Noradrenergic and serotonergic blockade inhibits BDNF mRNA activation following exercise and antidepressant

Indirect influence on the BDNF/TrkB receptor signaling pathway via GPCRs, an emerging strategy in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders

Neuronal survival depends on neurotrophins and their receptors. There are two types of neurotrophin receptors: a nonenzymatic, trans-membrane protein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family-p75 receptor and the tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkR) A, B, and C. Activation of the TrkBR by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or neurotrophin 4/5 (NT-4/5) promotes neuronal survival, differentiation, and synaptic function. It is shown that in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative conditions (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease) the BDNF/TrkBR signaling pathway is impaired. Since it is known that GPCRs and TrkR are regulating several cell functions by interacting with each other and generating a cross-communication in this review we have focused on the interaction between different GPCRs and their ligands on BDNF/TrkBR signaling pathway.

Peripheral to brain and hippocampus crosstalk induced by exercise mediates cognitive and structural hippocampal adaptations

Endurance exercise leads to robust increases in memory and learning. Several exercise adaptations occur to mediate these improvements, including in both the hippocampus and in peripheral organs. Organ crosstalk has been becoming increasingly more present in exercise biology, and studies have shown that peripheral organs can communicate to the hippocampus and mediate hippocampal changes. Both learning and memory as well as other hippocampal functional-related changes such as neurogenesis, cell proliferation, dendrite morphology and synaptic plasticity are controlled by these exercise responsive peripheral proteins. These peripheral factors, also called exerkines, are produced by several organs including skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue, kidneys, adrenal glands and circulatory cells. Previous reviews have explored some of these exerkines including muscle-derived irisin and cathepsin B (CTSB), but a full picture of peripheral to hippocampus crosstalk with novel exerkines such as selenoprotein 1 (SEPP1) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), or old overlooked ones such as lactate and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is still missing. We provide 29 different studies of 14 different exerkines that crosstalk with the hippocampus. Thus, the purpose of this review is to explore peripheral exerkines that have shown to exert hippocampal function following exercise, demonstrating their particular effects and molecular mechanisms in which they could be inducing adaptations.

Alterations in expression of α1-adrenergic receptors possibly are involved in prevention of age-associated apoptosis in rat hippocampus by treadmill exercise

OBJECTIVES

Exercise is assumed to attenuate age-related neuronal apoptosis, but the detailed mechanism(s) is not fully understood. α1-Adrenergic receptors (ARs) can either trigger or suppress apoptosis, therefore, here we determined the impact of treadmill exercise on the expression of the apoptosis regulatory proteins as well as α1-AR subtypes α1A- and α1B-ARs, in order to elucidate a possible association between apoptosis and the hippocampal expression of α1-ARs in aged male rats.

METHODS

Twenty-one male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups (n=7): young control, aged sedentary, and aged + exercise. Western blot for α1A- and α1B-ARs as well as pro-(Bax and p53) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) proteins was conducted. An 8-week regular moderate-intensity treadmill exercise intervention was carried out in exercise group.

RESULTS

In aged rats, α1A-AR expression in the hippocampus was significantly increased, and exercise markedly prevented this event. While α1B-AR expression was no altered with aging, a marked reduction in α1B-AR level was detected in exercise group when compared to aged group. Furthermore, pro-apoptotic protein levels of Bax and p53 were upregulated and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl2 was downregulated in the aging hippocampus, but could be reversed by treadmill exercise. In the present research, exercise-induced reduction in α1A- and α1B-ARs was associated with an obvious downregulation of Bax/Bcl2 ratio in aged rats, suggesting that exercise may inhibit apoptosis through regulating α1-ARs, particularly α1A-AR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that manipulations attenuating α1-AR activity, including nonselective α1-adrenergic antagonists, may protect against hippocampal neurodegeneration in aging brains.

Molecular mechanisms underlying physical exercise-induced brain BDNF overproduction

Accumulating evidence supports that physical exercise (EX) is the most effective non-pharmacological strategy to improve brain health. EX prevents cognitive decline associated with age and decreases the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. These positive effects of EX can be attributed to an increase in neurogenesis and neuroplastic processes, leading to learning and memory improvement. At the molecular level, there is a solid consensus to involve the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as the crucial molecule for positive EX effects on the brain. However, even though EX incontestably leads to beneficial processes through BDNF expression, cellular sources and molecular mechanisms underlying EX-induced cerebral BDNF overproduction are still being elucidated. In this context, the present review offers a summary of the different molecular mechanisms involved in brain's response to EX, with a specific focus on BDNF. It aims to provide a cohesive overview of the three main mechanisms leading to EX-induced brain BDNF production: the neuronal-dependent overexpression, the elevation of cerebral blood flow (hemodynamic hypothesis), and the exerkine signaling emanating from peripheral tissues (humoral response). By shedding light on these intricate pathways, this review seeks to contribute to the ongoing elucidation of the relationship between EX and cerebral BDNF expression, offering valuable insights into the potential therapeutic implications for brain health enhancement.

Noradrenergic neuromodulation in ageing and disease

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a small brainstem structure located in the lower pons and is the main source of noradrenaline (NA) in the brain. Via its phasic and tonic firing, it modulates cognition and autonomic functions and is involved in the brain's immune response. The extent of degeneration to the LC in healthy ageing remains unclear, however, noradrenergic dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite their differences in progression at later disease stages, the early involvement of the LC may lead to comparable behavioural symptoms such as preclinical sleep problems and neuropsychiatric symptoms as a result of AD and PD pathology. In this review, we draw attention to the mechanisms that underlie LC degeneration in ageing, AD and PD. We aim to motivate future research to investigate how early degeneration of the noradrenergic system may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of AD and PD which may also be relevant to other neurodegenerative diseases.

Serotonergic mediation of the brain-wide neurogenesis: Region-dependent and receptor-type specific roles on neurogenic cellular transformation

Brain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is a key molecule for the mediation of depression-related brain states, but the neural mechanisms underlying 5-HT mediation need further investigation. A possible mechanism of the therapeutic antidepressant effects is neurogenic cell production, as stimulated by 5-HT signaling. Neurogenesis, the proliferation of neural stem cells (NSCs), and cell differentiation and maturation occur across brain regions, particularly the hippocampal dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone, throughout one's lifespan. 5-HT plays a major role in the mediation of neurogenic processes, which in turn leads to the therapeutic effect on depression-related states. In this review article, we aim to identify how the neuronal 5-HT system mediates the process of neurogenesis, including cell proliferation, cell-type differentiation and maturation. First, we will provide an overview of the neurogenic cell transformation that occurs in brain regions containing or lacking NSCs. Second, we will review brain region-specific mechanisms of 5-HT-mediated neurogenesis by comparing regions localized to NSCs, i.e., the hippocampus and subventricular zone, with those not containing NSCs. Highlighting these 5-HT mechanisms that mediate neurogenic cell production processes in a brain-region-specific manner would provide unique insights into the role of 5-HT in neurogenesis and its associated effects on depression.

Multimodal Benefits of Exercise in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis and COVID-19

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease characterized by plaque formation and neuroinflammation. The plaques can present in various locations, causing a variety of clinical symptoms in patients with MS. Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is also associated with systemic inflammation and a cytokine storm which can cause plaque formation in several areas of the brain. These concurring events could exacerbate the disease burden of MS. We review the neuro-invasive properties of SARS-CoV-2 and the possible pathways for the entry of the virus into the central nervous system (CNS). Complications due to this viral infection are similar to those occurring in patients with MS. Conditions related to MS which make patients more susceptible to viral infection include inflammatory status, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, function of CNS cells, and plaque formation. There are also psychoneurological and mood disorders associated with both MS and COVID-19 infections. Finally, we discuss the effects of exercise on peripheral and central inflammation, BBB integrity, glia and neural cells, and remyelination. We conclude that moderate exercise training prior or after infection with SARS-CoV-2 can produce health benefits in patients with MS patients, including reduced mortality and improved physical and mental health of patients with MS.

Exercise to spot the differences: a framework for the effect of exercise on hippocampal pattern separation in humans

Exercise has a beneficial effect on mental health and cognitive functioning, but the exact underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this review, we focus on the effect of exercise on hippocampal pattern separation, which is a key component of episodic memory. Research has associated exercise with improvements in pattern separation. We propose an integrated framework mechanistically explaining this relationship. The framework is divided into three pathways, describing the pro-neuroplastic, anti-inflammatory and hormonal effects of exercise. The pathways are heavily intertwined and may result in functional and structural changes in the hippocampus. These changes can ultimately affect pattern separation through direct and indirect connections. The proposed framework might guide future research on the effect of exercise on pattern separation in the hippocampus.

The impact of sleep, physical activity and sedentary behaviour on symptoms of depression and anxiety before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of South African participants

During lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals have experienced poor sleep quality and sleep regularity, changes in lifestyle behaviours, and heightened depression and anxiety. However, the inter-relationship and relative strength of those behaviours on mental health outcomes is still unknown. We collected data between 12 May and 15 June 2020 from 1048 South African adults (age: 32.76 ± 14.43 years; n = 767 female; n = 473 students) using an online questionnaire. Using structural equation modelling, we investigated how insomnia symptoms, sleep regularity, exercise intensity/frequency and sitting/screen-use (sedentary screen-use) interacted to predict depressive and anxiety-related symptoms before and during lockdown. We also controlled for the effects of sex and student status. Irrespective of lockdown, (a) more severe symptoms of insomnia and greater sedentary screen-use predicted greater symptoms of depression and anxiety and (b) the effects of sedentary screen-use on mental health outcomes were mediated by insomnia. The effects of physical activity on mental health outcomes, however, were only significant during lockdown. Low physical activity predicted greater insomnia symptom severity, which in turn predicted increased depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Overall, relationships between the study variables and mental health outcomes were amplified during lockdown. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining physical activity and reducing sedentary screen-use to promote better sleep and mental health.

A Bridge between the Breath and the Brain: Synchronization of Respiration, a Pupillometric Marker of the Locus Coeruleus, and an EEG Marker of Attentional Control State

Yogic and meditative traditions have long held that the fluctuations of the breath and the mind are intimately related. While respiratory modulation of cortical activity and attentional switching are established, the extent to which electrophysiological markers of attention exhibit synchronization with respiration is unknown. To this end, we examined (1) frontal midline theta-beta ratio (TBR), an indicator of attentional control state known to correlate with mind wandering episodes and functional connectivity of the executive control network; (2) pupil diameter (PD), a known proxy measure of locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic activity; and (3) respiration for evidence of phase synchronization and information transfer (multivariate Granger causality) during quiet restful breathing. Our results indicate that both TBR and PD are simultaneously synchronized with the breath, suggesting an underlying oscillation of an attentionally relevant electrophysiological index that is phase-locked to the respiratory cycle which could have the potential to bias the attentional system into switching states. We highlight the LC’s pivotal role as a coupling mechanism between respiration and TBR, and elaborate on its dual functions as both a chemosensitive respiratory nucleus and a pacemaker of the attentional system. We further suggest that an appreciation of the dynamics of this weakly coupled oscillatory system could help deepen our understanding of the traditional claim of a relationship between breathing and attention.

Norepinephrine in the dentate gyrus is involved in spatial learning and memory alteration induced by chronic restraint stress in aged rats

The role of norepinephrine of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in spatial learning and memory alteration induced by chronic restraint stress (CRS, 3 h/day, 6 weeks) was investigated in aged rats. Spatial learning and memory were assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM), and the extracellular concentration of norepinephrine and amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) were measured in the dentate gyrus during MWM test in freely-moving rats. Next, the involvement of β-adrenoceptors in spatial learning and memory of CRS rats was examined by microinjection of its antagonist (propranolol) into the dentate gyrus. In addition, we observed the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein and activation of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) in the dentate gyrus. Compared with the control group, the basal level of norepinephrine, BDNF expression and CREB activation in the dentate gyrus were increased, and the spatial learning and memory abilities were enhanced in CRS rats. In the control group, the norepinephrine concentration and fEPSP amplitude in the dentate gyrus were increased on the second to fourth days of MWM test, and these responses were significantly enhanced in CRS rats. Furthermore, in CRS rats, propranolol significantly decreased the spatial learning and memory abilities, and attenuated the fEPSP response during MWM test, and the BDNF expression and CREB activation in the dentate gyrus. Our results suggest that norepinephrine activation of β-adrenoceptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus is involved in spatial learning and memory enhancement induced by CRS in aged rats, in part via modulations of synaptic efficiency and CREB-BDNF signaling pathway.

The Epistasis Project: A Multi-Cohort Study of the Effects of BDNF, DBH, and SORT1 Epistasis on Alzheimer's Disease Risk

Pre-synaptic secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) from noradrenergic neurons may protect the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain from amyloid pathology. While the BDNF polymorphism (rs6265) is associated with faster cognitive decline and increased hippocampal atrophy, a replicable genetic association of BDNF with AD risk has yet to be demonstrated. This could be due to masking by underlying epistatic interactions between BDNF and other loci that encode proteins involved in moderating BDNF secretion (DBH and Sortilin). We performed a multi-cohort case-control association study of the BDNF, DBH, and SORT1 loci comprising 5,682 controls and 2,454 AD patients from Northern Europe (87% of samples) and Spain (13%). The BDNF locus was associated with increased AD risk (odds ratios; OR = 1.1-1.2, p = 0.005-0.3), an effect size that was consistent in the Northern European (OR = 1.1-1.2, p = 0.002-0.8) but not the smaller Spanish (OR = 0.8-1.6, p = 0.4-1.0) subset. A synergistic interaction between BDNF and sex (synergy factor; SF = 1.3-1.5 p = 0.002-0.02) translated to a greater risk of AD associated with BDNF in women (OR = 1.2-1.3, p = 0.007-0.00008) than men (OR = 0.9-1.0, p = 0.3-0.6). While the DBH polymorphism (rs1611115) was also associated with increased AD risk (OR = 1.1, p = 0.04) the synergistic interaction (SF = 2.2, p = 0.007) between BDNF (rs6265) and DBH (rs1611115) contributed greater AD risk than either gene alone, an effect that was greater in women (SF = 2.4, p = 0.04) than men (SF = 2.0, p = 0.2). These data support a complex genetic interaction at loci encoding proteins implicated in the DBH-BDNF inflammatory pathway that modifies AD risk, particularly in women.

Atomoxetine improves hippocampal cell proliferation but not memory in Doxorubicin-treated adult male rats

Atomoxetine (ATX) is a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor used to treat Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), or improve cognition in normal subjects. Cancer patients treated with systemic adjuvant chemotherapy have described experiencing deterioration in cognition. Doxorubicin (DOX, Adriamycin) is one of the anthracycline families used in chemotherapy, which has a deteriorating effect on both cognition and proliferation. The cognitive effects of ATX require inputs from the hippocampus. The aim of this study was to examine spatial memory and proliferation in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the DG in adult Lister Hooded rats treated either alone or with a combination of Atomoxetine (30 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, six i.p. doses, one injection every other day) and Doxorubicin (DOX) ( 2 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹, six i.p. doses, one injection every other day). Spatial memory was tested using the Novel location recognition (NLR) test, and proliferation of hippocampal cells was quantified using immunohistochemistry for the proliferative marker Ki67. Results showed that ATX treatment has improved the NLR task and increased cell proliferation in the SGZ of the DG, compared with saline‐treated controls. Animals treated with DOX only showed deficits in NLR task, and co‐administration of ATX along with DOX did not improve their performance. DOX chemotherapy caused a significant reduction in the number of proliferating cells in the SGZ of the DG compared with saline‐treated controls. This reduction was reversed by co‐administration of ATX. The above findings suggest that DOX can negatively affect both cell proliferation and memory and ATX co‐administration improves proliferation, but not memory in the adult male rat hippocampus.

The effects of tranylcypromine on osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Identification of anti-osteoclastogenic agents is important for the treatment of bone loss diseases that feature excessive osteoclast (OC) activity and bone resorption. Tranylcypromine (TCP), an irreversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase (MAO), has been used as an antidepressant and anxiolytic agent in the clinical treatment of mood and anxiety disorders. TCP has been discovered to exert anabolic effect on osteoblasts, and MAO-A has also been verified as an important mediator in prostate cancer cells to accelerate osteoclastogenesis. In current study, we were focused on TCP and MAO-A effects on osteoclastogenesis. As illustrated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, TCP was capable of inhibiting osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activators of the NF-κB ligand (RANKL) in bone marrow-derived macrophage cells without any cytotoxicity. It was also shown to effectively suppress bone resorption of OCs. The subsequent study revealed that TCP inhibited osteoclastogenesis-related genes in a time-dependent manner through protein kinase B (AKT)-mediated mechanism followed by the nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1)-c-fos pathway. And TCP could overcome the osteoclastogenic effects of AKT activator SC79. In addition, our results indicated that the expression and catalytic activity of MAO-A were up-regulated by RANKL stimulation and down-regulated by TCP in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the effects of MAO-A knockdown on OC differentiation indicated that MAO-A played an important role in osteoclastogenesis in vitro and might contribute to the inhibitory effects of TCP. And AKT, NFATc1, and c-fos were involved in the MAO-A pathway. Notably, our in vivo study reflected that TCPs were capable of restoring the bone loss in LPS-induced calvaria osteolysis and estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis models. Thus, our current work provided a potential option for the treatment of bone loss diseases and highlighted the important role of MAO-A in osteoclastogenesis as well.-Liu, Z., Yang, K., Yan, X., Wang, T., Jiang, T., Zhou, Q., Qi, J., Qian, N., Zhou, H., Chen, B., Huang, P., Guo, L., Zhang, X., Xu, X., Jiang, M., Deng, L. The effects of tranylcypromine on osteoclastogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Acute exercise-induced enhancement of fear inhibition is moderated by BDNF Val66Met polymorphism

Rodent research indicates that acute physical exercise facilitates fear learning and inhibition. Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may moderate the memory enhancing effects of acute exercise. We assessed the role of acute exercise in modulating extinction retention in humans, and investigated the extent to which the BDNF polymorphism influenced extinction retention. Seventy non-clinical participants engaged in a differential fear potentiated startle paradigm involving conditioning and extinction followed by random assignment to either intense exercise (n = 35) or no exercise (n = 35). Extinction retention was assessed 24 h later. Saliva samples were collected to index BDNF genotype. Exercised participants displayed significantly lower fear 24 h later relative to non-exercised participants. Moderation analyses indicated that after controlling for gender, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderated the relationship between exercise and fear recovery 24 h later, such that exercise was associated with greater fear recovery in individuals with the Met allele. These findings provide initial evidence that acute exercise can impact fear extinction in humans and this effect is reduced in Met-allele carriers. This finding accords with the role of BDNF in extinction learning, and has implications for augmenting exposure-based therapies for anxiety disorders.

Exercise and Hippocampal Memory Systems

No medications prevent or reverse age-related cognitive decline. Physical activity (PA) enhances memory in rodents, but findings are mixed in human studies. As a result, exercise guidelines specific for brain health are absent. Here, we re-examine results from human studies, and suggest the use of more sensitive tasks to evaluate PA effects on age-related changes in the hippocampus, such as relational memory and mnemonic discrimination. We discuss recent advances from rodent and human studies into the underlying mechanisms at both the central and peripheral levels, including neurotrophins and myokines that could contribute to improved memory. Finally, we suggest guidelines for future research to help expedite well-founded PA recommendations for the public.

Regionally selective knockdown of astroglial glutamate transporters in infralimbic cortex induces a depressive phenotype in mice

Elevation of energy metabolism and disturbance of astrocyte number/function in the ventral anterior cingulate cortex (vACC) contributes to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Functional hyperactivity of vACC may result from reduced astrocytic glutamate uptake and increased neuronal excitation. Here we tested this hypothesis by knocking-down astrocytic glutamate transporter GLAST/GLT-1 expression in mouse infralimbic (IL, rodent equivalent of vACC) or prelimbic (PrL) cortices using RNAi strategies. Unilateral siRNA (small interfering RNA) microinfusion targeting GLAST or GLT-1 in mouse IL induced a moderate (20-30%) and long-lasting (7 days) decrease in their expression. Intra-IL GLAST-/GLT-1 siRNA microinfusion reduced the number of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive and glutamine synthetase (GS)-positive astrocytes and evoked a depressive-like phenotype reversed by citalopram and ketamine. Intra-IL GLAST or GLT-1 knockdown markedly reduced serotonin (5-HT) release in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR) and induced an overall reduction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres. Egr-1 (early growth response protein-1) labeling suggests that both siRNAs enhance the GABAergic tone onto DR 5-HT neurons, leading to an overall decrease of 5-HT function, likely related to the widespread reduction on BDNF expression. Conversely, similar reductions of GLAST and GLT-1 expression in PrL did not induce a depressive-like phenotype. These results suggest that a focal glial change in IL translates into global change of brain activity by virtue of the descending projections from IL to DR and the subsequent attenuation of serotonergic function in forebrain, an effect perhaps related to the varied symptomatology of MDD.

The Neuroprotective Effects of Exercise: Maintaining a Healthy Brain Throughout Aging

Physical activity plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy body, yet it also provides unique benefits for the vascular and cellular systems that sustain a healthy brain. While the benefit of exercise has been observed in humans of all ages, the availability of preclinical models has permitted systematic investigations into the mechanisms by which exercise supports and protects the brain. Over the past twenty-five years, rodent models have shown that increased physical activity elevates neurotrophic factors in the hippocampal and cortical areas, facilitating neurotransmission throughout the brain. Increased physical activity (such as by the voluntary use of a running wheel or regular, timed sessions on a treadmill) also promotes proliferation, maturation and survival of cells in the dentate gyrus, contributing to the process of adult hippocampal neurogenesis. In this way, rodent studies have tremendous value as they demonstrate that an 'active lifestyle' has the capacity to ameliorate a number of age-related changes in the brain, including the decline in adult neurogenesis. Moreover, these studies have shown that greater physical activity may protect the brain health into advanced age through a number of complimentary mechanisms: in addition to upregulating factors in pro-survival neurotrophic pathways and enhancing synaptic plasticity, increased physical activity promotes brain health by supporting the cerebrovasculature, sustaining the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, increasing glymphatic clearance and proteolytic degradation of amyloid beta species, and regulating microglia activation. Collectively, preclinical studies demonstrate that exercise initiates diverse and powerful neuroprotective pathways that may converge to promote continued brain health into old age. This review will draw on both seminal and current literature that highlights mechanisms by which exercise supports the functioning of the brain, and aids in its protection.

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD: Are memory reconsolidation and fear extinction underlying mechanisms?

MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD has recently progressed to Phase 3 clinical trials and received Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA. MDMA used as an adjunct during psychotherapy sessions has demonstrated effectiveness and acceptable safety in reducing PTSD symptoms in Phase 2 trials, with durable remission of PTSD diagnosis in 68% of participants. The underlying psychological and neurological mechanisms for the robust effects in mitigating PTSD are being investigated in animal models and in studies of healthy volunteers. This review explores the potential role of memory reconsolidation and fear extinction during MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. MDMA enhances release of monoamines (serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine), hormones (oxytocin, cortisol), and other downstream signaling molecules (BDNF) to dynamically modulate emotional memory circuits. By reducing activation in brain regions implicated in the expression of fear- and anxiety-related behaviors, namely the amygdala and insula, and increasing connectivity between the amygdala and hippocampus, MDMA may allow for reprocessing of traumatic memories and emotional engagement with therapeutic processes. Based on the pharmacology of MDMA and the available translational literature of memory reconsolidation, fear learning, and PTSD, this review suggests a neurobiological rationale to explain, at least in part, the large effect sizes demonstrated for MDMA in treating PTSD.

Antidepressant-like effects of a novel curcumin derivative J147: Involvement of 5-HT1A receptor

Depression is a dysthymia disorder characterized by a pervasive or persistent mental disorder that causes mood, cognitive and memory deficits. J147, a curcumin analogue, increases brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and facilitates memory in animals. Because curcumin has the antidepressant-like activity, the present study investigated the potential antidepressant-like effects of J147 in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension tests (TST) and the involvement of 5-HT receptors related to cAMP signaling. The results suggested that acute treatment of J147 at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg via gavage markedly reduced the duration of immobility in both TST and FST, either 1 h or 3 h after treatment, respectively. It did not alter locomotor activity but influence the immobile response. The molecular biological assays showed that 5-HT_1A receptor expression was significantly increased at 1 h after treatment with J147 at a dose of 10 mg/kg. In addition, pre-treatment of mice with WAY-100635 blocked the J147's effect in the FST. 5-HT_1B receptor expression was not significantly increased with increasing doses of J147. The 5-HT_1B receptors antagonist isamoltan partially prevented J147's effect in the FST. The levels of downstream molecular targets, cAMP, PKA, pCREB and BDNF were significantly increased 1 h after treatment with J147 at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg. The up-regulated pCREB and BDNF levels lasted for 3 h after 10 mg/kg of J147. These findings demonstrated that J147 has antidepressant-like effects that are mediated, at least in part, by activating the 5-HT_1A/cAMP/PKA/CREB/BDNF-signaling pathway.

Effects of adolescent social stress and antidepressant treatment on cognitive inflexibility and Bdnf epigenetic modifications in the mPFC of adult mice

Adolescent social stress (ASS) can increase susceptibility to depression in adulthood. However, the underlying psychological and neural mechanisms remain unclear. Cortically mediated cognitive dysfunctions are increasingly recognized as an independent and important risk factor of depression. Using social defeat stress, a classical animal model of depression, our previous studies found that mice subjected to this form of stress during early adolescence displayed cognitive inflexibility (CI) in adulthood. This change was accompanied by a down-regulation of Bdnf gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC); this gene encodes a key molecule involved in depression and antidepressant action. In the present paper, we identified epigenetic modification of Bdnf as a possible mechanism underlying the behavioral and molecular changes. ASS induced a set of depressive phenotypes, including increased social avoidance and CI, as well as reduced levels of total Bdnf and isoform IV but not isoform I or VI transcripts in the mPFC. In parallel with changes in Bdnf gene expression, previously stressed adult mice showed increased levels of dimethylation of histone H3 at lysine K9 (H3K9me2) immediately downstream of the Bdnf IV promoter. On the other hand, no differences were found in trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine K4 (H3K4me3) or in acetylation of histone H3 at lysine K9 (H3K9ac) or at K4 (H3K4ac) in the Bdnf IV promoter. Likewise, no alterations were found in DNA methylation of the Bdnf IV promoter. Additionally, treatment with the chronic antidepressant tranylcypromine reversed Bdnf epigenetic changes and related gene transcription while also reversing CI, but not social avoidance, in previously stressed adult mice. These results suggest that epigenetic changes to the Bdnf gene in the mPFC after adolescent social adversity may be involved in the regulation of cognitive dysfunction in depression and antidepressant action in adulthood.

Gene-environment interactions informing therapeutic approaches to cognitive and affective disorders

Gene-environment interactions drive experience-dependent changes in the brain that alter cognition, emotion and behaviour. Positive engagement with the environment, through novel experience and physical activity, can improve brain function, although the mechanisms mediating such experience-dependent plasticity remain to be fully elucidated. In this article, we discuss the therapeutic value of environmental stimuli, exercise and environmental enrichment (EE), for cognitive and affective disorders, with implications for the understanding and treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. We demonstrate that environmental manipulations are potential therapeutic strategies for improving outcomes in these psychiatric disorders, including beneficial impacts on cognition. We discuss how EE and exercise are therapeutic environmental interventions impacting both affective and cognitive function. Serotonergic (5-HTergic) signaling is strongly implicated in the manifestation of psychiatric disorders and regulates cognitive and emotional processing that can underpin them. Thus, we focus on evidence implicating the serotonergic system in mediating gene-environment interactions to EE and exercise. Finally, we discuss robust gene-environment interactions associated with EE and exercise interventions, and their impacts on specific brain areas, particularly the hippocampus. We focus on potential mediators of this experience-dependent plasticity, including adult neurogenesis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Furthermore, we explore molecular and cellular mechanisms of experience-dependent plasticity that potentially underlie the restoration of affective and cognitive phenotypes, thus identifying novel therapeutic targets. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled "Neurobiology of Environmental Enrichment".

Monoaminergic descending pathways contribute to modulation of neuropathic pain by increasing-intensity treadmill exercise after peripheral nerve injury

This study characterizes the impact of increasing-intensity treadmill exercise (iTR) on noradrenergic (NE) and serotonergic (5HT) modulation of neuropathic pain. Following sciatic nerve transection and repair (SNTR) rats developed significant mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia that was partially prevented by iTR performed during the first 2weeks after injury. Marked decrease in the expression of 5HT_2A and α_1A and β-, but not α_2A adrenergic receptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn was associated to SNTR and recovered by iTR, particularly in lamina II. iTR significantly increased 5HT_2A in periaqueductal grey (PAG), raphe magnus (RM) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), with a pattern suggesting reorganization of serotonergic excitatory interconnections between PAG and DRN. iTR also increased the expression of α_1A in locus coeruleus (LC) and DRN, and β₂ in LC, indicating that exercise enhanced activity of NE neurons, likely by activating autologous projections from DRN and PAG. iTR hypoalgesia was antagonized by blockade of β₂ and 5HT_2A receptors with administration of butoxamine and ketanserin. The neurotoxin DSP4 was injected to induce depletion of NE projections from LC before starting iTR. DSP4 treatment worsened mechanical hyperalgesia, but iTR hypoalgesia was similarly produced. Moreover, 5HT_2A expression in LC further increased after DSP4 injection, all these results suggesting an intrinsic regulation of 5HT and NE activity between PAG, DRN and LC neurons activated by iTR. Finally, iTR significantly reduced microglial reactivity in LC and increased non-microglial BDNF expression, an effect that was reverted by butoxamine, implicating BDNF regulation in central 5HT/NE actions on neuropathic pain.

A single bout of exercise increases hippocampal Bdnf: influence of chronic exercise and noradrenaline

Research in human subjects suggests that acute exercise can improve memory performance, but the qualities of the exercise necessary to promote improved memory, and the signaling pathways that mediate these effects are unknown. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), noradrenergic signaling, and post-translational modifications to AMPA receptors have all been implicated in the enhancement of memory following emotional or physical arousal; however, it is not known if a single bout of exercise is sufficient to engage these pathways. Here we use a rodent model to investigate the effects of acute and chronic exercise on hippocampal transcript-specific Bdnf expression and phosphorylation of the GluR1 subunit of the AMPA-type glutamate receptor. A single bout of treadmill exercise was insufficient to mimic the increased expression of GluR1 protein and phosphorylation at Ser845 observed following 1 month of voluntary wheel running. However, acute exercise was sufficient to increase Bdnf transcript IV messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in sedentary subjects, but not subjects housed for 1 month with a running wheel. High-intensity acute exercise increased total Bdnf mRNA in sedentary mice, but not above levels observed following chronic access to the running wheel. Although depletion of central noradrenergic signaling with DSP-4 reduced Bdnf IV mRNA, the effect of acute exercise on Bdnf mRNA persisted. Our characterization of the effects of acute exercise on Bdnf expression and persistence in the absence of noradrenergic modulation may inform strategies to employ physical activity to combat cognitive aging and mental health disorders.

Neuroprotective Effects of Exercise Treatments After Injury: The Dual Role of Neurotrophic Factors

BACKGROUND

Shared connections between physical activity and neuroprotection have been studied for decades, but the mechanisms underlying this effect of specific exercise were only recently brought to light. Several evidences suggest that physical activity may be a reasonable and beneficial method to improve functional recovery in both peripheral and central nerve injuries and to delay functional decay in neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to improving cardiac and immune functions, physical activity may represent a multifunctional approach not only to improve cardiocirculatory and immune functions, but potentially modulating trophic factors signaling and, in turn, neuronal function and structure at times that may be critical for neurodegeneration and regeneration.

METHODS

Research content related to the effects of physical activity and specific exercise programs in normal and injured nervous system have been reviewed.

RESULTS

Sustained exercise, particularly if applied at moderate intensity and early after injury, exerts anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative effects, and may boost cognitive and motor functions in aging and neurological disorders. However, newest studies show that exercise modalities can differently affect the production and function of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and other neurotrophins involved in the generation of neuropathic conditions. These findings suggest the possibility that new exercise strategies can be directed to nerve injuries with therapeutical benefits.

CONCLUSION

Considering the growing burden of illness worldwide, understanding of how modulation of neurotrophic factors contributes to exercise-induced neuroprotection and regeneration after peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries is a relevant topic for research, and represents the beginning of a new non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for better rehabilitation of neural disorders.

Piperine potentiates the effects of trans-resveratrol on stress-induced depressive-like behavior: involvement of monoaminergic system and cAMP-dependent pathway

Stress can act as a precipitation factor in the onset of emotional disorders, particularly depression. Trans-resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound enriched in polygonum cuspidatum and has been found to exert antidepressant-like effects in our previous studies. In present study, we assessed the effects of trans-resveratrol used in combination with piperine, commonly known as a bioavailability enhancer, on chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depressive-like behaviors and relevant molecular targets. Trans-resveratrol used alone reduced the immobility time of rats in the forced swimming test, with the maximal effects of trans-resveratrol around 60 % inhibition at the highest dose tested, 40 mg/kg. However, when a subthreshold dose of piperine, 2.5 mg/kg was used in combination with trans-resveratrol, the minimum effective dose of trans-resveratrol in reducing the immobility time was reduced to 20 mg/kg. Further evidence from neurochemical (monoamines in the frontal cortex and the hippocampus), biochemical (monoamine oxidase, MAO activities) and molecular biological (cAMP, PKA, CREB and BDNF) assays supported the findings in the behavioral studies. These results suggest that the co-treatment strategy with trans-resveratrol and piperine might be an alternative therapy that provides efficacious protection against chronic stress.

Central monoaminergic systems are a site of convergence of signals conveying the experience of exercise to brain circuits involved in cognition and emotional behavior

Physical activity can enhance cognitive function and increase resistance against deleterious effects of stress on mental health. Enhanced cognitive function and stress resistance produced by exercise are conserved among vertebrates, suggesting that ubiquitous mechanisms may underlie beneficial effects of exercise. In the current review, we summarize the beneficial effects of exercise on cognitive function and stress resistance and discuss central and peripheral signaling factors that may be critical for conferring the effects of physical activity to brain circuits involved in cognitive function and stress. Additionally, it is suggested that norepinephrine and serotonin, highly conserved monoamines that are sensitive to exercise and able to modulate behavior in multiple species, could represent a convergence between peripheral and central exercise signals that mediate the beneficial effects of exercise. Finally, we offer the novel hypothesis that thermoregulation during exercise could contribute to the emotional effects of exercise by activating a subset of temperature-sensitive serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus that convey anxiolytic and stress-protective signals to forebrain regions. Throughout the review, we discuss limitations to current approaches and offer strategies for future research in exercise neuroscience.

Physical exercise counteracts MPTP-induced changes in neural precursor cell proliferation in the hippocampus and restores spatial learning but not memory performance in the water maze

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a continuous loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which not only leads to characteristic motor symptoms but also to cognitive impairments. Physical exercise has been shown to improve hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions in PD patients. Animal studies have demonstrated the involvement of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in exercise-induced improvements of visuo-spatial learning and memory. Here, we investigated the direct impact of voluntary wheel running on hippocampal neurogenesis and spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze (MWM) using the1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model of PD. We also analyzed striatal and hippocampal dopamine transmission and mRNA expression levels of dopamine receptors. We show that MPTP-induced spatial learning deficits were alleviated by short-term physical exercise but not MPTP-induced spatial memory impairments in either exercise intervention group. Neural precursor proliferation was transiently altered in MPTP-treated mice, while the cell survival was increased by exercise. Dopamine was progressively depleted by MPTP and its turnover altered by exercise. In addition, gene expression of dopamine receptor D1/D5 was transiently upregulated following MPTP treatment but not affected by physical exercise. Our findings suggest that physical exercise benefits spatial learning but not memory performance in the MWM after MPTP-induced dopamine depletion by restoring precursor cell proliferation in the hippocampus and influencing dopamine transmission. This adds to the understanding of cognitive decline and mechanisms for potential improvements by physical exercise in PD patients.

Physical exercise affects attentional orienting behavior through noradrenergic mechanisms

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), a commonly used animal model of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, exhibit little habituation of the orienting response to repeated presentations of a nonreinforced visual stimulus. However, SHRs that have access to a running wheel for 5, 10, or 21 days exhibit robust habituation that is indistinguishable from normo-active rats. Two days of exercise, in comparison, is not sufficient to affect habituation. Here we tested the hypothesis that the effect of exercise on orienting behavior in SHRs is mediated by changes in noradrenergic function. In Experiment 1, we found that 5, 10, or 21 days of access to a running wheel, but not 2 days, significantly reduced levels of the norepinephrine transporter in medial prefrontal cortex. In Experiment 2, we tested for a causal relationship between changes in noradrenergic function and orienting behavior by blocking noradrenergic receptors during exercise. Rats that received propranolol (beta adrenergic/noradrenergic receptor blocker) during 10 days of exercise failed to exhibit an exercise-induced reduction in orienting behavior. The results inform a growing literature regarding the effects of exercise on behavior and the potential use of exercise as a treatment for mental disorders.

Involvement of norepinephrine and serotonin system in antidepressant-like effects of hederagenin in the rat model of unpredictable chronic mild stress-induced depression

CONTEXT

Previous studies from our laboratory indicated that both acute and subchronic administration of Fructus Akebiae (FAE) [the fruit of Akebiae quinata (Thunb.) Decne, (Lardizabalaceae)] produce antidepressant-like effects in animal depressive behavior tests. FAE contains approximately 70% of hederagenin (HG) as its main chemical component.

OBJECTIVE

This study compared the antidepressant ability of FAE with that of HG in mice and further investigated the antidepressant-like effects and potential mechanisms of HG in rats subjected to unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice received FAE (50 mg/kg) and HG (20 mg/kg) once a day via intragastric administration (i.g.) for 3 weeks. The anxiolytic and antidepressant activities of FAE and HG were compared using elevated plus maze (EPM) and behavioral despair tests including tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), respectively. Antidepressant effects of HG (5 mg/kg) were assessed using the UCMS depressive rat model. Moreover, the levels of monoamine neurotransmitters and relevant gene expression in UCMS rats' hippocampi were determined through high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection and real-time polymerase chain reaction techniques.

RESULTS

The results of our preliminary screening test suggest that HG at 20 mg/kg, while not FAE at 50 mg/kg, significantly decreased the immobility in both TST and FST compared with the vehicle group when administered chronically; however, there were no significant differences observed between the HG and the FAE group. Chronic administration of HG failed to significantly reverse the altered crossing and rearing behavioral performance, time spent in the open arm and closed entries in the EPM, even if they showed an increased tendency, but HG significantly increased the percent of sucrose preference in the sucrose preference test (SPT) and decreased the immobility time in the FST. HG showed that significant increases of norepinephrine and serotonin levels and exhibited a tendency to increase the expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) 1A receptor mRNA, and to significantly decrease the expression of the mRNA for the serotonin transporter (5-HTT). However, there were no significant differences in the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

CONCLUSION

These findings confirm the antidepressant-like effects of HG in a behavioral despair test and UCMS rat model, which may be associated with monoamine neurotransmitters and 5-HTT mRNA expression.

Biological mechanisms underlying the role of physical fitness in health and resilience

Physical fitness, achieved through regular exercise and/or spontaneous physical activity, confers resilience by inducing positive psychological and physiological benefits, blunting stress reactivity, protecting against potentially adverse behavioural and metabolic consequences of stressful events and preventing many chronic diseases. In this review, we discuss the biological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of physical fitness on mental and physical health. Physical fitness appears to buffer against stress-related disease owing to its blunting/optimizing effects on hormonal stress responsive systems, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. This blunting appears to contribute to reduced emotional, physiological and metabolic reactivity as well as increased positive mood and well-being. Another mechanism whereby regular exercise and/or physical fitness may confer resilience is through minimizing excessive inflammation. Chronic psychological stress, physical inactivity and abdominal adiposity have been associated with persistent, systemic, low-grade inflammation and exert adverse effects on mental and physical health. The anti-inflammatory effects of regular exercise/activity can promote behavioural and metabolic resilience, and protect against various chronic diseases associated with systemic inflammation. Moreover, exercise may benefit the brain by enhancing growth factor expression and neural plasticity, thereby contributing to improved mood and cognition. In summary, the mechanisms whereby physical fitness promotes increased resilience and well-being and positive psychological and physical health are diverse and complex.

Translating the impact of exercise on cognition: methodological issues in animal research

Physical exercise and fitness have been proposed as potential factors that promote healthy cognitive aging. Some of the support for this hypothesis has come from animal research. Animal studies are also used to propose the physiological mechanisms underlying the cognitive performance improvement associated with exercise. In the present review and meta-analysis, we discuss several methodological problems that limit the contribution of animal studies to the understanding of the putative effects of exercise on cognitive aging. We suggest that the most likely measure to equate exercise intensity in rodent and humans may be oxygen consumption (VO2) because observed values are surprisingly similar in young and older rodents and humans. For practical reasons, several animal studies use young rodents kept in social isolation. We show that social isolation is associated with an enhanced impact of exercise on cognitive performance but not on some physiological measures thought to mediate the effect of exercise. Surprisingly, two months or more of exercise intervention appeared to be ineffective to promote cognitive performance compared to shorter durations. We argue that impact of exercise in socially isolated animals is explained by an alleviation of environmental impoverishment as much as an effect of physical exercise. It is possible that the introduction of exercise in rodents is partly mediated by environmental changes. It may explain why larger effects are observed for the shorter durations of exercise while much smaller effects are found after longer periods of exercise.

Cortical reorganization after spinal cord injury: always for good?

Plasticity constitutes the basis of behavioral changes as a result of experience. It refers to neural network shaping and re-shaping at the global level and to synaptic contacts remodeling at the local level, either during learning or memory encoding, or as a result of acute or chronic pathological conditions. 'Plastic' brain reorganization after central nervous system lesions has a pivotal role in the recovery and rehabilitation of sensory and motor dysfunction, but can also be "maladaptive". Moreover, it is clear that brain reorganization is not a "static" phenomenon but rather a very dynamic process. Spinal cord injury immediately initiates a change in brain state and starts cortical reorganization. In the long term, the impact of injury - with or without accompanying therapy - on the brain is a complex balance between supraspinal reorganization and spinal recovery. The degree of cortical reorganization after spinal cord injury is highly variable, and can range from no reorganization (i.e. "silencing") to massive cortical remapping. This variability critically depends on the species, the age of the animal when the injury occurs, the time after the injury has occurred, and the behavioral activity and possible therapy regimes after the injury. We will briefly discuss these dependencies, trying to highlight their translational value. Overall, it is not only necessary to better understand how the brain can reorganize after injury with or without therapy, it is also necessary to clarify when and why brain reorganization can be either "good" or "bad" in terms of its clinical consequences. This information is critical in order to develop and optimize cost-effective therapies to maximize functional recovery while minimizing maladaptive states after spinal cord injury.

Piperine reverses chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced behavioral and biochemical alterations in rats

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that piperine produced antidepressant-like action in various mouse models of behavioral despair, which was related to the serotonergic system. The present study aimed to examine the behavioral and biochemical effects of piperine in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The results showed that CUMS caused depression-like behavior in rats, as indicated by the significant decrease in sucrose consumption and increase in immobility time in the forced swim test. In addition, it was found that serotonin (5-HT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) contents in the hippocampus and frontal cortex were significantly decreased in CUMS-treated rats. Treating the animals with piperine significantly suppressed behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CUMS. The results suggest that piperine produces an antidepressant-like effect in CUMS-treated rats, which is possibly mediated by increasing 5-HT and BDNF contents in selective brain tissues.

Hyperlocomotor activity and stress vulnerability during adulthood induced by social isolation after early weaning are prevented by voluntary running exercise before normal weaning period

In rodents, the disruption of social-rearing conditions before normal weaning induces emotional behavioral abnormalities, such as anxiety, motor activity dysregulation, and stress vulnerability. The beneficial effects of exercise after normal weaning on emotional regulation have been well documented. However, effects of exercise before normal weaning on emotion have not been reported. We examined whether voluntary wheel running (R) during social isolation after early weaning (early weaning/isolation; EI) from postnatal day (PD) 14-30 could prevent EI-induced emotional behavioral abnormalities in Sprague-Dawley rats. Compared with control rats reared with their dam and siblings until PD30, rats performed R during EI (EI+R) and EI rats demonstrated greater locomotion and lower grooming activity in the open-field test (OFT) during the juvenile period. Juvenile EI ± R rats showed greater learned helplessness (LH) after exposure to inescapable stress (IS; electric foot shock) than IS-exposed control and EI rats. In contrast, EI rats showed increased locomotion in the OFT and LH after exposure to IS compared with control rats during adulthood; this was not observed in EI ± R rats. Both EI and EI ± R rats exhibited greater rearing activity in the OFT than controls during adulthood. EI did not increase anxiety in the OFT and elevated plus-maze. These results suggested that R during EI until normal weaning prevented some of the EI-induced behavioral abnormalities, including hyperlocomotor activity and greater LH, during adulthood but not in the juvenile period.

Physical exercise during pregnancy improves object recognition memory in adult offspring

Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to improve spatial learning and short-term memory, as well as increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA levels and hippocampal cell survival in juvenile offspring. However, it remains unknown if these effects endure into adulthood. In addition, few studies have considered how maternal exercise can impact cognitive functions that do not rely on the hippocampus. To address these issues, the present study tested the effects of maternal exercise during pregnancy on object recognition memory, which relies on the perirhinal cortex (PER), in adult offspring. Pregnant rats were given access to a running wheel throughout gestation and the adult male offspring were subsequently tested in an object recognition memory task at three different time points, each spaced 2-weeks apart, beginning at 60 days of age. At each time point, offspring from exercising mothers were able to successfully discriminate between novel and familiar objects in that they spent more time exploring the novel object than the familiar object. The offspring of non-exercising mothers were not able to successfully discriminate between objects and spent an equal amount of time with both objects. A subset of rats was euthanized 1h after the final object recognition test to assess c-FOS expression in the PER. The offspring of exercising mothers had more c-FOS expression in the PER than the offspring of non-exercising mothers. By comparison, c-FOS levels in the adjacent auditory cortex did not differ between groups. These results indicate that maternal exercise during pregnancy can improve object recognition memory in adult male offspring and increase c-FOS expression in the PER; suggesting that exercise during the gestational period may enhance brain function of the offspring.

Impaired neurogenesis and neurite outgrowth in an HIV-gp120 transgenic model is reversed by exercise via BDNF production and Cdk5 regulation

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection-associated neurocognitive disorders is accompanied with brain atrophy. In these patients, impairment of adult neurogenesis and neurite outgrowth in the hippocampus may contribute to cognitive dysfunction. Although running exercises can enhance neurogenesis and normalize neurite outgrowth, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. The HIV envelope protein, gp120, has been shown to impair neurogenesis. Using a gp120 transgenic mouse model, we demonstrate that exercise stimulated neural progenitor cell (NPC) proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and increased the survival rate and generation of newborn cells. However, sustained exercise activity was necessary as the effects were reversed by detraining. Exercise also normalized dendritic outgrowth of neurons. Furthermore, it increased the expression of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and normalized hyperactivation of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5). Hyperactivated Cdk5 or gp120 treatment led to aberrant neurite outgrowth and BDNF treatment normalized the neurite outgrowth in NPC cultures. These results suggest that sustained exercise has trophic activity on the neuronal lineage which is mediated by Cdk5 modulation of the BDNF pathway.

Chronic stress induces neurotrophin-3 in rat submandibular gland

PURPOSE

Plasma neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) levels are associated with several neural disorders. We previously reported that neurotrophins were released from salivary glands following acute immobilization stress. While the salivary glands were the source of plasma neurotrophins in that situation, the association between the expression of neurotrophins and the salivary gland under chronic stress conditions is not well understood. In the present study, we investigated whether NT-3 levels in the salivary gland and plasma were influenced by chronic stress.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Expressions of NT-3 mRNA and protein were characterized, using real-time polymerase chain reactions, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry, in the submandibular glands of male rats exposed to chronic stress (12 h daily for 22 days).

RESULTS

Plasma NT-3 levels were significantly increased by chronic stress (p<0.05), and remained elevated in bilaterally sialoadenectomized rats under the same condition. Since chronic stress increases plasma NT-3 levels in the sialoadenectomized rat model, plasma NT-3 levels were not exclusively dependent on salivary glands.

CONCLUSION

While the salivary gland was identified in our previous study as the source of plasma neurotrophins during acute stress, the exposure to long-term stress likely affects a variety of organs capable of releasing NT-3 into the bloodstream. In addition, the elevation of plasma NT-3 levels may play important roles in homeostasis under stress conditions.

Physical exercise and antidepressants enhance BDNF targeting in hippocampal CA3 dendrites: further evidence of a spatial code for BDNF splice variants

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is encoded by multiple BDNF transcripts, whose function is unclear. We recently showed that a subset of BDNF transcripts can traffic into distal dendrites in response to electrical activity, while others are segregated into the somatoproximal domains. Physical exercise and antidepressant treatments exert their beneficial effects through upregulation of BDNF, which is required to support survival and differentiation of newborn dentate gyrus (DG) neurons. While these DG processes are required for the antidepressant effect, a role for CA1 in antidepressant action has been excluded, and the effect on CA3 neurons remains unclear. Here, we show for the first time that physical exercise and antidepressants induce local increase of BDNF in CA3. Voluntary physical exercise for 28 consecutive days, or 2-week treatment with 10 mg/kg per day fluoxetine or reboxetine, produced a global increase of BDNF mRNA and protein in the neuronal somata of the whole hippocampus and a specific increase of BDNF in dendrites of CA3 neurons. This increase was accounted for by BDNF exon 6 variant. In cultured hippocampal neurons, application of serotonin or norepinephrine (10-50 μM) induced increase in synaptic transmission and targeting of BDNF mRNA in dendrites. The increased expression of BDNF in CA3 dendrites following antidepressants or exercise further supports the neurotrophin hypothesis of antidepressants action and confirms that the differential subcellular localization of BDNF mRNA splice variants provides a spatial code for a selective expression of BDNF in specific subcellular districts. This selective expression may be exploited to design more specific antidepressants.

Does physical activity reduce risk for Alzheimer's disease through interaction with the stress neuroendocrine system?

Lack of physical activity (PA) is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and PA interventions are believed to provide an effective non-pharmacological approach for attenuating the symptoms of this disease. However, the mechanism of action of these positive effects is currently unknown. It is possible that the benefits may be at least partially mediated by the effects on the neuroendocrine stress system. Chronic stress can lead to dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, leading to aberrant basal and circadian patterns of cortisol secretion and a cascade of negative downstream events. These factors have been linked not only to reduced cognitive function but also increased levels of amyloid-β plaques and protein tau "tangles" (the neuropathological hallmarks of AD) in the non-demented mouse models of this disease. However, there is evidence that PA can have restorative effects on the stress neuroendocrine system and related risk factors relevant to AD. We explore the possibility that PA can positively impact upon AD by restoring normative HPA axis function, with consequent downstream effects upon underlying neuropathology and associated cognitive function. We conclude with suggestions for future research to test this hypothesis in patients with AD.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a regulator of systemic and brain energy metabolism and cardiovascular health

Overweight sedentary individuals are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some neurological disorders. Beneficial effects of dietary energy restriction (DER) and exercise on brain structural plasticity and behaviors have been demonstrated in animal models of aging and acute (stroke and trauma) and chronic (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) neurological disorders. The findings described later, and evolutionary considerations, suggest brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in the integration and optimization of behavioral and metabolic responses to environments with limited energy resources and intense competition. In particular, BDNF signaling mediates adaptive responses of the central, autonomic, and peripheral nervous systems from exercise and DER. In the hypothalamus, BDNF inhibits food intake and increases energy expenditure. By promoting synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis in the hippocampus, BDNF mediates exercise- and DER-induced improvements in cognitive function and neuroprotection. DER improves cardiovascular stress adaptation by a mechanism involving enhancement of brainstem cholinergic activity. Collectively, findings reviewed in this paper provide a rationale for targeting BDNF signaling for novel therapeutic interventions in a range of metabolic and neurological disorders.