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Newman LA, Baraiolo J, Mokler DJ, Rabinowitz AG, Galler JR, McGaughy JA. Prenatal Protein Malnutrition Produces Resistance to Distraction Similar to Noradrenergic Deafferentation of the Prelimbic Cortex in a Sustained Attention Task. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:123. [PMID: 30853881 PMCID: PMC6396814 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to malnutrition early in development increases likelihood of neuropsychiatric disorders, affective processing disorders, and attentional problems later in life. Many of these impairments are hypothesized to arise from impaired development of the prefrontal cortex. The current experiments examine the impact of prenatal malnutrition on the noradrenergic and cholinergic axons in the prefrontal cortex to determine if these changes contribute to the attentional deficits seen in prenatal protein malnourished rats (6% casein vs. 25% casein). Because prenatally malnourished animals had significant decreases in noradrenergic fibers in the prelimbic cortex with spared innervation in the anterior cingulate cortex and showed no changes in acetylcholine innervation of the prefrontal cortex, we compared deficits produced by malnutrition to those produced in adult rats by noradrenergic lesions of the prelimbic cortex. All animals were able to perform the baseline sustained attention task accurately. However, with the addition of visual distractors to the sustained attention task, animals that were prenatally malnourished and those that were noradrenergically lesioned showed cognitive rigidity, i.e., were less distractible than control animals. All groups showed similar changes in behavior when exposed to withholding reinforcement, suggesting specific attentional impairments rather than global difficulties in understanding response rules, bottom-up perceptual problems, or cognitive impairments secondary to dysfunction in sensitivity to reinforcement contingencies. These data suggest that prenatal protein malnutrition leads to deficits in noradrenergic innervation of the prelimbic cortex associated with cognitive rigidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori A. Newman
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
- Department of Psychological Science, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, United States
| | - Jaime Baraiolo
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
| | - David J. Mokler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of New England, Biddeford, ME, United States
| | | | - Janina R. Galler
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Mucosal Immunology and Biology Research Center, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jill A. McGaughy
- Department of Psychology, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, United States
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Cruz-Rizzolo RJ, Limieri LL, de Paiva IR, Ribeiro JOB, Pimenta TF, Pinato L, Ervolino E, Casatti CA, Guissoni Campos LM, Liberti EA. Protein malnutrition during gestation and early life decreases neuronal size in the medial prefrontal cortex of post-pubertal rats. IBRO Rep 2017; 3:65-71. [PMID: 30135943 PMCID: PMC6084879 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibror.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Revised: 08/20/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retrospective studies in human populations indicate that protein deprivation during pregnancy and early life (early protein malnutrition, EPM) is associated with cognitive impairments, learning disabilities and may represent a risk factor for the late onset of some psychiatric disorders, fundamentally schizophrenia, a condition where the prefrontal cortex plays an important role. The purpose of this study was to analyze whether EPM affects structural aspects of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), such as cortical volume, neuronal density and neuronal soma size, which seem altered in patients with schizophrenia. For this, a rat model of EPM (5% casein from conception to postnatal day 60) was adopted and the rat mPFC volume, total number of neurons and average neuronal volume were evaluated on postnatal day 60 (post-pubertal animals) by histo- and immunohistochemical techniques using unbiased stereological analysis. EPM did not alter the number of NeuN+ neurons in the rat mPFC. However, a very significant decrease in mPFC volume and average neuronal size was observed in malnourished rats. Although the present study does not establish causal relationships between malnutrition and schizophrenia, our results may indicate a similar structural phenomenon in these two situations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Laís Leal Limieri
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Luciana Pinato
- Department of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy, São Paulo State University, Marilia, SP, Brazil
| | - Edilson Ervolino
- Department of Basic Sciences, São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Edson Aparecido Liberti
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Sodero AO, Valdomero A, Cuadra GR, Ramírez OA, Orsingher OA. Locus coeruleus activity in perinatally protein-deprived rats: effects of fluoxetine administration. Eur J Pharmacol 2005; 503:35-42. [PMID: 15496293 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2003] [Revised: 08/26/2004] [Accepted: 09/01/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We have previously described an increased locus coeruleus activity in perinatally protein-deprived rats. Since locus coeruleus dysfunction has been involved in different types of anxiety disorders and considering the modulating action of serotonergic transmission on locus coeruleus activity, we assessed the effect of fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), on locus coeruleus activity as measured by the firing rate and the number of spontaneously active cells/track. Repeated fluoxetine administration reduced locus coeruleus activity in both control and protein-deprived rats, although the reduction was greater in protein-deprived rats. Dose-response curves for the inhibitory effect of clonidine showed subsensitivity of alpha2-adrenergic autoreceptors in protein-deprived rats, a phenomenon reversed by fluoxetine treatment. Dose-response curves for the inhibitory effect of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) were similar in both groups of rats. Following fluoxetine administration, subsensitivity to this effect developed in control but not in protein-deprived rats. Extracellular noradrenaline level in the prefrontal cortex, as measured by microdialysis procedure, was higher in protein-deprived rats compared to controls, and this difference was reduced after fluoxetine administration. A challenge with yohimbine increased the extracellular noradrenaline level in control but not in protein-deprived rats, suggesting subsensitivity of alpha2-adrenergic autoreceptors in early protein malnourished animals. These results stress the complexity of plastic changes induced by early protein malnutrition and sustain the hypothesis that perinatally protein-deprived rats may represent a useful animal model for screening antipanic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro O Sodero
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, 5016, Córdoba, Argentina
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King RS, DeBassio WA, Kemper TL, Rosene DL, Tonkiss J, Galler JR, Blatt GJ. Effects of prenatal protein malnutrition and acute postnatal stress on granule cell genesis in the fascia dentata of neonatal and juvenile rats. BRAIN RESEARCH. DEVELOPMENTAL BRAIN RESEARCH 2004; 150:9-15. [PMID: 15126033 DOI: 10.1016/j.devbrainres.2004.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Although postnatal genesis of granule cells in the hippocampal fascia dentata is known to be influenced by prenatal protein deprivation or by stress, the combined effects of prenatal protein malnutrition and stress on these cells are unknown. This study was designed to examine this combined effect. Well-nourished and prenatally malnourished pups on postnatal day 7 (P7) were stressed by maternal separation and reduction of body temperature and on postnatal day 30 (P30) by immobilization with restraint. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrDU) was injected at the time of stress, and 2 h later, the numbers of immunolabeled cells were quantified by standard stereological techniques. In comparison to controls, prenatally malnourished rats showed a significantly lower number of cells tagged in the fascia dentata on P7 (p < or =0.05), and a significantly higher number of cells (p < or =0.05) on P30. In both age groups, control rats exposed to acute stress showed a significantly decreased number of cells tagged in the fascia dentata (p < or =0.05). In contrast, neurogenesis in malnourished rats was not significantly affected by acute stress at either age. Thus, the pattern of neurogenesis in the fascia dentata and its response to stress has been fundamentally altered by prenatal protein deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond S King
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 80 East Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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Orozco-Suárez S, Del Angel AR, Beas-Zárate C, Manjarrrez G, Feria-Velasco A. Corn feeding during development induces changes in the number of serotonergic neurons in the raphe nuclei. Int J Dev Neurosci 2003; 21:13-22. [PMID: 12565692 DOI: 10.1016/s0736-5748(02)00124-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Serotonin (5-HT) plays a trophic role during brain development; chronic changes in cerebral concentration of this neurotransmitter during the critical stage of development can produce severe damage in the formation of the neural circuits. For the present work a hypoproteic (HYP) diet based on corn (CORN) meal which is deficient in tryptophan (TRY) was given to rats before and during pregnancy, which continued to the offspring until they reached 60 days of age. An isocaloric but hypoproteic diet containing normal amount of TRY, and normal chow (Ch) Purina were given with the same scheme to two groups of rats considered as controls. 5-HT immunohistochemistry was revealed by avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method to quantify serotonergic nerve cells in the nine raphe nuclei. The number of cells immunoreactive to 5-HT immunoreactive (5-HTir) were quantified by means of stereological analysis. Results demonstrated a significant variation in 5-HT expression in the raphe nuclei. Thus, a significant reduction in the number of 5-HTir cells in the rostral raphe nuclei was seen at all ages studied in the animals fed the corn diet, compared to data obtained from the control groups. This decrease was more evident between the postnatal ages of 30 and 60 days. It is concluded that the variations in the available TRY affect the brain cells producing 5-HT and the innervation of their target areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Orozco-Suárez
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Hosp. Especialidades, CMN-Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), DF, México, Mexico
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King RS, Kemper TL, DeBassio WA, Ramzan M, Blatt GJ, Rosene DL, Galler JR. Birthdates and number of neurons in the serotonergic raphe nuclei in the rat with prenatal protein malnutrition. Nutr Neurosci 2002; 5:391-7. [PMID: 12509068 DOI: 10.1080/1028415021000055934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The effect of prenatal protein deprivation on timing of neurogenesis and on number of neurons generated in the serotonergic dorsal (DR) and median raphe (MR) nuclei of the rat was studied. These neurons are of interest because their neurogenesis occurs during the period of malnutrition and their axonal projections participate in the earliest stages of brain development. In this study, dams were maintained on a 25% casein diet or a 6% casein diet 5 weeks prior to mating and throughout pregnancy. At birth, all pups were cross-fostered to dams on a 25% casein diet. Bromodeoxyuridine, a thymidine analog that is incorporated into nuclear deoxyribonucleic acid during the cell cycle synthetic phase, was used as a marker of neurogenesis. Bromodeoxyuridine was administered on either embryonic day 11, 12, 13 or 14. On postnatal day 30, serial sections of raphe nuclei were processed with bromodeoxyuridine immunocytochemistry to determine the number of raphe cells generated on each day and with Nissl stain to determine the total number of cells generated. There were no significant differences between the two diet groups in timing of generation or in total number of cells generated, indicating that neurogenesis of these early generated neurons appears unaffected by concomitant protein deprivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S King
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 80 E, Concord Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
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