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Richardson B, Goedert T, Quraishe S, Deinhardt K, Mudher A. How do neurons age? A focused review on the aging of the microtubular cytoskeleton. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1899-1907. [PMID: 38227514 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging is the leading risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. We now understand that a breakdown in the neuronal cytoskeleton, mainly underpinned by protein modifications leading to the destabilization of microtubules, is central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. This is accompanied by morphological defects across the somatodendritic compartment, axon, and synapse. However, knowledge of what occurs to the microtubule cytoskeleton and morphology of the neuron during physiological aging is comparatively poor. Several recent studies have suggested that there is an age-related increase in the phosphorylation of the key microtubule stabilizing protein tau, a modification, which is known to destabilize the cytoskeleton in Alzheimer's disease. This indicates that the cytoskeleton and potentially other neuronal structures reliant on the cytoskeleton become functionally compromised during normal physiological aging. The current literature shows age-related reductions in synaptic spine density and shifts in synaptic spine conformation which might explain age-related synaptic functional deficits. However, knowledge of what occurs to the microtubular and actin cytoskeleton, with increasing age is extremely limited. When considering the somatodendritic compartment, a regression in dendrites and loss of dendritic length and volume is reported whilst a reduction in soma volume/size is often seen. However, research into cytoskeletal change is limited to a handful of studies demonstrating reductions in and mislocalizations of microtubule-associated proteins with just one study directly exploring the integrity of the microtubules. In the axon, an increase in axonal diameter and age-related appearance of swellings is reported but like the dendrites, just one study investigates the microtubules directly with others reporting loss or mislocalization of microtubule-associated proteins. Though these are the general trends reported, there are clear disparities between model organisms and brain regions that are worthy of further investigation. Additionally, longitudinal studies of neuronal/cytoskeletal aging should also investigate whether these age-related changes contribute not just to vulnerability to disease but also to the decline in nervous system function and behavioral output that all organisms experience. This will highlight the utility, if any, of cytoskeletal fortification for the promotion of healthy neuronal aging and potential protection against age-related neurodegenerative disease. This review seeks to summarize what is currently known about the physiological aging of the neuron and microtubular cytoskeleton in the hope of uncovering mechanisms underpinning age-related risk to disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brad Richardson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Thomas Goedert
- Institute of Developmental and Regenerative Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Shmma Quraishe
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Katrin Deinhardt
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Amritpal Mudher
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
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Mimura Y, Tobari Y, Nakajima S, Takano M, Wada M, Honda S, Bun S, Tabuchi H, Ito D, Matsui M, Uchida H, Mimura M, Noda Y. Decreased short-latency afferent inhibition in individuals with mild cognitive impairment: A TMS-EEG study. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 132:110967. [PMID: 38354899 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
TMS combined with EEG (TMS-EEG) is a tool to characterize the neurophysiological dynamics of the cortex. Among the TMS paradigms, short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI) allows the investigation of inhibitory effects mediated by the cholinergic system. The aim of this study was to compare cholinergic function in the DLPFC between individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy controls (HC) using TMS-EEG with the SAI paradigm. In this study, 30 MCI and 30 HC subjects were included. The SAI paradigm consisted of 80 single pulse TMS and 80 SAI stimulations applied to the left DLPFC. N100 components, global mean field power (GMFP) and total power were calculated. As a result, individuals with MCI showed reduced inhibitory effects on N100 components and GMFP at approximately 100 ms post-stimulation and on β-band activity at 200 ms post-stimulation compared to HC. Individuals with MCI showed reduced SAI, suggesting impaired cholinergic function in the DLPFC compared to the HC group. We conclude that these findings underscore the clinical applicability of the TMS-EEG method as a powerful tool for assessing cholinergic function in individuals with MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yui Tobari
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Mayuko Takano
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; TEIJIN PHARMA LIMITED, Tokyo 100-8585, Japan
| | - Masataka Wada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiori Honda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shogyoku Bun
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Tabuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Ito
- Department of Physiology/Memory Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mie Matsui
- Laboratory of Clinical Cognitive Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Grodner B, Pisklak DM, Szeleszczuk Ł. Succinimide Derivatives as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors-In Silico and In Vitro Studies. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:5117-5130. [PMID: 38920979 PMCID: PMC11202142 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46060307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
We studied the effect of succinimide derivatives on acetylcholinesterase activity due to the interest in compounds that influence this enzyme's activity, which could help treat memory issues more effectively. The following parameters were established for this purpose based on kinetic investigations of the enzyme in the presence of succinimide derivatives: the half-maximal inhibitory concentration, the maximum rate, the inhibition constant, and the Michaelis-Menten constant. Furthermore, computational analyses were performed to determine the energy required for succinimide derivatives to dock with the enzyme's active site. The outcomes acquired in this manner demonstrated that all compounds inhibited acetylcholinesterase in a competitive manner. The values of the docking energy parameters corroborated the kinetic parameter values, which indicated discernible, albeit slight, variations in the inhibitory intensity among the various derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Błażej Grodner
- Chair and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Str., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Dariusz Maciej Pisklak
- Department of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Str., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Szeleszczuk
- Department of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Warsaw, 1 Banacha Str., 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
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Zadrozny M, Drapich P, Gasiorowska-Bien A, Niewiadomski W, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G, Niewiadomska G. Neuroprotection of Cholinergic Neurons with a Tau Aggregation Inhibitor and Rivastigmine in an Alzheimer's-like Tauopathy Mouse Model. Cells 2024; 13:642. [PMID: 38607082 PMCID: PMC11011792 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic dysfunction, most likely linked with tau protein aggregation, is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence suggests that tau protein is a putative target for the treatment of dementia, and the tau aggregation inhibitor, hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM), has emerged as a potential disease-modifying treatment. However, its efficacy was diminished in patients already receiving approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. In this study, we ask whether this negative interaction can also be mimicked in experimental tau models of AD and whether the underlying mechanism can be understood. From a previous age profiling study, 6-month-old line 1 (L1) tau transgenic mice were characterized by a severe reduction in several cholinergic markers. We therefore assessed whether long-term pre-exposure with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine alone and in conjunction with the tau aggregation inhibitor HMTM can reverse cholinergic deficits in L1. Rivastigmine and HMTM, and combinations of the two compounds were administered orally for 11 weeks to both L1 and wild-type mice. The brains were sectioned with a focus on the basal forebrain, motor cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical staining and quantification of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), tyrosine kinase A (TrkA)-positive neurons and relative optical intensity (ROI) for vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivity confirmed reversal of the diminished cholinergic phenotype of interneurons (nucleus accumbens, striatum) and projection neurons (medial septum, nucleus basalis magnocellularis) by HMTM, to a greater extent than by rivastigmine alone in L1 mice. Combined administration did not yield additivity but, in most proxies, led to antagonistic effects in which rivastigmine decreased the benefits shown with HMTM alone. Local markers (VAChT and AChE) in target structures of the basal forebrain, motor cortex and hippocampal CA3 seemed to be normalized by HMTM, but not by rivastigmine or the combination of both drugs. HMTM, which was developed as a tau aggregation inhibitor, strongly decreased the tau load in L1 mice, however, not in combination with rivastigmine. Taken together, these data confirm a cholinergic phenotype in L1 tau transgenic mice that resembles the deficits observed in AD patients. This phenotype is reversible by HMTM, but at the same time appears to be subject to a homeostatic regulation induced by chronic pre-treatment with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which interferes with the efficacy of HMTM. The strongest phenotypic reversal coincided with a normalization of the tau load in the cortex and hippocampus of L1, suggesting that tau accumulation underpins the loss of cholinergic markers in the basal forebrain and its projection targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Zadrozny
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Patrycja Drapich
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Anna Gasiorowska-Bien
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Wiktor Niewiadomski
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.); (G.R.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.); (G.R.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.); (G.R.)
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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Padulo C, Sestieri C, Punzi M, Picerni E, Chiacchiaretta P, Tullo MG, Granzotto A, Baldassarre A, Onofrj M, Ferretti A, Delli Pizzi S, Sensi SL. Atrophy of specific amygdala subfields in subjects converting to mild cognitive impairment. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2023; 9:e12436. [PMID: 38053753 PMCID: PMC10694338 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Accumulating evidence indicates that the amygdala exhibits early signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, it is still unknown whether the atrophy of distinct subfields of the amygdala also participates in the transition from healthy cognition to mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Our sample was derived from the AD Neuroimaging Initiative 3 and consisted of 97 cognitively healthy (HC) individuals, sorted into two groups based on their clinical follow-up: 75 who remained stable (s-HC) and 22 who converted to MCI within 48 months (c-HC). Anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) images were analyzed using a semi-automatic approach that combines probabilistic methods and a priori information from ex vivo MR images and histology to segment and obtain quantitative structural metrics for different amygdala subfields in each participant. Spearman's correlations were performed between MR measures and baseline and longitudinal neuropsychological measures. We also included anatomical measurements of the whole amygdala, the hippocampus, a key target of AD-related pathology, and the whole cortical thickness as a test of spatial specificity. Results Compared with s-HC individuals, c-HC subjects showed a reduced right amygdala volume, whereas no significant difference was observed for hippocampal volumes or changes in cortical thickness. In the amygdala subfields, we observed selected atrophy patterns in the basolateral nuclear complex, anterior amygdala area, and transitional area. Macro-structural alterations in these subfields correlated with variations of global indices of cognitive performance (measured at baseline and the 48-month follow-up), suggesting that amygdala changes shape the cognitive progression to MCI. Discussion Our results provide anatomical evidence for the early involvement of the amygdala in the preclinical stages of AD. Highlights Amygdala's atrophy marks elderly progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Amygdala's was observed within the basolateral and amygdaloid complexes.Macro-structural alterations were associated with cognitive decline.No atrophy was found in the hippocampus and cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Padulo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Department of HumanitiesUniversity of Naples Federico IINaplesItaly
| | - Carlo Sestieri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB)“G. d'Annunzio” University, Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Miriam Punzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Molecular Neurology UnitCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Eleonora Picerni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Molecular Neurology UnitCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Piero Chiacchiaretta
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine and Dentistry“G. d'Annunzio” University of Chieti‐Pescara, ChietiChietiItaly
- Advanced Computing CoreCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Maria Giulia Tullo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Alberto Granzotto
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Molecular Neurology UnitCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Antonello Baldassarre
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Antonio Ferretti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Molecular Neurology UnitCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Stefano Delli Pizzi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Molecular Neurology UnitCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesUniversity “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies (ITAB)“G. d'Annunzio” University, Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Molecular Neurology UnitCenter for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST)University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
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Chaves-Coira I, García-Magro N, Zegarra-Valdivia J, Torres-Alemán I, Núñez Á. Cognitive Deficits in Aging Related to Changes in Basal Forebrain Neuronal Activity. Cells 2023; 12:1477. [PMID: 37296598 PMCID: PMC10252596 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a physiological process accompanied by a decline in cognitive performance. The cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain provide projections to the cortex that are directly engaged in many cognitive processes in mammals. In addition, basal forebrain neurons contribute to the generation of different rhythms in the EEG along the sleep/wakefulness cycle. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent advances grouped around the changes in basal forebrain activity during healthy aging. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms of brain function and their decline is especially relevant in today's society as an increasingly aged population faces higher risks of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The profound age-related cognitive deficits and neurodegenerative diseases associated with basal forebrain dysfunction highlight the importance of investigating the aging of this brain region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Chaves-Coira
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neurosciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Nuria García-Magro
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcón, 28223 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Jonathan Zegarra-Valdivia
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (J.Z.-V.); (I.T.-A.)
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo 02001, Peru
| | - Ignacio Torres-Alemán
- Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, 48940 Leioa, Spain; (J.Z.-V.); (I.T.-A.)
- Ikerbasque Science Foundation, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ángel Núñez
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neurosciences, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
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Ghose A, Pullarkat P. The role of mechanics in axonal stability and development. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 140:22-34. [PMID: 35786351 PMCID: PMC7615100 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Much of the focus of neuronal cell biology has been devoted to growth cone guidance, synaptogenesis, synaptic activity, plasticity, etc. The axonal shaft too has received much attention, mainly for its astounding ability to transmit action potentials and the transport of material over long distances. For these functions, the axonal cytoskeleton and membrane have been often assumed to play static structural roles. Recent experiments have changed this view by revealing an ultrastructure much richer in features than previously perceived and one that seems to be maintained at a dynamic steady state. The role of mechanics in this is only beginning to be broadly appreciated and appears to involve passive and active modes of coupling different biopolymer filaments, filament turnover dynamics and membrane biophysics. Axons, being unique cellular processes in terms of high aspect ratios and often extreme lengths, also exhibit unique passive mechanical properties that might have evolved to stabilize them under mechanical stress. In this review, we summarize the experiments that have exposed some of these features. It is our view that axonal mechanics deserves much more attention not only due to its significance in the development and maintenance of the nervous system but also due to the susceptibility of axons to injury and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurnab Ghose
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune 411 008, India.
| | - Pramod Pullarkat
- Raman Research Institute, C. V. Raman Avenue, Bengaluru 560 080, India.
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Xanomeline restores endogenous nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling in mouse prefrontal cortex. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023; 48:671-682. [PMID: 36635596 PMCID: PMC9938126 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-023-01531-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic synapses in prefrontal cortex are vital for attention, but this modulatory system undergoes substantial pre- and post-synaptic alterations during adulthood. To examine the integrated impact of these changes, we optophysiologically probe cholinergic synapses ex vivo, revealing a clear decline in neurotransmission in middle adulthood. Pharmacological dissection of synaptic components reveals a selective reduction in postsynaptic nicotinic receptor currents. Other components of cholinergic synapses appear stable, by contrast, including acetylcholine autoinhibition, metabolism, and excitation of postsynaptic muscarinic receptors. Pursuing strategies to strengthen cholinergic neurotransmission, we find that positive allosteric modulation of nicotinic receptors with NS9283 is effective in young adults but wanes with age. To boost nicotinic receptor availability, we harness the second messenger pathways of the preserved excitatory muscarinic receptors with xanomeline. This muscarinic agonist and cognitive-enhancer restores nicotinic signaling in older mice significantly, in a muscarinic- and PKC-dependent manner. The rescued nicotinic component regains youthful sensitivity to allosteric enhancement: treatment with xanomeline and NS9283 restores cholinergic synapses in older mice to the strength, speed, and receptor mechanism of young adults. Our results reveal a new and efficient strategy to rescue age-related nicotinic signaling deficits, demonstrating a novel pathway for xanomeline to restore cognitively-essential endogenous cholinergic neurotransmission.
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A novel transgenic mouse model expressing primate-specific nuclear choline acetyltransferase: insights into potential cholinergic vulnerability. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3037. [PMID: 36810877 PMCID: PMC9944276 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30155-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The acetylcholine (ACh) synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) is an important cholinergic neuronal marker whose levels and/or activity are reduced in physiological and pathological aging. One isoform of ChAT, 82-kDa ChAT, is expressed only in primates and found primarily in nuclei of cholinergic neurons in younger individuals, but this protein becomes mostly cytoplasmic with increasing age and in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies suggest that 82-kDa ChAT may be involved in regulating gene expression during cellular stress. Since it is not expressed in rodents, we developed a transgenic mouse model that expresses human 82-kDa ChAT under the control of an Nkx2.1 driver. Behavioral and biochemical assays were used to phenotype this novel transgenic model and elucidate the impact of 82-kDa ChAT expression. The 82-kDa ChAT transcript and protein were expressed predominantly in basal forebrain neurons and subcellular distribution of the protein recapitulated the age-related pattern found previously in human necropsy brains. Older 82-kDa ChAT-expressing mice presented with better age-related memory and inflammatory profiles. In summary, we established a novel transgenic mouse expressing 82-kDa ChAT that is valuable for studying the role of this primate-specific cholinergic enzyme in pathologies associated with cholinergic neuron vulnerability and dysfunction.
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Rudnicka-Drożak E, Drożak P, Mizerski G, Zaborowski T, Ślusarska B, Nowicki G, Drożak M. Links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease-What Do We Already Know? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2146. [PMID: 36767513 PMCID: PMC9915236 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a life-changing condition whose etiology is explained by several hypotheses. Recently, a new virus contributed to the evidence of viral involvement in AD: the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. AD was found to be one of the most common COVID-19 comorbidities, and it was found to increase mortality from this disease as well. Moreover, AD patients were observed to present with the distinct clinical features of COVID-19, with delirium being prevalent in this group. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters host cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 is overexpressed in brains with AD, which thus increases the viral invasion. Furthermore, the inhibition of the ACE2 receptor by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may also decrease the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), contributing to neurodegeneration. The ApoE ε4 allele, which increases the risk of AD, was found to facilitate the SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Furthermore, the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress existing in AD patients enhance the inflammatory response associated with COVID-19. Moreover, pandemic and associated social distancing measures negatively affected the mental health, cognitive function, and neuro-psychiatric symptoms of AD patients. This review comprehensively covers the links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, including clinical presentation, molecular mechanisms, and the effects of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Rudnicka-Drożak
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Drożak
- Student Scientific Society, Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Mizerski
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Zaborowski
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Ślusarska
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Nowicki
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Martyna Drożak
- Student Scientific Society, Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
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Liu X, Zeng Q, Luo X, Li K, Xu X, Hong L, Li J, Guan X, Xu X, Huang P, Zhang M. Effects of APOE ε2 allele on basal forebrain functional connectivity in mild cognitive impairment. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:597-608. [PMID: 36468416 PMCID: PMC9873529 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Basal forebrain cholinergic system (BFCS) dysfunction is associated with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε2 is a protective genetic factor in AD and MCI, and cholinergic sprouting depends on APOE. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effect of the APOE ε2 allele on BFCS functional connectivity (FC) in cognitively normal (CN) subjects and MCI patients. METHOD We included 60 MCI patients with APOE ε3/ε3, 18 MCI patients with APOE ε2/ε3, 73 CN subjects with APOE ε3/ε3, and 36 CN subjects with APOE ε2/ε3 genotypes who had resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative. We used BFCS subregions (Ch1-3 and Ch4) as seeds and calculated the FC with other brain areas. Using a mixed-effect analysis, we explored the interaction effects of APOE ε2 allele × cognitive status on BFCS-FC. Furthermore, we examined the relationships between imaging metrics, cognitive abilities, and AD pathology markers, controlling for sex, age, and education as covariates. RESULTS An interaction effect on functional connectivity was found between the right Ch4 (RCh4) and left insula (p < 0.05, corrected), and between the RCh4 and left Rolandic operculum (p < 0.05, corrected). Among all subjects and APOE ε2 carriers, RCh4-left Insula FC was associated with early tau deposition. Furthermore, no correlation was found between imaging metrics and amyloid burden. Among all subjects and APOE ε2 carriers, FC metrics were associated with cognitive performance. CONCLUSION The APOE ε2 genotype may play a protective role during BFCS degeneration in MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocao Liu
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Qingze Zeng
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Luwei Hong
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Jixuan Li
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaojun Guan
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Xiaojun Xu
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Peiyu Huang
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
| | - Min‐Ming Zhang
- Department of RadiologyThe 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhouChina
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12
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Dunlop SR, Ayala I, Spencer C, Flanagan ME, Mesulam MM, Gefen T, Geula C. Resistance of Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons to TDP-43 Proteinopathy in Primary Progressive Aphasia. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2022; 81:910-919. [PMID: 36111818 PMCID: PMC9582786 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlac079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) display accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles and degeneration in Alzheimer disease and are targets of therapeutic intervention. This study determined vulnerability of BFCN to accumulation of TDP-43 in primary progressive aphasia with TDP-43 proteinopathy (PPA-TDP). Brains from 16 PPA participants with pathologically confirmed TDP-43 proteinopathy, with available paraffin-embedded sections (Group 1), or systematically sampled frozen sections (Group 2), were studied. Immunohistochemistry was performed with an antibody against phosphorylated TDP-43. BFCN were identified by their magnocellular appearance in Nissl preparations. Presence of TDP-43 inclusions and preinclusions in BFCN was determined and quantitative analysis was performed in Group 2. In Group 1, BFCN were completely free of inclusions except for occasional dystrophic neurites. Sparse TDP-43 preinclusions with smooth or granular staining in BFCN were detected. In Group 2, extremely rare TDP-43 intranuclear inclusions were detected in 0.1% of BFCN per section, along with occasional dystrophic neurites. Although sparse, significantly more preinclusions (1.4% of BFCN) were present when compared with inclusions. No hemispheric differences were noted. Small neurons near BFCN contained more preinclusions compared with BFCN. Thus, BFCN in PPA-TDP are resistant to TDP-43 proteinopathy and degeneration, suggesting that cholinergic therapy is unlikely to be effective in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rose Dunlop
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ivan Ayala
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Callen Spencer
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Margaret E Flanagan
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marek-Marsel Mesulam
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tamar Gefen
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Changiz Geula
- From the Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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13
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Unraveling axonal mechanisms of traumatic brain injury. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:140. [PMID: 36131329 PMCID: PMC9494812 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal swellings (AS) are one of the neuropathological hallmark of axonal injury in several disorders from trauma to neurodegeneration. Current evidence proposes a role of perturbed Ca2+ homeostasis in AS formation, involving impaired axonal transport and focal distension of the axons. Mechanisms of AS formation, in particular moments following injury, however, remain unknown. Here we show that AS form independently from intra-axonal Ca2+ changes, which are required primarily for the persistence of AS in time. We further show that the majority of axonal proteins undergoing de/phosphorylation immediately following injury belong to the cytoskeleton. This correlates with an increase in the distance of the actin/spectrin periodic rings and with microtubule tracks remodeling within AS. Observed cytoskeletal rearrangements support axonal transport without major interruptions. Our results demonstrate that the earliest axonal response to injury consists in physiological adaptations of axonal structure to preserve function rather than in immediate pathological events signaling axonal destruction.
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14
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Meng D, Mohammadi-Nejad AR, Sotiropoulos SN, Auer DP. Anticholinergic drugs and forebrain magnetic resonance imaging changes in cognitively normal people and those with mild cognitive impairment. Eur J Neurol 2022; 29:1344-1353. [PMID: 35129272 PMCID: PMC9304308 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Background and purpose Anticholinergic (AC) medication use is associated with cognitive decline and dementia, which may be related to an AC‐induced central hypocholinergic state, but the exact mechanisms remain to be understood. We aimed to further elucidate the putative link between AC drug prescription, cognition, and structural and functional impairment of the forebrain cholinergic nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM). Methods Cognitively normal (CN; n = 344) and mildly cognitively impaired (MCI; n = 224) Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Phase 3 participants with good quality 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging were included. Structural (regional gray matter [GM] density) and functional NBM integrity (functional connectivity [FC]) were compared between those on AC medication for > 1 year (AC+) and those without (AC−) in each condition. AC burden was classed as mild, moderate, or severe. Results MCI AC+ participants (0.55 ± 0.03) showed lower NBM GM density compared to MCI AC− participants (0.56 ± 0.03, p = 0.002), but there was no structural AC effect in CN. NBM FC was lower in CN AC+ versus CN AC− (3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 3.9 ± 0.6, p = 0.001), and in MCI AC+ versus MCI AC− (3.3 ± 0.2 vs. 3.7 ± 0.5, p < 0.001), with larger effect size in MCI. NBM FC partially mediated the association between AC medication burden and cognition. Conclusions Our findings provide novel support for a detrimental effect of mild AC medication on the forebrain cholinergic system characterized as functional central hypocholinergic that partially mediated AC‐related cognitive impairment. Moreover, structural tissue damage suggests neurodegeneration, and larger effect sizes in MCI point to enhanced susceptibility for AC medication in those at risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewen Meng
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ali-Reza Mohammadi-Nejad
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Stamatios N Sotiropoulos
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dorothee P Auer
- Radiological Sciences, Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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15
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Sultzer DL, Lim AC, Gordon HL, Yarns BC, Melrose RJ. Cholinergic receptor binding in unimpaired older adults, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease dementia. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:25. [PMID: 35130968 PMCID: PMC8819935 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00954-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholinergic neurotransmitter system dysfunction contributes to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease and other syndromes. However, the specific cholinergic mechanisms and brain structures involved, time course of alterations, and relationships with specific cognitive deficits are not well understood. METHODS This study included 102 older adults: 42 cognitively unimpaired (CU), 28 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 32 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. Each participant underwent a neuropsychological assessment. Regional brain α4β2 nicotinic cholinergic receptor binding (VT/fp) was measured using 2-[18F]fluoro-3-(2(S)azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (2FA) and PET imaging. Voxel-wise analyses of group differences were performed. Relationships between receptor binding and cognition, age, and cholinesterase inhibitor medication use were assessed using binding values in six prespecified regions of interest. RESULTS SPM analysis showed the group VT/fp binding differences in the bilateral entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, insula, anterior cingulate, thalamus, and basal ganglia (p < .05, FWE-corrected). Pairwise comparisons revealed lower binding in the AD group compared to the CU group in similar regions. Binding in the entorhinal cortex was lower in the MCI group than in the CU group; binding in the hippocampus was lower in the AD group than in the MCI group. AD participants taking cholinesterase inhibitor medication had lower 2FA binding in the bilateral hippocampus and thalamus compared to those not taking medication. In the CU group, age was negatively associated with 2FA binding in each region of interest (rs = - .33 to - .59, p < .05 for each, uncorrected). Attention, immediate recall, and delayed recall scores were inversely associated with 2FA binding in most regions across the full sample. In the combined group of CU and MCI participants, attention was inversely associated with 2FA binding in most regions, beyond the effect of hippocampal volume. CONCLUSIONS Nicotinic cholinergic receptor binding in specific limbic and subcortical regions is lower in MCI and further reduced in AD dementia, compared to CU older adults, and is related to cognitive deficits. Cognitive decline with age may be a consequence of reduced cholinergic receptor density or binding affinity that may also promote vulnerability to other Alzheimer's processes. Contemporary modification of the "cholinergic deficit" of aging and AD may reveal opportunities to prevent or improve clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Sultzer
- grid.417119.b0000 0001 0384 5381Psychiatry/Mental Health Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.266093.80000 0001 0668 7243Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, School of Medicine, and Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA USA
| | - Aaron C. Lim
- grid.417119.b0000 0001 0384 5381Psychiatry/Mental Health Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.42505.360000 0001 2156 6853Department of Family Medicine, USC Keck School of Medicine, Alhambra, CA USA
| | - Hailey L. Gordon
- grid.417119.b0000 0001 0384 5381Psychiatry/Mental Health Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.147455.60000 0001 2097 0344Biomedical Engineering Department, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Brandon C. Yarns
- grid.417119.b0000 0001 0384 5381Psychiatry/Mental Health Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Rebecca J. Melrose
- grid.417119.b0000 0001 0384 5381Psychiatry/Mental Health Service, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA USA ,grid.19006.3e0000 0000 9632 6718Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA USA
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16
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MacKenzie JL, Ivanova N, Nell HJ, Giordano CR, Terlecky SR, Agca C, Agca Y, Walton PA, Whitehead SN, Cechetto DF. Microglial inflammation and cognitive dysfunction in comorbid rat models of striatal ischemic stroke and alzheimer’s disease: effects of antioxidant catalase-SKL on behavioral and cellular pathology. Neuroscience 2022; 487:47-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.01.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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17
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Villa C, Rivellini E, Lavitrano M, Combi R. Can SARS-CoV-2 Infection Exacerbate Alzheimer's Disease? An Overview of Shared Risk Factors and Pathogenetic Mechanisms. J Pers Med 2022; 12:29. [PMID: 35055344 PMCID: PMC8780286 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2, is affecting every aspect of global society, including public healthcare systems, medical care access, and the economy. Although the respiratory tract is primarily affected by SARS-CoV-2, emerging evidence suggests that the virus may also reach the central nervous system (CNS), leading to several neurological issues. In particular, people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are a vulnerable group at high risk of contracting COVID-19, and develop more severe forms and worse outcomes, including death. Therefore, understanding shared links between COVID-19 and AD could aid the development of therapeutic strategies against both. Herein, we reviewed common risk factors and potential pathogenetic mechanisms that might contribute to the acceleration of neurodegenerative processes in AD patients infected by SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Eleonora Rivellini
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Marialuisa Lavitrano
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Romina Combi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy
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18
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Laczó M, Lerch O, Martinkovic L, Kalinova J, Markova H, Vyhnalek M, Hort J, Laczó J. Spatial Pattern Separation Testing Differentiates Alzheimer's Disease Biomarker-Positive and Biomarker-Negative Older Adults With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:774600. [PMID: 34899277 PMCID: PMC8662816 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.774600] [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: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The hippocampus, entorhinal cortex (EC), and basal forebrain (BF) are among the earliest regions affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology. They play an essential role in spatial pattern separation, a process critical for accurate discrimination between similar locations. Objective: We examined differences in spatial pattern separation performance between older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) with AD versus those with non-Alzheimer’s pathologic change (non-AD) and interrelations between volumes of the hippocampal, EC subregions and BF nuclei projecting to these subregions (medial septal nuclei and vertical limb of the diagonal band of Broca – Ch1-2 nuclei) with respect to performance. Methods: Hundred and eighteen older adults were recruited from the Czech Brain Aging Study. Participants with AD aMCI (n = 37), non-AD aMCI (n = 26), mild AD dementia (n = 26), and cognitively normal older adults (CN; n = 29) underwent spatial pattern separation testing, cognitive assessment and brain magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The AD aMCI group had less accurate spatial pattern separation performance than the non-AD aMCI (p = 0.039) and CN (p < 0.001) groups. The AD aMCI and non-AD groups did not differ in other cognitive tests. Decreased BF Ch1-2 volume was indirectly associated with worse performance through reduced hippocampal tail volume and reduced posteromedial EC and hippocampal tail or body volumes operating in serial. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that spatial pattern separation testing differentiates AD biomarker positive and negative older adults with aMCI and provides evidence that BF Ch1-2 nuclei influence spatial pattern separation through the posteromedial EC and the posterior hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Laczó
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Ondrej Lerch
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Lukas Martinkovic
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jana Kalinova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Hana Markova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martin Vyhnalek
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Laczó
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia.,International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
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19
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Qiu T, Zeng Q, Luo X, Xu T, Shen Z, Xu X, Wang C, Li K, Huang P, Li X, Xie F, Dai S, Zhang M. Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Resting-State Functional Connectivity of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert in Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:755630. [PMID: 34867281 PMCID: PMC8638702 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.755630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the prodromal phase of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and has a high risk of progression to AD. Cigarette smoking is one of the important modifiable risk factors in AD progression. Cholinergic dysfunction, especially the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), is the converging target connecting smoking and AD. However, how cigarette smoking affects NBM connectivity in MCI remains unclear. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the interaction effects of condition (non-smoking vs. smoking) and diagnosis [cognitively normal (CN) vs. MCI] based on the resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) of the NBM. Methods: After propensity score matching, we included 86 non-smoking CN, 44 smoking CN, 62 non-smoking MCI, and 32 smoking MCI. All subjects underwent structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging scans and neuropsychological tests. The seed-based rsFC of the NBM with the whole-brain voxel was calculated. Furthermore, the mixed effect analysis was performed to explore the interaction effects between condition and diagnosis on rsFC of the NBM. Results: The interaction effects of condition × diagnosis on rsFC of the NBM were observed in the bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC), bilateral supplementary motor area (SMA), and right precuneus/middle occipital gyrus (MOG). Specifically, the smoking CN showed decreased rsFC between left NBM and PFC and increased rsFC between left NBM and SMA compared with non-smoking CN and smoking MCI. The smoking MCI showed reduced rsFC between right NBM and precuneus/MOG compared with non-smoking MCI. Additionally, rsFC between the NBM and SMA showed a significant negative correlation with Wechsler Memory Scale-Logical Memory (WMS-LM) immediate recall in smoking CN (r = −0.321, p = 0.041). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that chronic nicotine exposure through smoking may lead to functional connectivity disruption between the NBM and precuneus in MCI patients. The distinct alteration patterns on NBM connectivity in CN smokers and MCI smokers suggest that cigarette smoking has different influences on normal and impaired cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Qiu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Qingze Zeng
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Tongcheng Xu
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Zhujing Shen
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaopei Xu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kaicheng Li
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peiyu Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Li
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Fei Xie
- Department of Equipment and Medical Engineering, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Shouping Dai
- Department of Radiology, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, China
| | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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20
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Kondak C, Riedel G, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Klein J. Hydromethylthionine enhancement of central cholinergic signalling is blocked by rivastigmine and memantine. J Neurochem 2021; 160:172-184. [PMID: 34855998 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevention of tau protein aggregations is a therapeutic goal for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and hydromethylthionine (HMT) (also known as leucomethylthioninium-mesylate [LMTM]), is a potent inhibitor of tau aggregation in vitro and in vivo. In two Phase 3 clinical trials in AD, HMT had greater pharmacological activity on clinical endpoints in patients not receiving approved symptomatic treatments for AD (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and/or memantine) despite different mechanisms of action. To investigate this drug interaction in an animal model, we used tau-transgenic L1 and wild-type NMRI mice treated with rivastigmine or memantine prior to adding HMT, and measured changes in hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) by microdialysis. HMT given alone doubled hippocampal ACh levels in both mouse lines and increased stimulated ACh release induced by exploration of the open field or by infusion of scopolamine. Rivastigmine increased ACh release in both mouse lines, whereas memantine was more active in tau-transgenic L1 mice. Importantly, our study revealed a negative interaction between HMT and symptomatic AD drugs: the HMT effect was completely eliminated in mice that had been pre-treated with either rivastigmine or memantine. Rivastigmine was found to inhibit AChE, whereas HMT and memantine had no effects on AChE or on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The interactions observed in this study demonstrate that HMT enhances cholinergic activity in mouse brain by a mechanism of action unrelated to AChE inhibition. Our findings establish that the drug interaction that was first observed clinically has a neuropharmacological basis and is not restricted to animals with tau aggregation pathology. Given the importance of the cholinergic system for memory function, the potential for commonly used AD drugs to interfere with the treatment effects of disease-modifying drugs needs to be taken into account in the design of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Kondak
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.,Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Jochen Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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21
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Gonzalez S, McHugh TLM, Yang T, Syriani W, Massa SM, Longo FM, Simmons DA. Small molecule modulation of TrkB and TrkC neurotrophin receptors prevents cholinergic neuron atrophy in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model at an advanced pathological stage. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105563. [PMID: 34838668 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) and vertical diagonal band (VDB) along with their connections is a key pathological event leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aberrant neurotrophin signaling via Trks and the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) contributes importantly to BFCN dystrophy. While NGF/TrkA signaling has received the most attention in this regard, TrkB and TrkC signaling also provide trophic support to BFCNs and these receptors may be well located to preserve BFCN connectivity. We previously identified a small molecule TrkB/TrkC ligand, LM22B-10, that promotes cell survival and neurite outgrowth in vitro and activates TrkB/TrkC signaling in the hippocampus of aged mice when given intranasally, but shows poor oral bioavailability. An LM22B-10 derivative, PTX-BD10-2, with improved oral bioavailability has been developed and this study examined its effects on BFCN atrophy in the hAPPLond/Swe (APPL/S) AD mouse model. Oral delivery of PTX-BD10-2 was started after appreciable amyloid and cholinergic pathology was present to parallel the clinical context, as most AD patients start treatment at advanced pathological stages. PTX-BD10-2 restored cholinergic neurite integrity in the NBM and VDB, and reduced NBM neuronal atrophy in symptomatic APPL/S mice. Dystrophy of cholinergic neurites in BF target regions, including the cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, was also reduced with treatment. Finally, PTX-BD10-2 reduced NBM tau pathology and improved the survival of cholinergic neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) after amyloid-β exposure. These data provide evidence that targeting TrkB and TrkC signaling with PTX-BD10-2 may be an effective disease-modifying strategy for combating cholinergic dysfunction in AD. The potential for clinical translation is further supported by the compound's reduction of AD-related degenerative processes that have progressed beyond early stages and its neuroprotective effects in human iPSC-derived cholinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selena Gonzalez
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tyne L M McHugh
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Wassim Syriani
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Stephen M Massa
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory for Computational Neurochemistry and Drug Discovery, Veterans Affairs Health Care System and Department of Neurology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94121, United States of America
| | - Frank M Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America
| | - Danielle A Simmons
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, United States of America.
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22
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Geula C, Dunlop SR, Ayala I, Kawles AS, Flanagan ME, Gefen T, Mesulam MM. Basal forebrain cholinergic system in the dementias: Vulnerability, resilience, and resistance. J Neurochem 2021; 158:1394-1411. [PMID: 34272732 PMCID: PMC8458251 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) provide the primary source of cholinergic innervation of the human cerebral cortex. They are involved in the cognitive processes of learning, memory, and attention. These neurons are differentially vulnerable in various neuropathologic entities that cause dementia. This review summarizes the relevance to BFCN of neuropathologic markers associated with dementias, including the plaques and tangles of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the Lewy bodies of diffuse Lewy body disease, the tauopathy of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TAU) and the TDP-43 proteinopathy of FTLD-TDP. Each of these proteinopathies has a different relationship to BFCN and their corticofugal axons. Available evidence points to early and substantial degeneration of the BFCN in AD and diffuse Lewy body disease. In AD, the major neurodegenerative correlate is accumulation of phosphotau in neurofibrillary tangles. However, these neurons are less vulnerable to the tauopathy of FTLD. An intriguing finding is that the intracellular tau of AD causes destruction of the BFCN, whereas that of FTLD does not. This observation has profound implications for exploring the impact of different species of tauopathy on neuronal survival. The proteinopathy of FTLD-TDP shows virtually no abnormal inclusions within the BFCN. Thus, the BFCN are highly vulnerable to the neurodegenerative effects of tauopathy in AD, resilient to the neurodegenerative effect of tauopathy in FTLD and apparently resistant to the emergence of proteinopathy in FTLD-TDP and perhaps also in Pick's disease. Investigations are beginning to shed light on the potential mechanisms of this differential vulnerability and their implications for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changiz Geula
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sara R Dunlop
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ivan Ayala
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Allegra S Kawles
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Margaret E Flanagan
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Marek-Marsel Mesulam
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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23
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Gasiorowska A, Wydrych M, Drapich P, Zadrozny M, Steczkowska M, Niewiadomski W, Niewiadomska G. The Biology and Pathobiology of Glutamatergic, Cholinergic, and Dopaminergic Signaling in the Aging Brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:654931. [PMID: 34326765 PMCID: PMC8315271 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.654931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The elderly population is growing worldwide, with important health and socioeconomic implications. Clinical and experimental studies on aging have uncovered numerous changes in the brain, such as decreased neurogenesis, increased synaptic defects, greater metabolic stress, and enhanced inflammation. These changes are associated with cognitive decline and neurobehavioral deficits. Although aging is not a disease, it is a significant risk factor for functional worsening, affective impairment, disease exaggeration, dementia, and general disease susceptibility. Conversely, life events related to mental stress and trauma can also lead to accelerated age-associated disorders and dementia. Here, we review human studies and studies on mice and rats, such as those modeling human neurodegenerative diseases, that have helped elucidate (1) the dynamics and mechanisms underlying the biological and pathological aging of the main projecting systems in the brain (glutamatergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic) and (2) the effect of defective glutamatergic, cholinergic, and dopaminergic projection on disabilities associated with aging and neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Detailed knowledge of the mechanisms of age-related diseases can be an important element in the development of effective ways of treatment. In this context, we briefly analyze which adverse changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases in the cholinergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic systems could be targeted by therapeutic strategies developed as a result of our better understanding of these damaging mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gasiorowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Wydrych
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Patrycja Drapich
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Zadrozny
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Marta Steczkowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wiktor Niewiadomski
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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24
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Martinez JL, Zammit MD, West NR, Christian BT, Bhattacharyya A. Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons: Linking Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:703876. [PMID: 34322015 PMCID: PMC8311593 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.703876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21) is characterized by intellectual impairment at birth and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in middle age. As individuals with DS age, their cognitive functions decline as they develop AD pathology. The susceptibility to degeneration of a subset of neurons, known as basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), in DS and AD is a critical link between cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in both disorders. BFCNs are the primary source of cholinergic innervation to the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, as well as the amygdala. They play a critical role in the processing of information related to cognitive function and are directly engaged in regulating circuits of attention and memory throughout the lifespan. Given the importance of BFCNs in attention and memory, it is not surprising that these neurons contribute to dysfunctional neuronal circuitry in DS and are vulnerable in adults with DS and AD, where their degeneration leads to memory loss and disturbance in language. BFCNs are thus a relevant cell target for therapeutics for both DS and AD but, despite some success, efforts in this area have waned. There are gaps in our knowledge of BFCN vulnerability that preclude our ability to effectively design interventions. Here, we review the role of BFCN function and degeneration in AD and DS and identify under-studied aspects of BFCN biology. The current gaps in BFCN relevant imaging studies, therapeutics, and human models limit our insight into the mechanistic vulnerability of BFCNs in individuals with DS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Martinez
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Matthew D Zammit
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Nicole R West
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Bradley T Christian
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Anita Bhattacharyya
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States.,Department of Cellular and Regenerative Biology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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25
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Falangola MF, Nie X, Ward R, Dhiman S, Voltin J, Nietert PJ, Jensen JH. Diffusion MRI detects basal forebrain cholinergic abnormalities in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Magn Reson Imaging 2021; 83:1-13. [PMID: 34229088 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2021.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Degeneration of the basal forebrain (BF) is detected early in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Reduction in the number of BF cholinergic (ChAT) neurons associated with age-related hippocampal cholinergic neuritic dystrophy is described in the 3xTg-AD mouse model; however, no prior diffusion MRI (dMRI) study has explored the presence of BF alterations in this model. Here we investigated the ability of diffusion MRI (dMRI) to detect abnormalities in BF microstructure for the 3xTg-AD mouse model, along with related pathology in the hippocampus (HP) and white matter (WM) tracks comprising the septo-hippocampal pathway. 3xTg-AD and normal control (NC) mice were imaged in vivo using the specific dMRI technique known as diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) at 2, 8, and 15 months of age, and 8 dMRI parameters were measured at each time point. Our results revealed significant lower dMRI values in the BF of 2 months-old 3xTg-AD mice compared with NC mice, most likely related to the increased number of ChAT neurons seen in this AD mouse model at this age. They also showed significant age-related dMRI changes in the BF of both groups between 2 and 8 months of age, mainly a decrease in fractional anisotropy and axial diffusivity, and an increase in radial kurtosis. These dMRI changes in the BF may be reflecting the complex aging and pathological microstructural changes described in this region. Group differences and age-related changes were also observed in the HP, fimbria (Fi) and fornix (Fx). In the HP, diffusivity values were significantly higher in the 2 months-old 3xTg-AD mice, and the HP of NC mice showed a significant increase in axial kurtosis after 8 months, reflecting a normal pattern of increased fiber density complexity, which was not seen in the 3xTg-AD mice. In the Fi, mean and radial diffusivity values were significantly higher, and fractional anisotropy, radial kurtosis and kurtosis fractional anisotropy were significantly lower in the 2 months-old 3xTg-AD mice. The age trajectories for both NC and TG mice in the Fi and Fx were similar between 2 and 8 months, but after 8 months there was a significant decrease in diffusivity metrics associated with an increase in kurtosis metrics in the 3xTg-AD mice. These later HP, Fi and Fx dMRI changes probably reflect the growing number of dystrophic neurites and AD pathology progression in the HP, accompanied by WM disruption in the septo-hippocampal pathway. Our results demonstrate that dMRI can detect early cytoarchitectural abnormalities in the BF, as well as related aging and neurodegenerative changes in the HP, Fi and Fx of the 3xTg-AD mice. Since DKI is widely available on clinical scanners, these results also support the potential of the considered dMRI parameters as in vivo biomarkers for AD disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Fatima Falangola
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
| | - Xingju Nie
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Ralph Ward
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Siddhartha Dhiman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Joshua Voltin
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Paul J Nietert
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Jens H Jensen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Center for Biomedical Imaging, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA; Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
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26
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Disrupted metabolic connectivity in dopaminergic and cholinergic networks at different stages of dementia from 18F-FDG PET brain persistent homology network. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5396. [PMID: 33686089 PMCID: PMC7940645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84722-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Dementia is related to the cellular accumulation of β-amyloid plaques, tau aggregates, or α-synuclein aggregates, or to neurotransmitter deficiencies in the dopaminergic and cholinergic pathways. Cellular and neurochemical changes are both involved in dementia pathology. However, the role of dopaminergic and cholinergic networks in metabolic connectivity at different stages of dementia remains unclear. The altered network organisation of the human brain characteristic of many neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders can be detected using persistent homology network (PHN) analysis and algebraic topology. We used 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) imaging data to construct dopaminergic and cholinergic metabolism networks, and used PHN analysis to track the evolution of these networks in patients with different stages of dementia. The sums of the network distances revealed significant differences between the network connectivity evident in the Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment cohorts. A larger distance between brain regions can indicate poorer efficiency in the integration of information. PHN analysis revealed the structural properties of and changes in the dopaminergic and cholinergic metabolism networks in patients with different stages of dementia at a range of thresholds. This method was thus able to identify dysregulation of dopaminergic and cholinergic networks in the pathology of dementia.
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27
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Triaca V, Ruberti F, Canu N. NGF and the Amyloid Precursor Protein in Alzheimer's Disease: From Molecular Players to Neuronal Circuits. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1331:145-165. [PMID: 34453297 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-74046-7_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most common causes of dementia in elderly people, is characterized by progressive impairment in cognitive function, early degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), abnormal metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), amyloid beta-peptide (Aβ) depositions, and neurofibrillary tangles. According to the cholinergic hypothesis, dysfunction of acetylcholine-containing neurons in the basal forebrain contributes markedly to the cognitive decline observed in AD. In addition, the neurotrophic factor hypothesis posits that the loss nerve growth factor (NGF) signalling in AD may account for the vulnerability to atrophy of BFCNs and consequent impairment of cholinergic functions. Though acetylcholinesterase inhibitors provide only partial and symptomatic relief to AD patients, emerging data from in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD patients highlight the early involvement of BFCNs in MCI and the early phase of AD. These data support the cholinergic and neurotrophic hypotheses of AD and suggest new targets for AD therapy.Different mechanisms account for selective vulnerability of BFCNs to AD pathology, with regard to altered metabolism of APP and tau. In this review, we provide a general overview of the current knowledge of NGF and APP interplay, focusing on the role of APP in regulating NGF receptors trafficking/signalling and on the involvement of NGF in modulating phosphorylation of APP, which in turn controls APP intracellular trafficking and processing. Moreover, we highlight the consequences of APP interaction with p75NTR and TrkA receptor, which share the same binding site within the APP juxta-membrane domain. We underline the importance of insulin dysmetabolism in AD pathology, in the light of our recent data showing that overlapping intracellular signalling pathways stimulated by NGF or insulin can be compensatory. In particular, NGF-based signalling is able to ameliorates deficiencies in insulin signalling in the medial septum of 3×Tg-AD mice. Finally, we present an overview of NGF-regulated microRNAs (miRNAs). These small non-coding RNAs are involved in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression , and we focus on a subset that are specifically deregulated in AD and thus potentially contribute to its pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Triaca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Francesca Ruberti
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo, RM, Italy
| | - Nadia Canu
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Campus A. Buzzati-Traverso, Monterotondo, RM, Italy. .,Department of System Medicine, Section of Physiology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome, Italy.
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28
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Mimura Y, Nishida H, Nakajima S, Tsugawa S, Morita S, Yoshida K, Tarumi R, Ogyu K, Wada M, Kurose S, Miyazaki T, Blumberger DM, Daskalakis ZJ, Chen R, Mimura M, Noda Y. Neurophysiological biomarkers using transcranial magnetic stimulation in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:47-59. [PMID: 33307047 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive neurophysiological tool that enables the investigation of cortical excitability in the human brain. Paired-pulse TMS paradigms include short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI/LICI), intracortical facilitation (ICF), and short-latency afferent inhibition (SAI), which can assess neurophysiological functions of GABAergic, glutamatergic, and cholinergic neural circuits, respectively. We conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis to compare these TMS indices among patients with AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and healthy controls (HC). Our meta-analyses indicated that RMT, SAI, SICI, and LICI were significantly lower in patients with AD, while ICF did not show a difference in patients with AD compared with HC. In patients with MCI, RMT and SAI were significantly lower than in HC. In conclusion, motor cortical excitability was increased, while cholinergic function was decreased in AD and MCI in comparison with HC and patients with AD had decreased GABAergic and glutamatergic functions compared with HC. Our results warrant further studies to differentiate AD, MCI, and HC, employing multimodal TMS neurophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hana Nishida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Multimodal Imaging Group, Research Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Sakiko Tsugawa
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Morita
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazunari Yoshida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Pharmacogenetics Research Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ryosuke Tarumi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kamiyu Ogyu
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masataka Wada
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin Kurose
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahiro Miyazaki
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daniel M Blumberger
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zafiris J Daskalakis
- Temerty Centre for Therapeutic Brain Intervention, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robert Chen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour - Systems Neuroscience, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Noda
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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29
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Wilson EN, Do Carmo S, Welikovitch LA, Hall H, Aguilar LF, Foret MK, Iulita MF, Jia DT, Marks AR, Allard S, Emmerson JT, Ducatenzeiler A, Cuello AC. NP03, a Microdose Lithium Formulation, Blunts Early Amyloid Post-Plaque Neuropathology in McGill-R-Thy1-APP Alzheimer-Like Transgenic Rats. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 73:723-739. [PMID: 31868669 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological, preclinical, and clinical studies have suggested a role for microdose lithium in reducing Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk by modulating key mechanisms associated with AD pathology. The novel microdose lithium formulation, NP03, has disease-modifying effects in the McGill-R-Thy1-APP transgenic rat model of AD-like amyloidosis at pre-plaque stages, before frank amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposition, during which Aβ is primarily intraneuronal. Here, we are interested in determining whether the positive effects of microdose lithium extend into early Aβ post-plaque stages. We administered NP03 (40μg Li/kg; 1 ml/kg body weight) to McGill-R-Thy1-APP transgenic rats for 12 weeks spanning the transition phase from plaque-free to plaque-bearing. The effect of NP03 on remote working memory was assessed using the novel object recognition task. Levels of human Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 as well as levels of pro-inflammatory mediators were measured in brain-extracts and plasma using electrochemiluminescent assays. Mature Aβ plaques were visualized with a thioflavin-S staining. Vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) bouton density and levels of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) were probed using quantitative immunohistochemistry. During the early Aβ post-plaque stage, we find that NP03 rescues functional deficits in object recognition, reduces loss of cholinergic boutons in the hippocampus, reduces levels of soluble and insoluble cortical Aβ42 and reduces hippocampal Aβ plaque number. In addition, NP03 reduces markers of neuroinflammation and cellular oxidative stress. Together these results indicate that microdose lithium NP03 is effective at later stages of amyloid pathology, after appearance of Aβ plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward N Wilson
- Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Hélène Hall
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Morgan K Foret
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Dan Tong Jia
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Adam R Marks
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Simon Allard
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joshua T Emmerson
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - A Claudio Cuello
- Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom (Visiting Professorship)
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30
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Hanna Al-Shaikh FS, Duara R, Crook JE, Lesser ER, Schaeverbeke J, Hinkle KM, Ross OA, Ertekin-Taner N, Pedraza O, Dickson DW, Graff-Radford NR, Murray ME. Selective Vulnerability of the Nucleus Basalis of Meynert Among Neuropathologic Subtypes of Alzheimer Disease. JAMA Neurol 2020; 77:225-233. [PMID: 31657834 PMCID: PMC6820048 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2019.3606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Importance Corticolimbic patterns of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) accumulation define neuropathologic subtypes of Alzheimer disease (AD), which underlie the clinical heterogeneity observed antemortem. The cholinergic system, which is the target of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor therapy, is selectively vulnerable in AD. Objective To investigate the major source of cholinergic innervation, the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM), in order to determine whether there is differential involvement of NFT accumulation or neuronal loss among AD subtypes. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cross-sectional study, retrospective abstraction of clinical records and quantitative assessment of NFTs and neuron counts in the nbM was completed in January 2019 at the Mayo Clinic using the Florida Autopsied Multi-Ethnic (FLAME) cohort, which had been accessioned from 1991 until 2015. The FLAME cohort is derived from the deeded autopsy program funded throughout the State of Florida's memory disorder clinic referral services. Of the 2809 consecutively accessioned FLAME cohort, 1464 were identified as neuropathologically diagnosed AD cases and nondemented normal controls available for clinicopathologic assessment. Quantification of NFTs and neuronal density in the anterior nbM was performed blinded to neuropathologic groupings. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographic and clinical characteristics, including cognitive decline measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination score (range, 0-30), were evaluated. The anterior nbM was investigated quantitatively for neuronal loss and NFT accumulation. Results In total, 1361 AD subtypes and 103 nondemented controls were assessed. The median (interquartile range) age at death was 72 (66-80) years in hippocampal sparing (HpSp) AD, 81 (76-86) years in typical AD, and 86 (82-90) years in limbic predominant AD. The median (interquartile range) count per 0.125 mm2 of thioflavin S-positive NFTs was highest in the nbM of HpSp AD (14 [9-20]; n = 163), lower in typical AD (10 [5-16]; n = 937), and lowest in limbic predominant AD (8 [5-11], n = 163) (P < .001). The median (interquartile range) neuronal density per millimeters squared was lowest in HpSp AD cases (22 [17-28]; n = 148), higher in typical AD (25 [19-30]; n = 727), and highest in limbic predominant AD (26 [19-32]; n = 127) (P = .002). Multivariable regression modeling of clinical and demographic variables was performed to assess overlap in NFT accumulation and neuronal density differences among AD subtypes. Higher NFT accumulation in the nbM was associated with younger age at onset for HpSp AD (β, -1.5; 95% CI, -2.9 to -0.15; P = .03) and typical AD (β, -3.2; 95% CI, -3.9 to -2.4; P < .001). In addition, higher NFT accumulation in the nbM of typical AD cases was associated with female sex (β, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.4-3.5; P < .001), apolipoprotein E ε4 allele (β, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.15-2.5; P = .03), and lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores (β, -1.8; 95% CI, -3.2 to -0.31; P = .02). Demographic and clinical progression variables were not associated with NFT accumulation in the nbM of limbic predominant AD cases. Conclusions and Relevance These data provide supportive evidence that NFT accumulation in the nbM may underlie more widespread and severe cholinergic deficits in young-onset AD, in particular in patients with HpSp AD. Moreover, these findings underscore the importance of considering age at onset, sex, and apolipoprotein E genotype when assessing outcomes in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ranjan Duara
- Wien Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami Beach, Florida
| | - Julia E Crook
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Elizabeth R Lesser
- Department of Health Sciences Research, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | | | - Kelly M Hinkle
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Owen A Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Nilufer Ertekin-Taner
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.,Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
| | - Otto Pedraza
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida
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Alzheimer's Disease as a Result of Stimulus Reduction in a GABA-A-Deficient Brain: A Neurocomputational Model. Neural Plast 2020; 2020:8895369. [PMID: 33123190 PMCID: PMC7582082 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8895369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several research studies point to the fact that sensory and cognitive reductions like cataracts, deafness, macular degeneration, or even lack of activity after job retirement, precede the onset of Alzheimer's disease. To simulate Alzheimer's disease earlier stages, which manifest in sensory cortices, we used a computational model of the koniocortex that is the first cortical stage processing sensory information. The architecture and physiology of the modeled koniocortex resemble those of its cerebral counterpart being capable of continuous learning. This model allows one to analyze the initial phases of Alzheimer's disease by “aging” the artificial koniocortex through synaptic pruning, by the modification of acetylcholine and GABA-A signaling, and by reducing sensory stimuli, among other processes. The computational model shows that during aging, a GABA-A deficit followed by a reduction in sensory stimuli leads to a dysregulation of neural excitability, which in the biological brain is associated with hypermetabolism, one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
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Chavushyan V, Soghomonyan A, Karapetyan G, Simonyan K, Yenkoyan K. Disruption of Cholinergic Circuits as an Area for Targeted Drug Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: In Vivo Assessment of Short-Term Plasticity in Rat Brain. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2020; 13:ph13100297. [PMID: 33050228 PMCID: PMC7600922 DOI: 10.3390/ph13100297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The search for new therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is still in progress. Aberrant pathways of synaptic transmission in basal forebrain cholinergic neural circuits are thought to be associated with the progression of AD. However, the effect of amyloid-beta (Aβ) on short-term plasticity (STP) of cholinergic circuits in the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) is largely unknown. STP assessment in rat brain cholinergic circuitry may indicate a new target for AD cholinergic therapeutics. Thus, we aimed to study in vivo electrophysiological patterns of synaptic activity in NBM-hippocampus and NBM-basolateral amygdala circuits associated with AD-like neurodegeneration. The extracellular single-unit recordings of responses from the hippocampal and basolateral amygdala neurons to high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of the NBM were performed after intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ 25–35. We found that after Aβ 25–35 exposure the number of hippocampal neurons exhibiting inhibitory responses to HFS of NBM is decreased. The reverse tendency was seen in the basolateral amygdala inhibitory neural populations, whereas the number of amygdala neurons with excitatory responses decreased. The low intensity of inhibitory and excitatory responses during HFS and post-stimulus period is probably due to the anomalous basal synaptic transmission and excitability of hippocampal and amygdala neurons. These functional changes were accompanied by structural alteration of hippocampal, amygdala, and NBM neurons. We have thus demonstrated that Aβ 25–35 induces STP disruption in NBM-hippocampus and NBM-basolateral amygdala circuits as manifested by unbalanced excitatory/inhibitory responses and their frequency. The results of this study may contribute to a better understanding of synaptic integrity. We believe that advancing our understanding of in vivo mechanisms of synaptic plasticity disruption in specific neural circuits could lead to effective drug searches for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vergine Chavushyan
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia; (V.C.); (A.S.); (G.K.)
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Relations, L. Orbeli Institute of Physiology of NAS, Yerevan 0028, Armenia;
| | - Ani Soghomonyan
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia; (V.C.); (A.S.); (G.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Gohar Karapetyan
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia; (V.C.); (A.S.); (G.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Karen Simonyan
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Relations, L. Orbeli Institute of Physiology of NAS, Yerevan 0028, Armenia;
| | - Konstantin Yenkoyan
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia; (V.C.); (A.S.); (G.K.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Yerevan State Medical University after M. Heratsi, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +374-11-621-074
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Lamerand S, Shahidehpour R, Ayala I, Gefen T, Mesulam MM, Bigio E, Geula C. Calbindin-D 28K, parvalbumin, and calretinin in young and aged human locus coeruleus. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 94:243-249. [PMID: 32663717 PMCID: PMC7483964 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Certain neuronal populations, including basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) and noradrenergic neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC), are selectively vulnerable to pathology and loss early in the course of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Human BFCN show substantial loss of the calcium-binding protein (CBP), calbindin-D28K (CB), during normal aging, which is associated with formation of neurofibrillary tangles and BFCN loss in AD. Here we determined if, similar to the BFCN, LC neurons contain CB or the other 2 ubiquitous CBPs parvalbumin and calretinin, and whether these proteins display an age-related loss from LC neurons. Immunostaining for CBP and tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker of catecholaminergic neurons, was used in sections from the LC of young and aged human brains. Parvalbumin and calretinin immunoreactivities were completely absent from human LC neurons. A subpopulation of LC neurons (~10%) contained CB immunoreactivity. Quantitative analysis revealed no age-related loss of CB from LC neurons. Thus, unlike the BFCN, age-related loss of CB does not figure prominently in the selective vulnerability of LC neurons to degeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Lamerand
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ryan Shahidehpour
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ivan Ayala
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - M-Marsel Mesulam
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eileen Bigio
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Changiz Geula
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Martínez-Cué C, Rueda N. Signalling Pathways Implicated in Alzheimer's Disease Neurodegeneration in Individuals with and without Down Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6906. [PMID: 32962300 PMCID: PMC7555886 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS), the most common cause of intellectual disability of genetic origin, is characterized by alterations in central nervous system morphology and function that appear from early prenatal stages. However, by the fourth decade of life, all individuals with DS develop neuropathology identical to that found in sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD), including the development of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles due to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, loss of neurons and synapses, reduced neurogenesis, enhanced oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation. It has been proposed that DS could be a useful model for studying the etiopathology of AD and to search for therapeutic targets. There is increasing evidence that the neuropathological events associated with AD are interrelated and that many of them not only are implicated in the onset of this pathology but are also a consequence of other alterations. Thus, a feedback mechanism exists between them. In this review, we summarize the signalling pathways implicated in each of the main neuropathological aspects of AD in individuals with and without DS as well as the interrelation of these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Martínez-Cué
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, 39011 Santander, Spain;
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35
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Use of Light Therapy for Insomnia in the Elderly: Role of Circadian Rhythm Disorders. CURRENT SLEEP MEDICINE REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40675-020-00181-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Teipel SJ, Fritz HC, Grothe MJ. Neuropathologic features associated with basal forebrain atrophy in Alzheimer disease. Neurology 2020; 95:e1301-e1311. [PMID: 32631924 PMCID: PMC7538215 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000010192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the neuropathologic correlates of cholinergic basal forebrain (BF) atrophy as determined using antemortem MRI in the Alzheimer disease (AD) spectrum. METHODS We determined associations between BF volume from antemortem MRI brain scans and postmortem assessment of neuropathologic features, including neuritic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), Lewy body (LB) pathology, and TDP-43, in 64 cases of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort. For comparison, we assessed neuropathologic features associated with hippocampal and parahippocampal gyrus atrophy. In addition to region of interest-based analysis, we determined the association of neuropathologic features with whole brain gray matter volume using regionally unbiased voxel-based volumetry. RESULTS BF atrophy was associated with Thal amyloid phases (95% confidence interval [CI] -0.49 to -0.01, p = 0.049) and presence of LB pathology (95% CI -0.54 to -0.06, p = 0.015), as well as with the degree of LB pathology within the nucleus basalis Meynert (95% CI -0.54 to -0.07, p = 0.025). These effects were no longer significant after false discovery rate (FDR) correction. Hippocampal atrophy was significantly associated with the presence of TDP-43 pathology (95% CI -0.61 to -0.17, p = 0.003; surviving FDR correction), in addition to dentate gyrus NFT load (95% CI -0.49 to -0.01, p = 0.044; uncorrected). Voxel-based analysis confirmed spatially restricted effects of Thal phases and presence of LB pathology on BF volume. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that neuropathologic correlates of regional atrophy differ substantially between different brain regions that are typically involved in AD-related neurodegeneration, including different susceptibilities to common comorbid pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan J Teipel
- From the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (S.J.T., M.J.G.); Department of Psychosomatic Medicine (S.J.T., H.-C.F.), University Medicine Rostock, Germany; and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS) (M.J.G.), Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Spain.
| | - H-Christian Fritz
- From the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (S.J.T., M.J.G.); Department of Psychosomatic Medicine (S.J.T., H.-C.F.), University Medicine Rostock, Germany; and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS) (M.J.G.), Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
| | - Michel J Grothe
- From the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) (S.J.T., M.J.G.); Department of Psychosomatic Medicine (S.J.T., H.-C.F.), University Medicine Rostock, Germany; and Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS) (M.J.G.), Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Spain
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Botté A, Lainé J, Xicota L, Heiligenstein X, Fontaine G, Kasri A, Rivals I, Goh P, Faklaris O, Cossec JC, Morel E, Rebillat AS, Nizetic D, Raposo G, Potier MC. Ultrastructural and dynamic studies of the endosomal compartment in Down syndrome. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:89. [PMID: 32580751 PMCID: PMC7315513 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-00956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Enlarged early endosomes have been visualized in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome (DS) using conventional confocal microscopy at a resolution corresponding to endosomal size (hundreds of nm). In order to overtake the diffraction limit, we used super-resolution structured illumination microscopy (SR-SIM) and transmission electron microscopies (TEM) to analyze the early endosomal compartment in DS.By immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy, we confirmed that the volume of Early Endosome Antigen 1 (EEA1)-positive puncta was 13-19% larger in fibroblasts and iPSC-derived neurons from individuals with DS, and in basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) of the Ts65Dn mice modelling DS. However, EEA1-positive structures imaged by TEM or SR-SIM after chemical fixation had a normal size but appeared clustered. In order to disentangle these discrepancies, we imaged optimally preserved High Pressure Freezing (HPF)-vitrified DS fibroblasts by TEM and found that early endosomes were 75% denser but remained normal-sized.RNA sequencing of DS and euploid fibroblasts revealed a subgroup of differentially-expressed genes related to cargo sorting at multivesicular bodies (MVBs). We thus studied the dynamics of endocytosis, recycling and MVB-dependent degradation in DS fibroblasts. We found no change in endocytosis, increased recycling and delayed degradation, suggesting a "traffic jam" in the endosomal compartment.Finally, we show that the phosphoinositide PI (3) P, involved in early endosome fusion, is decreased in DS fibroblasts, unveiling a new mechanism for endosomal dysfunctions in DS and a target for pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Botté
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Jeanne Lainé
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Département de Physiologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Laura Xicota
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Xavier Heiligenstein
- CryoCapCell, 155 Bd de l’hôpital, 75013 Paris, France
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, Structure and Membrane Compartments, Paris, France
| | - Gaëlle Fontaine
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Amal Kasri
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Rivals
- Equipe de Statistique Appliquée, ESPCI Paris, PSL Research University, UMRS 1158, Paris, France
| | - Pollyanna Goh
- The Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK
| | - Orestis Faklaris
- ImagoSeine Imaging Core Facility, Institut Jacques Monod, CNRS UMR7592, Université Paris-Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Jack-Christophe Cossec
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Etienne Morel
- Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), INSERM U1151 CNRS UMR 8253, Université Paris Descartes-Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | | | - Dean Nizetic
- The Blizard Institute, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Graça Raposo
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS, UMR144, Structure and Membrane Compartments, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Claude Potier
- Paris Brain Institute (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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Sos KE, Mayer MI, Takács VT, Major A, Bardóczi Z, Beres BM, Szeles T, Saito T, Saido TC, Mody I, Freund TF, Nyiri G. Amyloid β induces interneuron-specific changes in the hippocampus of APPNL-F mice. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233700. [PMID: 32469963 PMCID: PMC7259556 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and amyloid-beta (Aβ) depositions generated by the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the brain. In APPNL-F mice, APP gene was humanized and contains two familial AD mutations, and APP-unlike other mouse models of AD-is driven by the endogenous mouse APP promoter. Similar to people without apparent cognitive dysfunction but with heavy Aβ plaque load, we found no significant decline in the working memory of adult APPNL-F mice, but these mice showed decline in the expression of normal anxiety. Using immunohistochemistry and 3D block-face scanning electron microscopy, we found no changes in GABAA receptor positivity and size of somatic and dendritic synapses of hippocampal interneurons. We did not find alterations in the level of expression of perineuronal nets around parvalbumin (PV) interneurons or in the density of PV- or somatostatin-positive hippocampal interneurons. However, in contrast to other investigated cell types, PV interneuron axons were occasionally mildly dystrophic around Aβ plaques, and the synapses of PV-positive axon initial segment (AIS)-targeting interneurons were significantly enlarged. Our results suggest that PV interneurons are highly resistant to amyloidosis in APPNL-F mice and amyloid-induced increase in hippocampal pyramidal cell excitability may be compensated by PV-positive AIS-targeting cells. Mechanisms that make PV neurons more resilient could therefore be exploited in the treatment of AD for mitigating Aβ-related inflammatory effects on neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katalin E. Sos
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márton I. Mayer
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
- János Szentágothai Doctoral School of Neurosciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Virág T. Takács
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Abel Major
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsuzsanna Bardóczi
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Barnabas M. Beres
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Szeles
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN, Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Science, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN, Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - István Mody
- Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Tamás F. Freund
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor Nyiri
- Department of Cellular and Network Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, HAS, Budapest, Hungary
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Abstract
PURPOSE To review the recent developments on the effect of chronic high mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) on cerebral blood flow (CBF) autoregulation and supporting the notion that CBF autoregulation impairment has connection with chronic cerebral diseases. Method: A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to the authors was conducted. Results: Our understanding of the connection between cerebral perfusion impairment and chronic high MAP and cerebral disease is rapidly evolving, from cerebral perfusion impairment being the result of cerebral diseases to being the cause of cerebral diseases. We now better understand the intertwined impact of hypertension and Alzheimer's disease (AD) on cerebrovascular sensory elements and recognize cerebrovascular elements that are more vulnerable to these diseases. Conclusion: We conclude with the suggestion that the sensory elements pathology plays important roles in intertwined mechanisms of chronic high MAP and AD that impact cerebral perfusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Yazdani
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Mark S Kindy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA.,Biomedical Research, James A. Haley VA Medical Center , Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Saeid Taheri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA.,Byrd Neuroscience Institute, University of South Florida , Tampa, FL, USA
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Jiao H, Downie LE, Huang X, Wu M, Oberrauch S, Keenan RJ, Jacobson LH, Chinnery HR. Novel alterations in corneal neuroimmune phenotypes in mice with central nervous system tauopathy. J Neuroinflammation 2020; 17:136. [PMID: 32345316 PMCID: PMC7189727 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-020-01803-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tauopathy in the central nervous system (CNS) is a histopathological hallmark of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although AD is accompanied by various ocular changes, the effects of tauopathy on the integrity of the cornea, which is densely innervated by the peripheral nervous system and is populated by resident dendritic cells, is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate if neuroimmune interactions in the cornea are affected by CNS tauopathy. METHODS Corneas from wild type (WT) and transgenic rTg4510 mice that express the P301L tau mutation were examined at 2, 6, 8, and 11 months. Clinical assessment of the anterior segment of the eye was performed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. The density of the corneal epithelial sensory nerves and the number and field area of resident epithelial dendritic cells were assessed using immunofluorescence. The immunological activation state of corneal and splenic dendritic cells was examined using flow cytometry and compared between the two genotypes at 9 months of age. RESULTS Compared to age-matched WT mice, rTg4510 mice had a significantly lower density of corneal nerve axons at both 8 and 11 months of age. Corneal nerves in rTg4510 mice also displayed a higher percentage of beaded nerve axons and a lower density of epithelial dendritic cells compared to WT mice. From 6 months of age, the size of the corneal dendritic cells was significantly smaller in rTg4510 compared to WT mice. Phenotypic characterization by flow cytometry demonstrated an activated state of dendritic cells (CD86+ and CD45+ CD11b+CD11c+) in the corneas of rTg4510 compared to WT mice, with no distinct changes in the spleen monocytes/dendritic cells. At 2 months of age, there were no significant differences in the neural or immune structures between the two genotypes. CONCLUSIONS Corneal sensory nerves and epithelial dendritic cells were altered in the rTg4510 mouse model of tauopathy, with temporal changes observed with aging. The activation of corneal dendritic cells prior to the gradual loss of neighboring sensory nerves suggests an early involvement of corneal immune cells in tau-associated pathology originating in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihan Jiao
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Laura E Downie
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Xin Huang
- Innate Phagocytosis Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Mengliang Wu
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Sara Oberrauch
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Sleep and Cognition Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ryan J Keenan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.,Sleep and Cognition Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia
| | - Laura H Jacobson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia. .,Sleep and Cognition Laboratory, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Holly R Chinnery
- Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
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41
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Fernández-Cabello S, Kronbichler M, Van Dijk KRA, Goodman JA, Spreng RN, Schmitz TW. Basal forebrain volume reliably predicts the cortical spread of Alzheimer's degeneration. Brain 2020; 143:993-1009. [PMID: 32203580 PMCID: PMC7092749 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease neurodegeneration is thought to spread across anatomically and functionally connected brain regions. However, the precise sequence of spread remains ambiguous. The prevailing model used to guide in vivo human neuroimaging and non-human animal research assumes that Alzheimer's degeneration starts in the entorhinal cortices, before spreading to the temporoparietal cortex. Challenging this model, we previously provided evidence that in vivo markers of neurodegeneration within the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM), a subregion of the basal forebrain heavily populated by cortically projecting cholinergic neurons, precedes and predicts entorhinal degeneration. There have been few systematic attempts at directly comparing staging models using in vivo longitudinal biomarker data, and none to our knowledge testing if comparative evidence generalizes across independent samples. Here we addressed the sequence of pathological staging in Alzheimer's disease using two independent samples of the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n1 = 284; n2 = 553) with harmonized CSF assays of amyloid-β and hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau), and longitudinal structural MRI data over 2 years. We derived measures of grey matter degeneration in a priori NbM and the entorhinal cortical regions of interest. To examine the spreading of degeneration, we used a predictive modelling strategy that tests whether baseline grey matter volume in a seed region accounts for longitudinal change in a target region. We demonstrated that predictive spread favoured the NbM→entorhinal over the entorhinal→NbM model. This evidence generalized across the independent samples. We also showed that CSF concentrations of pTau/amyloid-β moderated the observed predictive relationship, consistent with evidence in rodent models of an underlying trans-synaptic mechanism of pathophysiological spread. The moderating effect of CSF was robust to additional factors, including clinical diagnosis. We then applied our predictive modelling strategy to an exploratory whole-brain voxel-wise analysis to examine the spatial specificity of the NbM→entorhinal model. We found that smaller baseline NbM volumes predicted greater degeneration in localized regions of the entorhinal and perirhinal cortices. By contrast, smaller baseline entorhinal volumes predicted degeneration in the medial temporal cortex, recapitulating a prior influential staging model. Our findings suggest that degeneration of the basal forebrain cholinergic projection system is a robust and reliable upstream event of entorhinal and neocortical degeneration, calling into question a prevailing view of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Fernández-Cabello
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Martin Kronbichler
- Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
- Neuroscience Institute, Christian-Doppler Medical Centre, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Koene R A Van Dijk
- Clinical and Translational Imaging, Early Clinical Development, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - James A Goodman
- Clinical and Translational Imaging, Early Clinical Development, Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - R Nathan Spreng
- Laboratory of Brain and Cognition, Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Verdun, QC, Canada
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Taylor W Schmitz
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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42
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Nolze-Charron G, Dufort-Rouleau R, Houde JC, Dumont M, Castellano CA, Cunnane S, Lorrain D, Fülöp T, Descoteaux M, Bocti C. Tractography of the external capsule and cognition: A diffusion MRI study of cholinergic fibers. Exp Gerontol 2019; 130:110792. [PMID: 31778753 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.110792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION White matter changes (WMC) in the cholinergic tracts contribute to executive dysfunction in the context of cognitive aging. WMC in the external capsule have been associated with executive dysfunction. The objectives of this study were to: 1) Characterize the lateral cholinergic tracts (LCT) and the superior longitudinal fasciculus (SLF). 2) Evaluate the association between diffusion measures within those tracts and cognitive performance. METHODS Neuropsychological testing and high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) of 34 healthy elderly participants was done, followed by anatomically constrained probabilistic tractography reconstruction robust to crossing fibers. The external capsule was manually segmented on a mean T1 image then merged with an atlas, allowing extraction of the LCT. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and HARDI-based measures were obtained. RESULTS Correlations between diffusion measures in the LCT and the time of completion of Stroop (left LCT radial and medial diffusivity), the Symbol Search score (right LCT apparent fiber density) and the motor part of Trail-B (left LCT axial and radial diffusivity) were observed. Correlations were also found with diffusion measures in the SLF. WMC burden was low, and no correlation was found with diffusion measures or cognitive performance. DISCUSSION DTI and HARDI, with isolation of strategic white matter tracts for cognitive functions, represent complimentary tools to better understand the complex process of brain aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geneviève Nolze-Charron
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Hôpital de Rouyn-Noranda - CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 4, 9e Rue, Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec J9X 2B2, Canada.
| | - Raphaël Dufort-Rouleau
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada.
| | - Jean-Christophe Houde
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 0A5, Canada.
| | - Matthieu Dumont
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 0A5, Canada.
| | - Christian-Alexandre Castellano
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada; Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 4C4, Canada.
| | - Stephen Cunnane
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada; Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 4C4, Canada.
| | - Dominique Lorrain
- Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 4C4, Canada.
| | - Tamàs Fülöp
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada; Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 4C4, Canada.
| | - Maxime Descoteaux
- Sherbrooke Connectivity Imaging Lab (SCIL), Computer Science Department, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 Boulevard de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 0A5, Canada.
| | - Christian Bocti
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada; Research Centre on Aging, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS, 1036 rue Belvédère Sud, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 4C4, Canada; Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, CIUSSS de l'Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5N4, Canada.
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Botté A, Potier MC. Focusing on cellular biomarkers: The endo-lysosomal pathway in Down syndrome. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2019; 251:209-243. [PMID: 32057308 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most frequent chromosomal disorder. It is caused by the triplication of human chromosome 21, leading to increased dosage of a variety of genes including APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein). Mainly for this reason, individuals with DS are at high risk to develop Alzheimer's disease (AD). Extensive literature identified various morphological and molecular abnormalities in the endo-lysosomal pathway both in DS and AD. Most studies in this field investigated the causative role of APP (Amyloid Precursor Protein) in endo-lysosomal dysfunctions, thus linking phenotypes observed in DS and AD. In DS context, several lines of evidence and emerging hypotheses suggest that other molecular players and pathways may be implicated in these complex phenotypes. In this review, we outline the normal functioning of endosomal trafficking and summarize the research on endo-lysosomal dysfunction in DS in light of AD findings. We emphasize the role of genes of chromosome 21 implicated in endocytosis to explain endosomal abnormalities and set the limitations and perspectives of models used to explore endo-lysosomal dysfunction in DS and find new biomarkers. The review highlights the complexity of endo-lysosomal dysfunction in DS and suggests directions for future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Botté
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Claude Potier
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), CNRS UMR7225, INSERM U1127, Sorbonne Université, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
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44
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Dyer-Reaves K, Goodman AM, Nelson AR, McMahon LL. Alpha1-Adrenergic Receptor Mediated Long-Term Depression at CA3-CA1 Synapses Can Be Induced via Accumulation of Endogenous Norepinephrine and Is Preserved Following Noradrenergic Denervation. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2019; 11:27. [PMID: 31649525 PMCID: PMC6794465 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Locus coeruleus (LC) provides the sole source of noradrenergic (NA) innervation to hippocampus, and it undergoes significant degeneration early in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Norepinephrine (NE) modulates synaptic transmission and plasticity at hippocampal synapses which likely contributes to hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. We previously reported that pharmacological activation of α1 adrenergic receptors (α1ARs) induces long-term depression (LTD) at CA3-CA1 synapses. Here, we investigated whether accumulation of endogenous NE via pharmacological blockade of norepinephrine transporters (NETs) and the NE degradative enzyme, monoamine oxidase (MAO), can induce α1AR LTD, as these inhibitors are used clinically. Further, we sought to determine how degeneration of hippocampal NA innervation, as occurs in AD, impacts α1AR function and α1AR LTD. Bath application of NET and MAO inhibitors in slices from control rats reliably induced α1AR LTD when β adrenergic receptors were inhibited. To induce degeneration of LC-NA innervation, rats were treated with the specific NA neurotoxin DSP-4 and recordings performed 1-3 weeks later when NA axon degeneration had stabilized. Even with 85% loss of hippocampal NA innervation, α1AR LTD was successfully induced using either the α1AR agonist phenylephrine or the combined NET and MAO inhibitors, and importantly, the LTD magnitude was not different from saline-treated control. These data suggest that despite significant decreases in NA input to hippocampus, the mechanisms necessary for the induction of α1AR LTD remain functional. Furthermore, we posit that α1AR activation could be a viable therapeutic target for pharmacological intervention in AD and other diseases involving malfunctions of NA neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Dyer-Reaves
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology (CDIB), School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anthoni M. Goodman
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology (CDIB), School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Amy R. Nelson
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology (CDIB), School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Lori L. McMahon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology (CDIB), School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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45
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Ohm DT, Fought AJ, Rademaker A, Kim G, Sridhar J, Coventry C, Gefen T, Weintraub S, Bigio E, Mesulam MM, Rogalski E, Geula C. Neuropathologic basis of in vivo cortical atrophy in the aphasic variant of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Pathol 2019; 30:332-344. [PMID: 31446630 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropathologic basis of in vivo cortical atrophy in clinical dementia syndromes remains poorly understood. This includes primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a language-based dementia syndrome characterized by asymmetric cortical atrophy. The neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid-ß plaques (APs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) can cause PPA, but a quantitative investigation of the relationships between NFTs, APs and in vivo cortical atrophy in PPA-AD is lacking. The present study measured cortical atrophy from corresponding bilateral regions in five PPA-AD participants with in vivo magnetic resonance imaging scans 7-30 months before death and acquired stereologic estimates of NFTs and dense-core APs visualized with the Thioflavin-S stain. Linear mixed models accounting for repeated measures and stratified by hemisphere and region (language vs. non-language) were used to determine the relationships between cortical atrophy and AD neuropathology and their regional selectivity. Consistent with the aphasic profile of PPA, left language regions displayed more cortical atrophy (P = 0.01) and NFT densities (P = 0.02) compared to right language homologues. Left language regions also showed more cortical atrophy (P < 0.01) and NFT densities (P = 0.02) than left non-language regions. A subset of data was analyzed to determine the predilection of AD neuropathology for neocortical regions compared to entorhinal cortex in the left hemisphere, which showed that the three most atrophied language regions had greater NFT (P = 0.04) and AP densities (P < 0.01) than the entorhinal cortex. These results provide quantitative evidence that NFT accumulation in PPA selectively targets the language network and may not follow the Braak staging of neurofibrillary degeneration characteristic of amnestic AD. Only NFT densities, not AP densities, were positively associated with cortical atrophy within left language regions (P < 0.01) and right language homologues (P < 0.01). Given previous findings from amnestic AD, the current study of PPA-AD provides converging evidence that NFTs are the principal determinants of atrophy and clinical phenotypes associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Ohm
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Angela J Fought
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Alfred Rademaker
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Garam Kim
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Jaiashre Sridhar
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Christina Coventry
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Tamar Gefen
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Eileen Bigio
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Marek Marsel Mesulam
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Emily Rogalski
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
| | - Changiz Geula
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611
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Datar A, Ameeramja J, Bhat A, Srivastava R, Mishra A, Bernal R, Prost J, Callan-Jones A, Pullarkat PA. The Roles of Microtubules and Membrane Tension in Axonal Beading, Retraction, and Atrophy. Biophys J 2019; 117:880-891. [PMID: 31427070 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal beading, or the formation of a series of swellings along the axon, and retraction are commonly observed shape transformations that precede axonal atrophy in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative conditions. The mechanisms driving these morphological transformations are poorly understood. Here, we report controlled experiments that can induce either beading or retraction and follow the time evolution of these responses. By making quantitative analysis of the shape modes under different conditions, measurement of membrane tension, and using theoretical considerations, we argue that membrane tension is the main driving force that pushes cytosol out of the axon when microtubules are degraded, causing axonal thinning. Under pharmacological perturbation, atrophy is always retrograde, and this is set by a gradient in the microtubule stability. The nature of microtubule depolymerization dictates the type of shape transformation, vis-à-vis beading or retraction. Elucidating the mechanisms of these shape transformations may facilitate development of strategies to prevent or arrest axonal atrophy due to neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alka Bhat
- Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | | | | | - Roberto Bernal
- Departamento de Física, SMAT-C, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jacques Prost
- Laboratoire Physico Chimie Curie, Institut Curie, 10 PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, Paris, France; Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Andrew Callan-Jones
- Laboratoire Matière et Systèmes Complexes, Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France.
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47
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Hampel H, Mesulam MM, Cuello AC, Farlow MR, Giacobini E, Grossberg GT, Khachaturian AS, Vergallo A, Cavedo E, Snyder PJ, Khachaturian ZS. The cholinergic system in the pathophysiology and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2019; 141:1917-1933. [PMID: 29850777 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awy132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 879] [Impact Index Per Article: 175.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cholinergic synapses are ubiquitous in the human central nervous system. Their high density in the thalamus, striatum, limbic system, and neocortex suggest that cholinergic transmission is likely to be critically important for memory, learning, attention and other higher brain functions. Several lines of research suggest additional roles for cholinergic systems in overall brain homeostasis and plasticity. As such, the brain's cholinergic system occupies a central role in ongoing research related to normal cognition and age-related cognitive decline, including dementias such as Alzheimer's disease. The cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease centres on the progressive loss of limbic and neocortical cholinergic innervation. Neurofibrillary degeneration in the basal forebrain is believed to be the primary cause for the dysfunction and death of forebrain cholinergic neurons, giving rise to a widespread presynaptic cholinergic denervation. Cholinesterase inhibitors increase the availability of acetylcholine at synapses in the brain and are one of the few drug therapies that have been proven clinically useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease dementia, thus validating the cholinergic system as an important therapeutic target in the disease. This review includes an overview of the role of the cholinergic system in cognition and an updated understanding of how cholinergic deficits in Alzheimer's disease interact with other aspects of disease pathophysiology, including plaques composed of amyloid-β proteins. This review also documents the benefits of cholinergic therapies at various stages of Alzheimer's disease and during long-term follow-up as visualized in novel imaging studies. The weight of the evidence supports the continued value of cholinergic drugs as a standard, cornerstone pharmacological approach in Alzheimer's disease, particularly as we look ahead to future combination therapies that address symptoms as well as disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Hampel
- AXA Research Fund and Sorbonne University Chair, Paris, France.,Sorbonne University, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France.,Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France.,Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease (IM2A), Department of Neurology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | - M-Marsel Mesulam
- Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Martin R Farlow
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Ezio Giacobini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - George T Grossberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ara S Khachaturian
- The Campaign to Prevent Alzheimer's Disease by 2020 (PAD2020), Potomac, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- AXA Research Fund and Sorbonne University Chair, Paris, France.,Sorbonne University, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France.,Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France.,Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease (IM2A), Department of Neurology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Enrica Cavedo
- AXA Research Fund and Sorbonne University Chair, Paris, France.,Sorbonne University, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France.,Brain and Spine Institute (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France.,Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease (IM2A), Department of Neurology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, AP-HP, Boulevard de l'hôpital, Paris, France
| | - Peter J Snyder
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI USA.,Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
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Richter N, Beckers N, Onur OA, Dietlein M, Tittgemeyer M, Kracht L, Neumaier B, Fink GR, Kukolja J. Effect of cholinergic treatment depends on cholinergic integrity in early Alzheimer's disease. Brain 2019; 141:903-915. [PMID: 29309600 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In early Alzheimer's disease, which initially presents with progressive loss of short-term memory, neurodegeneration especially affects cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain. Pharmacotherapy of Alzheimer's disease therefore often targets the cholinergic system. In contrast, cholinergic pharmacotherapy of mild cognitive impairment is debated since its efficacy to date remains controversial. We here investigated the relationship between cholinergic treatment effects and the integrity of the cholinergic system in mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Fourteen patients with high likelihood of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and 16 age-matched cognitively normal adults performed an episodic memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging under three conditions: (i) without pharmacotherapy; (ii) with placebo; and (iii) with a single dose of rivastigmine (3 mg). Cortical acetylcholinesterase activity was measured using PET with the tracer 11C-N-methyl-4-piperidyl acetate (MP4A). Cortical acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly decreased in patients relative to controls, especially in the lateral temporal lobes. Without pharmacotherapy, mild cognitive impairment was associated with less memory-related neural activation in the fusiform gyrus and impaired deactivation in the posterior cingulate cortex, relative to controls. These differences were attenuated under cholinergic stimulation with rivastigmine: patients showed increased neural activation in the right fusiform gyrus but enhanced deactivation of the posterior cingulate cortex under rivastigmine, compared to placebo. Conversely, controls showed reduced activation of the fusiform gyrus and reduced deactivation of the posterior cingulate under rivastigmine, compared to placebo. In both groups, the change in neural activation in response to rivastigmine was negatively associated with local acetylcholinesterase activity. At the behavioural level, an analysis of covariance revealed a significant group × treatment interaction in episodic memory performance when accounting for hippocampal grey matter atrophy and function. Our results indicate that rivastigmine differentially affects memory-related neural activity in patients with mild cognitive impairment and cognitively normal, age-matched adults, depending on acetylcholinesterase activity as a marker for the integrity of the cortical cholinergic system. Furthermore, hippocampal integrity showed an independent association with the response of memory performance to acetylcholinesterase inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Richter
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany.,Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nora Beckers
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Oezguer A Onur
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Markus Dietlein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Marc Tittgemeyer
- Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Lutz Kracht
- Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, 50937 Cologne, Germany.,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Nuclear Chemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-5), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany.,Institute for Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Gereon R Fink
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Juraj Kukolja
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany.,Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Research Center Jülich, 52425 Jülich, Germany
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Modulation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor suppresses age-related basal forebrain cholinergic neuron degeneration. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5273. [PMID: 30918278 PMCID: PMC6437186 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41654-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) is linked to cognitive impairment. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) has been proposed to mediate neuronal degeneration in aging. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that modifying p75NTR function would prevent or reverse aging-related neuronal degeneration using LM11A-31, a small molecule p75NTR modulator that downregulates degenerative and upregulates trophic receptor-associated signaling. Morphological analysis in mice showed loss of BFCN area detectable by 18 months of age. Oral administration of LM11A-31 from age 15 to 18 months resulted in a dose-related preservation of BFCN area and one month of treatment from 17 to 18 months also preserved cell area. To evaluate reversal of established neuronal atrophy, animals were treated from 21 to 25 months of age. Treatment was associated with an increase of cell size to a mean area larger than that observed at 18 months, accompanied by increases in mean MS/VDB neurite length, as well as increased cholinergic fiber density and synaptophysin pre-synaptic marker levels in the hippocampus. These findings support the idea that modulation of p75NTR activity can prevent and potentially reverse age-associated BFCN degeneration. Moreover, this may be achieved therapeutically with orally bioavailable agents such as LM11A-31.
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50
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Mesulam MM, Lalehzari N, Rahmani F, Ohm D, Shahidehpour R, Kim G, Gefen T, Weintraub S, Bigio E, Geula C. Cortical cholinergic denervation in primary progressive aphasia with Alzheimer pathology. Neurology 2019; 92:e1580-e1588. [PMID: 30842294 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000007247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the status of the basal forebrain cholinergic system in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) as justification for cholinergic therapy. METHODS A cohort of 36 brains from PPA participants with the neuropathology of Alzheimer disease (PPA-AD, n = 14) or frontotemporal lobar degeneration (PPA-tau, n = 12; PPA-TDP, n = 10) were used for semiquantitative rating of degeneration and gliosis of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN). A subpopulation of 5 PPA-AD and 7 control brains underwent detailed analysis of BFCN pathology and cortical cholinergic axonal loss employing immunohistochemical and histochemical methods and stereologic analysis. RESULTS Semiquantitatively, 11 (∼80%) PPA-AD participants were rated as having moderate/severe BFCN loss and gliosis, whereas none of the PPA-tau and only 1 (10%) PPA-TDP participant received such a rating. Detailed analysis in the subpopulation of PPA-AD participants revealed substantial tangle formation, loss of BFCN, and degeneration of cortical cholinergic axons. Compared to controls, loss of p75 low affinity neurotrophin receptor-positive BFCN was detected in the PPA-AD participants (p < 0.01). Acetylcholinesterase-positive cholinergic axons in all cortical areas studied displayed loss in PPA-AD (p < 0.005-0.0001). The loss was more severe in the language-dominant left hemisphere and, within the left hemisphere, in language-affiliated cortical areas. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate prominent depletion of BFCN and cortical cholinergic axons in PPA-AD when compared with normal control or other neuropathologic variants of PPA. The demonstration of cholinergic denervation with an anatomy that fits the clinical picture suggests that cholinergic treatment is justified in patients with PPA who have positive AD biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-Marsel Mesulam
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Nava Lalehzari
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Farzan Rahmani
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Daniel Ohm
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Ryan Shahidehpour
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Garam Kim
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Tamar Gefen
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Eileen Bigio
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Changiz Geula
- From the Mesulam Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
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