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Cui C, Jiang X, Wang Y, Li C, Lin Z, Wei Y, Ni Q. Cerebral Hypoxia-Induced Molecular Alterations and Their Impact on the Physiology of Neurons and Dendritic Spines: A Comprehensive Review. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:58. [PMID: 39105862 PMCID: PMC11303443 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01491-4] [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: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
This article comprehensively reviews how cerebral hypoxia impacts the physiological state of neurons and dendritic spines through a series of molecular changes, and explores the causal relationship between these changes and neuronal functional impairment. As a severe pathological condition, cerebral hypoxia can significantly alter the morphology and function of neurons and dendritic spines. Specifically, dendritic spines, being the critical structures for neurons to receive information, undergo changes such as a reduction in number and morphological abnormalities under hypoxic conditions. These alterations further affect synaptic function, leading to neurotransmission disorders. This article delves into the roles of molecular pathways like MAPK, AMPA receptors, NMDA receptors, and BDNF in the hypoxia-induced changes in neurons and dendritic spines, and outlines current treatment strategies. Neurons are particularly sensitive to cerebral hypoxia, with their apical dendrites being vulnerable to damage, thereby affecting cognitive function. Additionally, astrocytes and microglia play an indispensable role in protecting neuronal and synaptic structures, regulating their normal functions, and contributing to the repair process following injury. These studies not only contribute to understanding the pathogenesis of related neurological diseases but also provide important insights for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Future research should further focus on the dynamic changes in neurons and dendritic spines under hypoxic conditions and their intrinsic connections with cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Cui
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Xue Jiang
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Yumei Wang
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Chao Li
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Zhaochen Lin
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China
| | - Youzhen Wei
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China.
- Research Center for Translational Medicine & Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias of the Ministry of Education of China, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200000, China.
| | - Qingbin Ni
- Hydrogen Medical Research Center, The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, 271000, Shandong, China.
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2
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Zhu Y, Hui Q, Zhang Z, Fu H, Qin Y, Zhao Q, Li Q, Zhang J, Guo L, He W, Han C. Advancements in the study of synaptic plasticity and mitochondrial autophagy relationship. J Neurosci Res 2024; 102:e25309. [PMID: 38400573 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25309] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Synapses serve as the points of communication between neurons, consisting primarily of three components: the presynaptic membrane, synaptic cleft, and postsynaptic membrane. They transmit signals through the release and reception of neurotransmitters. Synaptic plasticity, the ability of synapses to undergo structural and functional changes, is influenced by proteins such as growth-associated proteins, synaptic vesicle proteins, postsynaptic density proteins, and neurotrophic growth factors. Furthermore, maintaining synaptic plasticity consumes more than half of the brain's energy, with a significant portion of this energy originating from ATP generated through mitochondrial energy metabolism. Consequently, the quantity, distribution, transport, and function of mitochondria impact the stability of brain energy metabolism, thereby participating in the regulation of fundamental processes in synaptic plasticity, including neuronal differentiation, neurite outgrowth, synapse formation, and neurotransmitter release. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the proteins associated with presynaptic plasticity, postsynaptic plasticity, and common factors between the two, as well as the relationship between mitochondrial energy metabolism and synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousong Zhu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qinlong Hui
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Hao Fu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Yali Qin
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qiong Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Qinqing Li
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Junlong Zhang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Lei Guo
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Wenbin He
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
| | - Cheng Han
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Encephalopathy, Jinzhong, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
- Basic Medical College of Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, China
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3
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Babaev O, Cruces Solis H, Arban R. Dopamine modulating agents alter individual subdomains of motivation-related behavior assessed by touchscreen procedures. Neuropharmacology 2022; 211:109056. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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4
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Mottarlini F, Targa G, Bottan G, Tarenzi B, Fumagalli F, Caffino L. Cortical reorganization of the glutamate synapse in the activity-based anorexia rat model: impact on cognition. J Neurochem 2022; 161:350-365. [PMID: 35257377 PMCID: PMC9313878 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Patients suffering from anorexia nervosa (AN) display altered neural activity, morphological, and functional connectivity in the fronto‐striatal circuit. In addition, hypoglutamatergic transmission and aberrant excitability of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) observed in AN patients might underpin cognitive deficits that fuel the vicious cycle of dieting behavior. To provide a molecular mechanism, we employed the activity‐based anorexia (ABA) rat model, which combines the two hallmarks of AN (i.e., caloric restriction and intense physical exercise), to evaluate structural remodeling together with alterations in the glutamatergic signaling in the mPFC and their impact on temporal memory, as measured by the temporal order object recognition (TOOR) test. Our data indicate that the combination of caloric restriction and intense physical exercise altered the homeostasis of the glutamate synapse and reduced spine density in the mPFC. These events, paralleled by an impairment in recency discrimination in the TOOR test, are associated with the ABA endophenotype. Of note, after a 7‐day recovery period, body weight was recovered and the mPFC structure normalized but ABA rats still exhibited reduced post‐synaptic stability of AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors associated with cognitive dysfunction. Taken together, these data suggest that the combination of reduced food intake and hyperactivity affects the homeostasis of the excitatory synapse in the mPFC contributing to maintain the aberrant behaviors observed in AN patients. Our findings, by identifying novel potential targets of AN, may contribute to more effectively direct the therapeutic interventions to ameliorate, at least, the cognitive effects of this psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgia Bottan
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Benedetta Tarenzi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133, Milano, Italy
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5
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Caffino L, Mottarlini F, Targa G, Verheij MMM, Fumagalli F, Homberg JR. Responsivity of serotonin transporter knockout rats to short and long access to cocaine: modulation of the glutamate signaling in the nucleus accumbens shell. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3727-3739. [PMID: 35174489 PMCID: PMC9310702 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose It has been well established that glutamate in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays a critical role in the motivation to take drugs of abuse. We have previously demonstrated that rats with ablation of the serotonin transporter (SERT−/− rats) show increased cocaine intake reminiscent of compulsivity. Experimental Approach By comparing SERT−/− to SERT+/+ rats, we investigated whether SERT deletion influences glutamate homeostasis under control conditions as well as after short access (ShA: 1 h per session) or long access (LgA: 6 h per session) to cocaine self‐administration. Rats were killed at 24 h after the last self‐administration session for ex vivo molecular analyses of the main determinants of the glutamate system, including transporters (vesicular and glial), receptors (main post‐synaptic subunits of NMDA and AMPA receptors together with the metabotropic subunit mGLUR5), and scaffolding proteins (SAP102, SAP97, and GRIP) in the NAc shell (sNAc) Key Results In cocaine‐naive animals, SERT deletion was associated with changes indicative for a reduction in glutamate signalling. ShA and LgA exposure led to a further dysregulation of the glutamatergic synapse. Conclusion SERT deletion may render the glutamatergic synapses of the NAc shell more responsive to both ShA and LgA intake of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Caffino
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Mottarlini
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Michel M M Verheij
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands
| | - Fabio Fumagalli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
| | - Judith R Homberg
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, division of Molecular Neurogenetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands
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6
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Choy KHC, Luo JK, Wannan CMJ, Laskaris L, Merritt A, Syeda WT, Sexton PM, Christopoulos A, Pantelis C, Nithianantharajah J. Cognitive behavioral markers of neurodevelopmental trajectories in rodents. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:556. [PMID: 34718322 PMCID: PMC8557208 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01662-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Between adolescence and adulthood, the brain critically undergoes maturation and refinement of synaptic and neural circuits that shape cognitive processing. Adolescence also represents a vulnerable period for the onset of symptoms in neurodevelopmental psychiatric disorders. Despite the wide use of rodent models to unravel neurobiological mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders, there is a surprising paucity of rigorous studies focusing on normal cognitive-developmental trajectories in such models. Here, we sought to behaviorally capture maturational changes in cognitive trajectories during adolescence and into adulthood in male and female mice using distinct behavioral paradigms. C57 BL/6J mice (4.5, 6, and 12 weeks of age) were assessed on three behavioral paradigms: drug-induced locomotor hyperactivity, prepulse inhibition, and a novel validated version of a visuospatial paired-associate learning touchscreen task. We show that the normal maturational trajectories of behavioral performance on these paradigms are dissociable. Responses in drug-induced locomotor hyperactivity and prepulse inhibition both displayed a 'U-shaped' developmental trajectory; lower during mid-adolescence relative to early adolescence and adulthood. In contrast, visuospatial learning and memory, memory retention, and response times indicative of motivational processing progressively improved with age. Our study offers a framework to investigate how insults at different developmental stages might perturb normal trajectories in cognitive development. We provide a brain maturational approach to understand resilience factors of brain plasticity in the face of adversity and to examine pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions directed at ameliorating or rescuing perturbed trajectories in neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. H. Christopher Choy
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Jiaqi K. Luo
- grid.418025.a0000 0004 0606 5526The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Florey Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Cassandra M. J. Wannan
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XMelbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Liliana Laskaris
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XMelbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Antonia Merritt
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XMelbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Warda T. Syeda
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XMelbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Patrick M. Sexton
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Arthur Christopoulos
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,ARC Centre for Cryo-electron Microscopy of Membrane Proteins, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Christos Pantelis
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jess Nithianantharajah
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Florey Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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7
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Luo JK, Melland H, Nithianantharajah J, Gordon SL. Postsynaptic Neuroligin-1 Mediates Presynaptic Endocytosis During Neuronal Activity. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:744845. [PMID: 34690694 PMCID: PMC8531268 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.744845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Fast, high-fidelity neurotransmission and synaptic efficacy requires tightly regulated coordination of pre- and postsynaptic compartments and alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic receptor nanodomains. Neuroligin-1 (Nlgn1) is a postsynaptic cell-adhesion protein exclusively localised to excitatory synapses that is crucial for coordinating the transsynaptic alignment of presynaptic release sites with postsynaptic AMPA receptors as well as postsynaptic transmission and plasticity. However, little is understood about whether the postsynaptic machinery can mediate the molecular architecture and activity of the presynaptic nerve terminal, and thus it remains unclear whether there are presynaptic contributions to Nlgn1-dependent control of signalling and plasticity. Here, we employed a presynaptic reporter of neurotransmitter release and synaptic vesicle dynamics, synaptophysin-pHluorin (sypHy), to directly assess the presynaptic impact of loss of Nlgn1. We show that lack of Nlgn1 had no effect on the size of the readily releasable or entire recycling pool of synaptic vesicles, nor did it impact exocytosis. However, we observed significant changes in the retrieval of synaptic vesicles by compensatory endocytosis, specifically during activity. Our data extends growing evidence that synaptic adhesion molecules critical for forming transsynaptic scaffolds are also important for regulating activity-induced endocytosis at the presynapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Keith Luo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Holly Melland
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Jess Nithianantharajah
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah L Gordon
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Melbourne Dementia Research Centre, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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8
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Magara F, Boury-Jamot B, Hörnberg H. A Simple Spatial-independent Associative and Reversal Learning Task in Mice. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e4108. [PMID: 34458402 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to adapt one's behavior in response to changing circumstances, or cognitive flexibility, is often altered in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions. In rodents, cognitive flexibility is frequently assessed using associative learning paradigms with a reversal component. The majority of existing protocols rely on unrestrictive exploration with no discouragement of wrong responses and are often influenced by spatial cues, at least during the test's learning phase. Here, we present a rewarded contingency discrimination learning test that minimizes the task's spatial component and contains an element that actively discourages pure exploratory responses. The method described herein is a manual version that can be performed using home-made equipment, but the test setup is amenable to automatization and can be adapted to address more complex cognitive demands, including conditional associative learning, attentional set formation, and attention shifting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Magara
- Centre for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Boury-Jamot
- Centre for Psychiatric Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Hanna Hörnberg
- Molecular and Cellular basis of Behavior, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin, Germany.,NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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9
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Lopez-Cruz L, Bussey TJ, Saksida LM, Heath CJ. Using touchscreen-delivered cognitive assessments to address the principles of the 3Rs in behavioral sciences. Lab Anim (NY) 2021; 50:174-184. [PMID: 34140683 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-021-00791-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Despite considerable advances in both in silico and in vitro approaches, in vivo studies that involve animal model systems remain necessary in many research disciplines. Neuroscience is one such area, with studies often requiring access to a complete nervous system capable of dynamically selecting between and then executing a full range of cognitive and behavioral outputs in response to a given stimulus or other manipulation. The involvement of animals in research studies is an issue of active public debate and concern and is therefore carefully regulated. Such regulations are based on the principles of the 3Rs of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. In the sub-specialty of behavioral neuroscience, Full/Absolute Replacement remains a major challenge, as the complete ex vivo recapitulation of a system as complex and dynamic as the nervous system has yet to be achieved. However, a number of very positive developments have occurred in this area with respect to Relative Replacement and to both Refinement and Reduction. In this review, we discuss the Refinement- and Reduction-related benefits yielded by the introduction of touchscreen-based behavioral assessment apparatus. We also discuss how data generated by a specific panel of behavioral tasks developed for this platform might substantially enhance monitoring of laboratory animal welfare and provide robust, quantitative comparisons of husbandry techniques to define and ensure maintenance of best practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lopez-Cruz
- Department of Psychology and MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK.
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Department of Psychology and MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Department of Psychology and MRC/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Robarts Research Institute & Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,The Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher J Heath
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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10
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Horner AE, Norris RH, McLaren-Jones R, Alexander L, Komiyama NH, Grant SGN, Nithianantharajah J, Kopanitsa MV. Learning and reaction times in mouse touchscreen tests are differentially impacted by mutations in genes encoding postsynaptic interacting proteins SYNGAP1, NLGN3, DLGAP1, DLGAP2 and SHANK2. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:e12723. [PMID: 33347690 PMCID: PMC7615670 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The postsynaptic terminal of vertebrate excitatory synapses contains a highly conserved multiprotein complex that comprises neurotransmitter receptors, cell-adhesion molecules, scaffold proteins and enzymes, which are essential for brain signalling and plasticity underlying behaviour. Increasingly, mutations in genes that encode postsynaptic proteins belonging to the PSD-95 protein complex, continue to be identified in neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability and epilepsy. These disorders are highly heterogeneous, sharing genetic aetiology and comorbid cognitive and behavioural symptoms. Here, by using genetically engineered mice and innovative touchscreen-based cognitive testing, we sought to investigate whether loss-of-function mutations in genes encoding key interactors of the PSD-95 protein complex display shared phenotypes in associative learning, updating of learned associations and reaction times. Our genetic dissection of mice with loss-of-function mutations in Syngap1, Nlgn3, Dlgap1, Dlgap2 and Shank2 showed that distinct components of the PSD-95 protein complex differentially regulate learning, cognitive flexibility and reaction times in cognitive processing. These data provide insights for understanding how human mutations in these genes lead to the manifestation of diverse and complex phenotypes in NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca H Norris
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | - Noboru H Komiyama
- Genes to Cognition Programme, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Seth G N Grant
- Genes to Cognition Programme, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain (SIDB), Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jess Nithianantharajah
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maksym V Kopanitsa
- Synome Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College, London, UK
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