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Gillespie B, Dunn A, Sundram S, Hill RA. Investigating 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone to combat maternal immune activation effects on offspring gene expression and behaviour. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111078. [PMID: 38950841 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111078] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Infection during pregnancy is a substantial risk factor for the unborn child to develop autism or schizophrenia later in life, and is thought to be driven by maternal immune activation (MIA). MIA can be modelled by exposing pregnant mice to Polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (Poly-I:C), a viral mimetic that induces an immune response and recapitulates in the offspring many neurochemical features of ASD and schizophrenia, including altered BDNF-TrkB signalling and disruptions to excitatory/inhibitory balance. Therefore, we hypothesised that a BDNF mimetic, 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), administered prophylactically to the dam may prevent the neurobehavioural sequelae of disruptions induced by MIA. Dams were treated with 7,8-DHF in the drinking water (0.08 mg/ML) from gestational day (GD) 9-20 and were exposed to Poly-I:C at GD17 (20 mg/kg, i.p.). Foetal brains were collected 6 h post Poly-I:C exposure for RT-qPCR analysis of BDNF, cytokine, GABAergic and glutamatergic gene targets. A second adult cohort were tested in a battery of behavioural tests relevant to schizophrenia and the prefrontal cortex and ventral hippocampus dissected for RT-qPCR analysis. Foetal brains exposed to Poly-I:C showed increased IL-6, but reduced expression of Ntrk2 and multiple GABAergic and glutamatergic markers. Anxiety-like behaviour was observed in adult offspring prenatally exposed to poly-I:C, which was accompanied by altered expression of Gria2 in the prefrontal cortex and Gria4 in the ventral hippocampus. While 7-8 DHF normalised the expression of some glutamatergic (Grm5) and GABAergic (Gabra1) genes in Poly-I:C exposed offspring, it also led to substantial alterations in offspring not exposed to Poly-I:C. Furthermore, mice exposed to 7,8-DHF prenatally showed increased pre-pulse inhibition and reduced working memory in adulthood. These data advance understanding of how 7,8-DHF and MIA prenatal exposure impacts genes critical to excitatory/inhibitory pathways and related behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Gillespie
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Ariel Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Rachel A Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
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2
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Huang W, Cano JC, Fénelon K. Deciphering the role of brainstem glycinergic neurons during startle and prepulse inhibition. Brain Res 2024; 1836:148938. [PMID: 38615924 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148938] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the auditory startle response, a key measure of sensorimotor gating, diminishes with age and is impaired in various neurological conditions. While PPI deficits are often associated with cognitive impairments, their reversal is routinely used in experimental systems for antipsychotic drug screening. Yet, the cellular and circuit-level mechanisms of PPI remain unclear, even under non-pathological conditions. We recently showed that brainstem neurons located in the caudal pontine reticular nucleus (PnC) expressing the glycine transporter type 2 (GlyT2±) receive inputs from the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) and contribute to PPI but via an uncharted pathway. Here, using tract-tracing, immunohistochemistry and in vitro optogenetic manipulations coupled to field electrophysiological recordings, we reveal the neuroanatomical distribution of GlyT2± PnC neurons and PnC-projecting CeA glutamatergic neurons and we provide mechanistic insights on how these glutamatergic inputs suppress auditory neurotransmission in PnC sections. Additionally, in vivo experiments using GlyT2-Cre mice confirm that optogenetic activation of GlyT2± PnC neurons enhances PPI and is sufficient to induce PPI in young mice, emphasizing their role. However, in older mice, PPI decline is not further influenced by inhibiting GlyT2± neurons. This study highlights the importance of GlyT2± PnC neurons in PPI and underscores their diminished activity in age-related PPI decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyun Huang
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Life Science Laboratories, 240 Thatcher Road, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA
| | - Jose C Cano
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX, 79912, USA
| | - Karine Fénelon
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Life Science Laboratories, 240 Thatcher Road, Amherst, MA, 01002, USA.
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de Oliveira YG, Poltronieri BC, Woodruff E, da Costa BF, Panizzutti RA. Age-related changes in prepulse inhibition of the startle response. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1145783. [PMID: 37124271 PMCID: PMC10133574 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1145783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Acoustic prepulse inhibition of the startle response (PPI) is a phenomenon characterized by the reduction in the startle reflex caused by the presence of weak and brief stimulus before an intense and sudden stimulus (pulse). These phenomena can be observed in several species, but in humans it is commonly measured by the eyeblink using electromyography. PPI works as an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, which is the ability to suppress motor responses for sensory stimulus. Healthy aging is marked by several changes in neural processing, like inhibitory functioning decline. In this line, PPI measure can be a potential biomarker for changes related to the aging process. Methods In this research we aim to investigate if PPI is reduced with aging and if this reduction would be associated with cognitive functioning of older adults. To this aim, we compared PPI levels of older adults (over 60 years old) with PPI levels of young adults (from 18 to 28 years old). Results With that, we found, significantly lower PPI level (F[1,25] = 7.44 p = 0.01) and lower startle amplitude startle amplitude: (U = 26.000 p = 0.001) in older adults than in young adults. However, we did not find differences in levels of habituation (T = -1.1 p = 0.28) and correlation between PPI and cognition within the sample of healthy older adults. Discussion Our results demonstrate that aging is a factor that affects PPI and that it does not seem to predict cognition, however, future studies should explore the potential of using PPI for monitoring cognitive changes associated with techniques such as cognitive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Guedes de Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Costa Poltronieri
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Erica Woodruff
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Brunno Freitas da Costa
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Arena Panizzutti
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Instituto de Psiquiatria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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4
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Jordan Walter T, Minassian A, Perry W, Young JW. Combined prior chronic methamphetamine treatment and gp120 expression reduce PPI in aged male but not female mice. Neurosci Lett 2022; 780:136639. [PMID: 35452766 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2022.136639] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is highly prevalent among people with HIV and is a significant public health problem. Furthermore, people with HIV are living longer and using drugs such as METH even into old age, making it important to understand the effects of METH use and aging in this population. HIV, METH, and aging negatively impact a variety of brain functions, including sensorimotor gating (i.e. - automatic, pre-conscious information processing). Sensorimotor gating is often measured using prepulse inhibition (PPI), a paradigm that can be conducted in animals, thereby allowing for preclinical studies. Little is known about how HIV, METH, and aging interact to affect PPI. The goal of this study was therefore to examine how METH affects PPI in aged gp120 mice, a mouse model of HIV. PPI was measured at 8, 14, and 22 months in male and female wild type (WT) and gp120 mice. PPI was also measured during and after METH treatment at 23-24 months. Aging was associated with decreased PPI in both sexes and genotypes. Combined prior METH treatment and gp120 expression caused the greatest reduction in PPI in aged male mice. Prior METH treatment decreased PPI in aged WT female mice, but not aged gp120 female mice. Overall, these results suggest the effects of HIV and METH on information processing seem to be influenced by age and sex. Combined HIV and METH may impair information processing in older men, but not older women.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jordan Walter
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, Veterans Administration San Diego HealthCare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
| | - William Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Research Services, Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
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Si W, Liu X, Pape HC, Reinscheid RK. Neuropeptide S-Mediated Modulation of Prepulse Inhibition Depends on Age, Gender, Stimulus-Timing, and Attention. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:489. [PMID: 34065431 PMCID: PMC8160819 DOI: 10.3390/ph14050489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflicting reports about the role of neuropeptide S (NPS) in animal models of psychotic-like behavior and inconsistent results from human genetic studies seeking potential associations with schizophrenia prompted us to reevaluate the effects of NPS in the prepulse inhibition (PPI) paradigm in mice. Careful examination of NPS receptor (NPSR1) knockout mice at different ages revealed that PPI deficits are only expressed in young male knockout animals (<12 weeks of age), that can be replicated in NPS precursor knockout mice and appear strain-independent, but are absent in female mice. PPI deficits can be aggravated by MK-801 and alleviated by clozapine. Importantly, treatment of wildtype mice with a centrally-active NPSR1 antagonist was able to mimic PPI deficits. PPI impairment in young male NPSR1 and NPS knockout mice may be caused by attentional deficits that are enhanced by increasing interstimulus intervals. Our data reveal a substantial NPS-dependent developmental influence on PPI performance and confirm a significant role of attentional processes for sensory-motor gating. Through its influence on attention and arousal, NPS appears to positively modulate PPI in young animals, whereas compensatory mechanisms may alleviate NPS-dependent deficits in older mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Si
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (W.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Xiaobin Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (W.S.); (X.L.)
| | - Hans-Christian Pape
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Rainer K. Reinscheid
- Institute of Physiology I, Westfälische-Wilhelms University, 48149 Münster, Germany;
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Schiller University, 07747 Jena, Germany
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6
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Disruption of prepulse inhibition is associated with compulsive behavior severity and nucleus accumbens dopamine receptor changes in Sapap3 knockout mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9442. [PMID: 33941812 PMCID: PMC8093235 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88769-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with disruption of sensorimotor gating, which may contribute to difficulties inhibiting intrusive thoughts and compulsive rituals. Neural mechanisms underlying these disturbances are unclear; however, striatal dopamine is implicated in regulation of sensorimotor gating and OCD pathophysiology. The goal of this study was to examine the relationships between sensorimotor gating, compulsive behavior, and striatal dopamine receptor levels in Sapap3 knockout mice (KOs), a widely used preclinical model system for OCD research. We found a trend for disruption of sensorimotor gating in Sapap3-KOs using the translational measure prepulse inhibition (PPI); however, there was significant heterogeneity in both PPI and compulsive grooming in KOs. Disruption of PPI was significantly correlated with a more severe compulsive phenotype. In addition, PPI disruption and compulsive grooming severity were associated with reduced dopamine D1 and D2/3 receptor density in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC). Compulsive grooming progressively worsened in Sapap3-KOs tested longitudinally, but PPI disruption was first detected in high-grooming KOs at 7 months of age. Through detailed characterization of individual differences in OCD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical measures, our findings suggest that NAcC dopamine receptor changes may be involved in disruption of sensorimotor gating and compulsive behavior relevant to OCD.
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Hsiao H, Creath RA, Sanders O, Inacio M, Beamer BA, Rogers MW. Acoustic pre-stimulation modulates startle and postural reactions during sudden release of standing support surface in aging. Hum Mov Sci 2020; 74:102715. [PMID: 33227568 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2020.102715] [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: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Falls contribute to injuries and reduced level of physical activity in older adults. During falls, the abrupt sensation of moving downward triggers a startle-like reaction that may interfere with protective response movements necessary to maintain balance. Startle reaction could be dampened by sensory pre-stimulation delivered immediately before a startling stimulus. This study investigated the neuromodulatory effects of pre-stimulation on postural/startle responses to drop perturbations of the standing support surface in relation to age. Ten younger and 10 older adults stood quietly on an elevated computer-controlled moveable platform. At an unpredictable time, participants were dropped vertically to elicit a startle-like response. Reactive drop perturbation trials without a pre-stimulus (control) were alternated with trials with acoustic pre-stimulus tone (PSI). A two-way mixed design analysis of variance comparing condition (control vs. PSI) X group (younger vs. older) was performed to analyze changes in muscle activation patterns, ground reaction force, and joint angular displacements. Compared to younger adults, older adults showed lower neck muscle electromyography amplitude reduction rate and incidence of response. Peak muscle activation in neck, upper arm, and hamstring muscles were reduced during PSI trials compared to control trials in both groups (p < 0.05). In addition, knee and hip joint flexion prior to ground contact was reduced in PSI trials compared to control (p < 0.05). During post-landing balance recovery, increased knee and hip flexion displacement and time to peak impact force were observed in PSI trials compared to control condition (p < 0.05). PSI reduced startle-induced muscle activation at proximal body segments and likely decreased joint flexion during abrupt downward vertical displacement perturbations of the body. Older adults retained the ability to modulate startle and postural responses but their neuromodulatory capacity was reduced compared with younger adults. Further research on the potential of applying PSI as a possible therapeutic tool to reduce the risk of fall-related injury is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- HaoYuan Hsiao
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Robert A Creath
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Exercise Science, Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA, USA
| | - Ozell Sanders
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices, Office of Device Evaluation, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, United States Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Mario Inacio
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, University Institute of Maia, Portugal
| | - Brock A Beamer
- Gerontology Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) at Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark W Rogers
- Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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8
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Jafari Z, Kolb BE, Mohajerani MH. Prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reflex and P50 gating in aging and alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 59:101028. [PMID: 32092463 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition plays a crucial role in many functional domains, such as cognition, emotion, and actions. Studies on cognitive aging demonstrate changes in inhibitory mechanisms are age- and pathology-related. Prepulse inhibition (PPI) is the suppression of an acoustic startle reflex (ASR) to an intense stimulus when a weak prepulse stimulus precedes the startle stimulus. A reduction of PPI is thought to reflect dysfunction of sensorimotor gating which normally suppresses excessive behavioral responses to disruptive stimuli. Both human and rodent studies show age-dependent alterations of PPI of the ASR that are further compromised in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The auditory P50 gating, an index of repetition suppression, also is characterized as a putative electrophysiological biomarker of prodromal AD. This review provides the latest evidence of age- and AD-associated impairment of sensorimotor gating based upon both human and rodent studies, as well as the AD-related disruption of P50 gating in humans. It begins with a concise review of neural networks underlying PPI regulation. Then, evidence of age- and AD-related dysfunction of both PPI and P50 gating is discussed. The attentional/ emotional aspects of sensorimotor gating and the neurotransmitter mechanisms underpinning PPI and P50 gating are also reviewed. The review ends with conclusions and research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Jafari
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4 AB, Canada; Department of Basic Sciences in Rehabilitation, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Science (IUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Bryan E Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4 AB, Canada.
| | - Majid H Mohajerani
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, T1K 3M4 AB, Canada.
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Saito R, Koebis M, Nagai T, Shimizu K, Liao J, Wulaer B, Sugaya Y, Nagahama K, Uesaka N, Kushima I, Mori D, Maruyama K, Nakao K, Kurihara H, Yamada K, Kano M, Fukada Y, Ozaki N, Aiba A. Comprehensive analysis of a novel mouse model of the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a model with the most common 3.0-Mb deletion at the human 22q11.2 locus. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:35. [PMID: 32066675 PMCID: PMC7026107 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-0723-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is associated with an increased risk for psychiatric disorders. Although most of the 22q11.2DS patients have a 3.0-Mb deletion, existing mouse models only mimic a minor mutation of 22q11.2DS, a 1.5-Mb deletion. The role of the genes existing outside the 1.5-Mb deletion in psychiatric symptoms of 22q11.2DS is unclear. In this study, we generated a mouse model that reproduced the 3.0-Mb deletion of the 22q11.2DS (Del(3.0 Mb)/ +) using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Ethological and physiological phenotypes of adult male mutants were comprehensively evaluated by visual-evoked potentials, circadian behavioral rhythm, and a series of behavioral tests, such as measurement of locomotor activity, prepulse inhibition, fear-conditioning memory, and visual discrimination learning. As a result, Del(3.0 Mb)/ + mice showed reduction of auditory prepulse inhibition and attenuated cue-dependent fear memory, which is consistent with the phenotypes of existing 22q11.2DS models. In addition, Del(3.0 Mb)/ + mice displayed an impaired early visual processing that is commonly seen in patients with schizophrenia. Meanwhile, unlike the existing models, Del(3.0 Mb)/ + mice exhibited hypoactivity over several behavioral tests, possibly reflecting the fatigability of 22q11.2DS patients. Lastly, Del(3.0 Mb)/ + mice displayed a faster adaptation to experimental jet lag as compared with wild-type mice. Our results support the validity of Del(3.0 Mb)/ + mice as a schizophrenia animal model and suggest that our mouse model is a useful resource to understand pathogenic mechanisms of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders associated with 22q11.2DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryo Saito
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XLaboratory of Animal Resources, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michinori Koebis
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XLaboratory of Animal Resources, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Taku Nagai
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Kimiko Shimizu
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jingzhu Liao
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Bolati Wulaer
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Yuki Sugaya
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Nagahama
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naofumi Uesaka
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan ,grid.437848.40000 0004 0569 8970Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Daisuke Mori
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Kazuaki Maruyama
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuki Nakao
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XLaboratory of Animal Resources, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kurihara
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Masanobu Kano
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Neurophysiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan ,grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XInternational Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced study (UTIAS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fukada
- grid.26999.3d0000 0001 2151 536XDepartment of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- grid.27476.300000 0001 0943 978XDepartment of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi Japan
| | - Atsu Aiba
- Laboratory of Animal Resources, Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. .,Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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10
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Guneykaya D, Ivanov A, Hernandez DP, Haage V, Wojtas B, Meyer N, Maricos M, Jordan P, Buonfiglioli A, Gielniewski B, Ochocka N, Cömert C, Friedrich C, Artiles LS, Kaminska B, Mertins P, Beule D, Kettenmann H, Wolf SA. Transcriptional and Translational Differences of Microglia from Male and Female Brains. Cell Rep 2019; 24:2773-2783.e6. [PMID: 30184509 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in brain structure and function are of substantial scientific interest because of sex-related susceptibility to psychiatric and neurological disorders. Neuroinflammation is a common denominator of many of these diseases, and thus microglia, as the brain's immunocompetent cells, have come into focus in sex-specific studies. Here, we show differences in the structure, function, and transcriptomic and proteomic profiles in microglia freshly isolated from male and female mouse brains. We show that male microglia are more frequent in specific brain areas, have a higher antigen-presenting capacity, and appear to have a higher potential to respond to stimuli such as ATP, reflected in higher baseline outward and inward currents and higher protein expression of purinergic receptors. Altogether, we provide a comprehensive resource to generate and validate hypotheses regarding brain sex differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilansu Guneykaya
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andranik Ivanov
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany; Charité-Universitaetsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Perez Hernandez
- Proteomics Platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Verena Haage
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bartosz Wojtas
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Niklas Meyer
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Meron Maricos
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Jordan
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alice Buonfiglioli
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bartlomiej Gielniewski
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Ochocka
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Cagla Cömert
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Proteomics Platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Lorena Suarez Artiles
- Proteomics Platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Bozena Kaminska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Philipp Mertins
- Proteomics Platform, Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, 13125 Berlin, Germany; Berlin Institute of Health, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dieter Beule
- Core Unit Bioinformatics, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany; Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helmut Kettenmann
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne A Wolf
- Cellular Neurocience, Max-Delbrueck-Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association, Berlin, Germany; Department of Ophthalmology, Charité-Universitaetsmedizin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany.
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11
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Liu YP, Yang YY, Wan FJ, Tung CS. Importance of intervention timing in the effectiveness of antipsychotics. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:493-500. [PMID: 28174128 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The use of early pharmacological intervention in treating young patients with schizophrenia is a debating issue for psychiatrists. However, on the basis of developmental theory, early antipsychotic intervention can be beneficial in terms of protecting neurons from further deterioration. This study investigated whether the initiation of second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) treatment at a younger age can effectively reverse schizophrenia-relevant behavioral and neurochemical features, namely acoustic prepulse inhibition (PPI) and accumbal dopamine (DA) efflux, respectively. Risperidone (RIS, 1mg/kg/day) or olanzapine (OLA, 2.5mg/kg/day) was administered for 6weeks in rats subjected to isolation rearing (IR) in adolescence or young adulthood. Behavioral testing was performed at 3 and 5 (for locomotor activity) and 2 and 4 (for PPI) weeks after the initiation of the pharmacological regimen. An additional PPI test was performed 6weeks after the initiation of the pharmacological regimen to assess the acute add-on effect of RIS or OLA. Dopamine (DA) efflux of the nucleus accumbens was evaluated through in vivo microdialysis at the end of the study, for measuring both the baseline levels after the chronic regimen and the responsiveness to acute add-on RIS or OLA treatment. Our results demonstrated that the effects of SGAs on PPI and accumbal DA efflux were dissociated. Specifically, RIS intervention was more beneficial for adolescent than young adult IR rats in restoring their PPI deficit, whereas OLA was age-independently effective in stimulating the accumbal DA efflux. Both PPI and accumbal DA could be employed to reflect IR-induced abnormalities, in which accumbal DA appeared to be more suitable in depicting the long-term effect of IR, whereas PPI might be a more accurate biological index for revealing the advantages of early RIS intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yia-Ping Liu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Yu-Yin Yang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Fang-Jung Wan
- Department of Psychiatry, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Che-Se Tung
- Division of Medical Research and Education, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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12
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Xie K, Neff F, Markert A, Rozman J, Aguilar-Pimentel JA, Amarie OV, Becker L, Brommage R, Garrett L, Henzel KS, Hölter SM, Janik D, Lehmann I, Moreth K, Pearson BL, Racz I, Rathkolb B, Ryan DP, Schröder S, Treise I, Bekeredjian R, Busch DH, Graw J, Ehninger G, Klingenspor M, Klopstock T, Ollert M, Sandholzer M, Schmidt-Weber C, Weiergräber M, Wolf E, Wurst W, Zimmer A, Gailus-Durner V, Fuchs H, Hrabě de Angelis M, Ehninger D. Every-other-day feeding extends lifespan but fails to delay many symptoms of aging in mice. Nat Commun 2017; 8:155. [PMID: 28761067 PMCID: PMC5537224 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00178-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary restriction regimes extend lifespan in various animal models. Here we show that longevity in male C57BL/6J mice subjected to every-other-day feeding is associated with a delayed onset of neoplastic disease that naturally limits lifespan in these animals. We compare more than 200 phenotypes in over 20 tissues in aged animals fed with a lifelong every-other-day feeding or ad libitum access to food diet to determine whether molecular, cellular, physiological and histopathological aging features develop more slowly in every-other-day feeding mice than in controls. We also analyze the effects of every-other-day feeding on young mice on shorter-term every-other-day feeding or ad libitum to account for possible aging-independent restriction effects. Our large-scale analysis reveals overall only limited evidence for a retardation of the aging rate in every-other-day feeding mice. The data indicate that every-other-day feeding-induced longevity is sufficiently explained by delays in life-limiting neoplastic disorders and is not associated with a more general slowing of the aging process in mice. Dietary restriction can extend the life of various model organisms. Here, Xie et al. show that intermittent periods of fasting achieved through every-other-day feeding protect mice against neoplastic disease but do not broadly delay organismal aging in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kan Xie
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Frauke Neff
- Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Markert
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jan Rozman
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Juan Antonio Aguilar-Pimentel
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Division of Environmental Dermatology and Allergy, Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Zentrum München, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Oana Veronica Amarie
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lore Becker
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Robert Brommage
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Lillian Garrett
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Kristin S Henzel
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sabine M Hölter
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Dirk Janik
- Institute of Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Isabelle Lehmann
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Kristin Moreth
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Brandon L Pearson
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ildiko Racz
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Birgit Rathkolb
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, München-Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Devon P Ryan
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Susanne Schröder
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Irina Treise
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, Trogerstraße 30, Technische Universität München, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Raffi Bekeredjian
- Department of Medicine III, Division of Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 410, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk H Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, Trogerstraße 30, Technische Universität München, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Graw
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Ehninger
- Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Klingenspor
- Molecular Nutritional Medicine, Else Kröner-Fresenius Center, Technische Universität München, Gregor-Mendel-Straße 2, 85350, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Thomas Klopstock
- Friedrich-Baur-Institut, Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Ziemssenstraße 1a, 80336, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, University Hospital Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistraße 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.,DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Schillerstraße 44, 80336, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 80336, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Ollert
- Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.,Department of Dermatology and Allergy Center, Odense Research Center for Anaphylaxis, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Michael Sandholzer
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Carsten Schmidt-Weber
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Technische Universität München and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Biedersteiner Str. 29, 80802, Munich, Germany.,Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Aulweg 130, 35392, Gießen, Germany
| | - Marco Weiergräber
- Research Group Experimental Neuropsychopharmacology, Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee 3, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair of Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor Lynen-Straße 25, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Schillerstraße 44, 80336, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 80336, Munich, Germany.,Chair of Developmental Genetics, Technische Universität München, c/o Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Zimmer
- Institute of Molecular Psychiatry, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Straße 25, 53105, Bonn, Germany
| | - Valerie Gailus-Durner
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Helmut Fuchs
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Martin Hrabě de Angelis
- German Mouse Clinic, Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.,Member of German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764, München-Neuherberg, Germany.,Chair of Experimental Genetics, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Technische Universität München, 85350, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - Dan Ehninger
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany.
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13
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Weber M, Wu T, Hanson JE, Alam NM, Solanoy H, Ngu H, Lauffer BE, Lin HH, Dominguez SL, Reeder J, Tom J, Steiner P, Foreman O, Prusky GT, Scearce-Levie K. Cognitive Deficits, Changes in Synaptic Function, and Brain Pathology in a Mouse Model of Normal Aging(1,2,3). eNeuro 2015; 2:ENEURO.0047-15.2015. [PMID: 26473169 PMCID: PMC4606159 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0047-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Age is the main risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Yet, cognitive decline in aged rodents has been less well studied, possibly due to concomitant changes in sensory or locomotor function that can complicate cognitive tests. We tested mice that were 3, 11, and 23 months old in cognitive, sensory, and motor measures, and postmortem measures of gliosis and neural activity (c-Fos). Hippocampal synaptic function was also examined. While age-related impairments were detectable in tests of spatial memory, greater age-dependent effects were observed in tests of associative learning [active avoidance (AA)]. Gross visual function was largely normal, but startle responses to acoustic stimuli decreased with increased age, possibly due to hearing impairments. Therefore, a novel AA variant in which light alone served as the conditioning stimuli was used. Age-related deficits were again observed. Mild changes in vision, as measured by optokinetic responses, were detected in 19- versus 4-month-old mice, but these were not correlated to AA performance. Thus, deficits in hearing or vision are unlikely to account for the observed deficits in cognitive measures. Increased gliosis was observed in the hippocampal formation at older ages. Age-related changes in neural function and plasticity were observed with decreased c-Fos in the dentate gyrus, and decreased synaptic strength and paired-pulse facilitation in CA1 slices. This work, which carefully outlines age-dependent impairments in cognitive and synaptic function, c-Fos activity, and gliosis during normal aging in the mouse, suggests robust translational measures that will facilitate further study of the biology of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Weber
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Tiffany Wu
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Jesse E. Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Nazia M. Alam
- Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, New York, 10605
| | - Hilda Solanoy
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Hai Ngu
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Benjamin E. Lauffer
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Han H. Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Sara L. Dominguez
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Jens Reeder
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Jennifer Tom
- Department of Bioinformatics, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Pascal Steiner
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Oded Foreman
- Department of Pathology, Genentech, South San Francisco, California 94080
| | - Glen T. Prusky
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, Burke Medical Research Institute, White Plains, New York 10605
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14
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YOUNG JW, RATTY A, DAWE GS, GEYER MA. Altered exploration and sensorimotor gating of the chakragati mouse model of schizophrenia. Behav Neurosci 2014; 128:460-7. [PMID: 24708299 PMCID: PMC4107138 DOI: 10.1037/a0036425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a prevalent neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorder with poor prognosis and limited understanding of its etiology. This limited etiological understanding renders developing animal models of schizophrenia difficult. Although attempts are made to recreate putative etiologies in models, these models may only enable the generation of treatments targeted at the mechanisms manipulated. Although the chakragati mouse was not created as a result of a specific gene target, reports to date suggest these mice exhibit behavioral abnormalities that are consistent with some observed in patients with schizophrenia. As an initial screen on the relevance of these mice to schizophrenia, we tested the exploration and sensorimotor gating of male and female chakragati mice in the cross-species tests behavioral pattern monitor (BPM) and prepulse inhibition (PPI), respectively. The chakragati mice exhibited hyperactive yet more meandering/circling movements of exploration compared with wildtype (WT) littermates. Moreover, chakragati mice exhibited impaired PPI compared with WT mice, primarily at high prepulse intensity levels. Thus, chakragati mice share some of the abnormal exploratory and PPI behaviors that are observed in patients with schizophrenia. These behaviors can be used to screen for novel antipsychotics which may be based on novel mechanisms of action. The multivariate abnormal exploration of these mice may also yield further information for treatment effects. Further characterization of these mice in tasks with putative links to negative or cognitive symptoms may further advance the utility of these mice as a screen for novel treatments for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared W. YOUNG
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500
Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego,
CA
| | - Anil RATTY
- Chakra Biotech Pte Ltd, 20 Ayer Rajah Crescent, Singapore
139964
| | - Gavin S. DAWE
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine,
National University Health System, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical
Drive, Singapore 117597
- Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Centre for Life Sciences, Life
Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, 28 Medical Drive, Singapore
117456
| | - Mark A. GEYER
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500
Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego,
CA
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15
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Risbrough V, Ji B, Hauger R, Zhou X. Generation and characterization of humanized mice carrying COMT158 Met/Val alleles. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:1823-32. [PMID: 24509724 PMCID: PMC4059890 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Revised: 02/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The Val158Met polymorphism of human catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) is one of the most well-studied single-nucleotide polymorphisms in neuropsychiatry; however, findings are inconsistent due to human genetic heterogeneity. We created the first 'humanized' COMTVal158Met mouse lines, which carry either human COMT Val or Met alleles via gene targeting. The 'humanized' mouse model enables strict comparison of the physiological functions of the two alleles. Consistent with human observation, Met/Met mice exhibited a 30% reduction in enzymatic activity compared with Val/Val mice. On the basis of the reported differences in human Met and Val carriers across working memory, fear processes and sensorimotor gating, we examined these functions between sibling Met/Met and Val/Val mice. Val/Val mice exhibited robust reductions in spatial working memory compared with Met/Met mice in both sexes, with tolcapone treatment significantly reversing the Val/Val alternation deficits. Sex effects were observed in other behaviors, with male Val/Val mice exhibited lower prepulse inhibition compared with Met/Met mice, whereas female mice exhibited the opposite phenotype. Female but not male Met/Met mice exhibited reduced contextual fear, increased cued fear, and reduced extinction recall. Thus, these mice (1) support the argument that human COMT Val158Met polymorphism modulates behavioral functions and most importantly (2) exhibit the expected treatment effects supporting the 'inverted U shaped' dose response of catecholamine signaling on cognitive function. This model will be invaluable for understanding the effects of human COMT Val158Met polymorphism on cortical development and behavioral functions, and how this polymorphism modulates treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Risbrough
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive Mail Code 0804, La Jolla 92093-0804, CA, USA. Tel: +1 619 543 3582, Fax: +1 619 543 2493, E-mail: or
| | - Baohu Ji
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Richard Hauger
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xianjin Zhou
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA,Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, La Jolla, CA, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive Mail Code 0804, La Jolla 92093-0804, CA, USA. Tel: +1 619 543 3582, Fax: +1 619 543 2493, E-mail: or
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16
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Henry BL, Geyer MA, Buell MR, Perry W, Young JW, Minassian A. Prepulse inhibition in HIV-1 gp120 transgenic mice after withdrawal from chronic methamphetamine. Behav Pharmacol 2014; 25:12-22. [PMID: 24281153 PMCID: PMC3926694 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
HIV infection is frequently comorbid with methamphetamine (METH) dependence. Both factors are associated with impairment in inhibitory function that continues even after abstinence from the drug. Deficits in prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating, are induced by acute stimulant administration, but the combined effect of HIV and chronic METH exposure on PPI is not well characterized. We quantified baseline acoustic startle and PPI in mice expressing the HIV-1 gp120 envelope protein (gp120tg) and in wild-type (WT) littermates; thereafter, we administered a chronic regimen of METH or vehicle and tested startle and PPI after 7 days of drug withdrawal. We hypothesized that METH-treated gp120tg mice would exhibit PPI deficits compared with vehicle-treated WT or gp120tg animals. Before METH administration, drug-naive female gp120tg mice exhibited decreased PPI compared with female WT mice, whereas male gp120tg mice exhibited increased startle compared with other groups. After drug withdrawal, no consistent genotype effect was observed, but METH-treated mice exhibited increased PPI compared with vehicle, in contrast to previous reports of acute METH-induced PPI deficits. In summary, PPI impairment in HIV could depend on factors such as sex, whereas changes in PPI following METH withdrawal may depend on the quantity and duration of drug exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brook L. Henry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
| | - Mark A. Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - William Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
| | - Jared W. Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Arpi Minassian
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego
- Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health, (CESAMH), Veteran’s Administration, San Diego, California, USA
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17
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Abstract
Norepinephrine and epinephrine signaling is thought to facilitate cognitive processes related to emotional events and heightened arousal; however, the specific role of epinephrine in these processes is less known. To investigate the selective impact of epinephrine on arousal and fear-related memory retrieval, mice unable to synthesize epinephrine (phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase knockout, PNMT-KO) were tested for contextual and cued-fear conditioning. To assess the role of epinephrine in other cognitive and arousal-based behaviors these mice were also tested for acoustic startle, prepulse inhibition, novel object recognition, and open-field activity. Our results show that compared with wild-type mice, PNMT-KO mice showed reduced contextual fear but normal cued fear. Mice exhibited normal memory performance in the short-term version of the novel object recognition task, suggesting that PNMT mice exhibit more selective memory effects on highly emotional and/or long-term memories. Similarly, open-field activity was unaffected by epinephrine deficiency, suggesting that differences in freezing are not related to changes in overall anxiety or exploratory drive. Startle reactivity to acoustic pulses was reduced in PNMT-KO mice, whereas prepulse inhibition was increased. These findings provide further evidence for a selective role of epinephrine in contextual-fear learning and support its potential role in acoustic startle.
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van Enkhuizen J, Minassian A, Young JW. Further evidence for ClockΔ19 mice as a model for bipolar disorder mania using cross-species tests of exploration and sensorimotor gating. Behav Brain Res 2013; 249:44-54. [PMID: 23623885 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Bipolar disorder (BD) is a pervasive neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by episodes of mania and depression. The switch between mania and depression may reflect seasonal changes and certainly can be affected by alterations in sleep and circadian control. The circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK) protein is a key component of the cellular circadian clock. Mutation of the Clock gene encoding this protein in ClockΔ19 mutant mice leads to behavioral abnormalities reminiscent of BD mania. To date, however, these mice have not been assessed in behavioral paradigms that have cross-species translational validity. In the present studies of ClockΔ19 and wildtype (WT) littermate mice, we quantified exploratory behavior and sensorimotor gating, which are abnormal in BD manic patients. We also examined the saccharin preference of these mice and their circadian control in different photoperiods. ClockΔ19 mice exhibited behavioral alterations that are consistent with BD manic patients tested in comparable tasks, including hyperactivity, increased specific exploration, and reduced sensorimotor gating. Moreover, compared to WT mice, ClockΔ19 mice exhibited a greater preference for sweetened solutions and greater sensitivity to altered photoperiod. In contrast with BD manic patients however, ClockΔ19 mice exhibited more circumscribed movements during exploration. Future studies will extend the characterization of these mice in measures with cross-species translational relevance to human testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordy van Enkhuizen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), 9500 Gilman Drive MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
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19
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Soontornniyomkij V, Risbrough VB, Young JW, Soontornniyomkij B, Jeste DV, Achim CL. Hippocampal calbindin-1 immunoreactivity correlate of recognition memory performance in aged mice. Neurosci Lett 2012; 516:161-5. [PMID: 22503902 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2012.03.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Revised: 03/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aging-related dysregulation of neuronal calcium metabolism, which not only involves the control of calcium fluxes but also the cytosolic calcium buffering system such as calbindin-1 (Calb1), may disturb synaptic plasticity and thereby memory functioning. Calb1 expression has been shown to affect hippocampal long-term potentiation and learning and to play a neuroprotective role in animal models of ischemic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders. We hypothesize that memory performance in aged mice correlates with neuronal Calb1 protein expression in the hippocampal formation. We studied a set of 18 aged and 22 young male C57BL/6N mice, in which the aged group performed poorer than the young in single-trial novel object recognition testing (two-tailed p=0.005, U test). Apparent decreases in the Calb1 immunoreactivity (measured by quantitative immunohistochemistry) in aged mice compared to that in young mice were not statistically significant either in the hippocampal CA1 subfield or dentate gyrus. In the aged mouse group, levels of Calb1 immunoreactivity both in the CA1 subfield and dentate gyrus correlated directly with the measure of recognition memory performance (Spearman rank correlation r(s)=0.47 and 0.48, two-tailed p=0.047 and 0.044, respectively). Our results suggest that hippocampal Calb1 expression affects memory performance in aged mice probably via its role in maintaining neuronal calcium homeostasis. Alternatively, our finding of lower Calb1 immunoreactivity with poorer memory performance in aged mice might be attributed to saturation of Calb1 protein by higher levels of intracellular calcium, due to aging-related dysregulation of neuronal calcium fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virawudh Soontornniyomkij
- Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0603, USA.
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Powell SB, Weber M, Geyer MA. Genetic models of sensorimotor gating: relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2012; 12:251-318. [PMID: 22367921 PMCID: PMC3357439 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2011_195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Sensorimotor gating, or the ability of a sensory event to suppress a motor response, can be measured operationally via prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle response. PPI is deficient in schizophrenia patients as well as other neuropsychiatric disorders, can be measured across species, and has been used widely as a translational tool in preclinical neuropharmacological and genetic research. First developed to assess drug effects in pharmacological and developmental models, PPI has become one of the standard behavioral measures in genetic models of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders that exhibit PPI deficits. In this chapter we review the literature on genetic models of sensorimotor gating and discuss the utility of PPI as a tool in phenotyping mutant mouse models. We highlight the approaches to genetic mouse models of neuropsychiatric disease, discuss some of the important caveats to these approaches, and provide a comprehensive table covering the more recent genetic models that have evaluated PPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan B. Powell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Martin Weber
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech Inc, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080-4990, USA
| | - Mark A. Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA
- Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
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Young JW, Meves JM, Tarantino IS, Caldwell S, Geyer MA. Delayed procedural learning in α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor knockout mice. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2011; 10:720-33. [PMID: 21679297 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2011.00711.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) has long been a procognitive therapeutic target to treat schizophrenia. Evidence on the role of this receptor in cognition has been lacking, however, in part due to the limited availability of suitable ligands. The behavior of α7-nAChR knockout (KO) mice has been examined previously, but cognitive assessments using tests with cross-species translatability have been limited to date. Here, we assessed the cognitive performance of α7-nAChR KO and wild-type (WT) littermate mice in the attentional set-shifting task of executive functioning, the radial arm maze test of spatial working memory span capacity and the novel object recognition test of short-term memory. The reward motivation of these mutants was assessed using the progressive ratio breakpoint test. In addition, we assessed the exploratory behavior and sensorimotor gating using the behavioral pattern monitor and prepulse inhibition, respectively. α7-nAChR KO mice exhibited normal set-shifting, but impaired procedural learning (rule acquisition) in multiple paradigms. Spatial span capacity, short-term memory, motivation for food, exploration and sensorimotor gating were all comparable to WT littermates. The data presented here support the notion that this receptor is important for such procedural learning, when patterns in the environment become clear and a rule is learned. In combination with the impaired attention observed previously in these mice, this finding suggests that agonist treatments should be examined in clinical studies of attention and procedural learning, perhaps in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, USA.
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Lacy RT, Mactutus CF, Harrod SB. Prenatal IV nicotine exposure produces a sex difference in sensorimotor gating of the auditory startle reflex in adult rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2011; 29:153-61. [PMID: 21145386 PMCID: PMC3312379 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2010] [Revised: 11/24/2010] [Accepted: 12/01/2010] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with auditory processing deficits in children; these effects have been confirmed with animal models of continuous high-dose prenatal nicotine exposure. The present experiments utilized a novel, low-dose, intermittent, intravenous (IV) gestational nicotine exposure model to investigate potential deficits on the preattentive process of sensorimotor gating, as indexed by prepulse inhibition (PPI), in preweanling and adult rat offspring. Pregnant dams received bolus IV injections of nicotine (0.05 mg/kg/injection) 3×/day on gestational days 8-21. Auditory and tactile stimulus modalities were probed with tone and air puff prepulse stimuli, respectively. These prepulse stimuli preceded a 100 dB(A) startle tone by six different interstimulus intervals (ISIs; 0, 8, 40, 80, 120, 4000 ms) to define a curve of response inhibition. The magnitude of PPI increased with age, from 59 to 81% inhibition. Preweanlings (PNDs 14 and 18) and adults (PND 75) gestationally exposed to nicotine exhibited altered startle responding relative to controls, but the nature of the deficit became more localized at later ages. The entire curve of response inhibition in preweanlings exposed to prenatal nicotine (PND 14) was shifted up relative to controls, and notably, did not interact with prepulse stimulus modality, suggesting a generalized increased sensorimotor responsiveness as a function of prenatal nicotine. At PND 18, a shift in the response curve across all ISIs was again noted, but varied as a function of prepulse stimulus modality; the increased sensorimotor responsiveness was specific to the auditory, but not tactile, sensory modality. In adulthood, male and female animals prenatally exposed to nicotine were differentially sensitive to modulation by the ISIs, relative to control male and female animals. Specifically, despite robust PPI, adult females exposed to gestational nicotine were relatively insensitive to changes in ISI from 8 to 120 ms; in contrast, the robust PPI of nicotine-exposed males demonstrated a clear focal point of inhibition at 40 ms. These findings indicate that a low, daily dosing of IV prenatal nicotine produces long-lasting alterations in auditory PPI. An important implication of this research is that "chipping" with smoked-tobacco products during pregnancy may produce enduring changes in sensorimotor processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Lacy
- Program in Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
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