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Li Y, Xue J, Ma Y, Ye K, Zhao X, Ge F, Zheng F, Liu L, Gao X, Wang D, Xia Q. The complex roles of m 6 A modifications in neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal and implications for memory and neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:1582-1598. [PMID: 38845217 DOI: 10.4103/nrr.nrr-d-23-01872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m 6 A), the most prevalent and conserved RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, profoundly influences virtually all aspects of mRNA metabolism. mRNA plays crucial roles in neural stem cell genesis and neural regeneration, where it is highly concentrated and actively involved in these processes. Changes in m 6 A modification levels and the expression levels of related enzymatic proteins can lead to neurological dysfunction and contribute to the development of neurological diseases. Furthermore, the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, as well as nerve regeneration, are intimately linked to memory function and neurodegenerative diseases. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the roles of m 6 A in neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal, as well as its implications in memory and neurodegenerative diseases. m 6 A has demonstrated divergent effects on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. These observed contradictions may arise from the time-specific nature of m 6 A and its differential impact on neural stem cells across various stages of development. Similarly, the diverse effects of m 6 A on distinct types of memory could be attributed to the involvement of specific brain regions in memory formation and recall. Inconsistencies in m 6 A levels across different models of neurodegenerative disease, particularly Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, suggest that these disparities are linked to variations in the affected brain regions. Notably, the opposing changes in m 6 A levels observed in Parkinson's disease models exposed to manganese compared to normal Parkinson's disease models further underscore the complexity of m 6 A's role in neurodegenerative processes. The roles of m 6 A in neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and self-renewal, and its implications in memory and neurodegenerative diseases, appear contradictory. These inconsistencies may be attributed to the time-specific nature of m 6 A and its varying effects on distinct brain regions and in different environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxi Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Jing Xue
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Yuejia Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Ke Ye
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Fangliang Ge
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Feifei Zheng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Lulu Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Xu Gao
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Basic Medical Institute, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Heilongjiang Province for Genetically Modified Animals, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Dayong Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
- Translational Medicine Research and Cooperation Center of Northern China, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China
| | - Qing Xia
- Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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2
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Liu R, Collier JM, Abdul-Rahman NH, Capuk O, Zhang Z, Begum G. Dysregulation of Ion Channels and Transporters and Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia. Aging Dis 2024; 15:1748-1770. [PMID: 38300642 PMCID: PMC11272208 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.1201] [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: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in maintaining ion and fluid homeostasis, essential for brain metabolism and neuronal function. Regulation of nutrient, water, and ion transport across the BBB is tightly controlled by specialized ion transporters and channels located within its unique cellular components. These dynamic transport processes not only influence the BBB's structure but also impact vital signaling mechanisms, essential for its optimal function. Disruption in ion, pH, and fluid balance at the BBB is associated with brain pathology and has been implicated in various neurological conditions, including stroke, epilepsy, trauma, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, knowledge gaps exist regarding the impact of ion transport dysregulation on BBB function in neurodegenerative dementias. Several factors contribute to this gap: the complex nature of these conditions, historical research focus on neuronal mechanisms and technical challenges in studying the ion transport mechanisms in in vivo models and the lack of efficient in vitro BBB dementia models. This review provides an overview of current research on the roles of ion transporters and channels at the BBB and poses specific research questions: 1) How are the expression and activity of key ion transporters altered in AD and vascular dementia (VaD); 2) Do these changes contribute to BBB dysfunction and disease progression; and 3) Can restoring ion transport function mitigate BBB dysfunction and improve clinical outcomes. Addressing these gaps will provide a greater insight into the vascular pathology of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijia Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
- Department of Neurology, The Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Jenelle M Collier
- Department of Neurology, The Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Center for Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | | | - Okan Capuk
- Department of Neurology, The Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Zhongling Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
| | - Gulnaz Begum
- Department of Neurology, The Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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3
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Leinenga G, Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation. J Alzheimers Dis 2024:JAD240616. [PMID: 39058447 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive impairment of neuronal functions culminating in neuronal loss and dementia. A universal feature of dementia is protein aggregation, a process by which a monomer forms intermediate oligomeric assembly states and filaments that develop into end-stage hallmark lesions. In Alzheimer's disease, this is exemplified by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques which have been placed upstream of tau, found in intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and dystrophic neurites. This implies causality that can be modeled as a linear activation cascade. When Aβ load is reduced, for example, in response to an anti-Aβ immunotherapy, cognitive functions improve in plaque-forming mice. They also deteriorate less in clinical trial cohorts although real-world clinical benefits remain to be demonstrated. Given the existence of aged humans with unimpaired cognition despite a high plaque load, the central role of Aβ has been challenged. A counter argument has been that clinical symptoms would eventually develop if these aged individuals were to live long enough. Alternatively, intrinsic mechanisms that protect the brain in the presence of pathology may exist. In fact, Aβ toxicity can be abolished by either reducing or manipulating tau (through which Aβ signals), at least in preclinical models. In addition to manipulating steps in this linear pathocascade model, mechanisms of restoring brain reserve can also counteract Aβ toxicity. Low-intensity ultrasound is a neuromodulatory modality that can improve cognitive functions in Aβ-depositing mice without the need for removing Aβ. Together, this highlights a dissociation of Aβ and cognition, with important implications for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Leinenga
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD, Australia
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4
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Uchiumi O, Zou J, Yamaki S, Hori Y, Ono M, Yamamoto R, Kato N. Disruption of sphingomyelin synthase 2 gene alleviates cognitive impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res 2024; 1835:148934. [PMID: 38609029 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The membrane raft accommodates the key enzymes synthesizing amyloid β (Aβ). One of the two characteristic components of the membrane raft, cholesterol, is well known to promote the key enzymes that produce amyloid-β (Aβ) and exacerbate Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Given that the raft is a physicochemical platform for the sound functioning of embedded bioactive proteins, the other major lipid component sphingomyelin may also be involved in AD. Here we knocked out the sphingomyelin synthase 2 gene (SMS2) in 3xTg AD model mice by hybridization, yielding SMS2KO mice (4S mice). The novel object recognition test in 9/10-month-old 4S mice showed that cognitive impairment in 3xTg mice was alleviated by SMS2KO, though performance in the Morris water maze (MWM) was not improved. The tail suspension test detected a depressive trait in 4S mice, which may have hindered the manifestation of performance in the wet, stressful environment of MWM. In the hippocampal CA1, hyperexcitability in 3xTg was also found alleviated by SMS2KO. In the hippocampal dentate gyrus of 4S mice, the number of neurons positive with intracellular Aβ or its precursor proteins, the hallmark of young 3xTg mice, is reduced to one-third, suggesting an SMS2KO-led suppression of syntheses of those peptides in the dentate gyrus. Although we previously reported that large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels are suppressed in 3xTg mice and their recovery relates to cognitive amelioration, no changes occurred by hybridization. Sphingomyelin in the membrane raft may serve as a novel target for AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osamu Uchiumi
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Jingyu Zou
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China
| | - Sachiko Yamaki
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Yoshie Hori
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Munenori Ono
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamamoto
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan
| | - Nobuo Kato
- Department of Physiology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan.
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5
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Murai SA, Mano T, Sanes JN, Watanabe T. Atypical intrinsic neural timescale in the left angular gyrus in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae199. [PMID: 38993284 PMCID: PMC11227993 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae199] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by cognitive impairment and progressive brain atrophy. Recent human neuroimaging studies reported atypical anatomical and functional changes in some regions in the default mode network in patients with Alzheimer's disease, but which brain area of the default mode network is the key region whose atrophy disturbs the entire network activity and consequently contributes to the symptoms of the disease remains unidentified. Here, in this case-control study, we aimed to identify crucial neural regions that mediated the phenotype of Alzheimer's disease, and as such, we examined the intrinsic neural timescales-a functional metric to evaluate the capacity to integrate diverse neural information-and grey matter volume of the regions in the default mode network using resting-state functional MRI images and structural MRI data obtained from individuals with Alzheimer's disease and cognitively typical people. After confirming the atypically short neural timescale of the entire default mode network in Alzheimer's disease and its link with the symptoms of the disease, we found that the shortened neural timescale of the default mode network was associated with the aberrantly short neural timescale of the left angular gyrus. Moreover, we revealed that the shortened neural timescale of the angular gyrus was correlated with the atypically reduced grey matter volume of this parietal region. Furthermore, we identified an association between the neural structure, brain function and symptoms and proposed a model in which the reduced grey matter volume of the left angular gyrus shortened the intrinsic neural time of the region, which then destabilized the entire neural timescale of the default mode network and resultantly contributed to cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. These findings highlight the key role of the left angular gyrus in the anatomical and functional aetiology of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shota A Murai
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Mano
- Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8551, Japan
| | - Jerome N Sanes
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912, USA
- Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology, Veterans Affairs Providence Healthcare System, Providence, RI 02908, USA
| | - Takamitsu Watanabe
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence (WPI-IRCN), The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study, Bunkyo City, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
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Zott B, Nästle L, Grienberger C, Unger F, Knauer MM, Wolf C, Keskin-Dargin A, Feuerbach A, Busche MA, Skerra A, Konnerth A. β-amyloid monomer scavenging by an anticalin protein prevents neuronal hyperactivity in mouse models of Alzheimer's Disease. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5819. [PMID: 38987287 PMCID: PMC11237084 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50153-y] [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: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hyperactivity mediated by synaptotoxic β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers is one of the earliest forms of neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. In the search for a preventive treatment strategy, we tested the effect of scavenging Aβ peptides before Aβ plaque formation. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging and SF-iGluSnFR-based glutamate imaging in hippocampal slices, we demonstrate that an Aβ binding anticalin protein (Aβ-anticalin) can suppress early neuronal hyperactivity and synaptic glutamate accumulation in the APP23xPS45 mouse model of β-amyloidosis. Our results suggest that the sole targeting of Aβ monomers is sufficient for the hyperactivity-suppressing effect of the Aβ-anticalin at early disease stages. Biochemical and neurophysiological analyses indicate that the Aβ-anticalin-dependent depletion of naturally secreted Aβ monomers interrupts their aggregation to neurotoxic oligomers and, thereby, reverses early neuronal and synaptic dysfunctions. Thus, our results suggest that Aβ monomer scavenging plays a key role in the repair of neuronal function at early stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Zott
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Department of Neuroradiology, MRI hospital of the Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- TUM Institute for Advanced Study, Garching, Germany.
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
| | - Lea Nästle
- Chair of Biological Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Christine Grienberger
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Biology and Volen National Center of Complex Systems, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Felix Unger
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, MRI hospital of the Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- TUM Institute for Advanced Study, Garching, Germany
| | - Manuel M Knauer
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Wolf
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neuroradiology, MRI hospital of the Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Anna Feuerbach
- Chair of Biological Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Marc Aurel Busche
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Arne Skerra
- Chair of Biological Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
| | - Arthur Konnerth
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
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7
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Braak S, Penninx BW, Su T, Pijnenburg Y, Nijland D, Campos AV, de la Torre-Luque A, Saris IMJ, Reus LM, Beckenstrom AC, Malik A, Dawson GR, Marston H, Alvarez-Linera J, Ayuso-Mateos JLL, Arango C, van der Wee N, Kas MJ, Aghajani M. Social dysfunction relates to shifts within socioaffective brain systems among Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease patients. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 86:1-10. [PMID: 38909542 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Social dysfunction represents one of the most common signs of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as Schizophrenia (SZ) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Perturbed socioaffective neural processing is crucially implicated in SZ/AD and generally linked to social dysfunction. Yet, transdiagnostic properties of social dysfunction and its neurobiological underpinnings remain unknown. As part of the European PRISM project, we examined whether social dysfunction maps onto shifts within socioaffective brain systems across SZ and AD patients. We probed coupling of social dysfunction with socioaffective neural processing, as indexed by an implicit facial emotional processing fMRI task, across SZ (N = 46), AD (N = 40) and two age-matched healthy control (HC) groups (N = 26 HC-younger and N = 27 HC-older). Behavioural (i.e., social withdrawal, interpersonal dysfunction, diminished prosocial or recreational activity) and subjective (i.e., feelings of loneliness) aspects of social dysfunction were assessed using the Social Functioning Scale and De Jong-Gierveld loneliness questionnaire, respectively. Across SZ/AD/HC participants, more severe behavioural social dysfunction related to hyperactivity within fronto-parieto-limbic brain systems in response to sad emotions (P = 0.0078), along with hypoactivity of these brain systems in response to happy emotions (P = 0.0418). Such relationships were not found for subjective experiences of social dysfunction. These effects were independent of diagnosis, and not confounded by clinical and sociodemographic factors. In conclusion, behavioural aspects of social dysfunction across SZ/AD/HC participants are associated with shifts within fronto-parieto-limbic brain systems. These findings pinpoint altered socioaffective neural processing as a putative marker for social dysfunction, and could aid personalized care initiatives grounded in social behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Braak
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress and Neurodegeneration programs, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Brenda Wjh Penninx
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress and Neurodegeneration programs, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tanja Su
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress and Neurodegeneration programs, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Yolande Pijnenburg
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Daphne Nijland
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress and Neurodegeneration programs, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Alba Vieira Campos
- Centre of Biomedical Research in Mental Health, CIBERSAM, Spain; Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro de la Torre-Luque
- Centre of Biomedical Research in Mental Health, CIBERSAM, Spain; Department of Legal Medicine, Psychiatry and Pathology. Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ilja M J Saris
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Mood, Anxiety, Psychosis, Sleep & Stress and Neurodegeneration programs, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Lianne M Reus
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
| | | | - Asad Malik
- P1vital Ltd. Manor House, Howbery Park, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Gerard R Dawson
- P1vital Ltd. Manor House, Howbery Park, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Jose-Luis L Ayuso-Mateos
- Centre of Biomedical Research in Mental Health, CIBERSAM, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Princesa, Spain
| | - Celso Arango
- Centre of Biomedical Research in Mental Health, CIBERSAM, Spain; Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Gregorio Marañon University Hospital, IiSGM, Spain; Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Nic van der Wee
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Department of Psychiatry, the Netherlands
| | - Martien J Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Moji Aghajani
- Amsterdam UMC, location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Department of Psychiatry, Boelelaan 1117, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Institute of Education & Child Studies, Section Forensic Family & Youth Care, Leiden University, the Netherlands
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8
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Amiri S, van den Berg M, Nazem-Zadeh MR, Verhoye M, Amiri M, Keliris GA. Nodal degree centrality in the default mode-like network of the TgF344-AD Alzheimer's disease rat model as a measure of early network alterations. NPJ AGING 2024; 10:29. [PMID: 38902224 PMCID: PMC11190202 DOI: 10.1038/s41514-024-00151-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates brain network alterations in the default mode-like network (DMLN) at early stages of disease progression in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with application in the development of early diagnostic biomarkers of AD in translational studies. Thirteen male TgF344-AD (TG) rats, and eleven male wild-types (WT) littermates underwent longitudinal resting-state fMRI at the age of 4 and 6 months (pre and early-plaque stages of AD). Alterations in connectivity within DMLN were characterized by calculating the nodal degree (ND), a graph theoretical measure of centrality. The ND values of the left CA2 subregion of the hippocampus was found to be significantly lower in the 4-month-old TG cohort compared to the age-matched WT littermates. Moreover, a lower ND value (hypo-connectivity) was observed in the right prelimbic cortex (prL) and basal forebrain in the 6-month-old TG cohort, compared to the same age WT cohort. Indeed, the ND pattern in the DMLN in both TG and WT cohorts showed significant differences across the two time points that represent pre-plaque and early plaque stages of disease progression. Our findings indicate that lower nodal degree (hypo-connectivity) in the left CA2 in the pre-plaque stage of AD and hypo-connectivity between the basal forebrain and the DMLN regions in the early-plaque stage demonstrated differences in comparison to healthy controls. These results suggest that a graph-theoretical measure such as the nodal degree, can characterize brain networks and improve our insights into the mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Amiri
- Neuroscience Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monica van den Berg
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mohammad-Reza Nazem-Zadeh
- Research Center for Molecular and Cellular Imaging, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of neuroscience, Monash university, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mahmood Amiri
- Medical Technology Research Center, Institute of Health Technology, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | - Georgios A Keliris
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- µNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Institute of Computer Science, Hellas Foundation for Research & Technology - Hellas, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
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9
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Berkowitz BA, Paruchuri A, Stanek J, Abdul-Nabi M, Podolsky RH, Bustos AH, Childers KL, Murphy GG, Stangis K, Roberts R. Biomarker evidence of early vision and rod energy-linked pathophysiology benefits from very low dose DMSO in 5xFAD mice. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:85. [PMID: 38822433 PMCID: PMC11140992 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01799-8] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Here, we test whether early visual and OCT rod energy-linked biomarkers indicating pathophysiology in nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (Nnt)-null 5xFAD mice also occur in Nnt-intact 5xFAD mice and whether these biomarkers can be pharmacologically treated. Four-month-old wild-type or 5xFAD C57BL/6 substrains with either a null (B6J) Nnt or intact Nnt gene (B6NTac) and 5xFAD B6J mice treated for one month with either R-carvedilol + vehicle or only vehicle (0.01% DMSO) were studied. The contrast sensitivity (CS), external limiting membrane-retinal pigment epithelium (ELM-RPE) thickness (a proxy for low pH-triggered water removal), profile shape of the hyperreflective band just posterior to the ELM (i.e., the mitochondrial configuration within photoreceptors per aspect ratio [MCP/AR]), and retinal laminar thickness were measured. Both wild-type substrains showed similar visual performance indices and dark-evoked ELM-RPE contraction. The lack of a light-dark change in B6NTac MCP/AR, unlike in B6J mice, is consistent with relatively greater mitochondrial efficiency. 5xFAD B6J mice, but not 5xFAD B6NTac mice, showed lower-than-WT CS. Light-adapted 5xFAD substrains both showed abnormal ELM-RPE contraction and greater-than-WT MCP/AR contraction. The inner retina and superior outer retina were thinner. Treating 5xFAD B6J mice with R-carvedilol + DMSO or DMSO alone corrected CS and ELM-RPE contraction but not supernormal MCP/AR contraction or laminar thinning. These results provide biomarker evidence for prodromal photoreceptor mitochondrial dysfunction/oxidative stress/oxidative damage, which is unrelated to visual performance, as well as the presence of the Nnt gene. This pathophysiology is druggable in 5xFAD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce A Berkowitz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA.
| | - Anuhya Paruchuri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Josh Stanek
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Mura Abdul-Nabi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
| | - Robert H Podolsky
- Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children's National Hospital, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Molecular Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Katherine Stangis
- Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Robin Roberts
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA
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10
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Lee J, Pak DTS. Amyloid precursor protein combinatorial phosphorylation code regulates AMPA receptor removal during distinct forms of synaptic plasticity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 709:149803. [PMID: 38552556 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is essential for memory encoding and stabilization of neural network activity. Plasticity is impaired in neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer disease (AD). A central factor in AD is amyloid precursor protein (APP). Previous studies have suggested APP involvement in synaptic plasticity, but physiological roles of APP are not well understood. Here, we identified combinatorial phosphorylation sites within APP that regulate AMPA receptor trafficking during different forms of synaptic plasticity. Dual phosphorylation sites at threonine-668/serine-675 of APP promoted endocytosis of the GluA2 subunit of AMPA receptors during homeostatic synaptic plasticity. APP was also required for GluA2 internalization during NMDA receptor-dependent long-term depression, albeit via a distinct pair of phosphoresidues at serine-655/threonine-686. These data implicate APP as a central gate for AMPA receptor internalization during distinct forms of plasticity, unlocked by specific combinations of phosphoresidues, and suggest that APP may serve broad functions in learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisoo Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Daniel T S Pak
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, 20007, USA.
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11
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L'esperance OJ, McGhee J, Davidson G, Niraula S, Smith AS, Sosunov A, Yan SS, Subramanian J. Functional connectivity favors aberrant visual network c-Fos expression accompanied by cortical synapse loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.05.522900. [PMID: 36712054 PMCID: PMC9881957 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.05.522900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
While Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been extensively studied with a focus on cognitive networks, sensory network dysfunction has received comparatively less attention despite compelling evidence of its significance in both Alzheimer's disease patients and mouse models. We recently found that neurons in the primary visual cortex of an AD mouse model expressing human amyloid protein precursor with the Swedish and Indiana mutations (hAPP mutations) exhibit aberrant c-Fos expression and altered synaptic structures at a pre-amyloid plaque stage. However, it is unclear whether aberrant c-Fos expression and synaptic pathology vary across the broader visual network and to what extent c-Fos abnormality in the cortex is inherited through functional connectivity. Using both sexes of 4-6-month AD model mice with hAPP mutations (J20[PDGF-APPSw, Ind]), we found that cortical regions of the visual network show aberrant c-Fos expression and impaired experience-dependent modulation while subcortical regions do not. Interestingly, the average network-wide functional connectivity strength of a brain region in wild type (WT) mice significantly predicts its aberrant c-Fos expression, which in turn correlates with impaired experience-dependent modulation in the AD model. Using in vivo two-photon and ex vivo imaging of presynaptic termini, we observed a subtle yet selective weakening of excitatory cortical synapses in the visual cortex. Intriguingly, the change in the size distribution of cortical boutons in the AD model is downscaled relative to those in WT mice, suggesting that synaptic weakening may reflect an adaptation to aberrant activity. Our observations suggest that cellular and synaptic abnormalities in the AD model represent a maladaptive transformation of the baseline physiological state seen in WT conditions rather than entirely novel and unrelated manifestations.
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12
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Bonzanni M, Braga A, Saito T, Saido TC, Tesco G, Haydon PG. Adenosine deficiency facilitates CA1 synaptic hyperexcitability in the presymptomatic phase of a knock in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.24.590882. [PMID: 38712028 PMCID: PMC11071633 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.24.590882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
The disease's trajectory of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with and worsened by hippocampal hyperexcitability. Here we show that during the asymptomatic stage in a knock in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (APPNL-G-F/NL-G-F; APPKI), hippocampal hyperactivity occurs at the synaptic compartment, propagates to the soma and is manifesting at low frequencies of stimulation. We show that this aberrant excitability is associated with a deficient adenosine tone, an inhibitory neuromodulator, driven by reduced levels of CD39/73 enzymes, responsible for the extracellular ATP-to-adenosine conversion. Both pharmacologic (adenosine kinase inhibitor) and non-pharmacologic (ketogenic diet) restorations of the adenosine tone successfully normalize hippocampal neuronal activity. Our results demonstrated that neuronal hyperexcitability during the asymptomatic stage of a KI model of Alzheimer's disease originated at the synaptic compartment and is associated with adenosine deficient tone. These results extend our comprehension of the hippocampal vulnerability associated with the asymptomatic stage of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Bonzanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alice Braga
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Current address: Centre for Cardiovascular and 811 Metabolic Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | | | - Philip G Haydon
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
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Kiss E, Kins S, Gorgas K, Venczel Szakács KH, Kirsch J, Kuhse J. Another Use for a Proven Drug: Experimental Evidence for the Potential of Artemisinin and Its Derivatives to Treat Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4165. [PMID: 38673751 PMCID: PMC11049906 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084165] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Plant-derived multitarget compounds may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for multifactorial diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Artemisinin and its derivatives were indicated to beneficially modulate various aspects of AD pathology in different AD animal models through the regulation of a wide range of different cellular processes, such as energy homeostasis, apoptosis, proliferation and inflammatory pathways. In this review, we aimed to provide an up-to-date overview of the experimental evidence documenting the neuroprotective activities of artemi-sinins to underscore the potential of these already-approved drugs for treating AD also in humans and propose their consideration for carefully designed clinical trials. In particular, the benefits to the main pathological hallmarks and events in the pathological cascade throughout AD development in different animal models of AD are summarized. Moreover, dose- and context-dependent effects of artemisinins are noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Kiss
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.G.); (J.K.)
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mures, 540142 Târgu Mures, Romania;
| | - Stefan Kins
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern, 69120 Kaiserslautern, Germany;
| | - Karin Gorgas
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Kinga Hajnal Venczel Szakács
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mures, 540142 Târgu Mures, Romania;
| | - Joachim Kirsch
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.G.); (J.K.)
| | - Jochen Kuhse
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany; (K.G.); (J.K.)
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14
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Stroh A, Schweiger S, Ramirez JM, Tüscher O. The selfish network: how the brain preserves behavioral function through shifts in neuronal network state. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:246-258. [PMID: 38485625 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2024.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal networks possess the ability to regulate their activity states in response to disruptions. How and when neuronal networks turn from physiological into pathological states, leading to the manifestation of neuropsychiatric disorders, remains largely unknown. Here, we propose that neuronal networks intrinsically maintain network stability even at the cost of neuronal loss. Despite the new stable state being potentially maladaptive, neural networks may not reverse back to states associated with better long-term outcomes. These maladaptive states are often associated with hyperactive neurons, marking the starting point for activity-dependent neurodegeneration. Transitions between network states may occur rapidly, and in discrete steps rather than continuously, particularly in neurodegenerative disorders. The self-stabilizing, metastable, and noncontinuous characteristics of these network states can be mathematically described as attractors. Maladaptive attractors may represent a distinct pathophysiological entity that could serve as a target for new therapies and for fostering resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albrecht Stroh
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Pathophysiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | - Susann Schweiger
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany
| | - Jan-Marino Ramirez
- Center for Integrative Brain Research at the Seattle Children's Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Oliver Tüscher
- Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany; Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB), Mainz, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
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15
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Rajagopal L, Huang M, Mahjour S, Ryan C, Elzokaky A, Svensson KA, Meltzer HY. The dopamine D1 receptor positive allosteric modulator, DETQ, improves cognition and social interaction in aged mice and enhances cortical and hippocampal acetylcholine efflux. Behav Brain Res 2024; 459:114766. [PMID: 38048913 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) D1 and D2 receptors (Rs) are critical for cognitive functioning. D1 positive allosteric modulators (D1PAMs) activate D1Rs without desensitization or an inverted U-shaped dose response curve. DETQ, [2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-((1S,3R)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethan-1-one] is highly selective for the human D1Rs as shown in humanized D1R knock-in (hD1Ki) mice. Here, we have ascertained the efficacy of DETQ in aged [13-23-month-old (mo)] hD1Ki mice and their corresponding age-matched wild-type (WT; C57BL/6NTac) controls. We found that in aged mice, DETQ, given acutely, subchronically, and chronically, rescued both novel object recognition memory and social behaviors, using novel object recognition (NOR) and social interaction (SI) tasks, respectively without any adverse effect on body weight or mortality. We have also shown, using in vivo microdialysis, a significant decrease in basal DA and norepinephrine, increase in glutamate (Glu) and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) efflux with no significant changes in acetylcholine (ACh) levels in aged vs young mice. In young and aged hD1Ki mice, DETQ, acutely and subchronically increased ACh in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampal regions in aged hD1Ki mice without affecting Glu. These results suggest that the D1PAM mechanism is of interest as potential treatment for cognitive and social behavioral deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders including but not restricted to neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mei Huang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Sanaz Mahjour
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Chelsea Ryan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ahmad Elzokaky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Kjell A Svensson
- Neuroscience Discovery, Eli Lilly & Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - H Y Meltzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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16
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Mao R, Hu M, Liu X, Ye L, Xu B, Sun M, Xu S, Shao W, Tan Y, Xu Y, Bai F, Shu S. Impairments of GABAergic transmission in hippocampus mediate increased susceptibility of epilepsy in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:147. [PMID: 38388921 PMCID: PMC10885444 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01528-7] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are often co-morbid with unprovoked seizures, making clinical diagnosis and management difficult. Although it has an important role in both AD and epilepsy, abnormal γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic transmission is recognized only as a compensative change for glutamatergic damage. Neuregulin 1 (NRG1)-ErbB4 signaling can promote GABA release and suppress epileptogenesis, but its effects on cognition in AD are still controversial. METHODS Four-month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 mice (APP mice) were used as animal models in the early stage of AD in this study. Acute/chronic chemical-kindling epilepsy models were established with pentylenetetrazol. Electroencephalogram and Racine scores were performed to assess seizures. Behavioral tests were used to assess cognition and emotion. Electrophysiology, western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect the alterations in synapses, GABAergic system components and NRG1-ErbB4 signaling. Furthermore, NRG1 was administrated intracerebroventricularly into APP mice and then its antiepileptic and cognitive effects were evaluated. RESULTS APP mice had increased susceptibility to epilepsy and resulting hippocampal synaptic damage and cognitive impairment. Electrophysiological analysis revealed decreased GABAergic transmission in the hippocampus. This abnormal GABAergic transmission involved a reduction in the number of parvalbumin interneurons (PV+ Ins) and decreased levels of GABA synthesis and transport. We also found impaired NRG1-ErbB4 signaling which mediated by PV+ Ins loss. And NRG1 administration could effectively reduce seizures and improve cognition in four-month-old APP mice. CONCLUSION Our results indicated that abnormal GABAergic transmission mediated hippocampal hyperexcitability, further excitation/inhibition imbalance, and promoted epileptogenesis in the early stage of AD. Appropriate NRG1 administration could down-regulate seizure susceptibility and rescue cognitive function. Our study provided a potential direction for intervening in the co-morbidity of AD and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Mao
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengsha Hu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Ye
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bingsong Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Sun
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxuan Shao
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yi Tan
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Xu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Discipline of Neurology, Nanjing, China.
- Nanjing Neurology Medical Center, Nanjing, China.
| | - Feng Bai
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Discipline of Neurology, Nanjing, China.
- Nanjing Neurology Medical Center, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shu Shu
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Department of Neurology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Institute of Translational Medicine for Brain Critical Diseases, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Discipline of Neurology, Nanjing, China.
- Nanjing Neurology Medical Center, Nanjing, China.
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17
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Liu Y, Lin W, Liu J, Zhu H. Structural and temporal dynamics analysis of neural circuit from 2002 to 2022: A bibliometric analysis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e24649. [PMID: 38298625 PMCID: PMC10828061 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In the pursuit of causal insights into neural circuit functionality, various interventions, including electrical, genetic, and pharmacological approaches, have been applied over recent decades. This study employs a comprehensive bibliometric perspective to explore the field of neural circuits. Methods Reviews and articles on neural circuits were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database on Apr. 12, 2023. In this article, co-authorship analysis, co-occurrence analysis, citation analysis, bibliographic analysis, and co-citation analysis were used to clarify the authors, journals, institutions, countries, topics, and internal associations between them. Results More than 2000 organizations from 52 different countries published 3975 articles in the field of "neural circuit" were used to analysis. Luo liqun emerged as the most prolific author, and Deisseroth Karl garners the highest co-citations (3643). The Journal of Neuroscience leaded in publications, while Nature toped in citations. Chinese Academy of Science recorded the highest article count institutionally, with Stanford University ranking first with 14,350 citations. Since 2020, neurodynamic, anxiety-related mechanisms, and GABAergic neurons have gained prominence, shaping the trajectory of neural circuitry research. Conclusions Our investigation has discerned a paradigmatic reorientation towards neurodynamic processes, anxiety-related mechanisms, and GABAergic neurons within the domain of neural circuit research. This identification intimates a prospective trajectory for the field. In the future, it is imperative for research endeavors to accord priority to the translational application of these discernments, with the aim of materializing tangible clinical solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Cancer Research Center Nantong, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases and Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, China
| | - Haixia Zhu
- Cancer Research Center Nantong, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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18
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Paudel B, Jeong SY, Martinez CP, Rickman A, Haluck-Kangas A, Bartom ET, Fredriksen K, Affaneh A, Kessler JA, Mazzulli JR, Murmann AE, Rogalski E, Geula C, Ferreira A, Heckmann BL, Green DR, Sadleir KR, Vassar R, Peter ME. Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination (DISE) correlates with neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease and aging. Nat Commun 2024; 15:264. [PMID: 38238311 PMCID: PMC10796375 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44465-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration, but the specific events that cause cell death remain poorly understood. Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination (DISE) is a cell death mechanism mediated by short (s) RNAs acting through the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). DISE is thus a form of RNA interference, in which G-rich 6mer seed sequences in the sRNAs (position 2-7) target hundreds of C-rich 6mer seed matches in genes essential for cell survival, resulting in the activation of cell death pathways. Here, using Argonaute precipitation and RNAseq (Ago-RP-Seq), we analyze RISC-bound sRNAs to quantify 6mer seed toxicity in several model systems. In mouse AD models and aging brain, in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from AD patients, and in cells exposed to Aβ42 oligomers, RISC-bound sRNAs show a shift to more toxic 6mer seeds compared to controls. In contrast, in brains of "SuperAgers", humans over age 80 who have superior memory performance, RISC-bound sRNAs are shifted to more nontoxic 6mer seeds. Cells depleted of nontoxic sRNAs are sensitized to Aβ42-induced cell death, and reintroducing nontoxic RNAs is protective. Altogether, the correlation between DISE and Aβ42 toxicity suggests that increasing the levels of nontoxic miRNAs in the brain or blocking the activity of toxic RISC-bound sRNAs could ameliorate neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidur Paudel
- Department of Medicine/Division Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Si-Yeon Jeong
- Department of Medicine/Division Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Pharmaceutical Safety Bureau, Pharmaceutical Policy Division 187, Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Carolina Pena Martinez
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Neuroscience Institute; Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Alexis Rickman
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Neuroscience Institute; Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Ashley Haluck-Kangas
- Department of Medicine/Division Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Bartom
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Preventive Medicine/Division of Biostatistics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Kristina Fredriksen
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Amira Affaneh
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - John A Kessler
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Joseph R Mazzulli
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Andrea E Murmann
- Department of Medicine/Division Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Emily Rogalski
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Healthy Aging & Alzheimer's Research Care (HAARC) Center, Department of Neurology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Changiz Geula
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Adriana Ferreira
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Bradlee L Heckmann
- USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Neuroscience Institute; Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Douglas R Green
- Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, 38105, USA
| | - Katherine R Sadleir
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Robert Vassar
- Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Marcus E Peter
- Department of Medicine/Division Hematology/Oncology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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19
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Gharat R, Dixit G, Khambete M, Prabhu A. Targets, trials and tribulations in Alzheimer therapeutics. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 962:176230. [PMID: 38042464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.176230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles in the parts of the brain responsible for cognition. The therapeutic burden for the management of AD relies solely on cholinesterase inhibitors that provide only symptomatic relief. The urgent need for disease-modifying drugs has resulted in intensive research in this domain, which has led to better understanding of the disease pathology and identification of a plethora of new pathological targets. Currently, there are over a hundred and seventy clinical trials exploring disease modification, cognitive enhancement, and reduction of neuro-psychiatric complications. However, the path to developing safe and efficacious AD therapeutics has not been without challenges. Several clinical trials have been terminated in advanced stages due to lack of therapeutic translation or increased incidence of adverse events. This review presents an in-depth look at the various therapeutic targets of AD and the lessons learnt during their clinical assessment. Comprehensive understanding of the implication of modulating various aspects of Alzheimer brain pathology is crucial for development of drugs with potential to halt disease progression in Alzheimer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruchita Gharat
- SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, VM Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, 400056, Maharashtra, India
| | - Gargi Dixit
- SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, VM Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, 400056, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mihir Khambete
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Arati Prabhu
- SVKM's Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy, VM Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, 400056, Maharashtra, India.
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20
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Philippen S, Hanert A, Schönfeld R, Granert O, Yilmaz R, Jensen-Kondering U, Splittgerber M, Moliadze V, Siniatchkin M, Berg D, Bartsch T. Transcranial direct current stimulation of the right temporoparietal junction facilitates hippocampal spatial learning in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 157:48-60. [PMID: 38056370 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Spatial memory deficits are an early symptom in Alzheimer's disease (AD), reflecting the neurodegenerative processes in the neuronal navigation network such as in hippocampal and parietal cortical areas. As no effective treatment options are available, neuromodulatory interventions are increasingly evaluated. Against this backdrop, we investigated the neuromodulatory effect of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on hippocampal place learning in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled study with a cross-over design anodal tDCS of the right temporoparietal junction (2 mA for 20 min) was applied to 20 patients diagnosed with AD or MCI and in 22 healthy controls while they performed a virtual navigation paradigm testing hippocampal place learning. RESULTS We show an improved recall performance of hippocampal place learning after anodal tDCS in the patient group compared to sham stimulation but not in the control group. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that tDCS can facilitate spatial memory consolidation via stimulating the parietal-hippocampal navigation network in AD and MCI patients. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that tDCS of the temporoparietal junction may restore spatial navigation and memory deficits in patients with AD and MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Philippen
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - A Hanert
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - R Schönfeld
- Psychology Department, Halle University, Germany
| | - O Granert
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - R Yilmaz
- Dept. of Neurology, University of Ankara, Medical School, Ankara, Turkey
| | - U Jensen-Kondering
- Dept. of Radiology and Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; Dept. of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
| | - M Splittgerber
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany
| | - V Moliadze
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany
| | - M Siniatchkin
- Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel University, Germany; Clinic for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical Center Bethel, University Clinics OWL, Bielefeld University, Germany
| | - D Berg
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - T Bartsch
- Dept. of Neurology, Memory Disorder and Plasticity Group, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany.
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21
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Abdel-Ghani M, Lee Y, Akli LA, Moran M, Schneeweis A, Djemil S, ElChoueiry R, Murtadha R, Pak DTS. Plk2 promotes synaptic destabilization through disruption of N-cadherin adhesion complexes during homeostatic adaptation to hyperexcitation. J Neurochem 2023; 167:362-375. [PMID: 37654026 PMCID: PMC10592368 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15948] [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: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Synaptogenesis in the brain is highly organized and orchestrated by synaptic cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) such as N-cadherin and amyloid precursor protein (APP) that contribute to the stabilization and structure of synapses. Although N-cadherin plays an integral role in synapse formation and synaptic plasticity, its function in synapse dismantling is not as well understood. Synapse weakening and loss are prominent features of neurodegenerative diseases, and can also be observed during homeostatic compensation to neuronal hyperexcitation. Previously, we have shown that during homeostatic synaptic plasticity, APP is a target for cleavage triggered by phosphorylation by Polo-like kinase 2 (Plk2). Here, we found that Plk2 directly phosphorylates N-cadherin, and during neuronal hyperexcitation Plk2 promotes N-cadherin proteolytic processing, degradation, and disruption of complexes with APP. We further examined the molecular mechanisms underlying N-cadherin degradation. Loss of N-cadherin adhesive function destabilizes excitatory synapses and promotes their structural dismantling as a prerequisite to eventual synapse elimination. This pathway, which may normally help to homeostatically restrain excitability, could also shed light on the dysregulated synapse loss that occurs in cognitive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Abdel-Ghani
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Yeunkum Lee
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Lyna Ait Akli
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Marielena Moran
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Amanda Schneeweis
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Sarra Djemil
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Rebecca ElChoueiry
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Ruqaya Murtadha
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
| | - Daniel T. S. Pak
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20057, USA
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22
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Grieco SF, Holmes TC, Xu X. Probing neural circuit mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease using novel technologies. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4407-4420. [PMID: 36959497 PMCID: PMC10827671 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02018-x] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
The study of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has traditionally focused on neuropathological mechanisms that has guided therapies that attenuate neuropathological features. A new direction is emerging in AD research that focuses on the progressive loss of cognitive function due to disrupted neural circuit mechanisms. Evidence from humans and animal models of AD show that dysregulated circuits initiate a cascade of pathological events that culminate in functional loss of learning, memory, and other aspects of cognition. Recent progress in single-cell, spatial, and circuit omics informs this circuit-focused approach by determining the identities, locations, and circuitry of the specific cells affected by AD. Recently developed neuroscience tools allow for precise access to cell type-specific circuitry so that their functional roles in AD-related cognitive deficits and disease progression can be tested. An integrated systems-level understanding of AD-associated neural circuit mechanisms requires new multimodal and multi-scale interrogations that longitudinally measure and/or manipulate the ensemble properties of specific molecularly-defined neuron populations first susceptible to AD. These newly developed technological and conceptual advances present new opportunities for studying and treating circuits vulnerable in AD and represent the beginning of a new era for circuit-based AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven F Grieco
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Todd C Holmes
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Xiangmin Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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23
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Hernández-Frausto M, Bilash OM, Masurkar AV, Basu J. Local and long-range GABAergic circuits in hippocampal area CA1 and their link to Alzheimer's disease. Front Neural Circuits 2023; 17:1223891. [PMID: 37841892 PMCID: PMC10570439 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2023.1223891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
GABAergic inhibitory neurons are the principal source of inhibition in the brain. Traditionally, their role in maintaining the balance of excitation-inhibition has been emphasized. Beyond homeostatic functions, recent circuit mapping and functional manipulation studies have revealed a wide range of specific roles that GABAergic circuits play in dynamically tilting excitation-inhibition coupling across spatio-temporal scales. These span from gating of compartment- and input-specific signaling, gain modulation, shaping input-output functions and synaptic plasticity, to generating signal-to-noise contrast, defining temporal windows for integration and rate codes, as well as organizing neural assemblies, and coordinating inter-regional synchrony. GABAergic circuits are thus instrumental in controlling single-neuron computations and behaviorally-linked network activity. The activity dependent modulation of sensory and mnemonic information processing by GABAergic circuits is pivotal for the formation and maintenance of episodic memories in the hippocampus. Here, we present an overview of the local and long-range GABAergic circuits that modulate the dynamics of excitation-inhibition and disinhibition in the main output area of the hippocampus CA1, which is crucial for episodic memory. Specifically, we link recent findings pertaining to GABAergic neuron molecular markers, electrophysiological properties, and synaptic wiring with their function at the circuit level. Lastly, given that area CA1 is particularly impaired during early stages of Alzheimer's disease, we emphasize how these GABAergic circuits may contribute to and be involved in the pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Hernández-Frausto
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Olesia M. Bilash
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Arjun V. Masurkar
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Cognitive Neurology, Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jayeeta Basu
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY, United States
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24
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Stricker JL, Corriveau-Lecavalier N, Wiepert DA, Botha H, Jones DT, Stricker NH. Neural network process simulations support a distributed memory system and aid design of a novel computer adaptive digital memory test for preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer's disease. Neuropsychology 2023; 37:698-715. [PMID: 36037486 PMCID: PMC9971333 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000847] [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] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Growing evidence supports the importance of learning as a central deficit in preclinical/prodromal Alzheimer's disease. The aims of this study were to conduct a series of neural network simulations to develop a functional understanding of a distributed, nonmodular memory system that can learn efficiently without interference. This understanding is applied to the development of a novel digital memory test. METHOD Simulations using traditional feed forward neural network architectures to learn simple logic problems are presented. The simulations demonstrate three limitations: (a) inefficiency, (b) an inability to learn problems consistently, and (c) catastrophic interference when given multiple problems. A new mirrored cascaded architecture is introduced to address these limitations, with support provided by a series of simulations. RESULTS The mirrored cascaded architecture demonstrates efficient and consistent learning relative to feed forward networks but also suffers from catastrophic interference. Addition of context values to add the capability of distinguishing features as part of learning eliminates the problem of interference in the mirrored cascaded, but not the feed forward, architectures. CONCLUSIONS A mirrored cascaded architecture addresses the limitations of traditional feed forward neural networks, provides support for a distributed memory system, and emphasizes the importance of context to avoid interference. These process models contributed to the design of a digital computer-adaptive word list learning test that places maximum stress on the capability to distinguish specific episodes of learning. Process simulations provide a useful method of testing models of brain function and contribute to new approaches to neuropsychological assessment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- John L. Stricker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Information Technology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | | | | | - Hugo Botha
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - David T. Jones
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Nikki H. Stricker
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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25
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Wang Q, Xia C, Zhu A, Bao Y, Lu J, Chen Y, Xu J, Wang B, Naman CB, Li L, Wang Q, Liu H, Liang H, Cui W. Discrepancy of synaptic and microtubular protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 and MAPT×P301S transgenic mice at the early stage of Alzheimer's disease. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:1983-1997. [PMID: 37160613 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-023-01209-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, and is caused by multiple pathological factors, such as the overproduction of β-amyloid (Aβ) and the hyperphosphorylation of tau. However, there is limited knowledge of the mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and no effective biomarker for the early diagnosis of this disorder. Thus in this study, a quantitative phosphoproteomics analysis was performed to evaluate global protein phosphorylation in the hippocampus of Aβ overexpressing APP/PS1 transgenic mice and tau overexpressing MAPT×P301S transgenic mice, two in vivo AD model systems. These animals, up to ten weeks old, do not exhibit cognitive dysfunctions and are widely used to simulate early-stage AD patients. The number of differentially phosphorylated proteins (DPPs) was greater for APP/PS1 transgenic mice than for MAPT×P301S transgenic mice. The function of the DPPs in APP/PS1 transgenic mice was mainly related to synapses, while the function of the DPPs in MAPT×P301S transgenic mice was mainly related to microtubules. In addition, an AD core network was established including seven phosphoproteins differentially expressed in both animal models, and the function of this core network was related to synapses and oxidative stress. The results of this study suggest that Aβ and tau induce different protein phosphorylation profiles in the early stage of AD, leading to the dysfunctions in synapses and microtubule, respectively. And the detection of same DPPs in these animal models might be used for early AD diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyao Wang
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Chenglong Xia
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - An Zhu
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yongjie Bao
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jiani Lu
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Yuan Chen
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Jiayi Xu
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Binbin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - C Benjamin Naman
- Li Dak Sum Yip Yio Chin Kenneth Li Marine Biopharmaceutical Research Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Liping Li
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Qinwen Wang
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Hongze Liang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Mass Spectrometry and Molecular Analysis of Zhejiang Province, School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
| | - Wei Cui
- Translational Medicine Center of Pain, Emotion and Cognition, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
- The Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
- Ningbo Kangning Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China.
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26
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Tombini M, Boscarino M, Di Lazzaro V. Tackling seizures in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:1131-1145. [PMID: 37946507 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2278487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In past years, a possible bidirectional link between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been proposed: if AD patients are more likely to develop epilepsy, people with late-onset epilepsy evidence an increased risk of dementia. Furthermore, current research suggested that subclinical epileptiform discharges may be more frequent in patients with AD and network hyperexcitability may hasten cognitive impairment. AREAS COVERED In this narrative review, the authors discuss the recent evidence linking AD and epilepsy as well as seizures semeiology and epileptiform activity observed in patients with AD. Finally, anti-seizure medications (ASMs) and therapeutic trials to tackle seizures and network hyperexcitability in this clinical scenario have been summarized. EXPERT OPINION There is growing experimental evidence demonstrating a strong connection between seizures, neuronal hyperexcitability, and AD. Epilepsy in AD has shown a good response to ASMs both at the late and prodromal stages. The new generation ASMs with fewer cognitive adverse effects seem to be a preferable option. Data on the possible effects of network hyperexcitability and ASMs on AD progression are still inconclusive. Further clinical trials are mandatory to identify clear guidelines about treatment of subclinical epileptiform discharges in patients with AD without seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Tombini
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Boscarino
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neurorehabilitation Department, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Whitfield JF, Rennie K, Chakravarthy B. Alzheimer's Disease and Its Possible Evolutionary Origin: Hypothesis. Cells 2023; 12:1618. [PMID: 37371088 DOI: 10.3390/cells12121618] [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: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The enormous, 2-3-million-year evolutionary expansion of hominin neocortices to the current enormity enabled humans to take over the planet. However, there appears to have been a glitch, and it occurred without a compensatory expansion of the entorhinal cortical (EC) gateway to the hippocampal memory-encoding system needed to manage the processing of the increasing volume of neocortical data converging on it. The resulting age-dependent connectopathic glitch was unnoticed by the early short-lived populations. It has now surfaced as Alzheimer's disease (AD) in today's long-lived populations. With advancing age, processing of the converging neocortical data by the neurons of the relatively small lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC) inflicts persistent strain and high energy costs on these cells. This may result in their hyper-release of harmless Aβ1-42 monomers into the interstitial fluid, where they seed the formation of toxic amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) that initiate AD. At the core of connectopathic AD are the postsynaptic cellular prion protein (PrPC). Electrostatic binding of the negatively charged AβOs to the positively charged N-terminus of PrPC induces hyperphosphorylation of tau that destroys synapses. The spread of these accumulating AβOs from ground zero is supported by Aβ's own production mediated by target cells' Ca2+-sensing receptors (CaSRs). These data suggest that an early administration of a strongly positively charged, AβOs-interacting peptide or protein, plus an inhibitor of CaSR, might be an effective AD-arresting therapeutic combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- James F Whitfield
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Kerry Rennie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Balu Chakravarthy
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
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Zawar I, Kapur J. Does Alzheimer's disease with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy represent a distinct disease subtype? Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2697-2706. [PMID: 36648207 PMCID: PMC10272023 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have a high risk of developing mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and subclinical epileptiform activity. MTLE in AD worsens outcomes. Therefore, we need to understand the overlap between these disease processes. We hypothesize that AD with MTLE represents a distinct subtype of AD, with the interplay between tau and epileptiform activity at its core. We discuss shared pathological features including histopathology, an initial mesial temporal lobe (MTL) hyperexcitability followed by MTL dysfunction and involvement of same networks in memory (AD) and seizures (MTLE). We provide evidence that tau accumulation linearly increases neuronal hyperexcitability, neuronal hyper-excitability increases tau secretion, tau can provoke seizures, and tau reduction protects against seizures. We speculate that AD genetic mutations increase tau, which causes proportionate neuronal loss and/or hyperexcitability, leading to seizures. We discuss that tau burden in MTLE predicts cognitive deficits among (1) AD and (2) MTLE without AD. Finally, we explore the possibility that anti-seizure medications improve cognition by reducing neuronal hyper-excitability, which reduces seizures and tau accumulation and spread. HIGHLIGHTS: We hypothesize that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) represents a distinct subtype of AD. AD and MTLE share histopathological features and involve overlapping neuronal and cortical networks. Hyper-phosphorylated tau (pTau) increases neuronal excitability and provoke seizures, neuronal excitability increases pTau, and pTau reduction reduces neuronal excitability and protects against seizures. The pTau burden in MTL predicts cognitive deficits among (1) AD and (2) MTLE without AD. We speculate that anti-seizure medications improve cognition by reducing neuronal excitability, which reduces seizures and pTau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifrah Zawar
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Jaideep Kapur
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- Department of UVA brain institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
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Zheng J, Peng S, Cui L, Liu X, Li T, Zhao Z, Li Y, Hu Y, Zhang M, Xu L, Zhang J. Enriched environment attenuates hippocampal theta and gamma rhythms dysfunction in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion via improving imbalanced neural afferent levels. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:985246. [PMID: 37265581 PMCID: PMC10231328 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.985246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is increasingly recognized as a common cognitive impairment-causing mechanism. However, no clinically effective drugs to treat cognitive impairment due to CCH have been identified. An abnormal distribution of neural oscillations was found in the hippocampus of CCH rats. By releasing various neurotransmitters, distinct afferent fibers in the hippocampus influence neuronal oscillations in the hippocampus. Enriched environments (EE) are known to improve cognitive levels by modulating neurotransmitter homeostasis. Using EE as an intervention, we examined the levels of three classical neurotransmitters and the dynamics of neural oscillations in the hippocampus of the CCH rat model. The results showed that EE significantly improved the balance of three classical neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, glutamate, and GABA) in the hippocampus, enhanced the strength of theta and slow-gamma (SG) rhythms, and dramatically improved neural coupling across frequency bands in CCH rats. Furthermore, the expression of the three neurotransmitter vesicular transporters-vesicular acetylcholine transporters (VAChT) and vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT)-was significantly reduced in CCH rats, whereas the expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) was abnormally elevated. EE partially restored the expression of the three protein levels to maintain the balance of hippocampal afferent neurotransmitters. More importantly, causal mediation analysis showed EE increased the power of theta rhythm by increasing the level of VAChT and VGAT, which then enhanced the phase amplitude coupling of theta-SG and finally led to an improvement in the cognitive level of CCH. These findings shed light on the role of CCH in the disruption of hippocampal afferent neurotransmitter balance and neural oscillations. This study has implications for our knowledge of disease pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sisi Peng
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingling Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tian Li
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhao
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqing Li
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Hu
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Linling Xu
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Dementia and Cognitive Impairment in Hubei Province, Wuhan, China
| | - JunJian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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van Nifterick AM, Mulder D, Duineveld DJ, Diachenko M, Scheltens P, Stam CJ, van Kesteren RE, Linkenkaer-Hansen K, Hillebrand A, Gouw AA. Resting-state oscillations reveal disturbed excitation-inhibition ratio in Alzheimer's disease patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:7419. [PMID: 37150756 PMCID: PMC10164744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
An early disruption of neuronal excitation-inhibition (E-I) balance in preclinical animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been frequently reported, but is difficult to measure directly and non-invasively in humans. Here, we examined known and novel neurophysiological measures sensitive to E-I in patients across the AD continuum. Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) data of 86 amyloid-biomarker-confirmed subjects across the AD continuum (17 patients diagnosed with subjective cognitive decline, 18 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 51 with dementia due to probable AD (AD dementia)), 46 healthy elderly and 20 young control subjects were reconstructed to source-space. E-I balance was investigated by detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA), a functional E/I (fE/I) algorithm, and the aperiodic exponent of the power spectrum. We found a disrupted E-I ratio in AD dementia patients specifically, by a lower DFA, and a shift towards higher excitation, by a higher fE/I and a lower aperiodic exponent. Healthy subjects showed lower fE/I ratios (< 1.0) than reported in previous literature, not explained by age or choice of an arbitrary threshold parameter, which warrants caution in interpretation of fE/I results. Correlation analyses showed that a lower DFA (E-I imbalance) and a lower aperiodic exponent (more excitation) was associated with a worse cognitive score in AD dementia patients. In contrast, a higher DFA in the hippocampi of MCI patients was associated with a worse cognitive score. This MEG-study showed E-I imbalance, likely due to increased excitation, in AD dementia, but not in early stage AD patients. To accurately determine the direction of shift in E-I balance, validations of the currently used markers and additional in vivo markers of E-I are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M van Nifterick
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems and Network Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Danique Mulder
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Denise J Duineveld
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marina Diachenko
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems and Network Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J Stam
- Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems and Network Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald E van Kesteren
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Klaus Linkenkaer-Hansen
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems and Network Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Hillebrand
- Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems and Network Neurosciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alida A Gouw
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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31
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Han Y, Liu D, Cheng Y, Ji Q, Liu M, Zhang B, Zhou S. Maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis for Alzheimer's disease: Strategies and challenges. Redox Biol 2023; 63:102734. [PMID: 37159984 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, and its early onset is closely related to mitochondrial energy metabolism. The brain is only 2% of body weight, but consumes 20% of total energy needs. Mitochondria are responsible for providing energy in cells, and maintaining their homeostasis ensures an adequate supply of energy to the brain. Mitochondrial homeostasis is constituted by mitochondrial quantity and quality control, which is dynamically regulated by mitochondrial energy metabolism, mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial quality control. Impaired energy metabolism of brain cells occurs early in AD, and maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis is a promising therapeutic target in the future. We summarized the mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis in AD, its influence on the pathogenesis of early AD, strategies for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis, and mitochondrial targeting strategies. This review concludes with the authors' opinions on future research and development for mitochondrial homeostasis of early AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Han
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Daozhou Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qifeng Ji
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bangle Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Siyuan Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Air Force Medical University, Changle West Road 169, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China.
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32
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Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:481-493. [PMID: 37202516 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other, less prevalent dementias are complex age-related disorders that exhibit multiple etiologies. Over the past decades, animal models have provided pathomechanistic insight and evaluated countless therapeutics; however, their value is increasingly being questioned due to the long history of drug failures. In this Perspective, we dispute this criticism. First, the utility of the models is limited by their design, as neither the etiology of AD nor whether interventions should occur at a cellular or network level is fully understood. Second, we highlight unmet challenges shared between animals and humans, including impeded drug transport across the blood-brain barrier, limiting effective treatment development. Third, alternative human-derived models also suffer from the limitations mentioned above and can only act as complementary resources. Finally, age being the strongest AD risk factor should be better incorporated into the experimental design, with computational modeling expected to enhance the value of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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33
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Morrone CD, Raghuraman R, Hussaini SA, Yu WH. Proteostasis failure exacerbates neuronal circuit dysfunction and sleep impairments in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:27. [PMID: 37085942 PMCID: PMC10119020 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00617-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Failed proteostasis is a well-documented feature of Alzheimer's disease, particularly, reduced protein degradation and clearance. However, the contribution of failed proteostasis to neuronal circuit dysfunction is an emerging concept in neurodegenerative research and will prove critical in understanding cognitive decline. Our objective is to convey Alzheimer's disease progression with the growing evidence for a bidirectional relationship of sleep disruption and proteostasis failure. Proteostasis dysfunction and tauopathy in Alzheimer's disease disrupts neurons that regulate the sleep-wake cycle, which presents behavior as impaired slow wave and rapid eye movement sleep patterns. Subsequent sleep loss further impairs protein clearance. Sleep loss is a defined feature seen early in many neurodegenerative disorders and contributes to memory impairments in Alzheimer's disease. Canonical pathological hallmarks, β-amyloid, and tau, directly disrupt sleep, and neurodegeneration of locus coeruleus, hippocampal and hypothalamic neurons from tau proteinopathy causes disruption of the neuronal circuitry of sleep. Acting in a positive-feedback-loop, sleep loss and circadian rhythm disruption then increase spread of β-amyloid and tau, through impairments of proteasome, autophagy, unfolded protein response and glymphatic clearance. This phenomenon extends beyond β-amyloid and tau, with interactions of sleep impairment with the homeostasis of TDP-43, α-synuclein, FUS, and huntingtin proteins, implicating sleep loss as an important consideration in an array of neurodegenerative diseases and in cases of mixed neuropathology. Critically, the dynamics of this interaction in the neurodegenerative environment are not fully elucidated and are deserving of further discussion and research. Finally, we propose sleep-enhancing therapeutics as potential interventions for promoting healthy proteostasis, including β-amyloid and tau clearance, mechanistically linking these processes. With further clinical and preclinical research, we propose this dynamic interaction as a diagnostic and therapeutic framework, informing precise single- and combinatorial-treatments for Alzheimer's disease and other brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Daniel Morrone
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
| | - Radha Raghuraman
- Taub Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - S Abid Hussaini
- Taub Institute, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 630W 168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Wai Haung Yu
- Brain Health Imaging Centre, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Geriatric Mental Health Research Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
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Huang WC, Peng Z, Murdock MH, Liu L, Mathys H, Davila-Velderrain J, Jiang X, Chen M, Ng AP, Kim T, Abdurrob F, Gao F, Bennett DA, Kellis M, Tsai LH. Lateral mammillary body neurons in mouse brain are disproportionately vulnerable in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabq1019. [PMID: 37075128 PMCID: PMC10511020 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq1019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
The neural circuits governing the induction and progression of neurodegeneration and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are incompletely understood. The mammillary body (MB), a subcortical node of the medial limbic circuit, is one of the first brain regions to exhibit amyloid deposition in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. Amyloid burden in the MB correlates with pathological diagnosis of AD in human postmortem brain tissue. Whether and how MB neuronal circuitry contributes to neurodegeneration and memory deficits in AD are unknown. Using 5xFAD mice and postmortem MB samples from individuals with varying degrees of AD pathology, we identified two neuronal cell types in the MB harboring distinct electrophysiological properties and long-range projections: lateral neurons and medial neurons. lateral MB neurons harbored aberrant hyperactivity and exhibited early neurodegeneration in 5xFAD mice compared with lateral MB neurons in wild-type littermates. Inducing hyperactivity in lateral MB neurons in wild-type mice impaired performance on memory tasks, whereas attenuating aberrant hyperactivity in lateral MB neurons ameliorated memory deficits in 5xFAD mice. Our findings suggest that neurodegeneration may be a result of genetically distinct, projection-specific cellular dysfunction and that dysregulated lateral MB neurons may be causally linked to memory deficits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Chin Huang
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Zhuyu Peng
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Mitchell H. Murdock
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Liwang Liu
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hansruedi Mathys
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jose Davila-Velderrain
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory; Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Xueqiao Jiang
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Maggie Chen
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Ayesha P. Ng
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - TaeHyun Kim
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Fatema Abdurrob
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Fan Gao
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - David A. Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory; Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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Xiong H, Tang F, Guo Y, Xu R, Lei P. Neural Circuit Changes in Neurological Disorders: Evidence from in vivo Two-photon Imaging. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 87:101933. [PMID: 37061201 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023]
Abstract
Neural circuits, such as synaptic plasticity and neural activity, are critical components of healthy brain function. The consequent dynamic remodeling of neural circuits is an ongoing procedure affecting neuronal activities. Disruption of this essential process results in diseases. Advanced microscopic applications such as two-photon laser scanning microscopy have recently been applied to understand neural circuit changes during disease since it can visualize fine structural and functional cellular activation in living animals. In this review, we have summarized the latest work assessing the dynamic rewiring of postsynaptic dendritic spines and modulation of calcium transients in neurons of the intact living brain, focusing on their potential roles in neurological disorders (e.g. Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and epilepsy). Understanding the fine changes that occurred in the brain during disease is crucial for future clinical intervention developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Xiong
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China; Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Fei Tang
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yujie Guo
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ruxiang Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China; Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Peng Lei
- Department of Neurology and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Sichuan, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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36
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Ganbat D, Jeon JK, Lee Y, Kim SS. Exploring the Pathological Effect of Aβ42 Oligomers on Neural Networks in Primary Cortical Neuron Culture. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076641. [PMID: 37047612 PMCID: PMC10094920 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disorder that affects cognitive functioning, behavior, and neuronal properties. The neuronal dysfunction is primarily responsible for cognitive decline in AD patients, with many causal factors including plaque accumulation of Aβ42. Neural hyperactivity induced by Aβ42 deposition causes abnormalities in neural networks, leading to alterations in synaptic activity and interneuron dysfunction. Even though neuroimaging techniques elucidated the underlying mechanism of neural connectivity, precise understanding at the cellular level is still elusive. Previous multielectrode array studies have examined the neuronal network modulation in in vitro cultures revealing the relevance of ion channels and the chemical modulators in the presence of Aβ42. In this study, we investigated neuronal connectivity and dynamic changes using a high-density multielectrode array, particularly looking at network-wide parameter changes over time. By comparing the neuronal network between normal and Aβ42treated neuronal cultures, it was possible to discover the direct pathological effect of the Aβ42 oligomer altering the network characteristics. The detrimental effects of the Aβ42 oligomer included not only a decline in spike activation but also a qualitative impairment in neural connectivity as well as a disorientation of dispersibility. As a result, this will improve our understanding of how neural networks are modified during AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dulguun Ganbat
- Department of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Kyong Jeon
- Department of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunjong Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Seong Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, Hanyang University, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
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Tang Y, Yan Y, Mao J, Ni J, Qing H. The hippocampus associated GABAergic neural network impairment in early-stage of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 86:101865. [PMID: 36716975 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest neurodegenerative disease with slow progression. Pieces of evidence suggest that the GABAergic system is impaired in the early stage of AD, leading to hippocampal neuron over-activity and further leading to memory and cognitive impairment in patients with AD. However, the precise impairment mechanism of the GABAergic system on the pathogenesis of AD is still unclear. The impairment of neural networks associated with the GABAergic system is tightly associated with AD. Therefore, we describe the roles played by hippocampus-related GABAergic circuits and their impairments in AD neuropathology. In addition, we give our understand on the process from GABAergic circuit impairment to cognitive and memory impairment, since recent studies on astrocyte in AD plays an important role behind cognition dysfunction caused by GABAergic circuit impairment, which helps better understand the GABAergic system and could open up innovative AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yan Yan
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Jian Mao
- Zhengzhou Tobacco Institute of China National Tobacco Company, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Junjun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China; Department of Biology, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China.
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Melgosa-Ecenarro L, Doostdar N, Radulescu CI, Jackson JS, Barnes SJ. Pinpointing the locus of GABAergic vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:35-54. [PMID: 35963663 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been linked to microcircuit dysfunction and pathophysiological neuronal firing in several brain regions. Inhibitory GABAergic microcircuitry is a critical feature of stable neural-circuit function in the healthy brain, and its dysregulation has therefore been proposed as contributing to AD-related pathophysiology. However, exactly how the critical balance between excitatory and inhibitory microcircuitry is modified by AD pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we set the current evidence implicating dysfunctional GABAergic microcircuitry as a driver of early AD pathophysiology in a simple conceptual framework. Our framework is based on a generalised reductionist model of firing-rate control by local feedback inhibition. We use this framework to consider multiple loci that may be vulnerable to disruption by AD pathogenesis. We first start with evidence investigating how AD-related processes may impact the gross number of inhibitory neurons in the network. We then move to discuss how pathology may impact intrinsic cellular properties and firing thresholds of GABAergic neurons. Finally, we cover how AD-related pathogenesis may disrupt synaptic connectivity between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We use the feedback inhibition framework to discuss and organise the available evidence from both preclinical rodent work and human studies in AD patients and conclude by identifying key questions and understudied areas for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Melgosa-Ecenarro
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nazanin Doostdar
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Carola I Radulescu
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Johanna S Jackson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Samuel J Barnes
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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Chua JJE. HEBP1 - An early trigger for neuronal cell death and circuit dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:102-110. [PMID: 35842370 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that gradually impairs memory, cognition and the ability to perform simple daily tasks. It is the most prevalent form of dementia in the elderly and its incidence increases exponentially with age. Neuronal and synapse loss, key hallmarks of the disorder, are widely regarded to occur early during the onset of AD, and the extent of this loss closely correlates with the progression of cognitive decline and dysfunction of the underlying neuronal circuity. Nevertheless, the mechanisms driving neuronal and synapse loss during early AD remains poorly understood. This review focuses on Heme-binding protein 1 (HEBP1), a mitochondrial-associated protein that has recently emerged as an important mediator of neuronal cell death during early AD pathogenesis. Acting downstream of Aβ and heme, HEBP1-mediated apoptosis contributes to neuronal loss and neuronal circuit dysfunction. Deleting HEBP1 expression in neurons protects them from heme- and Aβ-induced apoptosis, both of which are mechanisms implicated in neurodegeneration. HEBP1 participates in heme metabolism and binds to heme to modulate mitochondrial dynamics vital to the maintenance of neural circuitry that is affected in AD. HEBP1 elevation is also associated with AGE/RAGE-related neuronal damage, further implicating its involvement in neuronal loss during early AD. Moreover, F2L, a cleavage product of HEBP1 modulates inflammation. Collectively, these findings highlight the importance of HEBP1 in the disruption of neural circuits during early AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Jia En Chua
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; LSI Neurobiology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Healthy Longevity Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute for Health Innovation and Technology, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A⁎STAR), Singapore.
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Mockett BG, Ryan MM. The therapeutic potential of the neuroactive peptides of soluble amyloid precursor protein-alpha in Alzheimer's disease and related neurological disorders. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:93-101. [PMID: 35654665 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Soluble amyloid precursor protein-alpha (sAPPα) is a multi-functional brain-derived protein that has neuroprotective, neurogenic and neurotropic properties. Moreover, it is known to facilitate synaptic function and promote neural repair. These properties suggest sAPPα may be useful as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurological diseases characterized by synaptic failure and neuronal loss, such as occurs in Alzheimer's disease, and for neural repair following traumatic brain injury and stroke. However, sAPPα's relatively large size and the difficulty of ongoing delivery of therapeutics to the brain mean this is not currently practicable. Importantly, however, sAPPα is composed of several neuroactive domains that each possess properties that collectively are remarkably similar to those of sAPPα itself. Here, we review the molecular structure of sAPPα and identify the domains that contribute to its overall functionality. Four peptide motifs present as possible targets for therapeutic development. We review their physiochemical and neuroactive properties, both within sAPPα and as isolated peptides, and discuss their potential for future development as multipurpose therapeutic agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other disorders of neuronal function. Further, we discuss the role of heparin binding sites, found within sAPPα's structure and overlapping with the neuroactive domains, as sites for interactions with effector proteins and synaptic receptors. The potential role of the neuroactive peptides known as Cationic Arginine-Rich Peptides (CARPs) as neuroprotective motifs is also reviewed. Mechanisms of peptide delivery to the brain are briefly discussed. Finally, we summarise the potential benefits and pitfalls of using the isolated peptides, either individually or in combination, for the treatment of neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce G Mockett
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Margaret M Ryan
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, PO Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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41
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Zott B, Konnerth A. Impairments of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:24-34. [PMID: 35337739 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is structural cell damage and neuronal death in the brains of affected individuals. As these changes are irreversible, it is important to understand their origins and precursors in order to develop treatment strategies against AD. Here, we review evidence for AD-specific impairments of glutamatergic synaptic transmission by relating evidence from human AD subjects to functional studies in animal models of AD. The emerging picture is that early in the disease, the accumulation of toxic β-amyloid aggregates, particularly dimers and low molecular weight oligomers, disrupts glutamate reuptake, which leads to its extracellular accumulation causing neuronal depolarization. This drives the hyperactivation of neurons and might facilitate neuronal damage and degeneration through glutamate neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Zott
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
| | - Arthur Konnerth
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany
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Meftah S, Gan J. Alzheimer’s disease as a synaptopathy: Evidence for dysfunction of synapses during disease progression. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1129036. [PMID: 36970154 PMCID: PMC10033629 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1129036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The synapse has consistently been considered a vulnerable and critical target within Alzheimer’s disease, and synapse loss is, to date, one of the main biological correlates of cognitive decline within Alzheimer’s disease. This occurs prior to neuronal loss with ample evidence that synaptic dysfunction precedes this, in support of the idea that synaptic failure is a crucial stage within disease pathogenesis. The two main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal aggregates of amyloid or tau proteins, have had demonstrable effects on synaptic physiology in animal and cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease. There is also growing evidence that these two proteins may have a synergistic effect on neurophysiological dysfunction. Here, we review some of the main findings of synaptic alterations in Alzheimer’s disease, and what we know from Alzheimer’s disease animal and cellular models. First, we briefly summarize some of the human evidence to suggest that synapses are altered, including how this relates to network activity. Subsequently, animal and cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease are considered, highlighting mouse models of amyloid and tau pathology and the role these proteins may play in synaptic dysfunction, either in isolation or examining how the two pathologies may interact in dysfunction. This specifically focuses on neurophysiological function and dysfunction observed within these animal models, typically measured using electrophysiology or calcium imaging. Following synaptic dysfunction and loss, it would be impossible to imagine that this would not alter oscillatory activity within the brain. Therefore, this review also discusses how this may underpin some of the aberrant oscillatory patterns seen in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and human patients. Finally, an overview of some key directions and considerations in the field of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease is covered. This includes current therapeutics that are targeted specifically at synaptic dysfunction, but also methods that modulate activity to rescue aberrant oscillatory patterns. Other important future avenues of note in this field include the role of non-neuronal cell types such as astrocytes and microglia, and mechanisms of dysfunction independent of amyloid and tau in Alzheimer’s disease. The synapse will certainly continue to be an important target within Alzheimer’s disease for the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Meftah
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jian Gan
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jian Gan,
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Scaduto P, Lauterborn JC, Cox CD, Fracassi A, Zeppillo T, Gutierrez BA, Keene CD, Crane PK, Mukherjee S, Russell WK, Taglialatela G, Limon A. Functional excitatory to inhibitory synaptic imbalance and loss of cognitive performance in people with Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 145:303-324. [PMID: 36538112 PMCID: PMC9925531 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02526-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Individuals at distinct stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) show abnormal electroencephalographic activity, which has been linked to network hyperexcitability and cognitive decline. However, whether pro-excitatory changes at the synaptic level are observed in brain areas affected early in AD, and if they are emergent in MCI, is not clearly known. Equally important, it is not known whether global synaptic E/I imbalances correlate with the severity of cognitive impairment in the continuum of AD. Measuring the amplitude of ion currents of human excitatory and inhibitory synaptic receptors microtransplanted from the hippocampus and temporal cortex of cognitively normal, mildly cognitively impaired and AD individuals into surrogate cells, we found regional differences in pro-excitatory shifts of the excitatory to inhibitory (E/I) current ratio that correlates positively with toxic proteins and degree of pathology, and impinges negatively on cognitive performance scores. Using these data with electrophysiologically anchored analysis of the synapto-proteome in the same individuals, we identified a group of proteins sustaining synaptic function and those related to synaptic toxicity. We also found an uncoupling between the function and expression of proteins for GABAergic signaling in the temporal cortex underlying larger E/I and worse cognitive performance. Further analysis of transcriptomic and in situ hybridization datasets from an independent cohort across the continuum of AD confirm regional differences in pro-excitatory shifts of the E/I balance that correlate negatively with the most recent calibrated composite scores for memory, executive function, language and visuospatial abilities, as well as overall cognitive performance. These findings indicate that early shifts of E/I balance may contribute to loss of cognitive capabilities in the continuum of AD clinical syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Scaduto
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Julie C Lauterborn
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Conor D Cox
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Anna Fracassi
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Tommaso Zeppillo
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Berenice A Gutierrez
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - C Dirk Keene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Paul K Crane
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - William K Russell
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, USA
| | - Giulio Taglialatela
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Agenor Limon
- Department of Neurology, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Kurkinen M, Fułek M, Fułek K, Beszłej JA, Kurpas D, Leszek J. The Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis in Alzheimer’s Disease: Should We Change Our Thinking? Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13030453. [PMID: 36979388 PMCID: PMC10046826 DOI: 10.3390/biom13030453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Old age increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disease, a devastating disorder of the human mind and the leading cause of dementia. Worldwide, 50 million people have the disease, and it is estimated that there will be 150 million by 2050. Today, healthcare for AD patients consumes 1% of the global economy. According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, AD begins in the brain by accumulating and aggregating Aβ peptides and forming β-amyloid fibrils (Aβ42). However, in clinical trials, reducing Aβ peptide production and amyloid formation in the brain did not slow cognitive decline or improve daily life in AD patients. Prevention studies in cognitively unimpaired people at high risk or genetically destined to develop AD also have not slowed cognitive decline. These observations argue against the amyloid hypothesis of AD etiology, its development, and disease mechanisms. Here, we look at other avenues in the research of AD, such as the presenilin hypothesis, synaptic glutamate signaling, and the role of astrocytes and the glutamate transporter EAAT2 in the development of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michał Fułek
- Department and Clinic of Internal Medicine, Occupational Diseases, Hypertension and Clinical Oncology, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Fułek
- Department and Clinic of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.F.); (J.L.)
| | | | - Donata Kurpas
- Department of Family Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 51-141 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Leszek
- Department and Clinic of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
- Correspondence: (K.F.); (J.L.)
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45
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Oh M, Weaver DF. Alzheimer's disease as a fundamental disease of information processing systems: An information theory perspective. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1106623. [PMID: 36845437 PMCID: PMC9950401 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1106623] [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: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is a dynamic multiplex of information, both neural (neurotransmitter-to-neuron, involving 1.5×1015 action potentials per minute) and immunological (cytokine-to-microglia, providing continuous immune surveillance via 1.5×1010 immunocompetent cells). This conceptualization highlights the opportunity of exploiting "information" not only in the mechanistic understanding of brain pathology, but also as a potential therapeutic modality. Arising from its parallel yet interconnected proteopathic-immunopathic pathogeneses, Alzheimer's disease (AD) enables an exploration of the mechanistic and therapeutic contributions of information as a physical process central to brain disease progression. This review first considers the definition of information and its relevance to neurobiology and thermodynamics. Then we focus on the roles of information in AD using its two classical hallmarks. We assess the pathological contributions of β-amyloid peptides to synaptic dysfunction and reconsider this as a source of noise that disrupts information transfer between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons. Also, we treat the triggers that activate cytokine-microglial brain processes as information-rich three-dimensional patterns, including pathogen-associated molecular patterns and damage-associated molecular patterns. There are structural and functional similarities between neural and immunological information with both fundamentally contributing to brain anatomy and pathology in health and disease. Finally, the role of information as a therapeutic for AD is introduced, particularly cognitive reserve as a prophylactic protective factor and cognitive therapy as a therapeutic contributor to the comprehensive management of ongoing dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myongin Oh
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Donald F. Weaver
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada,*Correspondence: Donald F. Weaver,
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46
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Spatial Disorientation Under Dark Conditions Across Development in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Neuroscience 2023; 511:53-69. [PMID: 36587866 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.12.012] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with hippocampal neuropathology and cognitive impairments, including wandering behavior or becoming lost in a familiar environment. Wandering behavior is severe and manifests early in life for people with specific genetic mutations. Genetic mouse models of AD have been developed to characterize the onset and progression of behavioral deficits that represent human behaviors, such as wandering, to test the efficacy of therapeutics. It is not clear if current assessments of mouse models capture the onset of AD or a snapshot of its progression. Sequential analysis of open field behavior provides a robust, quick test to dissociate navigation cues that contribute to spatial disorientation, a feature of wandering. Despite potential utility in evaluating this feature of AD, little work has been reported using animal models of dementia in this task. Thus, we examined the use of different sources of information to maintain spatial orientation at two prodromal ages in female transgenic CRND8 AD (n = 17) and Control mice (n = 16). These mice exhibit amyloid plaques, a hallmark neuropathological feature of AD, that are associated with cognitive dysfunction at ∼three months of age. Spatial disorientation was observed at two months and more severely at four months under dark conditions, but performance was spared when visual environmental cues were available. This study provides documentation of impaired self-movement cue processing in AD mice, establishing the dark open field as a behavioral tool to characterize spatial disorientation associated with AD. These findings may accelerate future assessments of novel therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders.
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47
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Niraula S, Doderer JJ, Indulkar S, Berry KP, Hauser WL, L'Esperance OJ, Deng JZ, Keeter G, Rouse AG, Subramanian J. Excitation-inhibition imbalance disrupts visual familiarity in amyloid and non-pathology conditions. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111946. [PMID: 36640331 PMCID: PMC9939293 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal hyperactivity induces memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease. However, how hyperactivity disrupts memory is unclear. Using in vivo synaptic imaging in the mouse visual cortex, we show that structural excitatory-inhibitory synapse imbalance in the apical dendrites favors hyperactivity in early amyloidosis. Consistent with this, natural images elicit neuronal hyperactivity in these mice. Compensatory changes that maintain activity homeostasis disrupt functional connectivity and increase population sparseness such that a small fraction of neurons dominates population activity. These properties reduce the selectivity of neural response to natural images and render visual recognition memory vulnerable to interference. Deprivation of non-specific visual experiences improves the neural representation and behavioral expression of visual familiarity. In contrast, in non-pathological conditions, deprivation of non-specific visual experiences induces disinhibition, increases excitability, and disrupts visual familiarity. We show that disrupted familiarity occurs when the fraction of high-responsive neurons and the persistence of neural representation of a memory-associated stimulus are not constrained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Niraula
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Julia J Doderer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Shreya Indulkar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Kalen P Berry
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - William L Hauser
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Oliver J L'Esperance
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Jasmine Z Deng
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Griffin Keeter
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
| | - Adam G Rouse
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66103, USA
| | - Jaichandar Subramanian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA.
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48
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Mesulam MM. Temporopolar regions of the human brain. Brain 2023; 146:20-41. [PMID: 36331542 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Following prolonged neglect during the formative decades of behavioural neurology, the temporopolar region has become a site of vibrant research on the neurobiology of cognition and conduct. This turnaround can be attributed to increasing recognition of neurodegenerative diseases that target temporopolar regions for peak destruction. The resultant syndromes include behavioural dementia, associative agnosia, semantic forms of primary progressive aphasia and semantic dementia. Clinicopathological correlations show that object naming and word comprehension are critically dependent on the language-dominant (usually left) temporopolar region, whereas behavioural control and non-verbal object recognition display a more bilateral representation with a rightward bias. Neuroanatomical experiments in macaques and neuroimaging in humans show that the temporoparietal region sits at the confluence of auditory, visual and limbic streams of processing at the downstream (deep) pole of the 'what' pathway. The functional neuroanatomy of this region revolves around three axes, an anterograde horizontal axis from unimodal to heteromodal and paralimbic cortex; a radial axis where visual (ventral), auditory (dorsal) and paralimbic (medial) territories encircle temporopolar cortex and display hemispheric asymmetry; and a vertical depth-of-processing axis for the associative elaboration of words, objects and interoceptive states. One function of this neural matrix is to support the transformation of object and word representations from unimodal percepts to multimodal concepts. The underlying process is likely to start at canonical gateways that successively lead to generic (superordinate), specific (basic) and unique levels of recognition. A first sign of left temporopolar dysfunction takes the form of taxonomic blurring where boundaries among categories are preserved but not boundaries among exemplars of a category. Semantic paraphasias and coordinate errors in word-picture verification tests are consequences of this phenomenon. Eventually, boundaries among categories are also blurred and comprehension impairments become more profound. The medial temporopolar region belongs to the amygdalocentric component of the limbic system and stands to integrate exteroceptive information with interoceptive states underlying social interactions. Review of the pertinent literature shows that word comprehension and conduct impairments caused by temporopolar strokes and temporal lobectomy are far less severe than those seen in temporopolar atrophies. One explanation for this unexpected discrepancy invokes the miswiring of residual temporopolar neurons during the many years of indolently progressive neurodegeneration. According to this hypothesis, the temporopolar regions become not only dysfunctional but also sources of aberrant outputs that interfere with the function of areas elsewhere in the language and paralimbic networks, a juxtaposition not seen in lobectomy or stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Marsel Mesulam
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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49
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van der Thiel MM, Backes WH, Ramakers IHGB, Jansen JFA. Novel developments in non-contrast enhanced MRI of the perivascular clearance system: What are the possibilities for Alzheimer's disease research? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104999. [PMID: 36529311 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104999] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The cerebral waste clearance system (i.e, glymphatic or intramural periarterial drainage) works through a network of perivascular spaces (PVS). Dysfunction of this system likely contributes to aggregation of Amyloid-β and subsequent toxic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A promising, non-invasive technique to study this system is MRI, though applications in dementia are still scarce. This review focusses on recent non-contrast enhanced (non-CE) MRI techniques which determine and visualise physiological aspects of the clearance system at multiple levels, i.e., cerebrospinal fluid flow, PVS-flow and interstitial fluid movement. Furthermore, various MRI studies focussing on aspects of the clearance system which are relevant to AD are discussed, such as studies on ageing, sleep alterations, and cognitive decline. Additionally, the complementary function of non-CE to CE methods is elaborated upon. We conclude that non-CE studies have great potential to determine which parts of the waste clearance system are affected by AD and in which stages of cognitive impairment dysfunction of this system occurs, which could allow future clinical trials to target these specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merel M van der Thiel
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry &Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Walter H Backes
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Cardiovascular Disease, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Inez H G B Ramakers
- Department of Psychiatry &Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jacobus F A Jansen
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands; School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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Huang P, Zhang M. Magnetic Resonance Imaging Studies of Neurodegenerative Disease: From Methods to Translational Research. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:99-112. [PMID: 35771383 PMCID: PMC9849544 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00905-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) have become a significant threat to an aging human society. Numerous studies have been conducted in the past decades to clarify their pathologic mechanisms and search for reliable biomarkers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool for investigating structural and functional brain alterations in NDs. With the advantages of being non-invasive and non-radioactive, it has been frequently used in both animal research and large-scale clinical investigations. MRI may serve as a bridge connecting micro- and macro-level analysis and promoting bench-to-bed translational research. Nevertheless, due to the abundance and complexity of MRI techniques, exploiting their potential is not always straightforward. This review aims to briefly introduce research progress in clinical imaging studies and discuss possible strategies for applying MRI in translational ND research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peiyu Huang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009 China
| | - Minming Zhang
- Department of Radiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310009 China
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