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Constable PA, Lim JKH, Thompson DA. Retinal electrophysiology in central nervous system disorders. A review of human and mouse studies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1215097. [PMID: 37600004 PMCID: PMC10433210 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1215097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The retina and brain share similar neurochemistry and neurodevelopmental origins, with the retina, often viewed as a "window to the brain." With retinal measures of structure and function becoming easier to obtain in clinical populations there is a growing interest in using retinal findings as potential biomarkers for disorders affecting the central nervous system. Functional retinal biomarkers, such as the electroretinogram, show promise in neurological disorders, despite having limitations imposed by the existence of overlapping genetic markers, clinical traits or the effects of medications that may reduce their specificity in some conditions. This narrative review summarizes the principal functional retinal findings in central nervous system disorders and related mouse models and provides a background to the main excitatory and inhibitory retinal neurotransmitters that have been implicated to explain the visual electrophysiological findings. These changes in retinal neurochemistry may contribute to our understanding of these conditions based on the findings of retinal electrophysiological tests such as the flash, pattern, multifocal electroretinograms, and electro-oculogram. It is likely that future applications of signal analysis and machine learning algorithms will offer new insights into the pathophysiology, classification, and progression of these clinical disorders including autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease. New clinical applications of visual electrophysiology to this field may lead to earlier, more accurate diagnoses and better targeted therapeutic interventions benefiting individual patients and clinicians managing these individuals and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A. Constable
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jeremiah K. H. Lim
- Discipline of Optometry, School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Dorothy A. Thompson
- The Tony Kriss Visual Electrophysiology Unit, Clinical and Academic Department of Ophthalmology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Patterning the cerebral cortex into distinct functional domains during development. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 80:102698. [PMID: 36893490 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023]
Abstract
The cerebral cortex is compartmentalized into multiple regions, including the newly evolved neocortex and evolutionarily older paleocortex and archicortex. These broad cortical regions can be further subdivided into different functional domains, each with its own unique cytoarchitecture and distinct set of input and output projections to perform specific functions. While many excitatory projection neurons show region-specific gene expression profiles, the cells are derived from the seemingly uniform progenitors in the dorsal telencephalon. Much progress has been made in defining the genetic mechanisms involved in generating the morphological and functional diversity of the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of mouse corticogenesis and discuss key events involved in cortical patterning during early developmental stages.
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Arslan A, Fang Z, Wang M, Tan Y, Cheng Z, Chen X, Guan Y, J. Pisani L, Yoo B, Bejerano G, Peltz G. Analysis of structural variation among inbred mouse strains. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:97. [PMID: 36864393 PMCID: PMC9983223 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09197-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND 'Long read' sequencing methods have been used to identify previously uncharacterized structural variants that cause human genetic diseases. Therefore, we investigated whether long read sequencing could facilitate genetic analysis of murine models for human diseases. RESULTS The genomes of six inbred strains (BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J, 129Sv1/J, C57BL/6/J, Balb/c/J, A/J, SJL/J) were analyzed using long read sequencing. Our results revealed that (i) Structural variants are very abundant within the genome of inbred strains (4.8 per gene) and (ii) that we cannot accurately infer whether structural variants are present using conventional short read genomic sequence data, even when nearby SNP alleles are known. The advantage of having a more complete map was demonstrated by analyzing the genomic sequence of BTBR mice. Based upon this analysis, knockin mice were generated and used to characterize a BTBR-unique 8-bp deletion within Draxin that contributes to the BTBR neuroanatomic abnormalities, which resemble human autism spectrum disorder. CONCLUSION A more complete map of the pattern of genetic variation among inbred strains, which is produced by long read genomic sequencing of the genomes of additional inbred strains, could facilitate genetic discovery when murine models of human diseases are analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Arslan
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Zhuoqing Fang
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Meiyue Wang
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Yalun Tan
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Zhuanfen Cheng
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Xinyu Chen
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Yuan Guan
- grid.168010.e0000000419368956Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | | | - Boyoung Yoo
- Dept. of Computer Science, Stanford School of Engineering, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Gill Bejerano
- Dept. of Computer Science, Stanford School of Engineering, 94305 Stanford, CA USA ,grid.168010.e0000000419368956Developmental Biology, Biomedical Data Science, Stanford School of Medicine, 94305 Stanford, CA USA
| | - Gary Peltz
- Department of Anesthesia, Pain and Perioperative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Kisaretova P, Tsybko A, Bondar N, Reshetnikov V. Molecular Abnormalities in BTBR Mice and Their Relevance to Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders: An Overview of Transcriptomic and Proteomic Studies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020289. [PMID: 36830826 PMCID: PMC9953015 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal models of psychopathologies are of exceptional interest for neurobiologists because these models allow us to clarify molecular mechanisms underlying the pathologies. One such model is the inbred BTBR strain of mice, which is characterized by behavioral, neuroanatomical, and physiological hallmarks of schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Despite the active use of BTBR mice as a model object, the understanding of the molecular features of this strain that cause the observed behavioral phenotype remains insufficient. Here, we analyzed recently published data from independent transcriptomic and proteomic studies on hippocampal and corticostriatal samples from BTBR mice to search for the most consistent aberrations in gene or protein expression. Next, we compared reproducible molecular signatures of BTBR mice with data on postmortem samples from ASD and SCZ patients. Taken together, these data helped us to elucidate brain-region-specific molecular abnormalities in BTBR mice as well as their relevance to the anomalies seen in ASDs or SCZ in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polina Kisaretova
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Pirogova Street 2, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Anton Tsybko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Natalia Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
| | - Vasiliy Reshetnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospekt Akad. Lavrentyeva 10, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Avenue, Sochi 354340, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Roussel Y, Verasztó C, Rodarie D, Damart T, Reimann M, Ramaswamy S, Markram H, Keller D. Mapping of morpho-electric features to molecular identity of cortical inhibitory neurons. PLoS Comput Biol 2023; 19:e1010058. [PMID: 36602951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of the cell-type-specific composition of the brain is useful in order to understand the role of each cell type as part of the network. Here, we estimated the composition of the whole cortex in terms of well characterized morphological and electrophysiological inhibitory neuron types (me-types). We derived probabilistic me-type densities from an existing atlas of molecularly defined cell-type densities in the mouse cortex. We used a well-established me-type classification from rat somatosensory cortex to populate the cortex. These me-types were well characterized morphologically and electrophysiologically but they lacked molecular marker identity labels. To extrapolate this missing information, we employed an additional dataset from the Allen Institute for Brain Science containing molecular identity as well as morphological and electrophysiological data for mouse cortical neurons. We first built a latent space based on a number of comparable morphological and electrical features common to both data sources. We then identified 19 morpho-electrical clusters that merged neurons from both datasets while being molecularly homogeneous. The resulting clusters best mirror the molecular identity classification solely using available morpho-electrical features. Finally, we stochastically assigned a molecular identity to a me-type neuron based on the latent space cluster it was assigned to. The resulting mapping was used to derive inhibitory me-types densities in the cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yann Roussel
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Csaba Verasztó
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Dimitri Rodarie
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tanguy Damart
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Michael Reimann
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Srikanth Ramaswamy
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Henry Markram
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Geneva, Switzerland
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6
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Cao C, Li Q, Chen Y, Zou M, Sun C, Li X, Wu L. Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis Reveals the Metabolic Disturbances and Exacerbation of Oxidative Stress in the Cerebral Cortex of a BTBR Mouse Model of Autism. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:15-27. [PMID: 36574152 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-022-02096-6] [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: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The etiology and pathology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are still poorly understood, which largely limit the treatment and diagnosis of ASDs. Emerging evidence supports that abnormal metabolites in the cerebral cortex of a BTBR mouse model of autism are involved in the pathogenesis of autism. However, systematic study on global metabolites in the cerebral cortex of BTBR mice has not been conducted. The current study aims to characterize metabolic changes in the cerebral cortex of BTBR mice by using an untargeted metabolomic approach based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. C57BL/6 J mice were used as a control group. A total of 14 differential metabolites were identified. Compared with the control group, the intensities of PI(16:0/22:5(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z)), PC(22:6(4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)/18:1(9Z)), PA(16:0/18:1(11Z)), 17-beta-estradiol-3-glucuronide, and N6,N6,N6-trimethyl-L-lysine decreased significantly (p < 0.01) and the intensities of 2-oxo-4-hydroxy-4-carboxy-5-ureidoimidazoline, LysoPC(20:4(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z)/0:0), adenosine monophosphate, adenosine-5'-phosphosulfate, LacCer(d18:1/12:0),3-dehydro-L-gulonate, N-(1-deoxy-1-fructosyl)tryptophan, homovanillic acid, and LPA(0:0/18:1(9Z)) increased significantly (p < 0.01) in the BTBR group. These changes in metabolites were closely related to perturbations in lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, purine metabolism, sulfur metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and carnitine biosynthesis. Notably, exacerbation of the oxidative stress response caused by differential prooxidant metabolites led to alteration of antioxidative systems in the cerebral cortex and resulted in mitochondrial dysfunction, further leading to abnormal energy metabolism as an etiological mechanism of autism. A central role of abnormal metabolites in neurological functions associated with behavioral outcomes and disturbance of sulfur metabolism and carnitine biosynthesis were found in the cerebral cortex of BTBR mice, which helped increase our understanding for exploring the pathological mechanism of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Can Cao
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Qi Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Yanping Chen
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Mingyang Zou
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Caihong Sun
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Xiangning Li
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China
| | - Lijie Wu
- Department of Children's and Adolescent Health, Public Health College of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150081, China.
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The live biotherapeutic Blautia stercoris MRx0006 attenuates social deficits, repetitive behaviour, and anxiety-like behaviour in a mouse model relevant to autism. Brain Behav Immun 2022; 106:115-126. [PMID: 35995237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by deficits in social behaviour, increased repetitive behaviour, anxiety and gastrointestinal symptoms. The aetiology of ASD is complex and involves an interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Emerging pre-clinical and clinical studies have documented a potential role for the gut microbiome in ASD, and consequently, the microbiota represents a potential target in the development of novel therapeutics for this neurodevelopmental disorder. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of the live biotherapeutic strain, Blautia stercoris MRx0006, in attenuating some of the behavioural deficits in the autism-relevant, genetic mouse model, BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR). We demonstrate that daily oral administration with MRx0006 attenuates social deficits while also decreasing repetitive and anxiety-like behaviour. MRx0006 administration increases the gene expression of oxytocin and its receptor in hypothalamic cells in vitro and increases the expression of hypothalamic arginine vasopressin and oxytocin mRNA in BTBR mice. Additionally at the microbiome level, we observed that MRx0006 administration decreases the abundance of Alistipes putredinis, and modulates the faecal microbial metabolite profile. This alteration in the metabolite profile possibly underlies the observed increase in expression of oxytocin, arginine vasopressin and its receptors, and the consequent improvements in behavioural outcomes. Taken together, these findings suggest that the live biotherapeutic MRx0006 may represent a viable and efficacious treatment option for the management of physiological and behavioural deficits associated with ASD.
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8
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Yang D, Zhao Y, Nie B, An L, Wan X, Wang Y, Wang W, Cai G, Wu S. Progress in magnetic resonance imaging of autism model mice brain. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS. COGNITIVE SCIENCE 2022; 13:e1616. [PMID: 35930672 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.1616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease characterized by social disorder and stereotypical behaviors with an increasing incidence. ASD patients are suffering from varying degrees of mental retardation and language development abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive imaging technology to detect brain structural and functional dysfunction in vivo, playing an important role in the early diagnosisbasic research of ASD. High-field, small-animal MRI in basic research of autism model mice has provided a new approach to research the pathogenesis, characteristics, and intervention efficacy in autism. This article reviews MRI studies of mouse models of autism over the past 20 years. Reduced gray matter, abnormal connections of brain networks, and abnormal development of white matter fibers have been demonstrated in these studies, which are present in different proportions in the various mouse models. This provides a more macroscopic view for subsequent research on autism model mice. This article is categorized under: Cognitive Biology > Genes and Environment Neuroscience > Computation Neuroscience > Genes, Molecules, and Cells Neuroscience > Development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingding Yang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Binbin Nie
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Leiting An
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xiangdong Wan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yazhou Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guohong Cai
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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9
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Vijaya Shankara J, Horsley KG, Cheng N, Rho JM, Antle MC. Circadian Responses to Light in the BTBR Mouse. J Biol Rhythms 2022; 37:498-515. [PMID: 35722987 PMCID: PMC9452857 DOI: 10.1177/07487304221102279] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Animals with altered freerunning periods are valuable in understanding properties of the circadian clock. Understanding the relationship between endogenous clock properties, entrainment, and influence of light in terms of parametric and non-parametric models can help us better understand how different populations adapt to external light cycles. Many clinical populations often show significant changes in circadian properties that in turn cause sleep and circadian problems, possibly exacerbating their underlying clinical condition. BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice are a model commonly used for the study of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Adults and adolescents with ASD frequently exhibit profound sleep and circadian disruptions, including increased latency to sleep, insomnia, advanced and delayed sleep phase disorders, and sleep fragmentation. Here, we investigated the circadian phenotype of BTBR mice in freerunning and light-entrained conditions and found that this strain of mice showed noticeably short freerunning periods (~22.75 h). In addition, when compared to C57BL/6J controls, BTBR mice also showed higher levels of activity even though this activity was compressed into a shorter active phase. Phase delays and phase advances to light were significantly larger in BTBR mice. Despite the short freerunning period, BTBR mice exhibited normal entrainment in light-dark cycles and accelerated entrainment to both advanced and delayed light cycles. Their ability to entrain to skeleton photoperiods of 1 min suggests that this entrainment cannot be attributed to masking. Period differences were also correlated with differences in the number of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide–expressing cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). Overall, the BTBR model, with their unique freerunning and entrainment properties, makes an interesting model to understand the underlying circadian clock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhenkruthi Vijaya Shankara
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Katelyn G Horsley
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ning Cheng
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jong M Rho
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego and Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Michael C Antle
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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10
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Fenlon LR, Suarez R, Lynton Z, Richards LJ. The evolution, formation and connectivity of the anterior commissure. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 118:50-59. [PMID: 33958283 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The anterior commissure is the most ancient of the forebrain interhemispheric connections among all vertebrates. Indeed, it is the predominant pallial commissure in all non-eutherian vertebrates, universally subserving basic functions related to olfaction and survival. A key feature of the anterior commissure is its ability to convey connections from diverse brain areas, such as most of the neocortex in non-eutherian mammals, thereby mediating the bilateral integration of diverse functions. Shared developmental mechanisms between the anterior commissure and more evolutionarily recent commissures, such as the corpus callosum in eutherians, have led to the hypothesis that the former may have been a precursor for additional expansion of commissural circuits. However, differences between the formation of the anterior commissure and other telencephalic commissures suggest that independent developmental mechanisms underlie the emergence of these connections in extant species. Here, we review the developmental mechanisms and connectivity of the anterior commissure across evolutionarily distant species, and highlight its potential functional importance in humans, both in the course of normal neurodevelopment, and as a site of plastic axonal rerouting in the absence or damage of other connections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Fenlon
- The University of Queensland, The Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Rodrigo Suarez
- The University of Queensland, The Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Zorana Lynton
- The University of Queensland, The Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia; The Faculty of Medicine, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Linda J Richards
- The University of Queensland, The Queensland Brain Institute, Brisbane, Australia; The School of Biomedical Sciences, Brisbane, Australia.
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11
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Geisler SM, Benedetti A, Schöpf CL, Schwarzer C, Stefanova N, Schwartz A, Obermair GJ. Phenotypic Characterization and Brain Structure Analysis of Calcium Channel Subunit α 2δ-2 Mutant (Ducky) and α 2δ Double Knockout Mice. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2021; 13:634412. [PMID: 33679366 PMCID: PMC7933509 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2021.634412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Auxiliary α2δ subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels modulate channel trafficking, current properties, and synapse formation. Three of the four isoforms (α2δ-1, α2δ-2, and α2δ-3) are abundantly expressed in the brain; however, of the available knockout models, only α2δ-2 knockout or mutant mice display an obvious abnormal neurological phenotype. Thus, we hypothesize that the neuronal α2δ isoforms may have partially specific as well as redundant functions. To address this, we generated three distinct α2δ double knockout mouse models by crossbreeding single knockout (α2δ-1 and -3) or mutant (α2δ-2/ducky) mice. Here, we provide a first phenotypic description and brain structure analysis. We found that genotypic distribution of neonatal litters in distinct α2δ-1/-2, α2δ-1/-3, and α2δ-2/-3 breeding combinations did not conform to Mendel's law, suggesting premature lethality of single and double knockout mice. Notably, high occurrences of infant mortality correlated with the absence of specific α2δ isoforms (α2Δ-2 > α2δ-1 > α2δ-3), and was particularly observed in cages with behaviorally abnormal parenting animals of α2δ-2/-3 cross-breedings. Juvenile α2δ-1/-2 and α2δ-2/-3 double knockout mice displayed a waddling gate similar to ducky mice. However, in contrast to ducky and α2δ-1/-3 double knockout animals, α2δ-1/-2 and α2δ-2/-3 double knockout mice showed a more severe disease progression and highly impaired development. The observed phenotypes within the individual mouse lines may be linked to differences in the volume of specific brain regions. Reduced cortical volume in ducky mice, for example, was associated with a progressively decreased space between neurons, suggesting a reduction of total synaptic connections. Taken together, our findings show that α2δ subunits differentially regulate premature survival, postnatal growth, brain development, and behavior, suggesting specific neuronal functions in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie M. Geisler
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Center for Molecular Biosciences, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Ariane Benedetti
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens L. Schöpf
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christoph Schwarzer
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Nadia Stefanova
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Arnold Schwartz
- Department of Pharmacology and Systems Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Gerald J. Obermair
- Institute of Physiology, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Division Physiology, Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
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12
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Cheng N, Pagtalunan E, Abushaibah A, Naidu J, Stell WK, Rho JM, Sauvé Y. Atypical visual processing in a mouse model of autism. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12390. [PMID: 32709898 PMCID: PMC7381655 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68589-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Human social cognition relies heavily on the processing of various visual cues, such as eye contact and facial expressions. Atypical visual perception and integration have been recognized as key phenotypes in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and may potentially contribute to impediments in normal social development, a hallmark of ASD. Meanwhile, increasing studies on visual function in ASD have pointed to detail-oriented perception, which has been hypothesized to result from heightened response to information of high spatial frequency. However, mixed results of human studies have led to much debate, and investigations using animal models have been limited. Here, using BTBR mice as a model of idiopathic ASD, we assessed retinal stimulus processing by full-field electroretinogram and found impaired photoreceptor function and retina-based alterations mostly in the cone pathway. Using the optokinetic reflex to evaluate visual function, we observed robustly enhanced visual response to finer spatial details and more subtle contrasts at only higher spatial frequencies in the BTBR mice, under both photopic and scotopic conditions. These behavioral results, which are similar to findings in a subset of ASD patients, indicate a bias toward processing information of high spatial frequencies. Together, these findings also suggest that, while enhancement of visual behaviors under both photopic and scotopic conditions might be due to alterations in visual processing common to both rod and cone pathways, these mechanisms are probably downstream of photoreceptor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Cheng
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Eden Pagtalunan
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Abdulrahman Abushaibah
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jessica Naidu
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,O'Brien Centre for the Bachelor of Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - William K Stell
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jong M Rho
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada.,Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics, University of California San Diego, Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Yves Sauvé
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Physiology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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13
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Ataei S, Abaspanah S, Haddadi R, Mohammadi M, Nili-Ahmadabadi A. Therapeutic Potential of Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers on Oxidative Injury Caused by Organophosphates in Cortex and Cerebellum: An In Vivo Study. Indian J Clin Biochem 2020; 35:339-346. [PMID: 32647412 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-019-00830-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the effects of amlodipine (AM), a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker, on the oxidative damage induced by diazinon (DZN) in the rat cortex and cerebellum. Forty-two rats were randomly divided into six groups. The rats were treated intraperitoneally with normal saline (group 1), AM (9 mg/kg; group 2), DZN (32 mg/kg; group 3) and different doses of AM (3, 6, and 9 mg/kg; groups 4, 5, and 6, respectively) with DZN. After 14 days, the cerebellum and cortex tissues were removed for biochemical and histological experiments. DZN significantly decreased acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE; 57%, p < 0.001 and 39.1%, p < 0.05), depleted total antioxidant capacity (TAC; 46.2%, p < 0.01 and 44.7%, p < 0.05), and increased lactate dehydrogenase activity (LDH; 96%, p < 0.001 and 202%, p < 0.001), nitric oxide (NO; 130%, p < 0.001 and 74.4%, p < 0.001), and lipid peroxidation levels (LPO; 35.6%, p < 0.001 and 128.7%, p < 0.001), in the cerebellum and cortex tissues, respectively. In addition, DZN induced structural alterations in the cerebellum and cortex. Following AM administration, a remarkable improvement was observed in LDH activity and some of the oxidative markers, such as NO and LPO; however, no significant changes were found in AChE activity when the DZN group was compared with the AM-treated groups. This study suggests that AM may prevent DZN-induced neurotoxicity via improvement of the oxidative/antioxidant balance in the cerebellum and cortex tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ataei
- Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Susan Abaspanah
- Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8678-3-65178 Hamadan, Iran
| | - Rasool Haddadi
- Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8678-3-65178 Hamadan, Iran
| | - Mojdeh Mohammadi
- Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8678-3-65178 Hamadan, Iran
| | - Amir Nili-Ahmadabadi
- Medicinal Plants and Natural Products Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8678-3-65178 Hamadan, Iran
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14
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Huang L, Kebschull JM, Fürth D, Musall S, Kaufman MT, Churchland AK, Zador AM. BRICseq Bridges Brain-wide Interregional Connectivity to Neural Activity and Gene Expression in Single Animals. Cell 2020; 182:177-188.e27. [PMID: 32619423 PMCID: PMC7771207 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Comprehensive analysis of neuronal networks requires brain-wide measurement of connectivity, activity, and gene expression. Although high-throughput methods are available for mapping brain-wide activity and transcriptomes, comparable methods for mapping region-to-region connectivity remain slow and expensive because they require averaging across hundreds of brains. Here we describe BRICseq (brain-wide individual animal connectome sequencing), which leverages DNA barcoding and sequencing to map connectivity from single individuals in a few weeks and at low cost. Applying BRICseq to the mouse neocortex, we find that region-to-region connectivity provides a simple bridge relating transcriptome to activity: the spatial expression patterns of a few genes predict region-to-region connectivity, and connectivity predicts activity correlations. We also exploited BRICseq to map the mutant BTBR mouse brain, which lacks a corpus callosum, and recapitulated its known connectopathies. BRICseq allows individual laboratories to compare how age, sex, environment, genetics, and species affect neuronal wiring and to integrate these with functional activity and gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longwen Huang
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Justus M Kebschull
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Daniel Fürth
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Simon Musall
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA
| | - Matthew T Kaufman
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA; Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | | | - Anthony M Zador
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA.
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15
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Sellers KJ, Denley MCS, Saito A, Foster EM, Salgarella I, Delogu A, Kamiya A, Srivastava DP. Brain-synthesized oestrogens regulate cortical migration in a sexually divergent manner. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:2646-2663. [PMID: 32314480 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Oestrogens play an important role in brain development where they have been implicated in controlling various cellular processes. Several lines of evidence have been presented showing that oestrogens can be synthesized locally within the brain. Studies have demonstrated that aromatase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens to oestrogens, is expressed during early development in both male and female cortices. Furthermore, 17β-oestradiol has been measured in foetal brain tissue from multiple species. 17β-oestradiol regulates neural progenitor proliferation as well as the development of early neuronal morphology. However, what role locally derived oestrogens play in regulating cortical migration and, moreover, whether these effects are the same in males and females are unknown. Here, we investigated the impact of knockdown expression of Cyp19a1, which encodes aromatase, between embryonic day (E) 14.5 and postnatal day 0 (P0) had on neural migration within the cortex. Aromatase was expressed in the developing cortex of both sexes, but at significantly higher levels in male than female mice. Under basal conditions, no obvious differences in cortical migration between male and female mice were observed. However, knockdown of Cyp19a1 resulted in an increase in cells within the cortical plate, and a concurrent decrease in the subventricular zone/ventricular zone in P0 male mice. Interestingly, the opposite effect was observed in females, who displayed a significant reduction in cells migrating to the cortical plate. Together, these findings indicate that brain-derived oestrogens regulate radial migration through distinct mechanisms in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine J Sellers
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Matthew C S Denley
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Atsushi Saito
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Evangeline M Foster
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Irene Salgarella
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alessio Delogu
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Atsushi Kamiya
- The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, John Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Deepak P Srivastava
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
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16
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Szczupak D, Liu C, Yen CCC, Choi SH, Meireles F, Victorino C, Richards L, Lent R, Silva AC, Tovar-Moll F. Long-distance aberrant heterotopic connectivity in a mouse strain with a high incidence of callosal anomalies. Neuroimage 2020; 217:116875. [PMID: 32335262 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Corpus callosum dysgenesis (CCD) is a developmental brain condition in which some white matter fibers fail to find their natural course across the midplane, reorganizing instead to form new aberrant pathways. This type of white matter reorganization is known as long-distance plasticity (LDP). The present work aimed to characterize the Balb/c mouse strain as a model of CCD. We employed high-resolution anatomical MRI in 81 Balb/c and 27 C57bl6 mice to show that the Balb/c mouse strain presents a variance in the size of the CC that is 3.9 times higher than the variance of normotypical C57bl6. We also performed high-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in 8 Balb/c and found that the Balb/c strain shows aberrant white matter bundles, such as the Probst (5/8 animals) and the Sigmoid bundles (7/8 animals), which are similar to those found in humans with CCD. Using a histological tracer technique, we confirmed the existence of these aberrant bundles in the Balb/c strain. Interestingly, we also identified sigmoid-like fibers in the C57bl6 strain, thought to a lesser degree. Next, we used a connectome approach and found widespread brain connectivity differences between Balb/c and C57bl6 strains. The Balb/c strain also exhibited increased variability of global connectivity. These findings suggest that the Balb/c strain presents local and global changes in brain structural connectivity. This strain often presents with callosal abnormalities, along with the Probst and the Sigmoid bundles, making it is an attractive animal model for CCD and LDP in general. Our results also show that even the C57bl6 strain, which typically serves as a normotypical control animal in a myriad of studies, presents sigmoid-fashion pattern fibers laid out in the brain. These results suggest that these aberrant fiber pathways may not necessarily be a pathological hallmark, but instead an alternative roadmap for misguided axons. Such findings offer new insights for interpreting the significance of CCD-associated LDP in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Szczupak
- Post-Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; National Institutes of Health, USA; University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Cirong Liu
- National Institutes of Health, USA; University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | | | - Sang-Ho Choi
- National Institutes of Health, USA; University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Fernanda Meireles
- D'Or Institute Research and Education (IDOR), Brazil; National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Caroline Victorino
- D'Or Institute Research and Education (IDOR), Brazil; National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Linda Richards
- The University of Queensland, Queensland Brain Institute and the School of Biomedical Science, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Roberto Lent
- Post-Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; D'Or Institute Research and Education (IDOR), Brazil
| | - Afonso C Silva
- National Institutes of Health, USA; University of Pittsburgh, USA
| | - Fernanda Tovar-Moll
- Post-Graduate Program in Morphological Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; D'Or Institute Research and Education (IDOR), Brazil; National Center of Structural Biology and Bioimaging (CENABIO), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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17
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Changes in the Fluorescence Tracking of NaV1.6 Protein Expression in a BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J Autistic Mouse Model. Neural Plast 2019; 2019:4893103. [PMID: 31933626 PMCID: PMC6942885 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4893103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The axon initial segment (AIS), the site of action potential initiation in neurons, is a critical determinant of neuronal excitability. Growing evidence indicates that appropriate recruitment of the AIS macrocomplex is essential for synchronized firing. However, disruption of the AIS structure is linked to the etiology of multiple disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a condition characterized by deficits in social communication, stereotyped behaviors, and very limited interests. To date, a complete understanding of the molecular components that underlie the AIS in ASD has remained elusive. In this research, we examined the AIS structure in a BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mouse model (BTBR), a valid model that exhibits behavioral, electrical, and molecular features of autism, and compared this to the C57BL/6J wild-type control mouse. Using Western blot studies and high-resolution confocal microscopy in the prefrontal frontal cortex (PFC), our data indicate disrupted expression of different isoforms of the voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) at the AIS, whereas other components of AIS such as ankyrin-G and fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) and contactin-associated protein 1 (Caspr) in BTBR were comparable to those in wild-type control mice. A Western blot assay showed that BTBR mice exhibited a marked increase in different sodium channel isoforms in the PFC compared to wild-type mice. Our results provide potential evidence for previously undescribed mechanisms that may play a role in the pathogenesis of autistic-like phenotypes in BTBR mice.
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18
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been hypothesized to be a result of altered connectivity in the brain. Recent imaging studies suggest accelerated maturation of the white matter in young children with ASD, with underlying mechanisms unknown. Myelin is an integral part of the white matter and critical for connectivity; however, its role in ASD remains largely unclear. Here, we investigated myelin development in a model of idiopathic ASD, the BTBR mice. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed that fiber tracts in the frontal brain of the BTBR mice had increased volume at postnatal day 6, but the difference reduced over time, reminiscent of the findings in young patients. We further identified that myelination in the frontal brain of both male and female neonatal BTBR mice was increased, associated with elevated levels of myelin basic protein. However, myelin pattern was unaltered in adult BTBR mice, revealing accelerated developmental trajectory of myelination. Consistently, we found that signaling of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) was reduced in the frontal brain of neonatal BTBR mice. However, levels of microRNA species known to regulate PDGFRα signaling and myelination were unaltered. Together, these results suggest that precocious myelination could potentially contribute to increased volume and connectivity of the white matter observed in young children with ASD.
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19
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Wang M, Chang Q, Yang H, Liu Y, Wang C, Hu F, Wei H, Li R. Elevated lysine crotonylation and succinylation in the brains of BTBR mice. Int J Dev Neurosci 2019; 76:61-64. [PMID: 31255717 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2019.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse has developmental disorders in the central nervous system and many aberrant neuroanatomical structures. However, identification of the pathological mechanisms underlying these abnormal neuroanatomical structures in the brains of BTBR mice is still lacking. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are known to be involved in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, and evidence shows that some types of PTMs are associated with the development of the central nervous system. In this study, we detected four novel PTMs in the cerebral cortex of BTBR mice as compared to C57BL/6 J (B6) mice using western blotting. Results revealed that lysine crotonylation and succinylation were elevated in the cerebral cortex of BTBR mice compared to levels in B6 mice. We speculate that elevated profiles of lysine crotonylation and succinylation may be involved in mechanisms related to neuroanatomical abnormalities in cerebral cortex of BTBR mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qiaoqiao Chang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Yongfeng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Chunfang Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal and Animal Model of Human Diseases, Taiyuan, China
| | - Fengyun Hu
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hongen Wei
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Rongshan Li
- Nephrology Division, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliate of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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20
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Functional and structural asymmetry in primary motor cortex in Asperger syndrome: a navigated TMS and imaging study. Brain Topogr 2019; 32:504-518. [PMID: 30949863 PMCID: PMC6477009 DOI: 10.1007/s10548-019-00704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Motor functions are frequently impaired in Asperger syndrome (AS). In this study, we examined the motor cortex structure and function using navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (nTMS) and voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and correlated the results with the box and block test (BBT) of manual dexterity and physical activity in eight boys with AS, aged 8–11 years, and their matched controls. With nTMS, we found less focused cortical representation areas of distinct hand muscles in AS. There was hemispheric asymmetry in the motor maps, silent period duration and active MEP latency in the AS group, but not in controls. Exploratory VBM analysis revealed less gray matter in the left postcentral gyrus, especially in the face area, and less white matter in the precentral area in AS as compared to controls. On the contrary, in the right leg area, subjects with AS displayed an increased density of gray matter. The structural findings of the left hemisphere correlated negatively with BBT score in controls, whereas the structure of the right hemisphere in the AS group correlated positively with motor function as assessed by BBT. These preliminary functional (neurophysiological and behavioral) findings are indicative of asymmetry, and co-existing structural alterations may reflect the motor impairments causing the deteriorations in manual dexterity and other motor functions commonly encountered in children with AS.
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21
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Crimi A, Giancardo L, Sambataro F, Gozzi A, Murino V, Sona D. MultiLink Analysis: Brain Network Comparison via Sparse Connectivity Analysis. Sci Rep 2019; 9:65. [PMID: 30635604 PMCID: PMC6329758 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37300-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The analysis of the brain from a connectivity perspective is revealing novel insights into brain structure and function. Discovery is, however, hindered by the lack of prior knowledge used to make hypotheses. Additionally, exploratory data analysis is made complex by the high dimensionality of data. Indeed, to assess the effect of pathological states on brain networks, neuroscientists are often required to evaluate experimental effects in case-control studies, with hundreds of thousands of connections. In this paper, we propose an approach to identify the multivariate relationships in brain connections that characterize two distinct groups, hence permitting the investigators to immediately discover the subnetworks that contain information about the differences between experimental groups. In particular, we are interested in data discovery related to connectomics, where the connections that characterize differences between two groups of subjects are found. Nevertheless, those connections do not necessarily maximize the accuracy in classification since this does not guarantee reliable interpretation of specific differences between groups. In practice, our method exploits recent machine learning techniques employing sparsity to deal with weighted networks describing the whole-brain macro connectivity. We evaluated our technique on functional and structural connectomes from human and murine brain data. In our experiments, we automatically identified disease-relevant connections in datasets with supervised and unsupervised anatomy-driven parcellation approaches and by using high-dimensional datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Crimi
- Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy. .,Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Luca Giancardo
- Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, USA
| | - Fabio Sambataro
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medical Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Vittorio Murino
- Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Diego Sona
- Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.,Neuroinformatics Laboratory, Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy
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22
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Oishi S, Harkins D, Kurniawan ND, Kasherman M, Harris L, Zalucki O, Gronostajski RM, Burne THJ, Piper M. Heterozygosity for Nuclear Factor One X in mice models features of Malan syndrome. EBioMedicine 2019; 39:388-400. [PMID: 30503862 PMCID: PMC6354567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.11.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nuclear Factor One X (NFIX) haploinsufficiency in humans results in Malan syndrome, a disorder characterized by overgrowth, macrocephaly and intellectual disability. Although clinical assessments have determined the underlying symptomology of Malan syndrome, the fundamental mechanisms contributing to the enlarged head circumference and intellectual disability in these patients remains undefined. METHODS Here, we used Nfix heterozygous mice as a model to investigate these aspects of Malan syndrome. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to calculate the volumes of 20 brain sub regions. Diffusion tensor MRI was used to perform tractography-based analyses of the corpus callosum, hippocampal commissure, and anterior commissure, as well as structural connectome mapping of the whole brain. Immunohistochemistry examined the neocortical cellular populations. Two behavioral assays were performed, including the active place avoidance task to assess spatial navigation and learning and memory function, and the 3-chambered sociability task to examine social behaviour. FINDINGS Adult Nfix+/- mice exhibit significantly increased brain volume (megalencephaly) compared to wildtypes, with the cerebral cortex showing the highest increase. Moreover, all three forebrain commissures, in particular the anterior commissure, revealed significantly reduced fractional anisotropy, axial and radial diffusivity, and tract density intensity. Structural connectome analyses revealed aberrant connectivity between many crucial brain regions. Finally, Nfix+/- mice exhibit behavioral deficits that model intellectual disability. INTERPRETATION Collectively, these data provide a significant conceptual advance in our understanding of Malan syndrome by suggesting that megalencephaly underlies the enlarged head size of these patients, and that disrupted cortical connectivity may contribute to the intellectual disability these patients exhibit. FUND: Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Project Grants, ARC Fellowship, NYSTEM and Australian Postgraduate Fellowships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Oishi
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Danyon Harkins
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Nyoman D Kurniawan
- The Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Maria Kasherman
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Lachlan Harris
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, King's Cross, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oressia Zalucki
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Richard M Gronostajski
- Department of Biochemistry, Program in Genetics, Genomics and Bioinformatics, Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics and Life Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
| | - Thomas H J Burne
- The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Wacol, Brisbane, QLD 4076, Australia
| | - Michael Piper
- The School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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23
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Non-diagnostic symptoms in a mouse model of autism in relation to neuroanatomy: the BTBR strain reinvestigated. Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:234. [PMID: 30367028 PMCID: PMC6203744 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Several mouse models of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including the BTBR T + tf/J (BTBR) inbred strain, display a diverse array of behavioral deficits with particular face validity. Here we propose that phenotyping these preclinical models of ASD should avoid excessive reliance on appearance validity of the behavioral observations. BTBR mice were examined in three non-diagnostic symptoms modalities, beside an anatomical investigation for construct validity. The BTBR strain displayed poor sensorimotor integration as reflected by shorter stride length and greater latency on the balance beam task (BBT) when compared with C57BL/6 (B6) controls. Also, locomotor indices in the open-field task (OFT) revealed that BTBR mice traveled longer distances with a remarkably faster exploration than the B6 group in favor of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. Furthermore, analysis of spatial performance including search strategies in the Morris water task (MWT) indicated spatial impairment in the BTBR strain due to failure to employ spatial strategies during navigation. Quantitative cytoarchitectonics and volumetric examinations also indicated abnormal cortical and subcortical morphology in the BTBR mice. The results are discussed in relation to the neuroanatomical correlates of motor and cognitive impairments in the BTBR strain. We conclude that non-diagnostic autistic-like symptoms in the BTBR mouse strain can be impacted by autism risk factors in a similar way than the traditional diagnostic signs.
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24
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Keller D, Erö C, Markram H. Cell Densities in the Mouse Brain: A Systematic Review. Front Neuroanat 2018; 12:83. [PMID: 30405363 PMCID: PMC6205984 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2018.00083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse brain is the most extensively studied brain of all species. We performed an exhaustive review of the literature to establish our current state of knowledge on cell numbers in mouse brain regions, arguably the most fundamental property to measure when attempting to understand a brain. The synthesized information, collected in one place, can be used by both theorists and experimentalists. Although for commonly-studied regions cell densities could be obtained for principal cell types, overall we know very little about how many cells are present in most brain regions and even less about cell-type specific densities. There is also substantial variation in cell density values obtained from different sources. This suggests that we need a new approach to obtain cell density datasets for the mouse brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Keller
- Blue Brain Project, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Geneva, Switzerland
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25
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Chao OY, Yunger R, Yang YM. Behavioral assessments of BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mice by tests of object attention and elevated open platform: Implications for an animal model of psychiatric comorbidity in autism. Behav Brain Res 2018; 347:140-147. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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26
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Bridging Autism Spectrum Disorders and Schizophrenia through inflammation and biomarkers - pre-clinical and clinical investigations. J Neuroinflammation 2017; 14:179. [PMID: 28870209 PMCID: PMC5584030 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-017-0938-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, evidence supporting a link between inflammation and neuropsychiatric disorders has been mounting. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia share some clinical similarities which we hypothesize might reflect the same biological basis, namely, in terms of inflammation. However, the diagnosis of ASD and schizophrenia relies solely on clinical symptoms, and to date, there is no clinically useful biomarker to diagnose or monitor the course of such illnesses. The focus of this review is the central role that inflammation plays in ASD and schizophrenia. It spans from pre-clinical animal models to clinical research and excludes in vitro studies. Four major areas are covered: (1) microglia, the inflammatory brain resident myeloid cells, (2) biomarkers, including circulating cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and microRNA players, known to influence cellular processes at brain and immune levels, (3) effect of anti-psychotics on biomarkers and other predictors of response, and (4) impact of gender on response to immune activation, biomarkers, and response to anti-psychotic treatments.
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27
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Fenlon LR, Suárez R, Richards LJ. The anatomy, organisation and development of contralateral callosal projections of the mouse somatosensory cortex. Brain Neurosci Adv 2017; 1:2398212817694888. [PMID: 32166131 PMCID: PMC7058258 DOI: 10.1177/2398212817694888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Alterations in the development of neuronal connectivity can result in dramatic outcomes for brain function. In the cerebral cortex, most sensorimotor and higher-order functions require coordination between precise regions of both hemispheres through the axons that form the corpus callosum. However, little is known about how callosal axons locate and innervate their contralateral targets. Methods: Here, we use a combination of in utero electroporation, retrograde tracing, sensory deprivation and high-resolution axonal quantification to investigate the development, organisation and activity dependence of callosal axons arising from the primary somatosensory cortex of mice. Results: We show that distinct contralateral projections arise from different neuronal populations and form homotopic and heterotopic circuits. Callosal axons innervate the contralateral hemisphere following a dorsomedial to ventrolateral and region-specific order. Furthermore, we identify two periods of region- and layer-specific developmental exuberance that correspond to initial callosal axon innervation and subsequent arborisation. Early sensory deprivation affects only the latter of these events. Conclusion: Taken together, these results reveal the main developmental events of contralateral callosal targeting and may aid future understanding of the formation and pathologies of brain connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura R Fenlon
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rodrigo Suárez
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Linda J Richards
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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28
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Meyza KZ, Blanchard DC. The BTBR mouse model of idiopathic autism - Current view on mechanisms. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 76:99-110. [PMID: 28167097 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder, with current estimates of more than 1% of affected children across nations. The patients form a highly heterogeneous group with only the behavioral phenotype in common. The genetic heterogeneity is reflected in a plethora of animal models representing multiple mutations found in families of affected children. Despite many years of scientific effort, for the majority of cases the genetic cause remains elusive. It is therefore crucial to include well-validated models of idiopathic autism in studies searching for potential therapeutic agents. One of these models is the BTBR T+Itpr3tf/J mouse. The current review summarizes data gathered in recent research on potential molecular mechanisms responsible for the autism-like behavioral phenotype of this strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Z Meyza
- Laboratory of Emotions' Neurobiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur Street, Warsaw, 02-093, Poland.
| | - D C Blanchard
- Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa,1993 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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29
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Vega-Pons S, Olivetti E, Avesani P, Dodero L, Gozzi A, Bifone A. Differential Effects of Brain Disorders on Structural and Functional Connectivity. Front Neurosci 2017; 10:605. [PMID: 28119556 PMCID: PMC5221415 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Different measures of brain connectivity can be defined based on neuroimaging read-outs, including structural and functional connectivity. Neurological and psychiatric conditions are often associated with abnormal connectivity, but comparing the effects of the disease on different types of connectivity remains a challenge. In this paper, we address the problem of quantifying the relative effects of brain disease on structural and functional connectivity at a group level. Within the framework of a graph representation of connectivity, we introduce a kernel two-sample test as an effective method to assess the difference between the patients and control group. Moreover, we propose a common representation space for structural and functional connectivity networks, and a novel test statistics to quantitatively assess differential effects of the disease on different types of connectivity. We apply this approach to a dataset from BTBR mice, a murine model of Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC), a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of the main bundle of fibers connecting the two hemispheres. We used normo-callosal mice (B6) as a comparator. The application of the proposed methods to this data-set shows that the two types of connectivity can be successfully used to discriminate between BTBR and B6, meaning that both types of connectivity are affected by ACC. However, our novel test statistics shows that structural connectivity is significantly more affected than functional connectivity, consistent with the idea that functional connectivity has a robust topology that can tolerate substantial alterations in its structural connectivity substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Vega-Pons
- NeuroInformatics Laboratory, Fondazione Bruno KesslerTrento, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale Mente e Cervello, Università di TrentoTrento, Italy
- Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenova, Italy
| | - Emanuele Olivetti
- NeuroInformatics Laboratory, Fondazione Bruno KesslerTrento, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale Mente e Cervello, Università di TrentoTrento, Italy
| | - Paolo Avesani
- NeuroInformatics Laboratory, Fondazione Bruno KesslerTrento, Italy
- Centro Interdipartimentale Mente e Cervello, Università di TrentoTrento, Italy
| | - Luca Dodero
- Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision, Istituto Italiano di TecnologiaGenova, Italy
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTnRovereto, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTnRovereto, Italy
| | - Angelo Bifone
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @UniTnRovereto, Italy
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30
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Schwartzer JJ, Onore CE, Rose D, Ashwood P. C57BL/6J bone marrow transplant increases sociability in BTBR T + Itpr3 tf/J mice. Brain Behav Immun 2017; 59:55-61. [PMID: 27235929 PMCID: PMC5124415 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2016.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Associative studies across a range of neurodevelopmental disorders have revealed a relationship between immune system function and behavioral deficits. These correlations are particularly evident in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), a developmental disorder characterized by social behavior deficits and noted for its high instances of immune system dysfunction. Mouse models provide a unique opportunity to explore causal links between immune and nervous system function and reveal how changes in these systems alter behavioral profiles. The BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse strain is characterized by both social behavior impairments and aberrant immune responses, affording the unique opportunity to investigate the causal relationship between behavior and immunity through direct manipulation of these systems. Using bone marrow from the highly social C57BL/6J (C57) mouse strain, BTBR mice were tested for changes in social approach behavior and repetitive grooming following irradiation and bone marrow transplant. BTBR recipient mice treated with allogeneic bone marrow from C57 donor mice, but not syngeneic BTBR bone marrow, displayed increased sociability as measured by the three-chamber social approach task and total time spent social sniffing. In addition, C57 recipient mice given allogeneic bone marrow from BTBR donors showed a significant increase in repetitive grooming behavior. These data provide evidence for a causal relationship between peripheral immune phenotype and social behavior in the BTBR mouse strain and further strengthen and expand on our existing understanding of the role of immune function in behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared J. Schwartzer
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616,The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817,Program in Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology and Education, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075
| | - Charity E. Onore
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Destanie Rose
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817,Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Paul Ashwood
- The M.I.N.D. Institute, University of California, Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA 95817, United States; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, United States.
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31
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Cheng N, Khanbabaei M, Murari K, Rho JM. Disruption of visual circuit formation and refinement in a mouse model of autism. Autism Res 2016; 10:212-223. [PMID: 27529416 PMCID: PMC5324550 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant connectivity is believed to contribute to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Recent neuroimaging studies have increasingly identified such impairments in patients with ASD, including alterations in sensory systems. However, the cellular substrates and molecular underpinnings of disrupted connectivity remain poorly understood. Utilizing eye‐specific segregation in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) as a model system, we investigated the formation and refinement of precise patterning of synaptic connections in the BTBR T + tf/J (BTBR) mouse model of ASD. We found that at the neonatal stage, the shape of the dLGN occupied by retinal afferents was altered in the BTBR group compared to C57BL/6J (B6) animals. Notably, the degree of overlap between the ipsi‐ and contralateral afferents was significantly greater in the BTBR mice. Moreover, these abnormalities continued into mature stage in the BTBR animals, suggesting persistent deficits rather than delayed maturation of axonal refinement. Together, these results indicate disrupted connectivity at the synaptic patterning level in the BTBR mice, suggesting that in general, altered neural circuitry may contribute to autistic behaviours seen in this animal model. In addition, these data are consistent with the notion that lower‐level, primary processing mechanisms contribute to altered visual perception in ASD. Autism Res2017, 10: 212–223. © 2016 The Authors Autism Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Autism Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Cheng
- Developmental Neurosciences Research Program, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Maryam Khanbabaei
- Developmental Neurosciences Research Program, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI), Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kartikeya Murari
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jong M Rho
- Departments of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, Physiology & Pharmacology, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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32
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Mottron L, Duret P, Mueller S, Moore RD, Forgeot d'Arc B, Jacquemont S, Xiong L. Sex differences in brain plasticity: a new hypothesis for sex ratio bias in autism. Mol Autism 2015; 6:33. [PMID: 26052415 PMCID: PMC4456778 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0024-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Several observations support the hypothesis that differences in synaptic and regional cerebral plasticity between the sexes account for the high ratio of males to females in autism. First, males are more susceptible than females to perturbations in genes involved in synaptic plasticity. Second, sex-related differences in non-autistic brain structure and function are observed in highly variable regions, namely, the heteromodal associative cortices, and overlap with structural particularities and enhanced activity of perceptual associative regions in autistic individuals. Finally, functional cortical reallocations following brain lesions in non-autistic adults (for example, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis) are sex-dependent. Interactions between genetic sex and hormones may therefore result in higher synaptic and consecutively regional plasticity in perceptual brain areas in males than in females. The onset of autism may largely involve mutations altering synaptic plasticity that create a plastic reaction affecting the most variable and sexually dimorphic brain regions. The sex ratio bias in autism may arise because males have a lower threshold than females for the development of this plastic reaction following a genetic or environmental event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Mottron
- Centre d'excellence en Troubles envahissants du dévelopement de l'Université de Montréal (CETEDUM), Montréal, Canada.,Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies, Département de Psychiatrie, Montréal, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Pauline Duret
- Centre d'excellence en Troubles envahissants du dévelopement de l'Université de Montréal (CETEDUM), Montréal, Canada.,Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies, Département de Psychiatrie, Montréal, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Département de Biologie, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, CEDEX 07 France
| | - Sophia Mueller
- Institute of Clinical Radiology, University Hospitals, Munich, Germany.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA 02129 USA.,Harvard University, Center for Brain Science, Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
| | - Robert D Moore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Health Sciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada.,College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA
| | - Baudouin Forgeot d'Arc
- Centre d'excellence en Troubles envahissants du dévelopement de l'Université de Montréal (CETEDUM), Montréal, Canada.,Hôpital Rivière-des-Prairies, Département de Psychiatrie, Montréal, Canada.,Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Sebastien Jacquemont
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada.,Centre de recherche, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte Justine, Montréal, Canada.,Service of Medical Genetics, University Hospital of Lausanne, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1011 Switzerland
| | - Lan Xiong
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal, Québec, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Montreal, Québec, Canada
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