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Mandino F, Vujic S, Grandjean J, Lake EMR. Where do we stand on fMRI in awake mice? Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad478. [PMID: 38100331 PMCID: PMC10793583 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Imaging awake animals is quickly gaining traction in neuroscience as it offers a means to eliminate the confounding effects of anesthesia, difficulties of inter-species translation (when humans are typically imaged while awake), and the inability to investigate the full range of brain and behavioral states in unconscious animals. In this systematic review, we focus on the development of awake mouse blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Mice are widely used in research due to their fast-breeding cycle, genetic malleability, and low cost. Functional MRI yields whole-brain coverage and can be performed on both humans and animal models making it an ideal modality for comparing study findings across species. We provide an analysis of 30 articles (years 2011-2022) identified through a systematic literature search. Our conclusions include that head-posts are favorable, acclimation training for 10-14 d is likely ample under certain conditions, stress has been poorly characterized, and more standardization is needed to accelerate progress. For context, an overview of awake rat fMRI studies is also included. We make recommendations that will benefit a wide range of neuroscience applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mandino
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Stella Vujic
- Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Donders Institute for Brain, Behaviour, and Cognition, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department for Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Evelyn M R Lake
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
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2
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Grzelak N, Kaczmarek D, Mrówczyński W. Comparison of the effects of BDNF/TRKB signalling on metabolic biomarkers in the liver of sedentary and trained rats with normal and knockout BDNF genotypes. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1268648. [PMID: 38152248 PMCID: PMC10751318 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1268648] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The effect of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on the modulation of metabolic processes in the liver is poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether hepatic concentrations or activities of metabolic biomarkers depend on altered BDNF/TrkB content in the liver, resulting from different BDNF genotypes of rats. In addition, it was assessed whether 5-week moderate endurance training modifies the levels of BDNF/Trk-B signaling and studied hepatic markers. Methods: Experiments were performed on wild-type and heterozygous BDNF knockout (HET, SD-Bdnf) rats, which were divided into four groups: control with normal genotype (Bdnf+/+), control with BDNF knockout genotype (Bdnf+/-), trained with normal genotype (Bdnf+/+T) and trained with BDNF knockout genotype (Bdnf +/-T). BDNF/TrkB concentrations as well as selected metabolic biomarkers including lipids-total cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TG); enzymes-alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP); hormones-insulin (INS) and leptin (LEPT) as well as interleukin-6 (IL-6) as regeneration indicator were measured directly in liver homogenates. Results and Discussion: The study showed that Bdnf+/- rats exhibited reduced BDNF/TrkB signaling (BDNF, p < 0.0001; Trk-B, p = 0.0005), altered lipid levels (CHOL, p < 0.0001; LDL, p < 0.0001; TG, p = 0.0006) and reduced hepatic ALAT (p = 0.0004) and GGT (p < 0.0001) activity, which may contribute to hepatic steatosis and obesity, as well as indicate impairment of specific metabolic pathways in the liver. Interestingly, endurance training did not alter hepatic BDNF and TrkB content, but improved ALAT (p = 0.0366) and ASAT (p = 0.0191) activities and increased hepatic IL-6 (p = 0.0422) levels in Bdnf +/- rats, suggesting enhanced liver regeneration in animals with BDNF allele loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Grzelak
- Department of Neurobiology, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dominik Kaczmarek
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland
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3
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Grzelak N, Krutki P, Bączyk M, Kaczmarek D, Mrówczyński W. Influence of altered serum and muscle concentrations of BDNF on electrophysiological properties of spinal motoneurons in wild-type and BDNF-knockout rats. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4571. [PMID: 36941445 PMCID: PMC10027728 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31703-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether altered serum and/or muscle concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) can modify the electrophysiological properties of spinal motoneurons (MNs). This study was conducted in wild-type and Bdnf heterozygous knockout rats (HET, SD-BDNF). Rats were divided into four groups: control, knockout, control trained, and knockout trained. The latter two groups underwent moderate-intensity endurance training to increase BDNF levels in serum and/or hindlimb muscles. BDNF and other neurotrophic factors (NFs), including glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) were assessed in serum and three hindlimb muscles: the tibialis anterior (TA), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and soleus (Sol). The concentrations of tropomyosin kinase receptor B (Trk-B), interleukin-15 (IL-15), and myoglobin (MYO/MB) were also evaluated in these muscles. The electrophysiological properties of lumbar MNs were studied in vivo using whole-cell current-clamp recordings. Bdnf knockout rats had reduced levels of all studied NFs in serum but not in hindlimb muscles. Interestingly, decreased serum NF levels did not influence the electrophysiological properties of spinal MNs. Additionally, endurance training did not change the serum concentrations of any of the NFs tested but significantly increased BDNF and GDNF levels in the TA and MG muscles in both trained groups. Furthermore, the excitability of fast MNs was reduced in both groups of trained rats. Thus, changes in muscle (but not serum) concentrations of BDNF and GDNF may be critical factors that modify the excitability of spinal MNs after intense physical activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Grzelak
- Department of Neurobiology, Poznań University of Physical Education, 27/39 Królowej Jadwigi St., 61-871, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Krutki
- Department of Neurobiology, Poznań University of Physical Education, 27/39 Królowej Jadwigi St., 61-871, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marcin Bączyk
- Department of Neurobiology, Poznań University of Physical Education, 27/39 Królowej Jadwigi St., 61-871, Poznań, Poland
| | - Dominik Kaczmarek
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznań University of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland
| | - Włodzimierz Mrówczyński
- Department of Neurobiology, Poznań University of Physical Education, 27/39 Królowej Jadwigi St., 61-871, Poznań, Poland.
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4
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Verma H, Bhattacharjee A, Shivavedi N, Nayak PK. Evaluation of rosmarinic acid against myocardial infarction in maternally separated rats. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 395:1189-1207. [PMID: 35876905 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-022-02273-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
Abstract
Depression and coronary heart diseases are the common comorbid disorder affecting humans globally. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of rosmarinic acid (RA) against myocardial infarction (MI) in comorbid depression induced by maternal separation in rats. Maternal stress is one of the childhood crises that may be a potential risk factor for coronary heart disease in later part of life. As per protocol, 70-80% of pups were separated daily for 3 h between postnatal day 1 (PND1) and postnatal day 21 (PND21). Forced-swim test, sucrose preference test, and electrocardiography were performed during the experiment. Body weight was measured on PND0, PND35, and PND55. Orally rosmarinic acid (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) was done from PND35 to PND55. On PND53 and PND54, isoproterenol (100 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered to induce myocardial infarction. On PND55, blood was collected and animals sacrificed, and plasma corticosterone, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, cardiac biomarkers, interleukine-10, and anti-oxidant parameters were measured. Rosmarinic acid and fluoxetine ameliorated the maternal separation-induced increase in immobility period, anhedonia, body weight, ST elevation, corticosterone, creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). At the same time, both drugs elevated the tissue levels of BDNF, IL-10, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activity. This study provides the first experimental evidence that maternal stress is an independent risk factor of cardiac abnormalities in rats. Moreover, maternal stress synergistically increases the severity of cardiac abnormalities induced by isoproterenol. Interestingly, fluoxetine and rosmarinic acid effectively ameliorated behavioral anomalies and myocardial infarction in maternally separated rats. Schematic representation of possible molecular mechanism of action of rosmarinic acid against MS-induced myocardial infarction. RA, rosmarinic acid; MS, maternal separation; PND, postnatal days; ISO, isoproterenol; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GSH, glutathione; SOD, superoxide dismutase; IL-10, interleukin-10; MI, myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himanshu Verma
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Anindita Bhattacharjee
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Naveen Shivavedi
- Shri Ram Group of Institutions, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Prasanta Kumar Nayak
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Uttar Pradesh, Varanasi, 221005, India.
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Dvořáková L, Stenroos P, Paasonen E, Salo RA, Paasonen J, Gröhn O. Light sedation with short habituation time for large-scale functional magnetic resonance imaging studies in rats. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4679. [PMID: 34961988 PMCID: PMC9285600 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Traditionally, preclinical resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have been performed in anesthetized animals. Nevertheless, as anesthesia affects the functional connectivity (FC) in the brain, there has been a growing interest in imaging in the awake state. Obviously, awake imaging requires resource- and time-consuming habituation prior to data acquisition to reduce the stress and motion of the animals. Light sedation has been a less widely exploited alternative for awake imaging, requiring shorter habituation times, while still reducing the effect of anesthesia. Here, we imaged 102 rats under light sedation and 10 awake animals to conduct an FC analysis. We established an automated data-processing pipeline suitable for both groups. Additionally, the same pipeline was used on data obtained from an openly available awake rat database (289 measurements in 90 rats). The FC pattern in the light sedation measurements closely resembled the corresponding patterns in both onsite and offsite awake datasets. However, fewer datasets had to be excluded due to movement in rats with light sedation. The temporal analysis of FC in the lightly sedated group indicated a lingering effect of anesthesia that stabilized after the first 5 min. In summary, our results indicate that the light sedation protocol is a valid alternative for large-scale studies where awake protocols may become prohibitively resource-demanding, as it provides similar results to awake imaging, preserves more scans, and requires shorter habituation times. The large amount of fMRI data obtained in this work are openly available for further analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lenka Dvořáková
- A. I. V. Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Petteri Stenroos
- A. I. V. Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
- Grenoble Institut des NeurosciencesUniversité Grenoble AlpesGrenobleFrance
| | - Ekaterina Paasonen
- A. I. V. Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Raimo A. Salo
- A. I. V. Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Jaakko Paasonen
- A. I. V. Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
| | - Olli Gröhn
- A. I. V. Institute for Molecular SciencesUniversity of Eastern FinlandKuopioFinland
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6
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Ferris CF. Applications in Awake Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:854377. [PMID: 35450017 PMCID: PMC9017993 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.854377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are numerous publications on methods and applications for awake functional MRI across different species, e.g., voles, rabbits, cats, dogs, and rhesus macaques. Each of these species, most obviously rhesus monkey, have general or unique attributes that provide a better understanding of the human condition. However, much of the work today is done on rodents. The growing number of small bore (≤30 cm) high field systems 7T- 11.7T favor the use of small animals. To that point, this review is primarily focused on rodents and their many applications in awake function MRI. Applications include, pharmacological MRI, drugs of abuse, sensory evoked stimuli, brain disorders, pain, social behavior, and fear.
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Dalile B, Vervliet B, Bergonzelli G, Verbeke K, Van Oudenhove L. Colon-delivered short-chain fatty acids attenuate the cortisol response to psychosocial stress in healthy men: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:2257-2266. [PMID: 32521538 PMCID: PMC7784980 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0732-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are products of microbial fermentation of dietary fiber in the colon and may mediate microbiota-gut-brain communication. However, their role in modulating psychobiological processes that underlie the development of stress- and anxiety-related disorders is not mechanistically studied in humans. In this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial, we examine in a parallel group design the effects of 1-week colonic SCFA-mixture delivery in doses equivalent to fermentation of 10 g or 20 g of arabinoxylan oligosaccharides on responses to psychosocial stress and fear tasks in 66 healthy men. We demonstrate that low and high doses of SCFAs significantly attenuate the cortisol response to psychosocial stress compared to placebo. Both doses of SCFAs increase serum SCFA levels and this increase in circulating SCFAs co-varies significantly with the attenuation of the cortisol response to psychosocial stress. Colonic SCFA delivery does not modulate fecal SCFA concentrations, serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, cortisol awakening response, fear learning and extinction, or subjective mood ratings. These results demonstrate that colon-delivered SCFAs modulate hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity to psychosocial stress, thereby supporting their hypothesized role in microbiota-gut-brain communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boushra Dalile
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Translational Research Center in Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism, and Ageing, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Vervliet
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Brain & Cognition, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gabriela Bergonzelli
- grid.419905.00000 0001 0066 4948Department of Gastrointestinal Health, Nestlé Research, Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kristin Verbeke
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884Translational Research Center in Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism, and Ageing, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lukas Van Oudenhove
- Translational Research Center in Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), Department of Chronic Diseases, Metabolism, and Ageing, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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8
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Woelfer M, Li M, Colic L, Liebe T, Di X, Biswal B, Murrough J, Lessmann V, Brigadski T, Walter M. Ketamine-induced changes in plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are associated with the resting-state functional connectivity of the prefrontal cortex. World J Biol Psychiatry 2020; 21:696-710. [PMID: 31680600 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2019.1679391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Synaptic plasticity and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signalling are proposed to play key roles in antidepressant drug action. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist and putative antidepressant, may increase synaptic plasticity in prefrontal cortex through higher expression of BDNF. Furthermore, ketamine was shown to change resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) of dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). METHODS In a randomised, placebo-controlled study, we investigated acutely (100 min) and at 24 h following subanesthetic ketamine infusion which dmPFC seeded RSFC changes are most strongly associated with plasma BDNF level changes in 53 healthy participants (21 females, age: 24.4 ± 2.9 years) using 7 T-fMRI. RESULTS We observed higher relative levels of BDNF 2 h and 24 h after ketamine compared to placebo. Whole-brain regression revealed that the change in BDNF after 24 h was associated with RSFC decreases from dmPFC to posterior cingulate cortex and ventromedial PFC at 24 h and exploratively also at the 100 min measurement point. Follow-up analyses revealed that RSFC reductions following ketamine were restricted to subjects showing increased BDNF levels at 24 h. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate BDNF level dynamics following ketamine are related to acute and 24 h RSFC changes. Particularly when BDNF increases are observed after ketamine infusion, a disconnection from dmPFC after 24 h is seen and may reflect synaptic plasticity effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Woelfer
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Lejla Colic
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Liebe
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Xin Di
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Bharat Biswal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA.,School of Life Sciences and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - James Murrough
- Depression and Anxiety Center for Discovery and Treatment, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Volkmar Lessmann
- Institute of Physiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tanja Brigadski
- Institute of Physiology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Informatics and Microsystems Technology, University of Applied Science Kaiserslautern, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Clinical Affective Neuroimaging Laboratory (CANLAB), Magdeburg, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Magdeburg, Germany
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9
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Neurotrophin signalling in amygdala-dependent cued fear learning. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 382:161-172. [PMID: 32845430 PMCID: PMC7529623 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03260-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The amygdala is a central hub for fear learning assessed by Pavlovian fear conditioning. Indeed, the prevailing hypothesis that learning and memory are mediated by changes in synaptic strength was shown most convincingly at thalamic and cortical afferents to the lateral amygdala. The neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to regulate synaptic plasticity and memory formation in many areas of the mammalian brain including the amygdala, where BDNF signalling via tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) receptors is prominently involved in fear learning. This review updates the current understanding of BDNF/TrkB signalling in the amygdala related to fear learning and extinction. In addition, actions of proBDNF/p75NTR and NGF/TrkA as well as NT-3/TrkC signalling in the amygdala are introduced.
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10
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Donoso F, Egerton S, Bastiaanssen TFS, Fitzgerald P, Gite S, Fouhy F, Ross RP, Stanton C, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. Polyphenols selectively reverse early-life stress-induced behavioural, neurochemical and microbiota changes in the rat. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2020; 116:104673. [PMID: 32334345 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
There is a growing emphasis on the role of the microbiota-gut-brain axis as modulator of host behaviour and as therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, accumulating evidence suggests that early-life stress can exert long-lasting changes on the brain and microbiota, and this early adversity is associated with increased risk for developing depression in later life. The maternal separation (MS) model in rats is a robust paradigm to study the effects of early-life stress on the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Recently, we have shown that polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds associated with several health benefits, have anti-stress effects in in vitro models. In this study, we assess the therapeutic potential of a variety of both flavonoid and non-flavonoid polyphenols in reversing the impact of MS on behaviour and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Rats underwent a dietary intervention with the naturally-derived polyphenols xanthohumol and quercetin, as well as with a phlorotannin extract for 8 weeks. Treatment with polyphenols prevented the depressive- and anxiety-like behaviours induced by MS, where xanthohumol effects were correlated with rescue of BDNF plasma levels. In addition, MS resulted in altered brain levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and dopamine, accompanied by abnormal elevation of plasma corticosterone. Although polyphenols did not reverse neurotransmitter imbalance, xanthohumol normalised corticosterone levels in MS rats. Finally, we explored the impact of MS and polyphenolic diets on the gut microbiota. We observed profound changes in microbial composition and diversity produced by MS condition and by xanthohumol treatment. Moreover, functional prediction analysis revealed that MS results in altered enrichment of pathways associated with microbiota-brain interactions that are significantly reversed by xanthohumol treatment. These results suggest that naturally-derived polyphenols exert antidepressant-like effects in MS rats, which mechanisms could be potentially mediated by HPA regulation, BDNF levels rescue and modulation of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Donoso
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sian Egerton
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland; School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science, University College, Cork, Ireland
| | - Thomaz F S Bastiaanssen
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Patrick Fitzgerald
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Snehal Gite
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Fiona Fouhy
- Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - R Paul Ross
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Catherine Stanton
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland
| | - Timothy G Dinan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Psychiatry & Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - John F Cryan
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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11
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Miao Z, Wang Y, Sun Z. The Relationships Between Stress, Mental Disorders, and Epigenetic Regulation of BDNF. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041375. [PMID: 32085670 PMCID: PMC7073021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a critical member of the neurotrophic family, plays an important role in multiple stress-related mental disorders. Although alterations in BDNF in multiple brain regions of individuals experiencing stress have been demonstrated in previous studies, it appears that a set of elements are involved in the complex regulation. In this review, we summarize the specific brain regions with altered BDNF expression during stress exposure. How various environmental factors, including both physical and psychological stress, affect the expression of BDNF in specific brain regions are further summarized. Moreover, epigenetic regulation of BDNF, including DNA methylation, histone modification, and noncoding RNA, in response to diverse types of stress, as well as sex differences in the sensitivity of BDNF to the stress response, is also summarized. Clarification of the underlying role of BDNF in the stress process will promote our understanding of the pathology of stress-linked mental disorders and provide a potent target for the future treatment of stress-related illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuang Miao
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China;
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yan Wang
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- School of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhongsheng Sun
- Institute of Genomic Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China;
- Beijing Institutes of Life Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China;
- School of Life Sciences, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence:
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Haaker J, Maren S, Andreatta M, Merz CJ, Richter J, Richter SH, Meir Drexler S, Lange MD, Jüngling K, Nees F, Seidenbecher T, Fullana MA, Wotjak CT, Lonsdorf TB. Making translation work: Harmonizing cross-species methodology in the behavioural neuroscience of Pavlovian fear conditioning. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 107:329-345. [PMID: 31521698 PMCID: PMC7822629 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.09.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Translational neuroscience bridges insights from specific mechanisms in rodents to complex functions in humans and is key to advance our general understanding of central nervous function. A prime example of translational research is the study of cross-species mechanisms that underlie responding to learned threats, by employing Pavlovian fear conditioning protocols in rodents and humans. Hitherto, evidence for (and critique of) these cross-species comparisons in fear conditioning research was based on theoretical viewpoints. Here, we provide a perspective to substantiate these theoretical concepts with empirical considerations of cross-species methodology. This meta-research perspective is expected to foster cross-species comparability and reproducibility to ultimately facilitate successful transfer of results from basic science into clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Haaker
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Stephen Maren
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Marta Andreatta
- Department of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Psychology, Education & Child Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Christian J Merz
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Germany
| | - Jan Richter
- Department of Biological and Clinical Psychology/Psychotherapy, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Shira Meir Drexler
- Ruhr University Bochum, Faculty of Psychology, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Cognitive Psychology, Germany
| | - Maren D Lange
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Kay Jüngling
- Institute of Physiology I, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frauke Nees
- Department of Cognitive and Clinical Neuroscience, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | - Miquel A Fullana
- Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carsten T Wotjak
- Neuronal Plasticity Research Group, Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, 80804, Munich, Germany
| | - Tina B Lonsdorf
- Department of Systems Neuroscience, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Berniger Romariz JA, Nonnemacher C, Abreu M, Dickel Segabinazi J, Bandeira JS, Beltran G, Souza A, Torres IL, Caumo W. The Fear of Pain Questionnaire: psychometric properties of a Brazilian version for adolescents and its relationship with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). J Pain Res 2019; 12:2487-2502. [PMID: 31496790 PMCID: PMC6689757 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s199120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The primary aim was to assess the psychometric properties (including internal consistency, construct validity, criterion validity, criterion-group validity and responsiveness) of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FOPQ) for adolescents (FOPQ-A) and parents (FOPQ-P) translated to Brazilian Portuguese (BrP). The secondary aim was to analyze the factor structures and their ability to identify subjects with chronic pain conditions and identify the relationship of the BrP FOPQ-A with saliva brain-derived neurotrophic-factor (BDNF). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 286 adolescents aged 11 to 18 (257 healthy adolescents [157 females] and 29 adolescents with chronic pain [16 females]). Parents and adolescents completed the BrP-FOPQ. A team of experts translated the FOPQ according to international guidelines. Convergent validity and factor analysis were performed. Later, a subsample (n=146) was used to correlate the BrP-FOPQ-A with saliva BDNF. Results The BrP-FOPQ for adolescents and parents presented strong psychometric properties (Cronbach’s α equal to 0.92 and 0.91, respectively). BrP-FOPQ-A confirmatory factor analysis yielded a two-factor structure while the factorial analyses of BrP-FOPQ-P demonstrated that the best solution was a three-structure factorial. The BrP-FOPQ-P scores in healthy adolescents and those in chronic pain conditions was 34.13 (16.71) vs 43.14 (18.08), respectively. A generalized mixed model demonstrated that the scores in the BrP-FOPQ-A are higher in those with chronic pain conditions compared to healthy subjects (29.20 [12.77] vs 33.80 [10.76], respectively; Wald χ2= 17.80; df=1, P<0.0001). The model revealed that the BDNF was positively correlated with the score of BrP-FOPQ-A and subjects with chronic pain showed higher levels of BDNF. Conclusion The BrP-FOPQ scores for adolescents and parents were found to be psychometrically robust and reliable instruments, with primary evidence of validity. Higher scores on the BrP-FOPQ-A were correlated positively with saliva BDNF and permitted the identification of subjects with chronic pain conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ary Berniger Romariz
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Cássio Nonnemacher
- Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | - Mylena Abreu
- Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil
| | | | | | - Gerardo Beltran
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil.,Psychology Department, Cuenca Catholic University, Cuenca, Ecuador
| | - Andressa Souza
- Postgraduate Program in Health and Human Development, La Salle Universitary Center , Canoas, Brazil
| | - Iraci Ls Torres
- Pharmacology Department, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Wolnei Caumo
- Postgraduate Program in Medical Sciences, Faculdade de Medicina,Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre , Brazil.,Pain and Anesthesia,Surgery Department, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Pain and Palliative Care Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre , Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Laboratory of Pain and Neuromodulation, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Garner JM, Chambers J, Barnes AK, Datta S. Changes in Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Expression Influence Sleep-Wake Activity and Homeostatic Regulation of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep. Sleep 2017; 41:4643005. [PMID: 29462410 PMCID: PMC6018753 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/zsx194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Study Objectives Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and homeostatic regulation of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep are critical for neurogenesis and behavioral plasticity. Accumulating clinical and experimental evidence suggests that decreased BDNF expression is causally linked with the development of REM sleep-associated neuropsychiatric disorders. Therefore, we hypothesize that BDNF plays a role in sleep–wake (S–W) activity and homeostatic regulation of REM sleep. Methods Male and female wild-type (WT; BDNF +/+) and heterozygous BDNF (KD; BDNF +/−) rats were chronically implanted with S–W recording electrodes to quantify baseline S–W activity and REM sleep homeostatic regulatory processes during the light phase. Results Molecular analyses revealed that KD BDNF rats had a 50% decrease in BDNF protein levels. During baseline S–W activity, KD rats exhibited fewer REM sleep episodes that were shorter in duration and took longer to initiate. Also, the baseline S–W activity did not reveal any sex difference. During the 3-hour selective REM sleep deprivation, KD rats failed to exhibit a homeostatic drive for REM sleep and did not exhibit rebound REM sleep during the recovery S–W period. Conclusion Interestingly, both genotypes did not reveal any sex difference in the quality and/or quantity of REM sleep. Collectively, these results, for the first time, unequivocally demonstrate that an intact BDNF system in both sexes is a critical modulator for baseline and homeostatic regulation of REM sleep. This study further suggests that heterozygous BDNF knockdown rats are a useful animal model for the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of sleep regulation and cognitive functions of sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Garner
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.,Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Knoxville, TN
| | - Jonathan Chambers
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
| | - Abigail K Barnes
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.,Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Knoxville, TN
| | - Subimal Datta
- Department of Anesthesiology, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.,Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, Knoxville, TN.,Program in Comparative and Experimental Medicine; University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
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Bayraktar G, Kreutz MR. Neuronal DNA Methyltransferases: Epigenetic Mediators between Synaptic Activity and Gene Expression? Neuroscientist 2017; 24:171-185. [PMID: 28513272 PMCID: PMC5846851 DOI: 10.1177/1073858417707457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
DNMT3A and 3B are the main de novo DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in the brain that introduce new methylation marks to non-methylated DNA in postmitotic neurons. DNA methylation is a key epigenetic mark that is known to regulate important cellular processes in neuronal development and brain plasticity. Accumulating evidence disclosed rapid and dynamic changes in DNA methylation of plasticity-relevant genes that are important for learning and memory formation. To understand how DNMTs contribute to brain function and how they are regulated by neuronal activity is a prerequisite for a deeper appreciation of activity-dependent gene expression in health and disease. This review discusses the functional role of de novo methyltransferases and in particular DNMT3A1 in the adult brain with special emphasis on synaptic plasticity, memory formation, and brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonca Bayraktar
- 1 RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- 1 RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.,2 Leibniz Group "Dendritic Organelles and Synaptic Function", ZMNH, Magdeburg, Germany
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Homberg JR, Kozicz T, Fernández G. Large-scale network balances in the transition from adaptive to maladaptive stress responses. Curr Opin Behav Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cobeha.2016.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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