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Sultana OF, Bandaru M, Islam MA, Reddy PH. Unraveling the complexity of human brain: Structure, function in healthy and disease states. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 100:102414. [PMID: 39002647 PMCID: PMC11384519 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102414] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The human brain stands as an intricate organ, embodying a nexus of structure, function, development, and diversity. This review delves into the multifaceted landscape of the brain, spanning its anatomical intricacies, diverse functional capacities, dynamic developmental trajectories, and inherent variability across individuals. The dynamic process of brain development, from early embryonic stages to adulthood, highlights the nuanced changes that occur throughout the lifespan. The brain, a remarkably complex organ, is composed of various anatomical regions, each contributing uniquely to its overall functionality. Through an exploration of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and electrophysiology, this review elucidates how different brain structures interact to support a wide array of cognitive processes, sensory perception, motor control, and emotional regulation. Moreover, it addresses the impact of age, sex, and ethnic background on brain structure and function, and gender differences profoundly influence the onset, progression, and manifestation of brain disorders shaped by genetic, hormonal, environmental, and social factors. Delving into the complexities of the human brain, it investigates how variations in anatomical configuration correspond to diverse functional capacities across individuals. Furthermore, it examines the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on the structural and functional integrity of the brain. Specifically, our article explores the pathological processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, shedding light on the structural alterations and functional impairments that accompany these conditions. We will also explore the current research trends in neurodegenerative diseases and identify the existing gaps in the literature. Overall, this article deepens our understanding of the fundamental principles governing brain structure and function and paves the way for a deeper understanding of individual differences and tailored approaches in neuroscience and clinical practice-additionally, a comprehensive understanding of structural and functional changes that manifest in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omme Fatema Sultana
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Madhuri Bandaru
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Md Ariful Islam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA 5. Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
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2
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Alshakhouri M, Sharpe C, Bergin P, Sumner RL. Female sex steroids and epilepsy: Part 1. A review of reciprocal changes in reproductive systems, cycles, and seizures. Epilepsia 2024; 65:556-568. [PMID: 38036939 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Seizures, antiseizure medications, and the reproductive systems are reciprocally entwined. In Section 2 of this review, we outline how seizures may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, thereby altering sex steroids, and changes in sex steroids across the menstrual cycle and changes in pharmacokinetics during pregnancy may alter seizure susceptibility. The literature indicates that females with epilepsy experience increased rates of menstrual disturbances and reproductive endocrine disorders. The latter include polycystic ovary syndrome, especially for females on valproate. Studies of fertility have yielded mixed results. We aim to summarize and attempt to detangle the existing knowledge on these reciprocal interactions. The menstrual cycle causes changes in seizure intensity and frequency for many females. When this occurs perimenstrually, during ovulation, or in association with an inadequate luteal phase, it is termed catamenial epilepsy. There is a clear biophysiological rationale for how the key female reproductive neurosteroids interact with the brain to alter the seizure threshold, and Section 3 outlines this important relationship. Critically, what remains unknown is the specific pathophysiology of catamenial epilepsy that describes why not all females are affected. There is a need for mechanism-focused investigations in humans to uncover the complexity of the relationship between reproductive hormones, menstrual cycles, and the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cynthia Sharpe
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Starship Children's Health, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Bergin
- Neurology Auckland Hospital, Te Whatu Ora, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Rachael L Sumner
- School of Pharmacy, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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3
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Ulrich M, Pollali E, Çalışkan G, Stork O, Albrecht A. Sex differences in anxiety and threat avoidance in GAD65 knock-out mice. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 183:106165. [PMID: 37230180 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106165] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Anxiety disorders have been linked to a disbalance of excitation and inhibition in a network of brain structures comprising frontal cortical regions, the amygdala and the hippocampus, among others. Recent imaging studies suggest sex differences in the activation of this anxiety network during the processing of emotional information. Rodent models with genetically altered ϒ-amino butyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission allow studying the neuronal basis of such activation shifts and their relation to anxiety endophenotypes, but to date sex effects have rarely been addressed. Using mice with a null mutation of the GABA synthetizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65-/-), we started to compare anxiety-like behavior and avoidance in male vs. female GAD65-/- mice and their wildtype littermates. In an open field, female GAD65-/- mice displayed increased activity, while male GAD65-/- mice showed an increased adaptation of anxiety-like behavior over time. GAD65-/- mice of both sexes had a higher preference for social interaction partners, which was further heightened in male mice. In male mice higher escape responses were observed during an active avoidance task. Together, female mice showed more stable emotional responses despite GAD65 deficiency. To gain insights into interneuron function in network structures controlling anxiety and threat perception, fast oscillations (10-45 Hz) were measured in ex vivo slice preparations of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). GAD65-/- mice of both sexes displayed increased gamma power in the ACC and a higher density of PV-positive interneurons, which are crucial for generating such rhythmic activity. In addition, GAD65-/- mice had lower numbers of somatostatin-positive interneurons in the basolateral amygdala and in the dorsal dentate gyrus especially in male mice, two key regions important for anxiety and active avoidance responses. Our data suggest sex differences in the configuration of GABAergic interneurons in a cortico-amygdala-hippocampal network controlling network activity patterns, anxiety and threat avoidance behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Ulrich
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Evangelia Pollali
- Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Gürsel Çalışkan
- Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; Research Group "Synapto-Oscillopathies", Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Oliver Stork
- Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany.
| | - Anne Albrecht
- Institute of Anatomy, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS), Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on adaptive and maladaptive brain Circuits underlying mental health (C-I-R-C), Jena-Magdeburg-Halle, Germany.
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4
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Romero-Martínez BS, Sommer B, Solís-Chagoyán H, Calixto E, Aquino-Gálvez A, Jaimez R, Gomez-Verjan JC, González-Avila G, Flores-Soto E, Montaño LM. Estrogenic Modulation of Ionic Channels, Pumps and Exchangers in Airway Smooth Muscle. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097879. [PMID: 37175587 PMCID: PMC10178541 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To preserve ionic homeostasis (primarily Ca2+, K+, Na+, and Cl-), in the airway smooth muscle (ASM) numerous transporters (channels, exchangers, and pumps) regulate the influx and efflux of these ions. Many of intracellular processes depend on continuous ionic permeation, including exocytosis, contraction, metabolism, transcription, fecundation, proliferation, and apoptosis. These mechanisms are precisely regulated, for instance, through hormonal activity. The lipophilic nature of steroidal hormones allows their free transit into the cell where, in most cases, they occupy their cognate receptor to generate genomic actions. In the sense, estrogens can stimulate development, proliferation, migration, and survival of target cells, including in lung physiology. Non-genomic actions on the other hand do not imply estrogen's intracellular receptor occupation, nor do they initiate transcription and are mostly immediate to the stimulus. Among estrogen's non genomic responses regulation of calcium homeostasis and contraction and relaxation processes play paramount roles in ASM. On the other hand, disruption of calcium homeostasis has been closely associated with some ASM pathological mechanism. Thus, this paper intends to summarize the effects of estrogen on ionic handling proteins in ASM. The considerable diversity, range and power of estrogens regulates ionic homeostasis through genomic and non-genomic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca S Romero-Martínez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Bettina Sommer
- Laboratorio de Hiperreactividad Bronquial, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Ciudad de México 14080, Mexico
| | - Héctor Solís-Chagoyán
- Neurociencia Cognitiva Evolutiva, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Cognitivas, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca 62209, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Calixto
- Departamento de Neurobiología, Dirección de Investigación en Neurociencias, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Ciudad de México 14370, Mexico
| | - Arnoldo Aquino-Gálvez
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular, Departamento de Fibrosis Pulmonar, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas, México City 14080, Mexico
| | - Ruth Jaimez
- Laboratorio de Estrógenos y Hemostasis, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Juan C Gomez-Verjan
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría (INGER), Ciudad de México 10200, Mexico
| | - Georgina González-Avila
- Laboratorio de Oncología Biomédica, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", México City 14080, Mexico
| | - Edgar Flores-Soto
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Luis M Montaño
- Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
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5
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Tongta S, Daendee S, Kalandakanond-Thongsong S. Anxiety-like behavior and GABAergic system in ovariectomized rats exposed to chronic mild stress. Physiol Behav 2023; 258:114014. [PMID: 36328075 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.114014] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Stress or low level of estrogen could promote anxiety and depression; thus, it is of interest to investigate the combined effect of mild stress and the lack of estrogen on mental disorders by utilizing an animal model. This study was conducted to assess anxiety- and depressive- like behaviors in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) and determine the alteration in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-related transmission. Ovx rats were randomly assigned into four groups: (1) estrogen replacement (E2-NoCMS), (2) estrogen replacement and exposure to CMS (E2-CMS), (3) vehicle (VEH-NoCMS), and (4) vehicle and exposure to CMS (VEH-CMS). Following 4-week CMS, VEH groups (VEH-NoCMS and VEH-CMS) showed a similar level of anxiety-like behavior in elevated T-maze, whereas E2-CMS, VEH-NoCMS and VEH-CMS showed anxiety-like behavior in open field. The depressive-like behavior in the force swimming test tended to be affected by estrogen deprivation than CMS. The alteration of the GABAergic system as determined from the GABA level and mRNA expression of GABA-related transmission (i.e., glutamic acid decarboxylase, GABA transporter and GABAA subunits) showed that the GABA level in the amygdala and frontal cortex was affected by CMS. For mRNA expression, the mRNA profile in the amygdala and hippocampus of VEH-NoCMS and E2-CMS was the same but different from those of VEH-NoCMS and E2-CMS. In addition, compared with E2-NoCMS, the mRNA profile in the frontal cortex was similar in VEH-NoCMS, E2-CMS, and VEH-CMS. These findings indicated that the underlying mechanism of the GABAergic system was differently modified, although VEH-NoCMS and VEH-CMS showed anxiety-like behavior. The findings of this study may provide a comprehensive understanding of the modulation of the GABAergic system during estrogen deprivation under CMS, as observed in menopausal women who were daily exposed to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushawadee Tongta
- Department of Veterinary Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Suwaporn Daendee
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Ubon Ratchathani University, Ubon Ratchathani 34190, Thailand
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6
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Laham BJ, Murthy SS, Hanani M, Clappier M, Boyer S, Vasquez B, Gould E. The estrous cycle modulates early-life adversity effects on mouse avoidance behavior through progesterone signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7537. [PMID: 36476469 PMCID: PMC9729614 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life adversity (ELA) increases the likelihood of neuropsychiatric diagnoses, which are more prevalent in women than men. Since changes in reproductive hormone levels can also increase the probability of anxiety disorders in women, we examined the effects of ELA on adult female mice across the estrous cycle. We found that during diestrus, when progesterone levels are relatively high, ELA mice exhibit increased avoidance behavior and increased theta oscillation power in the ventral hippocampus (vHIP). We also found that diestrus ELA mice had higher levels of progesterone and lower levels of allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid metabolite of progesterone, in the vHIP compared with control-reared mice. Progesterone receptor antagonism normalized avoidance behavior in ELA mice, while treatment with a negative allosteric modulator of allopregnanolone promoted avoidance behavior in control mice. These results suggest that altered vHIP progesterone and allopregnanolone signaling during diestrus increases avoidance behavior in ELA mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blake J Laham
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08450, USA
| | | | - Monica Hanani
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08450, USA
| | - Mona Clappier
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08450, USA
| | - Sydney Boyer
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08450, USA
| | - Betsy Vasquez
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08450, USA
| | - Elizabeth Gould
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, NJ, 08450, USA.
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7
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Koebele SV, Poisson ML, Palmer JM, Berns-Leone C, Northup-Smith SN, Peña VL, Strouse IM, Bulen HL, Patel S, Croft C, Bimonte-Nelson HA. Evaluating the Cognitive Impacts of Drospirenone, a Spironolactone-Derived Progestin, Independently and in Combination With Ethinyl Estradiol in Ovariectomized Adult Rats. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:885321. [PMID: 35692432 PMCID: PMC9177129 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.885321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oral contraceptives and hormone therapies require a progestogen component to prevent ovulation, curtail uterine hyperplasia, and reduce gynecological cancer risk. Diverse classes of synthetic progestogens, called progestins, are used as natural progesterone alternatives due to progesterone’s low oral bioavailability. Progesterone and several synthetic analogs can negatively impact cognition and reverse some neuroprotective estrogen effects. Here, we investigate drospirenone, a spironolactone-derived progestin, which has unique pharmacological properties compared to other clinically-available progestins and natural progesterone, for its impact on spatial memory, anxiety-like behavior, and brain regions crucial to these cognitive tasks. Experiment 1 assessed three drospirenone doses in young adult, ovariectomized rats, and found that a moderate drospirenone dose benefited spatial memory. Experiment 2 investigated this moderate drospirenone dose with and without concomitant ethinyl estradiol (EE) treatment, the most common synthetic estrogen in oral contraceptives. Results demonstrate that the addition of EE to drospirenone administration reversed the beneficial working memory effects of drospirenone. The hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and perirhinal cortex were then probed for proteins known to elicit estrogen- and progestin- mediated effects on learning and memory, including glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)65, GAD67, and insulin-like growth factor receptor protein expression, using western blot. EE increased GAD expression in the perirhinal cortex. Taken together, results underscore the necessity to consider the distinct cognitive and neural impacts of clinically-available synthetic estrogen and progesterone analogs, and why they produce unique cognitive profiles when administered together compared to those observed when each hormone is administered separately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie V. Koebele
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Mallori L. Poisson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Justin M. Palmer
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Claire Berns-Leone
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Steven N. Northup-Smith
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Veronica L. Peña
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Isabel M. Strouse
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Haidyn L. Bulen
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Shruti Patel
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Corissa Croft
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
- Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium, Phoenix, AZ, United States
- *Correspondence: Heather A. Bimonte-Nelson,
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8
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Perez-Rando M, Guirado R, Tellez-Merlo G, Carceller H, Nacher J. Estradiol Regulates Polysialylated Form of the Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule Expression and Connectivity of O-LM Interneurons in the Hippocampus of Adult Female Mice. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:51-67. [PMID: 33550289 DOI: 10.1159/000515052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The estrous cycle is caused by the changing concentration of ovarian hormones, particularly 17β-estradiol, a hormone whose effect on excitatory circuits has been extensively reported. However, fewer studies have tried to elucidate how this cycle, or this hormone, affects the plasticity of inhibitory networks and the structure of interneurons. Among these cells, somatostatin-expressing O-LM neurons of the hippocampus are especially interesting. They have a role in the modulation of theta oscillations, and they receive direct input from the entorhinal cortex, which place them in the center of hippocampal function. In this study, we report that the expression of polysialylated form of the neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) in the hippocampus, a molecule involved in the plasticity of somatostatin-expressing interneurons in the adult brain, fluctuated through the different stages of the estrous cycle. Likewise, these stages and the expression of PSA-NCAM affected the density of dendritic spines of O-LM cells. We also describe that 17β-estradiol replacement of adult ovariectomized female mice caused an increase in the perisomatic inhibitory puncta in O-LM interneurons as well as an increase in their axonal bouton density. Interestingly, this treatment also induced a decrease in their dendritic spine density, specifically in O-LM interneurons lacking PSA-NCAM expression. Finally, using an ex vivo real-time assay with entorhinal-hippocampal organotypic cultures, we show that this hormone decreased the dynamics in spinogenesis, altogether highlighting the modulatory effect that 17β-estradiol has on inhibitory circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Perez-Rando
- Neurobiology Unit, Program in Neurosciences and BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
- Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ramon Guirado
- Neurobiology Unit, Program in Neurosciences and BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
- Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Dirección General de Universidades, Gobierno de Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Guillermina Tellez-Merlo
- Lab. Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Hector Carceller
- Neurobiology Unit, Program in Neurosciences and BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
| | - Juan Nacher
- Neurobiology Unit, Program in Neurosciences and BIOTECMED Institute, Universitat de València, Burjassot, Spain
- Fundación Investigación Hospital Clínico de Valencia, INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- CIBERSAM: Spanish National Network for Research in Mental Health, Valencia, Spain
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9
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Florido A, Velasco ER, Soto-Faguás CM, Gomez-Gomez A, Perez-Caballero L, Molina P, Nadal R, Pozo OJ, Saura CA, Andero R. Sex differences in fear memory consolidation via Tac2 signaling in mice. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2496. [PMID: 33941789 PMCID: PMC8093426 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Memory formation is key for brain functioning. Uncovering the memory mechanisms is helping us to better understand neural processes in health and disease. Moreover, more specific treatments for fear-related disorders such as posttraumatic stress disorder and phobias may help to decrease their negative impact on mental health. In this line, the Tachykinin 2 (Tac2) pathway in the central amygdala (CeA) has been shown to be sufficient and necessary for the modulation of fear memory consolidation. CeA-Tac2 antagonism and its pharmacogenetic temporal inhibition impair fear memory in male mice. Surprisingly, we demonstrate here the opposite effect of Tac2 blockade on enhancing fear memory consolidation in females. Furthermore, we show that CeA-testosterone in males, CeA-estradiol in females and Akt/GSK3β/β-Catenin signaling both mediate the opposite-sex differential Tac2 pathway regulation of fear memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Florido
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - E R Velasco
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C M Soto-Faguás
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - A Gomez-Gomez
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - L Perez-Caballero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - P Molina
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat de Fisiologia Animal, Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Fisiologia i Immunologia. Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Nadal
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
| | - O J Pozo
- Integrative Pharmacology and Systems Neuroscience Research Group, Neurosciences Research Program, IMIM (Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute), Barcelona, Spain
| | - C A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - R Andero
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Departament de Psicobiologia i de Metodologia de les Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red en Salud Mental (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
- Unitat de Neurociència Traslacional, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, Spain.
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10
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Peerboom C, Wierenga CJ. The postnatal GABA shift: A developmental perspective. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 124:179-192. [PMID: 33549742 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter that counterbalances excitation in the mature brain. The inhibitory action of GABA relies on the inflow of chloride ions (Cl-), which hyperpolarizes the neuron. In early development, GABA signaling induces outward Cl- currents and is depolarizing. The postnatal shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing GABA is a pivotal event in brain development and its timing affects brain function throughout life. Altered timing of the postnatal GABA shift is associated with several neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we argue that the postnatal shift from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing GABA represents the final shift in a sequence of GABA shifts, regulating proliferation, migration, differentiation, and finally plasticity of developing neurons. Each developmental GABA shift ensures that the instructive role of GABA matches the circumstances of the developing network. Sensory input may be a crucial factor in determining proper timing of the postnatal GABA shift. A developmental perspective is necessary to interpret the full consequences of a mismatch between connectivity, activity and GABA signaling during brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlijn Peerboom
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Corette J Wierenga
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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11
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Freese L, Fraga de Souza M, Schüler Nin M, Calleti G, Flores Peres V, Gomez R, Maria Tannhauser Barros H. Elevated GABA levels in the medial prefrontal cortex and lower estrogen levels abolish cocaine sensitization behavior in ovariectomized female rats. Brain Res 2020; 1749:147144. [PMID: 33038296 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Animal models show that cocaine sensitization, a behavioral marker of addiction, is more significant in intact gonadal female than male rats and ovariectomy suppress this behavior in female rats. However, few studies explore changes in neurotransmission related to this phenomenon. Here we investigated the in vivo changes on GABA, glutamate, and taurine levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of gonadal intact or ovariectomized female rats after a cocaine challenge administration. Adult female rats were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX), or sham-operated (SHAM) and randomly assigned to control (CTR), acute (ACT), or repeated (RPT) cocaine administration groups. In the challenge day, after eight days of daily cocaine (15 mg/kg) or saline administration and ten days of washout and stereotaxic surgery, RPT and ACT groups received cocaine, and the CTR group received saline. Horizontal locomotion was monitored concomitantly with microdialysate collection to determine extracellular GABA, glutamate, and taurine levels. Hormonal determination in blood samples confirmed the lower hormonal status of the OVX. Cocaine sensitization occurred in SHAM-RPT female rats after the challenge administration. Non-sensitized OVX-RPT rats showed a peak of GABA at 30 min after cocaine administration, with no change on glutamate and taurine levels. Therefore, elevated GABA levels in the mPFC and lower serum estrogen levels abolish cocaine sensitization behavior in ovariectomized female rats. We discuss some possible implications of these finding for future models of cocaine sensitization research lighting in the female hormonal influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Freese
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Marilise Fraga de Souza
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Maurício Schüler Nin
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pharmacy Program, Centro Universitário Metodista - IPA, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 90040-060, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Greice Calleti
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 90040-060, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Valéria Flores Peres
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Rosane Gomez
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), 90040-060, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | - Helena Maria Tannhauser Barros
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Toxicology, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Pharmacosciences, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), 90050-170, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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12
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Abstract
The hippocampus is central to spatial learning and stress responsiveness, both of which differ in form and function in males versus females, yet precisely how the hippocampus contributes to these sex differences is largely unknown. In reproductively mature individuals, sex differences in the steroid hormone milieu undergirds many sex differences in hippocampal-related endpoints. However, there is also evidence for developmental programming of adult hippocampal function, with a central role for androgens as well as their aromatized byproduct, estrogens. These include sex differences in cell genesis, synapse formation, dendritic arborization, and excitatory/inhibitory balance. Enduring effects of steroid hormone modulation occur during two developmental epochs, the first being the classic perinatal critical period of sexual differentiation of the brain and the other being adolescence and the associated hormonal changes of puberty. The cellular mechanisms by which steroid hormones enduringly modify hippocampal form and function are poorly understood, but we here review what is known and highlight where attention should be focused.
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13
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Total Polysaccharides of Lily Bulb Ameliorate Menopause-Like Behavior in Ovariectomized Mice: Multiple Mechanisms Distinct from Estrogen Therapy. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:6869350. [PMID: 31428228 PMCID: PMC6683782 DOI: 10.1155/2019/6869350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Our previous study has demonstrated the effects of aqueous extract of lily bulb in alleviating menopause-related psychiatric symptoms in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. This study sought to further investigate the psychotropic effects of total polysaccharides of lily bulb (TPLB) against anxiety, depression, and cognitive deterioration and the underlying mechanisms in OVX mice using behavioral, neurochemical, molecular, and proteomic approaches in comparison with estrogen therapy. While TPLB and estradiol showed similar effects in reducing OVX-induced anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairment, the psychotropic effects of TPLB were more closely associated with the predominant activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) and regulation of brain regional neurotransmitters and neurotrophins with minor effects on the uterus. Estradiol had similar potencies in binding affinity at ERα and ERβ, which caused widespread genetic and epigenetic effects. In contrast, TPLB displayed a higher affinity at ERβ than ERα, triggering the specific Ras/Akt/ERK/CREB signaling pathway without affecting any epigenetic activity. TPLB additionally modulated multiple proteins associated with mitochondrial oxidative stress, but estradiol did not. These results indicate that TPLB has comparable efficacy in reducing menopause-associated neuropsychological symptoms with a better safety profile compared to estrogen therapy. We suggest that TPLB could serve as a novel agent for menopause syndrome.
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14
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Yang C, Li C, Sun J, Lu X. Role of estradiol in mediation of etomidate-caused seizure-like activity in neonatal rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 78:170-177. [PMID: 31202866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/19/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of estradiol in mediation of electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormality induced by etomidate in neonatal rats. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized using intraperitoneal etomidate for 2 h on postnatal days (P) 4, 5, or 6 and recorded electroencephalogram in two ways. First, pups were recorded EEG two and a half hours under etomidate anesthesia, in subgroups, estradiol receptor antagonist ICI182780 and estradiol synthase inhibitor formestane were given subcutaneously in male rats 15 min prior to etomidate. Second, pups were anesthetized with etomidate for 2 h on P4,5 or 6 and then recovered from anesthesia, EEG were recorded for one hour in two postnatal periods of P9-P11 and P14-P16. Subgroup rats that received bumetanide, NKCC1 inhibitor, to test the NKCC1-GABAAR signaling effect on neonatal brain development, negative control groups and maternally separated for 2 h on P4, 5, or 6 were studied in 16 groups. Each group's n was = 8. RESULTS Male pups showed more severe seizure-like activities than female pups in P4-P6 under etomidate anesthesia. Pups pretreated with ICI182780 and formestane showed a less abnormalities of EEG in male rats. Etomidate caused seizure-like activity in P4-P6 could extend to P9-P11, but not seen in P14-P16, Pretreated with bumetanide only alleviated abnormalities in male pups other than female in P9-P11. CONCLUSIONS Estradiol involves in the NKCC1-GABAAR mediated seizure-like activity caused by etomidte in neonatal rats and these the abnormality lasts near two weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyao Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changsheng Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xihua Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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15
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McGregor C, Riordan A, Thornton J. Estrogens and the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia: Possible neuroprotective mechanisms. Front Neuroendocrinol 2017; 47:19-33. [PMID: 28673758 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex neuropsychiatric illness with marked sex differences. Women have later onset and lesser symptoms, which has led to the hypothesis that estrogens are protective in schizophrenia. Cognitive dysfunction is a hallmark of the disease and the symptom most correlated with functional outcome. Here we describe a number of mechanisms by which estrogens may be therapeutic in schizophrenia, with a focus on cognitive symptoms. We review the relationship between estrogens and brain derived neurotrophic factor, neuroinflammation, NMDA receptors, GABA receptors, and luteinizing hormone. Exploring these pathways may enable novel treatments for schizophrenia and a greater understanding of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire McGregor
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA.
| | - Alexander Riordan
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
| | - Janice Thornton
- Department of Neuroscience, Oberlin College, 119 Woodland St, Oberlin, OH 44074, USA
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16
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Abstract
Contrary to popular belief, sex hormones act throughout the entire brain of both males and females via both genomic and nongenomic receptors. Many neural and behavioral functions are affected by estrogens, including mood, cognitive function, blood pressure regulation, motor coordination, pain, and opioid sensitivity. Subtle sex differences exist for many of these functions that are developmentally programmed by hormones and by not yet precisely defined genetic factors, including the mitochondrial genome. These sex differences, and responses to sex hormones in brain regions and upon functions not previously regarded as subject to such differences, indicate that we are entering a new era in our ability to understand and appreciate the diversity of gender-related behaviors and brain functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Marrocco
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, the Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Bruce S McEwen
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, the Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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17
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Równiak M. The neurons expressing calcium-binding proteins in the amygdala of the guinea pig: precisely designed interface for sex hormones. Brain Struct Funct 2017; 222:3775-3793. [PMID: 28456912 PMCID: PMC5676811 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-017-1432-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The generation of emotional responses by the amygdala is determined largely by the balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs to its principal neurons. These responses are often sex-specific, and any imbalance in excitatory and/or inhibitory tones leads to serious psychiatric disorders which occur with different rates in men versus women. To investigate the neural basis of sex-specific processing in the amygdala, relationships between the neurons expressing calbindin (CB), parvalbumin (PV) and calretinin (CR), which form in the amygdala main subsets of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic inhibitory system, and neurons endowed with oestrogen alpha (ERα), oestrogen beta (ERβ) or androgen (AR) receptors were analysed using double immunohistochemistry in male and female guinea pig subjects. The results show that in various nuclei of the amygdala in both sexes small subsets of CB neurons and substantial proportions of PV neurons co-express ERβ, while many of the CR neurons co-express ERα. Both these oestrogen-sensitive populations are strictly separated as CB and PV neurons almost never co-express ERα, while CR cells are usually devoid of ERβ. In addition, in the medial nucleus and some other neighbouring regions, there are non-overlapping subpopulations of CB and CR neurons which co-express AR. In conclusion, the localization of ERα, ERβ or AR within subsets of GABAergic interneurons across diverse amygdaloid regions suggests that steroid hormones may exert a significant influence over local neuronal activity by directly modulating inhibitory tone. The control of inhibitory tone may be one of the mechanisms whereby oestrogen and androgen could modulate amygdala processing in a sex-specific manner. Another mechanism may be thorough steroid-sensitive projection neurons, which are most probably located in the medial and central nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Równiak
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, pl. Łódzki 3, 10-727, Olsztyn, Poland.
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18
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McEwen BS, Milner TA. Understanding the broad influence of sex hormones and sex differences in the brain. J Neurosci Res 2017; 95:24-39. [PMID: 27870427 PMCID: PMC5120618 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sex hormones act throughout the entire brain of both males and females via both genomic and nongenomic receptors. Sex hormones can act through many cellular and molecular processes that alter structure and function of neural systems and influence behavior as well as providing neuroprotection. Within neurons, sex hormone receptors are found in nuclei and are also located near membranes, where they are associated with presynaptic terminals, mitochondria, spine apparatus, and postsynaptic densities. Sex hormone receptors also are found in glial cells. Hormonal regulation of a variety of signaling pathways as well as direct and indirect effects on gene expression induce spine synapses, up- or downregulate and alter the distribution of neurotransmitter receptors, and regulate neuropeptide expression and cholinergic and GABAergic activity as well as calcium sequestration and oxidative stress. Many neural and behavioral functions are affected, including mood, cognitive function, blood pressure regulation, motor coordination, pain, and opioid sensitivity. Subtle sex differences exist for many of these functions that are developmentally programmed by hormones and by not yet precisely defined genetic factors, including the mitochondrial genome. These sex differences and responses to sex hormones in brain regions, which influence functions not previously regarded as subject to such differences, indicate that we are entering a new era of our ability to understand and appreciate the diversity of gender-related behaviors and brain functions. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruce S. McEwen
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
| | - Teresa A. Milner
- Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell School of Medicine, 407 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065
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Abstract
Epilepsy affects 50 million people worldwide, including women afflicted with catamenial epilepsy. Catamenial epilepsy is a form of epilepsy in which seizures are clustered around specific points in the menstrual cycle, most frequently during the perimenstrual or periovulatory phase. Although there are a number of standard and newer antiepileptic drugs for epilepsy, no specific drugs exist to treat catamenial seizures, which affect at least one in three women with epilepsy. Moreover, the molecular pathophysiology of catamenial seizures remains unclear. This article describes the pathophysiology, hormonal basis, diagnosis and treatment of perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy. Natural progesterone and synthetic neurosteroid replacement appears to be a suitable therapeutic approach for catamenial epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala S Reddy
- North Carolina State University, Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, 4700 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27606, USA, Tel.: +1 919 513 6549; Fax: +1 919 513 6465
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20
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Wang Z, Zhang A, Zhao B, Gan J, Wang G, Gao F, Liu B, Gong T, Liu W, Edden RA. GABA+ levels in postmenopausal women with mild-to-moderate depression: A preliminary study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2016; 95:e4918. [PMID: 27684829 PMCID: PMC5265922 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000004918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is increasingly being recognized that alterations of the GABAergic system are implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. This study aimed to explore in vivo gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the anterior cingulate cortex/medial prefrontal cortex (ACC/mPFC) and posterior-cingulate cortex (PCC) of postmenopausal women with depression using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-MRS). METHODS Nineteen postmenopausal women with depression and thirteen healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent H-MRS of the ACC/mPFC and PCC using the "MEGA Point Resolved Spectroscopy Sequence" (MEGA-PRESS) technique. The severity of depression was assessed by 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Quantification of MRS data was performed using Gannet program. Differences of GABA+ levels from patients and controls were tested using one-way analysis of variance. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the linear associations between GABA+ levels and HAMD scores, as well as estrogen levels. RESULTS Significantly lower GABA+ levels were detected in the ACC/mPFC of postmenopausal women with depression compared to healthy controls (P = 0.002). No significant correlations were found between 17-HAMD/14-HAMA and GABA+ levels, either in ACC/mPFC (P = 0.486; r = 0.170/P = 0.814; r = -0.058) or PCC (P = 0.887; r = 0.035/ P = 0.987; r = -0.004) in the patients; there is also no significant correlation between GABA+ levels and estrogen levels in patients group (ACC/mPFC: P = 0.629, r = -0.018; PCC: P = 0.861, r = 0.043). CONCLUSION Significantly lower GABA+ levels were found in the ACC/mPFC of postmenopausal women with depression, suggesting that the dysfunction of the GABAergic system may also be involved in the pathogenesis of depression in postmenopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhensong Wang
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University
- No. 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine University
| | - Aiying Zhang
- Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine University
| | - Bin Zhao
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University
| | - Jie Gan
- No. 2 Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Traditional Chinese Medicine University
| | - Guangbin Wang
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University
- Correspondence: Guangbin Wang, Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University, No. 324, Jing-Wu Road, Jinan, China (e-mail: )
| | - Fei Gao
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University
| | - Bo Liu
- Qi Lu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tao Gong
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University
| | - Wen Liu
- Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute Affiliated to Shandong University
| | - Richard A.E. Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- FM Kirby Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD
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21
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Use of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone for Intractable Seizures in a Girl with Precocious Puberty without Hypothalamic Hamartoma. J Pediatr 2016; 174:264-6. [PMID: 27156180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2016.03.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs has been reported in the treatment of gelastic seizures and precocious puberty associated with hypothalamic hamartomas, but not in other seizure types without hypothalamic hamartoma. We describe a 7.5 year-old girl whose seizures subsided after gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog implant, administered for precocious puberty.
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22
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Sárvári M, Kalló I, Hrabovszky E, Solymosi N, Rodolosse A, Liposits Z. Long-Term Estrogen Receptor Beta Agonist Treatment Modifies the Hippocampal Transcriptome in Middle-Aged Ovariectomized Rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:149. [PMID: 27375434 PMCID: PMC4901073 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Estradiol (E2) robustly activates transcription of a broad array of genes in the hippocampal formation of middle-aged ovariectomized rats via estrogen receptors (ERα, ERβ, and G protein-coupled ER). Selective ERβ agonists also influence hippocampal functions, although their downstream molecular targets and mechanisms are not known. In this study, we explored the effects of long-term treatment with ERβ agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN, 0.05 mg/kg/day, sc.) on the hippocampal transcriptome in ovariectomized, middle-aged (13 month) rats. Isolated hippocampal formations were analyzed by Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray and quantitative real-time PCR. Four hundred ninety-seven genes fulfilled the absolute fold change higher than 2 (FC > 2) selection criterion. Among them 370 genes were activated. Pathway analysis identified terms including glutamatergic and cholinergic synapse, RNA transport, endocytosis, thyroid hormone signaling, RNA degradation, retrograde endocannabinoid signaling, and mRNA surveillance. PCR studies showed transcriptional regulation of 58 genes encoding growth factors (Igf2, Igfb2, Igf1r, Fgf1, Mdk, Ntf3, Bdnf), transcription factors (Otx2, Msx1), potassium channels (Kcne2), neuropeptides (Cck, Pdyn), peptide receptors (Crhr2, Oprm1, Gnrhr, Galr2, Sstr1, Sstr3), neurotransmitter receptors (Htr1a, Htr2c, Htr2a, Gria2, Gria3, Grm5, Gabra1, Chrm5, Adrb1), and vesicular neurotransmitter transporters (Slc32a1, Slc17a7). Protein-protein interaction analysis revealed networking of clusters associated with the regulation of growth/troph factor signaling, transcription, translation, neurotransmitter and neurohormone signaling mechanisms and potassium channels. Collectively, the results reveal the contribution of ERβ-mediated processes to the regulation of transcription, translation, neurogenesis, neuromodulation, and neuroprotection in the hippocampal formation of ovariectomized, middle-aged rats and elucidate regulatory channels responsible for DPN-altered functional patterns. These findings support the notion that selective activation of ERβ may be a viable approach for treating the neural symptoms of E2 deficiency in menopause.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklós Sárvári
- Laboratory of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary
| | - Imre Kalló
- Laboratory of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of SciencesBudapest, Hungary; Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic UniversityBudapest, Hungary
| | - Erik Hrabovszky
- Laboratory of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of Sciences Budapest, Hungary
| | - Norbert Solymosi
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Szent István University Budapest, Hungary
| | - Annie Rodolosse
- Functional Genomics Core, Institute for Research in Biomedicine Barcelona, Spain
| | - Zsolt Liposits
- Laboratory of Endocrine Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hungarian Academy of SciencesBudapest, Hungary; Faculty of Information Technology and Bionics, Pázmány Péter Catholic UniversityBudapest, Hungary
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23
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Micevych PE, Wong AM, Mittelman-Smith MA. Estradiol Membrane-Initiated Signaling and Female Reproduction. Compr Physiol 2016; 5:1211-22. [PMID: 26140715 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c140056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The discoveries of rapid, membrane-initiated steroid actions and central nervous system steroidogenesis have changed our understanding of the neuroendocrinology of reproduction. Classical nuclear actions of estradiol and progesterone steroids affecting transcription are essential. However, with the discoveries of membrane-associated steroid receptors, it is becoming clear that estradiol and progesterone have neurotransmitter-like actions activating intracellular events. Ultimately, membrane-initiated actions can influence transcription. Estradiol membrane-initiated signaling (EMS) modulates female sexual receptivity and estrogen feedback regulating the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. In the arcuate nucleus, EMS activates a lordosis-regulating circuit that extends to the medial preoptic nucleus and subsequently to the ventromedial nucleus (VMH)--the output from the limbic and hypothalamic regions. Here, we discuss how EMS leads to an active inhibition of lordosis behavior. To stimulate ovulation, EMS facilitates astrocyte synthesis of progesterone (neuroP) in the hypothalamus. Regulation of GnRH release driving the LH surge is dependent on estradiol-sensitive kisspeptin (Kiss1) expression in the rostral periventricular nucleus of the third ventricle (RP3V). NeuroP activation of the LH surge depends on Kiss1, but the specifics of signaling have not been well elucidated. RP3V Kiss1 neurons appear to integrate estradiol and progesterone information which feeds back onto GnRH neurons to stimulate the LH surge. In a second population of Kiss1 neurons, estradiol suppresses the surge but maintains tonic LH release, another critical component of the estrous cycle. Together, evidence suggests that regulation of reproduction involves membrane action of steroids, some of which are synthesized in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul E Micevych
- UCLA - David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Angela May Wong
- UCLA - David Geffen School of Medicine Los Angeles, California, USA
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Corvino V, Di Maria V, Marchese E, Lattanzi W, Biamonte F, Michetti F, Geloso MC. Estrogen administration modulates hippocampal GABAergic subpopulations in the hippocampus of trimethyltin-treated rats. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:433. [PMID: 26594149 PMCID: PMC4633568 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the well-documented involvement of estrogens in the modulation of hippocampal functions in both physiological and pathological conditions, the present study investigates the effects of 17-beta estradiol (E2) administration in the rat model of hippocampal neurodegeneration induced by trimethyltin (TMT) administration (8 mg/kg), characterized by loss of pyramidal neurons in CA1, CA3/hilus hippocampal subfields, associated with astroglial and microglial activation, seizures and cognitive impairment. After TMT/saline treatment, ovariectomized animals received two doses of E2 (0.2 mg/kg intra-peritoneal) or vehicle, and were sacrificed 48 h or 7 days after TMT-treatment. Our results indicate that in TMT-treated animals E2 administration induces the early (48 h) upregulation of genes involved in neuroprotection and synaptogenesis, namely Bcl2, trkB, cadherin 2 and cyclin-dependent-kinase-5. Increased expression levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase (gad) 67, neuropeptide Y (Npy), parvalbumin, Pgc-1α and Sirtuin 1 genes, the latter involved in parvalbumin (PV) synthesis, were also evident. Unbiased stereology performed on rats sacrificed 7 days after TMT treatment showed that although E2 does not significantly influence the extent of TMT-induced neuronal death, significantly enhances the TMT-induced modulation of GABAergic interneuron population size in selected hippocampal subfields. In particular, E2 administration causes, in TMT-treated rats, a significant increase in the number of GAD67-expressing interneurons in CA1 stratum oriens, CA3 pyramidal layer, hilus and dentate gyrus, accompanied by a parallel increase in NPY-expressing cells, essentially in the same regions, and of PV-positive cells in CA1 pyramidal layer. The present results add information concerning the role of in vivo E2 administration on mechanisms involved in cellular plasticity in the adult brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Corvino
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Maria
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Elisa Marchese
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Wanda Lattanzi
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Biamonte
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Michetti
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore Rome, Italy
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25
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Kourdougli N, Varpula S, Chazal G, Rivera C. Detrimental effect of post Status Epilepticus treatment with ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in a pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:413. [PMID: 26557054 PMCID: PMC4615811 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of epilepsy in adults where 20-30% of the patients are refractory to currently available anti-epileptic drugs. The RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway activation has been involved in inflammatory responses, neurite outgrowth and neuronal death under pathological conditions such as epileptic insults. Acute preventive administration of ROCK inhibitor has been reported to have beneficial outcomes in Status Epilepticus (SE) epilepsy. In the present study, we evaluate the effect of chronic post SE treatment with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 in a rat pilocarpine model of TLE. We used chronic i.p. injections of Y-27632 for 5 days in 6 week old control rats or rats subjected to pilocarpine treatment as a model of TLE. Surprisingly, our findings demonstrate that a systemic administration of Y-27632 in pilocarpine-treated rats increases neuronal death in the CA3 region and ectopic recurrent mossy fiber sprouting (rMFS) in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampal formation. Interestingly, we found that chronic treatment with Y-27632 exacerbates the down-regulation and pathological distribution of the K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter KCC2, thus providing a putative mechanism for post SE induced neuronal death. The involvement of astrogliosis in this mechanism appears to be intricate as ROCK inhibition reduces reactive astrogliosis in pilocarpine rats. Conversely, in control rats, chronic Y-27632 treatment increases astrogliosis. Together, our findings suggest that Y-27632 has a detrimental effect when chronically used post SE in a rat pilocarpine model of TLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazim Kourdougli
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
| | - Saara Varpula
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
- Neuroscience Center, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
| | - Genevieve Chazal
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
| | - Claudio Rivera
- INSERM Unité 901, INMEDMarseille, France
- Aix-Marseille Université, UMR S901Marseille, France
- Neuroscience Center, University of HelsinkiHelsinki, Finland
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26
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D'Amour J, Magagna-Poveda A, Moretto J, Friedman D, LaFrancois JJ, Pearce P, Fenton AA, MacLusky NJ, Scharfman HE. Interictal spike frequency varies with ovarian cycle stage in a rat model of epilepsy. Exp Neurol 2015; 269:102-19. [PMID: 25864929 PMCID: PMC4446145 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2014] [Revised: 12/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In catamenial epilepsy, seizures exhibit a cyclic pattern that parallels the menstrual cycle. Many studies suggest that catamenial seizures are caused by fluctuations in gonadal hormones during the menstrual cycle, but this has been difficult to study in rodent models of epilepsy because the ovarian cycle in rodents, called the estrous cycle, is disrupted by severe seizures. Thus, when epilepsy is severe, estrous cycles become irregular or stop. Therefore, we modified kainic acid (KA)- and pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) models of epilepsy so that seizures were rare for the first months after SE, and conducted video-EEG during this time. The results showed that interictal spikes (IIS) occurred intermittently. All rats with regular 4-day estrous cycles had IIS that waxed and waned with the estrous cycle. The association between the estrous cycle and IIS was strong: if the estrous cycles became irregular transiently, IIS frequency also became irregular, and when the estrous cycle resumed its 4-day pattern, IIS frequency did also. Furthermore, when rats were ovariectomized, or males were recorded, IIS frequency did not show a 4-day pattern. Systemic administration of an estrogen receptor antagonist stopped the estrous cycle transiently, accompanied by transient irregularity of the IIS pattern. Eventually all animals developed severe, frequent seizures and at that time both the estrous cycle and the IIS became irregular. We conclude that the estrous cycle entrains IIS in the modified KA and pilocarpine SE models of epilepsy. The data suggest that the ovarian cycle influences more aspects of epilepsy than seizure susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D'Amour
- The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Cantonal Hospital of Basel, Land Institute of Pathology, Mühlemattstrasse 11, CH-4410 Liestal, Switzerland; Sackler Program in Biomedical Sciences, New York University Langone Medical Center, 550 First Ave., New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Alejandra Magagna-Poveda
- Cantonal Hospital of Basel, Land Institute of Pathology, Mühlemattstrasse 11, CH-4410 Liestal, Switzerland
| | - Jillian Moretto
- The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Daniel Friedman
- The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, 334 34th St., New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - John J LaFrancois
- The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Patrice Pearce
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Andre A Fenton
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Neil J MacLusky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Helen E Scharfman
- The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, 140 Old Orangeburg Rd., Bldg. 35, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA; Department of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, Physiology & Neuroscience, and Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, One Park Ave, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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27
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Sandhu KV, Yanagawa Y, Stork O. Transcriptional regulation of glutamic acid decarboxylase in the male mouse amygdala by dietary phyto-oestrogens. J Neuroendocrinol 2015; 27:285-92. [PMID: 25650988 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Accepted: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Phyto-oestrogens are biologically active components of many human and laboratory animal diets. In the present study, we investigated, in adult male mice with C57BL/6 genetic background, the effects of a reduced phyto-oestrogens intake on anxiety-related behaviour and associated gene expression in the amygdala. After 6 weeks on a low-phyto-oestrogen diet (< 20 μg/g cumulative phyto-oestrogen content), animals showed reduced centre exploration in an open-field task compared to their littermates on a soybean-based standard diet (300 μg/g). Freezing behaviour in an auditory fear memory task, in contrast, was not affected. We hypothesised that this mildly increased anxiety may involve changes in the function of GABAergic local circuit neurones in the amygdala. Using GAD67(+/GFP) mice, we could demonstrate reduced transcription of the GAD67 gene in the lateral and basolateral amygdala under the low-phyto-oestrogen diet. Analysis of mRNA levels in microdissected samples confirmed this regulation and demonstrated concomitant changes in expression of the second glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) isoform, GAD65, as well as the anxiolytic neuropeptide Y. These molecular and behavioural alterations occurred without apparent changes in circulating oestrogens or testosterone levels. Our data suggest that expression regulation of interneurone-specific gene products in the amygdala may provide a mechanism for the control of anxiety-related behaviour through dietary phyto-oestrogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- K V Sandhu
- Department of Genetics & Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Biology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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28
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Ikeda T, Makino Y, Yamada MK. 17α-estradiol is generated locally in the male rat brain and can regulate GAD65 expression and anxiety. Neuropharmacology 2014; 90:9-14. [PMID: 25446575 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that 17β-estradiol, a sex hormone, is synthesized by neurons. In addition, 17α-estradiol, the stereoisomer of 17β-estradiol, is reported to be the dominant form in the male mouse brain. However, probably because the method to detect these isomers requires unusual and precise experimental design, the presence of this endogenous 17α-estradiol has not been reported subsequently and the actual role is therefore not well elucidated. We first quantified the estradiol level in hippocampal extracts using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. As a result, 17α-estradiol was found in all of the male rats tested, while that of 17β-estradiol was detected only in a certain subset. The estrogen-biosynthesis inhibitor letrozole decreased the expression of the major presynaptic GABA synthesizing enzyme GAD65 in cultured neurons and the effect was abrogated by exogenously supplied 17α-estradiol. Next, injection of the inhibitor into the brain reduced the 17α-estradiol level, indicating its biogenesis in the brain. Under the same conditions, immuno-staining of GAD65 was also decreased. Furthermore, the inhibitor treatment increased anxiety index of rats in the open field and this was ameliorated by the addition of 17α-estradiol. We showed that 17α-estradiol was generated in the brain and acted as a regulator of inhibitory neurotransmission as well as behavior. These results may have implications for a variety of diseases, such as the menopausal depression and Alzheimer's disease that have been reported to be related to estrogen levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takamitsu Ikeda
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Yukiko Makino
- Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Maki K Yamada
- Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan; PRESTO, The Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan.
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29
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McEwen BS. Sex, stress and the brain: interactive actions of hormones on the developing and adult brain. Climacteric 2014; 17 Suppl 2:18-25. [PMID: 25225752 DOI: 10.3109/13697137.2014.949662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The brain is a target of steroid hormone actions that affect brain architecture, molecular and neurochemical processes, behavior and neuroprotection via both genomic and non-genomic actions. Estrogens have such effects throughout the brain and this article provides an historical and current view of how this new view has come about and how it has affected the study of sex differences, as well as other areas of neuroscience, including the effects of stress on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S McEwen
- Alfred E. Mirsky Professor, Head, Harold and Margaret Milliken Hatch, Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, The Rockefeller University , New York, NY , USA
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30
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MacKenzie G, Maguire J. The role of ovarian hormone-derived neurosteroids on the regulation of GABAA receptors in affective disorders. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3333-42. [PMID: 24402140 PMCID: PMC4090295 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3423-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Neuroactive derivatives of steroid hormones, neurosteroids, can act on GABAA receptors (GABAARs) to potentiate the effects of GABA on these receptors. Neurosteroids become elevated to physiologically relevant levels under conditions characterized by increased steroid hormones. There is considerable evidence for plasticity of GABAARs associated with altered levels of neurosteroids which may counteract the fluctuations in the levels of these allosteric modulators. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review is to summarize the current literature on GABAAR plasticity under conditions characterized by alterations in neurosteroid levels, such as over the estrous cycle, during puberty, and throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. RESULTS The expression of specific GABAAR subunits is altered over the estrous cycle, at puberty, and throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Inability to regulate δ subunit-containing GABAARs throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period is associated with depression-like behavior restricted to the postpartum period. CONCLUSIONS GABAAR plasticity associated with alterations in neurosteroid levels represents a homeostatic compensatory mechanism to maintain an ideal level of inhibition to offset the potentiating effects of neurosteroids on GABAergic inhibition. Failure to properly regulate GABAARs under conditions of altered neurosteroid levels may increase vulnerability to mood disorders, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and postpartum depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina MacKenzie
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA 02111
| | - Jamie Maguire
- Tufts University School of Medicine, Department of Neuroscience, Boston, MA 02111
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Comasco E, Hahn A, Ganger S, Gingnell M, Bannbers E, Oreland L, Wikström J, Epperson CN, Lanzenberger R, Sundström-Poromaa I. Emotional fronto-cingulate cortex activation and brain derived neurotrophic factor polymorphism in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Hum Brain Mapp 2014; 35:4450-8. [PMID: 24615932 PMCID: PMC4107029 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2013] [Revised: 01/22/2014] [Accepted: 01/30/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is the prototypical sex‐specific disorder in which symptom onset and offset require a particular hormonal milieu and for which there is moderate heritability. The present study investigated brain emotion processing in PMDD and healthy controls, as well as functional polymorphisms in two candidate genes for PMDD, the serotonin transporter (5‐HTT) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The 5‐HTT linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR) and BDNF Val66Met polymorphisms were genotyped in 31 patients with PMDD and 31 healthy controls. A subset of 16 patients and 15 controls participated in two functional magnetic resonance imaging‐sessions performing an emotion processing task; once in the mid‐follicular, and once in the late luteal phase which corresponds with maximum severity of mood symptoms. Genotypes were not directly associated with PMDD. A main effect of group was found in the whole brain analysis, with patients having lower activation of the pre‐genual anterior cingulate and ventro‐medial prefrontal cortex, independent of menstrual cycle phase. Post‐hoc functional ROI analyses in the fronto‐cingulate cluster showed no effect of 5‐HTTLPR genotype but a genotype‐by‐group‐by‐phase interaction effect of BDNF Val66Met. Women with PMDD who were carriers of the Met‐allele had lower fronto‐cingulate cortex activation in the luteal phase compared to Met‐allele carrying controls. The results provide suggestive evidence of impaired emotion‐induced fronto‐cingulate cortex activation in PMDD patients. Although limited by a small sample, the potential influence of BDNF Val66Met in PMDD is in line with preclinical findings. Hum Brain Mapp 35:4450–4458, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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GABAergic influence on temporomandibular joint-responsive spinomedullary neurons depends on estrogen status. Neuroscience 2013; 259:53-62. [PMID: 24316475 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.11.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2013] [Revised: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sensory input from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to neurons in superficial laminae at the spinomedullary (Vc/C1-2) region is strongly influenced by estrogen status. This study determined if GABAergic mechanisms play a role in estrogen modulation of TMJ nociceptive processing in ovariectomized female rats treated with high- (HE) or low-dose (LE) estradiol (E2) for 2days. Superficial laminae neurons were activated by ATP (1mM) injections into the joint space. The selective GABAA receptor antagonist, bicuculline methiodide (BMI, 5 or 50μM, 30μl), applied at the site of recording greatly enhanced the magnitude and duration of ATP-evoked responses in LE rats, but not in units from HE rats. The convergent cutaneous receptive field (RF) area of TMJ neurons was enlarged after BMI in LE but not HE rats, while resting discharge rates were increased after BMI independent of estrogen status. By contrast, the selective GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol (50μM, 30μl), significantly reduced the magnitude and duration of ATP-evoked activity, resting discharge rate, and cutaneous RF area of TMJ neurons in LE and HE rats, whereas lower doses (5μM) affected only units from LE rats. Protein levels of GABAA receptor β3 isoform at the Vc/C1-2 region were similar for HE and LE rats. These results suggest that GABAergic mechanisms contribute significantly to background discharge rates and TMJ-evoked input to superficial laminae neurons at the Vc/C1-2 region. Estrogen status may gate the magnitude of GABAergic influence on TMJ neurons at the earliest stages of nociceptive processing at the spinomedullary region.
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33
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Velíšková J, Desantis KA. Sex and hormonal influences on seizures and epilepsy. Horm Behav 2013; 63:267-77. [PMID: 22504305 PMCID: PMC3424285 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2012.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2012] [Revised: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is the third most common chronic neurological disorder. Clinical and experimental evidence supports the role of sex and influence of sex hormones on seizures and epilepsy as well as alterations of the endocrine system and levels of sex hormones by epileptiform activity. Conversely, seizures are sensitive to changes in sex hormone levels, which in turn may affect the seizure-induced neuronal damage. The effects of reproductive hormones on neuronal excitability and seizure-induced damage are complex to contradictory and depend on different mechanisms, which have to be accounted for in data interpretation. Both estradiol and progesterone/allopregnanolone may have beneficial effects for patients with epilepsy. Individualized hormonal therapy should be considered as adjunctive treatment in patients with epilepsy to improve seizure control as well as quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Velíšková
- Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
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34
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Leung L, Andrews-Zwilling Y, Yoon SY, Jain S, Ring K, Dai J, Wang MM, Tong L, Walker D, Huang Y. Apolipoprotein E4 causes age- and sex-dependent impairments of hilar GABAergic interneurons and learning and memory deficits in mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e53569. [PMID: 23300939 PMCID: PMC3534053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Apolipoprotein (apo) E4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE4 has sex-dependent effects, whereby the risk of developing AD is higher in apoE4-expressing females than males. However, the mechanism underlying the sex difference, in relation to apoE4, is unknown. Previous findings indicate that apoE4 causes age-dependent impairments of hilar GABAergic interneurons in female mice, leading to learning and memory deficits. Here, we investigate whether the detrimental effects of apoE4 on hilar GABAergic interneurons are sex-dependent using apoE knock-in (KI) mice across different ages. We found that in female apoE-KI mice, there was an age-dependent depletion of hilar GABAergic interneurons, whereby GAD67- or somatostatin-positive–but not NPY- or parvalbumin-positive–interneuron loss was exacerbated by apoE4. Loss of these neuronal populations was correlated with the severity of spatial learning deficits at 16 months of age in female apoE4-KI mice; however, this effect was not observed in female apoE3-KI mice. In contrast, we found an increase in the numbers of hilar GABAergic interneurons with advancing age in male apoE-KI mice, regardless of apoE genotype. Moreover, male apoE-KI mice showed a consistent ratio of hilar inhibitory GABAergic interneurons to excitatory mossy cells approximating 1.5 that is independent of apoE genotype and age, whereas female apoE-KI mice exhibited an age-dependent decrease in this ratio, which was exacerbated by apoE4. Interestingly, there are no apoE genotype effects on GABAergic interneurons in the CA1 and CA3 subregions of the hippocampus as well as the entorhinal and auditory cortexes. These findings suggest that the sex-dependent effects of apoE4 on developing AD is in part attributable to inherent sex-based differences in the numbers of hilar GABAergic interneurons, which is further modulated by apoE genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Leung
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Yaisa Andrews-Zwilling
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Seo Yeon Yoon
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sachi Jain
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Karen Ring
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Jessica Dai
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Max Mu Wang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Leslie Tong
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - David Walker
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Yadong Huang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Verrotti A, D'Egidio C, Agostinelli S, Verrotti C, Pavone P. Diagnosis and management of catamenial seizures: a review. Int J Womens Health 2012; 4:535-41. [PMID: 23071424 PMCID: PMC3469236 DOI: 10.2147/ijwh.s28872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Catamenial epilepsy is defined as a pattern of seizures that changes in severity during particular phases of the menstrual cycle, wherein estrogens are proconvulsant, increasing the neuronal excitability; and progesterone is anticonvulsant, enhancing GABA-mediated inhibition. Thus, changes in serum estradiol/progesterone ratio throughout a normal reproductive cycle bring about an increased or decreased risk of seizure occurrence. To date, there are no specific drug treatments for catamenial epilepsy however, non-hormonal and hormonal therapies have been proposed. The aim of this review is to report preclinical and clinical evidences about the relationship between female reproductive steroids and epileptic seizures, and to describe treatment approaches for catamenial epilepsy.
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Gerrits PO, Kortekaas R, Veening JG, de Weerd H, van der Want JJL. Reduced aging defects in estrogen receptive brainstem nuclei in the female hamster. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:2920-34. [PMID: 22445324 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 02/15/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The nucleus pararetroambiguus (NPRA) and the commissural nucleus of the solitary tract (NTScom) show estrogen nuclear receptor-α immunoreactivity (nuclear ER-α-IR). Both cell groups are involved in estrous cycle related adaptations. We examined in normally cycling aged hamsters the occurrence/amount/frequency of age-related degenerative changes in NPRA and NTScom during estrus and diestrus. In 2640 electron microscopy photomicrographs plasticity reflected in the ratio of axon terminal surface/dendrite surface (t/d) was morphometrically analyzed. Medial tegmental field (mtf, nuclear ER-α-IR poor), served as control. In aged animals, irrespective of nuclear ER-α-IR+ or nuclear ER-α-IR- related cell groups, extensive diffuse degenerative structural aberrations were observed. The hormonal state had a strong influence on t/d ratios in NPRA and NTScom, but not in mtf. In NPRA and NTScom, diestrous hamsters had significantly smaller t/d ratios (NPRA, 0.750 ± 0.050; NTScom, 0.900 ± 0.039) than the estrous hamsters (NPRA, 1.083 ± 0.075; NTScom, 1.204 ± 0.076). Aging affected axodendritic ratios only in mtf (p < 0.001). IN CONCLUSION in the female hamster brain, estrous cycle-induced structural plasticity is preserved in NPRA and NTScom during aging despite the presence of diffuse age-related neurodegenerative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter O Gerrits
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Anatomy, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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Stepanyuk AR, Borisyuk AL, Belan PV. Efficient maximum likelihood estimation of kinetic rate constants from macroscopic currents. PLoS One 2012; 6:e29731. [PMID: 22242142 PMCID: PMC3248447 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 12/03/2011] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
A new method is described that accurately estimates kinetic constants, conductance and number of ion channels from macroscopic currents. The method uses both the time course and the strength of correlations between different time points of macroscopic currents and utilizes the property of semiseparability of covariance matrix for computationally efficient estimation of current likelihood and its gradient. The number of calculation steps scales linearly with the number of channel states as opposed to the cubic dependence in a previously described method. Together with the likelihood gradient evaluation, which is almost independent of the number of model parameters, the new approach allows evaluation of kinetic models with very complex topologies. We demonstrate applicability of the method to analysis of synaptic currents by estimating accurately rate constants of a 7-state model used to simulate GABAergic macroscopic currents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrey R. Stepanyuk
- Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Anya L. Borisyuk
- Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Pavel V. Belan
- Bogomoletz Institute of Physiology, Kiev, Ukraine
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Kiev, Ukraine
- * E-mail:
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González-Flores O, Gómora-Arrati P, García-Juárez M, Miranda-Martínez A, Armengual-Villegas A, Camacho-Arroyo I, Guerra-Araiza C. Progesterone receptor isoforms differentially regulate the expression of tryptophan and tyrosine hydroxylase and glutamic acid decarboxylase in the rat hypothalamus. Neurochem Int 2011; 59:671-6. [PMID: 21740945 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2011.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2011] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone exerts a variety of actions in the brain through the interaction with its receptors (PR) which have two isoforms with different function and regulation: PR-A and PR-B. Progesterone may modulate neurotransmission by regulating the expression of neurotransmitters synthesizing enzymes or their receptors in several brain regions. The role of PR isoforms in this modulation is unknown. We explored the role of PR isoforms in the regulation of tryptophan (TPH) and tyrosine (TH) hydroxylase, and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) expression in the hypothalamus of ovariectomized rats. Two weeks after ovariectomy, animals were subcutaneously injected with 5 μg of estradiol benzoate (EB), and 40 h later, progesterone (P) was intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected. Each animal received two ICV injections of 1 μg/μl (4 nmol) of PR-B and total PR (PR-A+PR-B) sense or antisense (As) oligonucleotides (ODNs). First injection was made immediately before sc EB injection, and 24h later animals received the second one. Twenty-four hours after P administration, rats were euthanized and brains removed to measure the expression of PR-A and PR-B, TPH, TH and GAD by Western blot. We observed that sense ODNs modified neither PR isoforms nor enzymes expression in the hypothalamus, whereas PR A+B antisense (PR A+B As) clearly decreased the expression of both PR isoforms in this region. ICV administration of PR-B As only decreased PR-B isoform expression with no significant effects on PR-A expression. A differential protein expression of TPH, TH and GAD was observed after PR isoforms antisense administration. PR-B As administration decreased the expression of TPH (65% with respect to control). In contrast, PR A+B As and PR-B As administration increased (51.6% and 34.4%, respectively) TH expression. The administration of PR A+B As and PR-B As diminished GAD expression (33.4% and 41.6%, respectively). Our findings indicate that PR isoforms play a differential role in the regulation of the content of TPH, TH and GAD in the rat hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar González-Flores
- Centro de Investigación en Reproducción Animal, Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala-CINVESTAV, Mexico
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Bäckström T, Haage D, Löfgren M, Johansson IM, Strömberg J, Nyberg S, Andréen L, Ossewaarde L, van Wingen GA, Turkmen S, Bengtsson SK. Paradoxical effects of GABA-A modulators may explain sex steroid induced negative mood symptoms in some persons. Neuroscience 2011; 191:46-54. [PMID: 21600269 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2011.03.061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2010] [Revised: 03/02/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Some women have negative mood symptoms, caused by progestagens in hormonal contraceptives or sequential hormone therapy or by progesterone in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which may be attributed to metabolites acting on the GABA-A receptor. The GABA system is the major inhibitory system in the adult CNS and most positive modulators of the GABA-A receptor (benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol, GABA steroids), induce inhibitory (e.g. anesthetic, sedative, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic) effects. However, some individuals have adverse effects (seizures, increased pain, anxiety, irritability, aggression) upon exposure. Positive GABA-A receptor modulators induce strong paradoxical effects including negative mood in 3%-8% of those exposed, while up to 25% have moderate symptoms. The effect is biphasic: low concentrations induce an adverse anxiogenic effect while higher concentrations decrease this effect and show inhibitory, calming properties. The prevalence of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is also 3%-8% among women in fertile ages, and up to 25% have more moderate symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Patients with PMDD have severe luteal phase-related symptoms and show changes in GABA-A receptor sensitivity and GABA concentrations. Findings suggest that negative mood symptoms in women with PMDD are caused by the paradoxical effect of allopregnanolone mediated via the GABA-A receptor, which may be explained by one or more of three hypotheses regarding the paradoxical effect of GABA steroids on behavior: (1) under certain conditions, such as puberty, the relative fraction of certain GABA-A receptor subtypes may be altered, and at those subtypes the GABA steroids may act as negative modulators in contrast to their usual role as positive modulators; (2) in certain brain areas of vulnerable women the transmembrane Cl(-) gradient may be altered by factors such as estrogens that favor excitability; (3) inhibition of inhibitory neurons may promote disinhibition, and hence excitability. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Neuroactive Steroids: Focus on Human Brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Bäckström
- Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Umeå, SE-901 85 Umeå, Sweden.
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Bakkum BW, Fan L, Pandey SC, Cohen RS. Hetereogeneity of dose and time effects of estrogen on neuron-specific neuronal protein and phosphorylated cyclic AMP response element-binding protein in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats. J Neurosci Res 2011; 89:883-97. [PMID: 21337376 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2010] [Revised: 12/20/2010] [Accepted: 12/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown changes in the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in CA1 and CA3 regions of the rostral hippocampus with 10 μg estrogen treatment for 14 days. It appears that estrogen's action on CREB phosphorylation in brain structures depends on other estrogen doses and lengths of treatment. We therefore examined the effects of moderate regimens [2.5 μg estradiol benzoate (EB) for 4 or 14 days] on mean numbers of neuron-specific neuronal protein (NeuN)-positive cells and phosphorylated CREB (pCREB)-positive cells and subregion volume defined by NeuN and pCREB immunolabeling and compared those results with results from the high regimen (10 μg EB for 14 days) in CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions and dorsal (DDG) and ventral (VDG) dentate gyrus and hilus of the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats by stereology. For whole hippocampus, all regimens increased mean neuronal (NeuN) numbers and pCREB-positive cell and volume compared with sesame oil (SO) in CA1, CA2, and CA3 regions, DDG and VDG, and hilus. In rostral hippocampus, however, some hippocampal subregions were not responsive to the high regimen, and the moderate regimens appear to be more effective for increasing mean number of NeuN-positive neurons and pCREB-positive cells and subregion volume. Heterogeneity in responsiveness to estrogen was mainly seen within rostral, but not whole, hippocampal subregions. Our results indicate that responsiveness of cells expressing NeuN and pCREB to different EB regimens may vary depending on the specific region of the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barclay W Bakkum
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois; Illinois College of Optometry, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Bereiter DA, Okamoto K. Neurobiology of estrogen status in deep craniofacial pain. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2011; 97:251-84. [PMID: 21708314 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-385198-7.00010-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) region often occurs with no overt signs of injury or inflammation. Although the etiology of TMJ-related pain may involve multiple factors, one likely risk factor is female gender or estrogen status. Evidence is reviewed from human and animal studies, supporting the proposition that estrogen status acts peripherally or centrally to influence TMJ nociceptive processing. A new model termed the "TMJ pain matrix" is proposed as critical for the initial integration of TMJ-related sensory signals in the lower brainstem that is both modified by estrogen status, and closely linked to endogenous pain and autonomic control pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A Bereiter
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Abstract
Neurosteroids represent a class of endogenous steroids that are synthesized in the brain, the adrenals, and the gonads and have potent and selective effects on the GABAA-receptor. 3α-hydroxy A-ring reduced metabolites of progesterone, deoxycorticosterone, and testosterone are positive modulators of GABA(A)-receptor in a non-genomic manner. Allopregnanolone (3α-OH-5α-pregnan-20-one), 5α-androstane-3α, 17α-diol (Adiol), and 3α5α-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (3α5α-THDOC) enhance the GABA-mediated Cl(-) currents acting on a site (or sites) distinct from the GABA, benzodiazepine, barbiturate, and picrotoxin binding sites. 3α5α-P and 3α5α-THDOC potentiate synaptic GABA(A)-receptor function and activate δ-subunit containing extrasynaptic receptors that mediate tonic currents. On the contrary, 3β-OH pregnane steroids and pregnenolone sulfate (PS) are GABA(A)-receptor antagonists and induce activation-dependent inhibition of the receptor. The activities of neurosteroid are dependent on brain regions and types of neurons. In addition to the slow genomic action of the parent steroids, the non-genomic, and rapid actions of neurosteroids play a significant role in the GABA(A)-receptor function and shift in mood and memory function. This review describes molecular mechanisms underlying neurosteroid action on the GABA(A)-receptor, mood changes, and cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingde Wang
- Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå UniversityUmeå, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Mingde Wang, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Umeå Neurosteroid Research Center, Umeå University, 901 85 Umeå, Sweden. e-mail:
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What can development teach us about menopause? Brain Res 2010; 1379:109-18. [PMID: 21134360 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.11.094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2010] [Revised: 11/29/2010] [Accepted: 11/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Development and aging are often mirror image processes and this may be equally true in the effects of estradiol, a potent endogenous steroid regulating brain development as well as a therapeutic used to relieve the negative components of perimenopause. Both the developing and perimenopausal brain are characterized by a sensitive period of hormone responsiveness, and in both cases, the neurotransmitters GABA and glutamate, as well as synaptogenesis and cell proliferation are major hormone targets. This review compares and contrasts the effects of estradiol on the developing and aging brain and highlights new avenues of exploration and therapeutic development.
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Perciavalle V, Coco M, Alagona G, Maci T, Perciavalle V. Gender differences in changes of motor cortex excitability during elevated blood lactate levels. Somatosens Mot Res 2010; 27:106-10. [DOI: 10.3109/08990220.2010.507102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Souza MF, Toniazo VM, Frazzon APG, Barros HMT. Influence of progesterone on GAD65 and GAD67 mRNA expression in the dorsolateral striatum and prefrontal cortex of female rats repeatedly treated with cocaine. Braz J Med Biol Res 2010; 42:1068-75. [PMID: 19855903 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2009001100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2009] [Accepted: 09/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Female rats are intensely affected by cocaine, with estrogen probably playing an important role in this effect. Progesterone modulates the GABA system and attenuates the effects of cocaine; however, there is no information about its relevance in changing GABA synthesis pathways after cocaine administration to female rats. Our objective was to investigate the influence of progesterone on the effects of repeated cocaine administration on the isoenzymes of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD(65) and GAD(67)) mRNA in brain areas involved in the addiction circuitry. Ovariectomized, intact and progesterone replacement-treated female rats received saline or cocaine (30 mg/kg, ip) acutely or repeatedly. GAD isoenzyme mRNA levels were determined in the dorsolateral striatum (dSTR) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) by RT-PCR, showing that repeated, but not acute, cocaine decreased GADs/beta-actin mRNA ratio in the dSTR irrespective of the hormonal condition (GAD(65): P < 0.001; and GAD(67): P = 0.004). In the PFC, repeated cocaine decreased GAD(65) and increased GAD(67) mRNA ratio (P < 0.05). Progesterone replacement decreased both GAD isoenzymes mRNA ratio after acute cocaine in the PFC (P < 0.001) and repeated cocaine treatment reversed this decrease (P < 0.001). These results suggest that cocaine does not immediately affect GAD mRNA expression, while repeated cocaine decreases both GAD(65) and GAD(67) mRNA in the dSTR of female rats, independently of their hormonal conditions. In the PFC, repeated cocaine increases the expression of GAD isoenzymes, which were decreased due to progesterone replacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- M F Souza
- Laboratório de Psicofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacologia e Toxicologia, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
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Nakamura NH, Akiyama K, Naito T. Quantitative gene-expression analysis of the ligand-receptor system for classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus. Hippocampus 2010; 21:1228-39. [PMID: 20623762 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We have shown quantitative expression levels of genes coding for the "ligand-receptor system" for classical neurotransmitters and neuropeptides in hippocampal subregions CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG). Using a combination of DNA microarray and quantitative PCR methods, we found that the three subregions have relatively similar expression patterns of ionotropic receptors for classical neurotransmitters. Expression of ionotropic receptors for glutamate and GABA represents more than 90% of all ionotropic receptors for classical neurotransmitters, and the expression ratio between ionotropic receptors for glutamate and GABA is constant (1.2:1-1.6:1) in each subregion. Meanwhile, the three subregions have different expression patterns of neuropeptide receptors. Furthermore, there are asymmetric expression patterns between neuropeptides and their receptors. Expression of Cck, Npy, Sst, and Penk1 represents 90% of neuropeptides derived locally in the hippocampus, whereas expression of these four neuropeptide receptors accounts for 50% of G protein-coupled receptors for neuropeptides. We propose that CA1, CA3, and DG have different modalities based on the ligand-receptor system, particularly the "neuropeptidergic system." Our quantitative gene-expression analysis provides fundamental data to support functional differences between the three hippocampal subregions regarding ligand-receptor interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozomu H Nakamura
- Molecular Neuroscience Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan.
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Wójtowicz T, Mozrzymas JW. Estradiol and GABAergic transmission in the hippocampus. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2010; 82:279-300. [PMID: 20472144 DOI: 10.1016/s0083-6729(10)82015-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Estradiol is synthesized in the hippocampus and is known to increase intrinsic hippocampal excitability and capacity for synaptic plasticity. A picture emerges that at least part of these effects are due to a complex modulation of GABAergic system in developing and adult hippocampus. During development, GABAergic system undergoes profound alterations and is particularly prone to modulation. During this period, estradiol could modulate both phasic and tonic GABAergic currents and promote excitatory GABA actions. In contrast, in adult hippocampus, estradiol-induced formation of new dendritic spines in pyramidal cells is paralleled with a reduction in GABAergic drive to these neurons. Such estradiol actions could be mediated primarily through interneurons expressing estrogen receptors. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the in vitro and in vivo studies addressing the role of estradiol in regulating the GABAergic system in the hippocampal formation during development and in the adulthood. Although the mechanisms underlying such a regulation remain largely unknown, we make an attempt to present the major hypotheses and concepts related to this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Wójtowicz
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, Department of Biophysics, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
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Hudgens ED, Ji L, Carpenter CD, Petersen SL. The gad2 promoter is a transcriptional target of estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and ER beta: a unifying hypothesis to explain diverse effects of estradiol. J Neurosci 2009; 29:8790-7. [PMID: 19587286 PMCID: PMC2748993 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1289-09.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2009] [Revised: 05/09/2009] [Accepted: 05/29/2009] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Estradiol (E(2)) regulates a wide range of neural functions, many of which require activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and/or ERbeta, ligand-gated transcriptional regulators. Surprisingly, very few neural gene targets of ERs have been identified, and these cannot easily explain the myriad effects of E(2). GABA regulates most of the same neural functions as E(2), and GABAergic neurons throughout the brain contain ER. Therefore, we examined whether E(2) directly regulates expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (gad2), the enzyme primarily responsible for GABA synthesis for synaptic release. Using dual luciferase assays, we found that E(2), but not other gonadal steroids, stimulated the activity of a 2691 bp rat gad2 promoter reporter construct. Activation required either ERalpha or ERbeta, and ERbeta did not repress ERalpha-mediated transactivation. Site-directed mutagenesis studies identified three estrogen response elements (EREs) with cell-specific functions. An ERE at -711 upstream of the gad2 translational start site was essential for transactivation in both MCF-7 breast cancer cells and SN56.B5.G4 neural cells, but an ERE at -546 enhanced transcription only in neural cells. A third ERE at -1958 was inactive in neural cells but exerted potent transcriptional repression in E(2)-treated MCF-7 cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in mouse GABAergic N42 cells confirmed that E(2) induced ERalpha binding to a DNA fragment containing sequences corresponding to the -546 and -711 EREs of the rat promoter. Based on these data, we propose that direct transcriptional regulation of gad2 may explain, at least in part, the ability of E(2) to impact such a diverse array of neural functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward D. Hudgens
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Lan Ji
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Clifford D. Carpenter
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
| | - Sandra L. Petersen
- Department of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003
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Reddy DS. The role of neurosteroids in the pathophysiology and treatment of catamenial epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2009; 85:1-30. [PMID: 19406620 PMCID: PMC2696558 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2009.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2008] [Revised: 02/23/2009] [Accepted: 02/25/2009] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Catamenial epilepsy is a multifaceted neuroendocrine condition in which seizures are clustered around specific points in the menstrual cycle, most often around perimenstrual or periovulatory period. Generally, a twofold or greater increase in seizure frequency during a particular phase of the menstrual cycle could be considered as catamenial epilepsy. Based on this criteria, recent clinical studies indicate that catamenial epilepsy affects 31-60% of the women with epilepsy. Three types of catamenial seizures (perimenstrual, periovulatory and inadequate luteal) have been identified. However, there is no specific drug available today for catamenial epilepsy, which has not been successfully treated with conventional antiepileptic drugs. Elucidation of the pathophysiology of catamenial epilepsy is a prerequisite to develop specific targeted approaches for treatment or prevention of the disorder. Cyclical changes in the circulating levels of estrogens and progesterone play a central role in the development of catamenial epilepsy. There is emerging evidence that endogenous neurosteroids with anticonvulsant or proconvulsant effects could play a critical role in catamenial epilepsy. It is thought that perimenstrual catamenial epilepsy is associated with the withdrawal of anticonvulsant neurosteroids. Progesterone and other hormonal agents have been shown in limited trials to be moderately effective in catamenial epilepsy, but may cause endocrine side effects. Synthetic neurosteroids, which enhance the tonic GABA-A receptor function, might provide an effective approach for the catamenial epilepsy therapy without producing hormonal side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 228 Reynolds Medical Building, College Station, TX 77843-1114, USA.
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