1
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Takahata T. Development of ocular dominance columns across rodents and other species: revisiting the concept of critical period plasticity. Front Neural Circuits 2024; 18:1402700. [PMID: 39036421 PMCID: PMC11258045 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2024.1402700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The existence of cortical columns, regarded as computational units underlying both lower and higher-order information processing, has long been associated with highly evolved brains, and previous studies suggested their absence in rodents. However, recent discoveries have unveiled the presence of ocular dominance columns (ODCs) in the primary visual cortex (V1) of Long-Evans rats. These domains exhibit continuity from layer 2 through layer 6, confirming their identity as genuine ODCs. Notably, ODCs are also observed in Brown Norway rats, a strain closely related to wild rats, suggesting the physiological relevance of ODCs in natural survival contexts, although they are lacking in albino rats. This discovery has enabled researchers to explore the development and plasticity of cortical columns using a multidisciplinary approach, leveraging studies involving hundreds of individuals-an endeavor challenging in carnivore and primate species. Notably, developmental trajectories differ depending on the aspect under examination: while the distribution of geniculo-cortical afferent terminals indicates matured ODCs even before eye-opening, consistent with prevailing theories in carnivore/primate studies, examination of cortical neuron spiking activities reveals immature ODCs until postnatal day 35, suggesting delayed maturation of functional synapses which is dependent on visual experience. This developmental gap might be recognized as 'critical period' for ocular dominance plasticity in previous studies. In this article, I summarize cross-species differences in ODCs and geniculo-cortical network, followed by a discussion on the development, plasticity, and evolutionary significance of rat ODCs. I discuss classical and recent studies on critical period plasticity in the venue where critical period plasticity might be a component of experience-dependent development. Consequently, this series of studies prompts a paradigm shift in our understanding of species conservation of cortical columns and the nature of plasticity during the classical critical period.
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2
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Miguel-Hidalgo JJ. Neuroprotective astroglial response to neural damage and its relevance to affective disorders. EXPLORATION OF NEUROPROTECTIVE THERAPY 2023; 3:328-345. [PMID: 37920189 PMCID: PMC10622120 DOI: 10.37349/ent.2023.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes not only support neuronal function with essential roles in synaptic neurotransmission, action potential propagation, metabolic support, or neuroplastic and developmental adaptations. They also respond to damage or dysfunction in surrounding neurons and oligodendrocytes by releasing neurotrophic factors and other molecules that increase the survival of the supported cells or contribute to mechanisms of structural and molecular restoration. The neuroprotective responsiveness of astrocytes is based on their ability to sense signals of degeneration, metabolic jeopardy and structural damage, and on their aptitude to locally deliver specific molecules to remedy threats to the molecular and structural features of their cellular partners. To the extent that neuronal and other glial cell disturbances are known to occur in affective disorders, astrocyte responsiveness to those disturbances may help to better understand the roles astrocytes play in affective disorders. The astrocytic sensing apparatus supporting those responses involves receptors for neurotransmitters, purines, cell adhesion molecules and growth factors. Astrocytes also share with the immune system the capacity of responding to cytokines released upon neuronal damage. In addition, in responses to specific signals astrocytes release unique factors such as clusterin or humanin that have been shown to exert potent neuroprotective effects. Astrocytes integrate the signals above to further deliver structural lipids, removing toxic metabolites, stabilizing the osmotic environment, normalizing neurotransmitters, providing anti-oxidant protection, facilitating synaptogenesis and acting as barriers to contain varied deleterious signals, some of which have been described in brain regions relevant to affective disorders and related animal models. Since various of the injurious signals that activate astrocytes have been implicated in different aspects of the etiopathology of affective disorders, particularly in relation to the diagnosis of depression, potentiating the corresponding astrocyte neuroprotective responses may provide additional opportunities to improve or complement available pharmacological and behavioral therapies for affective disorders.
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3
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Hashimoto A, Kawamura N, Tarusawa E, Takeda I, Aoyama Y, Ohno N, Inoue M, Kagamiuchi M, Kato D, Matsumoto M, Hasegawa Y, Nabekura J, Schaefer A, Moorhouse AJ, Yagi T, Wake H. Microglia enable cross-modal plasticity by removing inhibitory synapses. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112383. [PMID: 37086724 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Cross-modal plasticity is the repurposing of brain regions associated with deprived sensory inputs to improve the capacity of other sensory modalities. The functional mechanisms of cross-modal plasticity can indicate how the brain recovers from various forms of injury and how different sensory modalities are integrated. Here, we demonstrate that rewiring of the microglia-mediated local circuit synapse is crucial for cross-modal plasticity induced by visual deprivation (monocular deprivation [MD]). MD relieves the usual inhibition of functional connectivity between the somatosensory cortex and secondary lateral visual cortex (V2L). This results in enhanced excitatory responses in V2L neurons during whisker stimulation and a greater capacity for vibrissae sensory discrimination. The enhanced cross-modal response is mediated by selective removal of inhibitory synapse terminals on pyramidal neurons by the microglia in the V2L via matrix metalloproteinase 9 signaling. Our results provide insights into how cortical circuits integrate different inputs to functionally compensate for neuronal damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akari Hashimoto
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nanami Kawamura
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Etsuko Tarusawa
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ikuko Takeda
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Yuki Aoyama
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Ohno
- Department of Anatomy, Division of Histology and Cell Biology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke 329-0498, Japan; Division of Ultrastructural Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan
| | - Mio Inoue
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mai Kagamiuchi
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kato
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Mami Matsumoto
- Section of Electron Microscopy, Supportive Center for Brain Research, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Department of Developmental and Regenerative Neurobiology, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Hasegawa
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
| | - Junichi Nabekura
- Division of Homeostatic Development, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Hayama 240-0193, Japan
| | - Anne Schaefer
- Center for Glial Biology, Department of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA; Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Andrew J Moorhouse
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Takeshi Yagi
- KOKORO-Biology Group, Laboratories for Integrated Biology, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Wake
- Department of Anatomy and Molecular Cell Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; Division of Multicellular Circuit Dynamics, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki 444-8585, Japan; Center for Optical Scattering Image Science, Kobe University, Kobe 657-8501, Japan; Department of Physiological Sciences, Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Hayama 240-0193, Japan; Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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4
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Cao P, Zhang M, Ni Z, Song XJ, Yang CL, Mao Y, Zhou W, Dong WY, Peng X, Zheng C, Zhang Z, Jin Y, Tao W. Green light induces antinociception via visual-somatosensory circuits. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112290. [PMID: 36947545 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Light has been shown to relieve pain, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we show that low-intensity (200 lux) green light treatment exerts antinociceptive effects through a neural circuit from the visual cortex projecting to the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in mice. Specifically, viral tracing, in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, and fiber photometry recordings show that green light activated glutamatergic projections from the medial part of the secondary visual cortex (V2MGlu) to GABAergic neurons in the ACC, which drives inhibition of local glutamatergic neurons (V2MGlu→ACCGABA→Glu). Optogenetic or chemogenetic activation of the V2MGlu→ACCGABA→Glu circuit mimics green-light-induced antinociception in both neuropathic and inflammatory pain model mice. Artificial inhibition of ACC-projecting V2MGlu neurons abolishes the antinociception induced by green light. Taken together, our study shows the V2M-ACC circuit as a potential candidate mediating green-light-induced antinociceptive effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Mingjun Zhang
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Ziyun Ni
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiang-Jie Song
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Chen-Ling Yang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yu Mao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Pain Management, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, PR China
| | - Wenjie Zhou
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Wan-Ying Dong
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Xiaoqi Peng
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Changjian Zheng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu 241002, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Biophysics and Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease of Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Stroke Center and Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230036, China.
| | - Wenjuan Tao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China; College & Hospital of Stomatology, Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases Research of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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5
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Gilissen SRJ, Hennes M, Arckens L. Analysis of Immediate Early Gene Expression Levels to Interrogate Changes in Cortical Neuronal Activity Patterns upon Vision Loss. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2636:55-70. [PMID: 36881295 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3012-9_4] [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] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Mapping immediate early gene (IEG) expression levels to characterize changes in neuronal activity patterns has become a golden standard in neuroscience research. Due to straightforward detection methods such as in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, changes in IEG expression can be easily visualized across brain regions and in response to physiological and pathological stimulation. Based on in-house experience and existing literature, zif268 represents itself as the IEG of choice to investigate the neuronal activity dynamics induced by sensory deprivation. In the monocular enucleation mouse model of partial vision loss, zif268 in situ hybridization can be implemented to study cross-modal plasticity by charting the initial decline and subsequent rise in neuronal activity in visual cortical territory deprived of direct retinal visual input. Here, we describe a protocol for high-throughput radioactive zif268 in situ hybridization as a readout for cortical neuronal activity dynamics in response to partial vision loss in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara R J Gilissen
- Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maroussia Hennes
- Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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6
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Giasafaki C, Grant E, Hoerder‐Suabedissen A, Hayashi S, Lee S, Molnár Z. Cross-hierarchical plasticity of corticofugal projections to dLGN after neonatal monocular enucleation. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:978-997. [PMID: 35078267 PMCID: PMC9305932 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Perception is the result of interactions between the sensory periphery, thalamus, and cerebral cortex. Inputs from the retina project to the first-order dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), which projects to the primary visual cortex (V1). In return, the cortex innervates the thalamus. While layer 6 projections innervate all thalamic nuclei, cortical layer 5 neurons selectively project to the higher order lateral posterior nucleus (LP) and not to dLGN. It has been demonstrated that a subpopulation of layer 5 (Rbp4-Cre+) projections rewires to dLGN after monocular or binocular enucleation in young postnatal mice. However, the exact cortical regional origin of these projections was not fully determined, and it remained unclear whether these changes persisted into adulthood. In this study, we report gene expression changes observed in the dLGN after monocular enucleation at birth using microarray, qPCR at P6, and in situ hybridization at P8. We report that genes that are normally enriched in dLGN, but not LP during development are preferentially downregulated in dLGN following monocular enucleation. Comparisons with developmental gene expression patters in dLGN suggest more immature and delayed gene expression in enucleated dLGN. Combined tracing and immuno-histochemical analysis revealed that the induced layer 5 fibers that innervate enucleated dLGN originate from putative primary visual cortex and they retain increased VGluT1+ synapse formation into adulthood. Our results indicate a new form of plasticity when layer 5 driver input takes over the innervation of an originally first-order thalamic nucleus after early sensory deficit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrysoula Giasafaki
- Department of PhysiologyAnatomy and GeneticsOxfordUK,Instituto de Neurociencias de AlicanteCSIC‐UMH, Av. Ramon y Cajals/n 03550 San Juan de AlicanteAlicanteSpain
| | - Eleanor Grant
- Department of PhysiologyAnatomy and GeneticsOxfordUK
| | | | - Shuichi Hayashi
- Department of PhysiologyAnatomy and GeneticsOxfordUK,Department of AnatomyKawasaki Medical SchoolKurashikiOkayama701‐0192Japan
| | - Sheena Lee
- Department of PhysiologyAnatomy and GeneticsOxfordUK
| | - Zoltán Molnár
- Department of PhysiologyAnatomy and GeneticsOxfordUK
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7
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Ewall G, Parkins S, Lin A, Jaoui Y, Lee HK. Cortical and Subcortical Circuits for Cross-Modal Plasticity Induced by Loss of Vision. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:665009. [PMID: 34113240 PMCID: PMC8185208 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.665009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical areas are highly interconnected both via cortical and subcortical pathways, and primary sensory cortices are not isolated from this general structure. In primary sensory cortical areas, these pre-existing functional connections serve to provide contextual information for sensory processing and can mediate adaptation when a sensory modality is lost. Cross-modal plasticity in broad terms refers to widespread plasticity across the brain in response to losing a sensory modality, and largely involves two distinct changes: cross-modal recruitment and compensatory plasticity. The former involves recruitment of the deprived sensory area, which includes the deprived primary sensory cortex, for processing the remaining senses. Compensatory plasticity refers to plasticity in the remaining sensory areas, including the spared primary sensory cortices, to enhance the processing of its own sensory inputs. Here, we will summarize potential cellular plasticity mechanisms involved in cross-modal recruitment and compensatory plasticity, and review cortical and subcortical circuits to the primary sensory cortices which can mediate cross-modal plasticity upon loss of vision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Ewall
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Zanvyl-Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Samuel Parkins
- Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology and Biophysics (CMDB) Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Amy Lin
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Zanvyl-Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Yanis Jaoui
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Zanvyl-Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Hey-Kyoung Lee
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Zanvyl-Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology and Biophysics (CMDB) Graduate Program, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.,Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
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8
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Durieux LJA, Gilissen SRJ, Arckens L. Endocannabinoids and cortical plasticity: CB1R as a possible regulator of the excitation/inhibition balance in health and disease. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 55:971-988. [PMID: 33427341 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system has been linked to neurological disorders in which the excitation inhibition (E/I) balance in the neocortex is dysregulated, such as schizophrenia. The main endocannabinoid receptor type 1 of the central nervous system-CB1R-is expressed on different cell types, that when activated, modulate the cortical E/I balance. Here we review how CB1R signalling contributes to phases of heightened plasticity of the neocortex. We review the major role of the CB1R in cortical plasticity throughout life, including the early life sensory critical periods, the later maturation phase of the association cortex in adolescence, and the adult phase of sensory deprivation-induced cortical plasticity. Endocannabinoid-mediated long-term potentiation and depression of synapse strength fine-tune the E/I balance in visual, somatosensory and association areas. We emphasize how a distinct set of key endocannabinoid-regulated elements such as GABA and glutamate release, basket parvalbumin interneurons, somatostatin interneurons and astrocytes, are essential for normal cortical plasticity and dysregulated in schizophrenia. Even though a lot of data has been gathered, mechanistic knowledge about the exact CB1R-based modulation of excitation and/or inhibition is still lacking depending on cortical area and maturation phase in life. We emphasize the importance of creating such detailed knowledge for a better comprehension of what underlies the dysregulation of the neocortex in schizophrenic patients in adulthood. We propose that taking age, brain area and cell type into consideration when modulating the cortical E/I imbalance via cannabinoid-based pharmacology may pave the way for better patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas J A Durieux
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara R J Gilissen
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology, Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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9
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Gilissen SR, Arckens L. Posterior parietal cortex contributions to cross-modal brain plasticity upon sensory loss. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2020; 67:16-25. [PMID: 32777707 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sensory loss causes compensatory behavior, like echolocation upon vision loss or improved visual motion detection upon deafness. This is enabled by recruitment of the deprived cortical area by the intact senses. Such cross-modal plasticity can however hamper rehabilitation via sensory substitution devices. To steer rehabilitation towards the desired outcome for the patient, having control over the cross-modal take-over is essential. Evidence accumulates to support a role for the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) in multimodal plasticity. This area shows increased activity after sensory loss, keeping similar functions but driven by other senses. Patient-specific factors like stress, social situation, age and attention, have a significant influence on the PPC and on cross-modal plasticity. We propose that understanding the response of the PPC to sensory loss and context is extremely important for determining the best possible implant-based therapies, and that mouse research holds potential to help unraveling the underlying anatomical, cellular and neuromodulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rj Gilissen
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- KU Leuven, Department of Biology & Leuven Brain Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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10
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Hennes M, Lombaert N, Wahis J, Van den Haute C, Holt MG, Arckens L. Astrocytes shape the plastic response of adult cortical neurons to vision loss. Glia 2020; 68:2102-2118. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maroussia Hennes
- Department of BiologyKU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research Leuven Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute Leuven Belgium
| | | | - Jérôme Wahis
- VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research Leuven Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute Leuven Belgium
- Department of NeurosciencesKU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Chris Van den Haute
- Department of Biomedical SciencesKU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- KU Leuven Viral Vector Core Leuven Belgium
| | - Matthew G. Holt
- VIB KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research Leuven Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute Leuven Belgium
- Department of NeurosciencesKU Leuven Leuven Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Department of BiologyKU Leuven Leuven Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute Leuven Belgium
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11
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Cisneros-Franco JM, Voss P, Kang MS, Thomas ME, Côté J, Ross K, Gaudreau P, Rudko DA, Rosa-Neto P, de-Villers-Sidani É. PET Imaging of Perceptual Learning-Induced Changes in the Aged Rodent Cholinergic System. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1438. [PMID: 32038142 PMCID: PMC6985428 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system enhances attention and gates plasticity, making it a major regulator of adult learning. With aging, however, progressive degeneration of the cholinergic system impairs both the acquisition of new skills and functional recovery following neurological injury. Although cognitive training and perceptual learning have been shown to enhance auditory cortical processing, their specific impact on the cholinergic system remains unknown. Here we used [18F]FEOBV, a positron emission tomography (PET) radioligand that selectively binds to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), as a proxy to assess whether training on a perceptual task results in increased cholinergic neurotransmission. We show for the first time that perceptual learning is associated with region-specific changes in cholinergic neurotransmission, as detected by [18F]FEOBV PET imaging and corroborated with immunohistochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Miguel Cisneros-Franco
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrice Voss
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Min Su Kang
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maryse E Thomas
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jonathan Côté
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Karen Ross
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierrette Gaudreau
- Réseau Québécois de Recherche sur le Vieillissement, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David A Rudko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Research Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Étienne de-Villers-Sidani
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Centre for Research on Brain, Language and Music, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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12
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Lombaert N, Hennes M, Gilissen S, Schevenels G, Aerts L, Vanlaer R, Geenen L, Van Eeckhaut A, Smolders I, Nys J, Arckens L. 5-HTR 2A and 5-HTR 3A but not 5-HTR 1A antagonism impairs the cross-modal reactivation of deprived visual cortex in adulthood. Mol Brain 2018; 11:65. [PMID: 30400993 PMCID: PMC6218970 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-018-0404-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual cortical areas show enhanced tactile responses in blind individuals, resulting in improved behavioral performance. Induction of unilateral vision loss in adult mice, by monocular enucleation (ME), is a validated model for such cross-modal brain plasticity. A delayed whisker-driven take-over of the medial monocular zone of the visual cortex is preceded by so-called unimodal plasticity, involving the potentiation of the spared-eye inputs in the binocular cortical territory. Full reactivation of the sensory-deprived contralateral visual cortex is accomplished by 7 weeks post-injury. Serotonin (5-HT) is known to modulate sensory information processing and integration, but its impact on cortical reorganization after sensory loss, remains largely unexplored. To address this issue, we assessed the involvement of 5-HT in ME-induced cross-modal plasticity and the 5-HT receptor (5-HTR) subtype used. We first focused on establishing the impact of ME on the total 5-HT concentration measured in the visual cortex and in the somatosensory barrel field. Next, the changes in expression as a function of post-ME recovery time of the monoamine transporter 2 (vMAT2), which loads 5-HT into presynaptic vesicles, and of the 5-HTR1A and 5-HTR3A were assessed, in order to link these temporal expression profiles to the different types of cortical plasticity induced by ME. In order to accurately pinpoint which 5-HTR exactly mediates ME-induced cross-modal plasticity, we pharmacologically antagonized the 5-HTR1A, 5-HTR2A and 5-HTR3A subtypes. This study reveals brain region-specific alterations in total 5-HT concentration, time-dependent modulations in vMAT2, 5-HTR1A and 5-HTR3A protein expression and 5-HTR antagonist-specific effects on the post-ME plasticity phenomena. Together, our results confirm a role for 5-HTR1A in the early phase of binocular visual cortex plasticity and suggest an involvement of 5-HTR2A and 5-HTR3A but not 5-HTR1A during the late cross-modal recruitment of the medial monocular visual cortex. These insights contribute to the general understanding of 5-HT function in cortical plasticity and may encourage the search for improved rehabilitation strategies to compensate for sensory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Lombaert
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maroussia Hennes
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sara Gilissen
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giel Schevenels
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laetitia Aerts
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ria Vanlaer
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lieve Geenen
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Eeckhaut
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilse Smolders
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julie Nys
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Present Address: Laboratory of Synapse Biology, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, O&N IV, Herestraat 49, box 602, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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13
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Pereira CM, Freire MAM, Santos JR, Guimarães JS, Dias-Florencio G, Santos S, Pereira A, Ribeiro S. Non-visual exploration of novel objects increases the levels of plasticity factors in the rat primary visual cortex. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5678. [PMID: 30370183 PMCID: PMC6202959 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Historically, the primary sensory areas of the cerebral cortex have been exclusively associated with the processing of a single sensory modality. Yet the presence of tactile responses in the primary visual (V1) cortex has challenged this view, leading to the notion that primary sensory areas engage in cross-modal processing, and that the associated circuitry is modifiable by such activity. To explore this notion, here we assessed whether the exploration of novel objects in the dark induces the activation of plasticity markers in the V1 cortex of rats. Methods Adult rats were allowed to freely explore for 20 min a completely dark box with four novel objects of different shapes and textures. Animals were euthanized either 1 (n = 5) or 3 h (n = 5) after exploration. A control group (n = 5) was placed for 20 min in the same environment, but without the objects. Frontal sections of the brains were submitted to immunohistochemistry to measure protein levels of egr-1 and c-fos, and phosphorylated calcium-dependent kinase (pCaKMII) in V1 cortex. Results The amount of neurons labeled with monoclonal antibodies against c-fos, egr-1 or pCaKMII increased significantly in V1 cortex after one hour of exploration in the dark. Three hours after exploration, the number of labeled neurons decreased to basal levels. Conclusions Our results suggest that non-visual exploration induces the activation of immediate-early genes in V1 cortex, which is suggestive of cross-modal processing in this area. Besides, the increase in the number of neurons labeled with pCaKMII may signal a condition promoting synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia M Pereira
- Instituto Internacional de Neurociências de Natal Edmond e Lily Safra, Macaiba, RN, Brasil
| | - Marco Aurelio M Freire
- Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Sociedade, Universidade do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, RN, Brasil
| | - José R Santos
- Departamento de Biociências, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Itabaiana, SE, Brasil
| | | | | | - Sharlene Santos
- Instituto do Cérebro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
| | - Antonio Pereira
- Faculdade de Engenharia Elétrica, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém, PA, Brasil
| | - Sidarta Ribeiro
- Instituto do Cérebro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brasil
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14
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Chagas LDS, Trindade P, Gomes ALT, Mendonça HR, Campello-Costa P, Faria Melibeu ADC, Linden R, Serfaty CA. Rapid plasticity of intact axons following a lesion to the visual pathways during early brain development is triggered by microglial activation. Exp Neurol 2018; 311:148-161. [PMID: 30312606 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Lesions in the central nervous system (CNS) can often induce structural reorganization within intact circuits of the brain. Several studies show advances in the understanding of mechanisms of brain plasticity and the role of the immune system activation. Microglia, a myeloid derived cell population colonizes the CNS during early phases of embryonic development. In the present study, we evaluated the role of microglial activation in the sprouting of intact axons following lesions of the visual pathways. We evaluated the temporal course of microglial activation in the superior colliculus following a contralateral monocular enucleation (ME) and the possible involvement of microglial cells in the plastic reorganization of the intact, uncrossed, retinotectal pathway from the remaining eye. Lister Hooded rats were enucleated at PND 10 and submitted to systemic treatment with inhibitors of microglial activation: cyclosporine A and minocycline. The use of neuroanatomical tracers allowed us to evaluate the time course of structural axonal plasticity. Immunofluorescence and western blot techniques were used to observe the expression of microglial marker, Iba-1 and the morphology of microglial cells. Following a ME, Iba-1 immunoreactivity showed a progressive increase of microglial activation in the contralateral SC at 24 h, peaking at 72 h after the lesion. Treatment with inhibitors of microglial activation blocked both the structural plasticity of intact uncrossed retinotectal axons and microglial activation as seen by the decrease of Iba-1 immunoreactivity. The local blockade of TNF-α with a neutralizing antibody was also able to block axonal plasticity of the intact eye following a ME. The data support the hypothesis that microglial activation is a necessary step for the regulation of neuroplasticity induced by lesions during early brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana da Silva Chagas
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Neurobiology Department, Laboratory of Neural Plasticity - Niteroi, PO Box: 100180, Brazil
| | - Pablo Trindade
- D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Post Graduating Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Lúcia Tavares Gomes
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Neurobiology Department, Laboratory of Neural Plasticity - Niteroi, PO Box: 100180, Brazil
| | | | - Paula Campello-Costa
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Neurobiology Department, Laboratory of Neural Plasticity - Niteroi, PO Box: 100180, Brazil
| | - Adriana da Cunha Faria Melibeu
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Neurobiology Department, Laboratory of Neural Plasticity - Niteroi, PO Box: 100180, Brazil
| | - Rafael Linden
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Biophisics Institute, Brazil
| | - Claudio Alberto Serfaty
- Federal Fluminense University, Biology Institute, Neurobiology Department, Laboratory of Neural Plasticity - Niteroi, PO Box: 100180, Brazil; National Institute for Science and Technology in Neuroimmunomodulation - INCT/NIM, Brazil.
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15
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Pan P, Zhou Y, Fang F, Zhang G, Ji Y. Visual deprivation modifies oscillatory activity in visual and auditory centers. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2018; 22:149-156. [PMID: 30460092 PMCID: PMC6138323 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2018.1474801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of vision may enhance the capabilities of auditory perception, but the mechanisms mediating these changes remain elusive. Here, visual deprivation in rats resulted in altered oscillatory activities, which appeared to be the result of a common mechanism underlying neuronal assembly formation in visual and auditory centers. The power of high-frequency β and γ oscillations in V1 (the primary visual cortex) and β oscillations in the LGN (lateral geniculate nucleus) was increased after one week of visual deprivation. Meanwhile, the power of β oscillations in A1 (the primary auditory cortex) and the power of β and γ oscillations in the MGB (medial geniculate body) were also enhanced in the absence of visual input. Furthermore, nerve tracing revealed a bidirectional nerve fiber connection between V1 and A1 cortices, which might be involved in transmitting auditory information to the visual cortex, contributing to enhanced auditory perception after visual deprivation. These results may facilitate the better understanding of multisensory cross-modal plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Pan
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - You Zhou
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Fanghao Fang
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guannan Zhang
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yonghua Ji
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Neurotoxicology, Shanghai University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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16
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Sergeeva EG, Espinosa-Garcia C, Atif F, Pardue MT, Stein DG. Neurosteroid allopregnanolone reduces ipsilateral visual cortex potentiation following unilateral optic nerve injury. Exp Neurol 2018; 306:138-148. [PMID: 29729249 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In adult mice with unilateral optic nerve crush injury (ONC), we studied visual response plasticity in the visual cortex following stimulation with sinusoidal grating. We examined visually evoked potentials (VEP) in the primary visual cortex ipsilateral and contralateral to the crushed nerve. We found that unilateral ONC induces enhancement of visual response on the side ipsilateral to the injury that is evoked by visual stimulation to the intact eye. This enhancement was associated with supranormal spatial frequency thresholds in the intact eye when tested using optomotor response. To probe whether injury-induced disinhibition caused the potentiation, we treated animals with the neurosteroid allopregnanolone, a potent agonist of the GABAA receptor, one hour after crush and on post-injury days 3, 8, 13, and 18. Allopregnanolone diminished enhancement of the VEP and this effect was associated with the upregulated synthesis of the δ-subunit of the GABAA receptor. Our study shows a new aspect of experience-dependent plasticity following unilateral ONC. This hyper-activity in the ipsilateral visual cortex is prevented by upregulation of GABA inhibition with allopregnanolone. Our findings suggest the therapeutic potential of allopregnanolone for modulation of plasticity in certain eye and brain disorders and a possible role for disinhibition in ipsilateral hyper-activity following unilateral ONC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena G Sergeeva
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Suite 5100, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Claudia Espinosa-Garcia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Suite 5100, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Fahim Atif
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Suite 5100, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Machelle T Pardue
- Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation, Atlanta VA Medical Center, 1670 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 313 Ferst Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
| | - Donald G Stein
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, 1365B Clifton Road NE, Suite 5100, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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17
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Scheyltjens I, Vreysen S, Van den Haute C, Sabanov V, Balschun D, Baekelandt V, Arckens L. Transient and localized optogenetic activation of somatostatin-interneurons in mouse visual cortex abolishes long-term cortical plasticity due to vision loss. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:2073-2095. [PMID: 29372324 PMCID: PMC5968055 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1611-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Unilateral vision loss through monocular enucleation (ME) results in partial reallocation of visual cortical territory to another sense in adult mice. The functional recovery of the visual cortex occurs through a combination of spared-eye potentiation and cross-modal reactivation driven by whisker-related, somatosensory inputs. Brain region-specific intracortical inhibition was recently recognized as a crucial regulator of the cross-modal component, yet the contribution of specific inhibitory neuron subpopulations remains poorly understood. Somatostatin (SST)-interneurons are ideally located within the cortical circuit to modulate sensory integration. Here we demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of visual cortex SST-interneurons prior to eye removal decreases ME-induced cross-modal recovery at the stimulation site. Our results suggest that SST-interneurons act as local hubs, which are able to control the influx and extent of cortical cross-modal inputs into the deprived cortex. These insights critically expand our understanding of SST-interneuron-specific regulation of cortical plasticity induced by sensory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Samme Vreysen
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Van den Haute
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Viral Vector Core, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Victor Sabanov
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Detlef Balschun
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Baekelandt
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Voss P, Thomas ME, Cisneros-Franco JM, de Villers-Sidani É. Dynamic Brains and the Changing Rules of Neuroplasticity: Implications for Learning and Recovery. Front Psychol 2017; 8:1657. [PMID: 29085312 PMCID: PMC5649212 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing number of research publications have illustrated the remarkable ability of the brain to reorganize itself in response to various sensory experiences. A traditional view of this plastic nature of the brain is that it is predominantly limited to short epochs during early development. Although examples showing that neuroplasticity exists outside of these finite time-windows have existed for some time, it is only recently that we have started to develop a fuller understanding of the different regulators that modulate and underlie plasticity. In this article, we will provide several lines of evidence indicating that mechanisms of neuroplasticity are extremely variable across individuals and throughout the lifetime. This variability is attributable to several factors including inhibitory network function, neuromodulator systems, age, sex, brain disease, and psychological traits. We will also provide evidence of how neuroplasticity can be manipulated in both the healthy and diseased brain, including recent data in both young and aged rats demonstrating how plasticity within auditory cortex can be manipulated pharmacologically and by varying the quality of sensory inputs. We propose that a better understanding of the individual differences that exist within the various mechanisms that govern experience-dependent neuroplasticity will improve our ability to harness brain plasticity for the development of personalized translational strategies for learning and recovery following brain injury or disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Voss
- *Correspondence: Étienne de Villers-Sidani, Patrice Voss,
| | | | | | - Étienne de Villers-Sidani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, MontrealQC, Canada
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19
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Vreysen S, Scheyltjens I, Laramée ME, Arckens L. A Tool for Brain-Wide Quantitative Analysis of Molecular Data upon Projection into a Planar View of Choice. Front Neuroanat 2017; 11:1. [PMID: 28144216 PMCID: PMC5239821 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2017.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Several techniques, allowing the reconstruction and visualization of functional, anatomical or molecular information from tissue and organ slices, have been developed over the years. Yet none allow direct comparison without reprocessing the same slices. Alternative methods using publicly available reference maps like the Allen Brain Atlas lack flexibility with respect to age and species. We propose a new approach to reconstruct a segmented region of interest from serial slices by projecting the optical density values representing a given molecular signal to a plane of view of choice, and to generalize the results into a reference map, which is built from the individual maps of all animals under study. Furthermore, to allow quantitative comparison between experimental conditions, a non-parametric pseudo t-test has been implemented. This new mapping tool was applied, optimized and validated making use of an in situ hybridization dataset that represents the spatiotemporal expression changes for the neuronal activity reporter gene zif268, in relation to cortical plasticity induced by monocular enucleation, covering the entire mouse visual cortex. The created top view maps of the mouse brain allow precisely delineating and interpreting 11 extrastriate areas surrounding mouse V1. As such, and because of the opportunity to create a planar projection of choice, these molecular maps can in the future easily be compared with functional or physiological imaging maps created with other techniques such as Ca2+, flavoprotein and optical imaging.
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20
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Laramée ME, Smolders K, Hu TT, Bronchti G, Boire D, Arckens L. Congenital Anophthalmia and Binocular Neonatal Enucleation Differently Affect the Proteome of Primary and Secondary Visual Cortices in Mice. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159320. [PMID: 27410964 PMCID: PMC4943598 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In blind individuals, visually deprived occipital areas are activated by non-visual stimuli. The extent of this cross-modal activation depends on the age at onset of blindness. Cross-modal inputs have access to several anatomical pathways to reactivate deprived visual areas. Ectopic cross-modal subcortical connections have been shown in anophthalmic animals but not in animals deprived of sight at a later age. Direct and indirect cross-modal cortical connections toward visual areas could also be involved, yet the number of neurons implicated is similar between blind mice and sighted controls. Changes at the axon terminal, dendritic spine or synaptic level are therefore expected upon loss of visual inputs. Here, the proteome of V1, V2M and V2L from P0-enucleated, anophthalmic and sighted mice, sharing a common genetic background (C57BL/6J x ZRDCT/An), was investigated by 2-D DIGE and Western analyses to identify molecular adaptations to enucleation and/or anophthalmia. Few proteins were differentially expressed in enucleated or anophthalmic mice in comparison to sighted mice. The loss of sight affected three pathways: metabolism, synaptic transmission and morphogenesis. Most changes were detected in V1, followed by V2M. Overall, cross-modal adaptations could be promoted in both models of early blindness but not through the exact same molecular strategy. A lower metabolic activity observed in visual areas of blind mice suggests that even if cross-modal inputs reactivate visual areas, they could remain suboptimally processed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Laramée
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Smolders
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tjing-Tjing Hu
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gilles Bronchti
- Département d’anatomie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
| | - Denis Boire
- Département d’anatomie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada
- École d’optométrie, Université de Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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21
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Scheyltjens I, Arckens L. The Current Status of Somatostatin-Interneurons in Inhibitory Control of Brain Function and Plasticity. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8723623. [PMID: 27403348 PMCID: PMC4923604 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8723623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex contains many distinct inhibitory neuronal populations to balance excitatory neurotransmission. A correct excitation/inhibition equilibrium is crucial for normal brain development, functioning, and controlling lifelong cortical plasticity. Knowledge about how the inhibitory network contributes to brain plasticity however remains incomplete. Somatostatin- (SST-) interneurons constitute a large neocortical subpopulation of interneurons, next to parvalbumin- (PV-) and vasoactive intestinal peptide- (VIP-) interneurons. Unlike the extensively studied PV-interneurons, acknowledged as key components in guiding ocular dominance plasticity, the contribution of SST-interneurons is less understood. Nevertheless, SST-interneurons are ideally situated within cortical networks to integrate unimodal or cross-modal sensory information processing and therefore likely to be important mediators of experience-dependent plasticity. The lack of knowledge on SST-interneurons partially relates to the wide variety of distinct subpopulations present in the sensory neocortex. This review informs on those SST-subpopulations hitherto described based on anatomical, molecular, or electrophysiological characteristics and whose functional roles can be attributed based on specific cortical wiring patterns. A possible role for these subpopulations in experience-dependent plasticity will be discussed, emphasizing on learning-induced plasticity and on unimodal and cross-modal plasticity upon sensory loss. This knowledge will ultimately contribute to guide brain plasticity into well-defined directions to restore sensory function and promote lifelong learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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22
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Smolders K, Vreysen S, Laramée ME, Cuyvers A, Hu TT, Van Brussel L, Eysel UT, Nys J, Arckens L. Retinal lesions induce fast intrinsic cortical plasticity in adult mouse visual system. Eur J Neurosci 2016; 44:2165-75. [PMID: 26663520 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Neuronal activity plays an important role in the development and structural-functional maintenance of the brain as well as in its life-long plastic response to changes in sensory stimulation. We characterized the impact of unilateral 15° laser lesions in the temporal lower visual field of the retina, on visually driven neuronal activity in the afferent visual pathway of adult mice using in situ hybridization for the activity reporter gene zif268. In the first days post-lesion, we detected a discrete zone of reduced zif268 expression in the contralateral hemisphere, spanning the border between the monocular segment of the primary visual cortex (V1) with extrastriate visual area V2M. We could not detect a clear lesion projection zone (LPZ) in areas lateral to V1 whereas medial to V2M, agranular and granular retrosplenial cortex showed decreased zif268 levels over their full extent. All affected areas displayed a return to normal zif268 levels, and this was faster in higher order visual areas than in V1. The lesion did, however, induce a permanent LPZ in the retinorecipient layers of the superior colliculus. We identified a retinotopy-based intrinsic capacity of adult mouse visual cortex to recover from restricted vision loss, with recovery speed reflecting the areal cortical magnification factor. Our observations predict incomplete visual field representations for areas lateral to V1 vs. lack of retinotopic organization for areas medial to V2M. The validation of this mouse model paves the way for future interrogations of cortical region- and cell-type-specific contributions to functional recovery, up to microcircuit level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrien Smolders
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Samme Vreysen
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marie-Eve Laramée
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Annemie Cuyvers
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tjing-Tjing Hu
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Van Brussel
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ulf T Eysel
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical School, Bochum, Germany
| | - Julie Nys
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
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Sieben K, Bieler M, Röder B, Hanganu-Opatz IL. Neonatal Restriction of Tactile Inputs Leads to Long-Lasting Impairments of Cross-Modal Processing. PLoS Biol 2015; 13:e1002304. [PMID: 26600123 PMCID: PMC4658190 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimal behavior relies on the combination of inputs from multiple senses through complex interactions within neocortical networks. The ontogeny of this multisensory interplay is still unknown. Here, we identify critical factors that control the development of visual-tactile processing by combining in vivo electrophysiology with anatomical/functional assessment of cortico-cortical communication and behavioral investigation of pigmented rats. We demonstrate that the transient reduction of unimodal (tactile) inputs during a short period of neonatal development prior to the first cross-modal experience affects feed-forward subcortico-cortical interactions by attenuating the cross-modal enhancement of evoked responses in the adult primary somatosensory cortex. Moreover, the neonatal manipulation alters cortico-cortical interactions by decreasing the cross-modal synchrony and directionality in line with the sparsification of direct projections between primary somatosensory and visual cortices. At the behavioral level, these functional and structural deficits resulted in lower cross-modal matching abilities. Thus, neonatal unimodal experience during defined developmental stages is necessary for setting up the neuronal networks of multisensory processing. Reducing unisensory experience during neonatal development causes permanent disruption of connectivity between primary sensory cortices, resulting in impaired multisensory abilities. Our senses, working together, enable us to interact with the environment. To obtain a unified percept of the world, diverse sensory inputs need to be bound together within distributed but strongly interconnected neuronal networks. Many multisensory abilities emerge or mature late in life, long after the maturation of the individual senses, yet the factors and mechanisms controlling their development are largely unknown. Here, we provide evidence for the critical role of unisensory experience during early postnatal life for the development of multisensory integration. Focusing on visual-tactile interactions in pigmented rats with good visual acuity, we show that a transient reduction of tactile inputs during neonatal development leads to sparser direct connections between adult primary visual and somatosensory cortices. As a result, these animals showed reduced neuronal activation following co-occurring tactile and visual stimuli, as well as impaired communication within visual-somatosensory networks. The structural and functional deficits resulting from an early manipulation of tactile experience had major behavioral consequences, impairing the rats’ ability to transfer information about encountered objects between senses. Thus, unisensory experience during early development shapes the neuronal networks of multisensory processing and the ability to transfer cross-modal information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kay Sieben
- Developmental Neurophysiology, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (KS); (ILHO)
| | - Malte Bieler
- Developmental Neurophysiology, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Brigitte Röder
- Biological Psychology and Neuropsychology, University Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ileana L. Hanganu-Opatz
- Developmental Neurophysiology, Institute of Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail: (KS); (ILHO)
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Regional Specificity of GABAergic Regulation of Cross-Modal Plasticity in Mouse Visual Cortex after Unilateral Enucleation. J Neurosci 2015; 35:11174-89. [PMID: 26269628 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.3808-14.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED In adult mice, monocular enucleation (ME) results in an immediate deactivation of the contralateral medial monocular visual cortex. An early restricted reactivation by open eye potentiation is followed by a late overt cross-modal reactivation by whiskers (Van Brussel et al., 2011). In adolescence (P45), extensive recovery of cortical activity after ME fails as a result of suppression or functional immaturity of the cross-modal mechanisms (Nys et al., 2014). Here, we show that dark exposure before ME in adulthood also prevents the late cross-modal reactivation component, thereby converting the outcome of long-term ME into a more P45-like response. Because dark exposure affects GABAergic synaptic transmission in binocular V1 and the plastic immunity observed at P45 is reminiscent of the refractory period for inhibitory plasticity reported by Huang et al. (2010), we molecularly examined whether GABAergic inhibition also regulates ME-induced cross-modal plasticity. Comparison of the adaptation of the medial monocular and binocular cortices to long-term ME or dark exposure or a combinatorial deprivation revealed striking differences. In the medial monocular cortex, cortical inhibition via the GABAA receptor α1 subunit restricts cross-modal plasticity in P45 mice but is relaxed in adults to allow the whisker-mediated reactivation. In line, in vivo pharmacological activation of α1 subunit-containing GABAA receptors in adult ME mice specifically reduces the cross-modal aspect of reactivation. Together with region-specific changes in glutamate acid decarboxylase (GAD) and vesicular GABA transporter expression, these findings put intracortical inhibition forward as an important regulator of the age-, experience-, and cortical region-dependent cross-modal response to unilateral visual deprivation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In adult mice, vision loss through one eye instantly reduces neuronal activity in the visual cortex. Strengthening of remaining eye inputs in the binocular cortex is followed by cross-modal adaptations in the monocular cortex, in which whiskers become a dominant nonvisual input source to attain extensive cortical reactivation. We show that the cross-modal component does not occur in adolescence because of increased intracortical inhibition, a phenotype that was mimicked in adult enucleated mice when treated with indiplon, a GABAA receptor α1 agonist. The cross-modal versus unimodal responses of the adult monocular and binocular cortices also mirror regional specificity in inhibitory alterations after visual deprivation. Understanding cross-modal plasticity in response to sensory loss is essential to maximize patient susceptibility to sensory prosthetics.
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25
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Ho LC, Wang B, Conner IP, van der Merwe Y, Bilonick RA, Kim SG, Wu EX, Sigal IA, Wollstein G, Schuman JS, Chan KC. In Vivo Evaluation of White Matter Integrity and Anterograde Transport in Visual System After Excitotoxic Retinal Injury With Multimodal MRI and OCT. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2015; 56:3788-800. [PMID: 26066747 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.14-15552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Excitotoxicity has been linked to the pathogenesis of ocular diseases and injuries and may involve early degeneration of both anterior and posterior visual pathways. However, their spatiotemporal relationships remain unclear. We hypothesized that the effects of excitotoxic retinal injury (ERI) on the visual system can be revealed in vivo by diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imagining (DTI), manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imagining (MRI), and optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS Diffusion tensor MRI was performed at 9.4 Tesla to monitor white matter integrity changes after unilateral N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced ERI in six Sprague-Dawley rats and six C57BL/6J mice. Additionally, four rats and four mice were intravitreally injected with saline to compare with NMDA-injected animals. Optical coherence tomography of the retina and manganese-enhanced MRI of anterograde transport were evaluated and correlated with DTI parameters. RESULTS In the rat optic nerve, the largest axial diffusivity decrease and radial diffusivity increase occurred within the first 3 and 7 days post ERI, respectively, suggestive of early axonal degeneration and delayed demyelination. The optic tract showed smaller directional diffusivity changes and weaker DTI correlations with retinal thickness compared with optic nerve, indicative of anterograde degeneration. The splenium of corpus callosum was also reorganized at 4 weeks post ERI. The DTI profiles appeared comparable between rat and mouse models. Furthermore, the NMDA-injured visual pathway showed reduced anterograde manganese transport, which correlated with diffusivity changes along but not perpendicular to optic nerve. CONCLUSIONS Diffusion tensor MRI, manganese-enhanced MRI, and OCT provided an in vivo model system for characterizing the spatiotemporal changes in white matter integrity, the eye-brain relationships and structural-physiological relationships in the visual system after ERI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leon C Ho
- NeuroImaging Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 2UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylva
| | - Bo Wang
- UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University
| | - Ian P Conner
- UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University
| | - Yolandi van der Merwe
- NeuroImaging Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 2UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylva
| | - Richard A Bilonick
- UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University
| | - Seong-Gi Kim
- NeuroImaging Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 6McGowan Institute for Regenerative
| | - Ed X Wu
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ian A Sigal
- UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University
| | - Gadi Wollstein
- UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 5Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh, Pi
| | - Joel S Schuman
- UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 4Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University
| | - Kevin C Chan
- NeuroImaging Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States 2UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylva
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26
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Lee HK, Whitt JL. Cross-modal synaptic plasticity in adult primary sensory cortices. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2015; 35:119-26. [PMID: 26310109 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Revised: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Sensory loss leads to widespread adaptation of brain circuits to allow an organism to navigate its environment with its remaining senses, which is broadly referred to as cross-modal plasticity. Such adaptation can be observed even in the primary sensory cortices, and falls into two distinct categories: recruitment of the deprived sensory cortex for processing the remaining senses, which we term 'cross-modal recruitment', and experience-dependent refinement of the spared sensory cortices referred to as 'compensatory plasticity.' Here we will review recent studies demonstrating that cortical adaptation to sensory loss involves LTP/LTD and homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Cross-modal synaptic plasticity is observed in adults, hence cross-modal sensory deprivation may be an effective way to promote plasticity in adult primary sensory cortices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hey-Kyoung Lee
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Zanvyl-Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States.
| | - Jessica L Whitt
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Zanvyl-Krieger Mind/Brain Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218, United States
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27
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Modifications of perineuronal nets and remodelling of excitatory and inhibitory afferents during vestibular compensation in the adult mouse. Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:3193-209. [PMID: 26264050 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1095-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are aggregates of extracellular matrix molecules surrounding several types of neurons in the adult CNS, which contribute to stabilising neuronal connections. Interestingly, a reduction of PNN number and staining intensity has been observed in conditions associated with plasticity in the adult brain. However, it is not known whether spontaneous PNN changes are functional to plasticity and repair after injury. To address this issue, we investigated PNN expression in the vestibular nuclei of the adult mouse during vestibular compensation, namely the resolution of motor deficits resulting from a unilateral peripheral vestibular lesion. After unilateral labyrinthectomy, we found that PNN number and staining intensity were strongly attenuated in the lateral vestibular nucleus on both sides, in parallel with remodelling of excitatory and inhibitory afferents. Moreover, PNNs were completely restored when vestibular deficits of the mice were abated. Interestingly, in mice with genetically reduced PNNs, vestibular compensation was accelerated. Overall, these results strongly suggest that temporal tuning of PNN expression may be crucial for vestibular compensation.
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28
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Abbott CW, Kozanian OO, Huffman KJ. The effects of lifelong blindness on murine neuroanatomy and gene expression. Front Aging Neurosci 2015; 7:144. [PMID: 26257648 PMCID: PMC4513570 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian neocortical development is regulated by neural patterning mechanisms, with distinct sensory and motor areas arising through the process of arealization. This development occurs alongside developing central or peripheral sensory systems. Specifically, the parcellation of neocortex into specific areas of distinct cytoarchitecture, connectivity and function during development is reliant upon both cortically intrinsic mechanisms, such as gene expression, and extrinsic processes, such as input from the sensory receptors. This developmental program shifts from patterning to maintenance as the animal ages and is believed to be active throughout life, where the brain’s organization is stable yet plastic. In this study, we characterize the long-term effects of early removal of visual input via bilateral enucleation at birth. To understand the long-term effects of early blindness we conducted anatomical and molecular assays 18 months after enucleation, near the end of lifespan in the mouse. Bilateral enucleation early in life leads to long-term, stable size reductions of the thalamic lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the primary visual cortex (V1) alongside a increase in individual whisker barrel size. Neocortical gene expression in the aging brain has not been previously identified; we document cortical expression of multiple regionalization genes. Expression patterns of Ephrin A5, COUP-TFI, and RZRβ and patterns of intraneocortical connectivity (INC) are altered in the neocortices of aging blind mice. Sensory inputs from different modalities during development likely play a major role in the development of cortical areal and thalamic nuclear boundaries. We suggest that early patterning by prenatal retinal activity combined with persistent gene expression within the thalamus and cortex is sufficient to establish and preserve a small but present LGN and V1 into late adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles W Abbott
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Olga O Kozanian
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Kelly J Huffman
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA, USA ; Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside Riverside, CA, USA
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Sensory Deprivation during Early Postnatal Period Alters the Density of Interneurons in the Mouse Prefrontal Cortex. Neural Plast 2015; 2015:753179. [PMID: 26161272 PMCID: PMC4487934 DOI: 10.1155/2015/753179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2014] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Early loss of one sensory system can cause improved function of other sensory systems. However, both the time course and neuronal mechanism of cross-modal plasticity remain elusive. Recent study using functional MRI in humans suggests a role of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in cross-modal plasticity. Since this phenomenon is assumed to be associated with altered GABAergic inhibition in the PFC, we have tested the hypothesis that early postnatal sensory deprivation causes the changes of inhibitory neuronal circuit in different regions of the PFC of the mice. We determined the effects of sensory deprivation from birth to postnatal day 28 (P28) or P58 on the density of parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB), and calretinin (CR) neurons in the prelimbic, infralimbic, and dorsal anterior cingulate cortices. The density of PV and CB neurons was significantly increased in layer 5/6 (L5/6). Moreover, the density of CR neurons was higher in L2/3 in sensory deprived mice compared to intact mice. These changes were more prominent at P56 than at P28. These results suggest that long-term sensory deprivation causes the changes of intracortical inhibitory networks in the PFC and the changes of inhibitory networks in the PFC may contribute to cross-modal plasticity.
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Nys J, Scheyltjens I, Arckens L. Visual system plasticity in mammals: the story of monocular enucleation-induced vision loss. Front Syst Neurosci 2015; 9:60. [PMID: 25972788 PMCID: PMC4412011 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2015.00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The groundbreaking work of Hubel and Wiesel in the 1960’s on ocular dominance plasticity instigated many studies of the visual system of mammals, enriching our understanding of how the development of its structure and function depends on high quality visual input through both eyes. These studies have mainly employed lid suturing, dark rearing and eye patching applied to different species to reduce or impair visual input, and have created extensive knowledge on binocular vision. However, not all aspects and types of plasticity in the visual cortex have been covered in full detail. In that regard, a more drastic deprivation method like enucleation, leading to complete vision loss appears useful as it has more widespread effects on the afferent visual pathway and even on non-visual brain regions. One-eyed vision due to monocular enucleation (ME) profoundly affects the contralateral retinorecipient subcortical and cortical structures thereby creating a powerful means to investigate cortical plasticity phenomena in which binocular competition has no vote.In this review, we will present current knowledge about the specific application of ME as an experimental tool to study visual and cross-modal brain plasticity and compare early postnatal stages up into adulthood. The structural and physiological consequences of this type of extensive sensory loss as documented and studied in several animal species and human patients will be discussed. We will summarize how ME studies have been instrumental to our current understanding of the differentiation of sensory systems and how the structure and function of cortical circuits in mammals are shaped in response to such an extensive alteration in experience. In conclusion, we will highlight future perspectives and the clinical relevance of adding ME to the list of more longstanding deprivation models in visual system research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Nys
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven Leuven, Belgium
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31
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Are visual peripheries forever young? Neural Plast 2015; 2015:307929. [PMID: 25945262 PMCID: PMC4402573 DOI: 10.1155/2015/307929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper presents a concept of lifelong plasticity of peripheral vision. Central vision processing is accepted as critical and irreplaceable for normal perception in humans. While peripheral processing chiefly carries information about motion stimuli features and redirects foveal attention to new objects, it can also take over functions typical for central vision. Here I review the data showing the plasticity of peripheral vision found in functional, developmental, and comparative studies. Even though it is well established that afferent projections from central and peripheral retinal regions are not established simultaneously during early postnatal life, central vision is commonly used as a general model of development of the visual system. Based on clinical studies and visually deprived animal models, I describe how central and peripheral visual field representations separately rely on early visual experience. Peripheral visual processing (motion) is more affected by binocular visual deprivation than central visual processing (spatial resolution). In addition, our own experimental findings show the possible recruitment of coarse peripheral vision for fine spatial analysis. Accordingly, I hypothesize that the balance between central and peripheral visual processing, established in the course of development, is susceptible to plastic adaptations during the entire life span, with peripheral vision capable of taking over central processing.
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Likova LT. Temporal evolution of brain reorganization under cross-modal training: Insights into the functional architecture of encoding and retrieval networks. PROCEEDINGS OF SPIE--THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR OPTICAL ENGINEERING 2015; 9394:939417. [PMID: 31423042 PMCID: PMC6697260 DOI: 10.1117/12.2178069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This study is based on the recent discovery of massive and well-structured cross-modal memory activation generated in the primary visual cortex (V1) of totally blind people as a result of novel training in drawing without any vision (Likova, 2012). This unexpected functional reorganization of primary visual cortex was obtained after undergoing only a week of training by the novel Cognitive-Kinesthetic Method, and was consistent across pilot groups of different categories of visual deprivation: congenitally blind, late-onset blind and blindfolded (Likova, 2014). These findings led us to implicate V1 as the implementation of the theoretical visuo-spatial 'sketchpad' for working memory in the human brain. Since neither the source nor the subsequent 'recipient' of this non-visual memory information in V1 is known, these results raise a number of important questions about the underlying functional organization of the respective encoding and retrieval networks in the brain. To address these questions, an individual totally blind from birth was given a week of Cognitive-Kinesthetic training, accompanied by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) both before and just after training, and again after a two-month consolidation period. The results revealed a remarkable temporal sequence of training-based response reorganization in both the hippocampal complex and the temporal-lobe object processing hierarchy over the prolonged consolidation period. In particular, a pattern of profound learning-based transformations in the hippocampus was strongly reflected in V1, with the retrieval function showing massive growth as result of the Cognitive-Kinesthetic memory training and consolidation, while the initially strong hippocampal response during tactile exploration and encoding became non-existent. Furthermore, after training, an alternating patch structure in the form of a cascade of discrete ventral regions underwent radical transformations to reach complete functional specialization in terms of either encoding or retrieval as a function of the stage of learning. Moreover, several distinct patterns of learning-evolution within the patches as a function of their anatomical location, implying a complex reorganization of the object processing sub-networks through the learning period. These first findings of complex patterns of training-based encoding/retrieval reorganization thus have broad implications for a newly emerging view of the perception/memory interactions and their reorganization through the learning process. Note that the temporal evolution of these forms of extended functional reorganization could not be uncovered with conventional assessment paradigms used in the traditional approaches to functional mapping, which may therefore have to be revisited. Moreover, as the present results are obtained in learning under life-long blindness, they imply amodal operations, transcending the usual tight association with visual processing. The present approach of memory drawing training in blindness, has the dual-advantage of being both non-visual and causal intervention, which makes it a promising 'scalpel' to disentangle interactions among diverse cognitive functions.
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Dekeyster E, Aerts J, Valiente-Soriano FJ, De Groef L, Vreysen S, Salinas-Navarro M, Vidal-Sanz M, Arckens L, Moons L. Ocular hypertension results in retinotopic alterations in the visual cortex of adult mice. Curr Eye Res 2015; 40:1269-83. [PMID: 25615273 DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2014.990983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). Since ocular hypertension (OHT) is a main risk factor, current therapies are predominantly based on lowering eye pressure. However, a subset of treated patients continues to lose vision. More research into pathological mechanisms underlying glaucoma is therefore warranted in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. In this study we investigated the impact of OHT from eye to brain in mice. METHODS Monocular hypertension (mOHT) was induced in CD-1 mice by laser photocoagulation (LP) of the perilimbal and episcleral veins. The impact on the retina and its main direct target area, the superficial superior colliculus (sSC), was examined via immunostainings for Brn3a, VGluT2 and GFAP. Alterations in neuronal activity in V1 and extrastriate areas V2L and V2M were assessed using in situ hybridization for the activity reporter gene zif268. RESULTS Transient mOHT resulted in diffuse and sectorial RGC degeneration. In the sSC contralateral to the OHT eye, a decrease in VGluT2 immunopositive synaptic connections was detected one week post LP, which appeared to be retinotopically linked to the sectorial RGC degeneration patterns. In parallel, hypoactivity was discerned in contralateral retinotopic projection zones in V1 and V2. Despite complete cortical reactivation 4 weeks post LP, in the sSC no evidence for recovery of RGC synapse density was found and also the concomitant inflammation was not completely resolved. Nevertheless, sSC neurons appeared healthy upon histological inspection and subsequent analysis of cell density revealed no differences between the ipsi- and contralateral sSC. CONCLUSION In addition to RGC death, OHT induces loss of synaptic connections and neuronal activity in the visual pathway and is accompanied by an extensive immune response. Our findings stress the importance of looking beyond the eye and including the whole visual system in glaucoma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Dekeyster
- a Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Jeroen Aerts
- b Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology , KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium and
| | | | - Lies De Groef
- a Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Samme Vreysen
- b Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology , KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium and
| | - Manuel Salinas-Navarro
- a Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Manuel Vidal-Sanz
- c Department of Ophthalmology , University of Murcia and IMIB-Arrixaca , Murcia , Spain
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- b Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, Department of Biology , KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium and
| | - Lieve Moons
- a Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration Research Group, Department of Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
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34
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Aerts J, Nys J, Arckens L. A highly reproducible and straightforward method to perform in vivo ocular enucleation in the mouse after eye opening. J Vis Exp 2014:e51936. [PMID: 25350746 PMCID: PMC4841293 DOI: 10.3791/51936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Enucleation or the surgical removal of an eye can generally be considered as a model for nerve deafferentation. It provides a valuable tool to study the different aspects of visual, cross-modal and developmental plasticity along the mammalian visual system1-4. Here, we demonstrate an elegant and straightforward technique for the removal of one or both eyes in the mouse, which is validated in mice of 20 days old up to adults. Briefly, a disinfected curved forceps is used to clamp the optic nerve behind the eye. Subsequently, circular movements are performed to constrict the optic nerve and remove the eyeball. The advantages of this technique are high reproducibility, minimal to no bleeding, rapid post-operative recovery and a very low learning threshold for the experimenter. Hence, a large amount of animals can be manipulated and processed with minimal amount of effort. The nature of the technique may induce slight damage to the retina during the procedure. This side effect makes this method less suitable as compared to Mahajan et al. (2011)5 if the goal is to collect and analyze retinal tissue. Also, our method is limited to post-eye opening ages (mouse: P10 - 13 onwards) since the eyeball needs to be displaced from the socket without removing the eyelids. The in vivo enucleation technique described in this manuscript has recently been successfully applied with minor modifications in rats and appears useful to study the afferent visual pathway of rodents in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeroen Aerts
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven
| | - Julie Nys
- Department of Biology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven
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Laskowska-Macios K, Zapasnik M, Hu TT, Kossut M, Arckens L, Burnat K. Zif268 mRNA Expression Patterns Reveal a Distinct Impact of Early Pattern Vision Deprivation on the Development of Primary Visual Cortical Areas in the Cat. Cereb Cortex 2014; 25:3515-26. [PMID: 25205660 PMCID: PMC4585500 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhu192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pattern vision deprivation (BD) can induce permanent deficits in global motion perception. The impact of timing and duration of BD on the maturation of the central and peripheral visual field representations in cat primary visual areas 17 and 18 remains unknown. We compared early BD, from eye opening for 2, 4, or 6 months, with late onset BD, after 2 months of normal vision, using the expression pattern of the visually driven activity reporter gene zif268 as readout. Decreasing zif268 mRNA levels between months 2 and 4 characterized the normal maturation of the (supra)granular layers of the central and peripheral visual field representations in areas 17 and 18. In general, all BD conditions had higher than normal zif268 levels. In area 17, early BD induced a delayed decrease, beginning later in peripheral than in central area 17. In contrast, the decrease occurred between months 2 and 4 throughout area 18. Lack of pattern vision stimulation during the first 4 months of life therefore has a different impact on the development of areas 17 and 18. A high zif268 expression level at a time when normal vision is restored seems to predict the capacity of a visual area to compensate for BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Laskowska-Macios
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw 02-093, Poland Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Monika Zapasnik
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Tjing-Tjing Hu
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Malgorzata Kossut
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Kalina Burnat
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
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Homman-Ludiye J, Bourne JA. Mapping arealisation of the visual cortex of non-primate species: lessons for development and evolution. Front Neural Circuits 2014; 8:79. [PMID: 25071460 PMCID: PMC4081835 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2014.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The integration of the visual stimulus takes place at the level of the neocortex, organized in anatomically distinct and functionally unique areas. Primates, including humans, are heavily dependent on vision, with approximately 50% of their neocortical surface dedicated to visual processing and possess many more visual areas than any other mammal, making them the model of choice to study visual cortical arealisation. However, in order to identify the mechanisms responsible for patterning the developing neocortex, specifying area identity as well as elucidate events that have enabled the evolution of the complex primate visual cortex, it is essential to gain access to the cortical maps of alternative species. To this end, species including the mouse have driven the identification of cellular markers, which possess an area-specific expression profile, the development of new tools to label connections and technological advance in imaging techniques enabling monitoring of cortical activity in a behaving animal. In this review we present non-primate species that have contributed to elucidating the evolution and development of the visual cortex. We describe the current understanding of the mechanisms supporting the establishment of areal borders during development, mainly gained in the mouse thanks to the availability of genetically modified lines but also the limitations of the mouse model and the need for alternate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihane Homman-Ludiye
- Bourne Group, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - James A Bourne
- Bourne Group, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University Clayton, VIC, Australia
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Altered neuronal architecture and plasticity in the visual cortex of adult MMP-3-deficient mice. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:2675-89. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0819-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Lee VK, Nau AC, Laymon C, Chan KC, Rosario BL, Fisher C. Successful tactile based visual sensory substitution use functions independently of visual pathway integrity. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:291. [PMID: 24860473 PMCID: PMC4026734 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Neuronal reorganization after blindness is of critical interest because it has implications for the rational prescription of artificial vision devices. The purpose of this study was to distinguish the microstructural differences between perinatally blind (PB), acquired blind (AB), and normally sighted controls (SCs) and relate these differences to performance on functional tasks using a sensory substitution device (BrainPort). METHODS We enrolled 52 subjects (PB n = 11; AB n = 35; SC n = 6). All subjects spent 15 h undergoing BrainPort device training. Outcomes of light perception, motion, direction, temporal resolution, grating, and acuity were tested at baseline and after training. Twenty-six of the subjects were scanned with a three Tesla MRI scanner for diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and with a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner for mapping regional brain glucose consumption during sensory substitution function. Non-parametric models were used to analyze fractional anisotropy (FA; a DTI measure of microstructural integrity) of the brain via region-of-interest (ROI) analysis and tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). RESULTS At baseline, all subjects performed all tasks at chance level. After training, light perception, time resolution, location and grating acuity tasks improved significantly for all subject groups. ROI and TBSS analyses of FA maps show areas of statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.025) in the bilateral optic radiations and some visual association connections between all three groups. No relationship was found between FA and functional performance with the BrainPort. DISCUSSION All subjects showed performance improvements using the BrainPort irrespective of nature and duration of blindness. Definite brain areas with significant microstructural integrity changes exist among PB, AB, and NC, and these variations are most pronounced in the visual pathways. However, the use of sensory substitution devices is feasible irrespective of microstructural integrity of the primary visual pathways between the eye and the brain. Therefore, tongue based devices devices may be usable for a broad array of non-sighted patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent K Lee
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amy C Nau
- Sensory Substitution Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Charles Laymon
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kevin C Chan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA ; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh-Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bedda L Rosario
- Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chris Fisher
- Sensory Substitution Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and Ear Institute, University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Chan KC, Fan SJ, Chan RW, Cheng JS, Zhou IY, Wu EX. In vivo visuotopic brain mapping with manganese-enhanced MRI and resting-state functional connectivity MRI. Neuroimage 2014; 90:235-45. [PMID: 24394694 PMCID: PMC3951771 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.12.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2013] [Revised: 12/16/2013] [Accepted: 12/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rodents are an increasingly important model for understanding the mechanisms of development, plasticity, functional specialization and disease in the visual system. However, limited tools have been available for assessing the structural and functional connectivity of the visual brain network globally, in vivo and longitudinally. There are also ongoing debates on whether functional brain connectivity directly reflects structural brain connectivity. In this study, we explored the feasibility of manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) via 3 different routes of Mn(2+) administration for visuotopic brain mapping and understanding of physiological transport in normal and visually deprived adult rats. In addition, resting-state functional connectivity MRI (RSfcMRI) was performed to evaluate the intrinsic functional network and structural-functional relationships in the corresponding anatomical visual brain connections traced by MEMRI. Upon intravitreal, subcortical, and intracortical Mn(2+) injection, different topographic and layer-specific Mn enhancement patterns could be revealed in the visual cortex and subcortical visual nuclei along retinal, callosal, cortico-subcortical, transsynaptic and intracortical horizontal connections. Loss of visual input upon monocular enucleation to adult rats appeared to reduce interhemispheric polysynaptic Mn(2+) transfer but not intra- or inter-hemispheric monosynaptic Mn(2+) transport after Mn(2+) injection into visual cortex. In normal adults, both structural and functional connectivity by MEMRI and RSfcMRI was stronger interhemispherically between bilateral primary/secondary visual cortex (V1/V2) transition zones (TZ) than between V1/V2 TZ and other cortical nuclei. Intrahemispherically, structural and functional connectivity was stronger between visual cortex and subcortical visual nuclei than between visual cortex and other subcortical nuclei. The current results demonstrated the sensitivity of MEMRI and RSfcMRI for assessing the neuroarchitecture, neurophysiology and structural-functional relationships of the visual brains in vivo. These may possess great potentials for effective monitoring and understanding of the basic anatomical and functional connections in the visual system during development, plasticity, disease, pharmacological interventions and genetic modifications in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin C Chan
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; UPMC Eye Center, Ophthalmology and Visual Science Research Center, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition, University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Shu-Juan Fan
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Russell W Chan
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Joe S Cheng
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Iris Y Zhou
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ed X Wu
- Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging and Signal Processing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Anatomy, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Neuronal mechanisms underlying transhemispheric diaschisis following focal cortical injuries. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:1649-64. [DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0750-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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Distinct and simultaneously active plasticity mechanisms in mouse hippocampus during different phases of Morris water maze training. Brain Struct Funct 2014; 220:1273-90. [PMID: 24562414 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-014-0722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Although the Morris water maze (MWM) is the most frequently used protocol to examine hippocampus-dependent learning in mice, not much is known about the spatio-temporal dynamics of underlying plasticity processes. Here, we studied molecular and cellular hippocampal plasticity mechanisms during early and late phases of spatial learning in the MWM. Quantitative in situ hybridization for the immediate early genes zif268 and Homer1a (H1a) revealed phase-dependent differences in their expression between areas CA1 and CA3. During the initial learning phase, CA1 expression levels of the molecular plasticity marker H1a, but not of the activity reporter gene zif268, were related to task proficiency; whereas no learning-specific changes could be detected in CA3. Simultaneously, the ratio of surface-expressed NMDAR subunits NR2A and NR2B was downregulated as measured by acute slice biotinylation assay, while the total number of surface NMDARs was unaltered. When intrinsic 'somatic' and synaptic plasticity in the CA1-region of hippocampal slices were examined, we found that early learning promotes intrinsic neuronal plasticity as manifested by a reduction of spike frequency adaptation and postburst afterhyperpolarization. At the synaptic level, however, maintenance of long-term potentiation (LTP) in all learning groups was impaired which is most likely due to 'intrinsic' learning-induced LTP which occluded any further electrically induced LTP. Late learning, in contrast, was characterized by re-normalized H1a, NR2A and NR2B expression and neuronal firing, yet a further strengthening of learning-induced LTP. Together, our data support a precisely timed cascade of complex molecular and subcellular transformations occurring from early to late MWM learning.
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Nys J, Aerts J, Ytebrouck E, Vreysen S, Laeremans A, Arckens L. The cross-modal aspect of mouse visual cortex plasticity induced by monocular enucleation is age dependent. J Comp Neurol 2014; 522:950-70. [DOI: 10.1002/cne.23455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julie Nys
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics; KU Leuven; 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Jeroen Aerts
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics; KU Leuven; 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Ellen Ytebrouck
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics; KU Leuven; 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Samme Vreysen
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics; KU Leuven; 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Annelies Laeremans
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics; KU Leuven; 3000 Leuven Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics; KU Leuven; 3000 Leuven Belgium
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Visual Map Shifts based on Whisker-Guided Cues in the Young Mouse Visual Cortex. Cell Rep 2013; 5:1365-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2013.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2013] [Revised: 10/03/2013] [Accepted: 11/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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Laeremans A, Van de Plas B, Clerens S, Van den Bergh G, Arckens L, Hu TT. Protein expression dynamics during postnatal mouse brain development. J Exp Neurosci 2013; 7:61-74. [PMID: 25157209 PMCID: PMC4089830 DOI: 10.4137/jen.s12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
We explored differential protein expression profiles in the mouse forebrain at different stages of postnatal development, including 10-day (P10), 30-day (P30), and adult (Ad) mice, by large-scale screening of proteome maps using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis. Mass spectrometry analysis resulted in the identification of 251 differentially expressed proteins. Most molecular changes were observed between P10 compared to both P30 and Ad. Computational ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) confirmed these proteins as crucial molecules in the biological function of nervous system development. Moreover, IPA revealed Semaphorin signaling in neurons and the protein ubiquitination pathway as essential canonical pathways in the mouse forebrain during postnatal development. For these main biological pathways, the transcriptional regulation of the age-dependent expression of selected proteins was validated by means of in situ hybridization. In conclusion, we suggest that proteolysis and neurite outgrowth guidance are key biological processes, particularly during early brain maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Laeremans
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Babs Van de Plas
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Clerens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. ; Group of Food & Bio-based Products, AgResearch Ltd., Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Gert Van den Bergh
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. ; Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tjing-Tjing Hu
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Wong C, Chabot N, Kok MA, Lomber SG. Modified Areal Cartography in Auditory Cortex Following Early- and Late-Onset Deafness. Cereb Cortex 2013; 24:1778-92. [DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bht026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Homologous involvement of striatum and prefrontal cortex in rodent and human water maze learning. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2013; 110:3131-6. [PMID: 23382228 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1217832110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The multiple memory systems hypothesis posits that dorsal striatum and hippocampus are central nodes in independent memory systems, supporting response-based and place-based learning, respectively. Although our understanding of the function of hippocampus within this framework is relatively well established, the contribution of dorsal striatum is less clear. This in part seems to be due to the heterogeneous nature of dorsal striatum, which receives extensive topographically organized projections from higher cortical areas. Here we quantified neural activity in the intact brain while mice and humans acquired analogous versions of the Morris water maze. We found that dorsomedial striatum and medial prefrontal cortex support the initial acquisition of what is typically considered a hippocampus-dependent spatial learning task. We suggest that the circuit involving dorsomedial striatum and medial prefrontal cortex identified here plays a more task-independent role in early learning than currently thought. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum serve fundamentally different roles during place learning. The remarkably high degree of anatomical overlap in brain function between mouse and human observed in our study emphasizes the extent of convergence achievable with a well-matched multilevel approach.
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Likova LT. A Cross-Modal Perspective on the Relationships between Imagery and Working Memory. Front Psychol 2013; 3:561. [PMID: 23346061 PMCID: PMC3548561 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mapping the distinctions and interrelationships between imagery and working memory (WM) remains challenging. Although each of these major cognitive constructs is defined and treated in various ways across studies, most accept that both imagery and WM involve a form of internal representation available to our awareness. In WM, there is a further emphasis on goal-oriented, active maintenance, and use of this conscious representation to guide voluntary action. Multicomponent WM models incorporate representational buffers, such as the visuo-spatial sketchpad, plus central executive functions. If there is a visuo-spatial "sketchpad" for WM, does imagery involve the same representational buffer? Alternatively, does WM employ an imagery-specific representational mechanism to occupy our awareness? Or do both constructs utilize a more generic "projection screen" of an amodal nature? To address these issues, in a cross-modal fMRI study, I introduce a novel Drawing-Based Memory Paradigm, and conceptualize drawing as a complex behavior that is readily adaptable from the visual to non-visual modalities (such as the tactile modality), which opens intriguing possibilities for investigating cross-modal learning and plasticity. Blindfolded participants were trained through our Cognitive-Kinesthetic Method (Likova, 2010a, 2012) to draw complex objects guided purely by the memory of felt tactile images. If this WM task had been mediated by transfer of the felt spatial configuration to the visual imagery mechanism, the response-profile in visual cortex would be predicted to have the "top-down" signature of propagation of the imagery signal downward through the visual hierarchy. Remarkably, the pattern of cross-modal occipital activation generated by the non-visual memory drawing was essentially the inverse of this typical imagery signature. The sole visual hierarchy activation was isolated to the primary visual area (V1), and accompanied by deactivation of the entire extrastriate cortex, thus 'cutting-off' any signal propagation from/to V1 through the visual hierarchy. The implications of these findings for the debate on the interrelationships between the core cognitive constructs of WM and imagery and the nature of internal representations are evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora T. Likova
- The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research InstituteSan Francisco, CA, USA
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Likova LT. Drawing enhances cross-modal memory plasticity in the human brain: a case study in a totally blind adult. Front Hum Neurosci 2012; 6:44. [PMID: 22593738 PMCID: PMC3350955 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2012.00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In a memory-guided drawing task under blindfolded conditions, we have recently used functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) to demonstrate that the primary visual cortex (V1) may operate as the visuo-spatial buffer, or “sketchpad,” for working memory. The results implied, however, a modality-independent or amodal form of its operation. In the present study, to validate the role of V1 in non-visual memory, we eliminated not only the visual input but all levels of visual processing by replicating the paradigm in a congenitally blind individual. Our novel Cognitive-Kinesthetic method was used to train this totally blind subject to draw complex images guided solely by tactile memory. Control tasks of tactile exploration and memorization of the image to be drawn, and memory-free scribbling were also included. FMRI was run before training and after training. Remarkably, V1 of this congenitally blind individual, which before training exhibited noisy, immature, and non-specific responses, after training produced full-fledged response time-courses specific to the tactile-memory drawing task. The results reveal the operation of a rapid training-based plasticity mechanism that recruits the resources of V1 in the process of learning to draw. The learning paradigm allowed us to investigate for the first time the evolution of plastic re-assignment in V1 in a congenitally blind subject. These findings are consistent with a non-visual memory involvement of V1, and specifically imply that the observed cortical reorganization can be empowered by the process of learning to draw.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora T Likova
- The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute, San Francisco CA, USA
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Hoover AEN, Harris LR, Steeves JKE. Sensory compensation in sound localization in people with one eye. Exp Brain Res 2011; 216:565-74. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-011-2960-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2011] [Accepted: 11/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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50
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Monocular enucleation profoundly reduces secretogranin II expression in adult mouse visual cortex. Neurochem Int 2011; 59:1082-94. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2011.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/12/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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