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Ahamad S, Bano N, Khan S, Hussain MK, Bhat SA. Unraveling the Puzzle of Therapeutic Peptides: A Promising Frontier in Huntington's Disease Treatment. J Med Chem 2024; 67:783-815. [PMID: 38207096 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative genetic disorder characterized by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, resulting in the production of a mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT). The accumulation of mHTT leads to the development of toxic aggregates in neurons, causing cell dysfunction and, eventually, cell death. Peptide therapeutics target various aspects of HD pathology, including mHTT reduction and aggregation inhibition, extended CAG mRNA degradation, and modulation of dysregulated signaling pathways, such as BDNF/TrkB signaling. In addition, these peptide therapeutics also target the detrimental interactions of mHTT with InsP3R1, CaM, or Caspase-6 proteins to mitigate HD. This Perspective provides a detailed perspective on anti-HD therapeutic peptides, highlighting their design, structural characteristics, neuroprotective effects, and specific mechanisms of action. Peptide therapeutics for HD exhibit promise in preclinical models, but further investigation is required to confirm their effectiveness as viable therapeutic strategies, recognizing that no approved peptide therapy for HD currently exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shakir Ahamad
- Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Nargis Bano
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | - Sameera Khan
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
| | | | - Shahnawaz A Bhat
- Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002, India
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2
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Djafar JV, Johnson AM, Elvidge KL, Farrar MA. Childhood Dementia: A Collective Clinical Approach to Advance Therapeutic Development and Care. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 139:76-85. [PMID: 36571866 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2022.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Childhood dementias are a group of over 100 rare and ultra-rare pediatric conditions that are clinically characterized by chronic global neurocognitive decline. This decline is associated with a progressive loss of skills and shortened life expectancy. With an estimated incidence of one in 2800 births and less than 5% of the conditions having disease-modifying therapies, the impact is profound for patients and their families. Traditional research, care, and advocacy efforts have focused on individual disorders, or groups classified by molecular pathogenesis, and this has established robust foundations for further progress and collaboration. This review describes the shared and disease-specific clinical changes contributing to childhood dementia and considers these as potential indicators of underlying pathophysiologic processes. Like adult neurodegenerative syndromes, the heterogeneous phenotypes extend beyond cognitive decline and may involve changes in eating, motor function, pain, sleep, and behavior, mediated by physiological changes in neural networks. Importantly, these physiological phenotypes are associated with significant carer stress, anxiety, and challenges in care. These phenotypes are also pertinent for the development of therapeutics and optimization of best practice management. A collective approach to childhood dementia is anticipated to identify relevant biomarkers of prognosis or therapeutic efficacy, streamline the path from preclinical studies to clinical trials, increase opportunities for the development of multiple therapeutics, and refine clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason V Djafar
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alexandra M Johnson
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Michelle A Farrar
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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3
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Andhale R, Shrivastava D. Huntington's Disease: A Clinical Review. Cureus 2022; 14:e28484. [PMID: 36176885 PMCID: PMC9512951 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The Huntington's gene on chromosome 4 has a dominantly inherited CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion, ultimately resulting in Huntington's disease (HD), a completely penetrant neurological condition. The frequency is 10-100 times higher in the population descended from Europe than in East Asia. Through various processes, including impairment of proteostasis, transcription, and cell function, as well as direct toxicity of the mutant protein, mutated huntingtin triggers neuronal malfunction and loss at the cellular level. As the disease worsens, the brain becomes affected together with the striatum's initial macroscopic alterations. Since there are presently few medications that can change the course of the disease, palliative therapy, and symptom control are the cornerstone of treatment. Studying the cellular pathology and gross structural changes to the brain which occur as the illness advances have made enormous progress in recent years. There's been a substantial increase in medical studies and possible treatment options over the past ten years. The new treatments that aim to reduce amounts of mutant huntingtin are the most optimistic. However, one strategy is antisense oligonucleotide treatment, for which clinical trials are currently being conducted. These control trials might help us get another inch ahead of managing and perhaps even eliminating this nasty disease.
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Santos RPM, Ribeiro R, Ferreira-Vieira TH, Aires RD, de Souza JM, Oliveira BS, Lima ALD, de Oliveira ACP, Reis HJ, de Miranda AS, Vieira EML, Ribeiro FM, Vieira LB. Metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 knockout rescues obesity phenotype in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5621. [PMID: 35379852 PMCID: PMC8980063 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-08924-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity represents a global health problem and is characterized by metabolic dysfunctions and a low-grade chronic inflammatory state, which can increase the risk of comorbidities, such as atherosclerosis, diabetes and insulin resistance. Here we tested the hypothesis that the genetic deletion of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) may rescue metabolic and inflammatory features present in BACHD mice, a mouse model of Huntington's disease (HD) with an obese phenotype. For that, we crossed BACHD and mGluR5 knockout mice (mGluR5-/-) in order to obtain the following groups: Wild type (WT), mGluR5-/-, BACHD and BACHD/mGluR5-/- (double mutant mice). Our results showed that the double mutant mice present decreased body weight as compared to BACHD mice in all tested ages and reduced visceral adiposity as compared to BACHD at 6 months of age. Additionally, 12-month-old double mutant mice present increased adipose tissue levels of adiponectin, decreased leptin levels, and increased IL-10/TNF ratio as compared to BACHD mice. Taken together, our preliminary data propose that the absence of mGluR5 reduce weight gain and visceral adiposity in BACHD mice, along with a decrease in the inflammatory state in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT), which may indicate that mGluR5 may play a role in adiposity modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca P M Santos
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Roberta Ribeiro
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Talita H Ferreira-Vieira
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
- Faculdade Sete Lagoas, Sete Lagoas, Brazil
| | - Rosaria D Aires
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
- Faculdade Sete Lagoas, Sete Lagoas, Brazil
| | - Jessica M de Souza
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Bruna S Oliveira
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Anna Luiza D Lima
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Antônio Carlos P de Oliveira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Helton J Reis
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Aline S de Miranda
- Departamento de Morfologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Erica M L Vieira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil
| | - Fabiola M Ribeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Imunologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
| | - Luciene B Vieira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Ave. Antonio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP 31270-901, Brazil.
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Fronczek R, Schinkelshoek M, Shan L, Lammers GJ. The orexin/hypocretin system in neuropsychiatric disorders: Relation to signs and symptoms. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 180:343-358. [PMID: 34225940 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-820107-7.00021-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Hypocretin-1 and 2 (or orexin A and B) are neuropeptides exclusively produced by a group of neurons in the lateral and dorsomedial hypothalamus that project throughout the brain. In accordance with this, the two different hypocretin receptors are also found throughout the brain. The hypocretin system is mainly involved in sleep-wake regulation, but also in reward mechanisms, food intake and metabolism, autonomic regulation including thermoregulation, and pain. The disorder most strongly linked to the hypocretin system is the primary sleep disorder narcolepsy type 1 caused by a lack of hypocretin signaling, which is most likely due to an autoimmune process targeting the hypocretin-producing neurons. However, the hypocretin system may also be affected, but to a lesser extent and less specifically, in various other neurological disorders. Examples are neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease, immune-mediated disorders such as multiple sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, and anti-Ma2 encephalitis, and genetic disorders such as type 1 diabetus mellitus and Prader-Willi Syndrome. A partial hypocretin deficiency may contribute to the sleep features of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolf Fronczek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands.
| | - Mink Schinkelshoek
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands
| | - Ling Shan
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands; Department Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gert Jan Lammers
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands; Sleep Wake Centre SEIN, Heemstede, The Netherlands
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Stewart CA, Finger EC. The supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in healthy aging and neurodegeneration. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 180:105-123. [PMID: 34225924 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-820107-7.00007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The supraoptic (SON) and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei of the hypothalamus undergo structural and functional changes over the course of healthy aging. These nuclei and their connections are also heterogeneously affected by several different neurodegenerative diseases. This chapter reviews the involvement of the SON and PVN, the hypothalamic-pituitary axes, and the peptide hormones produced in both nuclei in healthy aging and in neurodegeneration, with a focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive supranuclear palsy, Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), multiple system atrophy, and Huntington's disease. Although age-related changes occur in several regions of the hypothalamus, the SON and PVN are relatively preserved during aging and in many neurodegenerative disorders. With aging, these nuclei do undergo some sexually dimorphic changes including changes in size and levels of vasopressin and corticotropin-releasing hormone, likely due to age-related changes in sex hormones. In contrast, oxytocinergic cells and circulating levels of thyrotropin-releasing hormone remain stable. A relative resistance to many forms of neurodegenerative pathology is also observed, in comparison to other hypothalamic and brain regions. Mirroring the pattern observed in aging, pathologic hallmarks of AD, and some subtypes of FTD are observed in the PVN, though to a milder degree than are observed in other brain regions, while the SON is relatively spared. In contrast, the SON appears more vulnerable to alpha-synuclein pathology of DLB and PD. The consequences of these alterations may help to inform several of the physiologic changes observed in aging and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe A Stewart
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth C Finger
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
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van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA. Hypothalamic pathology in Huntington disease. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 182:245-255. [PMID: 34266596 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-819973-2.00017-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder associated with the accumulation of mutant huntingtin, is classically associated with cognitive decline and motor symptoms, notably chorea. However, growing evidence suggests that nonmotor symptoms are equally prevalent and debilitating. Some of these symptoms may be linked to hypothalamic pathology, demonstrated by findings in HD animal models and HD patients showing specific changes in hypothalamic neuropeptidergic populations and their associated functions. At least some of these alterations are likely due to local mutant huntingtin expression and toxicity, while others are likely caused by disturbed hypothalamic circuitry. Common problems include circadian rhythm disorders, including desynchronization of daily hormone excretion patterns, which could be targeted by novel therapeutic interventions, such as timed circadian interventions with light therapy or melatonin. However, translation of these findings from bench-to-bedside is hampered by differences in murine HD models and HD patients, including mutant huntingtin trinucleotide repeat length, which is highly heterogeneous across the various models. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge regarding hypothalamic alterations in HD patients and animal models, and the potential for these findings to be translated into clinical practice and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J van Wamelen
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; Parkinson's Foundation Centre of Excellence, King's College Hospital, London, United Kingdom; Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - N Ahmad Aziz
- Population Health Sciences, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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Bianchi VE, Rizzi L, Bresciani E, Omeljaniuk RJ, Torsello A. Androgen Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Endocr Soc 2020; 4:bvaa120. [PMID: 33094209 PMCID: PMC7568521 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington disease, are characterized by the loss of neurons as well as neuronal function in multiple regions of the central and peripheral nervous systems. Several studies in animal models have shown that androgens have neuroprotective effects in the brain and stimulate axonal regeneration. The presence of neuronal androgen receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system suggests that androgen therapy might be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. To illustrate, androgen therapy reduced inflammation, amyloid-β deposition, and cognitive impairment in patients with AD. As well, improvements in remyelination in MS have been reported; by comparison, only variable results are observed in androgen treatment of PD. In ALS, androgen administration stimulated motoneuron recovery from progressive damage and regenerated both axons and dendrites. Only a few clinical studies are available in human individuals despite the safety and low cost of androgen therapy. Clinical evaluations of the effects of androgen therapy on these devastating diseases using large populations of patients are strongly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Emanuele Bianchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Clinical Center Stella Maris, Strada Rovereta, Falciano, San Marino
| | - Laura Rizzi
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Elena Bresciani
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Torsello
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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Brás IC, König A, Outeiro TF. Glycation in Huntington's Disease: A Possible Modifier and Target for Intervention. J Huntingtons Dis 2020; 8:245-256. [PMID: 31322580 PMCID: PMC6839463 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-190366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Glycation is the non-enzymatic reaction between reactive dicarbonyls and amino groups, and gives rise to a variety of different reaction products known as advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Accumulation of AGEs on proteins is inevitable, and is associated with the aging process. Importantly, glycation is highly relevant in diabetic patients that experience periods of hyperglycemia. AGEs also play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disease caused by an expansion of a CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene. The resulting expanded polyglutamine stretch in the huntingtin (HTT) protein induces its misfolding and aggregation, leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. HD patients exhibit chorea and psychiatric disturbances, along with abnormalities in glucose and energy homeostasis. Interestingly, an increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus has been reported in HD and in other CAG triplet repeat disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying the connection between glycation and HD progression remain unclear. In this review, we explore the possible connection between glycation and proteostasis imbalances in HD, and posit that it may contribute to disease progression, possibly by accelerating protein aggregation and deposition. Finally, we review therapeutic interventions that might be able to alleviate the negative impact of glycation in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inês Caldeira Brás
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Annekatrin König
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.,Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany.,Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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Zhang D, Ma M, Liu Y. Protective Effects of Incretin Against Age-Related Diseases. Curr Drug Deliv 2019; 16:793-806. [PMID: 31622202 DOI: 10.2174/1567201816666191010145029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Incretin contains two peptides named glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and glucose-dependent
insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP). Drug therapy using incretin has become a new strategy for diabetic
treatments due to its significant effects on improving insulin receptors and promoting insulinotropic
secretion. Considering the fact that diabetes millitus is a key risk factor for almost all age-related diseases,
the extensive protective roles of incretin in chronic diseases have received great attention. Based
on the evidence from animal experiments, where incretin can protect against the pathophysiological
processes of neurodegenerative diseases, clinical trials for the treatments of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)
and Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients are currently ongoing. Moreover, the protective effect of incretin
on heart has been observed in cardiac myocytes, smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells of vessels.
Meanwhile, incretin can also inhibit the proliferation of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells, which can
induce atherosclerogenesis. Incretin is also beneficial for diabetic microvascular complications, including
nephropathy, retinopathy and gastric ulcer, as well as the hepatic-related diseases such as NAFLD
and NASH. Besides, the anti-tumor properties of incretin have been proven in diverse cancers including
ovarian cancer, pancreas cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- Chemistry Department, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Mingzhu Ma
- Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Yueze Liu
- Second Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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Newhouse A, Chemali Z. Neuroendocrine Disturbances in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Scoping Review. PSYCHOSOMATICS 2019; 61:105-115. [PMID: 31918850 DOI: 10.1016/j.psym.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurodegenerative diseases cause progressive irreversible neuronal loss that has broad downstream effects. The neuroendocrine system regulates homeostasis of circuits that control critical functions such as the stress response, metabolism, reproduction, fluid balance, and glucose control. These systems are frequently disrupted in neurodegenerative disorders yet often overlooked in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE This review aims to gather the available data regarding these disturbances in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease and also to demonstrate the volume of literature in these individual arenas. METHODS Using the scoping review framework, a literature search was performed in PubMed to identify relevant articles published within the past 30 years (January 1988 to November 2018). The search criteria produced a total of 2022 articles, 328 of which were identified as relevant to this review. RESULTS Several major themes emerged from this review. These neuroendocrine disturbances may be a precursor to the illness, a part of the primary pathophysiology, or a direct consequence of the disease or independent of it. They have the potential to further understanding of the disease, exacerbate the underlying pathology, or provide therapeutic benefit. CONCLUSIONS By synthesizing the data from a systems' perspective, we aim to broaden how clinicians think about these illnesses and provide care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Newhouse
- Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Zeina Chemali
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Kotkowski E, Price LR, Franklin C, Salazar M, Woolsey M, DeFronzo RA, Blangero J, Glahn DC, Fox PT. A neural signature of metabolic syndrome. Hum Brain Mapp 2019; 40:3575-3588. [PMID: 31062906 PMCID: PMC6865471 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.24617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
That metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with age-related cognitive decline is well established. The neurobiological changes underlying these cognitive deficits, however, are not well understood. The goal of this study was to determine whether MetS is associated with regional differences in gray-matter volume (GMV) using a cross-sectional, between-group contrast design in a large, ethnically homogenous sample. T1-weighted MRIs were sampled from the genetics of brain structure (GOBS) data archive for 208 Mexican-American participants: 104 participants met or exceeded standard criteria for MetS and 104 participants were age- and sex-matched metabolically healthy controls. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 74 years (37.3 ± 13.2 years, 56.7% female). Images were analyzed in a whole-brain, voxel-wise manner using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Three contrast analyses were performed, a whole sample analysis of all 208 participants, and two post hoc half-sample analyses split by age along the median (35.5 years). Significant associations between MetS and decreased GMV were observed in multiple, spatially discrete brain regions including the posterior cerebellum, brainstem, orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral caudate nuclei, right parahippocampus, right amygdala, right insula, lingual gyrus, and right superior temporal gyrus. Age, as shown in the post hoc analyses, was demonstrated to be a significant covariate. A further functional interpretation of the structures exhibiting lower GMV in MetS reflected a significant involvement in reward perception, emotional valence, and reasoning. Additional studies are needed to characterize the influence of MetS's individual clinical components on brain structure and to explore the bidirectional association between GMV and MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eithan Kotkowski
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTX
| | - Larry R. Price
- Methodology, Measurement and Statistical Analysis CenterTexas State UniversitySan MarcosTexas
| | - Crystal Franklin
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas
| | - Maximino Salazar
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas
| | - Mary Woolsey
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas
| | - Ralph A. DeFronzo
- Texas Diabetes InstituteSan AntonioTexas
- Diabetes Research Unit and Diabetes DivisionUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas
| | - John Blangero
- Genomics Computing Center, South Texas Diabetes and Obesity InstituteUniversity of Texas Rio Grande ValleyBrownsvilleTexas
| | - David C. Glahn
- Department of PsychiatryYale University School of MedicineNew HavenConnecticut
- Olin Neuropsychiatry Research CenterInstitute of Living, Hartford HospitalHartfordConnecticut
| | - Peter T. Fox
- Research Imaging Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTexas
- Department of RadiologyUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTX
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13
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Lakra P, Aditi K, Agrawal N. Peripheral Expression of Mutant Huntingtin is a Critical Determinant of Weight Loss and Metabolic Disturbances in Huntington's Disease. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10127. [PMID: 31300691 PMCID: PMC6626032 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46470-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Deteriorating weight loss in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) is a complicated peripheral manifestation and the cause remains poorly understood. Studies suggest that body weight strongly influences the clinical progression rate of HD and thereby offers a valuable target for therapeutic interventions. Mutant huntingtin (mHTT) is ubiquitously expressed and could induce toxicity by directly acting in the peripheral tissues. We investigated the effects of selective expression of mHTT exon1 in fat body (FB; functionally equivalent to human adipose tissue and liver) using transgenic Drosophila. We find that FB-autonomous expression of mHTT exon1 is intrinsically toxic and causes chronic weight loss in the flies despite progressive hyperphagia, and early adult death. Moreover, flies exhibit loss of intracellular lipid stores, and decline in the systemic levels of lipids and carbohydrates which aggravates over time, representing metabolic defects. At the cellular level, besides impairment, cell death also occurs with the formation of mHTT aggregates in the FB. These findings indicate that FB-autonomous expression of mHTT alone is sufficient to cause metabolic abnormalities and emaciation in vivo without any neurodegenerative cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Lakra
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Kumari Aditi
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India
| | - Namita Agrawal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.
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14
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Rudenko O, Springer C, Skov LJ, Madsen AN, Hasholt L, Nørremølle A, Holst B. Ghrelin-mediated improvements in the metabolic phenotype in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. J Neuroendocrinol 2019; 31:e12699. [PMID: 30776164 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a heritable neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by metabolic disturbances, along with cognitive and psychiatric impairments. Targeting metabolic HD dysfunction via the maintenance of body weight and fat mass and restoration of peripheral energy metabolism can improve the progression of neurological symptoms. In this respect, we focused on the therapeutic potential of the orexigenic peptide hormone ghrelin, which plays an important role in promoting a positive energy balance. In the present study, we found a significant disruption of circadian metabolic regulation in a R6/2 mouse HD model in the late stage of disease. Daily circadian rhythms of activity, energy expenditure, respiratory exchange ratio and feeding were strongly attenuated in R6/2 mice. During the rest phase, R6/2 mice had a higher total activity, elevated energy expenditure and excessive water consumption compared to control mice. We also found that, in the late stage of disease, R6/2 mice had ghrelin axis deficiency as a result of low circulating ghrelin levels, in addition to down-regulation of the ghrelin receptor and several key signalling molecules in the hypothalamus, as well as a reduced responsiveness to exogenous peripheral ghrelin. We demonstrated that, in pre-symptomatic mice, responsiveness to ghrelin is preserved. Chronic ghrelin treatment efficiently increased lean body mass and decreased the energy expenditure and fat utilisation of R6/2 mice in the early stage of disease. In addition, ghrelin treatment was also effective in the normalisation of drinking behaviour and the rest activity of these mice. Ghrelin treatment could provide a novel therapeutic possibility for delaying disease progression; however, deficiency in ghrelin receptor expression could limit its therapeutic potential in the late stage of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rudenko
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section for Metabolic Receptology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Springer
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section for Metabolic Receptology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louisa J Skov
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section for Metabolic Receptology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Andreas N Madsen
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section for Metabolic Receptology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lis Hasholt
- Medical Genetics Program, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anne Nørremølle
- Medical Genetics Program, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Section for Metabolic Receptology, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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15
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Herzog–Krzywoszanska R, Krzywoszanski L. Sleep Disorders in Huntington's Disease. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:221. [PMID: 31031659 PMCID: PMC6474183 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's chorea (Huntington's disease, HD) is a genetic disorder caused by autosomal dominant mutation, leading to progressive neurodegenerative changes in the central nervous system. Involuntary movements such as chorea occur typically in HD patients, accompanied by progressive cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. Other common symptoms of HD are circadian and sleep abnormalities, which are observed from the earliest stages of the disease or even before the occurrence of clinical symptoms. The most common sleep problems reported by HD patients include insomnia, difficulties in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Also, specific changes in sleep architecture have been identified in HD. In this paper, we review studies on sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in HD. We outline findings concerning sleep patterns and disturbances of circadian rhythms in HD patients, as well as the role of psychiatric disorders and motor disorders in HD patients' sleep problems. We also discuss problems related to the different methods of diagnosing sleep disorders in HD. Furthermore, the adverse effects of medication used for the treatment of core HD symptoms as one of the sources of sleep disturbances in HD are emphasized. In conclusion, the diversity and complexity of the determinants of sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in HD are highlighted. Finally, the relevance of effective treatment to improve patients' functioning and quality of life as well as the potential relief of their cognitive and emotional symptoms is addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lukasz Krzywoszanski
- Neurocognitive Psychology Unit, Chair of Psychology, Faculty of Pedagogy, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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16
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Aldaz T, Nigro P, Sánchez-Gómez A, Painous C, Planellas L, Santacruz P, Cámara A, Compta Y, Valldeoriola F, Martí MJ, Muñoz E. Non-motor symptoms in Huntington's disease: a comparative study with Parkinson's disease. J Neurol 2019; 266:1340-1350. [PMID: 30834978 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09263-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS The presence of non-motor symptoms in Huntington's disease (HD) has not been systematically assessed so far. Our objective was to know their prevalence and to compare it with a cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS Participants were consecutively recruited from our outpatient clinic. They were assessed through the motor part of the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale, the motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, the total functional capacity scale and the PD non-motor symptoms questionnaire. RESULTS We enrolled 123 participants: 53 HD, 45 PD and 25 healthy controls (HC). Non-motor symptoms were significantly more prevalent in HD patients than in HC. The most frequent non-motor symptoms in HD, involving more than 50% of patients, were attentional deficits, apathy, dysphagia, memory complaints, depression falls, insomnia and urinary urgency. The total score of non-motor symptoms correlated with disease duration, total functional capacity and disease stage. HD scored significantly higher than PD in 11 items (dysphagia, constipation, bowel incontinence, faecal tenesmus, weight loss, memory, apathy, attention, falls, nightmares, delusions) and in four domains (cognitive, hallucinations and delusions, digestive and cardiovascular). PD did not score significantly higher than HD in any domain. CONCLUSIONS HD patients have a high prevalence of non-motor symptoms, which is even higher than in PD, and correlates with disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Aldaz
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pasquale Nigro
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Almudena Sánchez-Gómez
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Celia Painous
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lluís Planellas
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pilar Santacruz
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,European Huntington's Disease Network (EHDN), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Cámara
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Yaroslau Compta
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Valldeoriola
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria J Martí
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Neurociències, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Esteban Muñoz
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Villarroel 170, 08036, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. .,Institut de Neurociències, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. .,Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain. .,European Huntington's Disease Network (EHDN), Barcelona, Spain.
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17
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McGregor G, Harvey J. Regulation of Hippocampal Synaptic Function by the Metabolic Hormone, Leptin: Implications for Health and Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:340. [PMID: 30386207 PMCID: PMC6198461 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of the endocrine hormone leptin in controlling energy homeostasis in the hypothalamus are well documented. However the CNS targets for leptin are not restricted to the hypothalamus as a high density of leptin receptors are also expressed in several parts of the brain involved in higher cognitive functions including the hippocampus. Numerous studies have identified that in the hippocampus, leptin has cognitive enhancing actions as exogenous application of this hormone facilitates hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, whereas lack or insensitivity to leptin results in significant memory deficits. Leptin also markedly influences some of the main cellular changes that are involved in learning and memory including NMDA-receptor dependent synaptic plasticity and glutamate receptor trafficking. Like other metabolic hormones, there is a significant decline in neuronal sensitivity to leptin during the ageing process. Indeed, the capacity of leptin to modulate the functioning of hippocampal synapses is substantially reduced in aged compared to adult tissue. Clinical studies have also identified an association between circulating leptin levels and the risk of certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In view of this, targeting leptin and/or its receptor/signaling mechanisms may be an innovative approach for developing therapies to treat AD. In support of this, accumulating evidence indicates that leptin has cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective actions in various models of AD. Here we assess recent evidence that supports an important regulatory role for leptin at hippocampal CA1 synapses, and we discuss how age-related alterations in this hormonal system influences neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gemma McGregor
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Jenni Harvey
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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18
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Hofer S, Kainz K, Zimmermann A, Bauer MA, Pendl T, Poglitsch M, Madeo F, Carmona-Gutierrez D. Studying Huntington's Disease in Yeast: From Mechanisms to Pharmacological Approaches. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:318. [PMID: 30233317 PMCID: PMC6131589 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive neuronal loss, provoking impaired motor control, cognitive decline, and dementia. So far, HD remains incurable, and available drugs are effective only for symptomatic management. HD is caused by a mutant form of the huntingtin protein, which harbors an elongated polyglutamine domain and is highly prone to aggregation. However, many aspects underlying the cytotoxicity of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) remain elusive, hindering the efficient development of applicable interventions to counteract HD. An important strategy to obtain molecular insights into human disorders in general is the use of eukaryotic model organisms, which are easy to genetically manipulate and display a high degree of conservation regarding disease-relevant cellular processes. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has a long-standing and successful history in modeling a plethora of human maladies and has recently emerged as an effective tool to study neurodegenerative disorders, including HD. Here, we summarize some of the most important contributions of yeast to HD research, specifically concerning the elucidation of mechanistic features of mHTT cytotoxicity and the potential of yeast as a platform to screen for pharmacological agents against HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Hofer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Katharina Kainz
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Andreas Zimmermann
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Maria A. Bauer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Tobias Pendl
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Michael Poglitsch
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Frank Madeo
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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19
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Sjögren M, Duarte AI, McCourt AC, Shcherbina L, Wierup N, Björkqvist M. Ghrelin rescues skeletal muscle catabolic profile in the R6/2 mouse model of Huntington's disease. Sci Rep 2017; 7:13896. [PMID: 29066728 PMCID: PMC5654969 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-13713-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 09/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests altered energy metabolism as a key feature in Huntington’s disease (HD) pathology. Hyper-catabolism, including weight loss and muscle atrophy, is seen in HD patients and HD mouse models. Metabolic hormones are key players, not only in energy metabolism, but also in neurodegenerative processes. Ghrelin, a gut peptide-hormone, plays an important role in regulating energy metabolism, stimulating appetite, and affects brain function and increases neuronal survival. The R6/2 mouse model of HD has previously been shown to exhibit progressive weight loss, dysregulated glucose metabolism, skeletal muscle atrophy and altered body composition. In this study, we targeted energy metabolism in R6/2 mice using ghrelin administration, with the primary aim to delay weight loss and reduce muscle atrophy. We also evaluated glucose metabolism and behaviour. We here demonstrate that ghrelin administration (subcutaneous 150 μg/kg daily injections) for 4 weeks, reversed the catabolic gene expression profile (increased expression of Caspase 8, Traf-5 and Creb1) seen in R6/2 mouse skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle morphology was also improved with ghrelin, and importantly, ghrelin administration normalized behavioural deficits in R6/2 mice. Taken together, our findings encourage further studies targeting metabolism in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Sjögren
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Ana I Duarte
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine (Pólo 1, 1st Floor), University of Coimbra, 3004-517, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (IIIUC), University of Coimbra, Casa Costa Alemão - Pólo II, Rua D. Francisco de Lemos, 3030-789, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Andrew C McCourt
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Liliya Shcherbina
- Lund University Diabetes Centre, Neuroendocrine Cell Biology, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Clinical research center, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Nils Wierup
- Lund University Diabetes Centre, Neuroendocrine Cell Biology, Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Clinical research center, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Maria Björkqvist
- Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Department of Experimental Medical Sciences, Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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20
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Procaccini C, Santopaolo M, Faicchia D, Colamatteo A, Formisano L, de Candia P, Galgani M, De Rosa V, Matarese G. Role of metabolism in neurodegenerative disorders. Metabolism 2016; 65:1376-90. [PMID: 27506744 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Along with the increase in life expectancy over the last century, the prevalence of age-related disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases continues to rise. This is the case of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases and Multiple sclerosis, which are chronic disorders characterized by neuronal loss in motor, sensory or cognitive systems. Accumulating evidence has suggested the presence of a strong correlation between metabolic changes and neurodegeneration. Indeed epidemiologic studies have shown strong associations between obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration, while animal models have provided insights into the complex relationships between these conditions. In this context, hormones such as leptin, ghrelin, insulin and IGF-1 seem to play a key role in the regulation of neuronal damage, toxic insults and several other neurodegenerative processes. This review aims to presenting the most recent evidence supporting the crosstalk linking energy metabolism and neurodegeneration, and will focus on metabolic manipulation as a possible therapeutic tool in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Procaccini
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR) c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Marianna Santopaolo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Deriggio Faicchia
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Colamatteo
- Unità di NeuroImmunologia, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143, Roma, Italy; Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Baronissi Campus, 84081, Baronissi, Salerno, Italy
| | - Luigi Formisano
- Divisione di Farmacologia, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi del Sannio, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | | | - Mario Galgani
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR) c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy
| | - Veronica De Rosa
- Laboratorio di Immunologia, Istituto di Endocrinologia e Oncologia Sperimentale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IEOS-CNR) c/o Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy; Unità di NeuroImmunologia, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00143, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Matarese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli "Federico II", 80131, Napoli, Italy.
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Abstract
Background Huntington’s disease patients have a number of peripheral manifestations suggestive of metabolic and endocrine abnormalities. We, therefore, investigated a number of metabolic factors in a 24-hour study of Huntington’s disease gene carriers (premanifest and moderate stage II/III) and controls. Methods Control (n = 15), premanifest (n = 14) and stage II/III (n = 13) participants were studied with blood sampling over a 24-hour period. A battery of clinical tests including neurological rating and function scales were performed. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose distribution was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. We quantified fasting baseline concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), fatty acids, amino acids, lactate and osteokines. Leptin and ghrelin were quantified in fasting samples and after a standardised meal. We assessed glucose, insulin, growth hormone and cortisol concentrations during a prolonged oral glucose tolerance test. Results We found no highly significant differences in carbohydrate, protein or lipid metabolism markers between healthy controls, premanifest and stage II/III Huntington’s disease subjects. For some markers (osteoprotegerin, tyrosine, lysine, phenylalanine and arginine) there is a suggestion (p values between 0.02 and 0.05) that levels are higher in patients with premanifest HD, but not moderate HD. However, given the large number of statistical tests performed interpretation of these findings must be cautious. Conclusions Contrary to previous studies that showed altered levels of metabolic markers in patients with Huntington’s disease, our study did not demonstrate convincing evidence of abnormalities in any of the markers examined. Our analyses were restricted to Huntington’s disease patients not taking neuroleptics, anti-depressants or other medication affecting metabolic pathways. Even with the modest sample sizes studied, the lack of highly significant results, despite many being tested, suggests that the majority of these markers do not differ markedly by disease status.
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22
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Differential changes in thalamic and cortical excitatory synapses onto striatal spiny projection neurons in a Huntington disease mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2015; 86:62-74. [PMID: 26621114 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding huntingtin, predominantly affects the striatum, especially the spiny projection neurons (SPN). The striatum receives excitatory input from cortex and thalamus, and the role of the former has been well-studied in HD. Here, we report that mutated huntingtin alters function of thalamostriatal connections. We used a novel thalamostriatal (T-S) coculture and an established corticostriatal (C-S) coculture, generated from YAC128 HD and WT (FVB/NJ background strain) mice, to investigate excitatory neurotransmission onto striatal SPN. SPN in T-S coculture from WT mice showed similar mini-excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) frequency and amplitude as in C-S coculture; however, both the frequency and amplitude were significantly reduced in YAC128 T-S coculture. Further investigation in T-S coculture showed similar excitatory synapse density in WT and YAC128 SPN dendrites by immunostaining, suggesting changes in total dendritic length or probability of release as possible explanations for mEPSC frequency changes. Synaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) current was similar, but extrasynaptic current, associated with cell death signaling, was enhanced in YAC128 SPN in T-S coculture. Employing optical stimulation of cortical versus thalamic afferents and recording from striatal SPN in brain slice, we found increased glutamate release probability and reduced AMPAR/NMDAR current ratios in thalamostriatal synapses, most prominently in YAC128. Enhanced extrasynaptic NMDAR current in YAC128 SPN was apparent with both cortical and thalamic stimulation. We conclude that thalamic afferents to the striatum are affected early, prior to an overt HD phenotype; however, changes in NMDAR localization in SPN are independent of the source of glutamatergic input.
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23
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Kalliolia E, Silajdžić E, Nambron R, Costelloe SJ, Martin NG, Hill NR, Frost C, Watt HC, Hindmarsh P, Björkqvist M, Warner TT. A 24-Hour Study of the Hypothalamo-Pituitary Axes in Huntington's Disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138848. [PMID: 26431314 PMCID: PMC4592185 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington’s disease is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor, cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. Patients exhibit other symptoms including sleep and mood disturbances, muscle atrophy and weight loss which may be linked to hypothalamic pathology and dysfunction of hypothalamo-pituitary axes. Methods We studied neuroendocrine profiles of corticotropic, somatotropic and gonadotropic hypothalamo-pituitary axes hormones over a 24-hour period in controlled environment in 15 healthy controls, 14 premanifest and 13 stage II/III Huntington’s disease subjects. We also quantified fasting levels of vasopressin, oestradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, thyroid stimulating hormone, free triiodothyronine, free total thyroxine, prolactin, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Somatotropic axis hormones, growth hormone releasing hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like factor binding protein-3 were quantified at 06:00 (fasting), 15:00 and 23:00. A battery of clinical tests, including neurological rating and function scales were performed. Results 24-hour concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone did not differ significantly between the Huntington’s disease group and controls. Daytime growth hormone secretion was similar in control and Huntington’s disease subjects. Stage II/III Huntington’s disease subjects had lower concentration of post-sleep growth hormone pulse and higher insulin-like growth factor-1:growth hormone ratio which did not reach significance. In Huntington’s disease subjects, baseline levels of hypothalamo-pituitary axis hormones measured did not significantly differ from those of healthy controls. Conclusions The relatively small subject group means that the study may not detect subtle perturbations in hormone concentrations. A targeted study of the somatotropic axis in larger cohorts may be warranted. However, the lack of significant results despite many variables being tested does imply that the majority of them do not differ substantially between HD and controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kalliolia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edina Silajdžić
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rajasree Nambron
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Seán J Costelloe
- Biochemistry Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas G Martin
- Biochemistry Department, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan R Hill
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Frost
- Department of Medical Statistics, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Hilary C Watt
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hindmarsh
- Developmental Endocrinology Research Group, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Björkqvist
- Brain Disease Biomarker Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Wallenberg Neuroscience Centre, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Thomas T Warner
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom; Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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Thannickal TC. Hypocretin (orexin) pathology in Alzheimer’s disease. World J Neurol 2015; 5:64-67. [DOI: 10.5316/wjn.v5.i3.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/17/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a growing health problem. It has enormous public health impact. Sleep problems show an early component of this disease. Hypocretin has a major function in sleep-wake cycle. The total number of hypocretin neurons in the normal humans ranges from 51000-83000, located exclusively in the hypothalamus. Deficiency in hypocretins neurotransmission results in narcolepsy, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological and psychological disorders. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) hypocretin levels were directly related with t-tau protein amount in AD. Increased hypocretin CSF in AD suggest that hypocretin is involved in the mechanism of AD pathology.
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Shan L, Dauvilliers Y, Siegel JM. Interactions of the histamine and hypocretin systems in CNS disorders. Nat Rev Neurol 2015; 11:401-13. [PMID: 26100750 DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2015.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Histamine and hypocretin neurons are localized to the hypothalamus, a brain area critical to autonomic function and sleep. Narcolepsy type 1, also known as narcolepsy with cataplexy, is a neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness, impaired night-time sleep, cataplexy, sleep paralysis and short latency to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep after sleep onset. In narcolepsy, 90% of hypocretin neurons are lost; in addition, two groups reported in 2014 that the number of histamine neurons is increased by 64% or more in human patients with narcolepsy, suggesting involvement of histamine in the aetiology of this disorder. Here, we review the role of the histamine and hypocretin systems in sleep-wake modulation. Furthermore, we summarize the neuropathological changes to these two systems in narcolepsy and discuss the possibility that narcolepsy-associated histamine abnormalities could mediate or result from the same processes that cause the hypocretin cell loss. We also review the changes in the hypocretin and histamine systems, and the associated sleep disruptions, in Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease and Tourette syndrome. Finally, we discuss novel therapeutic approaches for manipulation of the histamine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Shan
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Research Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Veterans' Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VA GLAHS), 16111 Plummer Street North Hills, 151A3, CA 91343, USA
| | - Yves Dauvilliers
- Centre de Référence Nationale Maladies Rares, Narcolepsie et Hypersomnie Idiopathique, Département de Neurologie, Hôpital Gui-de-Chauliac, INSERM U1061, 80 avenue Augustin Fliche, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Jerome M Siegel
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Research Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Veterans' Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VA GLAHS), 16111 Plummer Street North Hills, 151A3, CA 91343, USA
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Du X, Pang TY. Is Dysregulation of the HPA-Axis a Core Pathophysiology Mediating Co-Morbid Depression in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Front Psychiatry 2015; 6:32. [PMID: 25806005 PMCID: PMC4353372 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence of prodromal manifestation of neuropsychiatric symptoms in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD). These affective symptoms may be observed many years before the core diagnostic symptoms of the neurological condition. It is becoming more apparent that depression is a significant modifying factor of the trajectory of disease progression and even treatment outcomes. It is therefore crucial that we understand the potential pathophysiologies related to the primary condition, which could contribute to the development of depression. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis is a key neuroendocrine signaling system involved in physiological homeostasis and stress response. Disturbances of this system lead to severe hormonal imbalances, and the majority of such patients also present with behavioral deficits and/or mood disorders. Dysregulation of the HPA-axis is also strongly implicated in the pathology of major depressive disorder. Consistent with this, antidepressant drugs, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been shown to alter HPA-axis activity. In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding HPA-axis pathology in Alzheimer's, PD and HD, differentiating between prodromal and later stages of disease progression when evidence is available. Both clinical and preclinical evidence will be examined, but we highlight animal model studies as being particularly useful for uncovering novel mechanisms of pathology related to co-morbid mood disorders. Finally, we purpose utilizing the preclinical evidence to better inform prospective, intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Du
- Mental Health Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
| | - Terence Y Pang
- Behavioural Neurosciences Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne , Melbourne, VIC , Australia
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Tereshchenko A, McHugh M, Lee JK, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Crane K, Dawson J, Nopoulos P. Abnormal Weight and Body Mass Index in Children with Juvenile Huntington's Disease. J Huntingtons Dis 2015; 4:231-238. [PMID: 26443925 PMCID: PMC4886713 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-150152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The hallmark clinical manifestation of Huntington's disease (HD), namely lower weight and BMI has been reported in prodromal HD (PreHD) adults and also in PreHD children. Here, we aim to evaluate anthropometric measures of growth and development (height, weight, body mass index (BMI)) in a group of children, adolescents, and young adults diagnosed with Juvenile Onset Huntington's Disease (JHD). METHODS Growth measures for 18 JHD patients, documented prior to or shortly after diagnosis, were obtained through medical records. JHD growth measures were compared to a large sample (n = 274) of healthy children, as well as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) growth norms. RESULTS After controlling for sex and age, the JHD subjects had no significant differences in height. However, they were an average of 10% lower than controls in weight and BMI. Using CDC norms, the JHD subjects had the same pattern of normal height but decrement in weight. Length of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeat in the huntingtin gene was significantly correlated to measures of weight with longer CAG repeats being associated with more severe weight reduction. A subset of 4 subjects had measures that pre-dated onset of any symptom and were therefore prodromal JHD (preJHD). These subjects also had a significant decrement in BMI compared to CDC norms. CONCLUSIONS Children with JHD have normal height, but significantly reduced weight and BMI, indicative of a specific deficit in body weight. As the preJHD subjects were also low in BMI, this suggests that these changes are directly due to the effect of the mutated gene on development, rather than symptom manifestation of the disease itself. Potential mechanisms of the weight decrement include energy deficiency due to mitochondrial dysfunction during development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael McHugh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
| | - Jessica K. Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
| | | | - Kaitlin Crane
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health
| | - Jeffrey Dawson
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa College of Public Health
| | - Peg Nopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
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Tang Y, Purkayastha S, Cai D. Hypothalamic microinflammation: a common basis of metabolic syndrome and aging. Trends Neurosci 2014; 38:36-44. [PMID: 25458920 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 10/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Chronic microinflammation is a hallmark of many aging-related neurodegenerative diseases as well as metabolic syndrome-driven diseases. Recent research indicates that chronic caloric excess can lead to hypothalamic microinflammation, which in turn participates in the development and progression of metabolic syndrome disorders such as obesity, glucose intolerance, and hypertension. Additionally, it was recently shown that increasing age after young adulthood can cause hypothalamic microinflammation independently of nutritional status, mediating a central mechanism of systemic aging. Taken together, these findings suggest that the hypothalamus has a fundamental role, via hypothalamic microinflammation, in translating overnutrition and aging into complex outcomes. Here we summarize recent work and suggest a conceptual model in which hypothalamic microinflammation is a common mediator of metabolic syndrome and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhe Tang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Diabetes Research Center, Institute of Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Sudarshana Purkayastha
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Diabetes Research Center, Institute of Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Dongsheng Cai
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Diabetes Research Center, Institute of Aging, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA.
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van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA, Roos RAC, Swaab DF. Hypothalamic alterations in Huntington's disease patients: comparison with genetic rodent models. J Neuroendocrinol 2014; 26:761-75. [PMID: 25074766 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Revised: 07/26/2014] [Accepted: 07/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Unintended weight loss, sleep and circadian disturbances and autonomic dysfunction are prevalent features of Huntington's disease (HD), an autosomal dominantly inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat sequence in the HTT gene. These features form a substantial contribution to disease burden in HD patients and appear to be accompanied by a number of neuroendocrine and metabolic changes, pointing towards hypothalamic pathology as a likely underlying mechanism. Neuronal inclusion bodies of mutant huntingtin, which are hallmarks of the disease, occur throughout the hypothalamus, and indicate local mutant huntingtin expression that could interfere with hypothalamic neuropeptide production. Also, several genetic rodent models of HD show features that could be related to hypothalamic pathology, such as weight loss and circadian rhythm disturbances. In these rodents, several hypothalamic neuropeptide populations are affected. In the present review, we summarise the changes in genetic rodent models of HD for individual hypothalamic nuclei, compare these observations to the hypothalamic changes that occur in HD patients, and make an inventory of the work that still needs to be done. Surprisingly, there is only limited overlap in the hypothalamic changes reported in HD patients and genetic rodent models. At present, the only similarity between the hypothalamic alterations in HD patients and genetic rodent models is a decrease in the number of orexin-expressing neurones in the lateral hypothalamus. Possible reasons for these discrepancies, as well as potential consequences for the development of novel therapeutic strategies, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J van Wamelen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam ZO, The Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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AMPK-α1 functions downstream of oxidative stress to mediate neuronal atrophy in Huntington's disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1842:1668-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Mo C, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. Novel ethological endophenotypes in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. Behav Brain Res 2014; 276:17-27. [PMID: 24747660 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disorder with a characteristic triad of cognitive, affective and motor symptoms. Transgenic HD mice show excellent construct and face validity for many of these symptoms, however the decline in some facets of every day activity in humans is difficult to model. One approach is the assessment of species-relevant behaviors. Here we described three ethologically appropriate tests in the mouse-olfactory sensitivity, nest-building and sexually-motivated vocalizations. In R6/1 HD mice, olfactory and nest-building tests were sensitive to early dysfunctions induced by the HD mutation. Male vocalization testing revealed a late-stage sexual disinterest in R6/1 HD mice compared to WT littermates. We show that essential, species-relevant functions are disrupted by the HD mutation. The development of integrative behavioral assays which more closely model 'activities of daily living' (ADL) will facilitate the testing of novel therapeutic interventions in animal models as well as their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mo
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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A broad phenotypic screen identifies novel phenotypes driven by a single mutant allele in Huntington's disease CAG knock-in mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80923. [PMID: 24278347 PMCID: PMC3838378 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG trinucleotide repeat in the HTT gene encoding huntingtin. The disease has an insidious course, typically progressing over 10-15 years until death. Currently there is no effective disease-modifying therapy. To better understand the HD pathogenic process we have developed genetic HTT CAG knock-in mouse models that accurately recapitulate the HD mutation in man. Here, we describe results of a broad, standardized phenotypic screen in 10-46 week old heterozygous HdhQ111 knock-in mice, probing a wide range of physiological systems. The results of this screen revealed a number of behavioral abnormalities in HdhQ111/+ mice that include hypoactivity, decreased anxiety, motor learning and coordination deficits, and impaired olfactory discrimination. The screen also provided evidence supporting subtle cardiovascular, lung, and plasma metabolite alterations. Importantly, our results reveal that a single mutant HTT allele in the mouse is sufficient to elicit multiple phenotypic abnormalities, consistent with a dominant disease process in patients. These data provide a starting point for further investigation of several organ systems in HD, for the dissection of underlying pathogenic mechanisms and for the identification of reliable phenotypic endpoints for therapeutic testing.
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Diamanti D, Mori E, Incarnato D, Malusa F, Fondelli C, Magnoni L, Pollio G. Whole gene expression profile in blood reveals multiple pathways deregulation in R6/2 mouse model. Biomark Res 2013; 1:28. [PMID: 24252798 PMCID: PMC4177605 DOI: 10.1186/2050-7771-1-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington Disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disorder, with pathological manifestations in brain areas and in periphery caused by the ubiquitous expression of mutant Huntingtin protein. Transcriptional dysregulation is considered a key molecular mechanism responsible of HD pathogenesis but, although numerous studies investigated mRNA alterations in HD, so far none evaluated a whole gene expression profile in blood of R6/2 mouse model. Findings To discover novel pathogenic mechanisms and potential peripheral biomarkers useful to monitor disease progression or drug efficacy, a microarray study was performed in blood of R6/2 at manifest stage and wild type littermate mice. This approach allowed to propose new peripheral molecular processes involved in HD and to suggest different panels of candidate biomarkers. Among the discovered deregulated processes, we focused on specific ones: complement and coagulation cascades, PPAR signaling, cardiac muscle contraction, and dilated cardiomyopathy pathways. Selected genes derived from these pathways were additionally investigated in other accessible tissues to validate these matrices as source of biomarkers, and in brain, to link central and peripheral disease manifestations. Conclusions Our findings validated the skeletal muscle as suitable source to investigate peripheral transcriptional alterations in HD and supported the hypothesis that immunological alteration may contribute to neurological degeneration. Moreover, the identification of altered signaling in mouse blood enforce R6/2 transgenic mouse as a powerful HD model while suggesting novel disease biomarkers for pre-clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Diamanti
- Siena Biotech S,p,A,, strada del Petriccio e Belriguardo, Siena 35, 53100, Italy.
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Abstract
Thyroid hormones are extremely important for metabolism, development, and growth during the lifetime. The hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis is precisely regulated for these purposes. Much of our knowledge of this hormonal axis is derived from experiments in animals and mutations in man. This review examines the hypothalamo-pituitary-thyroid axis particularly in relation to the regulated 24-hour serum TSH concentration profiles in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, including obesity, primary hypothyroidism, pituitary diseases, psychiatric disorders, and selected neurological diseases. Diurnal TSH rhythms can be analyzed with novel and precise techniques, eg, operator-independent deconvolution and approximate entropy. These approaches provide indirect insight in the regulatory components in pathophysiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Roelfsema
- Leiden University Medical Center, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, PO Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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Aziz NA, Roos RAC. Characteristics, pathophysiology and clinical management of weight loss in Huntington’s disease. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2013. [DOI: 10.2217/nmt.13.22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the HTT gene. Clinically, the disease is characterized by motor impairment, cognitive deterioration and behavioral disturbances. Unintended weight loss is also a hallmark of the disease and frequently leads to general weakening and a decline in the quality of life of HD patients. Moreover, a higher BMI has been associated with a slower rate of disease progression. In this review, the authors first delineate the characteristics of weight loss in both HD patients and genetic models of the disease. Subsequently, they discuss the pathophysiological processes underlying weight loss in HD and highlight the implications for management and care of HD patients with, or at risk of, unintended weight loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ahmad Aziz
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Raymund AC Roos
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA, Anink JJ, Roos RAC, Swaab DF. Neuropeptide alterations in the infundibular nucleus of Huntington's disease patients. J Neuroendocrinol 2013; 25:198-205. [PMID: 22928483 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2012.02379.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2011] [Revised: 08/05/2012] [Accepted: 08/24/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Data from transgenic mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD) suggest that dysfunction of the hypothalamic infundibular nucleus (INF) (in rodents, the arcuate nucleus) may contribute to unintended weight loss and insatiable appetite among HD patients. Using post-mortem paraffin-embedded tissue, we assessed the total number of INF neurones by thionin staining and four major regulatory neuropeptides in the INF of HD patients by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation. In HD patients, the total number of neurones in the INF was unchanged compared to control subjects (P = 0.92), whereas it contained over 30% less neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive (IR) neurones (P = 0.016), as well as reduced peptide levels, in fibres to the paraventricular and ventromedial nucleus (P = 0.003, P = 0.005, respectively). Conversely, neuropeptide Y mRNA expression levels were increased three-fold (P = 0.047). No changes were observed in the number of neurones immunoreactive for α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, agouti-related peptide, and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (P ≥ 0.17). Our findings suggest changes in the pathology of the INF neuropeptide Y-expressing neurones in HD patients without changes in other (an)orexigenic neuropeptides and without neuronal cell loss. These findings indicate that unintended weight loss in patients suffering from this disease may be partly a result of neuropeptidergic alterations in the hypothalamic infundibular nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J van Wamelen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA, Anink JJ, van Steenhoven R, Angeloni D, Fraschini F, Jockers R, Roos RAC, Swaab DF. Suprachiasmatic nucleus neuropeptide expression in patients with Huntington's Disease. Sleep 2013; 36:117-25. [PMID: 23288978 DOI: 10.5665/sleep.2314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE To study whether sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances in patients with Huntington's disease (HD) arise from dysfunction of the body's master clock, the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus. DESIGN Postmortem cohort study. PATIENTS Eight patients with HD and eight control subjects matched for sex, age, clock time and month of death, postmortem delay, and fixation time of paraffin-embedded hypothalamic tissue. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Using postmortem paraffin-embedded tissue, we assessed the functional integrity of the suprachiasmatic nucleus in patients with HD and control subjects by determining the expression of two major regulatory neuropeptides, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and arginine vasopressin. Additionally, we studied melatonin 1 and 2 receptor expression. Compared with control subjects, the suprachiasmatic nucleus contained 85% fewer neurons immunoreactive for vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and 33% fewer neurons for arginine vasopressin in patients with HD (P = 0.002 and P = 0.027). The total amount of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and arginine vasopressin messenger RNA was unchanged. No change was observed in the number of melatonin 1 or 2 receptor immunoreactive neurons. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate posttranscriptional neuropeptide changes in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of patients with HD, and suggest that sleep and circadian rhythm disorders in these patients may at least partly arise from suprachiasmatic nucleus dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J van Wamelen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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Lundh SH, Soylu R, Petersén A. Expression of mutant huntingtin in leptin receptor-expressing neurons does not control the metabolic and psychiatric phenotype of the BACHD mouse. PLoS One 2012; 7:e51168. [PMID: 23251447 PMCID: PMC3519539 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 10/30/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic and psychiatric disturbances occur early on in the clinical manifestation of Huntington’s disease (HD), a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the huntingtin (HTT) gene. Hypothalamus has emerged as an important site of pathology and alterations in this area and its neuroendocrine circuits may play a role in causing early non-motor symptoms and signs in HD. Leptin is a hormone that controls energy homeostasis by signaling through leptin receptors in the hypothalamus. Disturbed leptin action is implicated in both obesity and depression and altered circulating levels of leptin have been reported in both clinical HD and rodent models of the disease. Pathological leptin signaling may therefore be involved in causing the metabolic and psychiatric disturbances of HD. Here we tested the hypothesis that expression of mutant HTT in leptin receptor carrying neurons plays a role in the development of the non-motor phenotype in the BACHD mouse model. Our results show that inactivation of mutant HTT in leptin receptor-expressing neurons in the BACHD mouse using cross-breeding based on a cre-loxP system did not have an effect on the metabolic phenotype or anxiety-like behavior. The data suggest that mutant HTT disrupts critical hypothalamic pathways by other mechanisms than interfering with intracellular leptin signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Hult Lundh
- Translational Neuroendocrine Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Morton AJ. Circadian and sleep disorder in Huntington's disease. Exp Neurol 2012; 243:34-44. [PMID: 23099415 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2012.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2012] [Revised: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 10/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that starts insidiously with motor, cognitive or psychiatric disturbance, and progresses through a distressing range of symptoms to end with a devastating loss of function, both motor and executive. There is a growing awareness that, in addition to cognitive and psychiatric symptoms, there are other important non-motor symptoms in HD, including sleep and circadian abnormalities. It is not clear if sleep-wake changes are caused directly by HD gene-related pathology, or if they are simply a consequence of having a neurodegenerative disease. From a patient point of view, the answer is irrelevant, since sleep and circadian disturbances are deleterious to good daily living, even in neurologically normal people. The assumption should be that, at the very least, sleep and/or circadian disturbance in HD patients will contribute to their symptoms. At worst, they may contribute to the progressive decline in HD. Here I review the state of our understanding of sleep and circadian abnormalities in HD. I also outline a set of simple rules that can be followed to improve the chances of a good night's sleep, since preventing any 'preventable' symptoms is the a logical first step in treating disease. The long-term impact of sleep disruption in HD is unknown. There have been no large-scale systematic studies of in sleep in HD. Furthermore, there has never been a study of the efficacy of pharmaceuticals that are typically used to treat sleep deficits in HD patients. Thus treatment of sleep disturbance in HD is necessarily empirical. A better understanding of the relationship between sleep/circadian abnormalities and HD pathology is needed, if treatment of this aspect of HD is to be optimized.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Jennifer Morton
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1PD, UK.
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Martin B, Chadwick W, Cong WN, Pantaleo N, Daimon CM, Golden EJ, Becker KG, Wood WH, Carlson OD, Egan JM, Maudsley S. Euglycemic agent-mediated hypothalamic transcriptomic manipulation in the N171-82Q model of Huntington disease is related to their physiological efficacy. J Biol Chem 2012; 287:31766-82. [PMID: 22822065 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.387316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Our aim was to employ novel analytical methods to investigate the therapeutic treatment of the energy regulation dysfunction occurring in a Huntington disease (HD) mouse model. HD is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by progressive motor impairment and cognitive alterations. Changes in neuroendocrine function, body weight, energy metabolism, euglycemia, appetite function, and gut function can also occur. It is likely that the locus of these alterations is the hypothalamus. We determined the effects of three different euglycemic agents on HD progression using standard physiological and transcriptomic signature analyses. N171-82Q HD mice were treated with insulin, Exendin-4, and the newly developed GLP-1-Tf to determine whether these agents could improve energy regulation and delay disease progression. Blood glucose, insulin, metabolic hormone levels, and pancreatic morphology were assessed. Hypothalamic gene transcription, motor coordination, and life span were also determined. The N171-82Q mice exhibited significant alterations in hypothalamic gene transcription signatures and energy metabolism that were ameliorated, to varying degrees, by the different euglycemic agents. Exendin-4 or GLP-1-Tf (but not insulin) treatment also improved pancreatic morphology, motor coordination, and increased life span. Using hypothalamic transcription signature analyses, we found that the physiological efficacy variation of the drugs was evident in the degree of reversal of the hypothalamic HD pathological signature. Euglycemic agents targeting hypothalamic and energy regulation dysfunction in HD could potentially alter disease progression and improve quality of life in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen Martin
- Metabolism Unit, NIA, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA.
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Guimarães J, Moura E, Vieira-Coelho MA, Garrett C. Weight variation before and after surgery in Parkinson's disease: a noradrenergic modulation? Mov Disord 2012; 27:1078-82. [PMID: 22700383 DOI: 10.1002/mds.25063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2011] [Revised: 04/14/2012] [Accepted: 04/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Changes in the nutritional profile of patients with Parkinson's disease have been reported before and after deep brain stimulation surgery. The major determinants of the weight variation in Parkinson's disease are not yet understood, and the mechanism seems complex. Based on the influence of the sympathetic nervous system in metabolic syndrome obesity, the intent of the present review is to consider the role of noradrenergic modulation on weight variations in Parkinson's disease. In this review the authors raise the following hypothesis: weight variation in Parkinson's disease before and after deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus could be influenced by noradrenergic interaction between the locus coeruleus, subthalamic nucleus, and hypothalamic nucleus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Guimarães
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal.
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van Wamelen DJ, Aziz NA, Anink JJ, Roos RAC, Swaab DF. Paraventricular nucleus neuropeptide expression in Huntington's disease patients. Brain Pathol 2012; 22:654-61. [PMID: 22257050 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2012.00565.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine, metabolic and autonomic nervous system dysfunctions are prevalent among patients with Huntington's disease (HD) and may underlie symptoms such as depression, weight loss and autonomic failure. Using post-mortem paraffin-embedded tissue, we assessed the integrity of the major neuropeptide populations in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN)-the hypothalamic neuroendocrine and autonomic integration center-in HD patients. The number corticotropin-releasing hormone, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, arginine vasopressin and oxytocin immunoreactive (ir) neurons did not differ between HD patients and control subjects. However, the significant positive correlation between arginine vasopressin and oxytocin ir neurons in control subjects (P = 0.036) was absent in patients. Corticotropin-releasing hormone mRNA levels were 68% higher in HD patients (P = 0.046). Thyrotropin-releasing hormone mRNA levels did not differ between HD patients and control subjects, although a negative correlation with disease duration was present in the former (P = 0.036). These findings indicate that the PVN is largely unaffected in HD patients. However, our findings suggest that hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis activity may alter during the course of the disease and that autonomic nervous system dysfunction might partly arise from an imbalance between arginine vasopressin and oxytocin neurons in the PVN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J van Wamelen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam ZO, The Netherlands.
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Microcirculation response to local cooling in patients with Huntington's disease. J Neurol 2011; 259:921-8. [PMID: 22012332 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-011-6279-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2011] [Revised: 10/03/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Altered autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning in early stages of Huntington's disease (HD) has been suggested, presumably due to distorted high-order autonomic control. ANS functioning in the early stages of HD was further investigated. Laser-Doppler (LD) flux in the skin of the fingertips, heart rate (HR), HR variability, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured during rest and during a 6 min cooling of one hand at 15°C. Data of 15 presymptomatic gene mutation carriers (PHD), 15 early symptomatic HD patients (EHD), and two groups of 15 age- and sex-matched controls were compared. The area under the low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) bands of the HR variability spectrum were calculated. An augmented reduction of cutaneous LD flux was found in response to the direct cooling in the PHD group (37.5 ± 8.5% of resting value) compared to the PHD controls (67.27 ± 8.4%) (p < 0.05). In addition, the PHD group had higher (LF/(LF + HF) index of primary sympathetic modulation of the HR at rest (53.6 ± 3.3) compared to the EHD patients (39.7 ± 4.2) (p < 0.05). In the EHD group, a significantly smaller change of HR during cooling (100.26 ± 1.2%) was found compared to the EHD controls (95.9 ± 1.0%) (p < 0.05). The results are in line with the hypothesis that ANS dysfunction occurs even in PHD subjects. Further, they support the hypothesis that dysfunction of the high-order autonomic centres are involved in HD.
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Baroncini M, Jissendi P, Balland E, Besson P, Pruvo JP, Francke JP, Dewailly D, Blond S, Prevot V. MRI atlas of the human hypothalamus. Neuroimage 2011; 59:168-80. [PMID: 21777680 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2010] [Revised: 06/24/2011] [Accepted: 07/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gaining new insights into the anatomy of the human hypothalamus is crucial for the development of new treatment strategies involving functional stereotactic neurosurgery. Here, using anatomical comparisons between histology and magnetic resonance images of the human hypothalamus in the coronal plane, we show that discrete gray and white hypothalamic structures are consistently identifiable by MRI. Macroscopic and microscopic images were used to precisely annotate the MRI sequences realized in the coronal plane in twenty healthy volunteers. MRI was performed on a 1.5 T scanner, using a protocol including T1-weighted 3D fast field echo, T1-weighted inversion-recovery, turbo spin echo and T2-weighted 2D fast field echo imaging. For each gray matter structure as well as for white matter bundles, the different MRI sequences were analyzed in comparison to each other. The anterior commissure and the fornix were often identifiable, while the mammillothalamic tract was more difficult to spot. Qualitative analyses showed that MRI could also highlight finer structures such as the paraventricular nucleus, the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and the infundibular (arcuate) nucleus, brain nuclei that play key roles in the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. The posterior hypothalamic area, a target for deep brain stimulation in the treatment of cluster headaches, was readily identified, as was the lateral hypothalamic area, which similar to the aforementioned hypothalamic nuclei, could be a putative target for deep brain stimulation in the treatment of obesity. Finally, each of the identified structures was mapped to Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Baroncini
- Inserm, Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Center, U837, Development and Plasticity of the postnatal Brain, Univ Lille Nord de France, CHRU Lille, Department of Neurosurgery, Lille University Hospital, 59037 Lille cedex, France.
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Abstract
In the past few years, the development of pharmaceutical agents that enhance the physiological effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), either through GLP-1 receptor agonism (GLP-1 agonists) or by inhibiting GLP-1 degradation (dipeptidylpeptidase-4 inhibitors) has broadened the range of treatment options for individuals with type 2 diabetes. It has been recognized for some time that GLP-1 also has extra-pancreatic effects, notably targeting the brain, where it regulates appetite and satiety, as well as peripheral functions highly controlled by the autonomic nervous system, such as gastric emptying. Furthermore, data are beginning to emerge that indicate a potential role for GLP-1 in neuroprotection. The increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes suggests that shared mechanisms/pathways of cell death, possibly related to insulin dysregulation, may underlie all of these disorders. Although the disease anatomy varies with each disorder, a wide range of genetic and environmental triggers result in activation of similar biochemical pathways in all of them, suggesting a complex network of biochemical events that feed in to a final common path towards cellular dysfunction and death. This article summarizes the evidence for neuronal activity of GLP-1 and examines the limited data that currently exist on the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 in specific neurological and neurodegenerative conditions, namely Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntingdon's disease, stroke and peripheral sensory neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Juul Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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van Wamelen DJ, Shan L, Aziz NA, Anink JJ, Bao AM, Roos RAC, Swaab DF. Functional increase of brain histaminergic signaling in Huntington's disease. Brain Pathol 2010; 21:419-27. [PMID: 21106039 DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2010.00465.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To evaluate whether central histaminergic signaling in Huntington's disease (HD) patients is affected, we assessed mRNA levels of histidine decarboxylase (HDC), volume of and neuron number in the hypothalamic tuberomamillary nucleus (TMN) (HD n = 8, controls n = 8). In addition, we assessed histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT) and histamine receptor (H(1) R, H(2) R and H(3) R) mRNA levels in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) (n = 9 and 9) and caudate nucleus (CN) (n = 6 and 6) by real-time polymerase chain reaction. In HD patients, TMN volume and neuronal number was unaltered (P = 0.72, P = 0.25). The levels of HDC mRNA (P = 0.046), IFG HMT (P < 0.001), H(1) R (P < 0.001) and H(3) R mRNA levels (P = 0.011) were increased, while CN H(2) R and H(3) R mRNA levels were decreased (P = 0.041, P = 0.009). In HD patients, we observed a positive correlation between IFG H(3) R mRNA levels and CAG repeat length (P = 0.024) and negative correlations between age at onset of disease and IFG HMT (P = 0.015) and H(1) R (P = 0.021) mRNA levels. These findings indicate a functional increase in brain histaminergic signaling in HD, and provide a rationale for the use of histamine receptor antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J van Wamelen
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Science, Amsterdam ZO.
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Roos RAC. Huntington's disease: a clinical review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2010; 5:40. [PMID: 21171977 PMCID: PMC3022767 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1172-5-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 570] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2009] [Accepted: 12/20/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by unwanted choreatic movements, behavioral and psychiatric disturbances and dementia. Prevalence in the Caucasian population is estimated at 1/10,000-1/20,000. Mean age at onset of symptoms is 30-50 years. In some cases symptoms start before the age of 20 years with behavior disturbances and learning difficulties at school (Juvenile Huntington's disease; JHD). The classic sign is chorea that gradually spreads to all muscles. All psychomotor processes become severely retarded. Patients experience psychiatric symptoms and cognitive decline. HD is an autosomal dominant inherited disease caused by an elongated CAG repeat (36 repeats or more) on the short arm of chromosome 4p16.3 in the Huntingtine gene. The longer the CAG repeat, the earlier the onset of disease. In cases of JHD the repeat often exceeds 55. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and signs in an individual with a parent with proven HD, and is confirmed by DNA determination. Pre-manifest diagnosis should only be performed by multidisciplinary teams in healthy at-risk adult individuals who want to know whether they carry the mutation or not. Differential diagnoses include other causes of chorea including general internal disorders or iatrogenic disorders. Phenocopies (clinically diagnosed cases of HD without the genetic mutation) are observed. Prenatal diagnosis is possible by chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. Preimplantation diagnosis with in vitro fertilization is offered in several countries. There is no cure. Management should be multidisciplinary and is based on treating symptoms with a view to improving quality of life. Chorea is treated with dopamine receptor blocking or depleting agents. Medication and non-medical care for depression and aggressive behavior may be required. The progression of the disease leads to a complete dependency in daily life, which results in patients requiring full-time care, and finally death. The most common cause of death is pneumonia, followed by suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymund A C Roos
- Department of Neurology K5Q112, LUMC PO Box 9600, 2300RC Leiden The Netherlands.
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Mughal MR, Baharani A, Chigurupati S, Son TG, Chen E, Yang P, Okun E, Arumugam T, Chan SL, Mattson MP. Electroconvulsive shock ameliorates disease processes and extends survival in huntingtin mutant mice. Hum Mol Genet 2010; 20:659-69. [PMID: 21106706 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddq512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by expanded polyglutamine repeats in the huntingtin (Htt) protein. Mutant Htt may damage and kill striatal neurons by a mechanism involving reduced production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and increased oxidative and metabolic stress. Because electroconvulsive shock (ECS) can stimulate the production of BDNF and protect neurons against stress, we determined whether ECS treatment would modify the disease process and provide a therapeutic benefit in a mouse model of HD. ECS (50 mA for 0.2 s) or sham treatment was administered once weekly to male N171-82Q Htt mutant mice beginning at 2 months of age. Endpoints measured included motor function, striatal and cortical pathology, and levels of protein chaperones and BDNF. ECS treatment delayed the onset of motor symptoms and body weight loss and extended the survival of HD mice. Striatal neurodegeneration was attenuated and levels of protein chaperones (Hsp70 and Hsp40) and BDNF were elevated in striatal neurons of ECS-treated compared with sham-treated HD mice. Our findings demonstrate that ECS can increase the resistance of neurons to mutant Htt resulting in improved functional outcome and extended survival. The potential of ECS as an intervention in subjects that inherit the mutant Htt gene merits further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed R Mughal
- Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, Biomedical Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
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