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Wilson C, Gattuso JJ, Kuznetsova M, Li S, Connell S, Choo JM, Rogers GB, Gubert C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Experience-dependent grooming microstructure alterations and gastrointestinal dysfunction in the SAPAP3 knockout mouse model of compulsive behaviour. J Affect Disord 2024:S0165-0327(24)01201-1. [PMID: 39043310 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Compulsive- and anxiety-like behaviour can be efficiently modelled in SAPAP3 knockout (KO) mice, a preclinical model of relevance to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Although there is emerging evidence in the clinical literature of gastrointestinal dysfunction in OCD, no previous studies have investigated gut function in preclinical models of relevance to OCD. Similarly, the effects of voluntary exercise (EX) or environmental enrichment (EE) have not yet been explored in this context. METHOD We comprehensively phenotyped the SAPAP3 KO mouse model, including the assessment of grooming microstructure, anxiety- and depressive-like behaviours, and gastrointestinal function. Mice were exposed to either standard housing (SH), exercise (EX, provided by giving mice access to running wheels), or environmental enrichment (EE) for 4 weeks to investigate the effects of enriched housing conditions in this animal model relevant to OCD. FINDINGS Our study is the first to assess grooming microstructure, perseverative locomotor activity, and gastrointestinal function in SAPAP3 KO mice. We are also the first to report a sexually dimorphic effect of grooming in young-adult SAPAP3 KO mice; along with changes to grooming patterning and indicators of gut dysfunction, which occurred in the absence of gut dysbiosis in this model. Overall, we found no beneficial effects of voluntary exercise or environmental enrichment interventions in this mouse model; and unexpectedly, we revealed a deleterious effect of wheel-running exercise on grooming behaviour. We suspect that the detrimental effects of experimental housing in our study may be indicative of off-target effects of stress-a conclusion that warrants further investigation into the effects of chronic stress in this preclinical model of compulsive behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - James J Gattuso
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Maria Kuznetsova
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sasha Connell
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Jocelyn M Choo
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Geraint B Rogers
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia; Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Carolina Gubert
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Wilson C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Serotonergic agonism and pharmacologically-induced adolescent stress cause operant-based learning deficits in mice. Neuropharmacology 2024; 244:109801. [PMID: 38040286 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109801] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interplay between environmental stress and genetic factors is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, the relative contribution of these causative antecedents in the manifestation of cognitive inflexibility-a phenotype often seen in obsessive-compulsive (OC)- spectrum disorders-is not fully understood. METHOD In this study, we treated mice with 50 mg/L corticosterone (CORT, a glucocorticoid stress hormone) in their drinking water during adolescence. In adulthood, we assessed anxiety-like behaviour and locomotor activity; along with operant-based discrimination and reversal learning. RU-24969, a selective serotonin receptor 5-HT1A/1B receptor agonist, was used as an acute pharmacological model of OC-like behaviour. RU-24969 (5 mg/kg) was administered prior to each reversal learning testing session. RESULTS We found that acute treatment with 5 mg/kg RU-24969 induced stereotyped hyperlocomotion in vehicle- and CORT-treated mice. Furthermore, pre-treatment with CORT in adolescence produced subtle anxiety-like behaviour in adult mice, and also resulted in an impairment to late-stage discrimination learning and alterations to reversal learning. Finally, acute treatment with 5 mg/kg RU-24969 caused an impairment to early-stage reversal learning. CONCLUSION Whilst we revealed dissociable detrimental effects of adolescent CORT treatment and acute 5-HT1A/1B receptor agonism on discrimination and reversal learning, respectively, we did not find evidence of additive deleterious effects of these two treatments. We therefore suggest that while disrupted serotonergic signalling is likely to be involved in the cognitive phenotype of OC-spectrum disorders, distinct neuropathological pathways may be at play in mediating the role of stress as an antecedent in OCD and related illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Luo Z, Chen J, Dai Y, So KF, Zhang L. Treadmill exercise modulates the medial prefrontal-amygdala neural circuit to improve the resilience against chronic restraint stress. Commun Biol 2023; 6:624. [PMID: 37296310 PMCID: PMC10256706 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05003-w] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerobic exercise effectively ameliorates mental disorders including anxiety and depression. Current findings mainly attribute its neural mechanism to the improvement of adult neurogenesis, while leaving the possible circuitry mechanism unclear. In the current study, we identify the overexcitation of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to basolateral amygdala (BLA) pathway under chronic restraint stress (CRS), and 14-day treadmill exercise selectively reverses such abnormalities. Using chemogenetic approaches, we find that the mPFC-BLA circuit is necessary for preventing anxiety-like behaviors in CRS mice. These results collectively suggest a neural circuitry mechanism by which exercise training improves the resilience against environmental stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihua Luo
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yelin Dai
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, China.
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China.
- Center for Exercise and Brain Science, School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Ministry of Education), Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China.
- Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guangzhou, China.
- Neuroscience and Neurorehabilitation Institute, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China.
- Center for Exercise and Brain Science, School of Psychology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
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Environmental enrichment: dissociated effects between physical activity and changing environmental complexity on anxiety and neurogenesis in adult male Balb/C mice. Physiol Behav 2022; 254:113878. [PMID: 35700814 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Several factors, including environmental modifications, stimulate neuroplasticity. One type of neuroplasticity consists in the generation of new neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. Neurogenesis is modulated by environmental enrichment (ENR, tunnels plus running wheel) and affected by the time of exposure to ENR. Despite the wide use of ENR to stimulate neuroplasticity, the degree to which ENR variations modeled by temporally changing the level of environmental complexity affect hippocampal neurogenesis and anxiety is still unclear. Thus, we investigated the effects of five housing conditions on young adult male Balb/C mice exposed for 42 days. The groups were as follows: standard conditions without ENR, constant ENR complexity, gradual increase of ENR complexity followed by a gradual decrease of ENR complexity, gradual increase of ENR complexity followed by constant ENR complexity, and constant ENR complexity followed by a gradual decrease of ENR complexity. On day 44, mice were exposed to the elevated plus-maze to evaluate anxiety. Further, we analyzed neurogenesis and quantified corticosterone levels. In an additional experiment, we explored the effect of voluntary physical activity on anxiety, neurogenesis, and corticosterone during the variations in ENR complexity. Our results showed that any change in ENR complexity over time reduced anxiety. Also, voluntary physical activity alone or in the context of a complex environment increased doublecortin cell maturation in the granular cell layer of the hippocampus. Finally, our study supports that physical activity acts proneurogenic, whereas any change in environmental complexity decreases anxiety-like behavior. However, the decrease in corticosterone levels elicited by physical activity was lower than the decrease produced by the decrement in environmental complexity.
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Yuan T, Orock A, Greenwood-VanMeerveld B. An enriched environment reduces chronic stress-induced visceral pain through modulating microglial activity in the central nucleus of the amygdala. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2022; 322:G223-G233. [PMID: 34877892 PMCID: PMC8793868 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00307.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) improves the quality of life for patients with brain-gut disorders; however, the underlying mechanisms of CBT remain to be explored. Previously, we showed that environmental enrichment (EE), an experimental paradigm that mirrors positive behavioral intervention, ameliorates chronic stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity in a rodent model via mechanisms involving altered activity in the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA). In the present study, we investigated whether microglia-mediated synaptic plasticity in the CeA is a potential mechanism underlying the protective effects of EE against stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. We stereotaxically implanted corticosterone (CORT) micropellets onto the dorsal margin of the CeA shown previously to induce colonic hypersensitivity. Animals were housed in EE cages or standard cages for 14 days after CORT implantation. Visceral sensitivity was assessed via visceromotor behavioral response to colorectal distension. Microglial morphology, microglia-mediated synaptic engulfment, and the expression of synaptic pruning-related signals complement component 1q (C1q), complement component 3 (C3), and C3 receptor (C3R) were measured using immunofluorescence and RNAscope assay. We found that housing CORT implanted rats in EE cages for 14 days attenuated visceral hypersensitivity in both male and female rats as compared with control rats maintained in standard housing. EE reduced CORT-induced microglial remodeling and microglia-mediated synaptic pruning with reduced C1q and CR3, but not C3, expression. Our data suggest that exposure to EE is sufficient to ameliorate stress-induced visceral pain via reducing amygdala microglia-modulated neuronal plasticity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Clinical studies show that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in ameliorating visceral pain in patient with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), yet the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored. By using environmental enrichment (EE), an experimental paradigm that mirrors positive behavioral intervention, we demonstrated that microglia-mediated synaptic plasticity in the CeA explains, plays a role, at least in part, in the positive effects of EE to reduce visceral hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Yuan
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Albert Orock
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Beverley Greenwood-VanMeerveld
- 1Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,2Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
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6
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Wilson C, Rogers J, Chen F, Li S, Adlard PA, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Exercise ameliorates aberrant synaptic plasticity without enhancing adult-born cell survival in the hippocampus of serotonin transporter knockout mice. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 226:1991-1999. [PMID: 34052925 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02283-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Deficits in hippocampal cellular and synaptic plasticity are frequently associated with cognitive and mood disorders, and indeed common mechanisms of antidepressants are thought to involve neuroplastic processes. Here, we investigate hippocampal adult-born cell survival and synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation, LTP, and long-term depression, LTD) in serotonin transporter (5-HTT) knockout (KO) mice. From 8 weeks of age, mice either continued in standard-housing conditions or were given access to voluntary running wheels for 1 month. Electrophysiology was performed on hippocampal slices to measure LTP and LTD, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell proliferation and subsequent survival in the dentate gyrus. The results revealed a reduced LTP in 5-HTT KO mice that was restored to wild-type (WT) levels after chronic exercise. While LTD appeared normal in 5-HTT KO, exercise decreased the magnitude of LTD in both WT and 5-HTT KO mice. Furthermore, although 5-HTT KO mice had normal hippocampal adult-born cell survival, they did not benefit from the pro-proliferative effects of exercise observed in WT animals. Taken together, these findings suggest that reduced 5-HTT expression is associated with significant alterations to functional neuroplasticity. Interestingly, 5-HTT appeared necessary for exercise-induced augmentation of adult-born hippocampal cell survival, yet exercise corrected the LTP impairment displayed by 5-HTT KO mice. Together, our findings further highlight the salience of serotonergic signalling in mediating the neurophysiological benefits of exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey Wilson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Jake Rogers
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Feng Chen
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul A Adlard
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia. .,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
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7
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Bray MJC, Sharma B, Cottrelle's J, Peters ME, Bayley M, Green REA. Hippocampal atrophy is associated with psychotic symptom severity following traumatic brain injury. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab026. [PMID: 33977261 PMCID: PMC8098106 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychosis is a rare, but particularly serious sequela of traumatic brain injury. However, little is known as to the neurobiological processes that may contribute to its onset. Early evidence suggests that psychotic symptom development after traumatic brain injury may co-occur with hippocampal degeneration, invoking the possibility of a relationship. Particularly regarding the hippocampal head, these degenerative changes may lead to dysregulation in dopaminergic circuits, as is reported in psychoses due to schizophrenia, resulting in the positive symptom profile typically seen in post-injury psychosis. The objective of this study was to examine change in hippocampal volume and psychotic symptoms across time in a sample of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury patients. We hypothesized that hippocampal volume loss would be associated with increased psychotic symptom severity. From a database of n = 137 adult patients with prospectively collected, longitudinal imaging and neuropsychiatric outcomes, n = 24 had complete data at time points of interest (5 and 12 months post-traumatic brain injury) and showed increasing psychotic symptom severity on the Personality Assessment Inventory psychotic experiences subscale of the schizophrenia clinical scale across time. Secondary analysis employing stepwise regression with hippocampal volume change (independent variable) and Personality Assessment Inventory psychotic symptom change (dependent variable) from 5 to 12 months post-injury was conducted including age, sex, marijuana use, family history of schizophrenia, years of education and injury severity as control variables. Total right hippocampal volume loss predicted an increase in the Personality Assessment Inventory psychotic experiences subscale (F(1, 22) = 5.396, adjusted R2 = 0.161, P = 0.030; β = −0.017, 95% confidence interval = −0.018, −0.016) as did volume of the right hippocampal head (F(1, 22) = 5.764, adjusted R2 = 0.172, P = 0.025; β = −0.019, 95% confidence interval = −0.021, −0.017). Final model goodness-of-fit was confirmed using k-fold (k = 5) cross-validation. Consistent with our hypotheses, the current findings suggest that hippocampal degeneration in the chronic stages of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury may play a role in the delayed onset of psychotic symptoms after traumatic brain injury. These findings localized to the right hippocampal head are supportive of a proposed aetiological mechanism whereby atrophy of the hippocampal head may lead to the dysregulation of dopaminergic networks following traumatic brain injury; possibly accounting for observed clinical features of psychotic disorder after traumatic brain injury (including prolonged latency period to symptom onset and predominance of positive symptoms). If further validated, these findings may bear important clinical implications for neurorehabilitative therapies following traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J C Bray
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.,The KITE Research Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Bhanu Sharma
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada.,The KITE Research Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada.,Department of Medical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Julia Cottrelle's
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Matthew E Peters
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Mark Bayley
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada.,The KITE Research Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
| | - Robin E A Green
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.,Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada.,The KITE Research Institute-University Health Network, Toronto, ON M5G 2A2, Canada
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8
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Zeraati M, Najdi N, Mosaferi B, Salari AA. Environmental enrichment alters neurobehavioral development following maternal immune activation in mice offspring with epilepsy. Behav Brain Res 2020; 399:112998. [PMID: 33197458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Anxiety-related disorders and cognitive deficits are common in patients with epilepsy. Previous studies have shown that maternal infection/immune activation renders children more vulnerable to neurological disorders later in life. Environmental enrichment has been suggested to improve seizures, anxiety, and cognitive impairment in animal models. The present study aimed to explore the effects of environmental enrichment on seizure scores, anxiety-like behavior, and cognitive deficits following maternal immune activation in offspring with epilepsy. Pregnant mice were treated with lipopolysaccharides-(LPS) or vehicle, and offspring were housed in normal or enriched environments during early adolescence to adulthood. To induce epilepsy, adult male and female offspring were treated with Pentylenetetrazol-(PTZ), and then anxiety-like behavior and cognitive functions were assessed. Tumor-necrosis-factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL) 10 were measured in the hippocampus of offspring. Maternal immune activation sex-dependently increased seizure scores in PTZ-treated offspring. Significant increases in anxiety-like behavior, cognitive impairment, and hippocampal TNF-α and IL-10 were also found following maternal immune activation in PTZ-treated offspring. However, there was no sex difference in these behavioral abnormalities in offspring. Environmental enrichment reversed the effects of maternal immune activation on behavioral and inflammatory parameters in PTZ-treated offspring. Overall, the present findings highlight the adverse effects of prenatal maternal immune activation on seizure susceptibility and psychiatric comorbidities in offspring. This study suggests that environmental enrichment may be used as a potential treatment approach for behavioral abnormalities following maternal immune activation in PTZ-treated offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zeraati
- Physiology and Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Alborz, Iran
| | - Nazila Najdi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Belal Mosaferi
- Department of Basic Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran
| | - Ali-Akbar Salari
- Salari Institute of Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders (SICBD), Karaj, Alborz, Iran.
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9
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Pritchett-Corning KR. Environmental Complexity and Research Outcomes. ILAR J 2020; 60:239-251. [PMID: 32559304 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilaa007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental complexity is an experimental paradigm as well as a potential part of animals' everyday housing experiences. In experimental uses, researchers add complexity to stimulate brain development, delay degenerative brain changes, elicit more naturalistic behaviors, and test learning and memory. Complexity can exacerbate or mitigate behavioral problems, give animals a sense of control, and allow for expression of highly driven, species-typical behaviors that can improve animal welfare. Complex environments should be designed thoughtfully with the animal's natural behaviors in mind, reported faithfully in the literature, and evaluated carefully for unexpected effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen R Pritchett-Corning
- Office of Animal Resources, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts.,Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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10
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Koyuncuoğlu T, Sevim H, Çetrez N, Meral Z, Gönenç B, Kuntsal Dertsiz E, Akakın D, Yüksel M, Kasımay Çakır Ö. High intensity interval training protects from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder induced cognitive impairment. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112923. [PMID: 32976860 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to show the possible protective effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT) in PTSD-induced rats and probable underlying mechanisms. Female rats (n = 44) were separated as; Sedentary (SED), moderate intensity continuous training (MICT), HIIT groups. Then the groups were divided into subgroups according to PTSD induction (n = 6-8/group). Exercise groups performed HIIT or MICT for 6 weeks. On the fifth week, PTSD was induced by single prolonged stress protocol. Cognitive functions were evaluated by object recognition, anxiety levels by hole-board and elevated plus maze, and fear conditioning by passive avoidance tests. Following decapitation, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), luminol and lucigenin chemiluminescence levels, and myeloperoxidase (MPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were measured, and histopathological damage was evaluated. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA. Cognitive decline and aggravated anxiety levels in SED + PTSD group were improved in both PTSD-induced exercise groups (p < 0.05-0.001). The increased chemiluminescence levels, MPO activity and histological damage were depressed in both PTSD-induced exercise groups (p < 0.05-0.001). The risen MDA levels in SED + PTSD group were suppressed only in HIIT + PTSD group (p < 0.01-0.001). The decreased GSH levels were increased by MICT (p < 0.05-0.001), and CAT and SOD activities were improved via HIIT (p < 0.05). Compared to SED group, latency was decreased in SED + PTSD (p < 0.05-0.01) group. Neuronal damage scores were alleviated in both PTSD-induced exercise groups (p < 0.001). PTSD-induced memory decline was protected by both of the exercise models however more effectively by HIIT via decreasing oxidative stress, anxiety levels and by improving antioxidant capacity as a protective system for neuronal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Türkan Koyuncuoğlu
- Department of Physiology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hacer Sevim
- Undergraduate Medical Students, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nurşen Çetrez
- Undergraduate Medical Students, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Meral
- Undergraduate Medical Students, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Berfin Gönenç
- Undergraduate Medical Students, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ekin Kuntsal Dertsiz
- Department of Histology & Embryology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dilek Akakın
- Department of Histology & Embryology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Meral Yüksel
- Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, Marmara University Vocational School of Health Services, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özgür Kasımay Çakır
- Department of Physiology, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey.
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11
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Maliszewska-Cyna E, Vecchio LM, Thomason LAM, Oore JJ, Steinman J, Joo IL, Dorr A, McLaurin J, Sled JG, Stefanovic B, Aubert I. The effects of voluntary running on cerebrovascular morphology and spatial short-term memory in a mouse model of amyloidosis. Neuroimage 2020; 222:117269. [PMID: 32818618 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Physical activity has been correlated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline, including that associated with vascular dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD); recent literature suggests this may in part result from benefits to the cerebrovascular network. Using a transgenic (Tg) mouse model of AD, we evaluated the effect of running on cortical and hippocampal vascular morphology, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, amyloid plaque load, and spatial memory. TgCRND8 mice present with progressive amyloid pathology, advancing from the cortex to the hippocampus in a time-dependent manner. We postulated that the characteristic progression of pathology could lead to differential, time-dependent effects of physical activity on vascular morphology in these brain regions at 6 months of age. We used two-photon fluorescent microscopy and 3D vessel tracking to characterize vascular and amyloid pathology in sedentary TgCRND8 mice compared those who have a history of physical activity (unlimited access to a running wheel, from 3 to 6 months of age). In sedentary TgCRND8 mice, capillary density was found to be lower in the cortex and higher in the hippocampus compared to non-transgenic (nonTg) littermates. Capillary length, vessel branching, and non-capillary vessel tortuosity were also higher in the hippocampus of sedentary TgCRND8 compared to nonTg mice. Three months of voluntary running resulted in normalizing cortical and hippocampal microvascular morphology, with no significant difference between TgCRND8 and nonTg mice. The benefits of physical activity on cortical and hippocampal vasculature in 6-month old TgCRND8 mice were not paralleled by significant changes on parenchymal and cerebral amyloid pathology. Short-term spatial memory- as evaluated by performance in the Y-maze- was significantly improved in running compared to sedentary TgCRND8 mice. These results suggest that long-term voluntary running contributes to the maintenance of vascular morphology and spatial memory in TgCRND8 mice, even in the absence of an effect on amyloid pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Maliszewska-Cyna
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, S112, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Laura M Vecchio
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, S112, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada.
| | - Lynsie A M Thomason
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Canada
| | - Jonathan J Oore
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, S112, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada
| | - Joe Steinman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Illsung Lewis Joo
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Canada
| | - Adrienne Dorr
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Canada
| | - JoAnne McLaurin
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, S112, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - John G Sled
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Bojana Stefanovic
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Physical Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Isabelle Aubert
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences, Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Ave, S112, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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12
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Watanasriyakul WT, Normann MC, Akinbo OI, Colburn W, Dagner A, Grippo AJ. Protective neuroendocrine effects of environmental enrichment and voluntary exercise against social isolation: evidence for mediation by limbic structures. Stress 2019; 22:603-618. [PMID: 31134849 PMCID: PMC6690777 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2019.1617691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research indicates that loneliness and social isolation may contribute to behavioral disorders and neurobiological dysfunction. Environmental enrichment (EE), including both cognitive and physical stimulation, may prevent some behavioral, endocrine, and cardiovascular consequences of social isolation; however, specific neural mechanisms for these benefits are still unclear. Therefore, this study examined potential neuroendocrine protective effects of both EE and exercise. Adult female prairie voles were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions: paired control, social isolation/sedentary, social isolation/EE, and social isolation/voluntary exercise. All isolated animals were housed individually for 8 weeks, while paired animals were housed with their respective sibling for 8 weeks. Animals in the EE and voluntary exercise conditions received EE items (including a running wheel) and a running wheel only, respectively, at week 4 of the isolation period. At the end of the experiment, plasma and brains were collected from all animals for corticosterone and FosB and delta FosB (FosB/ΔFosB) - immunoreactivity in stress-related brain regions. Overall, social isolation increased neuroendocrine stress responses, as reflected by the elevation of corticosterone levels and increased FosB/ΔFosB-immunoreactivity in the basolateral amygdala (BLA) compared to paired animals; EE and voluntary exercise attenuated these increases. EE and exercise also increased FosB/ΔFosB-immunoreactivity in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) compared to other conditions. Limbic structures statistically mediated hypothalamic immunoreactivity in EE and exercise animals. This research has translational value for socially isolated individuals by informing our understanding of neural mechanisms underlying responses to social stressors. Highlights Prolonged social isolation increased basal corticosterone levels and basolateral amygdala immunoreactivity. Environmental enrichment and exercise buffered corticosterone elevations and basolateral amygdala hyperactivity. Protective effects of environmental enrichment and exercise may be mediated by medial prefrontal cortex and limbic structures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marigny C Normann
- a Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA
| | - Oreoluwa I Akinbo
- a Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA
| | - William Colburn
- a Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA
| | - Ashley Dagner
- a Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA
| | - Angela J Grippo
- a Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University , DeKalb , IL , USA
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13
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Short-term environmental enrichment, and not physical exercise, alleviate cognitive decline and anxiety from middle age onwards without affecting hippocampal gene expression. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 19:1143-1169. [DOI: 10.3758/s13415-019-00743-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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14
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Rogers J, Chen F, Stanic D, Farzana F, Li S, Zeleznikow-Johnston AM, Nithianantharajah J, Churilov L, Adlard PA, Lanfumey L, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Paradoxical effects of exercise on hippocampal plasticity and cognition in mice with a heterozygous null mutation in the serotonin transporter gene. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3279-3296. [PMID: 31167040 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 05/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Exercise is known to improve cognitive function, but the exact synaptic and cellular mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the potential role of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) in mediating these effects. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and neurogenesis were measured in standard-housed and exercising (wheel running) wild-type (WT) and SERT heterozygous (HET) mice. We also assessed hippocampal-dependent cognition using the Morris water maze (MWM) and a spatial pattern separation touchscreen task. KEY RESULTS SERT HET mice had impaired hippocampal LTP regardless of the housing conditions. Exercise increased hippocampal neurogenesis in WT mice. However, this was not observed in SERT HET animals, even though both genotypes used the running wheels to a similar extent. We also found that standard-housed SERT HET mice displayed altered cognitive flexibility than WT littermate controls in the MWM reversal learning task. However, SERT HET mice no longer exhibited this phenotype after exercise. Cognitive changes, specific to SERT HET mice in the exercise condition, were also revealed on the touchscreen spatial pattern separation task, especially when the cognitive pattern separation load was at its highest. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Our study is the first evidence of reduced hippocampal LTP in SERT HET mice. We also show that functional SERT is required for exercise-induced increase in adult neurogenesis. Paradoxically, exercise had a negative impact on hippocampal-dependent cognitive tasks, especially in SERT HET mice. Taken together, our results suggest unique complex interactions between exercise and altered 5-HT homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Rogers
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Feng Chen
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Davor Stanic
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Farheen Farzana
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shanshan Li
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ariel M Zeleznikow-Johnston
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jess Nithianantharajah
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Leonid Churilov
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul A Adlard
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Laurence Lanfumey
- UMR S894, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.,Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Inserm UMR 894, Paris, France
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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15
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Kentner AC, Cryan JF, Brummelte S. Resilience priming: Translational models for understanding resiliency and adaptation to early life adversity. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 61:350-375. [PMID: 30311210 PMCID: PMC6447439 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Despite the increasing attention to early life adversity and its long-term consequences on health, behavior, and the etiology of neurodevelopmental disorders, our understanding of the adaptations and interventions that promote resiliency and rescue against such insults are underexplored. Specifically, investigations of the perinatal period often focus on negative events/outcomes. In contrast, positive experiences (i.e. enrichment/parental care//healthy nutrition) favorably influence development of the nervous and endocrine systems. Moreover, some stressors result in adaptations and demonstrations of later-life resiliency. This review explores the underlying mechanisms of neuroplasticity that follow some of these early life experiences and translates them into ideas for interventions in pediatric settings. The emerging role of the gut microbiome in mediating stress susceptibility is also discussed. Since many negative outcomes of early experiences are known, it is time to identify mechanisms and mediators that promote resiliency against them. These range from enrichment, quality parental care, dietary interventions and those that target the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda C. Kentner
- School of Arts & Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 179 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115,
| | - John F. Cryan
- Dept. Anatomy & Neuroscience & APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, College Rd., Cork, Ireland,
| | - Susanne Brummelte
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202,
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16
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Kokras N, Sotiropoulos I, Besinis D, Tzouveka EL, Almeida OFX, Sousa N, Dalla C. Neuroplasticity-related correlates of environmental enrichment combined with physical activity differ between the sexes. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1-15. [PMID: 30497839 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.11.1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE), comprising positive physical (exercise) and cognitive stimuli, influences neuronal structure and usually improves brain function. The promise of EE as a preventative strategy against neuropsychiatric disease is especially high during early postnatal development when the brain is still amenable to reorganization. Despite the fact that male and female brains differ in terms of connectivity and function that may reflect early life experiences, knowledge of the neural substrates and mechanisms by which such changes arise remains limited. This study compared the impact of EE combined with physical activity on neuroplasticity and its functional consequences in adult male and female rats; EE was provided during the first 3 months of life and our analysis focused on the hippocampus, an area implicated in cognitive behavior as well as the neuroendocrine response to stress. Both male and female rats reared in EE displayed better object recognition memory than their control counterparts. Interestingly, sex differences were revealed in the effects of EE on time spent exploring the objects during this test. Independently of sex, EE increased hippocampal turnover rates of dopamine and serotonin and reduced expression of 5-HT1A receptors; in addition, EE upregulated expression of synaptophysin, a presynaptic protein, in the hippocampus. As compared to their respective controls, EE-exposed males exhibited parallel increases in phosphorylated Tau and the GluN2B receptor, whereas females responded to EE with reduced hippocampal levels of glutamate and GluN2B. Together, these observations provide further evidence on the differential effects of EE on markers of hippocampal neuroplasticity in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - I Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - D Besinis
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | - E L Tzouveka
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece
| | | | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - C Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece.
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17
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Shepherd A, Zhang TD, Zeleznikow-Johnston AM, Hannan AJ, Burrows EL. Transgenic Mouse Models as Tools for Understanding How Increased Cognitive and Physical Stimulation Can Improve Cognition in Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Plast 2018; 4:127-150. [PMID: 30564551 PMCID: PMC6296266 DOI: 10.3233/bpl-180076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline appears as a core feature of dementia, of which the most prevalent form, Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects more than 45 million people worldwide. There is no cure, and therapeutic options remain limited. A number of modifiable lifestyle factors have been identified that contribute to cognitive decline in dementia. Sedentary lifestyle has emerged as a major modifier and accordingly, boosting mental and physical activity may represent a method to prevent decline in dementia. Beneficial effects of increased physical activity on cognition have been reported in healthy adults, showing potential to harness exercise and cognitive stimulation as a therapy in dementia. 'Brain training' (cognitive stimulation) has also been investigated as an intervention protecting against cognitive decline with normal aging. Consequently, the utility of exercise regimes and/or cognitive stimulation to improve cognition in dementia in clinical populations has been a major area of study. However, these therapies are in their infancy and efficacy is unclear. Investigations utilising animal models, where dose and timing of treatment can be tightly controlled, have provided many mechanistic insights. Genetically engineered mouse models are powerful tools to investigate mechanisms underlying cognitive decline, and also how environmental manipulations can alter both cognitive outcomes and pathology. A myriad of effects following physical activity and housing in enriched environments have been reported in transgenic mice expressing Alzheimer's disease-associated mutations. In this review, we comprehensively evaluate all studies applying environmental enrichment and/or increased physical exercise to transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. It is unclear whether interventions must be applied before first onset of cognitive deficits to be effective. In order to determine the importance of timing of interventions, we specifically scrutinised studies exposing transgenic mice to exercise and environmental enrichment before and after first report of cognitive impairment. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these preclinical studies and suggest approaches for enhancing rigor and using mechanistic insights to inform future therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Shepherd
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracy D Zhang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ariel M Zeleznikow-Johnston
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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18
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Grech AM, Ratnayake U, Hannan AJ, van den Buuse M, Hill RA. Sex-Dependent Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Spatial Memory and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Signaling in a Developmental "Two-Hit" Mouse Model Combining BDNF Haploinsufficiency and Chronic Glucocorticoid Stimulation. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:227. [PMID: 30356704 PMCID: PMC6189322 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders are thought to be caused by a combination of adverse genetic and environmental insults. The "two-hit" hypothesis suggests that an early first "hit" primes the developing brain to be vulnerable to a second "hit" during adolescence which triggers behavioral dysfunction. We have previously modeled this scenario in mice and found that the combined effect of a genetic hapolinsuffuciency in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (1st hit) and chronic corticosterone (CORT) treatment during adolescence (2nd hit), caused spatial memory impairments in adulthood. Environmental enrichment (EE) protocols are designed to stimulate experience-dependent plasticity and have shown therapeutic actions. This study investigated whether EE can reverse these spatial memory impairments. Wild-type (WT) and BDNF heterozygous (HET) mice were treated with corticosterone (CORT) in their drinking water (50 mg/L) from weeks 6 to 8 and exposed to EE from 7 to 9 weeks. Enriched housing included open top cages with additional toys, tunnels, housing, and platforms. Y-maze novel preference testing, to assess short-term spatial memory, was performed at 10 weeks of age. At week 16 dorsal hippocampus tissue was obtained for Western blot analysis of expression levels of BDNF, the BDNF receptor TrkB, and NMDA receptor subunits, GluNR1, 2A and 2B. As in our previous studies, spatial memory was impaired in our two-hit (BDNF HET + CORT) mice. Simultaneous EE prevented these impairments. However, EE appeared to worsen spatial memory performance in WT mice, particularly those exposed to CORT. While BDNF levels were lower in BDNF HET mice as expected, there were no further effects of CORT or EE in males but a close to significant female CORT × EE × genotype interaction which qualitatively corresponded with Y-maze performance. However, EE caused both sex- and genotype-specific effects on phosphorylated TrkB residues and GluNR expression within the dorsal hippocampus, with GluNR2B levels in males changing in parallel with spatial memory performance. In conclusion, beneficial effects of EE on spatial memory emerge only following two developmental disruptions. The mechanisms by which EE exerts its effects are likely via regulation of multiple activity-dependent pathways, including TrkB and NMDA receptor signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne M. Grech
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Udani Ratnayake
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony J. Hannan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- The College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel A. Hill
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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19
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Mishra A, Singh S, Shukla S. Physiological and Functional Basis of Dopamine Receptors and Their Role in Neurogenesis: Possible Implication for Parkinson's disease. J Exp Neurosci 2018; 12:1179069518779829. [PMID: 29899667 PMCID: PMC5985548 DOI: 10.1177/1179069518779829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Dopamine controls various physiological functions in the brain and periphery by acting on its receptors D1, D2, D3, D4, and D5. Dopamine receptors are G protein–coupled receptors involved in the regulation of motor activity and several neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Reduction in dopamine content in the nigrostriatal pathway is associated with the development of PD, along with the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region. Dopamine receptors directly regulate neurotransmission of other neurotransmitters, release of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Here, we provide an update on recent knowledge about the signalling mechanism, mode of action, and the evidence for the physiological and functional basis of dopamine receptors. We also highlight the pivotal role of these receptors in the modulation of neurogenesis, a possible therapeutic target that might help to slow down the process of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Mishra
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonu Singh
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Shubha Shukla
- Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, New Delhi, India
- Shubha Shukla, Division of Pharmacology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector 10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow 226031, Uttar Pradesh, India.
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20
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Rawat A, Guo J, Renoir T, Pang TY, Hannan AJ. Hypersensitivity to sertraline in the absence of hippocampal 5-HT 1AR and 5-HTT gene expression changes following paternal corticosterone treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL EPIGENETICS 2018; 4:dvy015. [PMID: 30046455 PMCID: PMC6054191 DOI: 10.1093/eep/dvy015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The male germ line is capable of transmitting a legacy of stress exposure to the next generation of offspring. This transgenerational process manifests by altering offspring affective behaviours, cognition and metabolism. Paternal early life trauma causes hippocampal serotonergic dysregulation in male offspring. We previously showed a transgenerational modification to male offspring anxiety-like behaviours by treatment of adult male breeders with corticosterone (CORT) prior to mating. In the present study, we used offspring from our paternal CORT model and characterised offspring serotonergic function by examining their responses to the 5HT1AR agonist, 8-OH-DPAT, and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, sertraline. We also examined whether post-weaning environmental enrichment, a paradigm well-known to modulate serotonergic signalling in the brain, had the capacity to normalise the anxiety phenotype of male offspring. Finally, we assessed gene expression levels of 5HT1AR and serotonin transporter in the offspring hippocampus to determine whether deficits in gene transcription contributed to the male-only anxiety phenotype. We report that male and female offspring of CORT-treated fathers are hypersensitive to sertraline but have normal hypothermic responses to 8-OH-DPAT. No deficits in htr1a and sert were found in association with paternal CORT treatment, and environmental enrichment did not rescue the anxiety phenotype of male offspring on the elevated-plus maze. These findings indicate that varying forms of paternal stress exert different effects on offspring brain serotonergic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Rawat
- Behavioural Neuroscience Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Jackey Guo
- Behavioural Neuroscience Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Behavioural Neuroscience Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Terence Y Pang
- Behavioural Neuroscience Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Behavioural Neuroscience Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
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21
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Tarasova AY, Perepelkina OV, Lil’p IG, Revishchin AV, Pavlova GV, Poletaeva II. Influence of “Enriched Environment” on Behavior and Neurogenesis in Mice Selected by Cognitive Trait. Bull Exp Biol Med 2018; 164:583-586. [DOI: 10.1007/s10517-018-4036-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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22
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Aujnarain AB, Luo OD, Taylor N, Lai JKY, Foster JA. Effects of exercise and enrichment on behaviour in CD-1 mice. Behav Brain Res 2018; 342:43-50. [PMID: 29339005 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A host of scholarly work has characterized the positive effects of exercise and environmental enrichment on behaviour and cognition in animal studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the uptake and longitudinal impact of exercise and enrichment on the behavioural phenotype of male and female CD-1 mice. CD-1 mice housed in standard (STD) or exercise and enrichment (EE) conditions post-weaning were tested in the 3-chamber sociability test, open field, and elevated plus maze and exercise activity was monitored throughout the enrichment protocol. Male and female EE mice both showed reduced anxiety and activity in the open field and elevated plus maze relative to sex-matched STD mice. EE altered social behaviours in a sex-specific fashion, with only female EE mice showing increased social preference relative to female STD mice and a preference for social novelty only present in male EE mice. This sexual dimorphism was not observed to be a product of exercise uptake, as CD-1 mice of both sexes demonstrated a consistent trend of wheel rotation frequencies. These findings suggest the importance of considering variables such as sex and strain on experimental design variables in future work on environmental enrichment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amiirah B Aujnarain
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Owen D Luo
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Natalie Taylor
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan K Y Lai
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jane A Foster
- Psychiatry and Behavioural Neuroscience, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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23
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Rogers J, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. Gene-environment interactions informing therapeutic approaches to cognitive and affective disorders. Neuropharmacology 2017; 145:37-48. [PMID: 29277490 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2017] [Revised: 12/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
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".
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake Rogers
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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Mármol F, Sánchez J, Torres M, Chamizo V. Environmental enrichment in the absence of wheel running produces beneficial behavioural and anti-oxidative effects in rats. Behav Processes 2017; 144:66-71. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2017] [Revised: 09/07/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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25
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Elevated paternal glucocorticoid exposure modifies memory retention in female offspring. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 83:9-18. [PMID: 28554167 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that behavioral traits are subject to transgenerational modification by paternal environmental factors. We previously reported on the transgenerational influences of increased paternal stress hormone levels on offspring anxiety and depression-related behaviors. Here, we investigated whether offspring sociability and cognition are also influenced by paternal stress. Adult C57BL/6J male mice were treated with corticosterone (CORT; 25mg/L) for four weeks prior to paired-matings to generate F1 offspring. Paternal CORT treatment was associated with decreased body weights of female offspring and a marked reduction of the male offspring. There were no differences in social behavior of adult F1 offspring in the three-chamber social interaction test. Despite male offspring of CORT-treated fathers displaying hyperactivity in the Y-maze, there was no observable difference in short-term spatial working memory. Spatial learning and memory testing in the Morris water maze revealed that female, but not male, F1 offspring of CORT-treated fathers had impaired memory retention. We used our recently developed methodology to analyze the spatial search strategy of the mice during the learning trials and determined that the impairment could not be attributed to underlying differences in search strategy. These results provide evidence for the impact of paternal corticosterone administration on offspring cognition and complement the cumulative knowledge of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance of acquired traits in rodents and humans.
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26
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Cao M, Pu T, Wang L, Marshall C, He H, Hu G, Xiao M. Early enriched physical environment reverses impairments of the hippocampus, but not medial prefrontal cortex, of socially-isolated mice. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 64:232-243. [PMID: 28412142 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Early social isolation (SI) produces a variety of emotional, behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. Conversely, environmental enrichment (EE), a complicated social and physical construct, offers beneficial effects on brain plasticity and development. However, whether or not exclusive physical EE is sufficient to reverse the adverse consequences of early SI remains unclear. Here we reported that 1month-old solitary mice housed in the EE for 8weeks corrected spatial cognitive dysfunction, but did not ameliorate social interaction deficits and increased anxiety-like behavior. Pathological analyses revealed that the enriched environment decreased cellular apoptosis, synaptic protein loss, myelination defect and microglial activation in the hippocampus, but not medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of mice housed singly. Moreover, increased nuclear factor-kappaB and interleukin-1β levels, and downregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor signaling pathway were normalized in the hippocampus rather than mPFC of these animals. Our results revealed a brain region-specific effectiveness of physical EE in remediating brain impairment of adolescent SI mice, with a complete reversal of hippocampus-dependent cognitive dysfunctions, but without mitigation of mPFC associated anxiety and social interaction defects. This finding emphasizes the irreplaceable role of social life for the early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, No. 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Tinglin Pu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, No. 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Linmei Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, No. 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Charles Marshall
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health, 750 Morton Blvd., Hazard, KY 41701, USA
| | - Hongliang He
- Department of Pharmacology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Gang Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, No. 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, No. 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gerontology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, No. 300 Guangzhou Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, China.
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Rogers J, Li S, Lanfumey L, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Environmental enrichment reduces innate anxiety with no effect on depression-like behaviour in mice lacking the serotonin transporter. Behav Brain Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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28
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Song NN, Huang Y, Yu X, Lang B, Ding YQ, Zhang L. Divergent Roles of Central Serotonin in Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:185. [PMID: 28713247 PMCID: PMC5492328 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central serotonin (5-HT) system is the main target of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the first-line antidepressants widely used in current general practice. One of the prominent features of chronic SSRI treatment in rodents is the enhanced adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which has been proposed to contribute to antidepressant effects. Therefore, tremendous effort has been made to decipher how central 5-HT regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis. In this paper, we review how changes in the central serotonergic system alter adult hippocampal neurogenesis. We focus on data obtained from three categories of genetically engineered mouse models: (1) mice with altered central 5-HT levels from embryonic stages, (2) mice with deletion of 5-HT receptors from embryonic stages, and (3) mice with altered central 5-HT system exclusively in adulthood. These recent findings provide unique insights to interpret the multifaceted roles of central 5-HT on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and its associated effects on depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning-Ning Song
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Bing Lang
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Mental Health Institute of the Second Xiangya Hospital, National Clinical Research Center on Mental Disorders, National Technology Institute on Mental Disorders, Key Laboratory of Psychiatry and Mental Health of Hunan Province, Central South UniversityChangsha, China
| | - Yu-Qiang Ding
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, East Hospital, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Tongji University School of MedicineShanghai, China
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Knop J, Joëls M, van der Veen R. The added value of rodent models in studying parental influence on offspring development: opportunities, limitations and future perspectives. Curr Opin Psychol 2017; 15:174-181. [DOI: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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30
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Vieira JM, Carvalho FB, Gutierres JM, Soares MSP, Oliveira PS, Rubin MA, Morsch VM, Schetinger MR, Spanevello RM. Caffeine prevents high-intensity exercise-induced increase in enzymatic antioxidant and Na+-K+-ATPase activities and reduction of anxiolytic like-behaviour in rats. Redox Rep 2017; 22:493-500. [DOI: 10.1080/13510002.2017.1322739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Juliano M. Vieira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabiano B. Carvalho
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Jessié M. Gutierres
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Mayara S. P. Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Pathise S. Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
| | - Maribel A. Rubin
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Vera M. Morsch
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria Rosa Schetinger
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica Toxicológica, Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Roselia M. Spanevello
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Bioquímica e Bioprospecção, Centro de Ciências Químicas, Farmacêuticas e de Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Universitário, Capão do Leão, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
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31
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Li BY, Wang Y, Tang HD, Chen SD. The role of cognitive activity in cognition protection: from Bedside to Bench. Transl Neurodegener 2017; 6:7. [PMID: 28360996 PMCID: PMC5371186 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-017-0078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive decline poses a great concern to elderly people and their families. In addition to pharmacological therapies, several varieties of nonpharmacological intervention have been developed. Most training trials proved that a well-organized task is clinically effective in cognition improvement. MAIN BODY We will first review clinical trials of cognitive training for healthy elders, MCI and AD patients, respectively. Besides, potential neuroprotective and compensatory mechanisms in animal models of AD are discussed. Despite controversy, cognitive training has promising effect on cognitive ability. In animal model of AD, environmental enrichment showed beneficial effect for cognitive ability, as well as neuronal plasticity. Neurotrophin, neurotransmitter and neuromodulator signaling pathway were also involved in the process. Well-designed cognitive activity could benefit cognitive function, and thus life quality of patients and their families. CONCLUSION The positive effects of cognitive activity is closely related with neural plasticity, neurotrophin, neurotransmitter and neuromodulator signaling pathway changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin-Yin Li
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Rui Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Rui Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Hui-Dong Tang
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Rui Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Sheng-Di Chen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Rui Jin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
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32
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Search strategy selection in the Morris water maze indicates allocentric map formation during learning that underpins spatial memory formation. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2017; 139:37-49. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 11/15/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Paternal environmental enrichment transgenerationally alters affective behavioral and neuroendocrine phenotypes. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 77:225-235. [PMID: 28104556 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2016] [Revised: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated that paternal stress in rodents can result in modification of offspring behavior. Environmental enrichment, which enhances cognitive stimulation and physical activity, modifies various behaviors and reduces stress responses in adult rodents. We investigated the transgenerational influence of paternal environmental enrichment on offspring behavior and physiological stress response. Adult C57BL/6J male mice (F0) were exposed to either environmental enrichment or standard housing for four weeks and then pair-mated with naïve females. The F2 generation was generated using F1 male offspring. Male and female F1 and F2 offspring were tested for anxiety using the elevated-plus maze and large open field at 8 weeks of age. Depression-related behavior was assessed using the forced-swim test. Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function was determined by quantification of serum corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels at baseline and after forced-swim stress. Paternal environmental enrichment was associated with increased body weights of male F1 and F2 offspring. There was no significant effect on F1 offspring anxiety and depression-related behaviors. There were no changes in anxiety-related behaviors in the F2 offspring, however these mice displayed a reduced latency to immobility in the forced-swim test. Furthermore, F2 females had significantly higher serum corticosterone levels post-stress, but not ACTH. These results show that paternal environmental enrichment exerts a sex-specific transgenerational impact on the behavioral and physiological response to stress. Our findings have implications for the modelling of psychiatric disorders in rodents.
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Zeleznikow-Johnston A, Burrows EL, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. Environmental enrichment enhances cognitive flexibility in C57BL/6 mice on a touchscreen reversal learning task. Neuropharmacology 2017; 117:219-226. [PMID: 28196627 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental enrichment (EE) is any positive modification of the 'standard housing' (SH) conditions in which laboratory animals are typically held, usually involving increased opportunity for cognitive stimulation and physical activity. EE has been reported to enhance baseline performance of wild-type animals on traditional cognitive behavioural tasks. Recently, touchscreen operant testing chambers have emerged as a way of performing rodent cognitive assays, providing greater reproducibility, translatability and automatability. Cognitive tests in touchscreen chambers are performed over numerous trials and thus experimenters have the power to detect subtle enhancements in performance. We used touchscreens to analyse the effects of EE on reversal learning, visual discrimination and hippocampal-dependent spatial pattern separation and working memory. We hypothesized that EE would enhance the performance of mice on cognitive touchscreen tasks. Our hypothesis was partially supported in that EE induced enhancements in cognitive flexibility as observed in visual discrimination and reversal learning improvements. However, no other significant effects of EE on cognitive performance were observed. EE decreased the activity level of mice in the touchscreen chambers, which may influence the enrichment level of the animals. Although we did not see enhancements on all hypothesized parameters, our testing paradigm is capable of detecting EE-induced improved cognitive flexibility in mice, which has implications for both understanding the mechanisms of EE and improving screening of putative cognitive-enhancing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel Zeleznikow-Johnston
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Emma L Burrows
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne Brain Centre, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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35
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Gursky ZH, Klintsova AY. Wheel Running and Environmental Complexity as a Therapeutic Intervention in an Animal Model of FASD. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28190057 DOI: 10.3791/54947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerobic exercise (e.g., wheel running (WR) extensively used in animal research) positively impacts many measures of neuroplastic potential in the brain, such as rates of adult neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and expression of neurotrophic factors in rodents. This intervention has also been shown to mitigate behavioral and neuroanatomical aspects of the negative impacts of teratogens (i.e., developmental exposure to alcohol) and age-related neurodegeneration in rodents. Environmental complexity (EC) has been shown to produce numerous neuroplastic benefits in cortical and subcortical structures and can be coupled with wheel running to increase the proliferation and survival of new cells in the adult hippocampus. The combination of these two interventions provides a robust "superintervention" (WR-EC) that can be implemented in a range of rodent models of neurological disorders. We will discuss the implementation of WR/EC and its constituent interventions for use as a more powerful therapeutic intervention in rats using the animal model of prenatal exposure to alcohol in humans. We will also discuss which elements of the procedures are absolutely necessary for the interventions and which ones may be altered depending on the experimenter's question or facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary H Gursky
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware
| | - Anna Y Klintsova
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Delaware;
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Jin X, Li T, Zhang L, Ma J, Yu L, Li C, Niu L. Environmental Enrichment Improves Spatial Learning and Memory in Vascular Dementia Rats with Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signal Pathway. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:207-215. [PMID: 28082734 PMCID: PMC5253348 DOI: 10.12659/msm.902728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Environmental enrichment (EE) has a beneficial effect on some neuropsychiatric disorders. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether environmental enrichment could improve the spatial learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia (VaD) and the mechanism underpinning it. Material/Methods Bilateral common carotid occlusion (2-vessel occlusion [2VO]) was used to develop the animal model of vascular dementia. Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in the experiment and were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group, 2VO group, sham+EE group, and 2VO+EE group (n=19/group). The 2VO group and 2VO+EE group underwent bilateral common carotid occlusion. Two different housing conditions were used in this experiment: standard environment (SE) and enriched environment (EE). Rats in the sham group and 2VO group were put into SE cages for 4 weeks, while rats in the sham+EE group and 2VO+EE group were put in EE cages for 4 weeks. The Morris water maze and Y-maze were used to assess spatial learning and memory. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL. The damage of neurons in the hippocampus was assessed by Nissl staining. The level of wnt pathway proteins were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the 2VO group, the rats in the 2VO+EE group had better behavioral performance, fewer apoptotic neurons, and more surviving neurons. Western blot analysis showed that the levels of wnt pathway proteins were higher in 2VO+EE rats than in the 2VO group. Conclusions Environmental enrichment can improve the spatial learning and memory in rats with vascular dementia, and the mechanism may be related to activation of the wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhao Jin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The General Hospital of Chonggang, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Lina Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Jingxi Ma
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Lehua Yu
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Changqing Li
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Lingchuan Niu
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
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37
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Jaehne EJ, Ameti D, Paiva T, van den Buuse M. Investigating the Role of Serotonin in Methamphetamine Psychosis: Unaltered Behavioral Effects of Chronic Methamphetamine in 5-HT 1A Knockout Mice. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:61. [PMID: 28473777 PMCID: PMC5397502 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Methamphetamine (Meth) is a widely abused stimulant drug, but this abuse is associated with an increased risk of developing psychosis. In addition to its well-known action on brain dopamine, Meth also affects serotonergic (5-HT) neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate this role in mice, which lack one of the main serotonin receptors, the 5-HT1A receptor, which has been implicated in both schizophrenia and Meth-induced psychosis. Male and female wild-type or 5-HT1A knockout (KO) mice received daily treatment with increasing doses of methamphetamine from 6 to 9 weeks of age (1-4 mg/kg/day twice a day). At least 2 weeks after the last injection, the mice underwent a battery of behavioral tests focusing on psychosis-related behaviors, including Meth-induced hyperactivity, prepulse inhibition (PPI), social interaction, elevated plus maze (EPM), and Y-maze. Meth pretreatment resulted in significantly increased hyperlocomotion in response to an acute Meth challenge, but this effect was independent of genotype. Chronic Meth treatment resulted in decreased levels of anxiety in the EPM in both sexes, as well as increased startle responses in female mice only, again independent of genotype. 5-HT1A KO mice showed an increased locomotor response to acute Meth in both sexes, as well as increased PPI and decreased startle responses in female mice only, independent of Meth pretreatment. In conclusion, the effects of chronic Meth appear unaffected by the absence of the 5-HT1A receptor. These results do not support a role of the 5-HT1A receptor in Meth-induced psychosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J Jaehne
- Department Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Dzeneta Ameti
- Department Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Tehani Paiva
- Department Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Maarten van den Buuse
- Department Psychology and Counselling, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,The College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
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