1
|
Li H, Rodríguez-Nieto G, Chalavi S, Seer C, Mikkelsen M, Edden RAE, Swinnen SP. MRS-assessed brain GABA modulation in response to task performance and learning. BEHAVIORAL AND BRAIN FUNCTIONS : BBF 2024; 20:22. [PMID: 39217354 PMCID: PMC11366171 DOI: 10.1186/s12993-024-00248-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the most important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the human brain, has long been considered essential in human behavior in general and learning in particular. GABA concentration can be quantified using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Using this technique, numerous studies have reported associations between baseline GABA levels and various human behaviors. However, regional GABA concentration is not fixed and may exhibit rapid modulation as a function of environmental factors. Hence, quantification of GABA levels at several time points during the performance of tasks can provide insights into the dynamics of GABA levels in distinct brain regions. This review reports on findings from studies using repeated measures (n = 41) examining the dynamic modulation of GABA levels in humans in response to various interventions in the perceptual, motor, and cognitive domains to explore associations between GABA modulation and human behavior. GABA levels in a specific brain area may increase or decrease during task performance or as a function of learning, depending on its precise involvement in the process under investigation. Here, we summarize the available evidence and derive two overarching hypotheses regarding the role of GABA modulation in performance and learning. Firstly, training-induced increases in GABA levels appear to be associated with an improved ability to differentiate minor perceptual differences during perceptual learning. This observation gives rise to the 'GABA increase for better neural distinctiveness hypothesis'. Secondly, converging evidence suggests that reducing GABA levels may play a beneficial role in effectively filtering perceptual noise, enhancing motor learning, and improving performance in visuomotor tasks. Additionally, some studies suggest that the reduction of GABA levels is related to better working memory and successful reinforcement learning. These observations inspire the 'GABA decrease to boost learning hypothesis', which states that decreasing neural inhibition through a reduction of GABA in dedicated brain areas facilitates human learning. Additionally, modulation of GABA levels is also observed after short-term physical exercise. Future work should elucidate which specific circumstances induce robust GABA modulation to enhance neuroplasticity and boost performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geraldine Rodríguez-Nieto
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sima Chalavi
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Caroline Seer
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mark Mikkelsen
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Group Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Finkelman T, Furman-Haran E, Aberg KC, Paz R, Tal A. Inhibitory mechanisms in the prefrontal-cortex differentially mediate Putamen activity during valence-based learning. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.29.605168. [PMID: 39131397 PMCID: PMC11312490 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.29.605168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Learning from appetitive and aversive stimuli is important for survival. It involves interactions between the prefrontal cortex and subcortical structures, with inhibition playing a crucial role. However, direct evidence for this in humans is limited. Here, we overcome the difficulty of measuring inhibition in the human brain and find that GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter, affects how the dACC interacts with subcortical structures during appetitive and aversive learning differently. We used 7T magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to track GABA levels in the dACC alongside whole-brain fMRI scans while participants engaged in appetitive and aversive learning tasks. During appetitive learning, dACC GABA levels were negatively correlated with learning performance and BOLD activity measured from the dACC and the Putamen. While under aversive learning, dACC GABA concentration negatively correlated with the functional connectivity between the dACC and the Putamen. Our results show that inhibition in the dACC mediates appetitive and aversive learning in humans through distinct mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tal Finkelman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Edna Furman-Haran
- Life Sciences Core Facilities, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Kristoffer C Aberg
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Rony Paz
- Department of Brain Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Assaf Tal
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mugnol-Ugarte L, Bortolini T, Yao B, Mikkelsen M, Carneiro Monteiro M, Andorinho de Freitas Ferreira AC, Bramatti I, Melo B, Hoefle S, Meireles F, Moll J, Pobric G. Transcranial electrical stimulation modulates emotional experience and metabolites in the prefrontal cortex in a donation task. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14271. [PMID: 38902321 PMCID: PMC11190244 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64876-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the neural, metabolic, and psychological mechanisms underlying human altruism and decision-making is a complex and important topic both for science and society. Here, we investigated whether transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) applied to two prefrontal cortex regions, the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC, anode) and the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC, cathode) can induce changes in self-reported emotions and to modulate local metabolite concentrations. We employed in vivo quantitative MR Spectroscopy in healthy adult participants and quantified changes in GABA and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) before and after five sessions of tDCS delivered at 2 mA for 20 min (active group) and 1 min (sham group) while participants were engaged in a charitable donation task. In the active group, we observed increased levels of GABA in vmPFC. Glx levels decreased in both prefrontal regions and self-reported happiness increased significantly over time in the active group. Self-reported guiltiness in both active and sham groups tended to decrease. The results indicate that self-reported happiness can be modulated, possibly due to changes in Glx concentrations following repeated stimulation. Therefore, local changes may induce remote changes in the reward network through interactions with other metabolites, previously thought to be unreachable with noninvasive stimulation techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Mugnol-Ugarte
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Tiago Bortolini
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bo Yao
- Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Mikkelsen
- Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, United States of America
| | - Marina Carneiro Monteiro
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Ivanei Bramatti
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Melo
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sebastian Hoefle
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Meireles
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jorge Moll
- Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroinformatics Unit, The D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Gorana Pobric
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Oh H, Berrington A, Auer DP, Babourina-Brooks B, Faas H, Jung JY. A preliminary study of dynamic neurochemical changes in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during working memory. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 59:2075-2086. [PMID: 38409515 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is one of the fundamental cognitive functions associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). However, the neurochemical mechanisms of WM, including the dynamic changes in neurometabolites such as glutamate and GABA in the DLPFC, remain unclear. Here, we investigated WM-related glutamate and GABA changes, alongside hemodynamic responses in the DLPFC, using a combination of functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). During a WM task, we measured Glx (glutamate + glutamine) and GABA levels using GABA editing MEscher-GArwood Point REsolved Spectroscopy (MEGA-PRESS) sequence and blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes. In the DLPFC, we observed elevated Glx levels and increased BOLD signal changes during a 2-back task. Specifically, the Glx levels in the DLPFC were significantly higher during the 2-back task compared with fixation, although this difference was not significant when compared with a 0-back task. However, Glx levels during the 0-back task were higher than during fixation. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between Glx levels in the DLPFC during the 2-back task and the corresponding BOLD signal changes. Notably, higher Glx increases were associated with increased DLPFC activation and lower WM task performance in individuals. No notable changes in DLPFC GABA levels were observed during WM processing. These findings suggest that the modulation of glutamatergic activity in the DLPFC may play a crucial role in both working memory processing and its associated performance outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyerin Oh
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Adam Berrington
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Dorothee P Auer
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ben Babourina-Brooks
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Henryk Faas
- Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Je Young Jung
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhou Y, Yao Y, Zhai Z, Mohamed MA, Mazzini F, Qi Q, Bortner MJ, Taylor LS, Edgar KJ. Reductive amination of oxidized hydroxypropyl cellulose with ω-aminoalkanoic acids as an efficient route to zwitterionic derivatives. Carbohydr Polym 2024; 328:121699. [PMID: 38220336 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Zwitterionic polymers, with their equal amounts of cationic and anionic functional groups, have found widespread utility including as non-fouling coatings, hydrogel materials, stabilizers, antifreeze materials, and drug carriers. Polysaccharide-derived zwitterionic polymers are attractive because of their sustainable origin, potential for lower toxicity, and possible biodegradability, but previous methods for synthesis of zwitterionic polysaccharide derivatives have been limited in terms of flexibility and attainable degree of substitution (DS) of charged entities. We report herein successful design and synthesis of zwitterionic polysaccharide derivatives, in this case based on cellulose, by reductive amination of oxidized 2-hydroxypropyl cellulose (Ox-HPC) with ω-aminoalkanoic acids. Reductive amination products could be readily obtained with DS(cation) (= DS(anion)) up to 1.6. Adduct hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance (amphiphilicity) can be influenced by selecting the appropriate chain length of the ω-aminoalkanoic acid. This strategy is shown to produce a range of amphiphilic, water-soluble, moderately high glass transition temperature (Tg) polysaccharide derivatives in just a couple of efficient steps from commercially available building blocks. The adducts were evaluated as crystallization inhibitors. They are strong inhibitors of crystallization even for the challenging, poorly soluble, fast-crystallizing prostate cancer drug enzalutamide, as supported by surface tension and Flory-Huggins interaction parameter results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhou
- Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States; Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States; Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, United States.
| | - Yimin Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States; Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Zhenghao Zhai
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Mennatallah A Mohamed
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Fiorella Mazzini
- Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Qingqing Qi
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Michael J Bortner
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States; Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Lynne S Taylor
- Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States
| | - Kevin J Edgar
- Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States; Macromolecules Innovation Institute, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Craven AR, Dwyer G, Ersland L, Kazimierczak K, Noeske R, Sandøy LB, Johnsen E, Hugdahl K. GABA, glutamatergic dynamics and BOLD contrast assessed concurrently using functional MRS during a cognitive task. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2024; 37:e5065. [PMID: 37897259 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.5065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
A recurring issue in functional neuroimaging is how to link task-driven haemodynamic blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI (BOLD-fMRI) responses to underlying neurochemistry at the synaptic level. Glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the major excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters respectively, are typically measured with MRS sequences separately from fMRI, in the absence of a task. The present study aims to resolve this disconnect, developing acquisition and processing techniques to simultaneously assess GABA, glutamate and glutamine (Glx) and BOLD in relation to a cognitive task, at 3 T. Healthy subjects (N = 81) performed a cognitive task (Eriksen flanker), which was presented visually in a task-OFF, task-ON block design, with individual event onset timing jittered with respect to the MRS readout. fMRS data were acquired from the medial anterior cingulate cortex during task performance, using an adapted MEGA-PRESS implementation incorporating unsuppressed water-reference signals at a regular interval. These allowed for continuous assessment of BOLD activation, through T2 *-related changes in water linewidth. BOLD-fMRI data were additionally acquired. A novel linear model was used to extract modelled metabolite spectra associated with discrete functional stimuli, building on well established processing and quantification tools. Behavioural outcomes from the flanker task, and activation patterns from the BOLD-fMRI sequence, were as expected from the literature. BOLD response assessed through fMRS showed a significant correlation with fMRI, specific to the fMRS-targeted region of interest; fMRS-assessed BOLD additionally correlated with lengthening of response time in the incongruent flanker condition. While no significant task-related changes were observed for GABA+, a significant increase in measured Glx levels (~8.8%) was found between task-OFF and task-ON periods. These findings verify the efficacy of our protocol and analysis pipelines for the simultaneous assessment of metabolite dynamics and BOLD. As well as establishing a robust basis for further work using these techniques, we also identify a number of clear directions for further refinement in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander R Craven
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- NORMENT Center of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Gerard Dwyer
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- NORMENT Center of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Ersland
- Department of Clinical Engineering, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- NORMENT Center of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | | | - Lydia Brunvoll Sandøy
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Erik Johnsen
- NORMENT Center of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kenneth Hugdahl
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kujala J, Ciumas C, Jung J, Bouvard S, Lecaignard F, Lothe A, Bouet R, Ryvlin P, Jerbi K. GABAergic inhibition shapes behavior and neural dynamics in human visual working memory. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhad522. [PMID: 38186005 PMCID: PMC10839845 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal inhibition, primarily mediated by GABAergic neurotransmission, is crucial for brain development and healthy cognition. Gamma-aminobutyric acid concentration levels in sensory areas have been shown to correlate with hemodynamic and oscillatory neuronal responses. How these measures relate to one another during working memory, a higher-order cognitive process, is still poorly understood. We address this gap by collecting magnetoencephalography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and Flumazenil positron emission tomography data within the same subject cohort using an n-back working-memory paradigm. By probing the relationship between GABAA receptor distribution, neural oscillations, and Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) modulations, we found that GABAA receptor density in higher-order cortical areas predicted the reaction times on the working-memory task and correlated positively with the peak frequency of gamma power modulations and negatively with BOLD amplitude. These findings support and extend theories linking gamma oscillations and hemodynamic responses to gamma-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission and to the excitation-inhibition balance and cognitive performance in humans. Considering the small sample size of the study, future studies should test whether these findings also hold for other, larger cohorts as well as to examine in detail how the GABAergic system and neural fluctuations jointly support working-memory task performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan Kujala
- Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, PO Box 35, Jyvaskyla FI-40014, Finland
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
| | - Carolina Ciumas
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
- Institute for Child and Adolescent with Epilepsy (IDEE), Lyon F-69000, France
| | - Julien Jung
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
- Department of Epileptology and Functional Neurology, Lyon Neurological Hospital, Lyon F-69000, France
| | - Sandrine Bouvard
- Institute for Child and Adolescent with Epilepsy (IDEE), Lyon F-69000, France
- CERMEP Imaging Center, Bron F-69003, France
| | - Françoise Lecaignard
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
- CERMEP Imaging Center, Bron F-69003, France
| | - Amélie Lothe
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
| | - Romain Bouet
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
| | - Philippe Ryvlin
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
- Institute for Child and Adolescent with Epilepsy (IDEE), Lyon F-69000, France
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, CHUV, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
| | - Karim Jerbi
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, INSERM U1028 - CNRS UMR5292, Lyon F-69000, France
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec H3C 3J7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Tuura RO, Buchmann A, Ritter C, Hase A, Haynes M, Noeske R, Hasler G. Prefrontal Glutathione Levels in Major Depressive Disorder Are Linked to a Lack of Positive Affect. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1475. [PMID: 37891842 PMCID: PMC10605149 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders, with symptoms including persistent sadness and loss of interest. MDD is associated with neurochemical alterations in GABA, glutamate, and glutamine levels but, to date, few studies have examined changes in glutathione (GSH) in MDD. This study investigated changes in GSH in an unmedicated group of young adults, including 46 participants with current (n = 12) or past MDD (n = 34) and 20 healthy controls. Glutathione levels were assessed from GSH-edited magnetic resonance (MR) spectra, acquired from a voxel in the left prefrontal cortex, and depressive symptoms were evaluated with validated questionnaires and clinical assessments. Cortisol levels were also assessed as a marker for acute stress. Participants with current MDD demonstrated elevated GSH in comparison to participants with past MDD and controls, although the results could be influenced by differences in tissue composition within the MRS voxel. In addition, participants with both current and past MDD showed elevated cortisol levels in comparison to controls. No significant association was observed between GSH and cortisol levels, but elevated GSH levels were associated with a decrease in positive affect. These results demonstrate for the first time that elevated GSH in current but not past depression may reflect a state rather than a trait neurobiological change, related to a loss of positive affect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth O’Gorman Tuura
- Center for MR Research, University Children’s Hospital, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Andreas Buchmann
- Center for MR Research, University Children’s Hospital, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
- Psychiatry Research Unit, University of Fribourg, 1752 Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | - Christopher Ritter
- Center for MR Research, University Children’s Hospital, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
- Psychiatry Research Unit, University of Fribourg, 1752 Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | - Adrian Hase
- Center for MR Research, University Children’s Hospital, 8032 Zürich, Switzerland
- Psychiatry Research Unit, University of Fribourg, 1752 Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
| | - Melanie Haynes
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Gregor Hasler
- Psychiatry Research Unit, University of Fribourg, 1752 Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland
- Translational Research Center, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Trifilio E, Shortell D, Olshan S, O’Neal A, Coyne J, Lamb D, Porges E, Williamson J. Impact of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on healthy cognitive and brain aging. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1184051. [PMID: 37575296 PMCID: PMC10416636 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1184051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Evidence for clinically meaningful benefits of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been rapidly accumulating over the past 15 years. This relatively novel non-invasive brain stimulation technique has been applied to a wide range of neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. More recently, non-invasive forms of VNS have allowed for investigations within healthy aging populations. These results offer insight into protocol considerations specific to older adults and how to translate those results into effective clinical trials and, ultimately, effective clinical care. In this review, we characterize the possible mechanisms by which non-invasive VNS may promote healthy aging (e.g., neurotransmitter effects, inflammation regulation, functional connectivity changes), special considerations for applying non-invasive VNS in an older adult population (e.g., vagus nerve changes with age), and how non-invasive VNS may be used in conjunction with existing behavioral interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive training) to promote healthy emotional and cognitive aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin Trifilio
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Destin Shortell
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sarah Olshan
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Alexandria O’Neal
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Jozee Coyne
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Damon Lamb
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Eric Porges
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - John Williamson
- Center for OCD and Anxiety Related Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Brain Rehabilitation and Research Center, Malcom Randall VAMC, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
- Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Konjusha A, Yu S, Mückschel M, Colzato L, Ziemssen T, Beste C. Auricular Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Specifically Enhances Working Memory Gate Closing Mechanism: A System Neurophysiological Study. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4709-4724. [PMID: 37221097 PMCID: PMC10286950 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2004-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Everyday tasks and goal-directed behavior involve the maintenance and continuous updating of information in working memory (WM). WM gating reflects switches between these two core states. Neurobiological considerations suggest that the catecholaminergic and the GABAergic are likely involved in these dynamics. Both of these neurotransmitter systems likely underlie the effects to auricular transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (atVNS). We examine the effects of atVNS on WM gating dynamics and their underlying neurophysiological and neurobiological processes in a randomized crossover study design in healthy humans of both sexes. We show that atVNS specifically modulates WM gate closing and thus specifically modulates neural mechanisms enabling the maintenance of information in WM. WM gate opening processes were not affected. atVNS modulates WM gate closing processes through the modulation of EEG alpha band activity. This was the case for clusters of activity in the EEG signal referring to stimulus information, motor response information, and fractions of information carrying stimulus-response mapping rules during WM gate closing. EEG-beamforming shows that modulations of activity in fronto-polar, orbital, and inferior parietal regions are associated with these effects. The data suggest that these effects are not because of modulations of the catecholaminergic (noradrenaline) system as indicated by lack of modulatory effects in pupil diameter dynamics, in the inter-relation of EEG and pupil diameter dynamics and saliva markers of noradrenaline activity. Considering other findings, it appears that a central effect of atVNS during cognitive processing refers to the stabilization of information in neural circuits, putatively mediated via the GABAergic system.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Goal-directed behavior depends on how well information in short-term memory can be flexibly updated but also on how well it can be shielded from distraction. These two functions were guarded by a working memory gate. We show how an increasingly popular brain stimulation techniques specifically enhances the ability to close the working memory gate to shield information from distraction. We show what physiological and anatomic aspects underlie these effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anyla Konjusha
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Shijing Yu
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Moritz Mückschel
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Lorenza Colzato
- Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| | - Tjalf Ziemssen
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, MS Centre, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Christian Beste
- Cognitive Neurophysiology, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden 01307, Germany
- Faculty of Psychology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, China
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Sałaciak K, Koszałka A, Lustyk K, Żmudzka E, Jagielska A, Pytka K. Memory impairments in rodent depression models: A link with depression theories. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2023; 125:110774. [PMID: 37088171 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
More than 80% of depressed patients struggle with learning new tasks, remembering positive events, or concentrating on a single topic. These neurocognitive deficits accompanying depression may be linked to functional and structural changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. However, their mechanisms are not yet completely understood. We conducted a narrative review of articles regarding animal studies to assess the state of knowledge. First, we argue the contribution of changes in neurotransmitters and hormone levels in the pathomechanism of cognitive dysfunction in animal depression models. Then, we used numerous neuroinflammation studies to explore its possible implication in cognitive decline. Encouragingly, we also observed a positive correlation between increased oxidative stress and a depressive-like state with concomitant memory deficits. Finally, we discuss the undeniable role of neurotrophin deficits in developing cognitive decline in animal models of depression. This review reveals the complexity of depression-related memory impairments and highlights the potential clinical importance of gathered findings for developing more reliable animal models and designing novel antidepressants with procognitive properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Sałaciak
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Koszałka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Klaudia Lustyk
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Żmudzka
- Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College Medyczna, 9 Street, Kraków 30-688, Poland
| | - Angelika Jagielska
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland
| | - Karolina Pytka
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Medyczna 9, Krakow 30-688, Poland.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Pasanta D, He JL, Ford T, Oeltzschner G, Lythgoe DJ, Puts NA. Functional MRS studies of GABA and glutamate/Glx - A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 144:104940. [PMID: 36332780 PMCID: PMC9846867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) can be used to investigate neurometabolic responses to external stimuli in-vivo, but findings are inconsistent. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on fMRS studies of the primary neurotransmitters Glutamate (Glu), Glx (Glutamate + Glutamine), and GABA. Data were extracted, grouped by metabolite, stimulus domain, and brain region, and analysed by determining standardized effect sizes. The quality of individual studies was rated. When results were analysed by metabolite type small to moderate effect sizes of 0.29-0.47 (p < 0.05) were observed for changes in Glu and Glx regardless of stimulus domain and brain region, but no significant effects were observed for GABA. Further analysis suggests that Glu, Glx and GABA responses differ by stimulus domain or task and vary depending on the time course of stimulation and data acquisition. Here, we establish effect sizes and directionality of GABA, Glu and Glx response in fMRS. This work highlights the importance of standardised reporting and minimal best practice for fMRS research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Duanghathai Pasanta
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom; Department of Radiologic Technology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Jason L He
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Talitha Ford
- Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia; Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
| | - Georg Oeltzschner
- F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, 700. N. Broadway, 21207 Baltimore, United States; Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 601 N. Wolfe Street, 21205 Baltimore, United States
| | - David J Lythgoe
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolaas A Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, London SE5 8AB, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, New Hunt's House, Guy's Campus, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Koush Y, Rothman DL, Behar KL, de Graaf RA, Hyder F. Human brain functional MRS reveals interplay of metabolites implicated in neurotransmission and neuroenergetics. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:911-934. [PMID: 35078383 PMCID: PMC9125492 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221076570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
While functional MRI (fMRI) localizes brain activation and deactivation, functional MRS (fMRS) provides insights into the underlying metabolic conditions. There is much interest in measuring task-induced and resting levels of metabolites implicated in neuroenergetics (e.g., lactate, glucose, or β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)) and neurotransmission (e.g., γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) or pooled glutamate and glutamine (Glx)). Ultra-high magnetic field (e.g., 7T) has boosted the fMRS quantification precision, reliability, and stability of spectroscopic observations using short echo-time (TE) 1H-MRS techniques. While short TE 1H-MRS lacks sensitivity and specificity for fMRS at lower magnetic fields (e.g., 3T or 4T), most of these metabolites can also be detected by J-difference editing (JDE) 1H-MRS with longer TE to filter overlapping resonances. The 1H-MRS studies show that JDE can detect GABA, Glx, lactate, and BHB at 3T, 4T and 7T. Most recently, it has also been demonstrated that JDE 1H-MRS is capable of reliable detection of metabolic changes in different brain areas at various magnetic fields. Combining fMRS measurements with fMRI is important for understanding normal brain function, but also clinically relevant for mechanisms and/or biomarkers of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. We provide an up-to-date overview of fMRS research in the last three decades, both in terms of applications and technological advances. Overall the emerging fMRS techniques can be expected to contribute substantially to our understanding of metabolism for brain function and dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yury Koush
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Douglas L Rothman
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kevin L Behar
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Robin A de Graaf
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Fahmeed Hyder
- Magnetic Resonance Research Center, Department of Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Resistance exercise improves learning and memory and modulates hippocampal metabolomic profile in aged rats. Neurosci Lett 2021; 766:136322. [PMID: 34737021 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.136322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Physical activity has been considered an important non-medication intervention to preserve mnemonic processes during aging. However, how resistance exercise promotes such benefits remains unclear. A possible hypothesis is that brain-metabolic changes of regions responsible for memory consolidation is affected by muscular training. Therefore, we analyzed the memory, axiety and the metabolomic of aged male Wistar rats (19-20 months old in the 1st day of experiment) submitted to a 12-week resistance exercise protocol (EX, n = 11) or which remained without physical exercise (CTL, n = 13). Barnes maze, elevated plus maze and inhibitory avoidance tests were used to assess the animals' behaviour. The metabolomic profile was identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. EX group had better performance in the tests of learning and spatial memory in Barnes maze, and an increase of short and long-term aversive memories formation in inhibitory avoidance. In addition, the exercised animals showed a greater amount of metabolites, such as 4-aminobutyrate, acetate, butyrate, choline, fumarate, glycerol, glycine, histidine, hypoxanthine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, niacinamide, phenylalanine, succinate, tyrosine, valine and a reduction of ascorbate and aspartate compared to the control animals. These data indicate that the improvement in learning and memory of aged rats submitted to resistance exercise program is associated by changes in the hippocampal metabolomic profile.
Collapse
|
15
|
Relationships between frontal metabolites and Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in cognitively normal older adults. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 109:22-30. [PMID: 34638000 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Elevated expression of β-amyloid (Aβ1-42) and tau are considered risk-factors for Alzheimer's disease in healthy older adults. We investigated the effect of aging and cerebrospinal fluid levels of Aβ1-42 and tau on 1) frontal metabolites measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and 2) cognition in cognitively normal older adults (n = 144; age range 50-85). Levels of frontal gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA+) and myo-inositol relative to creatine (mI/tCr) were predicted by age. Levels of GABA+ predicted cognitive performance better than mI/tCr. Additionally, we found that frontal levels of n-acetylaspartate relative to creatine (tNAA/tCr) were predicted by levels of t-tau. In cognitively normal older adults, levels of frontal GABA+ and mI/tCr are predicted by aging, with levels of GABA+ decreasing with age and the opposite for mI/tCr. These results suggest that age- and biomarker-related changes in brain metabolites are not only located in the posterior cortex as suggested by previous studies and further demonstrate that MRS is a viable tool in the study of aging and biomarkers associated with pathological aging and Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
|
16
|
Parkin BL, Daws RE, Das-Neves I, Violante IR, Soreq E, Faisal AA, Sandrone S, Lao-Kaim NP, Martin-Bastida A, Roussakis AA, Piccini P, Hampshire A. Dissociable effects of age and Parkinson's disease on instruction-based learning. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab175. [PMID: 34485905 PMCID: PMC8410985 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The cognitive deficits associated with Parkinson's disease vary across individuals and change across time, with implications for prognosis and treatment. Key outstanding challenges are to define the distinct behavioural characteristics of this disorder and develop diagnostic paradigms that can assess these sensitively in individuals. In a previous study, we measured different aspects of attentional control in Parkinson's disease using an established fMRI switching paradigm. We observed no deficits for the aspects of attention the task was designed to examine; instead those with Parkinson's disease learnt the operational requirements of the task more slowly. We hypothesized that a subset of people with early-to-mid stage Parkinson's might be impaired when encoding rules for performing new tasks. Here, we directly test this hypothesis and investigate whether deficits in instruction-based learning represent a characteristic of Parkinson's Disease. Seventeen participants with Parkinson's disease (8 male; mean age: 61.2 years), 18 older adults (8 male; mean age: 61.3 years) and 20 younger adults (10 males; mean age: 26.7 years) undertook a simple instruction-based learning paradigm in the MRI scanner. They sorted sequences of coloured shapes according to binary discrimination rules that were updated at two-minute intervals. Unlike common reinforcement learning tasks, the rules were unambiguous, being explicitly presented; consequently, there was no requirement to monitor feedback or estimate contingencies. Despite its simplicity, a third of the Parkinson's group, but only one older adult, showed marked increases in errors, 4 SD greater than the worst performing young adult. The pattern of errors was consistent, reflecting a tendency to misbind discrimination rules. The misbinding behaviour was coupled with reduced frontal, parietal and anterior caudate activity when rules were being encoded, but not when attention was initially oriented to the instruction slides or when discrimination trials were performed. Concomitantly, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy showed reduced gamma-Aminobutyric acid levels within the mid-dorsolateral prefrontal cortices of individuals who made misbinding errors. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that a subset of early-to-mid stage people with Parkinson's show substantial deficits when binding new task rules in working memory. Given the ubiquity of instruction-based learning, these deficits are likely to impede daily living. They will also confound clinical assessment of other cognitive processes. Future work should determine the value of instruction-based learning as a sensitive early marker of cognitive decline and as a measure of responsiveness to therapy in Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beth L Parkin
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Science, University of Westminster, 115 New Cavendish Street, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - Richard E Daws
- The Cognitive, Computational and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W120NN, UK
| | - Ines Das-Neves
- The Cognitive, Computational and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W120NN, UK
| | - Ines R Violante
- The Cognitive, Computational and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W120NN, UK
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Eyal Soreq
- The Cognitive, Computational and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W120NN, UK
| | - A Aldo Faisal
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- Brain and Behaviour Laboratory, Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- Behaviour Analytics Lab, Data Science Institute, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Stefano Sandrone
- The Cognitive, Computational and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W120NN, UK
| | - Nicholas P Lao-Kaim
- Neurology Imaging Unit, Division of Neurology, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Antonio Martin-Bastida
- Neurology Imaging Unit, Division of Neurology, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Neurology and Neurosciences, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona-Madrid 28027, Spain
| | | | - Paola Piccini
- Neurology Imaging Unit, Division of Neurology, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Adam Hampshire
- The Cognitive, Computational and Clinical Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W120NN, UK
- UK DRI Care Research & Technology Centre, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Melzer TM, Manosso LM, Yau SY, Gil-Mohapel J, Brocardo PS. In Pursuit of Healthy Aging: Effects of Nutrition on Brain Function. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5026. [PMID: 34068525 PMCID: PMC8126018 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22095026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Consuming a balanced, nutritious diet is important for maintaining health, especially as individuals age. Several studies suggest that consuming a diet rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components such as those found in fruits, nuts, vegetables, and fish may reduce age-related cognitive decline and the risk of developing various neurodegenerative diseases. Numerous studies have been published over the last decade focusing on nutrition and how this impacts health. The main objective of the current article is to review the data linking the role of diet and nutrition with aging and age-related cognitive decline. Specifically, we discuss the roles of micronutrients and macronutrients and provide an overview of how the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis and nutrition impact brain function in general and cognitive processes in particular during aging. We propose that dietary interventions designed to optimize the levels of macro and micronutrients and maximize the functioning of the microbiota-gut-brain axis can be of therapeutic value for improving cognitive functioning, particularly during aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thayza Martins Melzer
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil;
| | - Luana Meller Manosso
- Translational Psychiatry Laboratory, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma 88806-000, SC, Brazil;
| | - Suk-yu Yau
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada;
- Island Medical Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Patricia S. Brocardo
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88040-900, SC, Brazil;
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Namgung E, Kim J, Jeong H, Ma J, Hong G, Kang I, Kim J, Joo Y, Kim RY, Lyoo IK. Changes in Prefrontal Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid and Perfusion After the Computerized Relaxation Training in Women With Psychological Distress: A Preliminary Report. Front Psychol 2021; 12:569113. [PMID: 33927662 PMCID: PMC8076529 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.569113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Computerized relaxation training has been suggested as an effective and easily accessible intervention for individuals with psychological distress. To better elucidate the neural mechanism that underpins the effects of relaxation training, we investigated whether a 10-session computerized relaxation training program changed prefrontal gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels and cerebral blood flow (CBF) in women with psychological distress. We specifically focused on women since they were reported to be more vulnerable to develop stress-related disorders than men. Nineteen women with psychological distress but without a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders received the 10-day computerized relaxation training program that consisted of 30-min cognitive-relaxation training and 10-min breathing-relaxation training per day. At baseline and post-intervention, perceived stress levels, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep quality were assessed by self-report questionnaires. Brain magnetic resonance spectroscopy and arterial spin labeling scans were also performed before and after the intervention to evaluate GABA levels and relative CBF in the prefrontal region. Levels of perceived stress (t = 4.02, P < 0.001), anxiety (z = 2.33, P = 0.02), fatigue (t = 3.35, P = 0.004), and sleep quality (t = 4.14, P < 0.001) improved following 10 sessions of computerized relaxation training, resulting in a significant relief in composite scores of stress-related symptoms (t = -5.25, P < 0.001). The prefrontal GABA levels decreased (t = 2.53, P = 0.02), while relative CBF increased (t = -3.32, P = 0.004) after the intervention. In addition, a greater increase in relative prefrontal CBF was associated with better composite scores of stress-related symptoms following the intervention (t = 2.22, P = 0.04). The current findings suggest that computerized relaxation training may improve stress-related symptoms through modulating the prefrontal GABA levels and CBF in women with psychological distress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun Namgung
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungyoon Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeonseok Jeong
- Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jiyoung Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Gahae Hong
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilhyang Kang
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinsol Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonji Joo
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Rye Young Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In Kyoon Lyoo
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Cho I, Kim JM, Kim EJ, Kim SY, Kam EH, Cheong E, Suh M, Koo BN. Orthopedic surgery-induced cognitive dysfunction is mediated by CX3CL1/R1 signaling. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:93. [PMID: 33858422 PMCID: PMC8048361 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02150-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Postoperative pain is a common phenomenon after surgery and is closely associated with the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Persistent pain and systemic inflammation caused by surgery have been suggested as key factors for the development of POCD. Fractalkine (CX3CL1) and its receptor, the CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), are known to play a key role in pain and inflammation signaling pathways. Recent studies have shown that the regulation of CX3CR1/L1 signaling influences the development of various diseases including neuronal diseases. We determined whether CX3CR1/L1 signaling is a putative therapeutic target for POCD in a mouse model. Methods Adult (9–11 weeks) male mice were treated with neutralizing antibody to block CX3CR1/L1 signaling both before and after surgery. Inflammatory and behavioral responses including pain were assessed postoperatively. Also, CX3CR1 mRNA level was assessed. Hippocampal astrocyte activation, Mao B expression, and GABA expression were assessed at 2 days after surgery following neutralizing antibody administration. Results The behavioral response indicated cognitive dysfunction and development of pain in the surgery group compared with the control group. Also, increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and CX3CR1 mRNA were observed in the surgery group. In addition, increased levels of GABA and increased Mao B expression were observed in reactive astrocytes in the surgery group; these responses were attenuated by neutralizing antibody administration. Conclusions Increased CX3CR1 after surgery is both necessary and sufficient to induce cognitive dysfunction. CX3CR1 could be an important target for therapeutic strategies to prevent the development of POCD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12974-021-02150-x.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Inja Cho
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Min Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Jung Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - So Yeon Kim
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eun Hee Kam
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunji Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Minah Suh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, 2066, Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeong gi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea.,Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research (CNIR), Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.,Biomedical Institute for Convergence at SKKU (BICS), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, South Korea.,Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, South Korea
| | - Bon-Nyeo Koo
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea. .,Anesthesia and Pain Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dwyer GE, Craven AR, Bereśniewicz J, Kazimierczak K, Ersland L, Hugdahl K, Grüner R. Simultaneous Measurement of the BOLD Effect and Metabolic Changes in Response to Visual Stimulation Using the MEGA-PRESS Sequence at 3 T. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:644079. [PMID: 33841118 PMCID: PMC8024522 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.644079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) effect that provides the contrast in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has been demonstrated to affect the linewidth of spectral peaks as measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and through this, may be used as an indirect measure of cerebral blood flow related to neural activity. By acquiring MR-spectra interleaved with frames without water suppression, it may be possible to image the BOLD effect and associated metabolic changes simultaneously through changes in the linewidth of the unsuppressed water peak. The purpose of this study was to implement this approach with the MEGA-PRESS sequence, widely considered to be the standard sequence for quantitative measurement of GABA at field strengths of 3 T and lower, to observe how changes in both glutamate (measured as Glx) and GABA levels may relate to changes due to the BOLD effect. MR-spectra and fMRI were acquired from the occipital cortex (OCC) of 20 healthy participants whilst undergoing intrascanner visual stimulation in the form of a red and black radial checkerboard, alternating at 8 Hz, in 90 s blocks comprising 30 s of visual stimulation followed by 60 s of rest. Results show very strong agreement between the changes in the linewidth of the unsuppressed water signal and the canonical haemodynamic response function as well as a strong, negative, but not statistically significant, correlation with the Glx signal as measured from the OFF spectra in MEGA-PRESS pairs. Findings from this experiment suggest that the unsuppressed water signal provides a reliable measure of the BOLD effect and that correlations with associated changes in GABA and Glx levels may also be measured. However, discrepancies between metabolite levels as measured from the difference and OFF spectra raise questions regarding the reliability of the respective methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Eric Dwyer
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,NORMENT Centre of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Alexander R Craven
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,NORMENT Centre of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Engineering, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Justyna Bereśniewicz
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,NORMENT Centre of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Katarzyna Kazimierczak
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Ersland
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,NORMENT Centre of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Engineering, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kenneth Hugdahl
- Department of Biological and Medical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Renate Grüner
- NORMENT Centre of Excellence, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Mohn Medical Imaging and Visualization Centre, Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Glutamatergic response to a low load working memory paradigm in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy study. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 14:451-459. [PMID: 31102169 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-019-00122-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Working memory deficits have been widely reported in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, the neural mechanisms of working memory dysfunction in MCI have not been clearly understood. In this study, we used proton functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-fMRS) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to understand the underlying neurobiology of working memory deficits in patients with MCI. We aimed at detecting the changes in the concentration of glutamate and blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) activity using 1H-fMRS and fMRI respectively during a low load verbal (0 back and 1 back) working memory in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) between patients with MCI and healthy controls. Fifteen patients with amnestic MCI and twenty two age, gender and education matched healthy controls underwent a low load verbal working memory 1H-fMRS and fMRI. We observed significant increase in glutamate during working memory task (both 0 back and 1 back) in healthy controls and such changes were absent in patients with MCI. However, percent signal changes representing BOLD activity during both 0 back and 1 back was not significantly different between two groups. Our findings suggest that 1H-fMRS complements fMRI in understanding the working memory mechanism in the left DLPFC.
Collapse
|
22
|
Bagga D, Cecchetto C, Aigner CS, Tiraspolski I, Koschutnig K, Fischmeister FPS, Schöpf V. Metabolic Dynamics in the Prefrontal Cortex during a Working Memory Task in Young Adult Smokers. Eur Addict Res 2021; 27:428-438. [PMID: 34077927 DOI: 10.1159/000515004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cigarette smoking is known to modulate brain metabolism and brain function. How the dynamics of these metabolic alterations influence the active performance of higher order cognitive tasks in smokers, compared to non-smokers, is still unclear. The present exploratory study sought to examine the impact of smoking on the "complete" metabolic profile while the participants performed a working memory (N-back) task. METHODS The study sample consisted of 40 young male healthy participants (smokers [n = 20] and non-smokers [n = 20]). Functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy data were acquired using a 3 T whole-body MR system. Data analysis was performed using Java-based Magnetic Resonance User Interface software, and metabolite ratios with respect to creatine (Cr) were calculated. RESULTS On a behavioural level, smokers showed worse performance (measured by d') than non-smokers. However, we observed significant differences in the metabolite concentrations in smokers compared to non-smokers, which also changed over the course of the N-back task. A significant effect of the group was observed with smokers showing lower glutamate/Cr (Glx/Cr) and choline/Cr (Cho/Cr) ratios than non-smokers. Further, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA/Cr) and Cho/Cr ratios were significantly different during the rest and the task conditions. In addition, our results demonstrated the metabolite interactions (NAA and Cho, Glx and myo-inositol [mI], and Cho and mI). CONCLUSION Further studies are necessary to shed more light on the association between smoking behaviours and metabolic alterations. However, our preliminary findings would assist in this future research to have a complete understanding of the metabolite interactions not only in smoking but also in addiction research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Bagga
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Cinzia Cecchetto
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed, Graz, Austria
| | - Christoph Stefan Aigner
- Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Braunschweig and Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Medical Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Veronika Schöpf
- Institute of Psychology, University of Graz, Graz, Austria.,BioTechMed, Graz, Austria.,Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Computational Imaging Research Lab (CIR), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Thalamic and prefrontal GABA concentrations but not GABA A receptor densities are altered in high-functioning adults with autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:1634-1646. [PMID: 32376999 PMCID: PMC7644591 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0756-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission system has been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Molecular neuroimaging studies incorporating simultaneous acquisitions of GABA concentrations and GABAA receptor densities can identify objective molecular markers in ASD. We measured both total GABAA receptor densities by using [18F]flumazenil positron emission tomography ([18F]FMZ-PET) and GABA concentrations by using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in 28 adults with ASD and 29 age-matched typically developing (TD) individuals. Focusing on the bilateral thalami and the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) as our regions of interest, we found no differences in GABAA receptor densities between ASD and TD groups. However, 1H-MRS measurements revealed significantly higher GABA/Water (GABA normalized by water signal) in the left DLPFC of individuals with ASD than that of TD controls. Furthermore, a significant gender effect was observed in the thalami, with higher GABA/Water in males than in females. Hypothesizing that thalamic GABA correlates with ASD symptom severity in gender-specific ways, we stratified by diagnosis and investigated the interaction between gender and thalamic GABA/Water in predicting Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) and Ritvo Autism Asperger's Diagnostic Scale-Revised (RAADS-R) total scores. We found that gender is a significant effect modifier of thalamic GABA/Water's relationship with AQ and RAADS-R scores for individuals with ASD, but not for TD controls. When we separated the ASD participants by gender, a negative correlation between thalamic GABA/Water and AQ was observed in male ASD participants. Remarkably, in female ASD participants, a positive correlation between thalamic GABA/Water and AQ was found.
Collapse
|
24
|
Sanaei Nezhad F, Lea‐Carnall CA, Anton A, Jung J, Michou E, Williams SR, Parkes LM. Number of subjects required in common study designs for functional GABA magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the human brain at 3 Tesla. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:1784-1793. [PMID: 31705723 PMCID: PMC7216844 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a research tool for measuring the concentration of metabolites such as γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate in the brain. MEGA-PRESS has been the preferred pulse sequence for GABA measurements due to low physiological GABA concentrations, hence low signal. To compensate, researchers incorporate long acquisition durations (7-10 min) making functional measurements of this metabolite challenging. Here, the acquisition duration and sample sizes required to detect specific concentration changes in GABA using MEGA-PRESS at 3 T are presented for both between-groups and within-session study designs. 75 spectra were acquired during rest using MEGA-PRESS from 41 healthy volunteers in 6 different brain regions at 3 T with voxel sizes between 13 and 22 cm3 . Between-group and within-session variance was calculated for different acquisition durations and power calculations were performed to determine the number of subjects required to detect a given percentage change in GABA/NAA signal ratio. Within-subject variability was assessed by sampling different segments of a single acquisition. Power calculations suggest that detecting a 15% change in GABA using a 2 min acquisition and a 27 cm3 voxel size, depending on the region, requires between 8 and 93 subjects using a within-session design. A between-group design typically requires more participants to detect the same difference. In brain regions with suboptimal shimming, the subject numbers can be up to 4-fold more. Collecting data for longer than 4 min in brain regions examined in this study is deemed unnecessary, as variance in the signal did not reduce further for longer durations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Sanaei Nezhad
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data ScienceUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | | | - Adriana Anton
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental PsychologyUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - JeYoung Jung
- School of PsychologyUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Emilia Michou
- School of Rehabilitation SciencesUniversity of PatrasPatrasGreece
| | - Stephen R. Williams
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data ScienceUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| | - Laura M. Parkes
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental PsychologyUniversity of ManchesterManchesterUK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Filmer HL, Ballard T, Ehrhardt SE, Bollmann S, Shaw TB, Mattingley JB, Dux PE. Dissociable effects of tDCS polarity on latent decision processes are associated with individual differences in neurochemical concentrations and cortical morphology. Neuropsychologia 2020; 141:107433. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
26
|
Weidacker K, Johnston SJ, Mullins PG, Boy F, Dymond S. Impulsive decision-making and gambling severity: The influence of γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA) and glutamate-glutamine (Glx). Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 32:36-46. [PMID: 31901336 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.12.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Discounting larger, delayed rewards for smaller, immediate rewards is a stable psychological trait known to be impaired in gambling disorder (GD). Neuroimaging with non-GD populations indicates involvement of anterior cingulate (ACC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) in delay discounting. However, little is known about the role of intrinsic properties of brain functioning, such as neurotransmitter action, in impaired discounting in GD. Here, we used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to assess glutamate-glutamine (Glx) and γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA+) concentrations in the dorsal ACC (dACC), dlPFC and occipital cortex of human males with and without GD. Gambling symptom severity correlated negatively with Glx levels in the dACC and occipital voxels. Discounting of small and medium delayed rewards was negatively associated with GABA+ in the dACC, while the discounting of large delayed rewards was negatively associated with GABA+/Glx ratios in the dlPFC. Additionally, in GD, discounting of large delayed rewards was negatively correlated with occipital GABA+ levels. Overall, these findings show that high gambling symptom severity is associated with low levels of Glx and that dACC (GABA+), right dlPFC (GABA+/Glx), and occipital areas (GABA+) track the magnitude of delayed rewards during discounting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Weidacker
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Box 189, Level E4, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen J Johnston
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom
| | - Paul G Mullins
- School of Psychology, Bangor University, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 2AS, United Kingdom
| | - Fred Boy
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; School of Management, Swansea University, Bay Campus, Swansea SA1 8EN, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Dymond
- Department of Psychology, Swansea University, Singleton Campus, Swansea SA2 8PP, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, Reykjavík University, Menntavegur 1, Nauthólsvík, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Park S, Kang I, Edden RAE, Namgung E, Kim J, Kim J. Shorter sleep duration is associated with lower GABA levels in the anterior cingulate cortex. Sleep Med 2020; 71:1-7. [PMID: 32447224 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2020.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alterations in the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate + glutamine (Glx), which are major inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, respectively, are frequently associated with insomnia. Previous reports also suggested the involvement of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in insomnia and shorter sleep duration. In the current study, we investigated whether the GABA and Glx levels were altered in the ACC/mPFC in subclinical insomnia while focusing on the sleep duration. METHODS We examined levels of GABA and Glx in the ACC/mPFC of the brain with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 166 individuals with subjective sleep complaints but without a diagnosis of insomnia. Participants were divided into two groups according to sleep duration (≥6 h/night: n = 79 vs. < 6 h/night: n = 74), which was measured using a wrist-worn actigraphy. Working memory function and overall subjective sleep quality were assessed with a computerized neuropsychological test and self-report questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS GABA levels in the ACC/mPFC were lower in the shorter sleep duration group relative to the longer sleep duration group (t = -2.21, p = 0.03). Glx levels did not differ between the two groups (t = -0.20, p = 0.84). Lower GABA levels were associated with lower spatial working memory performance in the shorter sleep duration group (β = -0.21, p = 0.03), but not the longer sleep duration group (β = 0.04, p = 0.72). CONCLUSION Shorter sleep duration was associated with lower GABA levels in the ACC/mPFC. These findings may provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of impaired working memory function related to insomnia and sleep loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shinwon Park
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ilhyang Kang
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Eun Namgung
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinsol Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jungyoon Kim
- Ewha Brain Institute, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea; Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Ewha W. University, Seoul, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Yakovlev A, Manzhurtsev A, Menshchikov P, Ublinskiy M, Bozhko O, Akhadov T, Semenova N. The Effect of Visual Stimulation on GABA and Macromolecule Levels in the Human Brain in vivo. Biophysics (Nagoya-shi) 2020. [DOI: 10.1134/s0006350920010248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
|
29
|
Dienel SJ, Lewis DA. Alterations in cortical interneurons and cognitive function in schizophrenia. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 131:104208. [PMID: 29936230 PMCID: PMC6309598 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain clinical features of schizophrenia, such as working memory disturbances, appear to emerge from altered gamma oscillatory activity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Given the essential role of GABA neurotransmission in both working memory and gamma oscillations, understanding the cellular substrate for their disturbances in schizophrenia requires evidence from in vivo neuroimaging studies, which provide a means to link markers of GABA neurotransmission to gamma oscillations and working memory, and from postmortem studies, which provide insight into GABA neurotransmission at molecular and cellular levels of resolution. Here, we review findings from both types of studies which converge on the notions that 1) inhibitory GABA signaling in the PFC, especially between parvalbumin positive GABAergic basket cells and excitatory pyramidal cells, is required for gamma oscillatory activity and working memory function; and 2) disturbances in this signaling contribute to altered gamma oscillations and working memory in schizophrenia. Because the PFC is only one node in a distributed cortical network that mediates working memory, we also review evidence of GABA abnormalities in other cortical regions in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Dienel
- Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Pittsburgh, United States; Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States
| | - David A Lewis
- Translational Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Liachenko S, Ramu J. Sex differences in the effect of acute administration of nicotine on MRS-measured metabolic profile of the rat brain. Neurosci Res 2019; 157:51-57. [PMID: 31381938 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2019.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Women are less able to stop smoking than men. Elucidation of sex differences in the tobacco addiction could facilitate personalized treatment. Specialized brain reward systems are controlling the behavior through reinforcement using specific neuromediators. Using non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to ascertain addiction/harm biomarkers could lead to better management of public health through advancements in regulatory and translational research. Proton MRS was used to monitor changes of specific neurometabolites in hippocampus (HC), nucleus accumbens (NAC), and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of rats of both sexes after single intraperitoneal injection of nicotine. At the baseline, male rats showed higher level of GABA, taurine, N-acetyl aspartate, and creatine in HC, and taurine in NAC. Also, there were stronger correlations between neurometabolites in females than in males at the baseline. Nicotine administration changed taurine, GABA, myo-inositol, choline, and N-acetyl aspartate in HC, and taurine in NAC. Significant interactions between time, treatment, and sex were detected for taurine and choline in HC. The number of inter-metabolite correlations increased significantly in ACC and decreased in NAC and HC in females after nicotine administration, while in males it was unchanged. There are distinct sex differences in neurometabolic profiles at the baseline and after acute nicotine administration. Nicotine changes inter-metabolite correlations in females more than in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serguei Liachenko
- Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA.
| | - Jaivijay Ramu
- Division of Neurotoxicology, National Center for Toxicological Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, 72079, USA
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Filmer HL, Ehrhardt SE, Bollmann S, Mattingley JB, Dux PE. Accounting for individual differences in the response to tDCS with baseline levels of neurochemical excitability. Cortex 2019; 115:324-334. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2019.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
|
32
|
Quevenco FC, Schreiner SJ, Preti MG, van Bergen JMG, Kirchner T, Wyss M, Steininger SC, Gietl A, Leh SE, Buck A, Pruessmann KP, Hock C, Nitsch RM, Henning A, Van De Ville D, Unschuld PG. GABA and glutamate moderate beta-amyloid related functional connectivity in cognitively unimpaired old-aged adults. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 22:101776. [PMID: 30927605 PMCID: PMC6439267 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.101776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Background Effects of beta-amyloid accumulation on neuronal function precede the clinical manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by years and affect distinct cognitive brain networks. As previous studies suggest a link between beta-amyloid and dysregulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, we aimed to investigate the impact of GABA and glutamate on beta-amyloid related functional connectivity. Methods 29 cognitively unimpaired old-aged adults (age = 70.03 ± 5.77 years) were administered 11C-Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) positron-emission tomography (PET), and MRI at 7 Tesla (7T) including blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) at rest for measuring static and dynamic functional connectivity. An advanced 7T MR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) sequence based on the free induction decay acquisition localized by outer volume suppression’ (FIDLOVS) technology was used for gray matter specific measures of GABA and glutamate in the posterior cingulate and precuneus (PCP) region. Results GABA and glutamate MR-spectra indicated significantly higher levels in gray matter than in white matter. A global effect of beta-amyloid on functional connectivity in the frontal, occipital and inferior temporal lobes was observable. Interactive effects of beta-amyloid with gray matter GABA displayed positive PCP connectivity to the frontomedial regions, and the interaction of beta-amyloid with gray matter glutamate indicated positive PCP connectivity to frontal and cerebellar regions. Furthermore, decreased whole-brain but increased fronto-occipital and temporo-parietal dynamic connectivity was found, when GABA interacted with regional beta-amyloid deposits in the amygdala, frontal lobe, hippocampus, insula and striatum. Conclusions GABA, and less so glutamate, may moderate beta-amyloid related functional connectivity. Additional research is needed to better characterize their interaction and potential impact on AD. Combined ultra-high fieldstrength FIDLOVS MRSI at 7 Tesla with 11C-PIB PET. Assessment of gray matter specific levels of GABA and glutamate. Identification of interactive effects of GABA, glutamate and beta-Amyloid. GABA may moderate dysfunctional beta-Amyloid effects on pre-clinical brain pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F C Quevenco
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S J Schreiner
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M G Preti
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Université de Genève, Switzerland; Institute of Bioengineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - J M G van Bergen
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - T Kirchner
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - M Wyss
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S C Steininger
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A Gietl
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S E Leh
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A Buck
- Division of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Zurich (USZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - K P Pruessmann
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C Hock
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK), Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - R M Nitsch
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK), Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A Henning
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tubingen, Germany
| | - D Van De Ville
- Department of Radiology and Medical Informatics, Université de Genève, Switzerland; Institute of Bioengineering, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - P G Unschuld
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine (IREM), University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Hospital for Psychogeriatric Medicine, Psychiatric University Hospital Zurich (PUK), Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Association between glutamate/glutamine and blood oxygen level dependent signal in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region during verbal working memory. Neuroreport 2019; 29:478-482. [PMID: 29481525 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Functional MRI (fMRI) has provided much insight into the changes in the neuronal activity on the basis of blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) phenomenon. The dynamic changes in the metabolites can be detected using functional proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H-fMRS). The strategy of combining fMRI and H-fMRS would facilitate the understanding of the neurochemical interpretation of the BOLD signal. The dorsolateral prefrontal region is critically involved in the processing of working memory (WM), as demonstrated by the studies involving the neuroimaging, neuropsychological, and electrophysiological experiments. In this study, we tested the association between BOLD signal and changes in brain metabolites in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region using N-back verbal WM task. We used single-voxel task-based H-MRS acquired in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region and fMRI during the performance of N-back verbal WM task to investigate the association between changes in metabolites and BOLD response in 10 healthy participants. The correlation between changes in metabolites and percent signal change was examined by the Pearson correlation. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the BOLD signal and glutamate/glutamine in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region during the verbal WM. Our finding suggests that glutamate/glutamine cycle plays a critical role in the neuronal activation as reflected by the changes in the BOLD response.
Collapse
|
34
|
Woodcock EA, Greenwald MK, Khatib D, Diwadkar VA, Stanley JA. Pharmacological stress impairs working memory performance and attenuates dorsolateral prefrontal cortex glutamate modulation. Neuroimage 2019; 186:437-445. [PMID: 30458306 PMCID: PMC6491044 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 11/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory processes are associated with the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Prior research using proton functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H fMRS) observed significant dlPFC glutamate modulation during letter 2-back performance, indicative of working memory-driven increase in excitatory neural activity. Acute stress has been shown to impair working memory performance. Herein, we quantified dlPFC glutamate modulation during working memory under placebo (oral lactose) and acute stress conditions (oral yohimbine 54 mg + hydrocortisone 10 mg). Using a double-blind, randomized crossover design, participants (N = 19) completed a letter 2-back task during left dlPFC 1H fMRS acquisition (Brodmann areas 45/46; 4.5 cm3). An automated fitting procedure integrated with LCModel was used to quantify glutamate levels. Working memory-induced glutamate modulation was calculated as percentage change in glutamate levels from passive visual fixation to 2-back levels. Results indicated acute stress significantly attenuated working memory-induced glutamate modulation and impaired 2-back response accuracy, relative to placebo levels. Follow-up analyses indicated 2-back performance significantly modulated glutamate levels relative to passive visual fixation during placebo but not acute stress. Biomarkers, including blood pressure and saliva cortisol, confirmed that yohimbine + hydrocortisone dosing elicited a significant physiological stress response. These findings support a priori hypotheses and demonstrate that acute stress impairs dlPFC function and excitatory activity. This study highlights a neurobiological mechanism through which acute stress may contribute to psychiatric dysfunction and derail treatment progress. Future research is needed to isolate noradrenaline vs. cortisol effects and evaluate anti-stress medications and/or behavioral interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric A. Woodcock
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit,
MI,Substance Abuse Research Division, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit,
MI,Corresponding author at: 2 Church Street South,
Suite #314, New Haven, CT, USA;
(EAW)
| | - Mark K. Greenwald
- Substance Abuse Research Division, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit,
MI
| | - Dalal Khatib
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit,
MI
| | - Vaibhav A. Diwadkar
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit,
MI
| | - Jeffrey A. Stanley
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry
and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit,
MI
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Piyabhan P, Tingpej P, Duansak N. Effect of pre- and post-treatment with Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi) on phencyclidine-induced disruptions in object recognition memory and cerebral calbindin, parvalbumin, and calretinin immunoreactivity in rats. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:1103-1117. [PMID: 31118643 PMCID: PMC6503340 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s193222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Decreased gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons in the brain of both schizophrenic patients and animal models indicates that impairment of GABAergic function is implicated in pathophysiology of the disorder. Decreased GABAergic neurotransmission might be also involved in cognitive impairment, which is developed in schizophrenia. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) could be a new treatment and prevention for this cognitive deficit in schizophrenia by increasing GABAergic neurons to a normal level. Aim: The authors aimed to study cognitive-enhancement- and neuroprotective-effects of Brahmi on novel object recognition memory and GABAergic neuronal density, defined by the presence of calcium binding proteins (CBPs; calbindin (CB), parvalbumin (PV), and calretinin (CR)) in a sub-chronic (2 mg/kg, Bid, ip) phencyclidine (PCP) rat model of schizophrenia. Materials and methods: In the cognitive-enhancement-effect study rats were assigned to three groups; Group-1: Control, Group-2: PCP-administration, and Group-3: PCP+Brahmi. In the neuroprotective-effect study rats were assigned to three groups; Group-1: Control, Group-2: PCP-administration, and Group-3: Brahmi+PCP. A discrimination ratio (DR) representing cognitive ability was obtained from the novel object recognition task. CB, PV, and CR immunodensity were measured in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cornuammonis fields 1-3 (CA1-3) using immunohistochemistry. Results: Reduced DR was found in the PCP group, which occurred alongside reduced CB, PV, and CR in all brain regions except for CR in the striatum and CA1-3 in the cognitive-enhancement-effect study. PCP+Brahmi showed a higher DR score with increased CB in the prefrontal cortex and striatum, increased PV in the prefrontal cortex and CA1-3, and increased CR in the prefrontal cortex. The Brahmi+PCP group showed higher DR score with increased CB in all areas, increased PV in the striatum, and increased CR in the prefrontal cortex and striatum. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the effects, both partial restoration of cognitive deficit and neuroprotection, of Brahmi, and elucidated its underlying mechanism of actions via increasing GABAergic neurons in a PCP-induced schizophrenic-like model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P Piyabhan
- Division of Physiology, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, KlongLuang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - P Tingpej
- Division of Microbiology, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, KlongLuang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - N Duansak
- Division of Physiology, Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, KlongLuang, Pathumthani, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
The Neurochemistry of Mathematical Genius: Reduced Frontal Excitation/Inhibition Balance in an Expert Calculator. Neuroscience 2018; 392:252-257. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
|
37
|
O'Gorman Tuura RL, Baumann CR, Baumann-Vogel H. Beyond Dopamine: GABA, Glutamate, and the Axial Symptoms of Parkinson Disease. Front Neurol 2018; 9:806. [PMID: 30319535 PMCID: PMC6168661 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The axial symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD) include difficulties with balance, posture, speech, swallowing, and locomotion with freezing of gait, as well as axial rigidity. These axial symptoms impact negatively on quality of life for many patients, yet remain poorly understood. Dopaminergic treatments typically have little effect on the axial symptoms of PD, suggesting that disruptions in other neurotransmitter systems beyond the dopamine system may underlie these symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between the axial symptoms of PD and GABA and glutamate levels quantified with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Methods: The participant group included 20 patients with PD and 17 healthy control participants. Water-scaled GABA and Glx (glutamate + glutamine) concentrations were derived from GABA-edited MEGA-PRESS spectra acquired from the left basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex, and additional water-scaled Glx concentrations were acquired from standard PRESS spectra acquired from the pons. Spectra were analyzed with LCModel. The axial symptoms of PD were evaluated from subscales of the Unified Parkinson's Disease rating scale (MDS-UPDRS). Results: PD patients demonstrated significantly higher GABA levels in the basal ganglia, which correlated with the degree of gait disturbance. Basal ganglia Glx levels and prefrontal GABA and Glx levels did not differ significantly between patient and control groups, but within the PD group prefrontal Glx levels correlated negatively with difficulties turning in bed. Results from an exploratory subgroup analysis indicate that the associations between GABA, Glx, and axial symptoms scores are typically more prominent in akinetic-rigid patients than in tremor-dominant patients. Conclusion: Alterations in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission may contribute to some of the axial symptoms of PD.
Collapse
|
38
|
Mullins PG. Towards a theory of functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS): A meta-analysis and discussion of using MRS to measure changes in neurotransmitters in real time. Scand J Psychol 2018; 59:91-103. [PMID: 29356002 DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy is a powerful tool to investigate neurochemistry and physiology in vivo. Recently researchers have started to use MRS to measure neurotransmitter changes related to neural activity, so called functional MRS (fMRS). Particular interest has been placed on measuring glutamate changes associated with neural function, but differences are reported in the size of changes seen. This review discusses fMRS, and includes meta-analyses of the relative size of glutamate changes seen in fMRS, and the impact experimental design and stimulus paradigm may have. On average glutamate was found to increase by 6.97% (±1.739%) in response to neural activation. However, factors of experimental design may have a large impact on the size of these changes. For example an increase of 4.749% (±1.45%) is seen in block studies compared to an increase of 13.429% (±3.59) in studies using event related paradigms. The stimulus being investigated also seems to play a role with prolonged visual stimuli showing a small mean increase in glutamate of 2.318% (±1.227%) while at the other extreme, pain stimuli show a mean stimulation effect of 14.458% (±3.736%). These differences are discussed with regards to possible physiologic interpretations, as well experimental design implications.
Collapse
|
39
|
Mikkelsen M, Harris AD, Edden RAE, Puts NAJ. Macromolecule-suppressed GABA measurements correlate more strongly with behavior than macromolecule-contaminated GABA+ measurements. Brain Res 2018; 1701:204-211. [PMID: 30244020 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2018.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known to be fundamental to the neuronal processes underlying visual orientation and vibrotactile frequency and amplitude discrimination. Previous studies have demonstrated that performance on visual and vibrotactile psychophysics tasks is associated with in vivo measurements of "GABA+" levels - a measure of GABA substantially contaminated by a macromolecular (MM) signal. Here, we establish that these prior findings are indeed driven by the GABA fraction of that signal. Edited magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to measure GABA with and without MM suppression in the sensorimotor (SM1) and occipital cortices in 14 healthy male adults. Volunteers also underwent psychophysical experiments to assess their performance on visual orientation discrimination and vibrotactile amplitude and frequency discrimination. We show that MM-suppressed GABA levels correlate more strongly with individual differences in vibrotactile (in the case of SM1 GABA; amplitude: r = -0.63, p = 0.03; frequency: r = -0.62, p = 0.02) and visual orientation (in the case of occipital GABA; r = -0.59, p = 0.05) discrimination thresholds than GABA levels contaminated by MM (vibrotactile amplitude: r = -0.36, p = 0.30; vibrotactile frequency: r = -0.53, p = 0.09; visual orientation: r = 0.21, p = 0.55). These findings further support the view that measurements of endogenous GABA acquired with edited MRS can usefully probe neurochemical-behavioral relationships in humans. Moreover, the more specific measurement of GABA used in this study provides increased statistical power to observe these regionally specific relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Mikkelsen
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ashley D Harris
- Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Child and Adolescent Imaging Research (CAIR) Program, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Richard A E Edden
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicolaas A J Puts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; F. M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms in the human cingulate-cortex support reinforcement learning: A functional Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy study. Neuroimage 2018; 184:25-35. [PMID: 30201464 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) is crucial for motivation, reward- and error-guided decision-making, yet its excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms remain poorly explored in humans. In particular, the balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I), demonstrated to play a role in animal studies, is difficult to measure in behaving humans. Here, we used functional magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy (1H-fMRS) to measure the brain's major inhibitory (GABA) and excitatory (Glutamate) neurotransmitters during reinforcement learning with three different conditions: high cognitive load (uncertainty); probabilistic discrimination learning; and a control null-condition. Participants learned to prefer the gain option in the discrimination phase and had no preference in the other conditions. We found increased GABA levels during the uncertainty condition, potentially reflecting recruitment of inhibitory systems during high cognitive load when trying to learn. Further, higher GABA levels during the null (baseline) condition correlated with improved discrimination learning. Finally, glutamate and GABA levels were correlated during high cognitive load. These results suggest that availability of dACC inhibitory resources enables successful learning. Our approach helps elucidate the potential contribution of the balance between excitation and inhibition to learning and motivation in behaving humans.
Collapse
|
41
|
Impact of 1-day and 4-day MWM training techniques on oxidative and neurochemical profile in rat brain: A comparative study on learning and memory functions. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 155:390-402. [PMID: 30195048 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Among multiple behavioral tasks used to assess memory performance, Morris water maze (MWM) is a well-known and reliable conventional behavioral task to monitor spatial memory performance in rodents. Although multiple procedures are employed by researchers for spatial learning training in MWM, but less is known about impact of these training protocol variations on oxidative and neurochemical systems. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether variations in training protocol will influence spatial memory performance and induce changes in oxidative status and cholinergic and aminergic neurotransmission in rat brain. For this, rats were assigned to four groups; control (unexposed), 1-trial (exposed to single training trial), 1-day (exposed to four training trials for a single day) and 4-day (exposed to four training trials for four days). After conducting training, spatial reference memory performance was determined by performing retention and consolidation probe trials. Rats were then decapitated and their brain and plasma samples were collected for biochemical, oxidative and neurochemical analysis. It was found that spatial reference memory was improved following both 1-day and 4-day training protocols, however, corticosterone levels were raised extensively following 4-day training exposure compared to 1-day training protocol. Similarly, a significant improvement in redox profile and cholinergic and aminergic neurotransmitters was also observed following 1-day training procedure. Thus, 1-day training procedure can be suggested as a better procedure for assessing the spatial memory performance in rats as it has a profound impact on antioxidant status and cholinergic and aminergic neurotransmission in brain. Moreover, use of single-day training procedure can provide a rapid and effective tool for assessing spatial memory in rats compared to prolonged and complicated 4-day training protocol.
Collapse
|
42
|
Keute M, Ruhnau P, Heinze HJ, Zaehle T. Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence for GABAergic modulation through transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation. Clin Neurophysiol 2018; 129:1789-1795. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
|
43
|
Andersson JD, Matuskey D, Finnema SJ. Positron emission tomography imaging of the γ-aminobutyric acid system. Neurosci Lett 2018; 691:35-43. [PMID: 30102960 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize the recent development of positron emission tomography (PET) radioligands for γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors and their potential to measure changes in endogenous GABA levels and highlight the clinical and translational applications of GABA-sensitive PET radioligands. We review the basic physiology of the GABA system with a focus on the importance of GABAA receptors in the brain and specifically the benzodiazepine binding site. Challenges for the development of central nervous system radioligands and particularly for radioligands with increased GABA sensitivity are outlined, as well as the status of established benzodiazepine site PET radioligands and agonist GABAA radioligands. We underline the challenge of using allosteric interactions to measure GABA concentrations and review the current state of PET imaging of changes in GABA levels. We conclude that PET tracers with increased GABA sensitivity are required to efficiently measure GABA release and that such a tool could be broadly applied to assess GABA transmission in vivo across several disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan D Andersson
- University of Alberta, Medical Isotope and Cyclotron Facility, Edmonton, Canada
| | - David Matuskey
- PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Sjoerd J Finnema
- PET Center, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Center for Psychiatric Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Task-based metabolic changes in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region during the letter N-back working memory task using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Neuroreport 2018; 29:147-152. [PMID: 29215468 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000000943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies have consistently provided evidence on the role of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in working memory. Recent studies have shown that the changes in metabolites in the brain could be detected upon functional activation using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Therefore, we carried out a study in healthy control participants to understand the changes in metabolites during a letter N-back working memory task in the left dorsolateral prefrontal region. Single-voxel spectra were acquired from the left dorsolateral prefrontal region in 10 healthy control participants. The concentrations of metabolites were measured using a point-resolved spectroscopy sequence at three different time points, namely, before, during, and after the performance of the task. Repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated a main effect of time for glutamate concentrations and not for other metabolites. The healthy control participants showed a significant increase in glutamate concentrations during the performance of the letter N-back task. It was then followed by a significant decrease in the glutamate concentrations returning to the baseline after the task. The proposed method would be useful in understanding the dynamic changes in glutamate during the letter N-back task to examine the cognitive impairment in various neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
|
45
|
GABA Levels in Left and Right Sensorimotor Cortex Correlate across Individuals. Biomedicines 2018; 6:biomedicines6030080. [PMID: 30042306 PMCID: PMC6164430 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines6030080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels measured with Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy have been shown to correlate with behavioral performance over a number of tasks and cortical regions. These correlations appear to be regionally and functionally specific. In this study, we test the hypothesis that GABA levels will be correlated within individuals for functionally related regions-the left and right sensorimotor cortex. In addition, we investigate whether this is driven by bulk tissue composition. GABA measurements using edited MRS data were acquired from the left and right sensorimotor cortex in 24 participants. T1-weighted MR images were also acquired and segmented to determine the tissue composition of the voxel. GABA level is shown to correlate significantly between the left and right regions (r = 0.64, p < 0.03). Tissue composition is highly correlated between sides, but does not explain significant variance in the bilateral correlation. In conclusion, individual differences in GABA level, which have previously been described as functionally and regionally specific, are correlated between homologous sensorimotor regions. This correlation is not driven by bulk differences in voxel tissue composition.
Collapse
|
46
|
Thielen J, Hong D, Rohani Rankouhi S, Wiltfang J, Fernández G, Norris DG, Tendolkar I. The increase in medial prefrontal glutamate/glutamine concentration during memory encoding is associated with better memory performance and stronger functional connectivity in the human medial prefrontal-thalamus-hippocampus network. Hum Brain Mapp 2018; 39:2381-2390. [PMID: 29488277 PMCID: PMC5969297 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The classical model of the declarative memory system describes the hippocampus and its interactions with representational brain areas in posterior neocortex as being essential for the formation of long-term episodic memories. However, new evidence suggests an extension of this classical model by assigning the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) a specific, yet not fully defined role in episodic memory. In this study, we utilized 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and psychophysiological interaction (PPI) analysis to lend further support for the idea of a mnemonic role of the mPFC in humans. By using MRS, we measured mPFC γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate/glutamine (GLx) concentrations before and after volunteers memorized face-name association. We demonstrate that mPFC GLx but not GABA levels increased during the memory task, which appeared to be related to memory performance. Regarding functional connectivity, we used the subsequent memory paradigm and found that the GLx increase was associated with stronger mPFC connectivity to thalamus and hippocampus for associations subsequently recognized with high confidence as opposed to subsequently recognized with low confidence/forgotten. Taken together, we provide new evidence for an mPFC involvement in episodic memory by showing a memory-related increase in mPFC excitatory neurotransmitter levels that was associated with better memory and stronger memory-related functional connectivity in a medial prefrontal-thalamus-hippocampus network.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jan‐Willem Thielen
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance ImagingEssenGermany
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University and Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
- Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of Duisburg‐EssenEssenGermany
| | - Donghyun Hong
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance ImagingEssenGermany
| | | | - Jens Wiltfang
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychotherapyUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Guillén Fernández
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University and Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
- Department of Cognitive NeuroscienceRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| | - David G. Norris
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance ImagingEssenGermany
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University and Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
- MIRA Institute for Biomedical Technology and Technical Medicine, University of TwenteEnschedethe Netherlands
| | - Indira Tendolkar
- Erwin L. Hahn Institute for Magnetic Resonance ImagingEssenGermany
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behavior, Radboud University and Radboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
- Department of PsychiatryRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenthe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Oeltzschner G, Zöllner HJ, Jonuscheit M, Lanzman RS, Schnitzler A, Wittsack HJ. J-difference-edited MRS measures of γ-aminobutyric acid before and after acute caffeine administration. Magn Reson Med 2018; 80:2356-2365. [PMID: 29752742 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate potential effects of acute caffeine intake on J-difference-edited MRS measures of the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). METHODS J-difference-edited Mescher-Garwood PRESS (MEGA-PRESS) and conventional PRESS data were acquired at 3T from voxels in the anterior cingulate and occipital area of the brain in 15 healthy subjects, before and after oral intake of a 200-mg caffeine dose. MEGA-PRESS data were analyzed with the MATLAB-based Gannet tool to estimate GABA+ macromolecule (GABA+) levels, while PRESS data were analyzed with LCModel to estimate levels of glutamate, glutamate+glutamine, N-acetylaspartate, and myo-inositol. All metabolites were quantified with respect to the internal reference compounds creatine and tissue water, and compared between the pre- and post-caffeine intake condition. RESULTS For both MRS voxels, mean GABA+ estimates did not differ before and after caffeine intake. Slightly lower estimates of myo-inositol were observed after caffeine intake in both voxels. N-acetylaspartate, glutamate, and glutamate+glutamine did not show significant differences between conditions. CONCLUSION Mean GABA+ estimates from J-difference-edited MRS in two different brain regions are not altered by acute oral administration of caffeine. These findings may increase subject recruitment efficiency for MRS studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Oeltzschner
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.,F.M. Kirby Research Center for Functional Brain Imaging, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Helge J Zöllner
- Institute for Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marc Jonuscheit
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Rotem S Lanzman
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alfons Schnitzler
- Institute for Clinical Neuroscience and Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Jörg Wittsack
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Jelen LA, King S, Mullins PG, Stone JM. Beyond static measures: A review of functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy and its potential to investigate dynamic glutamatergic abnormalities in schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:497-508. [PMID: 29368979 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117747579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Abnormalities of the glutamate system are increasingly implicated in schizophrenia but their exact nature remains unknown. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS), while fundamental in revealing glutamatergic alterations in schizophrenia, has, until recently, been significantly limited and thought to only provide static measures. Functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS), which uses sequential scans for dynamic measurement of a range of brain metabolites in activated brain areas, has lately been applied to a variety of task or stimulus conditions, producing interesting insights into neurometabolite responses to neural activation. Here, we summarise the existing 1H-MRS studies of brain glutamate in schizophrenia. We then present a comprehensive review of research studies that have utilised fMRS, and lastly consider how fMRS methods might further the understanding of glutamatergic abnormalities in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luke A Jelen
- 1 The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,2 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Sinead King
- 1 The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| | - Paul G Mullins
- 3 Bangor Imaging Unit, School of Psychology, Bangor University, Gwynedd, UK
| | - James M Stone
- 1 The Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Imburgio MJ, Orr JM. Effects of prefrontal tDCS on executive function: Methodological considerations revealed by meta-analysis. Neuropsychologia 2018; 117:156-166. [PMID: 29727626 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
A meta-analysis of studies using single-session transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to target the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was undertaken to examine the effect of stimulation on executive function (EF) in healthy samples. 27 studies were included in analyses, yielding 71 effect sizes. The most relevant measure for each task was determined a priori and used to calculate Hedge's g. Methodological characteristics of each study were examined individually as potential moderators of effect size. Stimulation effects on three domains of EF (inhibition of prepotent responses, mental set shifting, and information updating and monitoring) were analyzed separately. In line with previous work, the current study found no significant effect of anodal unilateral tDCS, cathodal unilateral tDCS, or bilateral tDCS on EF. Further moderator and subgroup analyses were only carried out for anodal unilateral montages due to the small number of studies using other montages. Subgroup analyses revealed a significant effect of anodal unilateral tDCS on updating tasks, but not on inhibition or set-shifting tasks. Cathode location significantly moderated the effect of anodal unilateral tDCS. Extracranial cathodes yielded a significant effect on EF while cranial cathodes yielded no effect. Anode size also significantly moderated effect of anodal unilateral tDCS, with smaller anodes being more effective than larger anodes. In summary, anodal DLPFC stimulation is more effective at improving updating ability than inhibition and set-shifting ability, but anodal stimulation can significantly improve general executive function when extracranial cathodes or small anodes are used. Future meta-analyses may examine how stimulation's effects on specific behavioral tasks, rather than broader domains, might be affected by methodological moderators.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Imburgio
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Joseph M Orr
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Woodcock EA, Anand C, Khatib D, Diwadkar VA, Stanley JA. Working Memory Modulates Glutamate Levels in the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex during 1H fMRS. Front Psychiatry 2018; 9:66. [PMID: 29559930 PMCID: PMC5845718 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is involved in excitatory neurotransmission and metabolic processes related to brain function. Previous studies using proton functional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H fMRS) have demonstrated elevated cortical glutamate levels by 2-4% during visual and motor stimulation, relative to periods of no stimulation. Here, we extended this approach to working memory cognitive task performance, which has been consistently associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) activation. Sixteen healthy adult volunteers completed a continuous visual fixation "rest" task followed by a letter 2-back working memory task during 1H fMRS acquisition of the left dlPFC, which encompassed Brodmann areas 45 and 46 over a 4.5-cm3 volume. Using a 100% automated fitting procedure integrated with LCModel, raw spectra were eddy current-, phase-, and shift-corrected prior to quantification resulting in a 32s temporal resolution or 8 averages per spectra. Task compliance was high (95 ± 11% correct) and the mean Cramer-Rao Lower Bound of glutamate was 6.9 ± 0.9%. Relative to continuous passive visual fixation, left dlPFC glutamate levels were significantly higher by 2.7% (0.32 mmol/kg wet weight) during letter 2-back performance. Elevated dlPFC glutamate levels reflect increased metabolic activity and excitatory neurotransmission driven by working memory-related cognitive demands. These results provide the first in vivo demonstration of elevated dlPFC glutamate levels during working memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric A Woodcock
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Chaitali Anand
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Dalal Khatib
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Vaibhav A Diwadkar
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Stanley
- Brain Imaging Research Division, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| |
Collapse
|