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Jian-Min C, Zhi-Yuan W, Ke L, Cheng Z, Shi-Xuan W, Yi-Wei C, Guan-Yi L, Rui S, Xiao-Mei Z, Jin L, Ning W. Assessment of lisdexamfetamine on executive function in rats: A translational cognitive research. Exp Neurol 2024; 374:114718. [PMID: 38336285 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Executive function, including working memory, attention and inhibitory control, is crucial for decision making, thinking and planning. Lisdexamfetamine, the prodrug of d-amphetamine, has been approved for treating attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and binge eating disorder, but whether it improves executive function under non-disease condition, as well as the underlying pharmacokinetic and neurochemical properties, remains unclear. Here, using trial unique non-matching to location task and five-choice serial reaction time task of rats, we found lisdexamfetamine (p.o) enhanced spatial working memory and sustained attention under various cognitive load conditions, while d-amphetamine (i.p) only improved these cognitive performances under certain high cognitive load condition. Additionally, lisdexamfetamine evoked less impulsivity than d-amphetamine, indicating lower adverse effect on inhibitory control. In vivo pharmacokinetics showed lisdexamfetamine produced a relative stable and lasting release of amphetamine base both in plasma and in brain tissue, whereas d-amphetamine injection elicited rapid increase and dramatical decrease in amphetamine base levels. Microdialysis revealed lisdexamfetamine caused lasting release of dopamine within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), whereas d-amphetamine produced rapid increase followed by decline to dopamine level. Moreover, lisdexamfetamine elicited more obvious efflux of noradrenaline than that of d-amphetamine. The distinct neurochemical profiles may be partly attributed to the different action of two drugs to membranous catecholamine transporters level within mPFC, detecting by Western Blotting. Taken together, due to its certain pharmacokinetic and catecholamine releasing profiles, lisdexamfetamine produced better pharmacological action to improving executive function. Our finding provided valuable evidence on the ideal pharmacokinetic and neurochemical characteristics of amphetamine-type psychostimulants in cognition enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Jian-Min
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China; Department of Pharmacy, Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, 46th Chongxin Road, Guilin 541000, China
| | - Wang Zhi-Yuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Liu Ke
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhang Cheng
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Wu Shi-Xuan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Cao Yi-Wei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Lu Guan-Yi
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Song Rui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Zhuang Xiao-Mei
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
| | - Li Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Wu Ning
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 27th Taiping Road, Beijing 100850, China.
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Bustelli IB, Oliveira LM, Correa-Netto NF, Stilhano RS, Caetano AL. Behavioral effects of 6-hydroxydopamine-induced damage to nigro-striatal pathway and Locus coeruleus as a rodent model of Parkinson's disease. Behav Brain Res 2024; 462:114873. [PMID: 38266776 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.114873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), which leads to motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS). NMS can appear many years before the classical motor symptoms and are associated with the neurodegeneration of several nuclei; in this work, we highlight the neurodegeneration of Locus coeruleus (LC) in PD. The aim was to investigate the effects of depleting SNpc and LC catecholaminergic neurons on behavioral and neurobiological endpoints. Here we used 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in order to induced neurotoxic damage in three independent experimental groups: SNpc lesion group, which 6-OHDA was injected into CPu (CPu-6-OHDA), LC lesion group, which 6-OHDA was injected directly on LC to selectively caused a damage on this nucleus (LC-6-OHDA), and the combined SNpc and LC lesion group (CL-6-OHDA). Next, the behavioral studies were performed using the Morris water maze (MWM), open field (OF), and elevated plus maze (EPM). After stereotaxic surgeries, the animals showed a loss of 67% and 77% of Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) reactive neurons in the SNpc and LC, respectively. The behavioral analysis showed the anxiety-like behavior in CL-6-OHDA group in the EPM test; in the MWM test, the combined lesions (CL-6-OHDA) showed an impairment in memory acquisition and spatial memory; and no changes were observed in locomotor activity in all the tests. Furthermore, our investigation demonstrating the effects of depleting SN and LC catecholaminergic neurons on behavioral and neurobiological parameters. All these data together lead us to believe that a bilateral PD model including a LC bilateral degeneration is potentially a more accurate model to evaluate the NMS in the pathological development of the disease in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabella B Bustelli
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP 01221-020, Brazil
| | - Luiz M Oliveira
- Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Nelson F Correa-Netto
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP 01221-020, Brazil
| | - Roberta S Stilhano
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP 01221-020, Brazil
| | - Ariadiny L Caetano
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo School of Medical Sciences, São Paulo, SP 01221-020, Brazil.
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Kurzina N, Belskaya A, Gromova A, Ignashchenkova A, Gainetdinov RR, Volnova A. Modulation of Spatial Memory Deficit and Hyperactivity in Dopamine Transporter Knockout Rats via α2A-Adrenoceptors. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:851296. [PMID: 35401264 PMCID: PMC8990031 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.851296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is manifested by a specific set of behavioral deficits such as hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The dopamine neurotransmitter system is postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of ADHD. Guanfacine, a selective α2A-adrenoceptor agonist, is prescribed for ADHD treatment. ADHD also is known to be associated with impairment of multiple aspects of cognition, including spatial memory, however, it remains unclear how modulation of the norepinephrine system can affect these deficits. Hyperdopaminergic dopamine transporter knockout (DAT-KO) rats are a valuable model for investigating ADHD. The DAT-KO rats are hyperactive and deficient in spatial working memory. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of noradrenergic drugs on the fulfillment of spatial cognitive tasks by DAT-KO rats. The rats were tested in the Hebb - Williams maze during training and following noradrenergic drugs administration. The efficiency of spatial orientation was assessed as to how fast the animal finds an optimal way to the goal box. Testing in a new maze configuration allowed us to evaluate the effects of drug administration after the acquisition of the task rules. The behavioral variables such as the distance traveled, the time to reach the goal box, and the time spent in the error zones were analyzed. It has been observed that α2A-adrenoceptor agonist Guanfacine (0.25 mg/kg) had only a minimal inhibitory effect on hyperactivity of DAT-KO rats in the maze but significantly ameliorated their perseverative pattern of activity and reduced the time spent in the error zones. In contrast, α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist Yohimbine, at the dose of 1 mg/kg, increased the distance traveled by DAT-KO rats and elevated the number of perseverative reactions and the time spent in the error zones. Guanfacine caused minimal effects in wild-type rats, while Yohimbine altered several parameters reflecting a detrimental effect on the performance in the maze. These data indicate that modulation of α2A-adrenoceptor activity potently affects both dopamine-dependent hyperactivity and cognitive dysfunctions. Similar mechanisms may be involved in the beneficial effects of Guanfacine on cognitive deficits in ADHD patients. This study further supports the translational potential of DAT-KO rats for testing new pharmacological drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Kurzina
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anastasia Belskaya
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Arina Gromova
- Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alla Ignashchenkova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Saint Petersburg University Hospital, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Volnova
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia.,Biological Faculty, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Dubois M, Habicht J, Michely J, Moran R, Dolan RJ, Hauser TU. Human complex exploration strategies are enriched by noradrenaline-modulated heuristics. eLife 2021; 10:e59907. [PMID: 33393461 PMCID: PMC7815309 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
An exploration-exploitation trade-off, the arbitration between sampling a lesser-known against a known rich option, is thought to be solved using computationally demanding exploration algorithms. Given known limitations in human cognitive resources, we hypothesised the presence of additional cheaper strategies. We examined for such heuristics in choice behaviour where we show this involves a value-free random exploration, that ignores all prior knowledge, and a novelty exploration that targets novel options alone. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled drug study, assessing contributions of dopamine (400 mg amisulpride) and noradrenaline (40 mg propranolol), we show that value-free random exploration is attenuated under the influence of propranolol, but not under amisulpride. Our findings demonstrate that humans deploy distinct computationally cheap exploration strategies and that value-free random exploration is under noradrenergic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magda Dubois
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Johanna Habicht
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Jochen Michely
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin BerlinBerlinGermany
| | - Rani Moran
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ray J Dolan
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Tobias U Hauser
- Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing ResearchLondonUnited Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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Activation and blockade of 5-HT 6 receptor in the medial septum-diagonal band recover working memory in the hemiparkinsonian rats. Brain Res 2020; 1748:147072. [PMID: 32853642 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Working memory impairment is a common symptom occurred in Parkinson's disease (PD). The medial septum-diagonal band (MS-DB) complex and 5-HT6 receptor are involved in modulation of cognition. However, their roles in working memory in PD are still unknown. Here, we used behavioral, neurochemical and immunohistochemical approaches to assess the role of MS-DB 5-HT6 receptor in working memory in unilateral 6-hydroxydopamie (6-OHDA)-induced PD rats. Intra-MS-DB injection of 5-HT6 receptor agonist WAY208466 (3, 6 and 12 μg/rat) enhanced working memory and increased dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) levels in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and hippocampus in sham and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. The dose that produced significant effect on working memory in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats was lower than that in sham rats, indicating hypersensitivity of 5-HT6 receptor after lesioning. Intra-MS-DB injection of 5-HT6 receptor antagonist SB258585 (2, 4 and 8 μg/rat) alleviated working memory deficits and increased DA level in the mPFC and hippocampus and NA level in the mPFC in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats while having no effect in sham rats, suggesting that SB258585 did not change normal cognitive status. These results suggest that activation and blockade of MS-DB 5-HT6 receptor recovered working memory in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, which is probably related to changes in monoamine levels in the mPFC and hippocampus.
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Jaime S, Vena AA, Gonzales RA. Intravenous Ethanol Administration and Operant Self-Administration Alter Extracellular Norepinephrine Concentration in the Mesocorticolimbic Systems of Male Long Evans Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2020; 44:1529-1539. [PMID: 32573991 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Norepinephrine has been suggested to regulate ethanol (EtOH)-related behaviors, but little is known about the effects of EtOH on norepinephrine release in mesocortical and mesolimbic brain areas that are targets of EtOH actions. METHODS We used in vivo microdialysis to examine the effects of EtOH on extracellular norepinephrine concentrations in mesocorticolimbic brain regions of male Long Evans rats. We determined the effects of intravenous infusion of saline or EtOH in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and the basal forebrain. We also measured dialysate norepinephrine concentrations during operant self-administration of EtOH in the mPFC. RESULTS Intravenous infusion (1 or 0.25 ml/min) of 1.0 g/kg EtOH stimulated an increase in dialysate norepinephrine in mPFC and in basal forebrain. In the basal forebrain, an infusion of 0.5 g/kg EtOH did not stimulate dialysate norepinephrine concentrations. In both regions, saline infusions did not increase dialysate norepinephrine concentrations. In the behavioral experiment, 1 week of experience with operant self-administration of sweetened EtOH resulted in an apparent reduction in basal dialysate norepinephrine concentrations in the mPFC relative to the sucrose control. Dialysate norepinephrine increased during the transfer from home cage to the operant chamber in all groups. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that acute EtOH stimulates both the locus coeruleus (which projects to the mPFC) and the nucleus tractus solitarius (which projects to the basal forebrain) noradrenergic neurons. Additionally, limited EtOH self-administration experience alters dialysate norepinephrine in the mPFC in a manner consistent with a decrease in tonic norepinephrine release. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms by which EtOH exerts these variable effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saul Jaime
- From the, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology (SJ, RAG), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Ashley A Vena
- From the, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology (SJ, RAG), College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Rueben A Gonzales
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Mancuso L, Costa T, Nani A, Manuello J, Liloia D, Gelmini G, Panero M, Duca S, Cauda F. The homotopic connectivity of the functional brain: a meta-analytic approach. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3346. [PMID: 30833662 PMCID: PMC6399443 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40188-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Homotopic connectivity (HC) is the connectivity between mirror areas of the brain hemispheres. It can exhibit a marked and functionally relevant spatial variability, and can be perturbed by several pathological conditions. The voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) is a technique devised to enquire this pattern of brain organization, based on resting state functional connectivity. Since functional connectivity can be revealed also in a meta-analytical fashion using co-activations, here we propose to calculate the meta-analytic homotopic connectivity (MHC) as the meta-analytic counterpart of the VMHC. The comparison between the two techniques reveals their general similarity, but also highlights regional differences associated with how HC varies from task to rest. Two main differences were found from rest to task: (i) regions known to be characterized by global hubness are more similar than regions displaying local hubness; and (ii) medial areas are characterized by a higher degree of homotopic connectivity, while lateral areas appear to decrease their degree of homotopic connectivity during task performance. These findings show that MHC can be an insightful tool to study how the hemispheres functionally interact during task and rest conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Mancuso
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Tommaso Costa
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Andrea Nani
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Jordi Manuello
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Donato Liloia
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Gelmini
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Melissa Panero
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sergio Duca
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Franco Cauda
- GCS-fMRI, Koelliker Hospital and Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Focus Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Kamigaki T. Prefrontal circuit organization for executive control. Neurosci Res 2018; 140:23-36. [PMID: 30227166 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The essential role of executive control is to select the most appropriate behavior among other candidates depending on the sensory information (exogenous information) and on the subject's internal state (endogenous information). Here I review series of the evidence implicating that the rodent prefrontal cortex (PFC) evaluates and compares the expected outcome for candidate actions that are automatically primed by exogenous and endogenous information, and selects the most appropriate action while inhibiting the others, with different PFC subregions contributing to distinct aspects of the computation via differential recruitments of the distributed networks. The recurrent nature of the PFC networks further facilitates the computation by integrating bottom-up signals over a long timescale. I also overview the local circuit organization in the PFC, where vasoactive intestinal peptide-positive (VIP) GABAergic interneurons are tightly linked with the cholinergic system and play significant roles in regulating executive control signals. The empirical evidence inspires the disinhibitory module hypothesis of the PFC organization that a group of pyramidal neurons and interneurons forms a disinhibitory module with similar task-variable selectivity in the PFC, and long-range inputs and neuromodulations in these modules exert a distributed gain modulation of the ongoing executive control signals by adjusting VIP neuron activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsukasa Kamigaki
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, United States.
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Tangeretin inhibits neurodegeneration and attenuates inflammatory responses and behavioural deficits in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson’s disease dementia in rats. Inflammopharmacology 2017; 25:471-484. [DOI: 10.1007/s10787-017-0348-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Hsieh MH, Meng WY, Liao WC, Weng JC, Li HH, Su HL, Lin CL, Hung CS, Ho YJ. Ceftriaxone reverses deficits of behavior and neurogenesis in an MPTP-induced rat model of Parkinson's disease dementia. Brain Res Bull 2017; 132:129-138. [PMID: 28576659 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2017] [Revised: 04/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Hyperactivity of the glutamatergic system is involved in excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) so that glutamatergic modulation maybe a potential therapeutic target for PD. Ceftriaxone (CEF) has been reported to increase glutamate uptake by increasing glutamate transporter expression and has been demonstrated neuroprotective effects in animal study. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of CEF on behavior and neurogenesis in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD rat model. MPTP was stereotaxically injected into the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of male Wistar rats. Starting on the same day after MPTP lesioning (day 0), the rats were injected daily with either CEF or saline for 14days and underwent a T-maze test on days 8-10 and an object recognition test on days 12-14, then the brain was taken for histological evaluation on day 15. The results showed that MPTP lesioning resulted in decreased motor function, working memory, and object recognition and reduced neurogenesis in the substantial nigra and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. These behavioral and neuronal changes were prevented by CEF treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing that CEF prevents loss of neurogenesis in the brain of PD rats. CEF may therefore have clinical potential in the treatment of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hong Hsieh
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wan-Yun Meng
- Department of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wen-Chieh Liao
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jun-Cheng Weng
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hsin-Hua Li
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hong-Lin Su
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chih-Li Lin
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Ching-Sui Hung
- Occupational Safety and Health Office, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 10341, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Ying-Jui Ho
- Department of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC.
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iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis of hippocampus in spatial memory deficiency rats induced by simulated microgravity. J Proteomics 2017; 160:64-73. [PMID: 28341594 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2017.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
It has been demonstrated that simulated microgravity (SM) may lead to cognitive dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In present study, tail-suspension (30°) rat was employed to explore the effects of 28 days of SM on hippocampus-dependent learning and memory capability and the underlying mechanisms. We found that 28-day tail-suspension rats displayed decline of learning and memory ability in Morris water maze (MWM) test. Using iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis, a total of 4774 proteins were quantified in hippocampus. Of these identified proteins, 147 proteins were differentially expressed between tail-suspension and control group. Further analysis showed these differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) involved in different molecular function categories, and participated in many biological processes. Based on the results of PANTHER pathway analysis and further western blot verification, we observed the expression of glutamate receptor 1 (GluR1) and glutamate receptor 4 (GluR4) which involved in metabotropic glutamate receptor group III pathway and ionotropic glutamate receptor pathway were significantly induced by SM. Moreover, an increased concentration of glutamic acid (Glu) was also found in hippocampus while the concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA), γ-amino acid butyric acid (GABA) and epinephrine (E) were decreased. Our finding confirms that 28-day SM exposure can cause degrading of the spatial learning and memory capability and the possible mechanisms might be related with glutamate excitotoxicity and imbalances in specific neurotransmitters. BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE The goal of sending astronauts farther into space and extending the duration of spaceflight missions from months to years will challenge the current capabilities of bioastronautics. The investigation of the physiological and pathological changes induced by spaceflight will be critical in developing countermeasures to ensure astronauts to complete spaceflight mission accurately and effectively and return to earth safely. It has been demonstrated that spaceflight may lead to impairments in cognitive function which is crucial for mission success. Here we show that long-term simulated microgravity, the most potent environment risk factor during spaceflight, impairs the spatial learning and memory of rats and the underlying mechanism may be involved in glutamate excitotoxicity and imbalances in specific neurotransmitters release in hippocampus, which may provide new insight for the countermeasures of cognitive impairment during spaceflight.
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Beiranvand A, Nasehi M, Zarrindast MR, Moghaddasi M. Involvement of medial prefrontal cortex alpha-2 adrenoceptors on memory acquisition deficit induced by arachidonylcyclopropylamide, a cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist, in rats; possible involvement of Ca2+ channels. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:945-54. [PMID: 27317021 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116652585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Functional interactions between cannabinoid and alpha-2 adrenergic systems in cognitive control in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) seem possible. The present study evaluated the possible role of alpha-2 adrenoceptors of the prefrontal cortex on effect of arachidonylcyclopropylamide (ACPA), a cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) agonist, in adult male Wistar rats. The animals were bilaterally implanted with chronic cannulae in the mPFC, trained in a step-through task, and tested 24 h after training to measure step-through latency. Results indicate that pre-training microinjection of ACPA (0.05 and 0.5 μg/rat) and clonidine (alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist; 1 and 2 μg/rat) reduce memory acquisition. Pre-training subthreshold dose of clonidine (0.5 µg/rat) restored memory-impairing effect of ACPA (0.05 and 0.5 µg/rat). On the other hand, pre-training administration of the alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine in all doses used (0.5, 1, and 2 μg/rat) did not affect memory acquisition by itself, while a subthreshold dose of yohimbine (2 µg/rat) potentiated memory impairment induced by ACPA (0.005 µg/rat). Finally, a subthreshold dose of SKF96365 (a Ca(2+) channel blocker) blocked clonidine and yohimbine effect of memory responses induced by ACPA. In conclusion, these data indicate that mPFC alpha-2 adrenoceptors play an important role in ACPA-induced amnesia and Ca(2+) channels have a critical role this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Nasehi
- Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Reza Zarrindast
- Institute for Cognitive Science Studies (ICSS), Tehran, Iran Cognitive and Neuroscience Research Center (CNRC), Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran School of Cognitive Sciences, Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM), Tehran, Iran Medical Genomics Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrnoush Moghaddasi
- Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Department of Physiology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
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Norepinephrine versus dopamine and their interaction in modulating synaptic function in the prefrontal cortex. Brain Res 2016; 1641:217-33. [PMID: 26790349 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2016.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Among the neuromodulators that regulate prefrontal cortical circuit function, the catecholamine transmitters norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) stand out as powerful players in working memory and attention. Perturbation of either NE or DA signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and drug addiction. Although the precise mechanisms employed by NE and DA to cooperatively control prefrontal functions are not fully understood, emerging research indicates that both transmitters regulate electrical and biochemical aspects of neuronal function by modulating convergent ionic and synaptic signaling in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This review summarizes previous studies that investigated the effects of both NE and DA on excitatory and inhibitory transmissions in the prefrontal cortical circuitry. Specifically, we focus on the functional interaction between NE and DA in prefrontal cortical local circuitry, synaptic integration, signaling pathways, and receptor properties. Although it is clear that both NE and DA innervate the PFC extensively and modulate synaptic function by activating distinctly different receptor subtypes and signaling pathways, it remains unclear how these two systems coordinate their actions to optimize PFC function for appropriate behavior. Throughout this review, we provide perspectives and highlight several critical topics for future studies. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Noradrenergic System.
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Irie M, Yoshikawa M, Ono R, Iwafune H, Furuse T, Yamada I, Wakana S, Yamashita Y, Abe T, Ishino F, Kaneko-Ishino T. Cognitive Function Related to the Sirh11/Zcchc16 Gene Acquired from an LTR Retrotransposon in Eutherians. PLoS Genet 2015; 11:e1005521. [PMID: 26402067 PMCID: PMC4581854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1005521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene targeting of mouse Sushi-ichi-relatedretrotransposonhomologue11/Zinc fingerCCHCdomain-containing16 (Sirh11/Zcchc16) causes abnormal behaviors related to cognition, including attention, impulsivity and working memory. Sirh11/Zcchc16 encodes a CCHC type of zinc-finger protein that exhibits high homology to an LTR retrotransposon Gag protein. Upon microdialysis analysis of the prefrontal cortex region, the recovery rate of noradrenaline (NA) was reduced compared with dopamine (DA) after perfusion of high potassium-containing artificial cerebrospinal fluid in knockout (KO) mice. These data indicate that Sirh11/Zcchc16 is involved in cognitive function in the brain, possibly via the noradrenergic system, in the contemporary mouse developmental systems. Interestingly, it is highly conserved in three out of the four major groups of the eutherians, euarchontoglires, laurasiatheria and afrotheria, but is heavily mutated in xenarthran species such as the sloth and armadillo, suggesting that it has contributed to brain evolution in the three major eutherian lineages, including humans and mice. Sirh11/Zcchc16 is the first SIRH gene to be involved in brain function, instead of just the placenta, as seen in the case of Peg10, Peg11/Rtl1 and Sirh7/Ldoc1. Retrotransposon-derived DNA sequences occupy approximately 40% of the mammalian genome, compared with only 1.5% of protein coding genes. They have been commonly considered “junk DNA” and even potentially harmful for host organisms. However, a series of knockout (KO) mouse analyses demonstrated that at least some of the LTR retrotransposon- and retrovirus-derived sequences play essential roles in the current mammalian developmental system as endogenous genes, such as Peg10, Peg11/Rtl1, Sirh7/Ldoc1, SYNCYTINs and FEMATRIN-1, which are active in multiple aspects of placental function. Here we demonstrate that another LTR retrotransposon-derived gene, Sirh11/Zcchc16, plays an important role in cognitive function in the brain. Sirh11/Zcchc16 KO mice exhibit abnormal behaviors related to cognition, including attention, impulsivity and working memory, possibly due to the locus coeruleus-noradrenaline (LC-NA) system, suggesting that human SIRH11/ZCCHC16 may be involved in X-linked intellectual disability and/or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Comparative genome analysis demonstrates that SIRH11/ZCCHC16 was acquired in a common eutherian ancestor, suggesting that it contributed to eutherian brain evolution because it confers a critically important advantage in the competition that occurs in daily life. This study provides further insight into the impact of LTR retrotransposon-derived genes on mammalian evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahito Irie
- School of Health Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masanobu Yoshikawa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Ono
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Iwafune
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tamio Furuse
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, The Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ikuko Yamada
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, The Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shigeharu Wakana
- Technology and Development Team for Mouse Phenotype Analysis, The Japan Mouse Clinic, RIKEN BioResource Center (BRC), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Yui Yamashita
- Animal Resource Development Unit, Division of Bio-function Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies (CLST), Chuou-ku, Kobe, Japan
- Genetic Engineering Team, Division of Bio-Function Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies (CLST), Chuou-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takaya Abe
- Genetic Engineering Team, Division of Bio-Function Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies (CLST), Chuou-ku, Kobe, Japan
| | - Fumitoshi Ishino
- Department of Epigenetics, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Global Center of Excellence Program for International Research Center for Molecular Science in Tooth and Bone Diseases, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: (FI); (TKI)
| | - Tomoko Kaneko-Ishino
- School of Health Sciences, Tokai University, Isehara, Kanagawa, Japan
- * E-mail: (FI); (TKI)
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Huang CK, Chang YT, Amstislavskaya TG, Tikhonova MA, Lin CL, Hung CS, Lai TJ, Ho YJ. Synergistic effects of ceftriaxone and erythropoietin on neuronal and behavioral deficits in an MPTP-induced animal model of Parkinson's disease dementia. Behav Brain Res 2015; 294:198-207. [PMID: 26296668 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 08/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Both ceftriaxone (CEF) and erythropoietin (EPO) show neuroprotection and cognitive improvement in neurodegenerative disease. The present study was aimed at clarifying whether combined treatment with CEF and EPO (CEF+EPO) had superior neuroprotective and behavioral effects than treatment with CEF or EPO alone in a 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease (PD) rat model. The rats were injected with CEF (5 mg/kg/day), EPO (100 IU/kg/day), or CEF+EPO after MPTP lesioning and underwent the bar-test, T-maze test, and object recognition test, then the brains were taken for histological evaluation. MPTP lesioning resulted in deficits in working memory and in object recognition, but the cognitive deficits were markedly reduced or eliminated in rats treated with CEF or CEF+EPO, with the combination having a greater effect. Lesioning also caused neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and the hippocampal CA1 area and these changes were reduced or eliminated by treatment with CEF, EPO, or CEF+EPO, with the combination having a greater effect than single treatment in the densities of DAergic terminals in the striatum and neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area. Thus, compared to treatment with CEF or EPO alone, combined treatment with CEF+EPO had a greater inhibitory effect on the lesion-induced behavioral and neuronal deficits. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a synergistic effect of CEF and EPO on neuroprotection and improvement in cognition in a PD rat model. Combined CEF and EPO treatment may have clinical potential for the treatment of the dementia associated with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiu-Ku Huang
- Department of Pharmacy, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Tainan 701, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yen-Ting Chang
- School of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Psychiatry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tamara G Amstislavskaya
- Laboratory of Experimental Models of Emotional Pathology, Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
| | - Maria A Tikhonova
- Laboratory of Experimental Models of Neurodegenerative Processes, Scientific Research Institute of Physiology and Basic Medicine, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Novosibirsk 630117, Russia
| | - Chih-Li Lin
- Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ching-Sui Hung
- Occupational Safety and Health Office, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei 10341, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Te-Jen Lai
- Department of Psychiatry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC.
| | - Ying-Jui Ho
- School of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Psychiatry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan, ROC.
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Kim YC, Alberico SL, Emmons E, Narayanan NS. New therapeutic strategies targeting D1-type dopamine receptors for neuropsychiatric disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 10:230-238. [PMID: 28280503 DOI: 10.1007/s11515-015-1360-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The neurotransmitter dopamine acts via two major classes of receptors, D1-type and D2-type. D1 receptors are highly expressed in the striatum and can also be found in the cerebral cortex. Here we review the role of D1 dopamine signaling in two major domains: L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease and cognition in neuropsychiatric disorders. While there are many drugs targeting D2-type receptors, there are no drugs that specifically target D1 receptors. It has been difficult to use selective D1-receptor agonists for clinical applications due to issues with bioavailability, binding affinity, pharmacological kinetics, and side effects. We propose potential therapies that selectively modulate D1 dopamine signaling by targeting second messengers downstream of D1 receptors, allosteric modulators, or by making targeted modifications to D1-receptor machinery. The development of therapies specific to D1-receptor signaling could be a new frontier in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young-Cho Kim
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | - Eric Emmons
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Nandakumar S Narayanan
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA; Aging Mind and Brain Initiative, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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17
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Shang CY, Chiang HL, Gau SSF. A haplotype of the norepinephrine transporter gene (SLC6A2) is associated with visual memory in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2015; 58:89-96. [PMID: 25554436 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2014.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common heritable childhood-onset psychiatric disorder with impaired visual memory. Based on the evidence from treatment effect of atomoxetine, which interacts directly with the norepinephrine transporter, on visual memory in children with ADHD, this study examined the linkage disequilibrium structure of the norepinephrine transporter gene (SLC6A2) and the association between SLC6A2 and ADHD and visual memory, a promising endophenotype for ADHD. This family-based association sample consisted of 382 probands with DSM-IV ADHD and their family members (n=1298 in total) of Han Chinese in Taiwan. Visual memory was assessed by the Pattern Recognition Memory (PRM) and Spatial Recognition Memory (SRM) tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). We screened 21 polymorphisms across SLC6A2 and used the Family-Based Association Test (FBAT) to test the associations of SLC6A2 polymorphisms with ADHD and the PRM and SRM measures. In haplotype analyses, a haplotype rs36011 (T)/rs1566652 (G) was significantly associated with ADHD (minimal p=0.045) after adjustment for multiple testing. In quantitative analyses, this TG haplotype also demonstrated significant associations with visual memory measures, including mean latency of correct responses in PRM (minimal p=0.019), total correct responses in PRM (minimal p=0.018), and total correct responses in SRM (minimal p=0.015). Our novel finding of the haplotype rs36011 (T)/rs1566652 (G) as a novel genetic marker involved in both ADHD disease susceptibility and visual memory suggests that allelic variations in SLC6A2 could provide insight into the pathways leading from genotype to phenotype of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yung Shang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Huey-Ling Chiang
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Susan Shur-Fen Gau
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences and Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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18
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Wei J, Bai W, Liu T, Tian X. Functional connectivity changes during a working memory task in rat via NMF analysis. Front Behav Neurosci 2015; 9:2. [PMID: 25688192 PMCID: PMC4311635 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Working memory (WM) is necessary in higher cognition. The brain as a complex network is formed by interconnections among neurons. Connectivity results in neural dynamics to support cognition. The first aim is to investigate connectivity dynamics in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) networks during WM. As brain neural activity is sparse, the second aim is to find the intrinsic connectivity property in a feature space. Using multi-channel electrode recording techniques, spikes were simultaneously obtained from mPFC of rats that performed a Y-maze WM task. Continuous time series converted from spikes were embedded in a low-dimensional space by non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). mPFC network in original space was constructed by measuring connections among neurons. And the same network in NMF space was constructed by computing connectivity values between the extracted NMF components. Causal density (Cd) and global efficiency (E) were estimated to present the network property. The results showed that Cd and E significantly peaked in the interval right before the maze choice point in correct trials. However, the increase did not emerge in error trials. Additionally, Cd and E in two spaces displayed similar trends in correct trials. The difference was that the measures in NMF space were significantly greater than those in original space. Our findings indicated that the anticipatory changes in mPFC networks may have an effect on future WM behavioral choices. Moreover, the NMF analysis achieves a better characterization for a brain network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wei
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Wenwen Bai
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Tiaotiao Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Tian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China ; Research Center of Basic Medicine, Tianjin Medical University Tianjin, China
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Ceftriaxone prevents and reverses behavioral and neuronal deficits in an MPTP-induced animal model of Parkinson's disease dementia. Neuropharmacology 2014; 91:43-56. [PMID: 25499022 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2014] [Revised: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 11/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Glutamatergic hyperactivity plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Ceftriaxone increases expression of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1) and affords neuroprotection. This study was aimed at clarifying whether ceftriaxone prevented, or reversed, behavioral and neuronal deficits in an 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD rat model. Male Wistar rats were injected daily with either ceftriaxone starting 5 days before or 3 days after MPTP lesioning (day 0) or saline and underwent a bar-test on days 1-7, a T-maze test on days 9-11, and an object recognition test on days 12-14, then the brains were taken for histological evaluation on day 15. Dopaminergic degeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum was observed on days 3 and 15. Motor dysfunction in the bar test was observed on day 1, but disappeared by day 7. In addition, lesioning resulted in deficits in working memory in the T-maze test and in object recognition in the object recognition task, but these were not observed in rats treated pre- or post-lesioning with ceftriaxone. Lesioning also caused neurodegeneration in the hippocampal CA1 area and induced glutamatergic hyperactivity in the subthalamic nucleus, and both changes were suppressed by ceftriaxone. Increased GLT-1 expression and its co-localization with astrocytes were observed in the striatum and hippocampus in the ceftriaxone-treated animals. To our knowledge, this is the first study showing a relationship between ceftriaxone-induced GLT-1 expression, neuroprotection, and improved cognition in a PD rat model. Ceftriaxone may have clinical potential for the prevention and treatment of dementia associated with PD.
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Riga D, Matos MR, Glas A, Smit AB, Spijker S, Van den Oever MC. Optogenetic dissection of medial prefrontal cortex circuitry. Front Syst Neurosci 2014; 8:230. [PMID: 25538574 PMCID: PMC4260491 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2014.00230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2014] [Accepted: 11/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is critically involved in numerous cognitive functions, including attention, inhibitory control, habit formation, working memory and long-term memory. Moreover, through its dense interconnectivity with subcortical regions (e.g., thalamus, striatum, amygdala and hippocampus), the mPFC is thought to exert top-down executive control over the processing of aversive and appetitive stimuli. Because the mPFC has been implicated in the processing of a wide range of cognitive and emotional stimuli, it is thought to function as a central hub in the brain circuitry mediating symptoms of psychiatric disorders. New optogenetics technology enables anatomical and functional dissection of mPFC circuitry with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. This provides important novel insights in the contribution of specific neuronal subpopulations and their connectivity to mPFC function in health and disease states. In this review, we present the current knowledge obtained with optogenetic methods concerning mPFC function and dysfunction and integrate this with findings from traditional intervention approaches used to investigate the mPFC circuitry in animal models of cognitive processing and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danai Riga
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mariana R Matos
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Annet Glas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - August B Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sabine Spijker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Michel C Van den Oever
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Vrije University Amsterdam Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Torkaman-Boutorabi A, Hashemi-Hezaveh SM, Sheidadoust H, Zarrindast MR. The Possible Role of Medial Prefrontal Cortex Beta-1-Adrenoceptors in Morphine-Induced Amnesia. Pharmacology 2014; 93:272-7. [DOI: 10.1159/000362282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Chandler DJ, Waterhouse BD, Gao WJ. New perspectives on catecholaminergic regulation of executive circuits: evidence for independent modulation of prefrontal functions by midbrain dopaminergic and noradrenergic neurons. Front Neural Circuits 2014; 8:53. [PMID: 24904299 PMCID: PMC4033238 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2014.00053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2014] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive functions associated with prefrontal cortex (PFC), such as working memory and attention, are strongly influenced by catecholamine [dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE)] release. Midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus are major sources of DA and NE to the PFC. It is traditionally believed that DA and NE neurons are homogeneous with highly divergent axons innervating multiple terminal fields and once released, DA and NE individually or complementarily modulate the prefrontal functions and other brain regions. However, recent studies indicate that both DA and NE neurons in the mammalian brain are heterogeneous with a great degree of diversity, including their developmental lineages, molecular phenotypes, projection targets, afferent inputs, synaptic connectivity, physiological properties, and behavioral functions. These diverse characteristics could potentially endow DA and NE neurons with distinct roles in executive function, and alterations in their responses to genetic and epigenetic risk factors during development may contribute to distinct phenotypic and functional changes in disease states. In this review of recent literature, we discuss how these advances in DA and NE neurons change our thinking of catecholamine influences in cognitive functions in the brain, especially functions related to PFC. We review how the projection-target specific populations of neurons in these two systems execute their functions in both normal and abnormal conditions. Additionally, we explore what open questions remain and suggest where future research needs to move in order to provide a novel insight into the cause of neuropsychiatric disorders related to DA and NE systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Chandler
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Barry D Waterhouse
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Wen-Jun Gao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Abstract
When performing sequences of actions, we constantly keep track of our current position in the sequence relative to the overall goal. The present study searched for neural representations of sequence progression in corticostriatal circuits. Neurons within the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and its target region in the dorsal striatum (DS) were recorded from simultaneously as rats performed different sequences of lever presses. We analyzed the responses of the neurons to presses occurring in the "first," "second," or "third" serial position regardless of the particular sequence or physical levers. Principal component analysis revealed that the main source of firing rate variance in the ACC was a smooth ramp-like change as the animal progressed through the sequence toward the reward. No such smooth-ramping activity was observed in DS ensembles as firing tended to be tightly linked to each action. In the ACC, the progression in firing was observed only for correct choices and not errors, whereas in the DS, firing associated with each action in a sequence was similar regardless of whether the action was correct or not. Therefore, different forms of a signal exist within corticostriatal circuits that evolve across a sequence of actions, with DS ensembles tracking every action and ACC ensembles tracking actual progress toward the goal.
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Kauser H, Sahu S, Kumar S, Panjwani U. Guanfacine ameliorates hypobaric hypoxia induced spatial working memory deficits. Physiol Behav 2014; 123:187-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2012] [Revised: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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del Rey A, Balschun D, Wetzel W, Randolf A, Besedovsky HO. A cytokine network involving brain-borne IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-6, and TNFα operates during long-term potentiation and learning. Brain Behav Immun 2013; 33:15-23. [PMID: 23747799 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2013.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that long-term potentiation (LTP) induces hippocampal IL-1β and IL-6 over-expression, and interfering their signalling either inhibits or supports, respectively, LTP maintenance. Consistently, blockade of endogenous IL-1 or IL-6 restricts or favours hippocampal-dependent memory, effects that were confirmed in genetically manipulated mice. Since cytokines are known for their high degree of mutual crosstalk, here we studied whether a network of cytokines with known neuromodulatory actions is activated during LTP and learning. We found that, besides IL-1β and IL-6, also IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and IL-18, but not TNFα are over-expressed during LTP maintenance in freely moving rats. The increased expression of these cytokines is causally related to an increase in synaptic strength since it was abrogated when LTP was interfered by blockade of NMDA-glutamate receptors. Likewise, IL-1 and IL-6 were found to be over-expressed in defined regions of the hippocampus during learning a hippocampus-dependent task. However, during learning, changes in IL-18 were restricted to the dorsal hippocampus, and no differences in TNFα and IL1-ra expression were noticed in the hippocampus. Noticeably, IL-1ra transcripts were significantly reduced in the prefrontal cortex. The relation between cytokine expression and learning was causal because such changes were not observed in animals from a pseudo-trained group that was subject to the same manipulation but could not learn the task. Taken together with previous studies, we conclude that activation of a cytokine network in the brain is a physiologic relevant phenomenon not only for LTP maintenance but also for certain types of learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana del Rey
- Research Group Immunophysiology, Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Philipps University, 35037 Marburg, Germany
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A head-to-head randomized clinical trial of methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment for executive function in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 16:1959-73. [PMID: 23672818 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145713000357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Results regarding the effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on executive functions were inconsistent and no study has directly compared the efficacy of these two medications in improving executive functions in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conducted an 8-10 wk, open-label, head-to-head, randomized clinical trial involving adults with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by psychiatric interview. The two treatment arms were immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-methylphenidate) (n = 31) and atomoxetine once daily (n = 32). Executive functions were assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), including spatial working memory, spatial span, intra-extra dimensional set shifts, rapid visual information processing and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC). In addition to the symptom assessments at baseline (week 0), visit 2 (week 4-5) and visit 3 (week 8–10), they received CANTAB assessments at baseline and visit 3 (60.4 ± 6.3 d). Compared to baseline, adults treated with atomoxetine showed significant improvement in spatial working memory, spatial short-term memory, sustained attention and spatial planning at visit 3; adults treated with IR-methylphenidate showed significant improvement in spatial working memory at visit 3. Comparing the magnitude of improvement in executive functions between these two medications, the effect was generally similar for the two groups, although atomoxetine might have significantly greater efficacy than IR-methylphenidate in terms of improving spatial planning (SOC). Our results provide evidence to support that both IR-methylphenidate and atomoxetine improved various executive functions in adults with ADHD with greater improvement in atomoxetine than IR-methylphenidate in spatial planning.
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Gupta K, Erdem UM, Hasselmo ME. Modeling of grid cell activity demonstrates in vivo entorhinal 'look-ahead' properties. Neuroscience 2013; 247:395-411. [PMID: 23660194 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.04.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2012] [Revised: 04/25/2013] [Accepted: 04/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent in vivo data show ensemble activity in medial entorhinal neurons that demonstrates 'look-ahead' activity, decoding spatially to reward locations ahead of a rat deliberating at a choice point while performing a cued, appetitive T-Maze task. To model this experiment's look-ahead results, we adapted previous work that produced a model where scans along equally probable directions activated place cells, associated reward cells, grid cells, and persistent spiking cells along those trajectories. Such look-ahead activity may be a function of animals performing scans to reduce ambiguity while making decisions. In our updated model, look-ahead scans at the choice point can activate goal-associated reward and place cells, which indicate the direction the virtual rat should turn at the choice point. Hebbian associations between stimulus and reward cell layers are learned during training trials, and the reward and place layers are then used during testing to retrieve goal-associated cells based on cue presentation. This system creates representations of location and associated reward information based on only two inputs of heading and speed information which activate grid cell and place cell layers. We present spatial and temporal decoding of grid cell ensembles as rats are tested with perfect and imperfect stimuli. Here, the virtual rat reliably learns goal locations through training sessions and performs both biased and unbiased look-ahead scans at the choice point. Spatial and temporal decoding of simulated medial entorhinal activity indicates that ensembles are representing forward reward locations when the animal deliberates at the choice point, emulating in vivo results.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gupta
- Center for Memory and Brain, Boston University, 2 Cummington Mall, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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Shang CY, Gau SSF. Improving visual memory, attention, and school function with atomoxetine in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2012; 22:353-63. [PMID: 23083022 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2011.0149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Atomoxetine is efficacious in reducing symptoms of attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but its effect on visual memory and attention needs more investigation. This study aimed to assess the effect of atomoxetine on visual memory, attention, and school function in boys with ADHD in Taiwan. METHOD This was an open-label 12 week atomoxetine treatment trial among 30 drug-naíve boys with ADHD, aged 8-16 years. Before administration of atomoxetine, the participants were assessed using psychiatric interviews, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, 3rd edition (WISC-III), the school function of the Chinese version of the Social Adjustment Inventory for Children and Adolescents (SAICA), the Conners' Continuous Performance Test (CPT), and the tasks of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) involving visual memory and attention: Pattern Recognition Memory, Spatial Recognition Memory, and Reaction Time, which were reassessed at weeks 4 and 12. RESULTS Our results showed there was significant improvement in pattern recognition memory and spatial recognition memory as measured by the CANTAB tasks, sustained attention and response inhibition as measured by the CPT, and reaction time as measured by the CANTAB after treatment with atomoxetine for 4 weeks or 12 weeks. In addition, atomoxetine significantly enhanced school functioning in children with ADHD. CONCLUSION Our findings suggested that atomoxetine was associated with significant improvement in visual memory, attention, and school functioning in boys with ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Yung Shang
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital & College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Puglisi-Allegra S, Ventura R. Prefrontal/accumbal catecholamine system processes high motivational salience. Front Behav Neurosci 2012; 6:31. [PMID: 22754514 PMCID: PMC3384081 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Motivational salience regulates the strength of goal seeking, the amount of risk taken, and the energy invested from mild to extreme. Highly motivational experiences promote highly persistent memories. Although this phenomenon is adaptive in normal conditions, experiences with extremely high levels of motivational salience can promote development of memories that can be re-experienced intrusively for long time resulting in maladaptive outcomes. Neural mechanisms mediating motivational salience attribution are, therefore, very important for individual and species survival and for well-being. However, these neural mechanisms could be implicated in attribution of abnormal motivational salience to different stimuli leading to maladaptive compulsive seeking or avoidance. We have offered the first evidence that prefrontal cortical norepinephrine (NE) transmission is a necessary condition for motivational salience attribution to highly salient stimuli, through modulation of dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain area involved in all motivated behaviors. Moreover, we have shown that prefrontal-accumbal catecholamine (CA) system determines approach or avoidance responses to both reward- and aversion-related stimuli only when the salience of the unconditioned stimulus (UCS) is high enough to induce sustained CA activation, thus affirming that this system processes motivational salience attribution selectively to highly salient events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Puglisi-Allegra
- Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro "Daniel Bovet", "Sapienza" University of Rome Rome, Italy
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30
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Bijoor AR, Sudha S, Venkatesh T. Neurochemical and neurobehavioral effects of low lead exposure on the developing brain. Indian J Clin Biochem 2012; 27:147-51. [PMID: 23543765 DOI: 10.1007/s12291-012-0190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 01/15/2012] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lead is found in small but appreciable quantities in air, soil drinking water and food. Exposure to such amounts of lead does not cause acute lead toxicity, but produces subtle effects, particularly in children. The CDC advocates "safe" or "acceptable" levels of blood lead up to 10 μg/dl, while OSHA declares blood lead levels up to 40 μg/dl as "safe" or "acceptable" in the occupationally exposed. The objective of the study was to see if blood levels considered "safe" can cause changes in the biogenic neurotransmitters in the developing brain which may cause neurobehavioral defects like hyperactivity and other cognitive disorders. Albino Wistar rats were divided into the control and lead-treated groups. The control group was given unleaded water, while the lead-treated group was fed with 50 ppm lead acetate in drinking water. On day 45 the animals were subjected to a passive avoidance test, their blood analysed for ZPP and lead. They were then sacrificed and the neurotransmitters-Norepinephrine (NE) and its metabolite-methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) estimated in the brain areas associated with learning and memory-the frontal cortex, hippocampus and the striatum by HPLC-ECD. Our results showed significant increases in blood lead, NE and MHPG, while ZPP increase was insignificant. The rats showed neurobehavioral abnormalities as assessed by the passive avoidance test. We concluded that low blood levels of lead cannot be considered "safe" or "acceptable" as it causes neurotransmitter alterations. Increased NE turnover is implicated in hyperactivity disorders such as ADHD and Tourette syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita R Bijoor
- Department of Biochemistry, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, 560 034 India
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31
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Bymaster FP, Golembiowska K, Kowalska M, Choi YK, Tarazi FI. Pharmacological characterization of the norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor EB-1020: Implications for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Synapse 2012; 66:522-32. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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32
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Yimit D, Hoxur P, Amat N, Uchikawa K, Yamaguchi N. Effects of soybean peptide on immune function, brain function, and neurochemistry in healthy volunteers. Nutrition 2012; 28:154-9. [PMID: 21872436 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2010] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Soybeans, an excellent source of dietary peptides, have beneficial effects on health. We investigated the effect of the soybean peptide on immune function, brain function, and neurochemistry in healthy volunteers. METHODS Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to analyze brain cerebral blood flow. The A and DA levels in the serum were analyzed by ELISA kit. The total number of leukocytes was recorded with a standard counter. Flow cytometry was used to assess lymphocyte subset levels. RESULTS Cell numbers were upregulated in the group that had fewer leukocytes but downregulated in the group with more leukocytes. For the lymphocyte-rich type, lymphocyte counts tended to decrease, accompanied by an increase in granulocyte numbers. For the granulocyte-rich type, granulocyte counts tended to increase, but lymphocyte counts also increased. The numbers of CD11b(+) cells and CD56(+) cells increased significantly. Soybean peptide decreased the adrenalin level in plasma but increased the level of dopamine. Near-infrared spectroscopy showed significant increases in the amplitudes of θ, α-2, and β-L frequency bands after the ingestion of peptides. CONCLUSION Soybean peptides can modulate cellular immune systems, regulate neurotransmitters, and boost brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilshat Yimit
- Research Institute, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, People's Republic of China
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33
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Febo M. Prefrontal cell firing in male rats during approach towards sexually receptive female: interactions with cocaine. Synapse 2011; 65:271-7. [PMID: 20687107 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) plays a role in anticipation of rewards and goal orientation, properties that are influenced by cocaine administration. Single-unit firing was measured in the mPFC of seven male rats during the expression of approach responses toward a sexually receptive female. Nose-poking in male rats was used as a measure of approach behavior during the following periods: a baseline, first exposure to a female, a second baseline 2 h later and a second exposure to female 10 min after cocaine (15 mg kg⁻¹ i.p.). Two types of excitatory responses were identified. First, a subset of cells (23%) showed increased firing activity during nose-poke behavior upon presentation of the female, but not before. Another subset of cells (12%) showed increased firing in the presence of the female only after cocaine was administered. The present results provide preliminary evidence for neurons in the mPFC that are involved in sexually motivated approach behavior and that are modulated by cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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34
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Guzmán-Ramos K, Bermúdez-Rattoni F. Post-learning molecular reactivation underlies taste memory consolidation. Front Syst Neurosci 2011; 5:79. [PMID: 21991247 PMCID: PMC3181436 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2011.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
It is considered that memory consolidation is a progressive process that requires post-trial stabilization of the information. In this regard, it has been speculated that waves of receptors activation, expression of immediate early genes, and replenishment of receptor subunit pools occur to induce functional or morphological changes to maintain the information for longer periods. In this paper, we will review data related to neuronal changes in the post-acquisition stage of taste aversion learning that could be involved in further stabilization of the memory trace. In order to achieve such stabilization, evidence suggests that the functional integrity of the insular cortex (IC) and the amygdala (AMY) is required. Particularly the increase of extracellular levels of glutamate and activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors within the IC shows a main role in the consolidation process. Additionally the modulatory actions of the dopaminergic system in the IC appear to be involved in the mechanisms that lead to taste aversion memory consolidation through the activation of pathways related to enhancement of protein synthesis such as the Protein Kinase A pathway. In summary, we suggest that post-acquisition molecular and neuronal changes underlying memory consolidation are dependent on the interactions between the AMY and the IC.
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35
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Agster KL, Clark BD, Gao WJ, Shumsky JS, Wang HX, Berridge CW, Waterhouse BD. Experimental strategies for investigating psychostimulant drug actions and prefrontal cortical function in ADHD and related attention disorders. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2011; 294:1698-712. [PMID: 21901844 DOI: 10.1002/ar.21403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Amphetamine-like psychostimulant drugs have been used for decades to treat a variety of clinical conditions. Methylphenidate (MPH)-Ritalin(R) , a compound that blocks reuptake of synaptically released norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the brain, has been used for more than 30 years in low dose, long-term regimens to treat attention deficit-hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in juveniles, adolescents, and adults. Now, these agents are also becoming increasingly popular among healthy individuals from all walks of life (e.g., military, students) and age groups (teenagers thru senior citizens) to promote wakefulness and improve attention. Although there is agreement regarding the primary biochemical action of MPH, the physiological basis for its efficacy in normal individuals and ADHD patients is lacking. Study of the behavioral and physiological actions of clinically and behaviorally relevant doses of MPH in normal animals provides an opportunity to explore the role of catecholamine transmitters in prefrontal cortical function and attentional processes as they relate to normal operation of brain circuits and ADHD pathology. The goal of ongoing studies has been to: (1) assess the effects of low dose MPH on rodent performance in a well characterized sensory-guided sustained attention task, (2) examine the effects of the same low-dose chronic MPH administration on task-related discharge of prefrontal cortical (PFC) neurons, and (3) investigate the effects of NE and DA on membrane response properties and synaptic transmission in identified subsets of PFC neurons. Combinations of these approaches can be used in adolescent, adult, and aged animals to identify the parameters of cell and neural circuit function that are regulated by MPH and to establish an overarching explanation of how MPH impacts PFC operations from cellular through behavioral functional domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara L Agster
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, USA
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36
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Barak S, Weiner I. Putative cognitive enhancers in preclinical models related to schizophrenia: The search for an elusive target. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 99:164-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2010] [Revised: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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George DN, Jenkins TA, Killcross S. Dissociation of prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens dopaminergic systems in conditional learning in rats. Behav Brain Res 2011; 225:47-55. [PMID: 21741412 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 06/02/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
There is converging evidence that the prefrontal and mesolimbic dopaminergic (DAergic) systems are involved in the performance of a variety of tasks that require the use of contextual, or task-setting, information to select an appropriate response from a number of candidate responses. Performance on tasks of this nature are impaired in schizophrenia and in rats exposed to psychotomimetics; impairments that are often attenuated by administration of dopamine (DA) antagonists. Rats were trained on either a complex instrumental discrimination task, that required the use of task-setting cues, or a simple discrimination task that did not. Following training, microdialysis probes were implanted unilaterally in either the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) or nucleus accumbens (NAc) and samples were collected in freely moving animals during a behavioural test session. In Experiment 1, we found no difference in levels of DA in the mPFC of rats while they were performing the two discrimination tasks. Rats that performed the complex task did, however, show significantly higher mPFC DA levels relative to rats in the simple discrimination condition following the end of the behavioural test session. In Experiment 2, rats performing the conditional discrimination showed lower levels of DA in the NAc compared to the simple discrimination group both during the test session and after it. These results provide direct evidence that conditional discrimination tasks engage frontal and mesolimbic DAergic systems and are consistent with the proposal that regulation of fronto-striatal DA is involved in aspects of cognitive control that are known to be impaired in individuals with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- David N George
- University of Hull, Hull, UK; University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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38
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Staiti AM, Morgane PJ, Galler JR, Grivetti JY, Bass DC, Mokler DJ. A microdialysis study of the medial prefrontal cortex of adolescent and adult rats. Neuropharmacology 2011; 61:544-9. [PMID: 21527264 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2010] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of the rat has become a key focus of studies designed to elucidate the basis of behavior involving attention and decision-making, i.e. executive functions. The adolescent mPFC is of particular interest given the role of the mPFC in impulsivity and attention, and disorders such as attentional deficit disorder. In the present study we have examined the basal extracellular concentrations of the neurotransmitters 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) in the ventral portion of the mPFC (vmPFC) in both adolescent (post-natal day 45-50) and adult, and male and female rats using in vivo microdialysis. We have also examined both the left and right vmPFCs given reports of laterality in function between the hemispheres. Basal extracellular concentrations of 5-HT differed significantly between male and female rats. Extracellular DA also differed significantly between male and female rats and between the left and the right vmPFC in adult males. No differences were seen in basal extracellular NE. There was a significant age difference between groups in the laterality of extracellular NE levels between right and left vmPFC. Infusion of 100 μM methamphetamine through the dialysis probe increased the extracellular concentration of all the monoamines although there were no differences between groups in methamphetamine stimulated release. The findings from this study demonstrate that there are differences in monoaminergic input to the mPFC of the rat based on age, gender and hemisphere. This work sets the neurochemical baseline for further investigations of the prefrontal cortex during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M Staiti
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Center for Excellence in Neurosciences, University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Rd., Biddeford, ME 04005, USA.
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39
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A neurochemical yin and yang: does serotonin activate and norepinephrine deactivate the prefrontal cortex? Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 213:171-82. [PMID: 20386882 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1856-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2010] [Accepted: 03/27/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prefrontal cortex (PFC) receives serotonergic input from the dorsal raphe nucleus of the brainstem, as well as noradrenergic input from another brainstem nucleus, the locus coeruleus. A large number of studies have shown that these two neurotransmitter systems, and drugs that affect them, modulate the functional properties of the PFC in both humans and animal models. RESULTS Here I examine the hypothesis that serotonin (5-HT) plays a general role in activating the PFC, whereas norepinephrine (NE) plays a general role in deactivating this brain region. In this manner, the two neurotransmitter systems may have opposing effects on PFC-influenced behavior. To assess this hypothesis, three primary lines of evidence are examined comprising the effects of 5-HT and NE on impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. DISCUSSION While all of the existing data do not unequivocally support the activation/deactivation hypothesis, there is a large body of support for it.
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40
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Duff A, Fibla MS, Verschure PFMJ. A biologically based model for the integration of sensory-motor contingencies in rules and plans: a prefrontal cortex based extension of the Distributed Adaptive Control architecture. Brain Res Bull 2010; 85:289-304. [PMID: 21138760 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2010.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Revised: 06/24/2010] [Accepted: 11/19/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Intelligence depends on the ability of the brain to acquire and apply rules and representations. At the neuronal level these properties have been shown to critically depend on the prefrontal cortex. Here we present, in the context of the Distributed Adaptive Control architecture (DAC), a biologically based model for flexible control and planning based on key physiological properties of the prefrontal cortex, i.e. reward modulated sustained activity and plasticity of lateral connectivity. We test the model in a series of pertinent tasks, including multiple T-mazes and the Tower of London that are standard experimental tasks to assess flexible control and planning. We show that the model is both able to acquire and express rules that capture the properties of the task and to quickly adapt to changes. Further, we demonstrate that this biomimetic self-contained cognitive architecture generalizes to planning. In addition, we analyze the extended DAC architecture, called DAC 6, as a model that can be applied for the creation of intelligent and psychologically believable synthetic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armin Duff
- SPECS, IUA, Technology Department, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Carrer de Roc Boronat 138, E-08018 Barcelona, Spain.
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Improvement of executive functions in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: an open-label follow-up study with once-daily atomoxetine. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2010; 13:243-56. [PMID: 19849892 DOI: 10.1017/s1461145709990836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Atomoxetine is efficacious in reducing symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but its effect on executive functions needs more investigation. We examined the effect of atomoxetine on a wide range of non-verbal executive functions among 30 drug-naive male patients with DSM-IV ADHD, aged 8-16 yr, in an open-label 12-wk atomoxetine treatment trial. Before administration of atomoxetine, the participants were assessed by psychiatric interviews, the WISC-III, and the tasks involving executive functions of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB): Intra-dimensional/Extra-dimensional Shifts (IED), Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP), Spatial Span (SSP), Spatial Working Memory (SWM), and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC); and reassessed at weeks 4 and 12. All the raw scores of the CANTAB were transformed to z scores based on a normative sample of 180 children aged 8-16 yr. Results showed significant improvement in executive functions after treatment with atomoxetine for 4 wk or 12 wk including improved shifting and flexibility of attention in the IED; improved spatial short-term memory in the SSP; improved sustained attention and increased response inhibition in the RVIP; improved spatial working memory in the SWM; and improved spatial planning and problem solving in the SOC. Our findings suggested that atomoxetine was associated with significant improvement in various non-verbal executive functions among boys with ADHD, in addition to its well-known efficacy in ADHD-related symptom reductions. However, owing to lack of a placebo-controlled trial design, the findings should be interpreted with caution that changes in performance may be due to practice effects.
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Febo M, Felix-Ortiz AC, Johnson TR. Inactivation or inhibition of neuronal activity in the medial prefrontal cortex largely reduces pup retrieval and grouping in maternal rats. Brain Res 2010; 1325:77-88. [PMID: 20156425 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2009] [Revised: 02/02/2010] [Accepted: 02/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous research suggests that the maternal medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) may play a role in maternal care and that cocaine sensitization before pregnancy can affect neuronal activity within this region. The present work was carried out to test whether the mPFC does actually play a role in the expression of maternal behaviors in the rats and to understand what specific behaviors this cortical area may modulate. In the first experiment, tetrodotoxin (TTX) was used to chemically inactivate the mPFC during tests for maternal behavior latencies. Lactating rats were tested on postpartum days 7-9. The results of this first experiment indicate that there is a large effect of TTX-induced inactivation on retrieval behavior latencies. TTX nearly abolished the expression of maternal retrieval of pups without significantly impairing locomotor activity. In the second experiment, GABA-mediated inhibition was used to test maternal behavior latencies and durations of maternal and other behaviors in postpartum dams. In agreement with experiment 1, it was observed that dams capable of retrieving are rendered incapable by inhibition in the mPFC. GABA-mediated inhibition in the mPFC largely reduced retrieval without altering other indices of maternal care and non-specific behavior such as ambulation time, self-grooming, and inactivity. Moreover, in both experiments, dams were able to establish contact with pups within seconds. The overall results indicate that the mPFC may play an active role in modulating maternal care, particularly retrieval behavior. External factors that affect the function of the frontal cortical site may result in significant impairments in maternal goal-directed behavior as reported in our earlier work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
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Yoshitake T, Yoshitake S, Kehr J. The Ginkgo biloba extract EGb 761(R) and its main constituent flavonoids and ginkgolides increase extracellular dopamine levels in the rat prefrontal cortex. Br J Pharmacol 2010; 159:659-68. [PMID: 20105177 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00580.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Experimental and clinical data suggest that extracts of Ginkgo biloba improve cognitive function. However, the neurochemical correlates of these effects are not yet fully clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acute and repeated oral administration of the standardized extract EGb 761((R)) on extracellular levels of dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonin (5-HT), and the dopamine metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum of conscious rats. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Monoamines and their metabolites were monitored by the use of microdialysis sampling and HPLC with electrochemical or fluorescence detection. KEY RESULTS A single oral dose of EGb 761 (100 mg.kg(-1)) had no effect on monoamine levels. However, following chronic (100 mg.kg(-1)/14 days/once daily) treatment, the same dose significantly increased extracellular dopamine and noradrenaline levels, while 5-HT levels were unaffected. Chronic treatment with EGb 761 showed dose-dependent increases in frontocortical dopamine levels and, to a lesser extent, in the striatum. The extracellular levels of HVA and DOPAC were not affected by either acute or repeated doses. Treatment with the main constituents of EGb 761 revealed that the increase in dopamine levels was mostly caused by the flavonol glycosides and ginkgolide fractions, whereas bilobalide treatment was without effect. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The present results demonstrate that chronic but not acute treatment with EGb 761 increased dopaminergic transmission in the PFC. This finding may be one of the mechanisms underlying the reported effects of G. biloba in improving cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Yoshitake
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Allard S, Gosein V, Cuello AC, Ribeiro-da-Silva A. Changes with aging in the dopaminergic and noradrenergic innervation of rat neocortex. Neurobiol Aging 2010; 32:2244-53. [PMID: 20096955 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2009.12.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2009] [Revised: 12/09/2009] [Accepted: 12/23/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In normal aging, the mammalian cortex undergoes significant remodeling. Although neuromodulation by dopamine and noradrenaline in the cortex is known to be important for proper cognitive function, little is known on how cortical noradrenergic and dopaminergic presynaptic boutons are affected in normal aging. Using rats we investigated whether these two neurotransmitter systems undergo structural reorganization in aging, and if these changes correlated with cognitive loss. Young and aged rats were tested for cognitive performance using the Morris water maze. Following the behavioral characterization, the animals were sacrificed and the cortical tissue was processed for immunofluorescence using antibodies directed against tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH) to detect and discriminate noradrenergic and dopaminergic varicosities. We observed a significant increase in dopaminergic varicosities in lamina V of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of aged cognitively unimpaired rats when compared to young and aged-impaired animals. In laminae II and III of the ACC, we observed a significant decrease of dopaminergic varicosities in aged-impaired animals when compared to young or aged cognitively unimpaired animals. Changes in noradrenergic varicosities never reached statistical significance in any group or brain region. The data suggests that the remodeling of mesocortical dopaminergic fibers may participate in age-associated cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Allard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
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Liu P, Jing Y, Collie ND, Chary S, Zhang H. Memory-related changes in L-citrulline and agmatine in the rat brain. Hippocampus 2009; 19:597-602. [PMID: 19173225 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.20561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
L-citrulline, L-ornithine, and agmatine are the metabolites of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), arginase, and arginine decarboxylase (ADC), respectively. In contrast to the NOS and arginase pathways, the role of the ADC-agmatine pathway in learning and memory has only been paid attention lately. Recent evidence suggests a potential involvement of agmatine in learning and memory processing. The present study further addressed this issue by comparing the levels of agmatine, as well as L-arginine, L-citrulline, and L-ornithine, in the hippocampus, parahippocampal region, prefrontal cortex, vestibular nucleus, and cerebellum in rats that were trained in the delayed nonmatch to position task in the T-maze with their yoked controls. There were significantly increased agmatine levels in the prefrontal, entorhinal, and perirhinal cortices and increased L-citrulline concentrations in the dentate gyrus (DG) and prefrontal cortex in the T-maze training group relative to the control one. L-arginine and L-ornithine levels were not significantly different between groups in the brain regions examined. These results demonstrate T-maze training-induced region-specific increases in L-citrulline and agmatine. Significant positive correlations between prefrontal and perirhinal agmatine levels and animals' performance in the T-maze further suggest the direct involvement of agmatine in learning and memory processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Pérez V, Marin C, Rubio A, Aguilar E, Barbanoj M, Kulisevsky J. Effect of the additional noradrenergic neurodegeneration to 6-OHDA-lesioned rats in levodopa-induced dyskinesias and in cognitive disturbances. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2009; 116:1257-66. [PMID: 19710996 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-009-0291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 07/31/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a motor and cognitive disorder characterised by a progressive loss of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic neurons as well as of the locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic neurons. It has been suggested that LC neurodegeneration might influence levodopa-induced motor disturbances and cognitive performance. We investigated the influence of dopaminergic and noradrenergic lesions on levodopa-induced dyskinesias and on working memory in rats. Two groups of animals were used: (1) rats with a dopaminergic lesion induced by a unilateral administration of the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and (2) rats with a combined lesion of the dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems induced by 6-OHDA and N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP-4), respectively. Dyskinesias were evaluated on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of chronic levodopa treatment (6 mg/kg, twice at day, i.p.). Working memory was evaluated by a radial-arm maze (1) before lesions, (2) before levodopa administration and (3) after 22 days of levodopa treatment. Total, axial, limb and orofacial dyskinesias not differed significantly between both groups. Working memory tasks worsened in both lesioned groups reaching significance in terms of time of performance (P < 0.05). The number of repeated entries in the same arm (errors) was only significant in the double-lesioned group (P < 0.05). This behaviour was not different from the one observed after chronic levodopa treatment. These results suggest that levodopa-induced dyskinesias in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats were not affected by the additional noradrenergic lesion, whereas this last condition was sufficient to worse the cognitive performance deficit produced by the dopaminergic lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Pérez
- Laboratori de Neuropsicofarmacología, Institut de Recerca de l'Hospital de la Sta Creu i de Sant Pau, Avgda. St. Antoni M feminine Claret, 167, 08025, Barcelona, Spain
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Monoamine oxidase a and catechol-o-methyltransferase functional polymorphisms and the placebo response in major depressive disorder. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2009; 29:372-7. [PMID: 19593178 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0b013e3181ac4aaf] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The placebo response shows pronounced interindividual variability. Placebos are postulated to act through central reward pathways that are modulated by monoamines. Because monoaminergic signaling is under strong genetic control, we hypothesized that common functional polymorphisms modulating monoaminergic tone would be related to degree of improvement during placebo treatment of subjects with major depressive disorder. We examined polymorphisms in genes encoding the catabolic enzymes catechol-O-methyltransferase and monoamine oxidase A. Subjects with monoamine oxidase A G/T polymorphisms (rs6323) coding for the highest activity form of the enzyme (G or G/G) had a significantly lower magnitude of placebo response than those with other genotypes. Subjects with ValMet catechol-O-methyltransferase polymorphisms coding for a lower-activity form of the enzyme (2 Met alleles) showed a statistical trend toward a lower magnitude of placebo response. These findings support the hypothesis that genetic polymorphisms modulating monoaminergic tone are related to degree of placebo responsiveness in major depressive disorder.
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Anterior cingulate neurons represent errors and preparatory attention within the same behavioral sequence. J Neurosci 2009; 29:6418-26. [PMID: 19458213 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1142-09.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been implicated in both preparatory attention (i.e., selecting behaviorally relevant stimuli) and in detecting errors. We recorded from the rat ACC and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which is functionally homologous to the primate dorsolateral PFC, during an attention task. The three-choice serial reaction time task requires a rat to orient toward and divide attention between three brief (300 ms duration) light stimuli presented in random order across nose poke holes in an operant chamber. In both the ACC and mPFC, we found that neural activity was related to the level of preparatory (precue) attention and subsequent correct or incorrect choice, in that the magnitude of the single units' response to the cue was lower on incorrect trials and was not different than baseline on unattended trials. This preparatory neural activity consisted of both excitatory and inhibitory phasic responses. The number of units responding to the cue was similarly graded, in that fewer units exhibited phasic responses to the cue on incorrect and unattended trials, compared with correct trials. Although preparatory activity was found in both the ACC and mPFC, activity after incorrect nose pokes, which may be related to error detection, were only observed in the ACC. Thus, during the same behavioral sequence, the ACC encodes both error-related events and preparatory attention, whereas the mPFC only participates in preparatory attention. The finding of substantial inhibitory activity during the preparatory period suggests a critical role for inhibition of pyramidal cells in PFC-mediated cognitive functions.
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Eddins D, Petro A, Williams P, Cerutti DT, Levin ED. Nicotine effects on learning in zebrafish: the role of dopaminergic systems. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2009; 202:103-9. [PMID: 18716760 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1287-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2008] [Accepted: 07/29/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Nicotine improves cognitive function in a number of animal models including rats, mice, monkeys, and recently, zebrafish. The zebrafish model allows higher throughput and ease in discovering mechanisms of cognitive improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS To further characterize the neural bases of nicotine effects on learning in zebrafish, we determined changes in dopaminergic systems that accompany nicotine-enhanced learning. RESULTS Nicotine improved learning and increased brain levels of dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), the primary dopamine metabolite. There was a significant correlation between choice accuracy and DOPAC levels. The nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine blocked the nicotine-induced increase in DOPAC concentrations, in line with our previous finding that mecamylamine reversed nicotine-induced learning improvement. CONCLUSIONS Dopamine systems are related to learning in zebrafish; nicotine exposure increases both learning rates and DOPAC levels; and nicotinic antagonist administration blocks nicotine-induced rises in DOPAC concentrations. Rapid cognitive assessment of drugs with zebrafish could serve as a useful screening tool for the development of new therapeutics for cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donnie Eddins
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Neurobehavioral Research Laboratory, Duke University Medical Center, P.O. Box #3412, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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Abstract
We review the modulatory effects of the catecholamine neurotransmitters noradrenaline and dopamine on prefrontal cortical function. The effects of pharmacologic manipulations of these systems, sometimes in comparison with the indoleamine serotonin (5-HT), on performance on a variety of tasks that tap working memory, attentional-set formation and shifting, reversal learning, and response inhibition are compared in rodents, nonhuman primates, and humans using, in a behavioral context, several techniques ranging from microiontophoresis and single-cell electrophysiological recording to pharmacologic functional magnetic resonance imaging. Dissociable effects of drugs and neurotoxins affecting these monoamine systems suggest new ways of conceptualizing state-dependent fronto-executive functions, with implications for understanding the molecular genetic basis of mental illness and its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- T.W. Robbins
- Department of Experimental Psychology, and Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB, UK
| | - A.F.T. Arnsten
- Department of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510 USA
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