient to drive impairments outside the dentate gyrus, how they impact neurophysiology, and how the functional outcome compares to impairments found in mouse models for AD is still unclear. METHODS Here, we treated adult mice with blood plasma from aged mice and assessed neurophysiological parameters in the hippocampal CA1. RESULTS Mice treated with aged blood plasma show significantly impaired levels of long-term potentiation (LTP), similar to those present in APP/PS1 mice. These impaired levels of LTP in plasma-treated mice are associated with alterations in basic properties of glutamatergic transmission and the enhanced activity of voltage-gated Ca2 + channels. CONCLUSION Together, the data presented in this study show that blood-borne factors are sufficient to drive neurophysiological impairments in the hippocampal CA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan F M Huffels
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roland E van Dijk
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Henk Karst
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank J Meye
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elly M Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurobiology & Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, The Netherlands
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26
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Cox MF, Hascup ER, Bartke A, Hascup KN. Friend or Foe? Defining the Role of Glutamate in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease. FRONTIERS IN AGING 2022; 3:929474. [PMID: 35821835 PMCID: PMC9261322 DOI: 10.3389/fragi.2022.929474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a naturally occurring decline of physiological processes and biological pathways that affects both the structural and functional integrity of the body and brain. These physiological changes reduce motor skills, executive function, memory recall, and processing speeds. Aging is also a major risk factor for multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Identifying a biomarker, or biomarkers, that signals the transition from physiological to pathological aging would aid in earlier therapeutic options or interventional strategies. Considering the importance of glutamate signaling in synaptic plasticity, motor movement, and cognition, this neurotransmitter serves as a juncture between cognitive health and disease. This article discusses glutamatergic signaling during physiological aging and the pathological changes observed in AD patients. Findings from studies in mouse models of successful aging and AD are reviewed and provide a biological context for this transition. Finally, current techniques to monitor brain glutamate are highlighted. These techniques may aid in elucidating time-point specific therapeutic windows to modify disease outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- MaKayla F. Cox
- Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Erin R. Hascup
- Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Andrzej Bartke
- Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
| | - Kevin N. Hascup
- Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Institute, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Kevin N. Hascup,
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27
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Lin CH, Lane HY. Blood D-Amino Acid Oxidase Levels Increased With Cognitive Decline Among People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Two-Year Prospective Study. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2022; 25:660-665. [PMID: 35430632 PMCID: PMC9380713 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyac027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) neurotransmission has been reported to be implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), responsible for degradation of NMDAR-related D-amino acids such as D-serine, regulates NMDAR function. A cross-section study found that serum DAO levels were positively related with the severity of cognitive aging among elderly individuals. This 2-year prospective study aimed to explore the role of DAO levels in predicting the outcome of patients with very early-phase AD, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS Fifty-one patients with MCI and 21 healthy individuals were recruited. Serum DAO levels and cognitive function, measured by the AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale and the Mini-Mental Status Examination, were monitored every 6 months. We employed multiple regressions to examine the role of DAO concentration in cognitive decline in the 2-year period. RESULTS From baseline to endpoint (24 months), serum DAO levels increased significantly, and cognitive ability declined according to both cognitive tests in the MCI patients. Among the healthy individuals, DAO concentrations also increased and Mini-Mental Status Examination scores declined; however, AD assessment scale-cognitive subscale scores did not significantly change. Further, DAO levels at both months 12 and 18 were predictive of cognitive impairment at month 24 among the MCI patients. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that blood DAO levels increased with cognitive deterioration among the MCI patients in a prospective manner. If replicated by future studies, blood DAO concentration may be regarded as a biomarker for monitoring cognitive change in the patients with MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Correspondence: Hsien-Yuan Lane, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yuh-Der Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan ()
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28
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Kim YJ, Park BS, Song N, Tu TH, Lee S, Kim JK, Kim JG. Metabolic profiling in the hypothalamus of aged mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 599:134-141. [PMID: 35182939 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.02.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metabolic abnormalities are tightly connected to the perturbation of normal brain functions, thereby causing multiple neurodegenerative diseases. The hypothalamus is the master unit that controls the whole-body energy homeostasis. Thus, altered metabolic activity in the hypothalamus could be a crucial clue to better understand the development of metabolic disorders during aging. The current study aimed to investigate the changes in hypothalamic metabolites according to the aging process using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We identified that multiple metabolites and neurotransmitters were effectively reduced in the hypothalamus of aged mice. In addition, we observed increased levels of genes linked to the production and utilization of monocarboxylates in the aged hypothalamus, indicating the initiation of metabolic activity to produce alternative nutrient sources. Lastly, we found a reduced number of astrocytes in the hypothalamus of aged mice, suggesting that reduced nutrient availability in the hypothalamus might be associated with the decreased activity of astrocytes during aging. Collectively, the present study suggests that the deterioration of metabolic activities in the hypothalamus might be a primary cause and/or outcome of metabolic diseases associated with the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Jin Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Byong Seo Park
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Nuri Song
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Thai Hien Tu
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Sewon Lee
- Division of Sport Science, College of Arts & Physical Education, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Jae Kwang Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea
| | - Jae Geun Kim
- Division of Life Sciences, College of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, South Korea.
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29
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Kara F, Joers JM, Deelchand DK, Park YW, Przybelski SA, Lesnick TG, Senjem ML, Zeydan B, Knopman DS, Lowe VJ, Vemuri P, Mielke MM, Machulda MM, Jack CR, Petersen RC, Öz G, Kantarci K. 1H MR spectroscopy biomarkers of neuronal and synaptic function are associated with tau deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 112:16-26. [PMID: 35038671 PMCID: PMC8976711 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) may provide information on pathophysiological changes associated with tau deposition in cognitively unimpaired older adults. In this study, the associations of posterior cingulate gyrus tau and amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition on PET with 1H MRS metabolite ratios acquired from bilateral posterior cingulate gyri were investigated in cognitively unimpaired older adults. Participants (n = 40) from the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging underwent single-voxel sLASER 1H MRS from the posterior cingulate gyrus at 3 Tesla, 18F-flortaucipir, and 11C- Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) PET. An increase in posterior cingulate gyrus tau deposition, but not elevated Aβ, was associated with lower N-acetylaspartate/total creatine (tCr) and glutamate (Glu)/tCr ratios, and sex by tau interaction was observed in association with Glu/tCr. Higher tau levels in cognitively unimpaired older adults are associated with biomarkers of neural and synaptic injury even in the absence of cognitive impairment and these relationships appear to be stronger in women than in men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firat Kara
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - James M Joers
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Dinesh K Deelchand
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Young Woo Park
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Scott A Przybelski
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Timothy G Lesnick
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Matthew L Senjem
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Information Technology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Burcu Zeydan
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - David S Knopman
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Val J Lowe
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Michelle M Mielke
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mary M Machulda
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic-Minnesota, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Gülin Öz
- Department of Radiology, Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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30
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Fading memories in aging and neurodegeneration: Is p75 neurotrophin receptor a culprit? Ageing Res Rev 2022; 75:101567. [PMID: 35051645 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases have become one of the major concerns in modern times as cognitive abilities tend to decline when we get older. It is well known that the main cause of this age-related cognitive deficit is due to aberrant changes in cellular, molecular circuitry and signaling pathways underlying synaptic plasticity and neuronal connections. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is one of the important mediators regulating the fate of the neurons in the nervous system. Its importance in neuronal apoptosis is well documented. However, the mechanisms involving the regulation of p75NTR in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function remain obscure, although cognitive impairment has been associated with a higher expression of p75NTR in neurons. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of how neurons are influenced by p75NTR function to maintain normal neuronal synaptic strength and connectivity, particularly to support learning and memory in the hippocampus. We then discuss the age-associated alterations in neurophysiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and cognitive function. Furthermore, we also describe current evidence that has begun to elucidate how p75NTR regulates synaptic changes in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on the hippocampus. Elucidating the role that p75NTR signaling plays in regulating synaptic plasticity will contribute to a better understanding of cognitive processes and pathological conditions. This will in turn provide novel approaches to improve therapies for the treatment of neurological diseases in which p75NTR dysfunction has been demonstrated.
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31
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Ghasemian-Shirvan E, Mosayebi-Samani M, Farnad L, Kuo MF, Meesen RL, Nitsche MA. Age-dependent non-linear neuroplastic effects of cathodal tDCS in the elderly population; a titration study. Brain Stimul 2022; 15:296-305. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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32
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Sakelaris BG, Li Z, Sun J, Banerjee S, Booth V, Gourgou E. Modelling learning in C. elegans chemosensory and locomotive circuitry for T-maze navigation. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:354-376. [PMID: 34894022 PMCID: PMC9269982 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently, a new type of Caenorhabditis elegans associative learning was reported, where nematodes learn to reach a target arm in an empty T‐maze, after they have successfully located reward (food) in the same side arm of a similar, baited, training maze. Here, we present a simplified mathematical model of C. elegans chemosensory and locomotive circuitry that replicates C. elegans navigation in a T‐maze and predicts the underlying mechanisms generating maze learning. Based on known neural circuitry, the model circuit responds to food‐released chemical cues by modulating motor neuron activity that drives simulated locomotion. We show that, through modulation of interneuron activity, such a circuit can mediate maze learning by acquiring a turning bias, even after a single training session. Simulated nematode maze navigation during training conditions in food‐baited mazes and during testing conditions in empty mazes is validated by comparing simulated behaviour with new experimental video data, extracted through the implementation of a custom‐made maze tracking algorithm. Our work provides a mathematical framework for investigating the neural mechanisms underlying this novel learning behaviour in C. elegans. Model results predict neuronal components involved in maze and spatial learning and identify target neurons and potential neural mechanisms for future experimental investigations into this learning behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zongyu Li
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Jiawei Sun
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Shurjo Banerjee
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Victoria Booth
- Department of Mathematics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.,Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Eleni Gourgou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.,Institute of Gerontology, Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
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33
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Frontal neural metabolite changes in schizophrenia and their association with cognitive control: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:224-247. [PMID: 34864431 PMCID: PMC8830497 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
GABA levels are decreased in medial frontal brain areas of schizophrenia patients. Glutamate levels are lower in medial and lateral frontal areas in chronic patients. Working memory performance is associated with frontal GABA and Glu. Prediction errors are associated Glu and medial frontal GABA. Processing speed correlates with medial frontal GABA levels.
A large proportion of patients with schizophrenia exhibit deficits in cognitive control functions including working memory, processing speed and inhibitory control, which have been associated with frontal brain areas. In this systematic review, we investigated differences between chronic schizophrenia patients, first-episode (FEP) patients and healthy control groups in the neurometabolite levels of GABA, glutamate, glutamine and Glx in frontal brain areas. Additionally, we reviewed correlations between cognitive control functions or negative symptoms and these neurometabolite levels. Several studies reported decreased GABA or glutamate concentrations in frontal lobe areas, particularly in chronic schizophrenia patients, while the results were mixed for FEP patients. Working memory performance and prediction errors have been associated with frontal GABA and glutamate levels, and processing speed with frontomedial GABA levels in chronic patients. The relationship between metabolites and negative symptom severity was somewhat inconsistent. Future studies should take the participants' age, medication status or responsivity, disease stage and precise anatomical location of the voxel into account when comparing neurometabolite levels between schizophrenia patients and healthy controls.
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34
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Chang CH, Liu CY, Chen SJ, Tsai HC. Effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor enhancing agents on cognition in dementia: an exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22996. [PMID: 34836972 PMCID: PMC8626464 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02040-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor enhancing agents have had promising effects on cognition among patients with dementia. However, the results remain inconsistent. This exploratory meta-analysis investigated the effectiveness of NMDA receptor enhancing agents for cognitive function. PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Controlled trials assessing add-on NMDA receptor enhancing agent treatment in patients with dementia and using cognition rating scales were eligible and pooled using a random-effect model for comparisons. The standardized mean difference (SMD) was calculated in each study from the effect size; positive values indicated that NMDA receptor enhancing agent treatment improved cognitive function. Funnel plots and the I2 statistic were evaluated for statistical heterogeneity. Moderators were evaluated using meta-regression. We identified 14 RCTs with 2224 participants meeting the inclusion criteria. Add-on NMDA receptor enhancing agents had small positive significant effects on overall cognitive function among patients with dementia (SMD = 0.1002, 95% CI 0.0105-0.1900, P = 0.02860). Subgroup meta-analysis showed patients with Alzheimer's Disease and trials using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale as the primary outcome had small positive significant effects (SMD = 0.1042, 95% CI 0.0076-0.2007, P = 0.03451; SMD = 0.1267, 95% CI 0.0145-0.2388, P = 0.2686). This exploratory meta-analysis showed a very small, positive, and significant effect on overall cognition function in patients with dementia. Studies with larger samples are needed to evaluate different cognitive domains and phases of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Hung Chang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, ROC.,An Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chieh-Yu Liu
- Biostatistics Consultant Lab, Department of Health Care Management, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Sciences, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shaw-Ji Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan, ROC.,Department of Medicine, Mackay Medical College, New Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsin-Chi Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien City, Taiwan, ROC. .,Institute of Medical Science, Tzu-Chi University, No. 707, Sec. 3, Chung Yang Rd., Hualien 970, Taiwan, ROC.
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Cuestas Torres DM, Cardenas FP. Synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging. Rev Neurosci 2021; 31:245-268. [PMID: 32250284 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2019-0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The strength and efficiency of synaptic connections are affected by the environment or the experience of the individual. This property, called synaptic plasticity, is directly related to memory and learning processes and has been modeled at the cellular level. These types of cellular memory and learning models include specific stimulation protocols that generate a long-term strengthening of the synapses, called long-term potentiation, or a weakening of the said long-term synapses, called long-term depression. Although, for decades, researchers have believed that the main cause of the cognitive deficit that characterizes Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aging was the loss of neurons, the hypothesis of an imbalance in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of synaptic plasticity underlying this deficit is currently widely accepted. An understanding of the molecular and cellular changes underlying the process of synaptic plasticity during the development of AD and aging will direct future studies to specific targets, resulting in the development of much more efficient and specific therapeutic strategies. In this review, we classify, discuss, and describe the main findings related to changes in the neurophysiological mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in excitatory synapses underlying AD and aging. In addition, we suggest possible mechanisms in which aging can become a high-risk factor for the development of AD and how its development could be prevented or slowed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Marcela Cuestas Torres
- Departamento de Psicología and Departamento de Biología, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1 N° 18A-12, CP 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Fernando P Cardenas
- Departamento de Psicología, Laboratorio de Neurociencia y Comportamiento, Universidad de los Andes, Cra 1 N° 18A-12, CP 111711, Bogotá, Colombia
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Differential Retinoic Acid Signaling in the Hippocampus of Aged Rats with and without Memory Impairment. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0120-21.2021. [PMID: 34417282 PMCID: PMC8442538 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0120-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA), a metabolite of vitamin A, has many physiological functions, and mounting evidence points to important roles in cognition. In vitro experiments indicate that RA is involved in homeostatic synaptic scaling in the hippocampus, which supports overall network stability during learning. It has been previously determined that disrupted RA signaling in the hippocampus causes deterioration of memory, that RA signaling declines with age in brain, and that application of RA reverses this decline. Here, we explore whether RA signaling is altered in an animal model of neurocognitive aging. We used a Morris water maze protocol to study cognitive decline in aged rats, which assesses hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and reveals substantial interindividual differences in aged animals. Aged unimpaired (AU) rats perform on par with young (Y), while aged impaired (AI) animals exhibit spatial memory deficits. We show that the major substrate for RA, retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), is decreased in AU rats, and retinol cell surface receptor declines with chronological age. Other affected components of RA signaling include selective increases in AI animals in hippocampal synthesis (RALDH1) and catabolism of RA (CYP26B1), RA receptor α, the RA regulated ionotropic glutamate receptor (GluR1), as well as fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). The results support the conclusion that, surprisingly, increased RA signaling in the aged hippocampus is associated with poor cognitive outcome.
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Moiseev KY, Spirichev AA, Vishnyakova PA, Pankrasheva LG, Masliukov PM. Changes of discharge properties of neurons from dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei during aging in rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 762:136168. [PMID: 34389479 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamus is a vital brain center that is participated in the integration of the endocrine and nervous systems and control of the homeostasis and aging. Spontaneous firing activity from single neurons of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMN) was studied extracellularly in vivo in urethane-anaesthetized rats. The discharge patterns of the majority of DMN neurons were irregular, including periods of relatively stable activity interrupted by pauses. Based on the features of interval interspike histogram, we have selected neurons with an irregular arrhythmic activity (50% in young, 46% in adult and 44% in aged rats), with a constant rhythmic activity (18% of neurons in young, 19% in adult and 23% in aged rats), with a wide interspike interval distribution (22% in young, 26% in adult and 25% in aged rats) and cells with bursts of two or three spikes (10% in young, 9% in adult and 8% in aged rats). The firing rate of DMN neurons was 2.5 ± 0.12 Hz in young and 2.4 ± 0.21 Hz in adult rats and significantly decreased to 1.8 ± 0.17 Hz in aged rats.
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Age-related changes in motor cortex plasticity assessed with non-invasive brain stimulation: an update and new perspectives. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:2661-2678. [PMID: 34269850 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06163-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
It is commonly accepted that the brains capacity to change, known as plasticity, declines into old age. Recent studies have used a variety of non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques to examine this age-related decline in plasticity in the primary motor cortex (M1), but the effects seem inconsistent and difficult to unravel. The purpose of this review is to provide an update on studies that have used different NIBS techniques to assess M1 plasticity with advancing age and offer some new perspective on NIBS strategies to boost plasticity in the ageing brain. We find that early studies show clear differences in M1 plasticity between young and older adults, but many recent studies with motor training show no decline in use-dependent M1 plasticity with age. For NIBS-induced plasticity in M1, some protocols show more convincing differences with advancing age than others. Therefore, our view from the NIBS literature is that it should not be automatically assumed that M1 plasticity declines with age. Instead, the effects of age are likely to depend on how M1 plasticity is measured, and the characteristics of the elderly population tested. We also suggest that NIBS performed concurrently with motor training is likely to be most effective at producing improvements in M1 plasticity and motor skill learning in older adults. Proposed NIBS techniques for future studies include combining multiple NIBS protocols in a co-stimulation approach, or NIBS strategies to modulate intracortical inhibitory mechanisms, in an effort to more effectively boost M1 plasticity and improve motor skill learning in older adults.
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Gasiorowska A, Wydrych M, Drapich P, Zadrozny M, Steczkowska M, Niewiadomski W, Niewiadomska G. The Biology and Pathobiology of Glutamatergic, Cholinergic, and Dopaminergic Signaling in the Aging Brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:654931. [PMID: 34326765 PMCID: PMC8315271 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.654931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The elderly population is growing worldwide, with important health and socioeconomic implications. Clinical and experimental studies on aging have uncovered numerous changes in the brain, such as decreased neurogenesis, increased synaptic defects, greater metabolic stress, and enhanced inflammation. These changes are associated with cognitive decline and neurobehavioral deficits. Although aging is not a disease, it is a significant risk factor for functional worsening, affective impairment, disease exaggeration, dementia, and general disease susceptibility. Conversely, life events related to mental stress and trauma can also lead to accelerated age-associated disorders and dementia. Here, we review human studies and studies on mice and rats, such as those modeling human neurodegenerative diseases, that have helped elucidate (1) the dynamics and mechanisms underlying the biological and pathological aging of the main projecting systems in the brain (glutamatergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic) and (2) the effect of defective glutamatergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic projection on disabilities associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of age-related diseases can be an important element in the development of effective ways of treatment. In this context, we briefly analyze which adverse changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases in the cholinergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic systems could be targeted by therapeutic strategies developed as a result of our better understanding of these damaging mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gasiorowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Wydrych
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Drapich
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Zadrozny
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Steczkowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Niewiadomski
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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Ramos P, Pinto E, Santos A, Almeida A. Reference values for trace element levels in the human brain: A systematic review of the literature. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2021; 66:126745. [PMID: 33813265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2021.126745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Some trace elements (TE) are eminently toxic for humans (e.g., Al, Pb, Hg, Cd) and its presence in the central nervous system has been linked to the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases (ND). More recently, the focus has shifted to the potential role of the imbalances on essential TE levels (e.g., Fe, Cu, Zn, Se) within the brain tissue, and they have also been identified as potentially responsible for the cognitive decline associated with normal ageing and the development of some ND, although their definite role remains unclear. Accurately, well-defined reference values for TE levels in human body fluids and tissues are indispensable to identify possible disturbances in individual cases. Moreover, since the brain is a highly heterogeneous organ, with anatomically and physiologically very different areas, a detailed mapping of TE distribution across the brain tissue of normal individuals, with an in-depth analysis of TE levels in the different brain regions, is a mandatory prior work so that the results obtained from patients suffering from ND and other brain diseases can be interpreted. This review aims to compile and summarize the available data regarding TE levels in the different human brain regions of "normal" (non-diseased) individuals in order to contribute to the establishment of robust reference values. Fifty-four studies, published since 1960, were considered. The results showed a great variability between different studies. The potential sources of this variability are discussed. The need for increased harmonization of experimental strategies is highlighted in order to improve the comparability of the data obtained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Ramos
- LAQV / REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Edgar Pinto
- LAQV / REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal; Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, P.Porto, CISA/Research Center in Environment and Health, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Santos
- National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences, North Branch, Jardim Carrilho Videira, 4050-167, Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Almeida
- LAQV / REQUIMTE, Department of Chemical Sciences, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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Chu SF, Zhang Z, Zhou X, He WB, Yang B, Cui LY, He HY, Wang ZZ, Chen NH. Low corticosterone levels attenuate late life depression and enhance glutamatergic neurotransmission in female rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:848-860. [PMID: 33028984 PMCID: PMC8149629 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00536-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained elevation of corticosterone (CORT) is one of the common causes of aging and major depression disorder. However, the role of elevated CORT in late life depression (LLD) has not been elucidated. In this study, 18-month-old female rats were subjected to bilateral adrenalectomy or sham surgery. Their CORT levels in plasma were adjusted by CORT replacement and the rats were divided into high-level CORT (H-CORT), low-level CORT (L-CORT), and Sham group. We showed that L-CORT rats displayed attenuated depressive symptoms and memory defects in behavioral tests as compared with Sham or H-CORT rats. Furthermore, we showed that glutamatergic transmission was enhanced in L-CORT rats, evidenced by enhanced population spike amplitude (PSA) recorded from the dentate gyrus of hippocampus in vivo and increased glutamate release from hippocampal synaptosomes caused by high frequency stimulation or CORT exposure. Intracerebroventricular injection of an enzymatic glutamate scavenger system, glutamic-pyruvic transmine (GPT, 1 μM), significantly increased the PSA in Sham rats, suggesting that extracelluar accumulation of glutamate might be the culprit of impaired glutamatergic transmission, which was dependent on the uptake by Glt-1 in astrocytes. We revealed that hippocampal Glt-1 expression level in the L-CORT rats was much higher than in Sham and H-CORT rats. In a gradient neuron-astrocyte coculture, we found that the expression of Glt-1 was decreased with the increase of neural percentage, suggesting that impairment of Glt-1 might result from the high level of CORT contributed neural damage. In sham rats, administration of DHK that inhibited Glt-1 activity induced significant LLD symptoms, whereas administration of RIL that promoted glutamate uptake significantly attenuated LLD. All of these results suggest that glutamatergic transmission impairment is one of important pathogenesis in LLD induced by high level of CORT, which provide promising clues for the treatment of LLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Feng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wen-Bin He
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Characteristic Medical Center of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300300, China
| | - Li-Yuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong-Yuan He
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Nai-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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Changes in Intermuscular Coherence as a Function of Age and Phase of Speech Production During an Overt Reading Task. Motor Control 2021; 25:295-314. [PMID: 33690169 DOI: 10.1123/mc.2020-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The authors evaluated changes in intermuscular coherence (IMC) of orofacial and speech breathing muscles across phase of speech production in healthy younger and older adults. METHOD Sixty adults (30 younger = M: 26.97 year; 30 older = M: 66.37 year) read aloud a list of 40 words. IMC was evaluated across phase: preparation (300 ms before speech onset), initiation (300 ms after onset), and total execution (entire word). RESULTS Orofacial IMC was lowest in the initiation, higher in preparation, and highest for the total execution phase. Chest wall IMC was lowest for the preparation and initiation and highest for the total execution phase. Despite age-related differences in accuracy, neuromuscular modulation for phase was similar between groups. CONCLUSION These results expand our knowledge of speech motor control by demonstrating that IMC is sensitive to phase of speech planning and production.
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Zhang F, Kerbl-Knapp J, Akhmetshina A, Korbelius M, Kuentzel KB, Vujić N, Hörl G, Paar M, Kratky D, Steyrer E, Madl T. Tissue-Specific Landscape of Metabolic Dysregulation during Ageing. Biomolecules 2021; 11:235. [PMID: 33562384 PMCID: PMC7914945 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysregulation of cellular metabolism is a hallmark of ageing. To understand the metabolic changes that occur as a consequence of the ageing process and to find biomarkers for age-related diseases, we conducted metabolomic analyses of the brain, heart, kidney, liver, lung and spleen in young (9-10 weeks) and old (96-104 weeks) wild-type mice [mixed genetic background of 129/J and C57BL/6] using NMR spectroscopy. We found differences in the metabolic fingerprints of all tissues and distinguished several metabolites to be altered in most tissues, suggesting that they may be universal biomarkers of ageing. In addition, we found distinct tissue-clustered sets of metabolites throughout the organism. The associated metabolic changes may reveal novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of ageing and age-related diseases. Moreover, the identified metabolite biomarkers could provide a sensitive molecular read-out to determine the age of biologic tissues and organs and to validate the effectiveness and potential off-target effects of senolytic drug candidates on both a systemic and tissue-specific level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangrong Zhang
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Jakob Kerbl-Knapp
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Alena Akhmetshina
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Melanie Korbelius
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Katharina Barbara Kuentzel
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Nemanja Vujić
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Gerd Hörl
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Physiological Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (G.H.); (M.P.)
| | - Margret Paar
- Otto-Loewi Research Center, Physiological Chemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (G.H.); (M.P.)
| | - Dagmar Kratky
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Ernst Steyrer
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
| | - Tobias Madl
- Gottfried Schatz Research Center for Cell Signaling, Metabolism and Ageing, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria; (F.Z.); (J.K.-K.); (A.A.); (M.K.); (K.B.K.); (N.V.); (D.K.); (E.S.)
- BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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Lane HY, Tu CH, Lin WC, Lin CH. Brain Activity of Benzoate, a D-Amino Acid Oxidase Inhibitor, in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:392-399. [PMID: 33406269 PMCID: PMC8130199 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current anti-dementia drugs cannot benefit mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Sodium benzoate (a D-amino acid oxidase [DAO] inhibitor) has been found to improve the cognitive function of patients with early-phase Alzheimer's disease (mild Alzheimer's disease or MCI). However, its effect on brain function remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of benzoate on functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with amnestic MCI. METHODS This was a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that enrolled 21 patients with amnestic MCI and allocated them randomly to either of 2 treatment groups: (1) benzoate group (250-1500 mg/d), or (2) placebo group. We assessed the patients' working memory, verbal learning and memory, and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and regional homogeneity (ReHo) maps at baseline and endpoint. RESULTS Resting-state ReHo decreased in right orbitofrontal cortex after benzoate treatment but did not change after placebo. Moreover, after benzoate treatment, the change in working memory was positively correlated with the change in ReHo in right precentral gyrus and right middle occipital gyrus; and the change in verbal learning and memory was positively correlated with the change in ReHo in left precuneus. In contrast, after placebo treatment, the change in working memory or in verbal learning and memory was not correlated with the change in ReHo in any brain region. CONCLUSION The current study is the first to our knowledge to demonstrate that a DAO inhibitor, sodium benzoate herein, can alter brain activity as well as cognitive functions in individuals with MCI. The preliminary finding lends supports for DAO inhibition as a novel approach for early dementing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan ,Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan ,Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Hao Tu
- Graduate Institute of Acupuncture Science, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Che Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Radiology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan,School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan ,Correspondence: Chieh-Hsin Lin, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, No. 123, Dapi Rd., Niaosong District, Kaohsiung City, 833, Taiwan ()
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Talyansky S, Brinkman BAW. Dysregulation of excitatory neural firing replicates physiological and functional changes in aging visual cortex. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008620. [PMID: 33497380 PMCID: PMC7864437 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian visual system has been the focus of countless experimental and theoretical studies designed to elucidate principles of neural computation and sensory coding. Most theoretical work has focused on networks intended to reflect developing or mature neural circuitry, in both health and disease. Few computational studies have attempted to model changes that occur in neural circuitry as an organism ages non-pathologically. In this work we contribute to closing this gap, studying how physiological changes correlated with advanced age impact the computational performance of a spiking network model of primary visual cortex (V1). Our results demonstrate that deterioration of homeostatic regulation of excitatory firing, coupled with long-term synaptic plasticity, is a sufficient mechanism to reproduce features of observed physiological and functional changes in neural activity data, specifically declines in inhibition and in selectivity to oriented stimuli. This suggests a potential causality between dysregulation of neuron firing and age-induced changes in brain physiology and functional performance. While this does not rule out deeper underlying causes or other mechanisms that could give rise to these changes, our approach opens new avenues for exploring these underlying mechanisms in greater depth and making predictions for future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth Talyansky
- Catlin Gabel School, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Braden A. W. Brinkman
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
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Glutamine + glutamate level predicts the magnitude of microstructural organization in the gray matter in the healthy elderly. Int Psychogeriatr 2021; 33:21-29. [PMID: 31578159 PMCID: PMC8482373 DOI: 10.1017/s1041610219001418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which is a technique for measuring the degree and direction of movement of water molecules in tissue, has been widely used to noninvasively assess white matter (WM) or gray matter (GM) microstructures in vivo. Mean diffusivity (MD), which is the average diffusion across all directions, has been considered as a marker of WM tract degeneration or extracellular space enlargement in GM. Recent lines of evidence suggest that cortical MD can better identify early-stage Alzheimer's disease than structural morphometric parameters in magnetic resonance imaging. However, knowledge of the relationships between cortical MD and other biological factors in the same cortical region, e.g. metabolites, is still limited. METHODS Thirty-three healthy elderly individuals [aged 50-77 years (mean, 63.8±7.4 years); 11 males and 22 females] were enrolled. We estimated the associations between cortical MD and neurotransmitter levels. Specifically, we measured levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx), which are inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, respectively, in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) using MEGA-PRESS magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and we measured regional cortical MD using DTI. RESULTS Cortical MD was significantly negatively associated with Glx levels in both mPFC and PCC. No significant association was observed between cortical MD and GABA levels in either GM region. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that degeneration of microstructural organization in GM, as determined on the basis of cortical MD measured by DTI, is accompanied by the decline of Glx metabolism within the same GM region.
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Kolla NJ, Bortolato M. The role of monoamine oxidase A in the neurobiology of aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior: A tale of mice and men. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 194:101875. [PMID: 32574581 PMCID: PMC7609507 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past two decades, research has revealed that genetic factors shape the propensity for aggressive, antisocial, and violent behavior. The best-documented gene implicated in aggression is MAOA (Monoamine oxidase A), which encodes the key enzyme for the degradation of serotonin and catecholamines. Congenital MAOA deficiency, as well as low-activity MAOA variants, has been associated with a higher risk for antisocial behavior (ASB) and violence, particularly in males with a history of child maltreatment. Indeed, the interplay between low MAOA genetic variants and early-life adversity is the best-documented gene × environment (G × E) interaction in the pathophysiology of aggression and ASB. Additional evidence indicates that low MAOA activity in the brain is strongly associated with a higher propensity for aggression; furthermore, MAOA inhibition may be one of the primary mechanisms whereby prenatal smoke exposure increases the risk of ASB. Complementary to these lines of evidence, mouse models of Maoa deficiency and G × E interactions exhibit striking similarities with clinical phenotypes, proving to be valuable tools to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying antisocial and aggressive behavior. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the knowledge on the involvement of MAOA in aggression, as defined by preclinical and clinical evidence. In particular, we show how the convergence of human and animal research is proving helpful to our understanding of how MAOA influences antisocial and violent behavior and how it may assist in the development of preventative and therapeutic strategies for aggressive manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Kolla
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Research Imaging Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada; Violence Prevention Neurobiological Research Unit, CAMH, Toronto, ON, Canada; Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care, Penetanguishene, ON, Canada; Translational Initiative on Antisocial Personality Disorder (TrIAD); Program of Research on Violence Etiology, Neurobiology, and Treatment (PReVENT).
| | - Marco Bortolato
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Translational Initiative on Antisocial Personality Disorder (TrIAD); Program of Research on Violence Etiology, Neurobiology, and Treatment (PReVENT).
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Ghasemian-Shirvan E, Farnad L, Mosayebi-Samani M, Verstraelen S, Meesen RL, Kuo MF, Nitsche MA. Age-related differences of motor cortex plasticity in adults: A transcranial direct current stimulation study. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1588-1599. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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Sánchez-Melgar A, Albasanz JL, Pallàs M, Martín M. Adenosine Metabolism in the Cerebral Cortex from Several Mice Models during Aging. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197300. [PMID: 33023260 PMCID: PMC7582336 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Adenosine is a neuromodulator that has been involved in aging and neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In the present work, we analyzed the possible modulation of purine metabolites, 5’nucleotidase (5′NT) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities, and adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its phosphorylated form during aging in the cerebral cortex. Three murine models were used: senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1 (SAMR1, normal senescence), senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8, a model of AD), and the wild-type C57BL/6J (model of aging) mice strains. Glutamate and excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) levels were also measured in these animals. HPLC, Western blotting, and enzymatic activity evaluation were performed to this aim. 5′-Nucleotidase (5′NT) activity was decreased at six months and recovered at 12 months in SAMP8 while opposite effects were observed in SAMR1 at the same age, and no changes in C57BL/6J mice. ADA activity significantly decreased from 3 to 12 months in the SAMR1 mice strain, while a significant decrease from 6 to 12 months was observed in the SAMP8 mice strain. Regarding purine metabolites, xanthine and guanosine levels were increased at six months in SAMR1 without significant differences in SAMP8 mice. In C57BL/6J mice, inosine and xanthine were increased, while adenosine decreased, from 4 to 24 months. The AMPK level was decreased at six months in SAMP8 without significant changes nor in SAMR1 or C57BL/6J strains. Glutamate and EAAT2 levels were also modulated during aging. Our data show a different modulation of adenosine metabolism participants in the cerebral cortex of these animal models. Interestingly, the main differences between SAMR1 and SAMP8 mice were found at six months of age, SAMP8 being the most affected strain. As SAMP8 is an AD model, results suggest that adenosinergic metabolism is involved in the neurodegeneration of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Sánchez-Melgar
- Department of Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Regional Center of Biomedical Research (CRIB), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; (A.S.-M.); (M.M.)
| | - José Luis Albasanz
- Department of Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Regional Center of Biomedical Research (CRIB), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; (A.S.-M.); (M.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Mairena Martín
- Department of Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Regional Center of Biomedical Research (CRIB), 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain; (A.S.-M.); (M.M.)
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Ahnaou A, Broadbelt T, Biermans R, Huysmans H, Manyakov NV, Drinkenburg WHIM. The phosphodiesterase-4 and glycine transporter-1 inhibitors enhance in vivo hippocampal theta network connectivity and synaptic plasticity, whereas D-serine does not. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:197. [PMID: 32555167 PMCID: PMC7303193 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-00875-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunctional N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) have been associated with deficits in synaptic plasticity and cognition found in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. Therapeutic approaches that indirectly enhance NMDAR function through increases in glycine and/or D-serine levels as well as inhibition of phosphodiesterases that reduces degradation of cAMP, are expected to enhance synaptic strength, connectivity and to potentially impact cognition processes. The present in vivo study investigated effects of subcutaneous administration of D-serine, the glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitor SSR504734 and the PDE4 inhibitor rolipram, on network oscillations, connectivity and long-term potentiation (LTP) at the hippocampi circuits in Sprague-Dawley rats. In conscious animals, multichannel EEG recordings assessed network oscillations and connectivity at frontal and hippocampal CA1-CA3 circuits. Under urethane anaesthesia, field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) were measured in the CA1 subfield of the hippocampus after high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the Schaffer collateral-CA1 (SC) pathway. SSR504734 and rolipram significantly increased slow theta oscillations (4-6.5 Hz) at the CA1-CA3, slow gamma oscillations (30-50 Hz) in the frontal areas and enhanced coherence in the CA1-CA3 network, which were dissociated from motor behaviour. SSR504734 enhanced short-term potentiation (STP) and fEPSP responses were extended into LTP response, whereas the potentiation of EPSP slope was short-lived to STP with rolipram. Unlike glycine, increased levels of D-serine had no effect on network oscillations and limits the LTP induction and expression. The present data support a facilitating role of glycine and cAMP on network oscillations and synaptic efficacy at the CA3-CA1 circuit in rats, whereas raising endogenous D-serine levels had no such beneficial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Ahnaou
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - T. Broadbelt
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - R. Biermans
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - H. Huysmans
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - N. V. Manyakov
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - W. H. I. M. Drinkenburg
- grid.419619.20000 0004 0623 0341Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
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