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Emeliyanova P, Parkes LM, Williams SR, Lea-Carnall C. Evidence for biexponential glutamate T 2 relaxation in human visual cortex at 3T: A functional MRS study. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024:e5240. [PMID: 39188210 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) measures dynamic changes in metabolite concentration in response to neural stimulation. The biophysical basis of these changes remains unclear. One hypothesis suggests that an increase or decrease in the glutamate signal detected by fMRS could be due to neurotransmitter movements between cellular compartments with different T2 relaxation times. Previous studies reporting glutamate (Glu) T2 values have generally sampled at echo times (TEs) within the range of 30-450 ms, which is not adequate to observe a component with short T2 (<20 ms). Here, we acquire MRS measurements for Glu, (t) total creatine (tCr) and total N-acetylaspartate (tNAA) from the visual cortex in 14 healthy participants at a range of TE values between 9.3-280 ms during short blocks (64 s) of flickering checkerboards and rest to examine both the short- and long-T2 components of the curve. We fit monoexponential and biexponential Glu, tCr and tNAA T2 relaxation curves for rest and stimulation and use Akaike information criterion to assess best model fit. We also include power calculations for detection of a 2% shift of Glu between compartments for each TE. Using pooled data over all participants at rest, we observed a short Glu T2-component with T2 = 10 ms and volume fraction of 0.35, a short tCr T2-component with T2 = 26 ms and volume fraction of 0.25 and a short tNAA T2-component around 15 ms with volume fraction of 0.34. No statistically significant change in Glu, tCr and tNAA signal during stimulation was detected at any TE. The volume fractions of short-T2 component between rest and active conditions were not statistically different. This study provides evidence for a short T2-component for Glu, tCr and tNAA but no evidence to support the hypothesis of task-related changes in glutamate distribution between short and long T2 compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Emeliyanova
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Laura M Parkes
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Stephen R Williams
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Caroline Lea-Carnall
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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2
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Gunawan F, Matson BC, Coppoli A, Jiang L, Ding Y, Perry R, Sanchez-Rangel E, DeAguiar RB, Behar KL, Rothman DL, Mason GF, Hwang JJ. Deficits in brain glucose transport among younger adults with obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2024; 32:1329-1338. [PMID: 38764181 DOI: 10.1002/oby.24034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity is associated with alterations in eating behavior and neurocognitive function. In this study, we investigate the effect of obesity on brain energy utilization, including brain glucose transport and metabolism. METHODS A total of 11 lean participants and 7 young healthy participants with obesity (mean age, 27 years) underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy scanning coupled with a hyperglycemic clamp (target, ~180 mg/dL) using [1-13C] glucose to measure brain glucose uptake and metabolism, as well as peripheral markers of insulin resistance. RESULTS Individuals with obesity demonstrated an ~20% lower ratio of brain glucose uptake to cerebral glucose metabolic rate (Tmax/CMRglucose) than lean participants (2.12 ± 0.51 vs. 2.67 ± 0.51; p = 0.04). The cerebral tricarboxylic acid cycle flux (VTCA) was similar between the two groups (p = 0.64). There was a negative correlation between total nonesterified fatty acids and Tmax/CMRglucose (r = -0.477; p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that CMRglucose is unlikely to differ between groups due to similar VTCA, and, therefore, the glucose transport Tmax is lower in individuals with obesity. These human findings suggest that obesity is associated with reduced cerebral glucose transport capacity even at a young age and in the absence of other cardiometabolic comorbidities, which may have implications for long-term brain function and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felona Gunawan
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Brooke C Matson
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Anastasia Coppoli
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Lihong Jiang
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yuyan Ding
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Rachel Perry
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Elizabeth Sanchez-Rangel
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Renata Belfort DeAguiar
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kevin L Behar
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Douglas L Rothman
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Graeme F Mason
- Yale Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Janice J Hwang
- Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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3
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Henry PG. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy and 13C metabolic modeling right under your nose! NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 37:e5156. [PMID: 38520206 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Gilles Henry
- Center for Magnetic Resonance Research and Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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4
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Mott PD, Zea AH, Lewis J, Mirzalieva O, Aiyar AA. Serine deamination by human serine racemase synergizes with antibiotics to curtail the replication of Chlamydia trachomatis. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107350. [PMID: 38718865 PMCID: PMC11140210 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107350] [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: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The obligate intracellular bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, has evolved to depend on its human host for many metabolites, including most amino acids and three of the four nucleotides. Given this, it is not surprising that depletion of a single amino acid in the host cell growth medium blocks chlamydial replication. Paradoxically, supra-normal levels of some amino acids also block productive replication of Chlamydia. Here, we have determined how elevated serine levels, generated by exogenous supplementation, impede chlamydial inclusion development and reduce the generation of infectious progeny. Our findings reveal that human serine racemase, which is broadly expressed in multiple tissues, potentiates the anti-chlamydial effect of elevated serine concentrations. In addition to reversibly converting l-serine to d-serine, serine racemase also deaminates serine via β-elimination. We have determined that d-serine does not directly impact Chlamydia; rather, ammonia generated by serine deamination limits the productive chlamydial replication. Our findings imply that ammonia produced within host cells can traverse the chlamydial inclusion membrane. Further, this property of serine deaminase can be exploited to sensitize Chlamydia to concentrations of doxycycline that are otherwise not bactericidal. Because exogenously elevated levels of serine can be tolerated over extended periods, the broad expression pattern of serine racemase indicates it to be a host enzyme whose activity can be directed against multiple intracellular bacterial pathogens. From a therapeutic perspective, demonstrating host metabolism can be skewed to generate an anti-bacterial metabolite that synergizes with antibiotics, we believe our results provide a new approach to target intracellular pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia D Mott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
| | - Arnold H Zea
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, & Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Jamiya Lewis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Oygul Mirzalieva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ashok A Aiyar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
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Keppler J. Laying the foundations for a theory of consciousness: the significance of critical brain dynamics for the formation of conscious states. Front Hum Neurosci 2024; 18:1379191. [PMID: 38736531 PMCID: PMC11082359 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1379191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Empirical evidence indicates that conscious states, distinguished by the presence of phenomenal qualities, are closely linked to synchronized neural activity patterns whose dynamical characteristics can be attributed to self-organized criticality and phase transitions. These findings imply that insight into the mechanism by which the brain controls phase transitions will provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental mechanism by which the brain manages to transcend the threshold of consciousness. This article aims to show that the initiation of phase transitions and the formation of synchronized activity patterns is due to the coupling of the brain to the zero-point field (ZPF), which plays a central role in quantum electrodynamics (QED). The ZPF stands for the presence of ubiquitous vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field, represented by a spectrum of normal modes. With reference to QED-based model calculations, the details of the coupling mechanism are revealed, suggesting that critical brain dynamics is governed by the resonant interaction of the ZPF with the most abundant neurotransmitter glutamate. The pyramidal neurons in the cortical microcolumns turn out to be ideally suited to control this interaction. A direct consequence of resonant glutamate-ZPF coupling is the amplification of specific ZPF modes, which leads us to conclude that the ZPF is the key to the understanding of consciousness and that the distinctive feature of neurophysiological processes associated with conscious experience consists in modulating the ZPF. Postulating that the ZPF is an inherently sentient field and assuming that the spectrum of phenomenal qualities is represented by the normal modes of the ZPF, the significance of resonant glutamate-ZPF interaction for the formation of conscious states becomes apparent in that the amplification of specific ZPF modes is inextricably linked with the excitation of specific phenomenal qualities. This theory of consciousness, according to which phenomenal states arise through resonant amplification of zero-point modes, is given the acronym TRAZE. An experimental setup is specified that can be used to test a corollary of the theory, namely, the prediction that normally occurring conscious perceptions are absent under experimental conditions in which resonant glutamate-ZPF coupling is disrupted.
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6
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Posset R, Garbade SF, Gleich F, Scharre S, Okun JG, Gropman AL, Nagamani SCS, Druck AC, Epp F, Hoffmann GF, Kölker S, Zielonka M. Severity-adjusted evaluation of liver transplantation on health outcomes in urea cycle disorders. Genet Med 2024; 26:101039. [PMID: 38054409 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.101039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Liver transplantation (LTx) is performed in individuals with urea cycle disorders when medical management (MM) insufficiently prevents the occurrence of hyperammonemic events. However, there is a paucity of systematic analyses on the effects of LTx on health-related outcome parameters compared to individuals with comparable severity who are medically managed. METHODS We investigated the effects of LTx and MM on validated health-related outcome parameters, including the metabolic disease course, linear growth, and neurocognitive outcomes. Individuals were stratified into "severe" and "attenuated" categories based on the genotype-specific and validated in vitro enzyme activity. RESULTS LTx enabled metabolic stability by prevention of further hyperammonemic events after transplantation and was associated with a more favorable growth outcome compared with individuals remaining under MM. However, neurocognitive outcome in individuals with LTx did not differ from the medically managed counterparts as reflected by the frequency of motor abnormality and cognitive standard deviation score at last observation. CONCLUSION Whereas LTx enabled metabolic stability without further need of protein restriction or nitrogen-scavenging therapy and was associated with a more favorable growth outcome, LTx-as currently performed-was not associated with improved neurocognitive outcomes compared with long-term MM in the investigated urea cycle disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Posset
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Sven F Garbade
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Gleich
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Svenja Scharre
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jürgen G Okun
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andrea L Gropman
- Children's National Health System and The George Washington School of Medicine, Washington, DC
| | - Sandesh C S Nagamani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Ann-Catrin Druck
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Friederike Epp
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg F Hoffmann
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kölker
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Zielonka
- Heidelberg University, Medical Faculty Heidelberg, and Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Department I, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Eisenstein T, Furman-Haran E, Tal A. Early excitatory-inhibitory cortical modifications following skill learning are associated with motor memory consolidation and plasticity overnight. Nat Commun 2024; 15:906. [PMID: 38291029 PMCID: PMC10828487 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44979-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Consolidation of motor memories is vital to offline enhancement of new motor skills and involves short and longer-term offline processes following learning. While emerging evidence link glutamate and GABA dynamics in the primary motor cortex (M1) to online motor skill practice, its relationship with offline consolidation processes in humans is unclear. Using two-day repeated measures of behavioral and multimodal neuroimaging data before and following motor sequence learning, we show that short-term glutamatergic and GABAergic responses in M1 within minutes after learning were associated with longer-term learning-induced functional, structural, and behavioral modifications overnight. Furthermore, Glutamatergic and GABAergic modifications were differentially associated with different facets of motor memory consolidation. Our results point to unique and distinct roles of Glutamate and GABA in motor memory consolidation processes in the human brain across timescales and mechanistic levels, tying short-term changes on the neurochemical level to overnight changes in macroscale structure, function, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamir Eisenstein
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Assaf Tal
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
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8
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Koolschijn RS, Clarke WT, Ip IB, Emir UE, Barron HC. Event-related functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neuroimage 2023; 276:120194. [PMID: 37244321 PMCID: PMC7614684 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2023.120194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proton-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a non-invasive brain imaging technique used to measure the concentration of different neurochemicals. "Single-voxel" MRS data is typically acquired across several minutes, before individual transients are averaged through time to give a measurement of neurochemical concentrations. However, this approach is not sensitive to more rapid temporal dynamics of neurochemicals, including those that reflect functional changes in neural computation relevant to perception, cognition, motor control and ultimately behaviour. In this review we discuss recent advances in functional MRS (fMRS) that now allow us to obtain event-related measures of neurochemicals. Event-related fMRS involves presenting different experimental conditions as a series of trials that are intermixed. Critically, this approach allows spectra to be acquired at a time resolution in the order of seconds. Here we provide a comprehensive user guide for event-related task designs, choice of MRS sequence, analysis pipelines, and appropriate interpretation of event-related fMRS data. We raise various technical considerations by examining protocols used to quantify dynamic changes in GABA, the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Overall, we propose that although more data is needed, event-related fMRS can be used to measure dynamic changes in neurochemicals at a temporal resolution relevant to computations that support human cognition and behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée S Koolschijn
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - William T Clarke
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - I Betina Ip
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Uzay E Emir
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, United States
| | - Helen C Barron
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom; Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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An L, Shen J. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy by transverse relaxation encoding with narrowband decoupling. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12211. [PMID: 37500714 PMCID: PMC10374641 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39375-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell pathology in neuropsychiatric disorders has mainly been accessible by analyzing postmortem tissue samples. Although molecular transverse relaxation informs local cellular microenvironment via molecule-environment interactions, precise determination of the transverse relaxation times of molecules with scalar couplings (J), such as glutamate and glutamine, has been difficult using in vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) technologies, whose approach to measuring transverse relaxation has not changed for decades. We introduce an in vivo MRS technique that utilizes frequency-selective editing pulses to achieve homonuclear decoupled chemical shift encoding in each column of the acquired two-dimensional dataset, freeing up the entire row dimension for transverse relaxation encoding with J-refocusing. This results in increased spectral resolution, minimized background signals, and markedly broadened dynamic range for transverse relaxation encoding. The in vivo within-subject coefficients of variation for the transverse relaxation times of glutamate and glutamine, measured using the proposed method in the human brain at 7 T, were found to be approximately 4%. Since glutamate predominantly resides in glutamatergic neurons and glutamine in glia in the brain, this noninvasive technique provides a way to probe cellular pathophysiology in neuropsychiatric disorders for characterizing disease progression and monitoring treatment response in a cell type-specific manner in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li An
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Building 10, Room 3D46, 10 Center Drive, MSC 1216, Bethesda, MD, 20892-1216, USA.
| | - Jun Shen
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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10
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Alarcón TA, Presti-Silva SM, Simões APT, Ribeiro FM, Pires RGW. Molecular mechanisms underlying the neuroprotection of environmental enrichment in Parkinson's disease. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1450-1456. [PMID: 36571341 PMCID: PMC10075132 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the most common movement disorder, affecting about 1% of the population over the age of 60 years. Parkinson's disease is characterized clinically by resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and postural instability, as a result of the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. In addition to this neuronal cell loss, Parkinson's disease is characterized by the accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates, Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, composed primarily of the protein α-synuclein. Although it was first described almost 200 years ago, there are no disease-modifying drugs to treat patients with Parkinson's disease. In addition to conventional therapies, non-pharmacological treatment strategies are under investigation in patients and animal models of neurodegenerative disorders. Among such strategies, environmental enrichment, comprising physical exercise, cognitive stimulus, and social interactions, has been assessed in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease. Environmental enrichment can cause structural and functional changes in the brain and promote neurogenesis and dendritic growth by modifying gene expression, enhancing the expression of neurotrophic factors and modulating neurotransmission. In this review article, we focus on the current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental enrichment neuroprotection in Parkinson's disease, highlighting its influence on the dopaminergic, cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic systems, as well as the involvement of neurotrophic factors. We describe experimental pre-clinical data showing how environmental enrichment can act as a modulator in a neurochemical and behavioral context in different animal models of Parkinson's disease, highlighting the potential of environmental enrichment as an additional strategy in the management and prevention of this complex disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Andrea Alarcón
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Sarah Martins Presti-Silva
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria; Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Toniato Simões
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
| | - Fabiola Mara Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute o Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Rita Gomes Wanderley Pires
- Department of Physiological Sciences; Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neurobiology, Health Science Center, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Vitoria, Brazil
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11
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Westi EW, Andersen JV, Aldana BI. Using stable isotope tracing to unravel the metabolic components of neurodegeneration: Focus on neuron-glia metabolic interactions. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106145. [PMID: 37150307 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106145] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Disrupted brain metabolism is a critical component of several neurodegenerative diseases. Energy metabolism of both neurons and astrocytes is closely connected to neurotransmitter recycling via the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. Neurons and astrocytes hereby work in close metabolic collaboration which is essential to sustain neurotransmission. Elucidating the mechanistic involvement of altered brain metabolism in disease progression has been aided by the advance of techniques to monitor cellular metabolism, in particular by mapping metabolism of substrates containing stable isotopes, a technique known as isotope tracing. Here we review key aspects of isotope tracing including advantages, drawbacks and applications to different cerebral preparations. In addition, we narrate how isotope tracing has facilitated the discovery of central metabolic features in neurodegeneration with a focus on the metabolic cooperation between neurons and astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil W Westi
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Blanca I Aldana
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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12
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Veeraiah P, Jansen JFA. Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy at Ultra-High-Field: Assessing Human Cerebral Metabolism in Healthy and Diseased States. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13040577. [PMID: 37110235 PMCID: PMC10143499 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13040577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is a highly energetic organ. Although the brain can consume metabolic substrates, such as lactate, glycogen, and ketone bodies, the energy metabolism in a healthy adult brain mainly relies on glucose provided via blood. The cerebral metabolism of glucose produces energy and a wide variety of intermediate metabolites. Since cerebral metabolic alterations have been repeatedly implicated in several brain disorders, understanding changes in metabolite levels and corresponding cell-specific neurotransmitter fluxes through different substrate utilization may highlight the underlying mechanisms that can be exploited to diagnose or treat various brain disorders. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive tool to measure tissue metabolism in vivo. 1H-MRS is widely applied in research at clinical field strengths (≤3T) to measure mostly high abundant metabolites. In addition, X-nuclei MRS including, 13C, 2H, 17O, and 31P, are also very promising. Exploiting the higher sensitivity at ultra-high-field (>4T; UHF) strengths enables obtaining unique insights into different aspects of the substrate metabolism towards measuring cell-specific metabolic fluxes in vivo. This review provides an overview about the potential role of multinuclear MRS (1H, 13C, 2H, 17O, and 31P) at UHF to assess the cerebral metabolism and the metabolic insights obtained by applying these techniques in both healthy and diseased states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pandichelvam Veeraiah
- Scannexus (Ultra-High-Field MRI Center), 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jacobus F A Jansen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, 6229 HX Maastricht, The Netherlands
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5612 AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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13
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Joshi SN, Joshi AN, Joshi ND. Interplay between biochemical processes and network properties generates neuronal up and down states at the tripartite synapse. Phys Rev E 2023; 107:024415. [PMID: 36932559 DOI: 10.1103/physreve.107.024415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal up and down states have long been known to exist both in vitro and in vivo. A variety of functions and mechanisms have been proposed for their generation, but there has not been a clear connection between the functions and mechanisms. We explore the potential contribution of cellular-level biochemistry to the network-level mechanisms thought to underlie the generation of up and down states. We develop a neurochemical model of a single tripartite synapse, assumed to be within a network of similar tripartite synapses, to investigate possible function-mechanism links for the appearance of up and down states. We characterize the behavior of our model in different regions of parameter space and show that resource limitation at the tripartite synapse affects its ability to faithfully transmit input signals, leading to extinction-down states. Recovery of resources allows for "reignition" into up states. The tripartite synapse exhibits distinctive "regimes" of operation depending on whether ATP, neurotransmitter (glutamate), both, or neither, is limiting. Our model qualitatively matches the behavior of six disparate experimental systems, including both in vitro and in vivo models, without changing any model parameters except those related to the experimental conditions. We also explore the effects of varying different critical parameters within the model. Here we show that availability of energy, represented by ATP, and glutamate for neurotransmission at the cellular level are intimately related, and are capable of promoting state transitions at the network level as ignition and extinction phenomena. Our model is complementary to existing models of neuronal up and down states in that it focuses on cellular-level dynamics while still retaining essential network-level processes. Our model predicts the existence of a "final common pathway" of behavior at the tripartite synapse arising from scarcity of resources and may explain use dependence in the phenomenon of "local sleep." Ultimately, sleeplike behavior may be a fundamental property of networks of tripartite synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhada N Joshi
- National Center for Adaptive Neurotechnologies (NCAN), David Axelrod Institute, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, 120 New Scotland Ave., Albany, New York 12208, USA
| | - Aditya N Joshi
- Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr., Stanford, California 94305, USA
| | - Narendra D Joshi
- General Electric Global Research, 1 Research Circle, Niskayuna, New York 12309, USA
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14
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Lea-Carnall CA, El-Deredy W, Stagg CJ, Williams SR, Trujillo-Barreto NJ. A mean-field model of glutamate and GABA synaptic dynamics for functional MRS. Neuroimage 2023; 266:119813. [PMID: 36528313 PMCID: PMC7614487 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) have enabled the quantification of activity-dependent changes in neurotransmitter concentrations in vivo. However, the physiological basis of the large changes in GABA and glutamate observed by fMRS (>10%) over short time scales of less than a minute remain unclear as such changes cannot be accounted for by known synthesis or degradation metabolic pathways. Instead, it has been hypothesized that fMRS detects shifts in neurotransmitter concentrations as they cycle from presynaptic vesicles, where they are largely invisible, to extracellular and cytosolic pools, where they are detectable. The present paper uses a computational modelling approach to demonstrate the viability of this hypothesis. A new mean-field model of the neural mechanisms generating the fMRS signal in a cortical voxel is derived. The proposed macroscopic mean-field model is based on a microscopic description of the neurotransmitter dynamics at the level of the synapse. Specifically, GABA and glutamate are assumed to cycle between three metabolic pools: packaged in the vesicles; active in the synaptic cleft; and undergoing recycling and repackaging in the astrocytic or neuronal cytosol. Computational simulations from the model are used to generate predicted changes in GABA and glutamate concentrations in response to different types of stimuli including pain, vision, and electric current stimulation. The predicted changes in the extracellular and cytosolic pools corresponded to those reported in empirical fMRS data. Furthermore, the model predicts a selective control mechanism of the GABA/glutamate relationship, whereby inhibitory stimulation reduces both neurotransmitters, whereas excitatory stimulation increases glutamate and decreases GABA. The proposed model bridges between neural dynamics and fMRS and provides a mechanistic account for the activity-dependent changes in the glutamate and GABA fMRS signals. Lastly, these results indicate that echo-time may be an important timing parameter that can be leveraged to maximise fMRS experimental outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A Lea-Carnall
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK.
| | - Wael El-Deredy
- Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ingeniería en Salud, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile; Valencian Graduate School and Research Network of Artificial Intelligence.; Department of Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, Universitat de Val..ncia, Spain..
| | - Charlotte J Stagg
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Stephen R Williams
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Nelson J Trujillo-Barreto
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, UK
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15
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Chronic lead exposure disrupts neurometabolic activity in mouse brain: An ex vivo 1H-[ 13C]-NMR study. Neurotoxicology 2023; 94:117-125. [PMID: 36368548 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2022.11.005] [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: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Lead poisoning has been identified as a problem in adults as well as in children. Chronic exposure to lead has been implicated in neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we evaluated the impact of chronic lead exposure on cerebral glutamatergic and GABAergic metabolic activity in mice. C57BL6 mice were provided lead acetate in drinking water for two months. The regional cerebral metabolic activity was measured using 1H-[13C]-NMR spectroscopy in conjunction with infusion of [1,6-13C2]glucose. The blood Pb2+ increased significantly in lead acetate treated mice. Concomitantly, there was a significant reduction in the forelimb strength. The level of myo-inositol was elevated in the cerebral cortex of mice chronically exposed to lead. The glutamatergic neurometabolic activity was found to be reduced following chronic lead exposure in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and striatum. In contrast, the GABAergic fluxes were impaired in the hippocampus and thalamus only. The metabolic fluxes in the cerebellum were unperturbed to Pb2+ toxicity. In conclusion, we report that chronic lead exposure in mice leads to an impairment in forelimb strength, and a perturbation in neurometabolism in brain regions involving cognition and movement.
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16
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Divergent Cellular Energetics, Glutamate Metabolism, and Mitochondrial Function Between Human and Mouse Cerebral Cortex. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:7495-7512. [PMID: 36201140 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03053-5] [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: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Abstract
Disruptions of brain energy and neurotransmitter metabolism are associated with several pathological conditions including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Transgenic rodent models, and in vitro preparations hereof, are often applied for studying pathological aspects of brain metabolism. However, despite the conserved cerebral development across mammalian species, distinct differences in cellular composition and structure may influence metabolism of the rodent and human brain. To address this, we investigated the metabolic function of acutely isolated brain slices and non-synaptic mitochondria obtained from the cerebral cortex of mice and neurosurgically resected neocortical tissue of humans. Utilizing dynamic isotope labeling with 13C-enriched metabolic substrates, we show that metabolism of glucose, acetate, β-hydroxybutyrate, and glutamine operates at lower rates in human cerebral cortical slices when compared to mouse slices. In contrast, human cerebral cortical slices display a higher capacity for converting exogenous glutamate into glutamine, which subsequently supports neuronal GABA synthesis, whereas mouse slices primarily convert glutamate into aspartate. In line with the reduced metabolic rate of the human brain slices, isolated non-synaptic mitochondria of the human cerebral cortex have a lower oxygen consumption rate when provided succinate as substrate. However, when provided pyruvate and malate, human mitochondria display a higher coupled respiration and lower proton leak, signifying a more efficient mitochondrial coupling compared to mouse mitochondria. This study reveals key differences between mouse and human brain metabolism concerning both neurons and astrocytes, which must be taken into account when applying in vitro rodent preparations as a model system of the human brain.
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17
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Ziegs T, Dorst J, Ruhm L, Avdievitch N, Henning A. Measurement of glucose metabolism in the occipital lobe and frontal cortex after oral administration of [1-13C]glucose at 9.4 T. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:1890-1904. [PMID: 35632989 PMCID: PMC9536126 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221104540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
For the first time, labeling effects after oral intake of [1-13C]glucose are observed in the human brain with pure 1H detection at 9.4 T. Spectral time series were acquired using a short-TE 1H MRS MC-semiLASER (Metabolite Cycling semi Localization by Adiabatic SElective Refocusing) sequence in two voxels of 5.4 mL in the frontal cortex and the occipital lobe. High-quality time-courses of [4-13C]glutamate, [4-13C]glutamine, [3-13C]glutamate + glutamine, [2-13C] glutamate+glutamine and [3-13C]aspartate for individual volunteers and additionally, group-averaged time-courses of labeled and non-labeled brain glucose could be obtained. Using a one-compartment model, mean metabolic rates were calculated for each voxel position: The mean rate of the TCA-cycle (Vtca) value was determined to be 1.36 and 0.93 μmol min-1 g-1, the mean rate of glutamine synthesis (Vgln) was calculated to be 0.23 and 0.45 μmol min-1 g-1, the mean exchange rate between cytosolic amino acids and mitochondrial Krebs cycle intermediates (Vx) rate was found to be 0.57 and 1.21 μmol min-1 g-1 for the occipital lobe and the frontal cortex, respectively. These values were in agreement with previously reported data. Altogether, it can be shown that this most simple technique combining oral administration of [1-13C]Glc with pure 1H MRS acquisition is suitable to measure metabolic rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresia Ziegs
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johanna Dorst
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Loreen Ruhm
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,IMPRS for Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nikolai Avdievitch
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Anke Henning
- High-Field MR Center, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany.,Advanced Imaging Research Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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18
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Abstract
Anorexia is a loss of appetite or an inability to eat and is often associated with eating disorders. However, animal anorexia is physiologically regulated as a part of the life cycle; for instance, during hibernation, migration or incubation. Anorexia nervosa (AN), on the other hand, is a common eating disorder among adolescent females that experience an intense fear of gaining weight due to body image distortion that results in voluntary avoidance of food intake and, thus, severe weight loss. It has been shown that the neurobiology of feeding extends beyond the hypothalamus. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is involved in food choice and body image perception, both relevant in AN. However, little is known about the neurobiology of AN, and the lack of effective treatments justifies the use of animal models. Glial cells, the dominant population of nerve cells in the central nervous system, are key in maintaining brain homeostasis. Accordingly, recent studies suggest that glial function may be compromised by anorexia. In this review, we summarize recent findings about anorexia and glial cells.
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19
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Andersen JV, Schousboe A, Verkhratsky A. Astrocyte energy and neurotransmitter metabolism in Alzheimer's disease: integration of the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 217:102331. [PMID: 35872221 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes contribute to the complex cellular pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurons and astrocytes function in close collaboration through neurotransmitter recycling, collectively known as the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, which is essential to sustain neurotransmission. Neurotransmitter recycling is intimately linked to astrocyte energy metabolism. In the course of AD, astrocytes undergo extensive metabolic remodeling, which may profoundly affect the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. The consequences of altered astrocyte function and metabolism in relation to neurotransmitter recycling are yet to be comprehended. Metabolic alterations of astrocytes in AD deprive neurons of metabolic support, thereby contributing to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration. In addition, several astrocyte-specific components of the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, including glutamine synthesis and synaptic neurotransmitter uptake, are perturbed in AD. Integration of the complex astrocyte biology within the context of AD is essential for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the disease, while restoring astrocyte metabolism may serve as an approach to arrest or even revert clinical progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, 48011 Bilbao, Spain; Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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20
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Miller CO, Gantert LT, Previs SF, Chen Y, Anderson KD, Thomas JM, Sanacora G, Uslaner JM, Rothman DL, Mason GF. A Novel Biomarker of Neuronal Glutamate Metabolism in Nonhuman Primates Using Localized 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: Development and Effects of BNC375, an α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulator. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHIATRY. COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE AND NEUROIMAGING 2022; 7:598-606. [PMID: 33309567 PMCID: PMC8005500 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2020.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The development of treatments for cognitive deficits associated with central nervous system disorders is currently a significant medical need. Despite the great need for such therapeutics, a significant challenge in the drug development process is the paucity of robust biomarkers to assess target modulation and guide clinical decisions. We developed a novel, translatable biomarker of neuronal glutamate metabolism, the 13C-glutamate+glutamine (Glx) H3:H4 labeling ratio, in nonhuman primates using localized 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy combined with 13C-glucose infusions. METHODS We began with numerical simulations in an established model of brain glutamate metabolism, showing that the 13C-Glx H3:H4 ratio should be a sensitive biomarker of neuronal tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, a key measure of overall neuronal metabolism. We showed that this biomarker can be measured reliably using a standard 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy method (point-resolved spectroscopy sequence/echo time = 20 ms), obviating the need for specialized hardware and pulse sequences typically used with 13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, thus improving overall clinical translatability. Finally, we used this biomarker in 8 male rhesus macaques before and after administration of the compound BNC375, a positive allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor that enhances glutamate signaling ex vivo and elicits procognitive effects in preclinical species. RESULTS The 13C-Glx H3:H4 ratios in the monkeys showed that BNC375 increases neuronal metabolism in nonhuman primates in vivo, detectable on an individual basis. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that the ratio of 13C-Glx H3:H4 labeling is a biomarker that may provide an objective readout of compounds affecting glutamatergic neurotransmission and could improve decision making for the development of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corin O Miller
- Department of Translational Imaging Biomarkers, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey.
| | - Liza T Gantert
- Department of Translational Imaging Biomarkers, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey
| | | | - Ying Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey
| | - Kenneth D Anderson
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey
| | - Justina M Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, and Drug Metabolism, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jason M Uslaner
- Department of Neuroscience, Merck & Co., Kenilworth, New Jersey
| | - Douglas L Rothman
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut; Department of Biomedical Engineering Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Graeme F Mason
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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21
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Deng S, Franklin CG, O'Boyle M, Zhang W, Heyl BL, Jerabek PA, Lu H, Fox PT. Hemodynamic and metabolic correspondence of resting-state voxel-based physiological metrics in healthy adults. Neuroimage 2022; 250:118923. [PMID: 35066157 PMCID: PMC9201851 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.118923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Voxel-based physiological (VBP) variables derived from blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI time-course variations include: amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (ALFF), fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo). Although these BOLD-derived variables can detect between-group (e.g. disease vs control) spatial pattern differences, physiological interpretations are not well established. The primary objective of this study was to quantify spatial correspondences between BOLD VBP variables and PET measurements of cerebral metabolic rate and hemodynamics, being well-validated physiological standards. To this end, quantitative, whole-brain PET images of metabolic rate of glucose (MRGlu; 18FDG) and oxygen (MRO2; 15OO), blood flow (BF; H215O) and blood volume (BV; C15O) were obtained in 16 healthy controls. In the same subjects, BOLD time-courses were obtained for computation of ALFF, fALFF and ReHo images. PET variables were compared pair-wise with BOLD variables. In group-averaged, across-region analyses, ALFF corresponded significantly only with BV (R = 0.64; p < 0.0001). fALFF corresponded most strongly with MRGlu (R = 0.79; p < 0.0001), but also significantly (p < 0.0001) with MRO2 (R = 0.68), BF (R = 0.68) and BV (R=0.68). ReHo performed similarly to fALFF, with significant strong correspondence (p < 0.0001) with MRGlu (R = 0.78), MRO2 (R = 0.54), and, but less strongly with BF (R = 0.50) and BV (R=0.50). Mutual information analyses further clarified these physiological interpretations. When conditioned by BV, ALFF retained no significant MRGlu, MRO2 or BF information. When conditioned by MRGlu, fALFF and ReHo retained no significant MRO2, BF or BV information. Of concern, however, the strength of PET-BOLD correspondences varied markedly by brain region, which calls for future investigation on physiological interpretations at a regional and per-subject basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengwen Deng
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Department of Radiology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Crystal G Franklin
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Michael O'Boyle
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Betty L Heyl
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Paul A Jerabek
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Hanzhang Lu
- The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Research Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Peter T Fox
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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22
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Yakovlev A, Manzhurtsev A, Menshchikov P, Ublinskiy M, Melnikov I, Kupriyanov D, Akhadov T, Semenova N. Functional Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Study of Total Glutamate and Glutamine in the Human Visual Cortex Activated by a Short Stimulus. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350922020245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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23
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Tomiyasu M, Harada M. In vivo Human MR Spectroscopy Using a Clinical Scanner: Development, Applications, and Future Prospects. Magn Reson Med Sci 2022; 21:235-252. [PMID: 35173095 PMCID: PMC9199975 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.rev.2021-0085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
MR spectroscopy (MRS) is a unique and useful method for noninvasively evaluating biochemical metabolism in human organs and tissues, but its clinical dissemination has been slow and often limited to specialized institutions or hospitals with experts in MRS technology. The number of 3-T clinical MR scanners is now increasing, representing a major opportunity to promote the use of clinical MRS. In this review, we summarize the theoretical background and basic knowledge required to understand the results obtained with MRS and introduce the general consensus on the clinical utility of proton MRS in routine clinical practice. In addition, we present updates to the consensus guidelines on proton MRS published by the members of a working committee of the Japan Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine in 2013. Recent research into multinuclear MRS equipped in clinical MR scanners is explained with an eye toward future development. This article seeks to provide an overview of the current status of clinical MRS and to promote the understanding of when it can be useful. In the coming years, MRS-mediated biochemical evaluation is expected to become available for even routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moyoko Tomiyasu
- Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology.,Department of Radiology, Kanagawa Children's Medical Center
| | - Masafumi Harada
- Department of Radiology and Radiation Oncology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University
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24
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Matthews DC, Mao X, Dowd K, Tsakanikas D, Jiang CS, Meuser C, Andrews RD, Lukic AS, Lee J, Hampilos N, Shafiian N, Sano M, David Mozley P, Fillit H, McEwen BS, Shungu DC, Pereira AC. Riluzole, a glutamate modulator, slows cerebral glucose metabolism decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2021; 144:3742-3755. [PMID: 34145880 PMCID: PMC8719848 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of glutamatergic neural circuits has been implicated in a cycle of toxicity, believed among the neurobiological underpinning of Alzheimer's disease. Previously, we reported preclinical evidence that the glutamate modulator riluzole, which is FDA approved for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, has potential benefits on cognition, structural and molecular markers of ageing and Alzheimer's disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate in a pilot clinical trial, using neuroimaging biomarkers, the potential efficacy and safety of riluzole in patients with Alzheimer's disease as compared to placebo. A 6-month phase 2 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted at two sites. Participants consisted of males and females, 50 to 95 years of age, with a clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease, and Mini-Mental State Examination between 19 and 27. Ninety-four participants were screened, 50 participants who met inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to receive 50 mg riluzole (n = 26) or placebo (n = 24) twice a day. Twenty-two riluzole-treated and 20 placebo participants completed the study. Primary end points were baseline to 6 months changes in (i) cerebral glucose metabolism as measured with fluorodeoxyglucose-PET in prespecified regions of interest (hippocampus, posterior cingulate, precuneus, lateral temporal, inferior parietal, frontal); and (ii) changes in posterior cingulate levels of the neuronal viability marker N-acetylaspartate as measured with in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Secondary outcome measures were neuropsychological testing for correlation with neuroimaging biomarkers and in vivo measures of glutamate in posterior cingulate measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy as a potential marker of target engagement. Measures of cerebral glucose metabolism, a well-established Alzheimer's disease biomarker and predictor of disease progression, declined significantly less in several prespecified regions of interest with the most robust effect in posterior cingulate, and effects in precuneus, lateral temporal, right hippocampus and frontal cortex in riluzole-treated participants in comparison to the placebo group. No group effect was found in measures of N-acetylaspartate levels. A positive correlation was observed between cognitive measures and regional cerebral glucose metabolism. A group × visit interaction was observed in glutamate levels in posterior cingulate, potentially suggesting engagement of glutamatergic system by riluzole. In vivo glutamate levels positively correlated with cognitive performance. These findings support our main primary hypothesis that cerebral glucose metabolism would be better preserved in the riluzole-treated group than in the placebo group and provide a rationale for more powered, longer duration studies of riluzole as a potential intervention for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiangling Mao
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | | | | | | | - Caroline Meuser
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Ana S Lukic
- ADM Diagnostics Inc., Northbrook, IL 60062, USA
| | - Jihyun Lee
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Nicholas Hampilos
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Neeva Shafiian
- Department of Neurology, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mary Sano
- Department of Psychiatry, Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - P David Mozley
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Howard Fillit
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, New York, NY 10019, USA
| | | | - Dikoma C Shungu
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY 10021, USA
| | - Ana C Pereira
- The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Neurology, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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25
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Reyes-Ortega P, Soria-Ortiz MB, Rodríguez VM, Vázquez-Martínez EO, Díaz-Muñoz M, Reyes-Haro D. Anorexia disrupts glutamate-glutamine homeostasis associated with astroglia in the prefrontal cortex of young female rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 420:113715. [PMID: 34906609 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss with a notorious prevalence in young women. The neurobiology of AN is unknown but murine models, like dehydration induced anorexia (DIA), reproduce weight loss and avoidance of food despite its availability. Astrocytes are known to provide homeostatic support to neurons, but it is little explored if anorexia affects this function. In this study, we tested if DIA disrupts glutamate-glutamine homeostasis associated with astrocytes in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of young female rats. Our results showed that anorexia reduced the redox state, as well as endogenous glutamate and glutamine. These effects correlated with a reduced expression of the glutamate transporters (GLT-1 and GLAST) and glutamine synthetase, all of them are preferentially expressed by astrocytes. Accordingly, the expression of GFAP was reduced. Anorexia reduced the astrocyte density, promoted a de-ramified morphology, and augmented the de-ramified/ramified astrocyte ratio in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), but not in the motor cortex (M2). The increase of a de-ramified phenotype correlated with increased expression of vimentin and nestin. Based on these results, we conclude that anorexia disrupts glutamate-glutamine homeostasis and the redox state associated with astrocyte dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Reyes-Ortega
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro CP76230, Mexico
| | - María Berenice Soria-Ortiz
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro CP76230, Mexico
| | - Verónica M Rodríguez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro CP76230, Mexico
| | - Eva Olivia Vázquez-Martínez
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro CP76230, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Díaz-Muñoz
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro CP76230, Mexico
| | - Daniel Reyes-Haro
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto de Neurobiología, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro CP76230, Mexico.
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26
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Delva A, Michiels L, Koole M, Van Laere K, Vandenberghe W. Synaptic Damage and Its Clinical Correlates in People With Early Huntington Disease: A PET Study. Neurology 2021; 98:e83-e94. [PMID: 34663644 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000012969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Synaptic damage has been proposed to play a major role in the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease (HD), but in vivo evidence in humans is lacking. We performed a PET imaging study to assess synaptic damage and its clinical correlates in early HD in vivo. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, premanifest and early manifest (Shoulson-Fahn stage 1 and 2) HD mutation carriers and age- and gender-matched healthy controls underwent clinical assessment of motor and non-motor manifestations and time-of-flight PET with 11C-UCB-J, a radioligand targeting the ubiquitous presynaptic terminal marker SV2A. We also performed 18F-FDG PET in all subjects, as regional cerebral glucose consumption is thought to largely reflect synaptic activity. Volumes of interest were delineated based on individual 3D T1 MRI. Standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR)-1 images were calculated for 11C-UCB-J with the centrum semiovale as reference region. 18F-FDG PET activity was normalized to the pons. All PET data were corrected for partial volume effects. Volume of interest- and voxel-based analyses were performed. Correlations between clinical scores and 11C-UCB-J PET data were calculated. RESULTS 18 HD mutation carriers (51.4 ± 11.6 years; 6 female; 7 premanifest, 11 early manifest) and 15 healthy controls (52.3 ± 3.5 years; 4 female) were included. In the HD group, significant loss of SV2A binding was found in putamen, caudate, pallidum, cerebellum, parietal, temporal and frontal cortex, whereas reduced 18F-FDG uptake was restricted to caudate and putamen. In the premanifest subgroup, 11C-UCB-J and 18F-FDG PET showed significant reductions in putamen and caudate only. In the total HD group, SV2A loss in the putamen correlated with motor impairment. DISCUSSION Our data reveal loss of presynaptic terminal integrity in early HD, which begins in the striatum in the premanifest phase, spreads extensively to extrastriatal regions in the early manifest phase, and correlates with motor impairment. 11C-UCB-J PET is more sensitive than 18F-FDG PET for detection of extrastriatal changes in early HD. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides class III evidence that 11C-UCB-J PET accurately identifies HD from normal controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Delva
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium; .,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Michiels
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium.,VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Belgium
| | - Michel Koole
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
| | - Wim Vandenberghe
- Department of Neurosciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium
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27
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Koolschijn RS, Shpektor A, Clarke WT, Ip IB, Dupret D, Emir UE, Barron HC. Memory recall involves a transient break in excitatory-inhibitory balance. eLife 2021; 10:e70071. [PMID: 34622779 PMCID: PMC8516417 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain has a remarkable capacity to acquire and store memories that can later be selectively recalled. These processes are supported by the hippocampus which is thought to index memory recall by reinstating information stored across distributed neocortical circuits. However, the mechanism that supports this interaction remains unclear. Here, in humans, we show that recall of a visual cue from a paired associate is accompanied by a transient increase in the ratio between glutamate and GABA in visual cortex. Moreover, these excitatory-inhibitory fluctuations are predicted by activity in the hippocampus. These data suggest the hippocampus gates memory recall by indexing information stored across neocortical circuits using a disinhibitory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renée S Koolschijn
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Shpektor
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - William T Clarke
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - I Betina Ip
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Dupret
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Uzay E Emir
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, United States
| | - Helen C Barron
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, FMRIB, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Medical Research Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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28
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Hu C, Zuo H, Li Y. Effects of Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Radiation on Neurotransmitters in the Brain. Front Public Health 2021; 9:691880. [PMID: 34485223 PMCID: PMC8415840 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.691880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
With the rapid development of electronic information in the past 30 years, technical achievements based on electromagnetism have been widely used in various fields pertaining to human production and life. Consequently, electromagnetic radiation (EMR) has become a substantial new pollution source in modern civilization. The biological effects of EMR have attracted considerable attention worldwide. The possible interaction of EMR with human organs, especially the brain, is currently where the most attention is focused. Many studies have shown that the nervous system is an important target organ system sensitive to EMR. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the neurobiological effects of EMR, including the metabolism and transport of neurotransmitters. As messengers of synaptic transmission, neurotransmitters play critical roles in cognitive and emotional behavior. Here, the effects of EMR on the metabolism and receptors of neurotransmitters in the brain are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Hu
- Anhui Medical University, Academy of Life Sciences, Hefei, China.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongyan Zuo
- Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Li
- Anhui Medical University, Academy of Life Sciences, Hefei, China.,Department of Experimental Pathology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, China
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29
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Soni ND, Ramesh A, Roy D, Patel AB. Brain energy metabolism in intracerebroventricularly administered streptozotocin mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: A 1H-[ 13C]-NMR study. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2021; 41:2344-2355. [PMID: 33657898 PMCID: PMC8393290 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x21996176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a very common neurodegenerative disorder. Although a majority of the AD cases are sporadic, most of the studies are conducted using transgenic models. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administered streptozotocin (STZ) animals have been used to explore mechanisms in sporadic AD. In this study, we have investigated memory and neurometabolism of ICV-STZ-administered C57BL6/J mice. The neuronal and astroglial metabolic activity was measured in 1H-[13C]-NMR spectrum of cortical and hippocampal tissue extracts of mice infused with [1,6-13C2]glucose and [2-13C]acetate, respectively. STZ-administered mice exhibited reduced (p = 0.00002) recognition index for memory. The levels of creatine, GABA, glutamate and NAA were reduced (p ≤ 0.04), while that of myo-inositol was increased (p < 0.05) in STZ-treated mice. There was a significant (p ≤ 0.014) reduction in aspartate-C3, glutamate-C4/C3, GABA-C2 and glutamine-C4 labeling from [1,6-13C2]glucose. This resulted in decreased rate of glucose oxidation in the cerebral cortex (0.64 ± 0.05 vs. 0.77 ± 0.05 µmol/g/min, p = 0.0008) and hippocampus (0.60 ± 0.04 vs. 0.73 ± 0.07 µmol/g/min, p = 0.001) of STZ-treated mice, due to similar reductions of glucose oxidation in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons. Additionally, reduced glutamine-C4 labeling points towards compromised synaptic neurotransmission in STZ-treated mice. These data suggest that the ICV-STZ model exhibits neurometabolic deficits typically observed in AD, and its utility in understanding the mechanism of sporadic AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan D Soni
- NMR Microimaging and Spectroscopy, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Akila Ramesh
- NMR Microimaging and Spectroscopy, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Dipak Roy
- NMR Microimaging and Spectroscopy, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India
| | - Anant B Patel
- NMR Microimaging and Spectroscopy, CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad, India
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30
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Andersen JV, Markussen KH, Jakobsen E, Schousboe A, Waagepetersen HS, Rosenberg PA, Aldana BI. Glutamate metabolism and recycling at the excitatory synapse in health and neurodegeneration. Neuropharmacology 2021; 196:108719. [PMID: 34273389 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter of the brain. Cellular homeostasis of glutamate is of paramount importance for normal brain function and relies on an intricate metabolic collaboration between neurons and astrocytes. Glutamate is extensively recycled between neurons and astrocytes in a process known as the glutamate-glutamine cycle. The recycling of glutamate is closely linked to brain energy metabolism and is essential to sustain glutamatergic neurotransmission. However, a considerable amount of glutamate is also metabolized and serves as a metabolic hub connecting glucose and amino acid metabolism in both neurons and astrocytes. Disruptions in glutamate clearance, leading to neuronal overstimulation and excitotoxicity, have been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, the link between brain energy homeostasis and glutamate metabolism is gaining attention in several neurological conditions. In this review, we provide an overview of the dynamics of synaptic glutamate homeostasis and the underlying metabolic processes with a cellular focus on neurons and astrocytes. In particular, we review the recently discovered role of neuronal glutamate uptake in synaptic glutamate homeostasis and discuss current advances in cellular glutamate metabolism in the context of Alzheimer's disease and Huntington's disease. Understanding the intricate regulation of glutamate-dependent metabolic processes at the synapse will not only increase our insight into the metabolic mechanisms of glutamate homeostasis, but may reveal new metabolic targets to ameliorate neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Kia H Markussen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Emil Jakobsen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helle S Waagepetersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Paul A Rosenberg
- Department of Neurology and the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Blanca I Aldana
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
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31
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Wang R, Hu B, Sun C, Geng D, Lin J, Li Y. Metabolic abnormality in acute stroke-like lesion and its relationship with focal cerebral blood flow in patients with MELAS: Evidence from proton MR spectroscopy and arterial spin labeling. Mitochondrion 2021; 59:276-282. [PMID: 34186261 DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2021.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Our purpose is to detect the metabolic alterations in acute stroke-like lesions (SLLs) and further investigate the correlations between metabolic concentrations and focal cerebral blood flow in patients with mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) using proton MR spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and arterial spin labeling (ASL). A total of 23 patients with MELAS at acute stage of stroke-like episodes (SLEs) and 20 normal controls (NC) were recruited in this study, respectively. All subjects underwent conventional MRI and1H-MRS. In addition, ASL was performed in each patient. The measurements of creatine (Cr), choline (Cho), N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), lactate (Lac), glutamine/glutamate (Glx) levels and the ratios of Cho/Cr, NAA/Cr, Lac/Cr and Glx/Cr in acute SLLs for MELAS patients and left parietal and occipital lobes for NC were measured using LC-model software. Furthermore, in MELAS group, the associations between relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and metabolite concentrations in acute SLLs were also assessed. In MELAS group, acute SLLs were identified with metabolic abnormalities and increased rCBF. Specifically, compared with controls, MELAS patients exhibited significantly higher Lac, Cho levels and Lac/Cr, Cho/Cr ratios, and lower NAA, Glx levels and NAA/Cr and Glx/Cr ratios. Moreover, for MELAS patients, Lac concentration in acute SLLs was positively correlated with focal rCBF. This study exhibited the neural injury with increasing lactate and cerebral blood flow in the acute SLEs. It might shed light on the underlying biochemical mechanism of mitochondrial cytopathy and angiopathy in MELAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Wang
- Department of Radiology, HuaShan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai Institution of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Bin Hu
- Department of Radiology, HuaShan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Chong Sun
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Daoying Geng
- Department of Radiology, HuaShan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai Institution of Medical Imaging, Shanghai 200032, China; Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Yuxin Li
- Department of Radiology, HuaShan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Institute of Functional and Molecular Medical Imaging, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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32
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Chu SF, Zhang Z, Zhou X, He WB, Yang B, Cui LY, He HY, Wang ZZ, Chen NH. Low corticosterone levels attenuate late life depression and enhance glutamatergic neurotransmission in female rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:848-860. [PMID: 33028984 PMCID: PMC8149629 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-00536-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sustained elevation of corticosterone (CORT) is one of the common causes of aging and major depression disorder. However, the role of elevated CORT in late life depression (LLD) has not been elucidated. In this study, 18-month-old female rats were subjected to bilateral adrenalectomy or sham surgery. Their CORT levels in plasma were adjusted by CORT replacement and the rats were divided into high-level CORT (H-CORT), low-level CORT (L-CORT), and Sham group. We showed that L-CORT rats displayed attenuated depressive symptoms and memory defects in behavioral tests as compared with Sham or H-CORT rats. Furthermore, we showed that glutamatergic transmission was enhanced in L-CORT rats, evidenced by enhanced population spike amplitude (PSA) recorded from the dentate gyrus of hippocampus in vivo and increased glutamate release from hippocampal synaptosomes caused by high frequency stimulation or CORT exposure. Intracerebroventricular injection of an enzymatic glutamate scavenger system, glutamic-pyruvic transmine (GPT, 1 μM), significantly increased the PSA in Sham rats, suggesting that extracelluar accumulation of glutamate might be the culprit of impaired glutamatergic transmission, which was dependent on the uptake by Glt-1 in astrocytes. We revealed that hippocampal Glt-1 expression level in the L-CORT rats was much higher than in Sham and H-CORT rats. In a gradient neuron-astrocyte coculture, we found that the expression of Glt-1 was decreased with the increase of neural percentage, suggesting that impairment of Glt-1 might result from the high level of CORT contributed neural damage. In sham rats, administration of DHK that inhibited Glt-1 activity induced significant LLD symptoms, whereas administration of RIL that promoted glutamate uptake significantly attenuated LLD. All of these results suggest that glutamatergic transmission impairment is one of important pathogenesis in LLD induced by high level of CORT, which provide promising clues for the treatment of LLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Feng Chu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wen-Bin He
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030619, China
| | - Bo Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Characteristic Medical Center of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, 300300, China
| | - Li-Yuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong-Yuan He
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, 301617, China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Nai-Hong Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica and Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100050, China.
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33
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Sen K, Anderson AA, Whitehead MT, Gropman AL. Review of Multi-Modal Imaging in Urea Cycle Disorders: The Old, the New, the Borrowed, and the Blue. Front Neurol 2021; 12:632307. [PMID: 33995244 PMCID: PMC8113618 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.632307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The urea cycle disorders (UCD) are rare genetic disorder due to a deficiency of one of six enzymes or two transport proteins that act to remove waste nitrogen in form of ammonia from the body. In this review, we focus on neuroimaging studies in OTCD and Arginase deficiency, two of the UCD we have extensively studied. Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD) is the most common of these, and X-linked. Hyperammonemia (HA) in OTCD is due to deficient protein handling. Cognitive impairments and neurobehavioral disorders have emerged as the major sequelae in Arginase deficiency and OTCD, especially in relation to executive function and working memory, impacting pre-frontal cortex (PFC). Clinical management focuses on neuroprotection from HA, as well as neurotoxicity from other known and yet unclassified metabolites. Prevention and mitigation of neurological injury is a major challenge and research focus. Given the impact of HA on neurocognitive function of UCD, neuroimaging modalities, especially multi-modality imaging platforms, can bring a wealth of information to understand the neurocognitive function and biomarkers. Such information can further improve clinical decision making, and result in better therapeutic interventions. In vivo investigations of the affected brain using multimodal neuroimaging combined with clinical and behavioral phenotyping hold promise. MR Spectroscopy has already proven as a tool to study biochemical aberrations such as elevated glutamine surrounding HA as well as to diagnose partial UCD. Functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), which assesses local changes in cerebral hemodynamic levels of cortical regions, is emerging as a non-invasive technique and will serve as a surrogate to fMRI with better portability. Here we review two decades of our research using non-invasive imaging and how it has contributed to an understanding of the cognitive effects of this group of genetic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuntal Sen
- Division of Neurogenetics and Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Afrouz A Anderson
- Department of Research, Focus Foundation, Crofton, MD, United States
| | - Matthew T Whitehead
- Department of Radiology, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Andrea L Gropman
- Division of Neurogenetics and Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics, Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States
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34
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Ip IB, Bridge H. Investigating the neurochemistry of the human visual system using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Brain Struct Funct 2021; 227:1491-1505. [PMID: 33900453 PMCID: PMC9046312 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-021-02273-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Biochemical processes underpin the structure and function of the visual cortex, yet our understanding of the fundamental neurochemistry of the visual brain is incomplete. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) is a non-invasive brain imaging tool that allows chemical quantification of living tissue by detecting minute differences in the resonant frequency of molecules. Application of MRS in the human brain in vivo has advanced our understanding of how the visual brain consumes energy to support neural function, how its neural substrates change as a result of disease or dysfunction, and how neural populations signal during perception and plasticity. The aim of this review is to provide an entry point to researchers interested in investigating the neurochemistry of the visual system using in vivo measurements. We provide a basic overview of MRS principles, and then discuss recent findings in four topics of vision science: (i) visual perception, plasticity in the (ii) healthy and (iii) dysfunctional visual system, and (iv) during visual stimulation. Taken together, evidence suggests that the neurochemistry of the visual system provides important novel insights into how we perceive the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Betina Ip
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Building, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Holly Bridge
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB Building, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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35
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Abdik E, Çakır T. Systematic investigation of mouse models of Parkinson's disease by transcriptome mapping on a brain-specific genome-scale metabolic network. Mol Omics 2021; 17:492-502. [PMID: 34370801 DOI: 10.1039/d0mo00135j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Genome-scale metabolic networks enable systemic investigation of metabolic alterations caused by diseases by providing interpretation of omics data. Although Mus musculus (mouse) is one of the most commonly used model organisms for neurodegenerative diseases, a brain-specific metabolic network model of mice has not yet been reconstructed. Here we reconstructed the first brain-specific metabolic network model of mice, iBrain674-Mm, by a homology-based approach, which consisted of 992 reactions controlled by 674 genes and distributed over 48 pathways. We validated the newly reconstructed network model by showing that it predicts healthy resting-state metabolic phenotypes of mouse brain compatible with the literature. We later used iBrain674-Mm to interpret various experimental mouse models of Parkinson's Disease (PD) at the transcriptome level. To this end, we applied a constraint-based modelling based biomarker prediction method called TIMBR (Transcriptionally Inferred Metabolic Biomarker Response) to predict altered metabolite production from transcriptomic data. Systemic analysis of seven different PD mouse models by TIMBR showed that the neuronal levels of glutamate, lactate, creatine phosphate, neuronal acetylcholine, bilirubin and formate increased in most of the PD mouse models, whereas the levels of melatonin, epinephrine, astrocytic formate and astrocytic bilirubin decreased. Although most of the predictions were consistent with the literature, there were some inconsistencies among different PD mouse models, signifying that there is no perfect experimental model to reflect PD metabolism. The newly reconstructed brain-specific genome-scale metabolic network model of mice can make important contributions to the interpretation and development of experimental mouse models of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ecehan Abdik
- Department of Bioengineering, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
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36
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Lin CH, Chen HY, Wei KC. Role of HMGB1/TLR4 Axis in Ischemia/Reperfusion-Impaired Extracellular Glutamate Clearance in Primary Astrocytes. Cells 2020; 9:E2585. [PMID: 33287126 PMCID: PMC7761728 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Abnormal accumulation of extracellular glutamate can occur as dysfunction of astrocytic glutamate transporters, which has been linked to ischemic brain injury. Excessive extracellular glutamate-induced abnormal excitotoxicity is the major cause of secondary neuronal damage after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. However, the definite mechanism of impaired astrocytic glutamate reuptake remains unclear. (2) Methods: We investigated the mechanism of the HMGB1/TLR4 axis in extracellular glutamate clearance in primary astrocytes exposed to ischemia/reperfusion by using OGD/R (oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation) model. (3) Results: OGD/R insult activated the HMGB1/TLR4 axis for reducing the activity of glutamate clearance by inhibiting GLAST (glutamate aspartate transporter) expression in primary astrocytes. Interestingly, OGD/R-untreated astrocytes showed impairment of glutamate clearance after exposure to exogenous HMGB1 or conditioned medium from OGD/R-treated astrocytes culture. Inhibition of HMGB1 or TLR4 effectively prevented impaired glutamate clearance, which was induced by OGD/R, exogenous HMGB1, or conditioned medium from OGD/R-treated astrocytes. Furthermore, glycyrrhizic acid attenuated OGD/R-induced impairment of astrocytic glutamate clearance mediated by the HMGB1-TLR4 axis. (4) Conclusion: The HMGB1/TLR4 axis is a potential target for the treatment of post-ischemic excitotoxicity caused by GLAST dysfunction in astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Ho Lin
- Master and PhD Programs in Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (H.-Y.C.)
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan
| | - Han-Yu Chen
- Master and PhD Programs in Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (H.-Y.C.)
| | - Kai-Che Wei
- Department of Dermatology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 802, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Faculty of Yuh-Ing Junior College of Health Care and Management, Kaohsiung 802, Taiwan
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37
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Wang J, Wang F, Mai D, Qu S. Molecular Mechanisms of Glutamate Toxicity in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:585584. [PMID: 33324150 PMCID: PMC7725716 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.585584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, the pathological features of which include the presence of Lewy bodies and the neurodegeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. However, until recently, research on the pathogenesis and treatment of PD have progressed slowly. Glutamate and dopamine are both important central neurotransmitters in mammals. A lack of enzymatic decomposition of extracellular glutamate results in glutamate accumulating at synapses, which is mainly absorbed by excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs). Glutamate exerts its physiological effects by binding to and activating ligand-gated ion channels [ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs)] and a class of G-protein-coupled receptors [metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs)]. Timely clearance of glutamate from the synaptic cleft is necessary because high levels of extracellular glutamate overactivate glutamate receptors, resulting in excitotoxic effects in the central nervous system. Additionally, increased concentrations of extracellular glutamate inhibit cystine uptake, leading to glutathione depletion and oxidative glutamate toxicity. Studies have shown that oxidative glutamate toxicity in neurons lacking functional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors may represent a component of the cellular death pathway induced by excitotoxicity. The association between inflammation and excitotoxicity (i.e., immunoexcitotoxicity) has received increased attention in recent years. Glial activation induces neuroinflammation and can stimulate excessive release of glutamate, which can induce excitotoxicity and, additionally, further exacerbate neuroinflammation. Glutamate, as an important central neurotransmitter, is closely related to the occurrence and development of PD. In this review, we discuss recent progress on elucidating glutamate as a relevant neurotransmitter in PD. Additionally, we summarize the relationship and commonality among glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative toxicity, and immunoexcitotoxicity in order to posit a holistic view and molecular mechanism of glutamate toxicity in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Wang
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fushun Wang
- Institute of Brain and Psychological Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu, China.,Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health, Temple, TX, United States
| | - Dongmei Mai
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaogang Qu
- Department of Neurology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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38
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Zafar T. Potential biomarkers of emotional stress induced neurodegeneration. eNeurologicalSci 2020; 21:100292. [PMID: 33294647 PMCID: PMC7695868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2020.100292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental health is a matter of great significance and interest both socially and scientifically. The present review aims to provide an informative platform about the classical biomarkers available to identify and diagnose the neurodegeneration induced by emotional stress and depression. Present article provides an expert comprehensive overview of the universally accepted markers and their mechanism of action involved in emotional stress assessment and its management. This envisioned piece of work emphasize on the incorporation of clinical markers in classical psychiatry experiments will make the information more significant, reliable and universally accepted. The information summaries in the article will facilitates the researchers of clinical psychiatry, neuropharmacology and neuropsychiatry in management of depressive disorders along with the identification of possible neurodegenerative association. Health is an overall outcome of emotional, physiological, endocrinological and neurological factors. Emotional stress and depression are silent causes of neurodegeneration. Clinical markers play a vital role in the management of neurological health. Endocrine secretions play a vital role in mediation of various neurotransmission, nerves excitability and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabassum Zafar
- Department of Bioscience, Faculty of Life Sciences, Barkatullah University, Bhopal 462026, Madhya Pradesh, India
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39
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Short-term nicotine deprivation alters dorsal anterior cingulate glutamate concentration and concomitant cingulate-cortical functional connectivity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:1920-1930. [PMID: 32559759 PMCID: PMC7608204 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0741-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Most cigarette smokers who wish to quit too often relapse within the first few days of abstinence, primarily due to the aversive aspects of the nicotine withdrawal syndrome (NWS), which remains poorly understood. Considerable research has suggested that the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) plays a key role in nicotine dependence, with its functional connections between other brain regions altered as a function of trait addiction and state withdrawal. The flow of information between dACC and fronto-striatal regions is secured through different pathways, the vast majority of which are glutamatergic. As such, we investigated dACC activity using resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and glutamate (Glu) concentration with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). We also investigated the changes in adenosine levels in plasma during withdrawal as a surrogate for brain adenosine, which plays a role in fine-tuning synaptic glutamate transmission. Using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover design, nontreatment seeking smoking participants (N = 30) completed two imaging sessions, one while nicotine sated and another after 36 h nicotine abstinence. We observed reduced dACC Glu (P = 0.029) along with a significant reduction in plasma adenosine (P = 0.03) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP; P < 0.0001) concentrations during nicotine withdrawal in comparison with nicotine sated state. This withdrawal state manipulation also led to an increase in rsFC strength (P < 0.05) between dACC and several frontal cortical regions, including left superior frontal gyrus (LSFG), and right middle frontal gyrus (RMFG). Moreover, the state-trait changes in dACC Glu and rsFC strength between the dACC and both SFG and MFG were positively correlated (P = 0.012, and P = 0.007, respectively). Finally, the change in circuit strength between dACC and LSFG was negatively correlated with the change in withdrawal symptom manifestations as measured by the Wisconsin Smoking Withdrawal Scale (P = 0.04) and Tobacco Craving Questionnaire (P = 0.014). These multimodal imaging-behavioral findings reveal the complex cascade of changes induced by acute nicotine deprivation and call for further investigation into the potential utility of adenosine- and glutamate-signaling as novel therapeutic targets to treat the NWS.
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Posset R, Garbade SF, Gleich F, Gropman AL, de Lonlay P, Hoffmann GF, Garcia-Cazorla A, Nagamani SCS, Baumgartner MR, Schulze A, Dobbelaere D, Yudkoff M, Kölker S, Zielonka M. Long-term effects of medical management on growth and weight in individuals with urea cycle disorders. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11948. [PMID: 32686765 PMCID: PMC7371674 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67496-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Low protein diet and sodium or glycerol phenylbutyrate, two pillars of recommended long-term therapy of individuals with urea cycle disorders (UCDs), involve the risk of iatrogenic growth failure. Limited evidence-based studies hamper our knowledge on the long-term effects of the proposed medical management in individuals with UCDs. We studied the impact of medical management on growth and weight development in 307 individuals longitudinally followed by the Urea Cycle Disorders Consortium (UCDC) and the European registry and network for Intoxication type Metabolic Diseases (E-IMD). Intrauterine growth of all investigated UCDs and postnatal linear growth of asymptomatic individuals remained unaffected. Symptomatic individuals were at risk of progressive growth retardation independent from the underlying disease and the degree of natural protein restriction. Growth impairment was determined by disease severity and associated with reduced or borderline plasma branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations. Liver transplantation appeared to have a beneficial effect on growth. Weight development remained unaffected both in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. Progressive growth impairment depends on disease severity and plasma BCAA concentrations, but cannot be predicted by the amount of natural protein intake alone. Future clinical trials are necessary to evaluate whether supplementation with BCAAs might improve growth in UCDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Posset
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sven F Garbade
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Florian Gleich
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Pascale de Lonlay
- Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Maladies Metaboliques (MaMEA), filière G2M, Université Paris-Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Georg F Hoffmann
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Angeles Garcia-Cazorla
- Hospital San Joan de Deu, Institut Pediàtric de Recerca. Servicio de Neurologia and CIBERER, ISCIII, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandesh C S Nagamani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Matthias R Baumgartner
- University Children's Hospital Zurich and Children's Research Center, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Schulze
- University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dries Dobbelaere
- Centre de Référence Maladies Héréditaires du Métabolisme de L'Enfant Et de L'Adulte, Jeanne de Flandre Hospital, CHRU Lille, and Faculty of Medicine, University Lille 2, Lille, France
| | - Marc Yudkoff
- School of Medicine and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stefan Kölker
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Zielonka
- Center for Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Heidelberg Research Center for Molecular Medicine (HRCMM), Heidelberg, Germany.
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41
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Impaired neuronal and astroglial metabolic activity in chronic unpredictable mild stress model of depression: Reversal of behavioral and metabolic deficit with lanicemine. Neurochem Int 2020; 137:104750. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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42
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Jayasooriya RGPT, Molagoda IMN, Dilshara MG, Choi YH, Kim GY. Glutamine Cooperatively Upregulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide Production in BV2 Microglial Cells through the ERK and Nrf-2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9060536. [PMID: 32575515 PMCID: PMC7346178 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9060536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamine (Gln) is a nonessential α-amino acid for protein biosynthesis. However, the mechanism through which Gln regulates NO production in microglial cells is still unclear. In this study, we investigated whether the presence or absence of Gln affects NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Our data revealed that Gln depletion decreased cell viability accompanied by mild cytotoxicity, and blocked LPS-induced NO production concomitant with a significant decrease in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression. Additionally, Gln depletion for 24 h blocked the restoration of LPS-mediated NO production in the presence of Gln, suggesting that Gln depletion caused long-term immune deprivation. In particular, sodium-coupled amino acid transporter 1 and 2 (SNAT1 and SNAT2), which are the main Gln transporters, were highly upregulated in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, in the presence of Gln accompanied by NO production. Regardless of the presence of Gln, LPS positively stimulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression, and transient Nrf2 knockdown and HO-1 inhibition stimulated LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression; however, transient Nrf2 knockdown did not affect SNAT1 and SNAT2 expression, indicating that Gln transporters, SNAT1 and SNAT2, were not regulated by Nrf2, which downregulated the HO-1-mediated NO production. Moreover, Gln depletion significantly reduced LPS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; furthermore, a specific ERK inhibitor, PD98059, and transient ERK knockdown attenuated LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS expression, in the presence of Gln, accompanied by downregulation of SNAT1 and SNAT2, suggesting that the ERK signaling pathway was related to LPS-mediated NO production via SNAT1 and SNAT2. Altogether, our data indicated that extracellular Gln is vital for NO production from microglia in inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Matharage Gayani Dilshara
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (I.M.N.M.); (M.G.D.)
| | - Yung Hyun Choi
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Oriental Medicine, Dong-Eui University, Busan 47227, Korea;
| | - Gi-Young Kim
- Department of Marine Life Sciences, Jeju National University, Jeju 63243, Korea; (I.M.N.M.); (M.G.D.)
- Correspondence:
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43
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Dehghani M, Zhang S, Kumaragamage C, Rosa‐Neto P, Near J. Dynamic
1
H‐MRS for detection of
13
C‐labeled glucose metabolism in the human brain at 3T. Magn Reson Med 2020; 84:1140-1151. [DOI: 10.1002/mrm.28188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Dehghani
- Centre d’Imagerie Cérébrale Douglas Mental Health University Institute Verdun Quebec Canada
- Department of Psychiatry McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Steven Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Chathura Kumaragamage
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging Yale University New Haven Connecticut
| | - Pedro Rosa‐Neto
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory The McGill University Research Center for Studies in AgiNGAlzheimer’s Diseases Research UnitDouglas Research InstituteMcGill university Montreal Quebec Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Pharmacology and Therapeutics McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - Jamie Near
- Centre d’Imagerie Cérébrale Douglas Mental Health University Institute Verdun Quebec Canada
- Department of Psychiatry McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
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44
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Shen J, Shenkar D, An L, Tomar JS. Local and Interregional Neurochemical Associations Measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Studying Brain Functions and Psychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:802. [PMID: 32848957 PMCID: PMC7432119 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have found significant correlations among neurometabolites (e.g., between glutamate and GABA) across individual subjects and altered correlations in neuropsychiatric disorders. In this article, we discuss neurochemical associations among several major neurometabolites which underpin these observations by MRS. We also illustrate the role of spectral editing in eliminating unwanted correlations caused by spectral overlapping. Finally, we describe the prospects of mapping macroscopic neurochemical associations across the brain and characterizing excitation-inhibition balance of neural networks using glutamate- and GABA-editing MRS imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Shen
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Dina Shenkar
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Li An
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jyoti Singh Tomar
- Molecular Imaging Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
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45
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Dobberthien BJ, Tessier AG, Stanislaus AE, Sawyer MB, Fallone BG, Yahya A. PRESS timings for resolving 13 C 4 -glutamate 1 H signal at 9.4 T: Demonstration in rat with uniformly labelled 13 C-glucose. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2019; 32:e4180. [PMID: 31518031 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
MRS of 13 C4 -labelled glutamate (13 C4 -Glu) during an infusion of a carbon-13 (13 C)-labelled substrate, such as uniformly labelled glucose ([U-13 C6 ]-Glc), provides a measure of Glc metabolism. The presented work provides a single-shot indirect 13 C detection technique to quantify the approximately 2.51 ppm 13 C4 -Glu satellite proton (1 H) peak at 9.4 T. The methodology is an optimized point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) sequence that minimizes signal contamination from the strongly coupled protons of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), which resonate at approximately 2.49 ppm. J-coupling evolution of protons was characterized numerically and verified experimentally. A (TE1 , TE2 ) combination of (20 ms, 106 ms) was found to be suitable for minimizing NAA signal in the 2.51 ppm 1 H 13 C4 -Glu spectral region, while retaining the 13 C4 -Glu 1 H satellite peak. The efficacy of the technique was verified on phantom solutions and on two rat brains in vivo during an infusion of [U-13 C6 ]-Glc. LCModel was employed for analysis of the in vivo spectra to quantify the 2.51 ppm 1 H 13 C4 -Glu signal to obtain Glu C4 fractional enrichment time courses during the infusions. Cramér-Rao lower bounds of about 8% were obtained for the 2.51 ppm 13 C4 -Glu 1 H satellite peak with the optimal TE combination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anthony G Tessier
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Michael B Sawyer
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - B Gino Fallone
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Atiyah Yahya
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medical Physics, Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Rothman DL, de Graaf RA, Hyder F, Mason GF, Behar KL, De Feyter HM. In vivo 13 C and 1 H-[ 13 C] MRS studies of neuroenergetics and neurotransmitter cycling, applications to neurological and psychiatric disease and brain cancer. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2019; 32:e4172. [PMID: 31478594 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the last 25 years 13 C MRS has been established as the only noninvasive method for measuring glutamate neurotransmission and cell specific neuroenergetics. Although technically and experimentally challenging 13 C MRS has already provided important new information on the relationship between neuroenergetics and neuronal function, the high energy cost of brain function in the resting state and the role of altered neuroenergetics and neurotransmitter cycling in disease. In this paper we review the metabolic and neurotransmitter pathways that can be measured by 13 C MRS and key findings on the linkage between neuroenergetics, neurotransmitter cycling, and brain function. Applications of 13 C MRS to neurological and psychiatric disease as well as brain cancer are reviewed. Recent technological developments that may help to overcome spatial resolution and brain coverage limitations of 13 C MRS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas L Rothman
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, and Biomedical Engineering, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar Street, P.O. Box 208043, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robin A de Graaf
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Graeme F Mason
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kevin L Behar
- Department of Psychiatry, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Henk M De Feyter
- Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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47
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Non-BOLD contrast for laminar fMRI in humans: CBF, CBV, and CMRO2. Neuroimage 2019; 197:742-760. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
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48
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Comparison of Neurochemical and BOLD Signal Contrast Response Functions in the Human Visual Cortex. J Neurosci 2019; 39:7968-7975. [PMID: 31358655 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3021-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
We investigated the relationship between neurochemical and hemodynamic responses as a function of image contrast in the human primary visual cortex (V1). Simultaneously acquired BOLD-fMRI and single voxel proton MR spectroscopy signals were measured in V1 of 24 healthy human participants of either sex at 7 tesla field strength, in response to presentations (64 s blocks) of different levels of image contrast (3%, 12.5%, 50%, 100%). Our results suggest that complementary measures of neurotransmission and energy metabolism are in partial agreement: BOLD and glutamate signals were linear with image contrast; however, a significant increase in glutamate concentration was evident only at the highest intensity level. In contrast, GABA signals were steady across all intensity levels. These results suggest that neurochemical concentrations are maintained at lower ranges of contrast levels, which match the statistics of natural vision, and that high stimulus intensity may be critical to increase sensitivity to visually modulated glutamate signals in the early visual cortex using MR spectroscopy.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Glutamate and GABA are the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters of the brain. To better understand the relationship between MRS-visible neurochemicals, the BOLD signal change, and stimulus intensity, we measured combined neurochemical and BOLD signals (combined fMRI-MRS) to different image contrasts in human V1 at 7 tesla. While a linear change to contrast was present for both signals, the increase in glutamate was significant only at the highest stimulus intensity. These results suggest that hemodynamic and neurochemical signals reflect common metabolic markers of neural activity, whereas the mismatch at lower contrast levels may indicate a sensitivity threshold for detecting neurochemical changes during visual processing. Our results highlight the challenge and importance of reconciling cellular and metabolic measures of neural activity in the human brain.
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Li N, Li L, Zhang Y, Ferraris Araneta M, Johnson C, Shen J. Quantification of in vivo transverse relaxation of glutamate in the frontal cortex of human brain by radio frequency pulse-driven longitudinal steady state. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215210. [PMID: 30995237 PMCID: PMC6469797 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The principal excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate plays an important role in many central nervous system disorders. Because glutamate resides predominantly in glutamatergic neurons, its relaxation properties reflect the intracellular environment of glutamatergic neurons. This study developed an improved echo time-independent technique for measuring transverse relaxation time and demonstrated that this radio frequency (RF)-driven longitudinal steady state technique can reliably measure glutamate transverse relaxation in the frontal cortex, where structural and functional abnormalities have been associated with psychiatric symptoms. METHOD Bloch and Monte Carlo simulations were performed to improve and optimize the RF-driven, longitudinal, steady-state (MARzss) technique to significantly shorten scan time and increase measurement precision. Optimized four-flip angle measurements at 0°,12°, 24°, and 36° with matched repetition time were used in nine human subjects (6F, 3M; 27-49 years old) at 7 Tesla. Longitudinal and transverse relaxation rates for glutamate were measured from a 2 x 2 x 2 cm3 voxel placed in three different brain regions: gray matter-dominated medial prefrontal lobe, white matter-dominated left frontal lobe, and gray matter-dominated occipital lobe. RESULTS Compared to the original MARzss technique, the scan time per voxel for measuring glutamate transverse relaxation was shortened by more than 50%. In the medial frontal, left frontal, and occipital voxels, the glutamate T2 was found to be 117.5±12.9 ms (mean ± standard deviation, n = 9), 107.3±12.1 (n = 9), and 124.4±16.6 ms (n = 8), respectively. CONCLUSIONS The improvements described in this study make the MARZSS technique a viable tool for reliably measuring glutamate relaxation from human subjects in a typical clinical setting. It is expected that this improved technique can be applied to characterize the intracellular environment of glutamatergic neurons in a variety of brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningzhi Li
- Section on Magnetic Spectroscopy, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Linqing Li
- Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Core Facility, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yan Zhang
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maria Ferraris Araneta
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Christopher Johnson
- Section on Magnetic Spectroscopy, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jun Shen
- Section on Magnetic Spectroscopy, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Core, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Frangou P, Emir UE, Karlaftis VM, Nettekoven C, Hinson EL, Larcombe S, Bridge H, Stagg CJ, Kourtzi Z. Learning to optimize perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in the human brain. Nat Commun 2019; 10:474. [PMID: 30692533 PMCID: PMC6349878 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-08313-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Accepted: 12/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Translating noisy sensory signals to perceptual decisions is critical for successful interactions in complex environments. Learning is known to improve perceptual judgments by filtering external noise and task-irrelevant information. Yet, little is known about the brain mechanisms that mediate learning-dependent suppression. Here, we employ ultra-high field magnetic resonance spectroscopy of GABA to test whether suppressive processing in decision-related and visual areas facilitates perceptual judgments during training. We demonstrate that parietal GABA relates to suppression of task-irrelevant information, while learning-dependent changes in visual GABA relate to enhanced performance in target detection and feature discrimination tasks. Combining GABA measurements with functional brain connectivity demonstrates that training on a target detection task involves local connectivity and disinhibition of visual cortex, while training on a feature discrimination task involves inter-cortical interactions that relate to suppressive visual processing. Our findings provide evidence that learning optimizes perceptual decisions through suppressive interactions in decision-related networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polytimi Frangou
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - Uzay E Emir
- Purdue University School of Health Sciences, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | | | - Caroline Nettekoven
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Emily L Hinson
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Stephanie Larcombe
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Holly Bridge
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Charlotte J Stagg
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
- Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity, Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7JX, UK
| | - Zoe Kourtzi
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK.
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