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Moppert S, Mercado E. Contributions of dysfunctional plasticity mechanisms to the development of atypical perceptual processing. Dev Psychobiol 2024; 66:e22504. [PMID: 38837411 DOI: 10.1002/dev.22504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Experimental studies of sensory plasticity during development in birds and mammals have highlighted the importance of sensory experiences for the construction and refinement of functional neural circuits. We discuss how dysregulation of experience-dependent brain plasticity can lead to abnormal perceptual representations that may contribute to heterogeneous deficits symptomatic of several neurodevelopmental disorders. We focus on alterations of somatosensory processing and the dynamic reorganization of cortical synaptic networks that occurs during early perceptual development. We also discuss the idea that the heterogeneity of strengths and weaknesses observed in children with neurodevelopmental disorders may be a direct consequence of altered plasticity mechanisms during early development. Treating the heterogeneity of perceptual developmental trajectories as a phenomenon worthy of study rather than as an experimental confound that should be overcome may be key to developing interventions that better account for the complex developmental trajectories experienced by modern humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacy Moppert
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Eduardo Mercado
- Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA
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2
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Kourdougli N, Nomura T, Wu M, Heuvelmans A, Dobler Z, Contractor A, Portera-Cailliau C. The NKCC1 inhibitor bumetanide restores cortical feedforward inhibition and lessens sensory hypersensitivity in early postnatal fragile X mice. Biol Psychiatry 2024:S0006-3223(24)01427-6. [PMID: 38950809 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2024.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exaggerated responses to sensory stimuli, a hallmark of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), contribute to anxiety and learning challenges. Sensory hypersensitivity is recapitulated in the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS. Recent studies in Fmr1 KO mice have demonstrated differences in activity of cortical interneurons and a delayed switch in the polarity of GABA signaling during development. Previously, we reported that blocking the chloride transporter NKCC1 with the diuretic bumetanide, could rescue synaptic circuit phenotypes in primary somatosensory cortex (S1) of Fmr1 KO mice. However, it remains unknown whether bumetanide can rescue earlier circuit phenotypes or sensory hypersensitivity in Fmr1 KO mice. METHODS We used acute and chronic systemic administration of bumetanide in Fmr1 KO mice and performed in vivo 2-photon calcium imaging to record neuronal activity, while tracking mouse behavior with high-resolution videos. RESULTS We demonstrate that layer (L) 2/3 pyramidal neurons in S1 of Fmr1 KO mice show a higher frequency of synchronous events at postnatal day (P) 6 compared to wild-type controls. This was reversed by acute administration of bumetanide. Furthermore, chronic bumetanide treatment (P5-P14) restored S1 circuit differences in Fmr1 KO mice, including reduced neuronal adaptation to repetitive whisker stimulation, and ameliorated tactile defensiveness. Bumetanide treatment also rectified the reduced feedforward inhibition of L2/3 neurons in S1 and boosted the circuit participation of parvalbumin interneurons. CONCLUSIONS This further supports the notion that synaptic, circuit, and sensory behavioral phenotypes in Fmr1 KO can be mitigated by inhibitors of NKCC1, such as the FDA-approved diuretic bumetanide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazim Kourdougli
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
| | - Toshihiro Nomura
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Michelle Wu
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA); Neuroscience interdepartmental graduate program, UCLA; UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program
| | - Anouk Heuvelmans
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
| | - Zoë Dobler
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA); Neuroscience interdepartmental graduate program, UCLA
| | - Anis Contractor
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA); Department of Neurobiology, UCLA.
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3
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Pedapati EV, Ethridge LE, Liu Y, Liu R, Sweeney JA, DeStefano LA, Miyakoshi M, Razak K, Schmitt LM, Moore DR, Gilbert DL, Wu SW, Smith E, Shaffer RC, Dominick KC, Horn PS, Binder D, Erickson CA. Frontal Cortex Hyperactivation and Gamma Desynchrony in Fragile X Syndrome: Correlates of Auditory Hypersensitivity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.13.598957. [PMID: 38915683 PMCID: PMC11195233 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.13.598957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked disorder that often leads to intellectual disability, anxiety, and sensory hypersensitivity. While sound sensitivity (hyperacusis) is a distressing symptom in FXS, its neural basis is not well understood. It is postulated that hyperacusis may stem from temporal lobe hyperexcitability or dysregulation in top-down modulation. Studying the neural mechanisms underlying sound sensitivity in FXS using scalp electroencephalography (EEG) is challenging because the temporal and frontal regions have overlapping neural projections that are difficult to differentiate. To overcome this challenge, we conducted EEG source analysis on a group of 36 individuals with FXS and 39 matched healthy controls. Our goal was to characterize the spatial and temporal properties of the response to an auditory chirp stimulus. Our results showed that males with FXS exhibit excessive activation in the frontal cortex in response to the stimulus onset, which may reflect changes in top-down modulation of auditory processing. Additionally, during the chirp stimulus, individuals with FXS demonstrated a reduction in typical gamma phase synchrony, along with an increase in asynchronous gamma power, across multiple regions, most strongly in temporal cortex. Consistent with these findings, we observed a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio, estimated by the ratio of synchronous to asynchronous gamma activity, in individuals with FXS. Furthermore, this ratio was highly correlated with performance in an auditory attention task. Compared to controls, males with FXS demonstrated elevated bidirectional frontotemporal information flow at chirp onset. The evidence indicates that both temporal lobe hyperexcitability and disruptions in top-down regulation play a role in auditory sensitivity disturbances in FXS. These findings have the potential to guide the development of therapeutic targets and back-translation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest V Pedapati
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lauren E Ethridge
- Department of Pediatrics, Section on Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
| | - Yanchen Liu
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rui Liu
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - John A Sweeney
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lisa A DeStefano
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Makoto Miyakoshi
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Khaleel Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Lauren M Schmitt
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - David R Moore
- Communication Sciences Research Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Donald L Gilbert
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Steve W Wu
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Elizabeth Smith
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Rebecca C Shaffer
- Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kelli C Dominick
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Paul S Horn
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Devin Binder
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, United States
| | - Craig A Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Riquelme I, Hatem SM, Sabater-Gárriz Á, Martín-Jiménez E, Montoya P. Proprioception, Emotion and Social Responsiveness in Children with Developmental Disorders: An Exploratory Study in Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy and Different Neurodevelopmental Situations. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:719. [PMID: 38929298 PMCID: PMC11202221 DOI: 10.3390/children11060719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Proprioception has long been linked with emotional dysregulation in neurotypical adults. Neuropediatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and cerebral palsy (CP) are distinct entities and yet both present with deficits and challenges in sensory processing and the regulation of emotions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between proprioception and emotional-social performance in children and to compare proprioception and emotional-social performance in different underlying neurodevelopmental conditions. For this purpose, this cross-sectional study included 42 children with ASD, 34 children with CP and 50 typically developing peers. Proprioceptive acuity, proprioceptive reactive behavior as well as emotion regulation and social responsiveness were assessed. The results show a significant correlation between proprioceptive deficits and emotional difficulties in this pediatric sample, with distinct proprioceptive impairment patterns according to the underlying neurological disorder. Children with CP showed significant emotional knowledge deficits, while children with ASD predominantly showed challenges in social responsiveness. These data thus suggest a differentiated impact of proprioception on emotional-social performance in neurodevelopmental disorders and highlight proprioception as a potential therapeutic target for balancing emotion regulation in children with neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Riquelme
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS-IdISBa), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07010 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Samar M. Hatem
- Faculty of Medicine, STIMULUS Research Group (reSearch and TeachIng neuroModULation Uz bruSsel), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
- Institute of Neuroscience, Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Álvaro Sabater-Gárriz
- Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS-IdISBa), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07010 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Balearic ASPACE Foundation, 07141 Marratxí, Spain;
| | | | - Pedro Montoya
- Research Institute on Health Sciences (IUNICS-IdISBa), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain;
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07010 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo 09606-045, Brazil
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Gibson JM, Vazquez AH, Yamashiro K, Jakkamsetti V, Ren C, Lei K, Dentel B, Pascual JM, Tsai PT. Cerebellar contribution to autism-relevant behaviors in fragile X syndrome models. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113533. [PMID: 38048226 PMCID: PMC10831814 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113533] [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: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar dysfunction has been linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Although cerebellar pathology has been observed in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and in mouse models of the disorder, a cerebellar functional contribution to ASD-relevant behaviors in FXS has yet to be fully characterized. In this study, we demonstrate a critical cerebellar role for Fmr1 (fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1) in ASD-relevant behaviors. First, we identify reduced social behaviors, sensory hypersensitivity, and cerebellar dysfunction, with loss of cerebellar Fmr1. We then demonstrate that cerebellar-specific expression of Fmr1 is sufficient to impact social, sensory, cerebellar dysfunction, and cerebro-cortical hyperexcitability phenotypes observed in global Fmr1 mutants. Moreover, we demonstrate that targeting the ASD-implicated cerebellar region Crus1 ameliorates behaviors in both cerebellar-specific and global Fmr1 mutants. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role for the cerebellar contribution to FXS-related behaviors, with implications for future therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Gibson
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Anthony Hernandez Vazquez
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kunihiko Yamashiro
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Vikram Jakkamsetti
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Chongyu Ren
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Katherine Lei
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Brianne Dentel
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Juan M Pascual
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Peter T Tsai
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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6
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Kuruppath P, Xue L, Pouille F, Jones ST, Schoppa NE. Hyperexcitability in the Olfactory Bulb and Impaired Fine Odor Discrimination in the Fmr1 KO Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8243-8258. [PMID: 37788940 PMCID: PMC10697393 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0584-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the single most common monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in humans. FXS is caused by loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA-binding protein encoded on the X chromosome involved in suppressing protein translation. Sensory processing deficits have been a major focus of studies of FXS in both humans and rodent models of FXS, but olfactory deficits remain poorly understood. Here, we conducted experiments in wild-type (WT) and Fmr1 knock-out (KO; Fmr1-/y ) mice (males) that lack expression of the gene encoding FMRP to assess olfactory circuit and behavioral abnormalities. In patch-clamp recordings conducted in slices of the olfactory bulb, output mitral cells (MCs) in Fmr1 KO mice displayed greatly enhanced excitation under baseline conditions, as evidenced by a much higher rate of occurrence of spontaneous network-level events known as long-lasting depolarizations (LLDs). The higher probability of spontaneous LLDs (sLLDs), which appeared to be because of a decrease in GABAergic synaptic inhibition in glomeruli leading to more feedforward excitation, caused a reduction in the reliability of stimulation-evoked responses in MCs. In addition, in a go/no-go operant discrimination paradigm, we found that Fmr1 KO mice displayed impaired discrimination of odors in difficult tasks that involved odor mixtures but not altered discrimination of monomolecular odors. We suggest that the Fmr1 KO-induced reduction in MC response reliability is one plausible mechanism for the impaired fine odor discrimination.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in humans is associated with a range of debilitating deficits including aberrant sensory processing. One sensory system that has received comparatively little attention in studies in animal models of FXS is olfaction. Here, we report the first comprehensive physiological analysis of circuit defects in the olfactory bulb in the commonly-used Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mouse model of FXS. Our studies indicate that Fmr1 KO alters the local excitation/inhibition balance in the bulb, similar to what Fmr1 KO does in other brain circuits, but through a novel mechanism that involves enhanced feedforward excitation. Furthermore, Fmr1 KO mice display behavioral impairments in fine odor discrimination, an effect that may be explained by changes in neural response reliability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Kuruppath
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Lin Xue
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Frederic Pouille
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Shelly T Jones
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
| | - Nathan E Schoppa
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado 80045
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7
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Rahmatullah N, Schmitt LM, De Stefano L, Post S, Robledo J, Chaudhari G, Pedapati E, Erickson C, Portera-Cailliau C, Goel A. Hypersensitivity to Distractors in Fragile X Syndrome from Loss of Modulation of Cortical VIP Interneurons. J Neurosci 2023; 43:8172-8188. [PMID: 37816596 PMCID: PMC10697397 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0571-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit is one of the most prominent and disabling symptoms in Fragile X syndrome (FXS). Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli contributes to attention difficulties by overwhelming and/or distracting affected individuals, which disrupts activities of daily living at home and learning at school. We find that auditory or visual distractors selectively impair visual discrimination performance in humans and mice with FXS but not in typically developing controls. In both species, males and females were examined. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) neurons were significantly modulated by incorrect responses in the poststimulus period during early distractor trials in WT mice, consistent with their known role as error signals. Strikingly, however, VIP cells from Fmr1 -/- mice showed little modulation in error trials, and this correlated with their poor performance on the distractor task. Thus, VIP interneurons and their reduced modulatory influence on pyramidal cells could be a potential therapeutic target for attentional difficulties in FXS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Sensory hypersensitivity, impulsivity, and persistent inattention are among the most consistent clinical features of FXS, all of which impede daily functioning and create barriers to learning. However, the neural mechanisms underlying sensory over-reactivity remain elusive. To overcome a significant challenge in translational FXS research we demonstrate a compelling alignment of sensory over-reactivity in both humans with FXS and Fmr1 -/- mice (the principal animal model of FXS) using a novel analogous distractor task. Two-photon microscopy in mice revealed that lack of modulation by VIP cells contributes to susceptibility to distractors. Implementing research efforts we describe here can help identify dysfunctional neural mechanisms associated not only with sensory issues but broader impairments, including those in learning and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noorhan Rahmatullah
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Lauren M Schmitt
- Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati OH 45267
| | - Lisa De Stefano
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnatti, Ohio 45267
| | - Sam Post
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Jessica Robledo
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Gunvant Chaudhari
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Ernest Pedapati
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnatti, Ohio 45267
- Department of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnatti, Ohio 45267
| | - Craig Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnatti, Ohio 45267
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Anubhuti Goel
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
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8
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Chari T, Hernandez A, Portera-Cailliau C. A Novel Head-Fixed Assay for Social Touch in Mice Uncovers Aversive Responses in Two Autism Models. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7158-7174. [PMID: 37669860 PMCID: PMC10601375 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0226-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Social touch, an important aspect of social interaction and communication, is essential to kinship across animal species. How animals experience and respond to social touch has not been thoroughly investigated, in part because of the lack of appropriate assays. Previous studies that examined social touch in freely moving rodents lacked the necessary temporal and spatial control over individual touch interactions. We designed a novel head-fixed assay for social touch in mice, in which the experimenter has complete control to elicit highly stereotyped bouts of social touch between two animals. The user determines the number, duration, context, and type of social touch interactions, while monitoring an array of complex behavioral responses with high resolution cameras. We focused on social touch to the face because of its high translational relevance to humans. We validated this assay in two different models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Fmr1 knock-out (KO) model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS) and maternal immune activation (MIA) mice. We observed higher rates of avoidance running, hyperarousal, and aversive facial expressions (AFEs) to social touch than to object touch, in both ASD models compared with controls. Fmr1 KO mice showed more AFEs to mice of the same sex but whether they were stranger or familiar mice mattered less. Because this new social touch assay for head-fixed mice can be used to record neural activity during repeated bouts of social touch it could be used to uncover underlying circuit differences.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Social touch is important for communication in animals and humans. However, it has not been extensively studied and current assays to measure animals' responses to social touch have limitations. We present a novel head-fixed assay to quantify how mice respond to social facial touch with another mouse. We validated this assay in autism mouse models since autistic individuals exhibit differences in social interaction and touch sensitivity. We find that mouse models of autism exhibit more avoidance, hyperarousal, and aversive facial expressions (AFEs) to social touch compared with controls. Thus, this novel assay can be used to investigate behavioral responses to social touch and the underlying brain mechanisms in rodent models of neurodevelopmental conditions, and to evaluate therapeutic responses in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trishala Chari
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Neuroscience Interdepartmental Program, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Ariana Hernandez
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California 90095
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9
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Lachiewicz AM, Stackhouse TM, Burgess K, Burgess D, Andrews HF, Choo TH, Kaufmann WE, Kidd SA. Sensory Symptoms and Signs of Hyperarousal in Individuals with Fragile X Syndrome: Findings from the FORWARD Registry and Database Multisite Study. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06135-y. [PMID: 37840096 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06135-y] [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] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
This study was designed to increase our understanding about characteristics and the impact of sensory symptoms (SS) and signs of hyperarousal (HA) in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) from childhood through early adulthood and by gender. Data derived from the Fragile X Online Registry With Accessible Research Database (FORWARD), a natural history study of FXS, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear and logistic regression models to examine SS and signs of HA, their impact on behavioral regulation and limitations on the subject/family. The sample (N = 933) consisted of 720 males and 213 females. More males were affected with SS (87% vs. 68%) and signs of HA (92% vs. 79%). Subjects who were endorsed as having a strong sensory response had more comorbidities, including behavioral problems. The predominant SS was difficulty with eye gaze that increased with age in both genders. As individuals age, there was less use of non-medication therapies, such as occupational therapy (OT)/physical therapy (PT), but there was more use of psychopharmacological medications and investigational drugs for behaviors. Multiple regression models suggested that endorsing SS and signs of HA was associated with statistically significantly increased ABC-C-I subscale scores and limited participation in everyday activities. This study improves our understanding of SS and signs of HA as well as their impact in FXS. It supports the need for more research regarding these clinical symptoms, especially to understand how they contribute to well-known behavioral concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ave M Lachiewicz
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA.
| | | | | | - Debra Burgess
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Health System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Howard F Andrews
- Departments of Psychiatry and Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tse-Hwei Choo
- Division of Mental Health Data Science, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Walter E Kaufmann
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sharon A Kidd
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Monday HR, Wang HC, Feldman DE. Circuit-level theories for sensory dysfunction in autism: convergence across mouse models. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1254297. [PMID: 37745660 PMCID: PMC10513044 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a diverse range of behavioral features and genetic backgrounds, but whether different genetic forms of autism involve convergent pathophysiology of brain function is unknown. Here, we analyze evidence for convergent deficits in neural circuit function across multiple transgenic mouse models of ASD. We focus on sensory areas of neocortex, where circuit differences may underlie atypical sensory processing, a central feature of autism. Many distinct circuit-level theories for ASD have been proposed, including increased excitation-inhibition (E-I) ratio and hyperexcitability, hypofunction of parvalbumin (PV) interneuron circuits, impaired homeostatic plasticity, degraded sensory coding, and others. We review these theories and assess the degree of convergence across ASD mouse models for each. Behaviorally, our analysis reveals that innate sensory detection behavior is heightened and sensory discrimination behavior is impaired across many ASD models. Neurophysiologically, PV hypofunction and increased E-I ratio are prevalent but only rarely generate hyperexcitability and excess spiking. Instead, sensory tuning and other aspects of neural coding are commonly degraded and may explain impaired discrimination behavior. Two distinct phenotypic clusters with opposing neural circuit signatures are evident across mouse models. Such clustering could suggest physiological subtypes of autism, which may facilitate the development of tailored therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah R. Monday
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | | | - Daniel E. Feldman
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
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11
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Ruggiero-Ruff RE, Villa PA, Hijleh SA, Avalos B, DiPatrizio NV, Haga-Yamanaka S, Coss D. Increased body weight in mice with fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 (Fmr1) gene mutation is associated with hypothalamic dysfunction. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12666. [PMID: 37542065 PMCID: PMC10403586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39643-z] [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: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene are linked to Fragile X Syndrome, the most common monogenic cause of intellectual disability and autism. People affected with mutations in FMR1 have higher incidence of obesity, but the mechanisms are largely unknown. In the current study, we determined that male Fmr1 knockout mice (KO, Fmr1-/y), but not female Fmr1-/-, exhibit increased weight when compared to wild-type controls, similarly to humans with FMR1 mutations. No differences in food or water intake were found between groups; however, male Fmr1-/y display lower locomotor activity, especially during their active phase. Moreover, Fmr1-/y have olfactory dysfunction determined by buried food test, although they exhibit increased compulsive behavior, determined by marble burying test. Since olfactory brain regions communicate with hypothalamic regions that regulate food intake, including POMC neurons that also regulate locomotion, we examined POMC neuron innervation and numbers in Fmr1-/y mice. POMC neurons express Fmrp, and POMC neurons in Fmr1-/y have higher inhibitory GABAergic synaptic inputs. Consistent with increased inhibitory innervation, POMC neurons in the Fmr1-/y mice exhibit lower activity, based on cFOS expression. Notably, Fmr1-/y mice have fewer POMC neurons than controls, specifically in the rostral arcuate nucleus, which could contribute to decreased locomotion and increased body weight. These results suggest a role for Fmr1 in the regulation of POMC neuron function and the etiology of Fmr1-linked obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E Ruggiero-Ruff
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Pedro A Villa
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Sarah Abu Hijleh
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Bryant Avalos
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Nicholas V DiPatrizio
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA
| | - Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Systems Biology, College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, USA
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA.
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12
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Mykins M, Layo-Carris D, Dunn LR, Skinner DW, McBryar AH, Perez S, Shultz TR, Willems A, Lau BYB, Hong T, Krishnan K. Wild-type MECP2 expression coincides with age-dependent sensory phenotypes in a female mouse model for Rett syndrome. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1236-1258. [PMID: 37026482 PMCID: PMC10332853 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Rett syndrome is characterized by an early period of typical development and then, regression of learned motor and speech skills in girls. Loss of MECP2 protein is thought to cause Rett syndrome phenotypes. The specific underlying mechanisms from typical developmental trajectory to regression features throughout life are unclear. Lack of established timelines to study the molecular, cellular, and behavioral features of regression in female mouse models is a major contributing factor. Due to random X-chromosome inactivation, female patients with Rett syndrome and female mouse models for Rett syndrome (Mecp2Heterozygous , Het) express a functional copy of wild-type MECP2 protein in approximately half of all cells. As MECP2 expression is regulated during early postnatal development and experience, we characterized the expression of wild-type MECP2 in the primary somatosensory cortex of female Het mice. Here, we report increased MECP2 levels in non-parvalbumin-positive neurons of 6-week-old adolescent Het relative to age-matched wild-type controls, while also displaying typical levels of perineuronal net expression in the barrel field subregion of the primary somatosensory cortex, mild tactile sensory perception deficits, and efficient pup retrieval behavior. In contrast, 12-week-old adult Het express MECP2 at levels similar to age-matched wild-type mice, show increased perineuronal net expression in the cortex, and display significant tactile sensory perception deficits. Thus, we have identified a set of behavioral metrics and the cellular substrates to study regression during a specific time in the female Het mouse model, which coincides with changes in wild-type MECP2 expression. We speculate that the precocious increase in MECP2 expression within specific cell types of adolescent Het may provide compensatory benefits at the behavioral level, while the inability to further increase MECP2 levels leads to regressive behavioral phenotypes over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Mykins
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Dana Layo-Carris
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Logan Reid Dunn
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - David Wilson Skinner
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Alexandra Hart McBryar
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Sarah Perez
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Trinity Rose Shultz
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrew Willems
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Billy You Bun Lau
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Tian Hong
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Keerthi Krishnan
- Department of Biochemistry & Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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13
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Ethridge LE, Auerbach BD, Contractor A, Ethell IM, McCullagh EA, Pedapati EV. Editorial: Neural markers of sensory processing in development. Front Integr Neurosci 2023; 17:1256437. [PMID: 37547460 PMCID: PMC10401584 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2023.1256437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Lauren E. Ethridge
- Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Auerbach
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, United States
| | - Anis Contractor
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Iryna M. Ethell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. McCullagh
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Ernest V. Pedapati
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Child Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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14
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Crawford H. Social Anxiety in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: The Case of Fragile X Syndrome. AMERICAN JOURNAL ON INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 128:302-318. [PMID: 37470255 DOI: 10.1352/1944-7558-128.4.302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Despite significant advances in understanding and treating social anxiety in the general population, progress in this area lags behind for individuals with intellectual disability. Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and is associated with an elevated prevalence rate of social anxiety. The phenotype of fragile X syndrome encompasses multiple clinically significant characteristics that are posed as risk markers for social anxiety in other populations. Here, evidence is reviewed that points to physiological hyperarousal, sensory sensitivity, emotion dysregulation, cognitive inflexibility, and intolerance of uncertainty as primary candidates for underlying mechanisms of heightened social anxiety in fragile X syndrome. A multilevel model is presented that provides a framework for future research to test associations.
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15
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Jenner L, Richards C, Howard R, Moss J. Heterogeneity of Autism Characteristics in Genetic Syndromes: Key Considerations for Assessment and Support. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2023; 10:132-146. [PMID: 37193200 PMCID: PMC10169182 DOI: 10.1007/s40474-023-00276-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Purpose of Review Elevated prevalence of autism characteristics is reported in genetic syndromes associated with intellectual disability. This review summarises recent evidence on the behavioural heterogeneity of autism in the following syndromes: Fragile X, Cornelia de Lange, Williams, Prader-Willi, Angelman, Down, Smith-Magenis, and tuberous sclerosis complex. Key considerations for assessment and support are discussed. Recent Findings The profile and developmental trajectory of autism-related behaviour in these syndromes indicate some degree of syndrome specificity which may interact with broader behavioural phenotypes (e.g. hypersociability), intellectual disability, and mental health (e.g. anxiety). Genetic subtype and co-occurring epilepsy within syndromes contribute to increased significance of autism characteristics. Autism-related strengths and challenges are likely to be overlooked or misunderstood using existing screening/diagnostic tools and criteria, which lack sensitivity and specificity within these populations. Summary Autism characteristics are highly heterogeneous across genetic syndromes and often distinguishable from non-syndromic autism. Autism diagnostic assessment practices in this population should be tailored to specific syndromes. Service provisions must begin to prioritise needs-led support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Jenner
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
| | | | - Rachel Howard
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
| | - Joanna Moss
- School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Guildford, England
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16
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Kuruppath P, Xue L, Pouille F, Jones ST, Schoppa NE. Hyperexcitability in the olfactory bulb and impaired fine odor discrimination in the Fmr1 KO mouse model of fragile X syndrome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.10.536251. [PMID: 37090519 PMCID: PMC10120685 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.10.536251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the single most common monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorders in humans. FXS is caused by loss of expression of the Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA-binding protein encoded on the X chromosome involved in suppressing protein translation. Sensory processing deficits have been a major focus of studies of FXS in both humans and rodent models of FXS, but olfactory deficits remain poorly understood. Here we conducted experiments in wild-type and Fmr1 KO ( Fmr1 -/y ) mice (males) that lack expression of the gene encoding FMRP to assess olfactory circuit and behavioral abnormalities. In patch-clamp recordings conducted in slices of the olfactory bulb, output mitral cells (MCs) in Fmr1 KO mice displayed greatly enhanced excitation, as evidenced by a much higher rate of occurrence of spontaneous network-level events known as long-lasting depolarizations (LLDs). The higher probability of LLDs did not appear to reflect changes in inhibitory connections onto MCs but rather enhanced spontaneous excitation of external tufted cells (eTCs) that provide feedforward excitation onto MCs within glomeruli. In addition, in a go/no-go operant discrimination paradigm, we found that Fmr1 KO mice displayed impaired discrimination of odors in difficult tasks that involved odor mixtures but not altered discrimination of monomolecular odors. We suggest that the higher excitability of MCs in Fmr1 KO mice may impair fine odor discrimination by broadening odor tuning curves of MCs and/or altering synchronized oscillations through changes in transient inhibition. Significance Statement Fragile X syndrome (FXS) in humans is associated with a range of debilitating deficits including aberrant sensory processing. One sensory system that has received comparatively little attention in studies in animal models of FXS is olfaction. Here, we report the first comprehensive physiological analysis of circuit defects in the olfactory bulb in the commonly-used Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse model of FXS. Our studies indicate that Fmr1 KO alters the local excitation/inhibition balance in the bulb - similar to what Fmr1 KO does in other brain circuits - but through a novel mechanism that involves enhanced feedforward excitatory drive. Furthermore, Fmr1 KO mice display behavioral impairments in fine odor discrimination, an effect that may be explained by enhanced neural excitability.
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17
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Gredell M, Lu J, Zuo Y. The effect of single-cell knockout of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein on synaptic structural plasticity. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1135479. [PMID: 37035256 PMCID: PMC10076639 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1135479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is the best-known form of inherited intellectual disability caused by the loss-of-function mutation in a single gene. The FMR1 gene mutation abolishes the expression of Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), which regulates the expression of many synaptic proteins. Cortical pyramidal neurons in postmortem FXS patient brains show abnormally high density and immature morphology of dendritic spines; this phenotype is replicated in the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse. While FMRP is well-positioned in the dendrite to regulate synaptic plasticity, intriguing in vitro and in vivo data show that wild type neurons embedded in a network of Fmr1 KO neurons or glia exhibit spine abnormalities just as neurons in Fmr1 global KO mice. This raises the question: does FMRP regulate synaptic morphology and dynamics in a cell-autonomous manner, or do the synaptic phenotypes arise from abnormal pre-synaptic inputs? To address this question, we combined viral and mouse genetic approaches to delete FMRP from a very sparse subset of cortical layer 5 pyramidal neurons (L5 PyrNs) either during early postnatal development or in adulthood. We then followed the structural dynamics of dendritic spines on these Fmr1 KO neurons by in vivo two-photon microscopy. We found that, while L5 PyrNs in adult Fmr1 global KO mice have abnormally high density of thin spines, single-cell Fmr1 KO in adulthood does not affect spine density, morphology, or dynamics. On the contrary, neurons with neonatal FMRP deletion have normal spine density but elevated spine formation at 1 month of age, replicating the phenotype in Fmr1 global KO mice. Interestingly, these neurons exhibit elevated thin spine density, but normal total spine density, by adulthood. Together, our data reveal cell-autonomous FMRP regulation of cortical synaptic dynamics during adolescence, but spine defects in adulthood also implicate non-cell-autonomous factors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States
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18
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Wang X, Sela-Donenfeld D, Wang Y. Axonal and presynaptic FMRP: Localization, signal, and functional implications. Hear Res 2023; 430:108720. [PMID: 36809742 PMCID: PMC9998378 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2023.108720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) binds a selected set of mRNAs and proteins to guide neural circuit assembly and regulate synaptic plasticity. Loss of FMRP is responsible for Fragile X syndrome, a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized with auditory processing problems and social difficulty. FMRP actions in synaptic formation, maturation, and plasticity are site-specific among the four compartments of a synapse: presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, astrocytes, and extracellular matrix. This review summarizes advancements in understanding FMRP localization, signals, and functional roles in axons and presynaptic terminals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Dalit Sela-Donenfeld
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
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19
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Isralowitz EB, Sideris J, Stein Duker LI, Baranek GT, Cermak SA. Comparing sensory processing in children with Down syndrome to a mental age matched sample of children with autism, other developmental disabilities, and typically developing children. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 134:104421. [PMID: 36638671 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atypical sensory processing impacts children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Research has focused on SP in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD); comparatively, little has been written regarding individuals with Down syndrome (DS) and IDDs. AIMS We compared patterns of sensory processing in children with DS to children with ASD, other IDDs, and typically developing (TD) peers examining the relationship among different sensory processing measures. METHODS AND PROCEDURES We analyzed cross-sectional data using two caregiver questionnaires (SP, SEQ) and one observational measure (SPA). Groups were compared on three sensory processing patterns: hyporesponsiveness; hyperresponsiveness; and sensory interests, repetitions, and seeking (SIRS) via ANOVA. We assessed concordance through correlations. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS Children with DS, IDD, and ASD demonstrated more atypical sensory processing behaviors than TD peers. Children with ASD exhibited the most atypical responses across all measures, significantly more than DS children on all but one subscale. The IDD and DS groups differed on several measures. Measurement concordance was higher between caregiver-report versus observational assessment. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Differences between three clinical groups indicate that sensory processing features may differ across clinical populations regardless of cognitive functioning. Lower concordance between caregiver-report and observation measures highlights the need to understand sensory processing expression across different tasks and environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth B Isralowitz
- Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9003, USA.
| | - John Sideris
- Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9003, USA
| | - Leah I Stein Duker
- Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9003, USA
| | - Grace T Baranek
- Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9003, USA
| | - Sharon A Cermak
- Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St., CHP-133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9003, USA
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20
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Villa PA, Lainez NM, Jonak CR, Berlin SC, Ethell IM, Coss D. Altered GnRH neuron and ovarian innervation characterize reproductive dysfunction linked to the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein ( Fmr1) gene mutation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1129534. [PMID: 36909303 PMCID: PMC9992745 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1129534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Mutations in the Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) gene cause Fragile X Syndrome, the most common monogenic cause of intellectual disability. Mutations of FMR1 are also associated with reproductive disorders, such as early cessation of reproductive function in females. While progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of mental impairment, the causes of reproductive disorders are not clear. FMR1-associated reproductive disorders were studied exclusively from the endocrine perspective, while the FMR1 role in neurons that control reproduction was not addressed. Results Here, we demonstrate that similar to women with FMR1 mutations, female Fmr1 null mice stop reproducing early. However, young null females display larger litters, more corpora lutea in the ovaries, increased inhibin, progesterone, testosterone, and gonadotropin hormones in the circulation. Ovariectomy reveals both hypothalamic and ovarian contribution to elevated gonadotropins. Altered mRNA and protein levels of several synaptic molecules in the hypothalamus are identified, indicating reasons for hypothalamic dysregulation. Increased vascularization of corpora lutea, higher sympathetic innervation of growing follicles in the ovaries of Fmr1 nulls, and higher numbers of synaptic GABAA receptors in GnRH neurons, which are excitatory for GnRH neurons, contribute to increased FSH and LH, respectively. Unmodified and ovariectomized Fmr1 nulls have increased LH pulse frequency, suggesting that Fmr1 nulls exhibit hyperactive GnRH neurons, regardless of the ovarian feedback. Conclusion These results reveal Fmr1 function in the regulation of GnRH neuron secretion, and point to the role of GnRH neurons, in addition to the ovarian innervation, in the etiology of Fmr1-mediated reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, United States
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21
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Zhu SI, McCullough MH, Pujic Z, Sibberas J, Sun B, Darveniza T, Bucknall B, Avitan L, Goodhill GJ. fmr1 Mutation Alters the Early Development of Sensory Coding and Hunting and Social Behaviors in Larval Zebrafish. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1211-1224. [PMID: 36596699 PMCID: PMC9962781 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1721-22.2022] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental in origin; however, little is known about how they affect the early development of behavior and sensory coding. The most common inherited form of autism is Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by a mutation in FMR1 Mutation of fmr1 in zebrafish causes anxiety-like behavior, hyperactivity, and hypersensitivity in auditory and visual processing. Here, we show that zebrafish fmr1-/- mutant larvae of either sex also display changes in hunting behavior, tectal coding, and social interaction. During hunting, they were less successful at catching prey and displayed altered behavioral sequences. In the tectum, representations of prey-like stimuli were more diffuse and had higher dimensionality. In a social behavioral assay, they spent more time observing a conspecific but responded more slowly to social cues. However, when given a choice of rearing environment fmr1-/- larvae preferred one with reduced visual stimulation, and rearing them in this environment reduced genotype-specific effects on tectal excitability. Together, these results shed new light on how fmr1-/- changes the early development of neural systems and behavior in a vertebrate.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are caused by changes in early neural development. Animal models of ASDs offer the opportunity to study these developmental processes in greater detail than in humans. Here, we found that a zebrafish mutant for a gene which in humans causes one type of ASD showed early alterations in hunting behavior, social behavior, and how visual stimuli are represented in the brain. However, we also found that mutant fish preferred reduced visual stimulation, and rearing them in this environment reduced alterations in neural activity patterns. These results suggest interesting new directions for using zebrafish as a model to study the development of brain and behavior in ASDs, and how the impact of ASDs could potentially be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu I Zhu
- Queensland Brain Institute
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Darveniza
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
| | | | | | - Geoffrey J Goodhill
- Queensland Brain Institute
- School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Departments of Developmental Biology and Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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22
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Kalyanasundar B, Blonde GD, Spector AC, Travers SP. A Novel Mechanism for T1R-Independent Taste Responses to Concentrated Sugars. J Neurosci 2023; 43:965-978. [PMID: 36623875 PMCID: PMC9908317 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1760-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent findings from our laboratory demonstrated that the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract (rNST) retains some responsiveness to sugars in double-knock-out mice lacking either the T1R1+T1R3 (KO1+3) or T1R2+T1R3 (KO2+3) taste receptor heterodimers. Here, we extended these findings in the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) of male and female KO1+3 mice using warm stimuli to optimize sugar responses and employing additional concentrations and pharmacological agents to probe mechanisms. PBN T1R-independent sugar responses, including those to concentrated glucose, were more evident than in rNST. Similar to the NST, there were no "sugar-best" neurons in KO1+3 mice. Nevertheless, 1000 mm glucose activated nearly 55% of PBN neurons, with responses usually occurring in neurons that also displayed acid and amiloride-insensitive NaCl responses. In wild-type (WT) mice, concentrated sugars activated the same electrolyte-sensitive neurons but also "sugar-best" cells. Regardless of genotype, phlorizin, an inhibitor of the sodium-glucose co-transporter (SGLT), a component of a hypothesized alternate glucose-sensing mechanism, did not diminish responses to 1000 mm glucose. The efficacy of concentrated sugars for driving neurons broadly responsive to electrolytes implied an origin from Type III taste bud cells. To test this, we used the carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitor dorzolamide (DRZ), previously shown to inhibit amiloride-insensitive sodium responses arising from Type III taste bud cells. Dorzolamide had no effect on sugar-elicited responses in WT sugar-best PBN neurons but strongly suppressed them in WT and KO1+3 electrolyte-generalist neurons. These findings suggest a novel T1R-independent mechanism for hyperosmotic sugars, involving a CA-dependent mechanism in Type III taste bud cells.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Since the discovery of Tas1r receptors for sugars and artificial sweeteners, evidence has accrued that mice lacking these receptors maintain some behavioral, physiological, and neural responsiveness to sugars. But the substrate(s) has remained elusive. Here, we recorded from parabrachial nucleus (PBN) taste neurons and identified T1R-independent responses to hyperosmotic sugars dependent on carbonic anhydrase (CA) and occurring primarily in neurons broadly responsive to NaCl and acid, implying an origin from Type III taste bud cells. The effectiveness of different sugars in driving these T1R-independent responses did not correlate with their efficacy in driving licking, suggesting they evoke a nonsweet sensation. Nevertheless, these salient responses are likely to comprise an adequate cue for learned preferences that occur in the absence of T1R receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Kalyanasundar
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1267
| | - Ginger D Blonde
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306-4301
| | - Alan C Spector
- Department of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, 32306-4301
| | - Susan P Travers
- Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, 43210-1267
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Fmr1-KO mice failure to detect object novelty associates with a post-test decrease of structural and synaptic plasticity upstream of the hippocampus. Sci Rep 2023; 13:755. [PMID: 36641518 PMCID: PMC9840621 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27991-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice with deletion of the FMR1 gene show episodic memory impairments and exhibit dendritic spines and synaptic plasticity defects prevalently identified in non-training conditions. Based on evidence that synaptic changes associated with normal or abnormal memory emerge when mice are cognitively challenged, here we examine whether, and how, fragile entorhinal and hippocampal synapses are remodeled when mice succeed or fail to learn. We trained Fmr1 knockout (KO) and wild-type C57BL/6J (WT) mice in the novel object recognition (NOR) paradigm with 1 h or 24 h training-to-test intervals and then assessed whether varying the time between the presentation of similar and different objects modulates NOR performance and plasticity along the entorhinal cortex-hippocampus axis. At the 1 h-interval, KO mice failed to discriminate the novel object, showed a collapse of spines in the lateral entorhinal cortex (LEC), and of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the lateral perforant path (LPP), but a normal increase in hippocampal spines. At the 24 h, they exhibited intact NOR performance, typical LEC and hippocampal spines, and exaggerated LPP-LTP. Our findings reveal that the inability of mice to detect object novelty primarily stands in their impediment to elaborate, and convey to the hippocampus, sensory/perceptive object representations.
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Chari T, Hernandez A, Portera-Cailliau C. A novel head-fixed assay for social touch in mice uncovers aversive responses in two autism models. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.11.523491. [PMID: 36711563 PMCID: PMC9882020 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.11.523491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Social touch, an important aspect of social interaction and communication, is essential to kinship across animal species. How animals experience and respond to social touch has not been thoroughly investigated, in part due to the lack of appropriate assays. Previous studies that examined social touch in freely moving rodents lacked the necessary temporal and spatial control over individual touch interactions. We designed a novel head-fixed assay for social touch in mice, in which the experimenter has complete control to elicit highly stereotyped bouts of social touch between two animals. The user determines the number, duration, context, and type of social touch interactions, while monitoring with high frame rate cameras an array of complex behavioral responses. We focused on social touch to the face because of their high translational relevance to humans. We validated this assay in two different models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), the Fmr1 knockout model of Fragile X Syndrome and maternal immune activation mice. We observed increased avoidance, hyperarousal, and more aversive facial expressions to social touch, but not to object touch, in both ASD models compared to controls. Because this new social touch assay for head-fixed mice can be used to record neural activity during repeated bouts of social touch it should be of interest to neuroscientists interested in uncovering the underlying circuits.
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25
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Rahmatullah N, Schmitt LM, De Stefano L, Post S, Robledo J, Chaudhari GR, Pedapati E, Erickson CA, Portera-Cailliau C, Goel A. Hypersensitivity to distractors in Fragile X syndrome from loss of modulation of cortical VIP interneurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.03.522654. [PMID: 36711901 PMCID: PMC9881942 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.03.522654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Attention deficit is one of the most prominent and disabling symptoms in Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli contributes to attention difficulties by overwhelming and/or distracting affected individuals, which disrupts activities of daily living at home and learning at school. We find that auditory or visual distractors selectively impair visual discrimination performance in both humans and mice with FXS, but not their typically developing controls. Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) neurons were significantly modulated by incorrect responses in the post-stimulus period during early distractor trials in WT mice, consistent with their known role as 'error' signals. Strikingly, however, VIP cells from Fmr1-/- mice showed little modulation in error trials, and this correlated with their poor performance on the distractor task. Thus, VIP interneurons and their reduced modulatory influence on pyramidal cells, could be a potential therapeutic target for attentional difficulties in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noorhan Rahmatullah
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, UC Riverside, CA
- Department of Psychology, UC Riverside, CA
| | - Lauren M. Schmitt
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH
| | - Lisa De Stefano
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH
| | - Sam Post
- Department of Psychology, UC Riverside, CA
| | | | | | - Ernest Pedapati
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH
- Department of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH
| | - Craig A. Erickson
- Department of Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH
| | - Carlos Portera-Cailliau
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, CA
- Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, CA
| | - Anubhuti Goel
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, UC Riverside, CA
- Department of Psychology, UC Riverside, CA
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26
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Wang X, Fan Q, Yu X, Wang Y. Cellular distribution of the Fragile X mental retardation protein in the inner ear: a developmental and comparative study in the mouse, rat, gerbil, and chicken. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:149-169. [PMID: 36222577 PMCID: PMC9691623 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25420] [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: 05/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an mRNA binding protein that is essential for neural circuit assembly and synaptic plasticity. Loss of functional FMRP leads to Fragile X syndrome (FXS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by sensory dysfunction including abnormal auditory processing. While the central mechanisms of FMRP regulation have been studied in the brain, whether FMRP is expressed in the auditory periphery and how it develops and functions remains unknown. In this study, we characterized the spatiotemporal distribution pattern of FMRP immunoreactivity in the inner ear of mice, rats, gerbils, and chickens. Across species, FMRP was expressed in hair cells and supporting cells, with a particularly high level in immature hair cells during the prehearing period. Interestingly, the distribution of cytoplasmic FMRP displayed an age-dependent translocation in hair cells, and this feature was conserved across species. In the auditory ganglion (AG), FMRP immunoreactivity was detected in neuronal cell bodies as well as their peripheral and central processes. Distinct from hair cells, FMRP intensity in AG neurons was high both during development and after maturation. Additionally, FMRP was evident in mature glial cells surrounding AG neurons. Together, these observations demonstrate distinct developmental trajectories across cell types in the auditory periphery. Given the importance of peripheral inputs to the maturation of auditory circuits, these findings implicate involvement of FMRP in inner ear development as well as a potential contribution of periphery FMRP to the generation of auditory dysfunction in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Wang
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Qiwei Fan
- Division of Histology & Embryology, Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of the Ministry of Education, College of Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yu
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Yuan Wang
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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Research Gaps in Fragile X Syndrome: An Updated Literature Review to Inform Clinical and Public Health Practice. J Dev Behav Pediatr 2023; 44:e56-e65. [PMID: 36219479 PMCID: PMC9770151 DOI: 10.1097/dbp.0000000000001134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The phenotypic impact of fragile X syndrome (FXS) has been well-documented since the discovery of the fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein 1 gene 30 years ago. However, gaps remain in clinical and public health research. The purpose of this literature review was to determine the extent to which these gaps have been addressed and identify targeted areas of future research. METHODS We conducted an electronic search of several scientific databases using a variety of key words. The search focused on 5 areas identified as research gaps by an earlier review: (1) diagnosis, (2) phenotypic presentation, (3) familial impact, (4) interventions and treatments, and (5) life span perspectives. Inclusion criteria included publication between 2014 and 2020, focus on human subjects, and publication in English. A total of 480 articles were identified, 365 were reviewed, and 112 are summarized in this review. RESULTS Results are organized into the following categories: (1) FXS phenotype and subtypes (FXS subtypes, medical profile, cognitive/developmental profile, social and behavioral profile); (2) needs of adults; (3) public health needs (clinical diagnosis and newborn screening, health care needs, and access); (4) treatment (treatment priorities, pharmacological treatments, and behavioral and educational interventions); and (5) families (economic burden and mother-child relationship). CONCLUSION Despite the progress in many areas of FXS research, work remains to address gaps in clinical and public health knowledge. We pose 3 main areas of focused research, including early detection and diagnosis, determinants of health, and development and implementation of targeted interventions.
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Saraf TS, McGlynn RP, Bhatavdekar OM, Booth RG, Canal CE. FPT, a 2-Aminotetralin, Is a Potent Serotonin 5-HT 1A, 5-HT 1B, and 5-HT 1D Receptor Agonist That Modulates Cortical Electroencephalogram Activity in Adult Fmr1 Knockout Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:3629-3640. [PMID: 36473166 PMCID: PMC10364582 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There are no approved medicines for fragile X syndrome (FXS), a monogenic, neurodevelopmental disorder. Electroencephalogram (EEG) studies show alterations in resting-state cortical EEG spectra, such as increased gamma-band power, in patients with FXS that are also observed in Fmr1 knockout models of FXS, offering putative biomarkers for drug discovery. Genes encoding serotonin receptors (5-HTRs), including 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT1DRs, are differentially expressed in FXS, providing a rationale for investigating them as pharmacotherapeutic targets. Previously we reported pharmacological activity and preclinical neurotherapeutic effects in Fmr1 knockout mice of an orally active 2-aminotetralin, (S)-5-(2'-fluorophenyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-amine (FPT). FPT is a potent (low nM), high-efficacy partial agonist at 5-HT1ARs and a potent, low-efficacy partial agonist at 5-HT7Rs. Here we report new observations that FPT also has potent and efficacious agonist activity at human 5-HT1B and 5-HT1DRs. FPT's Ki values at 5-HT1B and 5-HT1DRs were <5 nM, but it had nil activity (>10 μM Ki) at 5-HT1FRs. We tested the effects of FPT (5.6 mg/kg, subcutaneous) on EEG recorded above the somatosensory and auditory cortices in freely moving, adult Fmr1 knockout and control mice. Consistent with previous reports, we observed significantly increased relative gamma power in untreated or vehicle-treated male and female Fmr1 knockout mice from recordings above the left somatosensory cortex (LSSC). In addition, we observed sex effects on EEG power. FPT did not eliminate the genotype difference in relative gamma power from the LSSC. FPT, however, robustly decreased relative alpha power in the LSSC and auditory cortex, with more pronounced effects in Fmr1 KO mice. Similarly, FPT decreased relative alpha power in the right SSC but only in Fmr1 knockout mice. FPT also increased relative delta power, with more pronounced effects in Fmr1 KO mice and caused small but significant increases in relative beta power. Distinct impacts of FPT on cortical EEG were like effects caused by certain FDA-approved psychotropic medications (including baclofen, allopregnanolone, and clozapine). These results advance the understanding of FPT's pharmacological and neurophysiological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanishka S Saraf
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
| | - Ryan P McGlynn
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 300 Huntington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Omkar M Bhatavdekar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 3400 North Charles Street, Croft Hall B27, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Raymond G Booth
- Center for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, 300 Huntington Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Clinton E Canal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, United States
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29
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Kat R, Kas MJH. Largely unaffected auditory and visual sensory processing phenotypes in the evoked potentials of Fmr1 KO2 mice. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5260-5273. [PMID: 36017614 PMCID: PMC9826194 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Sensory sensitivity symptoms are common in autism spectrum disorders and fragile X syndrome. Mainly in the auditory modality, disturbed processing has been found in both fragile X patients and the corresponding genetic mouse model, the Fmr1 knockout mouse. Here, we tried to replicate the auditory deficits and assess whether also visual processing is affected, using electroencephalography readouts under freely behaving conditions in the second-generation Fmr1 knockout mice. No differences between wild-type and knockout animals were found in single auditory and visual evoked potentials in response to pure sine tones and full-field light flashes. Visual sensory gating was enhanced in the early but not the late components of the evoked potentials, but no changes were found in auditory sensory gating. The higher harmonics of the synchronisation response to flickering visual stimuli seemed to be reduced with 10, but not 20 or 40 Hz, stimulation. However, this effect was not reproduced in an independent second cohort of animals. No synchronisation differences were found in response to a chirp stimulus, of which the frequency steadily increased. Taken together, this study could not reproduce earlier reported increased amplitudes in auditory responses, nor could it convincingly show that synchronisation deficits found to be present in the auditory modality also existed in the visual modality. The discrepancies within this study as well as between various studies assessing sensory processing in the Fmr1 KO raise questions about the external validity of these phenotypes and warrant careful interpretation of these phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate Kat
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES)University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Martien J. H. Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES)University of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
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30
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Jonak CR, Pedapati EV, Schmitt LM, Assad SA, Sandhu MS, DeStefano L, Ethridge L, Razak KA, Sweeney JA, Binder DK, Erickson CA. Baclofen-associated neurophysiologic target engagement across species in fragile X syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:52. [PMID: 36167501 PMCID: PMC9513876 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09455-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of neurodevelopmental disability. It is often characterized, especially in males, by intellectual disability, anxiety, repetitive behavior, social communication deficits, delayed language development, and abnormal sensory processing. Recently, we identified electroencephalographic (EEG) biomarkers that are conserved between the mouse model of FXS (Fmr1 KO mice) and humans with FXS. METHODS In this report, we evaluate small molecule target engagement utilizing multielectrode array electrophysiology in the Fmr1 KO mouse and in humans with FXS. Neurophysiologic target engagement was evaluated using single doses of the GABAB selective agonist racemic baclofen (RBAC). RESULTS In Fmr1 KO mice and in humans with FXS, baclofen use was associated with suppression of elevated gamma power and increase in low-frequency power at rest. In the Fmr1 KO mice, a baclofen-associated improvement in auditory chirp synchronization was also noted. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we noted synchronized target engagement of RBAC on resting state electrophysiology, in particular the reduction of aberrant high frequency gamma activity, across species in FXS. This finding holds promise for translational medicine approaches to drug development for FXS, synchronizing treatment study across species using well-established EEG biological markers in this field. TRIAL REGISTRATION The human experiments are registered under NCT02998151.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie R. Jonak
- grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Ernest V. Pedapati
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Lauren M. Schmitt
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Samantha A. Assad
- grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Manbir S. Sandhu
- grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Lisa DeStefano
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.266900.b0000 0004 0447 0018Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK USA
| | - Lauren Ethridge
- grid.266900.b0000 0004 0447 0018Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK USA ,grid.266902.90000 0001 2179 3618Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK USA
| | - Khaleel A. Razak
- grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, USA ,grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Psychology Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - John A. Sweeney
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Devin K. Binder
- grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, USA ,grid.266097.c0000 0001 2222 1582Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, USA
| | - Craig A. Erickson
- grid.239573.90000 0000 9025 8099Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
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Sibille J, Kremkow J, Koch U. Absence of the Fragile X messenger ribonucleoprotein alters response patterns to sounds in the auditory midbrain. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:987939. [PMID: 36188480 PMCID: PMC9523263 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.987939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the different autism spectrum disorders, Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability. Sensory and especially auditory hypersensitivity is a key symptom in patients, which is well mimicked in the Fmr1 -/- mouse model. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying FXS’s acoustic hypersensitivity in particular remain poorly understood. Here, we categorized spike response patterns to pure tones of different frequencies and intensities from neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC), a central integrator in the ascending auditory pathway. Based on this categorization we analyzed differences in response patterns between IC neurons of wild-type (WT) and Fmr1 -/- mice. Our results report broadening of frequency tuning, an increased firing in response to monaural as well as binaural stimuli, an altered balance of excitation-inhibition, and reduced response latencies, all expected features of acoustic hypersensitivity. Furthermore, we noticed that all neuronal response types in Fmr1 -/- mice displayed enhanced offset-rebound activity outside their excitatory frequency response area. These results provide evidence that the loss of Fmr1 not only increases spike responses in IC neurons similar to auditory brainstem neurons, but also changes response patterns such as offset spiking. One can speculate this to be an underlying aspect of the receptive language problems associated with Fragile X syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérémie Sibille
- Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jérémie Sibille, ,
| | - Jens Kremkow
- Neuroscience Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ursula Koch
- Institute for Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Ursula Koch,
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Chakraborty S, Parayil R, Mishra S, Nongthomba U, Clement JP. Epilepsy Characteristics in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Research from Patient Cohorts and Animal Models Focusing on Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810807. [PMID: 36142719 PMCID: PMC9501968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy, a heterogeneous group of brain-related diseases, has continued to significantly burden society and families. Epilepsy comorbid with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) is believed to occur due to multifaceted pathophysiological mechanisms involving disruptions in the excitation and inhibition (E/I) balance impeding widespread functional neuronal circuitry. Although the field has received much attention from the scientific community recently, the research has not yet translated into actionable therapeutics to completely cure epilepsy, particularly those comorbid with NDDs. In this review, we sought to elucidate the basic causes underlying epilepsy as well as those contributing to the association of epilepsy with NDDs. Comprehensive emphasis is put on some key neurodevelopmental genes implicated in epilepsy, such as MeCP2, SYNGAP1, FMR1, SHANK1-3 and TSC1, along with a few others, and the main electrophysiological and behavioral deficits are highlighted. For these genes, the progress made in developing appropriate and valid rodent models to accelerate basic research is also detailed. Further, we discuss the recent development in the therapeutic management of epilepsy and provide a briefing on the challenges and caveats in identifying and testing species-specific epilepsy models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Chakraborty
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru 560064, India
| | - Rrejusha Parayil
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru 560064, India
| | - Shefali Mishra
- Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics (MRDG), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - Upendra Nongthomba
- Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics (MRDG), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India
| | - James P. Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru 560064, India
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +91-08-2208-2613
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Wilde M, Constantin L, Thorne PR, Montgomery JM, Scott EK, Cheyne JE. Auditory processing in rodent models of autism: a systematic review. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:48. [PMID: 36042393 PMCID: PMC9429780 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09458-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism is a complex condition with many traits, including differences in auditory sensitivity. Studies in human autism are plagued by the difficulty of controlling for aetiology, whereas studies in individual rodent models cannot represent the full spectrum of human autism. This systematic review compares results in auditory studies across a wide range of established rodent models of autism to mimic the wide range of aetiologies in the human population. A search was conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases to find primary research articles in mouse or rat models of autism which investigate central auditory processing. A total of 88 studies were included. These used non-invasive measures of auditory function, such as auditory brainstem response recordings, cortical event-related potentials, electroencephalography, and behavioural tests, which are translatable to human studies. They also included invasive measures, such as electrophysiology and histology, which shed insight on the origins of the phenotypes found in the non-invasive studies. The most consistent results across these studies were increased latency of the N1 peak of event-related potentials, decreased power and coherence of gamma activity in the auditory cortex, and increased auditory startle responses to high sound levels. Invasive studies indicated loss of subcortical inhibitory neurons, hyperactivity in the lateral superior olive and auditory thalamus, and reduced specificity of responses in the auditory cortex. This review compares the auditory phenotypes across rodent models and highlights those that mimic findings in human studies, providing a framework and avenues for future studies to inform understanding of the auditory system in autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Wilde
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Lena Constantin
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peter R Thorne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Section of Audiology, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Ethan K Scott
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Juliette E Cheyne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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34
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Duker LIS, Martinez M, Lane CJ, Polido JC, Cermak SA. Association between oral care challenges and sensory over-responsivity in children with Down syndrome. Int J Paediatr Dent 2022; 32:546-557. [PMID: 34622519 PMCID: PMC8989722 DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensory over-responsivity has been linked to oral care challenges in children with special healthcare needs. Parents of children with Down syndrome (cDS) have reported sensory over-responsivity in their children, but the link between this and oral care difficulties has not been explored. AIM To investigate the relationship between sensory over-responsivity and oral care challenges in cDS. DESIGN An online survey examined parent-reported responses describing the oral care of their cDS (5-14 years; n = 367). Children were categorized as either sensory over-responders (SORs) or sensory not over-responders (SNORs). Chi-square analyses tested associations between groups (SORs vs. SNORs) and dichotomous oral care variables. RESULTS More parents of SOR children than of SNOR reported that child behavior (SOR:86%, SNOR:77%; p < .05) and sensory sensitivities (SOR:34%, SNOR:18%; p < .001) make dental care challenging, their child complains about ≥3 types of sensory stimuli encountered during care (SOR:39%, SNOR:28%; p = .04), their dentist is specialized in treating children with special healthcare needs (SOR:45%, SNOR:33%; p = .03), and their child requires full assistance to brush teeth (SOR:41%, SNOR:28%; p = .008). No intergroup differences were found in items examining parent-reported child oral health or care access. CONCLUSIONS Parents of SOR children reported greater challenges than parents of SNOR children at the dentist's office and in the home, including challenging behaviors and sensory sensitivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah I. Stein Duker
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089
| | - Melissa Martinez
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Ostrow School of Dentistry, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089
| | - Christianne J. Lane
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, 2001 N. Soto St., SSB 220X, Los Angeles, CA, 90089
| | - José C. Polido
- Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Associate Professor of Clinical Dentistry at the Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California, 4650 Sunset Blvd, MS#116, Los Angeles, CA, 90027
| | - Sharon A. Cermak
- Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at the Ostrow School of Dentistry, and Professor of Pediatrics at the USC Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St, CHP 133, Los Angeles, CA, 90089
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35
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Bülow P, Segal M, Bassell GJ. Mechanisms Driving the Emergence of Neuronal Hyperexcitability in Fragile X Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23116315. [PMID: 35682993 PMCID: PMC9181819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23116315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperexcitability is a shared neurophysiological phenotype across various genetic neurodevelopmental disorders, including Fragile X syndrome (FXS). Several patient symptoms are associated with hyperexcitability, but a puzzling feature is that their onset is often delayed until their second and third year of life. It remains unclear how and why hyperexcitability emerges in neurodevelopmental disorders. FXS is caused by the loss of FMRP, an RNA-binding protein which has many critical roles including protein synthesis-dependent and independent regulation of ion channels and receptors, as well as global regulation of protein synthesis. Here, we discussed recent literature uncovering novel mechanisms that may drive the progressive onset of hyperexcitability in the FXS brain. We discussed in detail how recent publications have highlighted defects in homeostatic plasticity, providing new insight on the FXS brain and suggest pharmacotherapeutic strategies in FXS and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pernille Bülow
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (G.J.B.)
| | - Menahem Segal
- Department of Brain Science, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| | - Gary J. Bassell
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Correspondence: (P.B.); (G.J.B.)
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36
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Wright D, Kenny A, Eley S, McKechanie AG, Stanfield AC. Clinical and behavioural features of SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability: a parent and caregiver description. J Neurodev Disord 2022; 14:34. [PMID: 35655128 PMCID: PMC9164368 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-022-09437-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (ID) is a recently described neurodevelopmental disorder that is caused by pathogenic variation in the SYNGAP1 gene. To date, the behavioural characteristics of this disorder have mainly been highlighted via the prevalence of existing diagnoses in case series. We set out to detail the behavioural features of this disorder by undertaking interviews with those who have a child with SYNGAP1-related ID to allow them to describe their child’s behaviour. Methods We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with parents and caregivers which covered basic information (e.g., age, gender), family history, perinatal history, past medical history, developmental history, epilepsy, behavioural history, and a general description of their child’s behaviour. Results Using a mixed quantitative and qualitative approach, the responses from the parents indicated that those with SYNGAP1-related ID showed high rates of autism spectrum disorder (52%), difficulties with fine and gross motor skills, delays in language development, and a high prevalence of epilepsy (70%). A qualitative analysis highlighted their general behaviour affected the themes of daily living skills, distress-related behaviours, emotional regulation, difficulties with change, a lack of danger awareness, and sensory differences. Sensory features described involved auditory, visual, tactile, gustatory, and proprioceptive themes. Conclusions Our findings and behavioural descriptions provide important insights as well as implications for the diagnosis and care of those with SYNGAP1-related ID. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s11689-022-09437-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Wright
- Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, Scotland.
| | - Aisling Kenny
- Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, Scotland
| | - Sarah Eley
- Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, Scotland
| | - Andrew G McKechanie
- Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, Scotland
| | - Andrew C Stanfield
- Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, Scotland
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Holley A, Shedd A, Boggs A, Lovelace J, Erickson C, Gross C, Jankovic M, Razak K, Huber K, Gibson JR. A sound-driven cortical phase-locking change in the Fmr1 KO mouse requires Fmr1 deletion in a subpopulation of brainstem neurons. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 170:105767. [PMID: 35588990 PMCID: PMC9273231 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Sensory impairments commonly occur in patients with autism or intellectual disability. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is one form of intellectual disability that is often comorbid with autism. In electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings obtained from humans with FXS, the ability of cortical regions to consistently synchronize, or “phase-lock”, to modulated auditory stimuli is reduced compared to that of typically developing individuals. At the same time, less time-locked, “non-phase-locked” power induced by sounds is higher. The same changes occur in the Fmr1 knockout (KO) mouse – an animal model of FXS. We determined if Fmr1 deletion in a subset of brainstem auditory neurons plays any role in these EEG changes in the mouse. Methods: We reinstated FMRP expression in a subpopulation of brainstem auditory neurons in an otherwise Fmr1 KO control (conditional on; cON Fmr1) mouse and used EEG recordings to determine if reinstatement normalized, or “rescued”, the phase-locking phenotype observed in the cON Fmr1 mouse. In determining rescue, this also meant that Fmr1 deletion in the same neuron population was necessary for the phenotype to occur. Results: We find that Fmr1 reinstatement in a subset of brainstem neurons rescues certain aspects of the phase-locking phenotype but does not rescue the increase in non-phase-locked power. Unexpectedly, not all electrophysiological phenotypes observed in the Fmr1 KO were observed in the cON Fmr1 mouse used for the reinstatement experiments, and this was likely due to residual expression of FMRP in these Fmr1 KO controls. Conclusions: Fmr1 deletion in brainstem neurons is necessary for certain aspects of the decreased phase-locking phenotype in the Fmr1 KO, but not necessary for the increase in non-phase-locked power induced by a sound. The most likely brainstem structure underlying these results is the inferior colliculus. We also demonstrate that low levels of FMRP can rescue some EEG phenotypes but not others. This latter finding provides a foundation for how symptoms in FXS individuals may vary due to FMRP levels and that reinstatement of low FMRP levels may be sufficient to alleviate particular symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- AndrewJ Holley
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Aleya Shedd
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Anna Boggs
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jonathan Lovelace
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Craig Erickson
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Christina Gross
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Miranda Jankovic
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Khaleel Razak
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Kimberly Huber
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA
| | - Jay R Gibson
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Department of Neuroscience, Dallas, TX 75390-9111, USA.
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Li H, Gavis ER. The Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein modulates the neuronal cytoskeleton to limit dendritic arborization. Development 2022; 149:275257. [DOI: 10.1242/dev.200379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Dendritic arbor development is a complex, highly regulated process. Post-transcriptional regulation mediated by RNA-binding proteins plays an important role in neuronal dendrite morphogenesis by delivering on-site, on-demand protein synthesis. Here, we show how the Drosophila fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), a conserved RNA-binding protein, limits dendrite branching to ensure proper neuronal function during larval sensory neuron development. FMRP knockdown causes increased dendritic terminal branch growth and a resulting overelaboration defect due, in part, to altered microtubule stability and dynamics. FMRP also controls dendrite outgrowth by regulating the Drosophila profilin homolog chickadee (chic). FMRP colocalizes with chic mRNA in dendritic granules and regulates its dendritic localization and protein expression. Whereas RNA-binding domains KH1 and KH2 are both crucial for FMRP-mediated dendritic regulation, KH2 specifically is required for FMRP granule formation and chic mRNA association, suggesting a link between dendritic FMRP granules and FMRP function in dendrite elaboration. Our studies implicate FMRP-mediated modulation of both the neuronal microtubule and actin cytoskeletons in multidendritic neuronal architecture, and provide molecular insight into FMRP granule formation and its relevance to FMRP function in dendritic patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Elizabeth R. Gavis
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
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39
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Bigras C, Villatte B, Duda V, Hébert S. The electrophysiological markers of hyperacusis: a scoping review. Int J Audiol 2022:1-11. [PMID: 35549972 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2022.2070083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hyperacusis is known as a reduced tolerance to sounds perceived as normal to the majority of the population. There is currently no agreed definition, diagnostic tool, or objective measure of its occurrence. The purpose of this review is to catalogue the research to date on the use of auditory evoked potentials (AEP) to assess hyperacusis. DESIGN A step-by-step methodology was conducted following guidelines. Four databases were searched. A total of 3343 papers were identified. A final yield of 35 articles were retained for analysis. RESULTS The analysis identified four types of aetiologies to describe the hyperacusic population in AEP studies; developmental disorders (n = 19), neurological disorders (n = 3), induced hearing damage (n = 8) and idiopathic aetiology (n = 5). Electrophysiological measures were of short (n = 16), middle (n = 13) and long (n = 19) latencies, believed to reflect the activity of the ascending and descending pathways of the auditory system from periphery to cortex. CONCLUSIONS The results of this review revealed the potential use of electrophysiological measures for further understanding the mechanisms of hyperacusis. However, according to the disparity of concepts to define hyperacusis, definitions and populations need to be clarified before biomarkers specific to hyperacusis can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Bigras
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Bérangère Villatte
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
| | - Victoria Duda
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire en réadaptation (CRIR), Montreal, Canada
| | - Sylvie Hébert
- School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada.,Center of Research on Brain, Language and Music (CRBLM), Montreal, Canada
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40
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Curnow E, Wang Y. New Animal Models for Understanding FMRP Functions and FXS Pathology. Cells 2022; 11:1628. [PMID: 35626665 PMCID: PMC9140010 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X encompasses a range of genetic conditions, all of which result as a function of changes within the FMR1 gene and abnormal production and/or expression of the FMR1 gene products. Individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common heritable form of intellectual disability, have a full-mutation sequence (>200 CGG repeats) which brings about transcriptional silencing of FMR1 and loss of FMR protein (FMRP). Despite considerable progress in our understanding of FXS, safe, effective, and reliable treatments that either prevent or reduce the severity of the FXS phenotype have not been approved. While current FXS animal models contribute their own unique understanding to the molecular, cellular, physiological, and behavioral deficits associated with FXS, no single animal model is able to fully recreate the FXS phenotype. This review will describe the status and rationale in the development, validation, and utility of three emerging animal model systems for FXS, namely the nonhuman primate (NHP), Mongolian gerbil, and chicken. These developing animal models will provide a sophisticated resource in which the deficits in complex functions of perception, action, and cognition in the human disorder are accurately reflected and aid in the successful translation of novel therapeutics and interventions to the clinic setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliza Curnow
- REI Division, Department of ObGyn, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yuan Wang
- Program in Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
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41
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Armstrong JL, Saraf TS, Bhatavdekar O, Canal CE. Spontaneous seizures in adult Fmr1 knockout mice: FVB.129P2-Pde6b+ Tyr Fmr1/J. Epilepsy Res 2022; 182:106891. [PMID: 35290907 PMCID: PMC9050957 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of seizures in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS) is ~25%; however, there are no reports of spontaneous seizures in the Fmr1 knockout mouse model of FXS. Herein, we report that 48% of adult (median age P96), Fmr1 knockout mice from our colony were found expired in their home cages. We observed and recorded adult Fmr1 knockout mice having spontaneous convulsions in their home cages. In addition, we captured by electroencephalography an adult Fmr1 knockout mouse having a spontaneous seizure-during preictal, ictal, and postictal phases-which confirmed the presence of a generalized seizure. We did not observe this phenotype in control conspecifics or in juvenile (age <P35) Fmr1 knockout mice. We hypothesized that chronic, random, noise perturbations during development caused the phenotype. We recorded decibels (dB) in our vivarium. The average was 61 dB, but operating the automatic door to the vivarium caused spikes to 95 dB. We modified the door to eliminate noise spikes, which reduced unexpected deaths to 33% in Fmr1 knockout mice raised from birth in this environment (P = 0.07). As the modifications did not eliminate unexpected deaths, we further hypothesized that building vibrations may also be a contributing factor. After installing anti-vibration pads underneath housing carts, unexpected deaths of Fmr1 knockout mice born and raised in this environment decreased to 29% (P < 0.01 compared to the original environment). We also observed significant sex effects, for example, after interventions to reduce sound and vibration, significantly fewer male, but not female, Fmr1 knockout mice died unexpectedly (P < 0.001). The spontaneous seizure phenotype in our Fmr1 knockout mice could serve as a model of seizures observed in individuals with FXS, potentially offering a new translationally-valid phenotype for FXS research. Finally, these observations, although anomalous, serve as a reminder to consider gene-environment interactions when interpreting data derived from Fmr1 knockout mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Armstrong
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Tanishka S Saraf
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Omkar Bhatavdekar
- Johns Hopkins University, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, 3400 North Charles Street, Croft Hall B27, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Clinton E Canal
- Mercer University, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
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Electrophysiological and Behavioral Evidence for Hyper- and Hyposensitivity in Rare Genetic Syndromes Associated with Autism. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13040671. [PMID: 35456477 PMCID: PMC9027402 DOI: 10.3390/genes13040671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Our study reviewed abnormalities in spontaneous, as well as event-related, brain activity in syndromes with a known genetic underpinning that are associated with autistic symptomatology. Based on behavioral and neurophysiological evidence, we tentatively subdivided the syndromes on primarily hyper-sensitive (Fragile X, Angelman) and hypo-sensitive (Phelan–McDermid, Rett, Tuberous Sclerosis, Neurofibromatosis 1), pointing to the way of segregation of heterogeneous idiopathic ASD, that includes both hyper-sensitive and hypo-sensitive individuals. This segmentation links abnormalities in different genes, such as FMR1, UBE3A, GABRB3, GABRA5, GABRG3, SHANK3, MECP2, TSC1, TSC2, and NF1, that are causative to the above-mentioned syndromes and associated with synaptic transmission and cell growth, as well as with translational and transcriptional regulation and with sensory sensitivity. Excitation/inhibition imbalance related to GABAergic signaling, and the interplay of tonic and phasic inhibition in different brain regions might underlie this relationship. However, more research is needed. As most genetic syndromes are very rare, future investigations in this field will benefit from multi-site collaboration with a common protocol for electrophysiological and event-related potential (EEG/ERP) research that should include an investigation into all modalities and stages of sensory processing, as well as potential biomarkers of GABAergic signaling (such as 40-Hz ASSR).
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Marquez-Legorreta E, Constantin L, Piber M, Favre-Bulle IA, Taylor MA, Blevins AS, Giacomotto J, Bassett DS, Vanwalleghem GC, Scott EK. Brain-wide visual habituation networks in wild type and fmr1 zebrafish. Nat Commun 2022; 13:895. [PMID: 35173170 PMCID: PMC8850451 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28299-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Habituation is a form of learning during which animals stop responding to repetitive stimuli, and deficits in habituation are characteristic of several psychiatric disorders. Due to technical challenges, the brain-wide networks mediating habituation are poorly understood. Here we report brain-wide calcium imaging during larval zebrafish habituation to repeated visual looming stimuli. We show that different functional categories of loom-sensitive neurons are located in characteristic locations throughout the brain, and that both the functional properties of their networks and the resulting behavior can be modulated by stimulus saliency and timing. Using graph theory, we identify a visual circuit that habituates minimally, a moderately habituating midbrain population proposed to mediate the sensorimotor transformation, and downstream circuit elements responsible for higher order representations and the delivery of behavior. Zebrafish larvae carrying a mutation in the fmr1 gene have a systematic shift toward sustained premotor activity in this network, and show slower behavioral habituation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Marquez-Legorreta
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Janelia Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, VA, USA
| | - Lena Constantin
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Marielle Piber
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Itia A Favre-Bulle
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,School of Mathematics and Physics, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Michael A Taylor
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ann S Blevins
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jean Giacomotto
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.,Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service, Wacol, QLD, 4076, Australia.,Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia.,Discovery Biology, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - Dani S Bassett
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Departments of Electrical & Systems Engineering, Physics & Astronomy, Neurology, Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA
| | - Gilles C Vanwalleghem
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia. .,Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
| | - Ethan K Scott
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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Kenny A, Wright D, Stanfield AC. EEG as a translational biomarker and outcome measure in fragile X syndrome. Transl Psychiatry 2022; 12:34. [PMID: 35075104 PMCID: PMC8786970 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-022-01796-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeted treatments for fragile X syndrome (FXS) have frequently failed to show efficacy in clinical testing, despite success at the preclinical stages. This has highlighted the need for more effective translational outcome measures. EEG differences observed in FXS, including exaggerated N1 ERP amplitudes, increased resting gamma power and reduced gamma phase-locking in the sensory cortices, have been suggested as potential biomarkers of the syndrome. These abnormalities are thought to reflect cortical hyper excitability resulting from an excitatory (glutamate) and inhibitory (GABAergic) imbalance in FXS, which has been the target of several pharmaceutical remediation studies. EEG differences observed in humans also show similarities to those seen in laboratory models of FXS, which may allow for greater translational equivalence and better predict clinical success of putative therapeutics. There is some evidence from clinical trials showing that treatment related changes in EEG may be associated with clinical improvements, but these require replication and extension to other medications. Although the use of EEG characteristics as biomarkers is still in the early phases, and further research is needed to establish its utility in clinical trials, the current research is promising and signals the emergence of an effective translational biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisling Kenny
- Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Damien Wright
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, EH10 5HF Edinburgh, UK
| | - Andrew C. Stanfield
- grid.4305.20000 0004 1936 7988Patrick Wild Centre, Division of Psychiatry, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh, EH10 5HF Edinburgh, UK
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Sensory Processing Phenotypes in Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and SYNGAP1-Related Intellectual Disability. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020137. [PMID: 35203901 PMCID: PMC8869824 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory processing differences are an established feature of both syndromic and non-syndromic Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Significant work has been carried out to characterize and classify specific sensory profiles in non-syndromic autism. However, it is not known if syndromic autism disorders, such as Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMD) or SYNGAP1-related Intellectual Disability (SYNGAP1-ID), have unique sensory phenotypes. Understanding the sensory features of these disorders is important for providing appropriate care and for understanding their underlying mechanisms. Our objective in this work was to determine the sensory processing abnormalities present in two syndromic ASDs: Phelan-McDermid Syndrome and SYNGAP1-related Intellectual Disability. Using a standardized instrument, the Short Sensory Profile-2, we characterized sensory features in 41 patients with PMD and 24 patients with SYNGAP1-ID, and sub-scores were then calculated for seeking, avoiding, sensitivity and registration, as well as overall sensory and behavior scores. We found both patient groups exhibited atypical sensory features, including high scores in the areas of avoiding and seeking. Thus, we discovered significant sensory processing abnormalities are common in these syndromic ASDs. Measurements of sensory processing could serve as useful clinical endpoints for trials of novel therapeutics for these populations.
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Chawla A, McCullagh EA. Auditory Brain Stem Responses in the C57BL/6J Fragile X Syndrome-Knockout Mouse Model. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 15:803483. [PMID: 35111002 PMCID: PMC8802689 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.803483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory hypersensitivity, especially in the auditory system, is a common symptom in Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common monogenic form of intellectual disability. However, linking phenotypes across genetic background strains of mouse models has been a challenge and could underly some of the issues with translatability of drug studies to the human condition. This study is the first to characterize the auditory brain stem response (ABR), a minimally invasive physiological readout of early auditory processing that is also used in humans, in a commonly used mouse background strain model of FXS, C57BL/6J. We measured morphological features of pinna and head and used ABR to measure the hearing range, and monaural and binaural auditory responses in hemizygous males, homozygous females, and heterozygous females compared with those in wild-type mice. Consistent with previous study, we showed no difference in morphological parameters across genotypes or sexes. There was no significant difference in hearing range between the sexes or genotypes, however there was a trend towards high frequency hearing loss in male FXS mice. In contrast, female mice with homozygous FXS had a decreased amplitude of wave IV of the monaural ABR, while there was no difference in males for amplitudes and no change in latency of ABR waveforms across sexes and genotypes. Finally, males with FXS had an increased latency of the binaural interaction component (BIC) at 0 interaural timing difference compared with that in wild-type males. These findings further clarify auditory brain stem processing in FXS by adding more information across genetic background strains allowing for a better understanding of shared phenotypes.
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47
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Deng PY, Avraham O, Cavalli V, Klyachko VA. Hyperexcitability of Sensory Neurons in Fragile X Mouse Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:796053. [PMID: 35002623 PMCID: PMC8727524 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.796053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensory hypersensitivity and somatosensory deficits represent the core symptoms of Fragile X syndrome (FXS). These alterations are believed to arise from changes in cortical sensory processing, while potential deficits in the function of peripheral sensory neurons residing in dorsal root ganglia remain unexplored. We found that peripheral sensory neurons exhibit pronounced hyperexcitability in Fmr1 KO mice, manifested by markedly increased action potential (AP) firing rate and decreased threshold. Unlike excitability changes found in many central neurons, no significant changes were observed in AP rising and falling time, peak potential, amplitude, or duration. Sensory neuron hyperexcitability was caused primarily by increased input resistance, without changes in cell capacitance or resting membrane potential. Analyses of the underlying mechanisms revealed reduced activity of HCN channels and reduced expression of HCN1 and HCN4 in Fmr1 KO compared to WT. A selective HCN channel blocker abolished differences in all measures of sensory neuron excitability between WT and Fmr1 KO neurons. These results reveal a hyperexcitable state of peripheral sensory neurons in Fmr1 KO mice caused by dysfunction of HCN channels. In addition to the intrinsic neuronal dysfunction, the accompanying paper examines deficits in sensory neuron association/communication with their enveloping satellite glial cells, suggesting contributions from both neuronal intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms to sensory dysfunction in the FXS mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Yue Deng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Oshri Avraham
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Vitaly A Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States.,Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Liu X, Kumar V, Tsai NP, Auerbach BD. Hyperexcitability and Homeostasis in Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:805929. [PMID: 35069112 PMCID: PMC8770333 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.805929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a leading inherited cause of autism and intellectual disability, resulting from a mutation in the FMR1 gene and subsequent loss of its protein product FMRP. Despite this simple genetic origin, FXS is a phenotypically complex disorder with a range of physical and neurocognitive disruptions. While numerous molecular and cellular pathways are affected by FMRP loss, there is growing evidence that circuit hyperexcitability may be a common convergence point that can account for many of the wide-ranging phenotypes seen in FXS. The mechanisms for hyperexcitability in FXS include alterations to excitatory synaptic function and connectivity, reduced inhibitory neuron activity, as well as changes to ion channel expression and conductance. However, understanding the impact of FMR1 mutation on circuit function is complicated by the inherent plasticity in neural circuits, which display an array of homeostatic mechanisms to maintain activity near set levels. FMRP is also an important regulator of activity-dependent plasticity in the brain, meaning that dysregulated plasticity can be both a cause and consequence of hyperexcitable networks in FXS. This makes it difficult to separate the direct effects of FMR1 mutation from the myriad and pleiotropic compensatory changes associated with it, both of which are likely to contribute to FXS pathophysiology. Here we will: (1) review evidence for hyperexcitability and homeostatic plasticity phenotypes in FXS models, focusing on similarities/differences across brain regions, cell-types, and developmental time points; (2) examine how excitability and plasticity disruptions interact with each other to ultimately contribute to circuit dysfunction in FXS; and (3) discuss how these synaptic and circuit deficits contribute to disease-relevant behavioral phenotypes like epilepsy and sensory hypersensitivity. Through this discussion of where the current field stands, we aim to introduce perspectives moving forward in FXS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Liu
- Deparment of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Vipendra Kumar
- Deparment of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Nien-Pei Tsai
- Deparment of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Benjamin D. Auerbach
- Deparment of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Benjamin D. Auerbach
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Avraham O, Deng PY, Maschi D, Klyachko VA, Cavalli V. Disrupted Association of Sensory Neurons With Enveloping Satellite Glial Cells in Fragile X Mouse Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:796070. [PMID: 35058748 PMCID: PMC8763968 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.796070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Among most prevalent deficits in individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is hypersensitivity to sensory stimuli and somatosensory alterations. Whether dysfunction in peripheral sensory system contributes to these deficits remains poorly understood. Satellite glial cells (SGCs), which envelop sensory neuron soma, play critical roles in regulating neuronal function and excitability. The potential contributions of SGCs to sensory deficits in FXS remain unexplored. Here we found major structural defects in sensory neuron-SGC association in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG), manifested by aberrant covering of the neuron and gaps between SGCs and the neuron along their contact surface. Single-cell RNAseq analyses demonstrated transcriptional changes in both neurons and SGCs, indicative of defects in neuronal maturation and altered SGC vesicular secretion. We validated these changes using fluorescence microscopy, qPCR, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in combination with computational analyses using deep learning networks. These results revealed a disrupted neuron-glia association at the structural and functional levels. Given the well-established role for SGCs in regulating sensory neuron function, altered neuron-glia association may contribute to sensory deficits in FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oshri Avraham
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Pan-Yue Deng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Dario Maschi
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Vitaly A. Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Cornelissen L, Underwood E, Gabard-Durnam LJ, Soto M, Tao A, Lobo K, Hensch TK, Berde CB. Tactile sensitivity and motor coordination in infancy: Effect of age, prior surgery, anaesthesia & critical illness. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0279705. [PMID: 36584108 PMCID: PMC9803162 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tactile sensitivity in the infant period is poorly characterized, particularly among children with prior surgery, anaesthesia or critical illness. The study aims were to investigate tactile sensitivity of the foot and the associated coordination of lower limb motor movement in typically developing infants with and without prior hospital experience, and to develop feasible bedside sensory testing protocols. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective, longitudinal study in 69 infants at 2 and 4 months-old, with and without prior hospital admission. Mechanical stimuli were applied to the foot at graded innocuous and noxious intensities. Primary outcome measures were tactile and nociceptive threshold (lowest force required to evoke any leg movement, or brisk leg withdrawal, respectively), and specific motor flexion threshold (ankle-, knee-, hip-flexion). Secondary analysis investigated (i) single vs multiple trials reliability, and (ii) the effect of age and prior surgery, anaesthesia, or critical illness on mechanical threshold. RESULTS Magnitude of evoked motor activity increased with stimulus intensity. Single trials had excellent reliability for knee and hip flexion at age 1-3m and 4-7m (ICC range: 0.8 to 0.98, p >0.05). Nociceptive threshold varied as a function of age. Tactile sensitivity was independent of age, number of surgeries, general anaesthesia and ICU stay. CONCLUSIONS This brief sensory testing protocol may reliably measure tactile and nociceptive reactivity in human infants. Age predicts nociceptive threshold which likely reflects ongoing maturation of spinal and supraspinal circuits. Prior hospital experience has a negligible global effect on sensory processing demonstrating the resilience of the CNS in adverse environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cornelissen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Ellen Underwood
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Laurel J. Gabard-Durnam
- Center for Cognitive and Brain Health, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Melissa Soto
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alice Tao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kimberly Lobo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Takao K. Hensch
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Charles B. Berde
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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