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Modi AD, Parekh A, Patel ZH. Methods for evaluating gait associated dynamic balance and coordination in rodents. Behav Brain Res 2024; 456:114695. [PMID: 37783346 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114695] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Balance is the dynamic and unconscious control of the body's centre of mass to maintain postural equilibrium. Regulated by the vestibular system, head movement and acceleration are processed by the brain to adjust joints. Several conditions result in a loss of balance, including Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Menière's Disease and cervical spondylosis, all of which are caused by damage to certain parts of the vestibular pathways. Studies about the impairment of the vestibular system are challenging to carry out in human trials due to smaller study sizes limiting applications of the results and a lacking understanding of the human balance control mechanism. In contrast, more controlled research can be performed in animal studies which have fewer confounding factors than human models and allow specific conditions that affect balance to be replicated. Balance control can be studied using rodent balance-related behavioural tests after spinal or brain lesions, such as the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) Locomotor Scale, Foot Fault Scoring System, Ledged Beam Test, Beam Walking Test, and Ladder Beam Test, which are discussed in this review article along with their advantages and disadvantages. These tests can be performed in preclinical rodent models of femoral nerve injury, stroke, spinal cord injury and neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshat D Modi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Department of Genetics and Development, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario M5T 0S8, Canada.
| | - Anavi Parekh
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Zeenal H Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
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Soligo M, Manni L, Conti G, Chiaretti A. Intranasal nerve growth factor for prevention and recovery of the outcomes of traumatic brain injury. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:773-778. [DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.354513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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D'Mello V, Subramaniam M, Bhalla AP, Saavedra S, Leiba O, Levison SW. Intranasal Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Attenuates Gliosis and Axonal Injury and Improves Sensorimotor Function After a Mild Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotrauma Rep 2023; 4:236-250. [PMID: 37095853 PMCID: PMC10122240 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2021.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a neuroprotective cytokine that is essential for appropriate glial responses, remyelination, and preservation of neuronal conductance after injury. The intranasal route for delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system is of particular interest given that it bypasses the blood-brain barrier and peripheral clearance systems. We explored the possibility that LIF might improve neurological function when administered intranasally during the acute phase in a pediatric model of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We tested two doses of LIF and evaluated behavioral outcomes. Here, we show that acute 40-ng intranasal LIF treatment twice a day for 3 days attenuates astrogliosis and microgliosis, protects against axonal damage, significantly improves sensorimotor function, and is well tolerated without detrimental effects on growth. Altogether, our studies provide pre-clinical evidence for the use of acute intranasal LIF treatment as a viable therapeutic for pediatric cases of mTBIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veera D'Mello
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Malini Subramaniam
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Aditya Paul Bhalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sherlyn Saavedra
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Ofri Leiba
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Steven W. Levison
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Address correspondence to: Steven W. Levison, PhD, Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, 205 South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
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In vivo functions of p75 NTR: challenges and opportunities for an emerging therapeutic target. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 42:772-788. [PMID: 34334250 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) functions at the molecular nexus of cell death, survival, and differentiation. In addition to its contribution to neurodegenerative diseases and nervous system injuries, recent studies have revealed unanticipated roles of p75NTR in liver repair, fibrinolysis, lung fibrosis, muscle regeneration, and metabolism. Linking these various p75NTR functions more precisely to specific mechanisms marks p75NTR as an emerging candidate for therapeutic intervention in a wide range of disorders. Indeed, small molecule inhibitors of p75NTR binding to neurotrophins have shown efficacy in models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neurodegeneration. Here, we outline recent advances in understanding p75NTR pleiotropic functions in vivo, and propose an integrated view of p75NTR and its challenges and opportunities as a pharmacological target.
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