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Li X, Ma H, Ding X, Jiang H, Zhang X. Impaired Neurological Activity in the Mental Rotation Ability of Tibetan Indigenous Residents After Chronic Exposure to High Altitude. Neuroscience 2023; 532:1-13. [PMID: 37739028 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Mental rotation is a core indicator of spatial ability, and a threshold for cognitive impairment may exist at approximately 4,000 m above sea level, but the specific thresholds for the severity of hypoxia in Tibetan indigenous populations in mental rotation ability remain largely unknown. To determine whether a threshold for mental rotation impairment exists in indigenous residents, we related a mental rotation task to inter-individual differences in a range of behavioral performance and neuropsychological characteristics across 51 indigenous Tibetan highlanders and 34 matched controls at three different altitudes (sea level, 2,900 m, and 4,200 m). Analyses of reaction time showed delayed behavioral responses in the 4,200 m altitude group. Further analyses of rotation-related negativity (RRN) revealed that the RRN was significantly more negative and the differences disappeared gradually for different angles among individuals exposed to an altitude of 4,200 m. Moreover, a time-frequency analysis showed significantly enhanced alpha- and beta-band power values for the 4,200 m altitude participants after stimulus presentation. The impairment in mental rotation ability is related to hypoxia and can be attributed to the absence of sufficient cognitive resources, which demonstrates the existence of a threshold for the effects of high altitude on the brain's mental rotation ability. Taken together, our findings have important implications for exploring the altitude threshold for the influence of high-altitude exposure on brain function, as well as for guiding the development of innovative strategies to optimize the response of the organism against chronic hypoxia-induced under extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Li
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China.
| | - Xiaobin Ding
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Heng Jiang
- Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, MOE Key Laboratory for Neuro-information, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610000, China
| | - Xuemei Zhang
- Shanghai Pudong Development Bank of Tibet, Lhasa 850000, China.
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Chen X, Zhang J, Lin Y, Li Y, Wang H, Wang Z, Liu H, Hu Y, Liu L. Mechanism, prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment caused by high altitude exposure. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1191058. [PMID: 37731540 PMCID: PMC10507266 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1191058] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypobaric hypoxia (HH) characteristics induce impaired cognitive function, reduced concentration, and memory. In recent years, an increasing number of people have migrated to high-altitude areas for work and study. Headache, sleep disturbance, and cognitive impairment from HH, severely challenges the physical and mental health and affects their quality of life and work efficiency. This review summarizes the manifestations, mechanisms, and preventive and therapeutic methods of HH environment affecting cognitive function and provides theoretical references for exploring and treating high altitude-induced cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiexin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Faculty of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuan Lin
- Sichuan Xincheng Biological Co., LTD., Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of General Surgery, The 77th Army Hospital, Leshan, Sichuan, China
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zhanhao Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huawei Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yonghe Hu
- Faculty of Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Liu
- Medical Research Center, The Third People’s Hospital of Chengdu, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Luo Q, Zhang JX, Huang S, Hu YH, Wang H, Chen X. Effects of long-term exposure to high altitude on brain structure in healthy people: an MRI-based systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1196113. [PMID: 37435401 PMCID: PMC10330765 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1196113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies of brain MRI, this paper assesses the effects of long-term exposure to high-altitude on brain structures in healthy people. Methods Observational studies related to high-altitude, brain and MRI were systematically searched based on data retrieved from PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library. The timescale for collecting literature was from the establishment of the databases to 2023. NoteExpress 3.2 was used to manage the literature. Two investigators performed literature screening and data extraction based on inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, and literature quality. The quality of the literature was assessed using the NOS Scale. Finally, meta-analysis of included studies was performed using Reviewer Manager 5.3. Results Initially, 3,626 articles were retrieved. After screening, 16 articles (n = 756 participants) were included in the systematic review, and meta-analysis was performed on 6 articles (n = 350 participants). The overall quality of the included articles was at medium level, with a mean NOS score of 5.62. The results of meta-analysis showed that the differences between the HA group and LA group were not statistically significant, in total GM volume (MD: -0.60, 95% CI: -16.78 to 15.58, P = 0.94), WM volume (MD: 3.05, 95% CI: -15.72 to 21.81, P = 0.75) and CSF volume (MD: 5.00, 95% CI: -11.10 to 21.09, P = 0.54).The differences between HA and LA in FA values of frontotemporal lobes were not statistically significant: right frontal lobe (MD: -0.02, 95% CI: -0.07 to 0.03, P = 0.38), left frontal lobe (MD: 0.01, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.04, P = 0.65), right temporal lobe (MD: -0.00, 95% CI: -0.03 to 0.02, P = 0.78) and left temporal lobe (MD: -0.01, 95% CI: -0.04 to 0.02, P = 0.62). However, there were significant differences in GM volume, GM density and FA values in local brain regions between HA group and LA group. Conclusion Compared with LA area, there were no significant differences in total GM, WM and CSF volumes in healthy people living at high-altitude area for long-term, while there were significant differences in GM volume and FA values in local brain regions. Long-term exposure to high-altitude area caused the adaptive structural changes in local brain regions. Since heterogeneity existed between the studies, further studies are needed to uncover the effects of high-altitude on brain of healthy people. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier: CRD42023403491.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao Luo
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
- The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu City, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie-Xin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Clinical Medical College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yong-He Hu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, China
- The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Wang
- The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu City, Chengdu, China
| | - Xin Chen
- The Third People's Hospital of Chengdu City, Chengdu, China
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Ding X, Li X, Xu M, He Z, Jiang H. The effect of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on electroencephalography microstates of patients with heroin-addiction. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2023; 329:111594. [PMID: 36724624 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2023.111594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating substance use disorders are gaining attention; however, most existing studies used subjective measures to examine the treatment effects. Objective electroencephalography (EEG)-based microstate analysis is important for measuring the efficacy of transcranial magnetic stimulation in patients with heroin addiction. We investigated dynamic brain activity changes in individuals with heroin addiction after transcranial magnetic stimulation using microstate indicators. Thirty-two patients received intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Resting-state EEG data were collected pre-intervention and 10 days post-intervention. The feature values of the significantly different microstate classes were computed using a K-means clustering algorithm. Four EEG microstate classes (A-D) were noted. There were significant increases in the duration, occurrence, and contribution of microstate class A after the iTBS intervention. K-means classification accuracy reached 81.5%. The EEG microstate is an effective improvement indicator in patients with heroin addiction treated with iTBS. Microstates were examined using machine learning; this method effectively classified the pre- and post-intervention cohorts among patients with heroin addiction and healthy individuals. Using EEG microstate to measure heroin addiction and further exploring the effect of iTBS in patients with heroin addiction merit clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Ding
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Ming Xu
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zijing He
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Heng Jiang
- School of Psychology, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Lu CW, Huang ST, Cheng SJ, Lin CT, Hsu YC, Yao CT, Dong F, Hung CM, Kuo HC. Genomic architecture underlying morphological and physiological adaptation to high elevation in a songbird. Mol Ecol 2023; 32:2234-2251. [PMID: 36748940 DOI: 10.1111/mec.16875] [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: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Organisms often acquire physiological and morphological modifications to conquer ecological challenges when colonizing new environments which lead to their adaptive evolution. However, deciphering the genomic mechanism of ecological adaptation is difficult because ecological environments are often too complex for straightforward interpretation. Thus, we examined the adaptation of a widespread songbird-the rufous-capped babbler (Cyanoderma ruficeps)-to a relatively simple system: distinct environments across elevational gradients on the mountainous island of Taiwan. We focused on the genomic sequences of 43 birds from five populations to show that the Taiwan group split from its sister group in mainland China around 1-2 million years ago (Ma) and colonized the montane habitats of Taiwan at least twice around 0.03-0.22 Ma. The montane and lowland Taiwan populations diverged with gene flow between them, suggesting strong selection associated with different elevations. We found that the montane babblers had smaller beaks than the lowland ones, consistent with Allen's rule, and identified candidate genes-COL9A1 and SOX11-underlying the beak size changes. We also found that altitudinally divergent mutations were mostly located in noncoding regions and tended to accumulate in chromosomal inversions and autosomes. The altitudinally divergent mutations might regulate genes related to haematopoietic, metabolic, immune, auditory and vision functions, as well as cerebrum morphology and plumage development. The results reveal the genomic bases of morphological and physiological adaptation in this species to the low temperature, hypoxia and high UV light environment at high elevation. These findings improve our understanding of how ecological adaptation drives population divergence from the perspective of genomic architecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Wei Lu
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Ting Huang
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shun-Jen Cheng
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Tau Lin
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Cheng Hsu
- Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Te Yao
- Division of Zoology, Endemic Species Research Institute, Nantou, Taiwan
| | - Feng Dong
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Chih-Ming Hung
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hao-Chih Kuo
- Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Zhang X, Xie W, Liu Y, Li M, Lin J, Yin W, Yang L, Li P, Sun Y, Li T, Liu H, Ma H, Zhang J. Brain Structural and Functional Alterations in Native Tibetans Living at High Altitude. Neuroscience 2023; 520:134-143. [PMID: 36716913 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2023.01.019] [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: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Tibetans have adapted to high altitude environments. However, the genetic effects in their brains have not been identified. Twenty-five native Tibetans living in Lhasa (3650 m) were recruited for comparison with 20 Han immigrants who originated from lowlands and had been living in Lhasa for two years. The physiological characteristics, brain structure and neuronal spontaneous activity were investigated. Compared with Han immigrants, Tibetans showed higher peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and lower heart rate, red blood cell counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin. Tibetans showed increased gray matter volume in the visual cortex, hippocampus, and rectus; increased the amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) values in the left putamen and left fusiform gyrus; and decreased voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) values in the precentral gyrus. Moreover, Tibetans have decreased functional connectivity (FC) between the left precentral gyrus and the frontal gyrusand right precuneus. In Tibetans and Han immigrants, hemoglobin and hematocrit were negatively correlated with total gray matter volume in males, SpO2 was also positively correlated with ALFF in the left fusiform gyrus, while hemoglobin, and hematocrit were positively correlated with VMHC in the precentral gyrus and FC in the precentral gyrus with other brain regions, SpO2 was also found to be negatively correlated with VMHC in the precentral gyrus, and hemoglobin and hematocrit were negatively correlated with ALFF in the left putamen and left fusiform gyrus. In summary, genetic mutations may result in modulation of some brain regions, which was further confirmed by the identification of correlations with hemoglobin and hematocrit in these regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjuan Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Weiwei Xie
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Minglu Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- Department of Radiology, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wu Yin
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Lhasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Lihui Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Lhasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Pengji Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Tianzhi Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Haipeng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region Women's and Children's Hospital, Lhasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Centre, Tibet University, Lhasa 850012, China.
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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Fan J, Chen D, Wang N, Su R, Li H, Ma H, Gao F. Negative relationship between brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and attention: A possible elevation in BDNF level among high-altitude migrants. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1144959. [PMID: 37114226 PMCID: PMC10126458 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1144959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophic family that plays a vital role in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic plasticity in the brain, affects attention. However, studies investigating the association between BDNF and attention in long-term high-altitude (HA) migrants are limited in the literature. As HA affects both BDNF and attention, the relationship between these factors becomes more complex. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between peripheral blood concentrations of BDNF and the three attentional networks in both behavioral and electrical aspects of the brain in long-term HA migrants. Materials and methods Ninety-eight Han adults (mean age: 34.74 ± 3.48 years, 51 females and 47 males, all have lived at Lhasa for 11.30 ± 3.82 years) were recruited in this study. For all participants, the serum BDNF levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; event-related potentials (N1, P1, and P3) were recorded during the Attentional Networks Test, which was used as the measure of three attentional networks. Results Executive control scores were negatively correlated with P3 amplitude (r = -0.20, p = 0.044), and serum BDNF levels were positively correlated with executive control scores (r = 0.24, p = 0.019) and negatively correlated with P3 amplitude (r = -0.22, p = 0.027). Through grouping of BDNF levels and three attentional networks, executive control was found to be significantly higher in the high BDNF group than in the low BDNF group (p = 0.010). Different BDNF levels were associated with both orienting scores (χ2 = 6.99, p = 0.030) and executive control scores (χ2 = 9.03, p = 0.011). The higher the BDNF level, the worse was the executive function and the lower was the average P3 amplitude and vice versa. Females were found to have higher alerting scores than males (p = 0.023). Conclusion This study presented the relationship between BDNF and attention under HA. The higher the BDNF level, the worse was the executive control, suggesting that after long-term exposure to HA, hypoxia injury of the brain may occur in individuals with relatively higher BDNF levels, and this higher BDNF level may be the result of self-rehabilitation tackling the adverse effects brought by the HA environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Fan
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Dongmei Chen
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Office of Safety and Health, Lhasa No. 1 Middle School, Lhasa, China
| | - Niannian Wang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Rui Su
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, People's Government of Qinghai Province, Xining, China
- *Correspondence: Hailin Ma
| | - Fei Gao
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Fei Gao
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Liu Y, Qiao H, Du W, Xu L, Yuan F, Lin J, Li M, Zhu L, Li S, Zhang J. Hypoxic White Matter Injury and Recovery After Reoxygenation in Adult Mice: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Histological Studies. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2022:10.1007/s10571-022-01305-5. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01305-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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Zhang X, Zhang J. The human brain in a high altitude natural environment: A review. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:915995. [PMID: 36188182 PMCID: PMC9520777 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.915995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
With the advancement of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique, more detailed information about the human brain at high altitude (HA) has been revealed. The present review aimed to draw a conclusion regarding changes in the human brain in both unacclimatized and acclimatized states in a natural HA environment. Using multiple advanced analysis methods that based on MRI as well as electroencephalography, the modulations of brain gray and white matter morphology and the electrophysiological mechanisms underlying processing of cognitive activity have been explored in certain extent. The visual, motor and insular cortices are brain regions seen to be consistently affected in both HA immigrants and natives. Current findings regarding cortical electrophysiological and blood dynamic signals may be related to cardiovascular and respiratory regulations, and may clarify the mechanisms underlying some behaviors at HA. In general, in the past 10 years, researches on the brain at HA have gone beyond cognitive tests. Due to the sample size is not large enough, the current findings in HA brain are not very reliable, and thus much more researches are needed. Moreover, the histological and genetic bases of brain structures at HA are also needed to be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjuan Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Jiaxing Zhang,
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Effects of Long-Term Exposure to High Altitude Hypoxia on Cognitive Function and Its Mechanism: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060808. [PMID: 35741693 PMCID: PMC9221409 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive function is affected by low pressure and hypoxia in high-altitude environments, and is regulated by altitude and exposure time. With the economic development in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the increase in work and study activities, as well as the development of plateau tourism, mountaineering, and other activities, the number of plateau immigrants is increasing daily. Long-term hypoxia challenges human physical and mental health, restricts work efficiency, and thus affects plateau economic development and human wellbeing. Therefore, it is of scientific and social significance to study how long-term exposure to the hypoxic plateau environment affects the physical and mental health of lowlanders as part of the ongoing development of the current plateau region. In this paper, we reviewed the research progress and mechanism of the effects of long-term (≥1 year) high-altitude (>2500 m) hypoxia exposure on the cognitive function of lowlanders, and suggested that the scope and sample size of the research should be expanded in the future, and that follow-up studies should be carried out to explore the time threshold of cognitive impairment and its compensatory or repair mechanism.
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Resting-State Neuronal Activity and Functional Connectivity Changes in the Visual Cortex after High Altitude Exposure: A Longitudinal Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12060724. [PMID: 35741609 PMCID: PMC9221383 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Damage to the visual cortex structures after high altitude exposure has been well clarified. However, changes in the neuronal activity and functional connectivity (FC) of the visual cortex after hypoxia/reoxygenation remain unclear. Twenty-three sea-level college students, who took part in 30 days of teaching at high altitude (4300 m), underwent routine blood tests, visual behavior tests, and magnetic resonance imaging scans before they went to high altitude (Test 1), 7 days after they returned to sea level (Test 2), as well as 3 months (Test 3) after they returned to sea level. In this study, we investigated the hematological parameters, behavioral data, and spontaneous brain activity. There were significant differences among the tests in hematological parameters and spontaneous brain activity. The hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and red blood cell count were significantly increased in Test 2 as compared with Tests 1 and 3. As compared with Test 1, Test 3 increased amplitudes of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in the right calcarine gyrus; Tests 2 and 3 increased ALFF in the right supplementary motor cortex, increased regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the left lingual gyrus, increased the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) value in the motor cortex, and decreased FC between the left lingual gyrus and left postcentral gyrus. The color accuracy in the visual task was positively correlated with ALFF and ReHo in Test 2. Hypoxia/reoxygenation increased functional connection between the neurons within the visual cortex and the motor cortex but decreased connection between the visual cortex and motor cortex.
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Shen H, Chen LZ, Hu Z, Yao X, Yang T, Zhang L, Tu Q, Li G, Wei GX. Integrating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Treatment With 8-Week Tai Chi Chuan Practice: An Exploration of Mind-Body Intervention and Neural Mechanism. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:849481. [PMID: 35601899 PMCID: PMC9120527 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.849481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to explore the effect of integrating routine treatment with Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) intervention on the clinical symptom of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) from clinical and neurological perspectives. Methods Twenty patients with COPD were recruited for regular treatment combined with 8-week TCC rehabilitative practice. Clinical symptoms were evaluated by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Symptom Assessment Scale (CAT) and Modified Dyspnea Scale (mMRC) at baseline and after treatment. Resting-state MRI scan was also performed with multiline T2-weighted echo-planar imaging (EPI) to acquire their functional images before and after the treatment. TCC rehabilitation involved a total of 8 weeks of practice with 90 min per session, three times a week. Results After an 8-week integration routine treatment with TCC practice, the patient’s clinical symptoms improved significantly. Imaging analysis showed that COPD patients exhibited decreased Degree of Centrality (DC) in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), right middle frontal gyrus, bilateral cingulate cortex, bilateral precuneus, and right precentral gyrus. Moreover, correlation analysis found that the decreased DC in the right IFG was positively correlated with the CAT improvements. Conclusion The routine treatment involving TCC rehabilitation practice could improve the clinical symptoms of patients with COPD. The right IFG might be a key brain region to contribute to the neural mechanism underlying integrative intervention on the clinical symptoms in COPD. These findings provide neurological evidence for treating COPD rehabilitation practice with mind-body practice based on Chinese culture to some extent, which also advances the understanding of the efficacy of TCC as the adjuvant technology from a neuroscience perspective. Clinical Trial Registration: [http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=45189], identifier [ChiCTR1900028335].
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li-Zhen Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoer Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Sino-Danish College, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Yao
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Department of Neurology, Jingzhou No. 1 People’s Hospital and First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Lan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Jingzhou No. 1 People’s Hospital and First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Qiang Tu
- Department of Neurology, Jingzhou No. 1 People’s Hospital and First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Guangxi Li
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Guang’anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Gao-Xia Wei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Gao-Xia Wei,
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13
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Wang ZX, Su R, Li H, Dang P, Zeng TA, Chen DM, Wu JG, Zhang DL, Ma HL. Changes in Hippocampus and Amygdala Volume with Hypoxic Stress Related to Cardiorespiratory Fitness under a High-Altitude Environment. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12030359. [PMID: 35326315 PMCID: PMC8946638 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12030359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The morphology of the hippocampus and amygdala can be significantly affected by a long-term hypoxia-induced inflammatory response. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has a significant effect on the neuroplasticity of the hippocampus and amygdala by countering inflammation. However, the role of CRF is still largely unclear at high altitudes. Here, we investigated brain limbic volumes in participants who had experienced long-term hypoxia exposure in Tibet (3680 m), utilizing high-resolution structural images to allow the segmentation of the hippocampus and amygdala into their constituent substructures. We recruited a total of 48 participants (48 males; aged = 20.92 ± 1.03 years) to undergo a structural 3T MRI, and the levels of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) were measured using a cardiorespiratory function test. Inflammatory biomarkers were also collected. The participants were divided into two groups according to the levels of median VO2max, and the analysis showed that the morphological indexes of subfields of the hippocampus and amygdala of the lower CRF group were decreased when compared with the higher CRF group. Furthermore, the multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was a higher association with inflammatory factors in the lower CRF group than that in the higher CRF group. This study suggested a significant association of CRF with hippocampus and amygdala volume, which may be related to hypoxic stress in high-altitude environments. A better CRF reduced physiological stress and a decrease in the inflammatory response was observed, which may be related to the increased oxygen transport capacity of the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xin Wang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Rui Su
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Hao Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Peng Dang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Tong-Ao Zeng
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Dong-Mei Chen
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
| | - Jian-Guo Wu
- Management Department, Tibet Police College, Lhasa 850012, China;
| | - De-Long Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
- Correspondence: (D.-L.Z.); (H.-L.M.)
| | - Hai-Lin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University/South China Normal University, Lhasa 850012, China; (Z.-X.W.); (R.S.); (H.L.); (P.D.); (T.-A.Z.); (D.-M.C.)
- Correspondence: (D.-L.Z.); (H.-L.M.)
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14
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Bao H, He X, Wang F, Kang D. Study of Brain Structure and Function in Chronic Mountain Sickness Based on fMRI. Front Neurol 2022; 12:763835. [PMID: 35069409 PMCID: PMC8777079 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.763835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Headache and memory impairment are the primary clinical symptoms of chronic mountain sickness (CMS). In this study, we used voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and the amplitude of the low-frequency fluctuation method (ALFF) based on blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) to identify changes in the brain structure and function caused by CMS. Materials and Methods: T1W anatomical images and a resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) of the whole brain were performed in 24 patients diagnosed with CMS and 25 normal controls matched for age, sex, years of education, and living altitude. MRI images were acquired, followed by VBM and ALFF data analyses. Results: Compared with the control group, the CMS group had increased gray matter volume in the left cerebellum crus II area, left inferior temporal gyrus, right middle temporal gyrus, right insula, right caudate nucleus, and bilateral lentiform nucleus along with decreased gray matter volume in the left middle occipital gyrus and left middle temporal gyrus. White matter was decreased in the bilateral middle temporal gyrus and increased in the right Heschl's gyrus. Resting-state fMRI in patients with CMS showed increased spontaneous brain activity in the left supramarginal gyrus, left parahippocampal gyrus, and left middle temporal gyrus along with decreased spontaneous brain activity in the right cerebellum crus I area and right supplementary motor area. Conclusion: Patients with CMS had differences in gray and white matter volume and abnormal spontaneous brain activity in multiple brain regions compared to the controls. This suggests that long-term chronic hypoxia may induce changes in brain structure and function, resulting in CMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haihua Bao
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
| | - Dongjie Kang
- Department of Medical Imaging Center, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, China
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15
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Zhu D, He B, Zhang M, Wan Y, Liu R, Wang L, Zhang Y, Li Y, Gao F. A Multimodal MR Imaging Study of the Effect of Hippocampal Damage on Affective and Cognitive Functions in a Rat Model of Chronic Exposure to a Plateau Environment. Neurochem Res 2022; 47:979-1000. [PMID: 34981302 PMCID: PMC8891211 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03498-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Prolonged exposure to high altitudes above 2500 m above sea level (a.s.l.) can cause cognitive and behavioral dysfunctions. Herein, we sought to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to plateau hypoxia on the hippocampus in a rat model by using voxel-based morphometry, creatine chemical exchange saturation transfer (CrCEST) and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging techniques. 58 healthy 4-week-old male rats were randomized into plateau hypoxia rats (H group) as the experimental group and plain rats (P group) as the control group. H group rats were transported from Chengdu (500 m a.s.l.), a city in a plateau located in southwestern China, to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (4250 m a.s.l.), Yushu, China, and then fed for 8 months there, while P group rats were fed in Chengdu (500 m a.s.l.), China. After 8 months of exposure to plateau hypoxia, open-field and elevated plus maze tests revealed that the anxiety-like behavior of the H group rats was more serious than that of the P group rats, and the Morris water maze test revealed impaired spatial memory function in the H group rats. Multimodal MR imaging analysis revealed a decreased volume of the regional gray matter, lower CrCEST contrast and higher transport coefficient Ktrans in the hippocampus compared with the P group rats. Further correlation analysis found associations of quantitative MRI parameters of the hippocampus with the behavioral performance of H group rats. In this study, we validated the viability of using noninvasive multimodal MR imaging techniques to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to a plateau hypoxic environment on the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyong Zhu
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bo He
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Mengdi Zhang
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yixuan Wan
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ruibin Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310030, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Molecular Imaging Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Biomedical Engineering and Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310030, China
| | - Yunqing Li
- Department of Anatomy and KK Leung Brain Research Centre, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Fabao Gao
- Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 37 Guoxue Road, Chengdu, 610041, China. .,Molecular Imaging Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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16
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Goto M, Abe O, Hagiwara A, Fujita S, Kamagata K, Hori M, Aoki S, Osada T, Konishi S, Masutani Y, Sakamoto H, Sakano Y, Kyogoku S, Daida H. Advantages of Using Both Voxel- and Surface-based Morphometry in Cortical Morphology Analysis: A Review of Various Applications. Magn Reson Med Sci 2022; 21:41-57. [PMID: 35185061 PMCID: PMC9199978 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.rev.2021-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Surface-based morphometry (SBM) is extremely useful for estimating the indices of cortical morphology, such as volume, thickness, area, and gyrification, whereas voxel-based morphometry (VBM) is a typical method of gray matter (GM) volumetry that includes cortex measurement. In cases where SBM is used to estimate cortical morphology, it remains controversial as to whether VBM should be used in addition to estimate GM volume. Therefore, this review has two main goals. First, we summarize the differences between the two methods regarding preprocessing, statistical analysis, and reliability. Second, we review studies that estimate cortical morphological changes using VBM and/or SBM and discuss whether using VBM in conjunction with SBM produces additional values. We found cases in which detection of morphological change in either VBM or SBM was superior, and others that showed equivalent performance between the two methods. Therefore, we concluded that using VBM and SBM together can help researchers and clinicians obtain a better understanding of normal neurobiological processes of the brain. Moreover, the use of both methods may improve the accuracy of the detection of morphological changes when comparing the data of patients and controls. In addition, we introduce two other recent methods as future directions for estimating cortical morphological changes: a multi-modal parcellation method using structural and functional images, and a synthetic segmentation method using multi-contrast images (such as T1- and proton density-weighted images).
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Affiliation(s)
- Masami Goto
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University
| | - Osamu Abe
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | | | - Shohei Fujita
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo
| | - Koji Kamagata
- Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
| | - Masaaki Hori
- Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
| | - Shigeki Aoki
- Department of Radiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
| | - Takahiro Osada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
| | - Seiki Konishi
- Department of Neurophysiology, Juntendo University School of Medicine
| | | | - Hajime Sakamoto
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University
| | - Yasuaki Sakano
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University
| | - Shinsuke Kyogoku
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University
| | - Hiroyuki Daida
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Science, Juntendo University
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17
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Wang J, Zheng L, Wang Z, Wu X, Ma N, Zhang T, Chen K, Biswal BB, Yang Q, Ma H. Alteration of Behavioral Inhibitory Control in High-Altitude Immigrants. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:712278. [PMID: 34955775 PMCID: PMC8703013 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.712278] [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: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral inhibitory control (BIC) acts as a key cognitive ability, which is essential for humans to withhold inappropriate behaviors. Meanwhile, many studies reported that long-term exposure to high altitude (HA) may affect cognitive ability. However, it is not clear whether long-term exposure to HAs may affect the BIC of an individual. To clarify the role of altitude in the behavioral control of adults and the underlying neural mechanism, we explored the BIC neural activity profiles of healthy immigrants from low-altitude (LA) regions to HA regions. Combining a two-choice oddball paradigm and electrophysiological techniques, this study monitored the N2 and P3 event-related components and neural oscillations across LA and HA groups. Results showed longer reaction times (RTs) for the HA group than the LA group. Relative to the LA group, lower N2 and P3 amplitudes were observed for the HA group. Significant positive correlations were also found between P3 amplitude and theta/delta band power across both groups. Importantly, lower theta/delta band powers were only observed for the HA group under the deviant condition. Collectively, these findings suggest that long-term exposure to HAs may attenuate BIC during the response inhibition stage and provide valuable insights into the neurocognitive implications of environmental altitude on BIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiazheng Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Liqin Zheng
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Zedong Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ning Ma
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Center for Mental Health Development and Research, Xihua University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Center for Mental Health Development and Research, Xihua University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bharat B Biswal
- MOE Key Laboratory for Neuroinformation, Center for Information in Medicine, School of Life Science and Technology, The Clinical Hospital of Chengdu Brain Science Institute, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qun Yang
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China.,Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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18
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Chen L, Ren SY, Li RX, Liu K, Chen JF, Yang YJ, Deng YB, Wang HZ, Xiao L, Mei F, Wang F. Chronic Exposure to Hypoxia Inhibits Myelinogenesis and Causes Motor Coordination Deficits in Adult Mice. Neurosci Bull 2021; 37:1397-1411. [PMID: 34292513 PMCID: PMC8490606 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-021-00745-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to chronic hypoxia is considered to be a risk factor for deficits in brain function in adults, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Since active myelinogenesis persists in the adult central nervous system, here we aimed to investigate the impact of chronic hypoxia on myelination and the related functional consequences in adult mice. Using a transgenic approach to label newly-generated myelin sheaths (NG2-CreERTM; Tau-mGFP), we found that myelinogenesis was highly active in most brain regions, such as the motor cortex and corpus callosum. After exposure to hypoxia (10% oxygen) 12 h per day for 4 weeks, myelinogenesis was largely inhibited in the 4-month old brain and the mice displayed motor coordination deficits revealed by the beam-walking test. To determine the relationship between the inhibited myelination and functional impairment, we induced oligodendroglia-specific deletion of the transcription factor Olig2 by tamoxifen (NG2-CreERTM; Tau-mGFP; Olig2 fl/fl) in adult mice to mimic the decreased myelinogenesis caused by hypoxia. The deletion of Olig2 inhibited myelinogenesis and consequently impaired motor coordination, suggesting that myelinogenesis is required for motor function in adult mice. To understand whether enhancing myelination could protect brain functions against hypoxia, we treated hypoxic mice with the myelination-enhancing drug-clemastine, which resulted in enhanced myelogenesis and improved motor coordination. Taken together, our data indicate that chronic hypoxia inhibits myelinogenesis and causes functional deficits in the brain and that enhancing myelinogenesis protects brain functions against hypoxia-related deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Shu-Yu Ren
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Rui-Xue Li
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Kun Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Jing-Fei Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yu-Jian Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Yong-Bin Deng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Han-Zhi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Feng Mei
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Brain and Intelligence Research Key Laboratory of Chongqing Education Commission, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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19
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Xiang ZQ, Huang YL, Luo GL, Ma HL, Zhang DL. Decreased Event-Related Desynchronization of Mental Rotation Tasks in Young Tibetan Immigrants. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:664039. [PMID: 34276324 PMCID: PMC8278785 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.664039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the cortical activity underlying mental rotation in high-altitude immigrants via the event-related desynchronization (ERD), the electroencephalogram time–frequency analysis, and source localization based on electroencephalographic data. When compared with the low-altitude individuals, the reaction time of mental rotation tasks was significantly slower in immigrants who had lived in high-altitude areas for 3 years. The time–frequency analysis showed that the alpha ERD and the beta ERD within the time window (400–700 ms) were decreased during the mental rotation tasks in these immigrants. The decreased ERD was observed at the parietal–occipital regions within the alpha band and at the central–parietal regions within the beta band. The decreased ERD might embody the sensorimotor-related cortical activity from hypoxia, which might be involved in cognitive control function in high-altitude immigrants, which provided insights into the neural mechanism of spatial cognition change on aspect of embodied cognition due to high-altitude exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zu-Qiang Xiang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Lin Huang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Guang-Li Luo
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,The Fourth Primary School of Qiaotou Town, Dongguan, China
| | - Hai-Lin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China.,Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Long Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, Tibet University, Lhasa, China.,Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou, China.,School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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20
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Xu L, Song H, Qiu Q, Jiang T, Ge P, Su Z, Ma W, Zhang R, Huang C, Li S, Lin D, Zhang J. Different Expressions of HIF-1α and Metabolism in Brain and Major Visceral Organs of Acute Hypoxic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6705. [PMID: 34201416 PMCID: PMC8268807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia is associated with clinical diseases. Extreme hypoxia leads to multiple organs failure. However, the different effects of hypoxia on brain and visceral organs still need to be clarified, and moreover, characteristics in vulnerable organs suffering from hypoxia remain elusive. In the present study, we first aimed to figure out the hypoxic sensitivity of organs. Adult male mice were exposed to 6% O2 or 8% O2 for 6 h. Control mice were raised under normoxic conditions. In vivo and in vitro imaging of anti-HIF-1α-NMs-cy5.5 nanocomposites showed that the expression level of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) was the highest in the liver, followed by kidney and brain. HIF-1α was detected in the hepatocytes of liver, distal convoluted tubules of kidney and neurons of cerebral cortex. The liver, kidney and brain showed distinct metabolic profiles but an identical change in glutamate. Compared with kidney and brain, the liver had more characteristic metabolites and more disturbed metabolic pathways related to glutaminolysis and glycolysis. The level of O-phosphocholine, GTP, NAD and aspartate were upregulated in hypoxic mice brain, which displayed significant positive correlations with the locomotor activity in control mice, but not in hypoxic mice with impaired locomotor activities. Taken together, the liver, kidney and brain are the three main organs of the body that are strongly respond to acute hypoxia, and the liver exhibited the highest hypoxic sensitivity. The metabolic disorders appear to underlie the physiological function changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Xu
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (L.X.); (Q.Q.); (W.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Hua Song
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (H.S.); (P.G.); (Z.S.)
| | - Qi Qiu
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (L.X.); (Q.Q.); (W.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Ting Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Chemical Biology of Fujian Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China;
| | - Pingyun Ge
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (H.S.); (P.G.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zaiji Su
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (H.S.); (P.G.); (Z.S.)
| | - Wenhui Ma
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (L.X.); (Q.Q.); (W.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Ran Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (L.X.); (Q.Q.); (W.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Caihua Huang
- Research and Communication Center of Exercise and Health, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen 361024, China;
| | - Shanhua Li
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (L.X.); (Q.Q.); (W.M.); (R.Z.)
| | - Donghai Lin
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Innovative Drug Target Research, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (H.S.); (P.G.); (Z.S.)
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; (L.X.); (Q.Q.); (W.M.); (R.Z.)
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21
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Li Z, Xue X, Li X, Bao X, Yu S, Wang Z, Liu M, Ma H, Zhang D. Neuropsychological effect of working memory capacity on mental rotation under hypoxia environment. Int J Psychophysiol 2021; 165:18-28. [PMID: 33839196 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2021.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
High-altitude exposure induces the decline of spatial manipulation such as mental rotation which is limited by working memory capacity, but the underlying neuropsychological effect remains to be identified. We evaluated the mental rotation task and the contralateral delay activity (CDA) task under hypoxia environment using the event-related potential. When compared with the controls, the behavior response was slowed on two tasks in the high-altitude group. The declined mental rotation and the decreased working memory capacity were synchronously related to the amplitudes of P50 and CDA, respectively. The P50 during mental rotation was positively correlated to that of rotation-related negativity (RRN) component, so was with the CDA. Time-frequency analysis showed that the beta/alpha power in mental rotation and the theta/alpha/beta power in CDA were enhanced in the high-altitude group. The present study might suggest that the decline of working memory capacity induced poor performance of mental rotation, which may be derived from a bottom-up sensory gating deficit reflected by P50.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zefeng Li
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Xiaojuan Xue
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Xiaohua Bao
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Sifang Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Zengjian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, China; Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, China.
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22
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Guo Z, Fan C, Li T, Gesang L, Yin W, Wang N, Weng X, Gong Q, Zhang J, Wang J. Neural network correlates of high-altitude adaptive genetic variants in Tibetans: A pilot, exploratory study. Hum Brain Mapp 2020; 41:2406-2430. [PMID: 32128935 PMCID: PMC7267913 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Although substantial progress has been made in the identification of genetic substrates underlying physiology, neuropsychology, and brain organization, the genotype–phenotype associations remain largely unknown in the context of high‐altitude (HA) adaptation. Here, we related HA adaptive genetic variants in three gene loci (EGLN1, EPAS1, and PPARA) to interindividual variance in a set of physiological characteristics, neuropsychological tests, and topological attributes of large‐scale structural and functional brain networks in 135 indigenous Tibetan highlanders. Analyses of individual HA adaptive single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) revealed that specific SNPs selectively modulated physiological characteristics (erythrocyte level, ratio between forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity, arterial oxygen saturation, and heart rate) and structural network centrality (the left anterior orbital gyrus) with no effects on neuropsychology or functional brain networks. Further analyses of genetic adaptive scores, which summarized the overall degree of genetic adaptation to HA, revealed significant correlations only with structural brain networks with respect to local interconnectivity of the whole networks, intermodule communication between the right frontal and parietal module and the left occipital module, nodal centrality in several frontal regions, and connectivity strength of a subnetwork predominantly involving in intramodule edges in the right temporal and occipital module. Moreover, the associations were dependent on gene loci, weight types, or topological scales. Together, these findings shed new light on genotype–phenotype interactions under HA hypoxia and have important implications for developing new strategies to optimize organism and tissue responses to chronic hypoxia induced by extreme environments or diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyue Guo
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Cunxiu Fan
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.,Department of Neurology, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Li
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Luobu Gesang
- Institute of High Altitude Medicine, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Wu Yin
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ningkai Wang
- Department of Psychology, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xuchu Weng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi Magnetic Resonance Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Institute of Brain Diseases and Cognition, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhui Wang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, South China Normal University, Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou, China
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23
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Kühn S, Gerlach D, Noblé HJ, Weber F, Rittweger J, Jordan J, Limper U. An Observational Cerebral Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Following 7 Days at 4554 m. High Alt Med Biol 2019; 20:407-416. [DOI: 10.1089/ham.2019.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sven Kühn
- German Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine, Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Darius Gerlach
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Noblé
- German Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine, Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Frank Weber
- German Air Force Center of Aerospace Medicine, Fürstenfeldbruck, Germany
| | - Jörn Rittweger
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens Jordan
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ulrich Limper
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Merheim Medical Center, Hospitals of Cologne, University of Witten/Herdecke, Cologne, Germany
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24
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Ma H, Li X, Liu M, Ma H, Zhang D. Mental Rotation Effect on Adult Immigrants with Long-term Exposure to High Altitude in Tibet: An ERP Study. Neuroscience 2018; 386:339-350. [PMID: 30049664 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.06.038] [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: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Human spatial manipulation ability is sensitive to high-altitude (HA) environment. The present study aimed to investigate the electrophysiological basis of spatial manipulation ability on adult immigrants with long-term HA exposure using the mental rotation (MR) task and the ERP approach. Toward this end, we explored the MR effect in individuals who immigrated to HA areas for three years compared with individuals who lived in low altitude areas. We found that the reaction time related to the MR effect was significantly slower in the HA group than that of the low-altitude group. The ERP component analysis further indicated that the rotation-related negativity (RRN) amplitude was highly corresponding to the MR effect in each group, the RRN amplitude was significantly larger in the HA group than the low-altitude group related to each rotation angle condition. The brain topographical map further showed that only the right hemisphere regions instead of the bilateral hemisphere regions involved into the MR effect in the HA group, which was different to the low-altitude group. Together, these findings might collectively suggest that the mental resource was insufficient as a result of HA exposure which can be reflected on the RRN amplitude, which may help understanding the neural basis of spatial ability change from the long-term HA exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailin Ma
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China; Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China; Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China
| | - Huifang Ma
- College of Management, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Plateau Brain Science Research Center, South China Normal University/Tibet University, Guangzhou 510631/Lhasa 850012, China; Center for the Study of Applied Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science of Guangdong Province, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China; Institute for Brain Research and Rehabilitation, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
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25
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Chen X, Zhang Q, Wang J, Liu J, Zhang W, Qi S, Xu H, Li C, Zhang J, Zhao H, Meng S, Li D, Lu H, Aschner M, Li B, Yin H, Chen J, Luo W. Cognitive and neuroimaging changes in healthy immigrants upon relocation to a high altitude: A panel study. Hum Brain Mapp 2017; 38:3865-3877. [PMID: 28480993 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive and neuroimaging changes under chronic high-altitude exposure have never been followed up and dynamically assessed. OBJECTIVES To investigate the cognitive and brain structural/functional alterations associated with chronic high-altitude exposure. METHODS Sixty-nine college freshmen that were immigrating to Tibet were enrolled and followed up for two years. Neuropsychological tests, including verbal/visual memory and simple/recognition reaction time, were utilized to determine whether the subjects' cognitive function had changed in response to chronic high-altitude exposure. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) were used to quantify brain gray matter (GM) volumes, regional homogeneity (ReHo) and functional connectivity (FC) alterations before and after exposure. Areas with changes in both GM and ReHo were used as seeds in the inter-regional FC analysis. RESULTS The subjects showed significantly lower accuracy in memory tests and longer reaction times after exposure, and neuroimaging analysis showed markedly decreased GM volumes and ReHo in the left putamen. FC analysis seeding of the left putamen showed significantly weakened FC with the superior temporal gyrus, anterior/middle cingulate gyrus and other brain regions. In addition, decreased ReHo was found in the superior temporal gyrus, superior parietal lobule, anterior cingulate gyrus and medial frontal gyrus, while increased ReHo was found in the hippocampus. Differences in ReHo/FC before and after high-altitude exposure in multiple regions were significantly correlated with the cognitive changes. CONCLUSION Cognitive functions such as working memory and psychomotor function are impaired during chronic high-altitude exposure. The putamen may play an important role in chronic hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3865-3877, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoming Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jiye Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Radiology, General Hospital of Tibet Military Region, Lhasa, China
| | - Wenbin Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shun Qi
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Ultrasound, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Chen Li
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jinsong Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haitao Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Shanshan Meng
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Huanyu Lu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Hong Yin
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jingyuan Chen
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenjing Luo
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, the Ministry of Education Key Lab of Hazard Assessment and Control in Special Operational Environment, School of Public Health, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
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26
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Zhang J, Chen J, Fan C, Li J, Lin J, Yang T, Fan M. Alteration of Spontaneous Brain Activity After Hypoxia-Reoxygenation: A Resting-State fMRI Study. High Alt Med Biol 2017; 18:20-26. [PMID: 28266873 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2016.0083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Zhang, Jiaxing, Ji Chen, Cunxiu Fan, Jinqiang Li, Jianzhong Lin, Tianhe Yang, and Ming Fan. Alteration of spontaneous brain activity after hypoxia-reoxygenation: A resting-state fMRI study. High Alt Med Biol. 18:20-26, 2017.-The present study was designed to investigate the effect of hypoxia-reoxygenation on the spontaneous neuronal activity in brain. Sixteen sea-level (SL) soldiers (20.5 ± 0.7 years), who garrisoned the frontiers in high altitude (HA) (2300-4400 m) for two years and subsequently descended to sea level for one to seven days, were recruited. Control group consisted of 16 matched SL natives. The amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of regional brain functional magnetic resonance imaging signal in resting state and functional connectivity (FC) between brain regions was analyzed. HA subjects showed significant increases of ALFF at several sites within the bilateral occipital cortices and significant decreases of ALFF in the right anterior insula and extending to the caudate, putamen, inferior frontal orbital cortex, temporal pole, and superior temporal gyrus; lower ALFF values in the right insula were positively correlated with low respiratory measurements. The right insula in HA subjects had increases of FC with the right superior temporal gyrus, postcentral gyrus, rolandic operculum, supramarginal gyrus, and inferior frontal triangular area. We thus demonstrated that hypoxia-reoxygenation had influence on the spontaneous neuronal activity in brain. The decrease of insular neuronal activity may be related to the reduction of ventilatory drive, while the increase of FC with insula may indicate a central compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxing Zhang
- 1 Department of Physiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, China
| | - Ji Chen
- 1 Department of Physiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, China
| | - Cunxiu Fan
- 1 Department of Physiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, China
| | - Jinqiang Li
- 2 Department of Clinical Psychology, Gulangyu Sanatorium of PLA , Xiamen, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- 3 Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University , Xiamen, China
| | - Tianhe Yang
- 3 Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University , Xiamen, China
| | - Ming Fan
- 4 Department of Cognitive Sciences, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences , Beijing, China
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27
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Wei W, Wang X, Gong Q, Fan M, Zhang J. Cortical Thickness of Native Tibetans in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2017; 38:553-560. [PMID: 28104637 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a5050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE High-altitude environmental factors and genetic variants together could have exerted their effects on the human brain. The present study was designed to investigate the cerebral morphology in high-altitude native Tibetans. MATERIALS AND METHODS T1-weighted brain images were obtained from 77 Tibetan adolescents on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (altitude, 2300-5300 m) and 80 matched Han controls living at sea level. Cortical thickness, curvature, and sulcus were analyzed by using FreeSurfer. RESULTS Cortical thickness was significantly decreased in the left posterior cingulate cortex, lingual gyrus, superior parietal cortex, precuneus, and rostral middle frontal cortex and the right medial orbitofrontal cortex, lateral occipital cortex, precuneus, and paracentral lobule. Curvature was significantly decreased in the left superior parietal cortex and right superior marginal gyrus; the depth of the sulcus was significantly increased in the left inferior temporal gyrus and significantly decreased in the right superior marginal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, and insular cortex. Moreover, cortical thickness was negatively correlated with altitude in the left superior and middle temporal gyri, rostral middle frontal cortex, insular cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, precuneus, lingual gyrus, and the right superior temporal gyrus. Curvature was positively correlated with altitude in the left rostral middle frontal cortex, insular cortex, and middle temporal gyrus. The depth of the sulcus was negatively correlated with altitude in the left lingual gyrus and right medial orbitofrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONS Differences in cortical morphometry in native Tibetans may reflect adaptations related to high altitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Wei
- From the MRI Center (W.W.), First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Institute of Brain Disease and Cognition (W.W., J.Z.), Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - X Wang
- Department of Neurology (X.W.), Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Q Gong
- Huaxi Magnetic Resonance Research Center (Q.G.), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - M Fan
- Department of Cognitive Sciences (M.F.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - J Zhang
- Institute of Brain Disease and Cognition (W.W., J.Z.), Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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28
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Characteristics of EEG activity during high altitude hypoxia and lowland reoxygenation. Brain Res 2016; 1648:243-249. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Revised: 06/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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29
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Fan C, Zhao Y, Yu Q, Yin W, Liu H, Lin J, Yang T, Fan M, Gesang L, Zhang J. Reversible Brain Abnormalities in People Without Signs of Mountain Sickness During High-Altitude Exposure. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33596. [PMID: 27633944 PMCID: PMC5025655 DOI: 10.1038/srep33596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A large proportion of lowlanders ascending to high-altitude (HA) show no signs of mountain sickness. Whether their brains have indeed suffered from HA environment and the persistent sequelae after return to lowland remain unknown. Thirty-one sea-level college students, who had a 30-day teaching on Qinghai-Tibet plateau underwent MRI scans before, during, and two months after HA exposure. Brain volume, cortical structures, and white matter microstructure were measured. Besides, serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE), C-reactive protein, and interleukin-6 and neuropsychiatric behaviors were tested. After 30-day HA exposure, the gray and white matter volumes and cortical surface areas significantly increased, with cortical thicknesses and curvatures changed in a wide spread regions; Anisotropy decreased with diffusivities increased in multiple sites of white matter tracts. Two months after HA exposure, cortical measurements returned to basal level. However, increased anisotropy with decreased diffusivities was observed. Behaviors and serum inflammatory factor did not significant changed during three time-point tests. NSE significantly decreased during HA but increased after HA exposure. Results suggest brain swelling occurred in people without neurological signs at HA, but no negative sequelae in cortical structures and neuropsychiatric functions were left after the return to lowlands. Reoxygenation changed white matter microstructure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cunxiu Fan
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Yuhua Zhao
- Institute of high altitude medicine, Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, Lasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Qian Yu
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Wu Yin
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, Lasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Haipeng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, Lasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, Fujian, China
| | - Tianhe Yang
- Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, Fujian, China
| | - Ming Fan
- Department of Brain Protection and Plasticity, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Luobu Gesang
- Institute of high altitude medicine, Tibet Autonomous Region People’s Hospital, Lasa 850000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
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30
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Verges S, Rupp T, Villien M, Lamalle L, Troprés I, Poquet C, Warnking JM, Estève F, Bouzat P, Krainik A. Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Investigation of Brain Adaptations to 6 Days at 4350 m. Front Physiol 2016; 7:393. [PMID: 27660613 PMCID: PMC5014870 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Hypoxic exposure in healthy subjects can induce acute mountain sickness including headache, lethargy, cerebral dysfunction, and substantial cerebral structural alterations which, in worst case, can lead to potentially fatal high altitude cerebral edema. Within this context, the relationships between high altitude-induced cerebral edema, changes in cerebral perfusion, increased brain parenchyma volume, increased intracranial pressure, and symptoms remain unclear. Methods: In 11 subjects before and after 6 days at 4350 m, we performed multiparametric magnetic resonance investigations including anatomical, apparent diffusion coefficient and arterial spin labeling sequences. Results: After the altitude stay, while subjects were asymptomatic, white matter volume (+0.7 ± 0.4%, p = 0.005), diffusion (+1.7 ± 1.4%, p = 0.002), and cerebral blood flow (+28 ± 38%; p = 0.036) were significantly increased while cerebrospinal fluid volume was reduced (−1.4 ± 1.1%, p = 0.009). Optic nerve sheath diameter (used as an index of increased intracranial pressure) was unchanged from before (5.84 ± 0.53 mm) to after (5.92 ± 0.60 mm, p = 0.390) altitude exposure. Correlations were observed between increases in white matter volume and diffusion (rho = 0.81, p = 0.016) and between changes in CSF volume and changes in ONSD s (rho = −0.92, p = 0.006) and symptoms during the altitude stay (rho = −0.67, p = 0.031). Conclusions: These data demonstrate white matter alterations after several days at high altitude when subjects are asymptomatic that may represent the normal brain response to prolonged high altitude exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Verges
- HP2 Laboratory, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; U1042, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleGrenoble, France
| | - Thomas Rupp
- HP2 Laboratory, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; U1042, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche MédicaleGrenoble, France; Inter-Universitary Laboratory of Human Movement Biology, Université Savoie Mont BlancChambéry, France
| | - Marjorie Villien
- Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; SFR1, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France
| | - Laurent Lamalle
- U836, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Grenoble, France
| | - Irène Troprés
- U836, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Grenoble, France
| | - Camille Poquet
- Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; SFR1, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France
| | - Jan M Warnking
- Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; SFR1, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France
| | - François Estève
- Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; SFR1, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France
| | - Pierre Bouzat
- Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; SFR1, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France
| | - Alexandre Krainik
- Grenoble Institute of Neurosciences, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France; SFR1, Université Grenoble AlpesGrenoble, France
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Chen J, Li J, Han Q, Lin J, Yang T, Chen Z, Zhang J. Long-term acclimatization to high-altitude hypoxia modifies interhemispheric functional and structural connectivity in the adult brain. Brain Behav 2016; 6:e00512. [PMID: 27688941 PMCID: PMC5036434 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Structural and functional networks can be reorganized to adjust to environmental pressures and physiologic changes in the adult brain, but such processes remain unclear in prolonged adaptation to high-altitude (HA) hypoxia. This study aimed to characterize the interhemispheric functionally and structurally coupled modifications in the brains of adult HA immigrants. METHODS We performed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in 16 adults who had immigrated to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2300-4400 m) for 2 years and in 16 age-matched sea-level (SL) controls. A recently validated approach of voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) was employed to examine the interhemispheric resting-state functional connectivity. Areas showing changed VMHC in HA immigrants were selected as regions of interest for follow-up DTI tractography analysis. The fiber parameters of fractional anisotropy and fiber length were obtained. Cognitive and physiological assessments were made and correlated with the resulting image metrics. RESULTS Compared with SL controls, VMHC in the bilateral visual cortex was significantly increased in HA immigrants. The mean VMHC value extracted within the visual cortex was positively correlated with hemoglobin concentration. Moreover, the path length of the commissural fibers connecting homotopic visual areas was increased in HA immigrants, covarying positively with VMHC. CONCLUSIONS These observations are the first to demonstrate interhemispheric functional and structural connectivity resilience in the adult brain after prolonged HA acclimatization independent of inherited and developmental effects, and the coupled modifications in the bilateral visual cortex indicate important neural compensatory mechanisms underlying visual dysfunction in physiologically well-acclimatized HA immigrants. The study of human central adaptation to extreme environments promotes the understanding of our brain's capacity for survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Chen
- Department of Medical ImagingFuzhou Dongfang HospitalXiamen UniversityFuzhouFujianChina
- Department of Physiology and NeurobiologyMedical College of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Jinqiang Li
- Department of Clinical PsychologyGulangyu Sanatorium of PLAXiamenFujianChina
| | - Qiaoqing Han
- Department of Clinical PsychologyGulangyu Sanatorium of PLAXiamenFujianChina
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- Magnetic Resonance CenterThe Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Tianhe Yang
- Magnetic Resonance CenterThe Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
| | - Ziqian Chen
- Department of Medical ImagingFuzhou Dongfang HospitalXiamen UniversityFuzhouFujianChina
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- Department of Physiology and NeurobiologyMedical College of Xiamen UniversityXiamenFujianChina
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Ma Q, Hu L, Li J, Hu Y, Xia L, Chen X, Hu W. Different Effects of Hypoxia on Mental Rotation of Normal and Mirrored Letters: Evidence from the Rotation-Related Negativity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0154479. [PMID: 27144444 PMCID: PMC4856360 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study explored the neural mechanism underlying the effect of moderate and transient hypoxic exposure on mental rotation of two-dimensional letters in both normal and mirror versions. Event-related potential data and behavioral data were acquired in the task of discrimination between normal and mirrored versions separately in conditions of normoxia (simulated sea level) and hypoxia conditions (simulated 5000 meter altitude). The behavioral results revealed no significant difference between the normoxia and hypoxia conditions both in response time and error rate. However, obvious differences between these two conditions in ERP were found. First, enlarged P300 and Rotation-related Negativity (RRN) were observed in the hypoxia condition compared to the normoxia condition only with normal letters. Second, the angle effect on the amplitude of RRN was more evident with normal letters in the hypoxia condition than that in the normoxia condition. However, this angle effect nearly disappeared with the mirrored letters in the hypoxia condition. Third, more bilateral parietal activation was observed in the hypoxia condition than the normoxia condition. These results suggested that the compensation mechanism existed in the hypoxia condition and was effective with normal letters but had little effect on the mirrored letters. This study extends the research about the hypoxic effect on spatial ability of humans by employing a mental rotation task and further provides neural evidence for this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingguo Ma
- Institute of Neural Management Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
- Neuromanagement Lab, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- * E-mail:
| | - Linfeng Hu
- School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Neuromanagement Lab, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiaojie Li
- Hangzhou Aviation Medicine Assessment and Training Center of Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Hu
- School of Management, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Neuromanagement Lab, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ling Xia
- Hangzhou Aviation Medicine Assessment and Training Center of Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaojian Chen
- Hangzhou Aviation Medicine Assessment and Training Center of Air Force, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wendong Hu
- Faculty of Aerospace Medicine, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
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Arya A, Gangwar A, Singh SK, Roy M, Das M, Sethy NK, Bhargava K. Cerium oxide nanoparticles promote neurogenesis and abrogate hypoxia-induced memory impairment through AMPK-PKC-CBP signaling cascade. Int J Nanomedicine 2016; 11:1159-73. [PMID: 27069362 PMCID: PMC4818056 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s102096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Structural and functional integrity of the brain is adversely affected by reduced oxygen saturation, especially during chronic hypoxia exposure and often encountered by altitude travelers or dwellers. Hypoxia-induced generation of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species reportedly affects the cortex and hippocampus regions of the brain, promoting memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs), also known as nanoceria, switch between +3 and +4 oxidation states and reportedly scavenge superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxynitrite in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the neuroprotective as well as the cognition-enhancing activities of nanoceria during hypobaric hypoxia. Using polyethylene glycol-coated 3 nm nanoceria (PEG-CNPs), we have demonstrated efficient localization of PEG-CNPs in rodent brain. This resulted in significant reduction of oxidative stress and associated damage during hypoxia exposure. Morris water maze-based memory function tests revealed that PEG-CNPs ameliorated hypoxia-induced memory impairment. Using microscopic, flow cytometric, and histological studies, we also provide evidences that PEG-CNPs augmented hippocampus neuronal survival and promoted neurogenesis. Molecular studies revealed that PEG-CNPs promoted neurogenesis through the 5′-adenine monophosphate-activated protein kinase–protein kinase C–cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein binding (AMPK-PKC-CBP) protein pathway. Our present study results suggest that nanoceria can be translated as promising therapeutic molecules for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Arya
- Peptide and Proteomics Division, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India
| | - Anamika Gangwar
- Peptide and Proteomics Division, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India
| | - Sushil Kumar Singh
- Functional Materials Division, Solid State Physics Laboratory, Defense Research and Development Organization, Timarpur, Delhi, India
| | - Manas Roy
- Biological Science and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India; Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Howrah, India
| | - Mainak Das
- Biological Science and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, India
| | - Niroj Kumar Sethy
- Peptide and Proteomics Division, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India
| | - Kalpana Bhargava
- Peptide and Proteomics Division, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi, India
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Chen J, Fan C, Li J, Han Q, Lin J, Yang T, Zhang J. Increased Intraregional Synchronized Neural Activity in Adult Brain After Prolonged Adaptation to High-Altitude Hypoxia: A Resting-State fMRI Study. High Alt Med Biol 2016; 17:16-24. [PMID: 26906285 DOI: 10.1089/ham.2015.0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is intrinsically plastic such that its functional architecture can be reorganized in response to environmental pressures and physiological changes. However, it remains unclear whether a compensatory modification of spontaneous neural activity occurs in adult brain during prolonged high-altitude (HA) adaptation. In this study, we obtained resting-state functional magnetic resonance (MR) images in 16 adults who have immigrated to Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (2300-4400 m) for 2 years and in 16 age-matched sea level (SL) controls. A validated regional homogeneity (Reho) method was employed to investigate the local synchronization of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals. Seed connectivity analysis was carried out subsequently. Cognitive and physiological assessments were made and correlated with the image metrics. Compared with SL controls, global mean Reho was significantly increased in HA immigrants as well as a regional increase in the right inferolateral sensorimotor cortex. Furthermore, mean z-Reho value extracted within the inferolateral sensorimotor area showed trend-level significant inverse correlation with memory search reaction time in HA immigrants. These observations, for the first time, provide evidence of adult brain resilience of spontaneous neural activity after long-term HA exposure without inherited and developmental effects. Resting-state fMRI could yield valuable information for central mechanisms underlying respiratory and cognitive compensations in adults during prolonged environmentally hypoxic adaptation, paving the way for future HA-adaptive training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji Chen
- 1 Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China .,2 Department of Medical Imaging Center, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA , Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Cunxiu Fan
- 1 Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinqiang Li
- 3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Gulangyu Sanatorium of PLA , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qiaoqing Han
- 3 Department of Clinical Psychology, Gulangyu Sanatorium of PLA , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jianzhong Lin
- 4 Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Tianhe Yang
- 4 Magnetic Resonance Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jiaxing Zhang
- 1 Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Medical College of Xiamen University , Xiamen, Fujian, China
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Foster GE, Davies-Thompson J, Dominelli PB, Heran MKS, Donnelly J, duManoir GR, Ainslie PN, Rauscher A, Sheel AW. Changes in cerebral vascular reactivity and structure following prolonged exposure to high altitude in humans. Physiol Rep 2015; 3:3/12/e12647. [PMID: 26660556 PMCID: PMC4760444 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.12647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although high‐altitude exposure can lead to neurocognitive impairment, even upon return to sea level, it remains unclear the extent to which brain volume and regional cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR) are altered following high‐altitude exposure. The purpose of this study was to simultaneously determine the effect of 3 weeks at 5050 m on: (1) structural brain alterations; and (2) regional CVR after returning to sea level for 1 week. Healthy human volunteers (n = 6) underwent baseline and follow‐up structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at rest and during a CVR protocol (end‐tidal PCO2 reduced by −10, −5 and increased by +5, +10, and +15 mmHg from baseline). CVR maps (% mmHg−1) were generated using BOLD MRI and brain volumes were estimated. Following return to sea level, whole‐brain volume and gray matter volume was reduced by 0.4 ± 0.3% (P < 0.01) and 2.6 ± 1.0% (P < 0.001), respectively; white matter was unchanged. Global gray matter CVR and white matter CVR were unchanged following return to sea level, but CVR was selectively increased (P < 0.05) in the brainstem (+30 ± 12%), hippocampus (+12 ± 3%), and thalamus (+10 ± 3%). These changes were the result of improvement and/or reversal of negative CVR to positive CVR in these regions. Three weeks of high‐altitude exposure is reflected in loss of gray matter volume and improvements in negative CVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen E Foster
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jodie Davies-Thompson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Paolo B Dominelli
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Manraj K S Heran
- Diagnostic and Therapeutic Neuroradiology, Vancouver General Hospital University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Joseph Donnelly
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gregory R duManoir
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Philip N Ainslie
- Centre for Heart, Lung, and Vascular Health, School of Health and Exercise Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Alexander Rauscher
- Department of Radiology, UBC MRI Research Centre University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - A William Sheel
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Li K, Guo X, Jin Z, Ouyang X, Zeng Y, Feng J, Wang Y, Yao L, Ma L. Effect of Simulated Microgravity on Human Brain Gray Matter and White Matter--Evidence from MRI. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135835. [PMID: 26270525 PMCID: PMC4535759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is limited and inconclusive evidence that space environment, especially microgravity condition, may affect microstructure of human brain. This experiment hypothesized that there would be modifications in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) of the brain due to microgravity. METHOD Eighteen male volunteers were recruited and fourteen volunteers underwent -6° head-down bed rest (HDBR) for 30 days simulated microgravity. High-resolution brain anatomical imaging data and diffusion tensor imaging images were collected on a 3T MR system before and after HDBR. We applied voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics analysis to investigate the structural changes in GM and WM of brain. RESULTS We observed significant decreases of GM volume in the bilateral frontal lobes, temporal poles, parahippocampal gyrus, insula and right hippocampus, and increases of GM volume in the vermis, bilateral paracentral lobule, right precuneus gyrus, left precentral gyrus and left postcentral gyrus after HDBR. Fractional anisotropy (FA) changes were also observed in multiple WM tracts. CONCLUSION These regions showing GM changes are closely associated with the functional domains of performance, locomotion, learning, memory and coordination. Regional WM alterations may be related to brain function decline and adaption. Our findings provide the neuroanatomical evidence of brain dysfunction or plasticity in microgravity condition and a deeper insight into the cerebral mechanisms in microgravity condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Li
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Magnetic Resonance Center, 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Guo
- College of Information Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Jin
- Magnetic Resonance Center, 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Ouyang
- College of Information Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yawei Zeng
- Magnetic Resonance Center, 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Jinsheng Feng
- The Third Laboratory, China Astronaut Research and Training Centre, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Outpatient Department of 61599 Unit of PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Li Yao
- College of Information Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Radiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- * E-mail:
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Chondrogiorgi M, Tzarouchi LC, Zikou AK, Astrakas LG, Kosta P, Argyropoulou MI, Konitsiotis S. Multimodal imaging evaluation of excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease. Int J Neurosci 2015; 126:422-8. [PMID: 26000811 DOI: 10.3109/00207454.2015.1023437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The multimodal imaging investigation of excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in Parkinson's disease (PD). The role of dopaminergic treatment and other clinical parameters was also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventeen non-demented PD patients with EDS (PD-EDS) and 17 PD patients without EDS were enrolled. Clinical, treatment and MRI data were acquired. Gray matter (GM) volume was examined with voxel-based morphometry, while white matter (WM) integrity was assessed with diffusion tensor imaging by means of fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity measures. RESULTS Increased regional GM volume was found in the PD-EDS group bilaterally in the hippocampus and parahippocampal gyri. Increased AD values were also shown in the PD-EDS group, in the left anterior thalamic radiation and the corticospinal tract and bilaterally in the superior corona radiata and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Levodopa equivalent dose differed significantly between the groups and was the only predictor of EDS, while the only predictor of the Epworth sleepiness scale score in the PD-EDS group was the dopamine-agonist dose. Increased frequency of gamblers was also observed in the PD-EDS group. CONCLUSIONS Regional GM increases and increased AD values in certain WM tracts were found in the PD-EDS group. The changes could result from disinhibited signaling pathways or represent compensatory changes in response to anatomical or functional deficits elsewhere. The study findings support also the contribution of the total dopaminergic load in the development of EDS, while the dose of dopamine agonists was found to predict the severity of the disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Loukas G Astrakas
- c Department of Medical Physics, Medical School , University of Ioannina , Ioannina , Greece
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Protein profiling reveals antioxidant and signaling activities of NAP (Davunetide) in rodent hippocampus exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. J Mol Neurosci 2014; 54:414-29. [PMID: 25038875 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-014-0381-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/09/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
NAP (davunetide) is a clinical octapeptide and reportedly possesses neuroprotective, neurotrophic and cognitive protective properties. The information for NAP-mediated neuroproteome changes and associated signaling pathways during hypoxia will help in drug development programmes across the world. In the present study, we have evaluated the antioxidant activities of NAP in rat hippocampus exposed to hypobaric hypoxia (25,000 ft, 282 mm Hg) for 3, 6 and 12 h respectively. Using 2D-gel electrophoresis (2D-GE) with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) mass spectrometry, we have identified altered expression of 80 proteins in NAP-supplemented hippocampus after hypoxia. Pathway analysis revealed that NAP supplementation significantly regulated oxidative stress response, oxidoreductase activity and cellular response to stress pathways during hypoxia. Additionally, NAP supplementation also regulated energy production pathways along with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and signaling by Rho family GTPases pathways. We observed higher expression of antioxidant Sod1, Eno1, Prdx2 and Prdx5 proteins that were subsequently validated by Western blotting. A higher level of Prdx2 was also observed by immunohistochemistry in NAP-supplemented hippocampus during hypoxia. In corroboration, we are able to detect significant lower level of protein carbonyls in NAP-supplemented hypoxic hippocampus suggesting amelioration of oxidant molecules by NAP supplementation. These results emphasize the antioxidant and signaling properties of NAP in rodent hippocampus during hypobaric hypoxia.
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