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Okechukwu NG, Klein C, Jamann H, Maitre M, Patte-Mensah C, Mensah-Nyagan AG. Monomeric Amyloid Peptide-induced Toxicity in Human Oligodendrocyte Cell Line and Mouse Brain Primary Mixed-glial Cell Cultures: Evidence for a Neuroprotective Effect of Neurosteroid 3α-O-allyl-allopregnanolone. Neurotox Res 2024; 42:37. [PMID: 39102123 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-024-00715-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid-peptide (Aβ) monomeric forms (ABM) occurring in presymptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain are thought to be devoid of neurotoxicity while the transition/aggregation of ABM into oligomers is determinant for Aβ-induced toxicity since Aβ is predominantly monomeric up to 3 µM and aggregates over this concentration. However, recent imaging and/or histopathological investigations revealed alterations of myelin in prodromal AD brain in absence of aggregated Aβ oligomers, suggesting that ABM may induce toxicity in myelin-producing cells in early AD-stages. To check this hypothesis, here we studied ABM effects on the viability of the Human oligodendrocyte cell line (HOG), a reliable oligodendrocyte model producing myelin proteins. Furthermore, to mimic closely interactions between oligodendrocytes and other glial cells regulating myelination, we investigated also ABM effects on mouse brain primary mixed-glial cell cultures. Various methods were combined to show that ABM concentrations (600 nM-1 µM), extremely lower than 3 µM, significantly decreased HOG cell and mouse brain primary mixed-glial cell survival. Interestingly, flow-cytometry studies using specific cell-type markers demonstrated that oligodendrocytes represent the most vulnerable glial cell population affected by ABM toxicity. Our work also shows that the neurosteroid 3α-O-allyl-allopregnanolone BR351 (250 and 500 nM) efficiently prevented ABM-induced HOG and brain primary glial cell toxicity. Bicuculline (50-100 nM), the GABA-A-receptor antagonist, was unable to block/reduce BR351 effect against ABM-induced HOG and primary glial cell toxicity, suggesting that BR351-evoked neuroprotection of these cells may not depend on GABA-A-receptor allosterically modulated by neurosteroids. Altogether, our results suggest that further exploration of BR351 therapeutic potential may offer interesting perspectives to develop effective neuroprotective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nwife Getrude Okechukwu
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS de la Faculté de Médecine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christian Klein
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS de la Faculté de Médecine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Strasbourg (CIC), Equipe CIC-Recherche Translationnelle Neuro, INSERM 1434, Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hélène Jamann
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS de la Faculté de Médecine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Strasbourg (CIC), Equipe CIC-Recherche Translationnelle Neuro, INSERM 1434, Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Michel Maitre
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS de la Faculté de Médecine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Strasbourg (CIC), Equipe CIC-Recherche Translationnelle Neuro, INSERM 1434, Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Christine Patte-Mensah
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS de la Faculté de Médecine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000, Strasbourg, France
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Strasbourg (CIC), Equipe CIC-Recherche Translationnelle Neuro, INSERM 1434, Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Ayikoé-Guy Mensah-Nyagan
- Biopathologie de la Myéline, Neuroprotection et Stratégies Thérapeutiques, INSERM U1119, Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS de la Faculté de Médecine, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67 000, Strasbourg, France.
- Centre d'Investigation Clinique de Strasbourg (CIC), Equipe CIC-Recherche Translationnelle Neuro, INSERM 1434, Université de Strasbourg, Bâtiment CRBS, 1 rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
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2
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Febo M, Mahar R, Rodriguez NA, Buraima J, Pompilus M, Pinto AM, Grudny MM, Bruijnzeel AW, Merritt ME. Age-related differences in affective behaviors in mice: possible role of prefrontal cortical-hippocampal functional connectivity and metabolomic profiles. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1356086. [PMID: 38524115 PMCID: PMC10957556 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1356086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The differential expression of emotional reactivity from early to late adulthood may involve maturation of prefrontal cortical responses to negative valence stimuli. In mice, age-related changes in affective behaviors have been reported, but the functional neural circuitry warrants further investigation. Methods We assessed age variations in affective behaviors and functional connectivity in male and female C57BL6/J mice. Mice aged 10, 30 and 60 weeks (wo) were tested over 8 weeks for open field activity, sucrose preference, social interactions, fear conditioning, and functional neuroimaging. Prefrontal cortical and hippocampal tissues were excised for metabolomics. Results Our results indicate that young and old mice differ significantly in affective behavioral, functional connectome and prefrontal cortical-hippocampal metabolome. Young mice show a greater responsivity to novel environmental and social stimuli compared to older mice. Conversely, late middle-aged mice (60wo group) display variable patterns of fear conditioning and during re-testing in a modified context. Functional connectivity between a temporal cortical/auditory cortex network and subregions of the anterior cingulate cortex and ventral hippocampus, and a greater network modularity and assortative mixing of nodes was stronger in young versus older adult mice. Metabolome analyses identified differences in several essential amino acids between 10wo mice and the other age groups. Discussion The results support differential expression of 'emotionality' across distinct stages of the mouse lifespan involving greater prefrontal-hippocampal connectivity and neurochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Febo
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Rohit Mahar
- Department of Chemistry, Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Nicholas A. Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Joy Buraima
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Marjory Pompilus
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Aeja M. Pinto
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Matteo M. Grudny
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Adriaan W. Bruijnzeel
- Department of Psychiatry, McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Matthew E. Merritt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, United States
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3
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Febo M, Mahar R, Rodriguez NA, Buraima J, Pompilus M, Pinto AM, Grudny MM, Bruijnzeel AW, Merritt ME. Age-Related Differences in Affective Behaviors in Mice: Possible Role of Prefrontal Cortical-Hippocampal Functional Connectivity and Metabolomic Profiles. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.13.566691. [PMID: 38014219 PMCID: PMC10680600 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.13.566691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
The differential expression of emotional reactivity from early to late adulthood may involve maturation of prefrontal cortical responses to negative valence stimuli. In mice, age-related changes in affective behaviors have been reported, but the functional neural circuitry warrants further investigation. We assessed age variations in affective behaviors and functional connectivity in male and female C57BL6/J mice. Mice aged 10, 30 and 60 weeks (wo) were tested over 8 weeks for open field activity, sucrose preference, social interactions, fear conditioning, and functional neuroimaging. Prefrontal cortical and hippocampal tissues were excised for metabolomics. Our results indicate that young and old mice differ significantly in affective behavioral, functional connectome and prefrontal cortical-hippocampal metabolome. Young mice show a greater responsivity to novel environmental and social stimuli compared to older mice. Conversely, late middle-aged mice (60wo group) display variable patterns of fear conditioning and with re-testing with a modified context. Functional connectivity between a temporal cortical/auditory cortex network and subregions of the anterior cingulate cortex and ventral hippocampus, and a greater network modularity and assortative mixing of nodes was stronger in young versus older adult mice. Metabolome analyses identified differences in several essential amino acids between 10wo mice and the other age groups. The results support differential expression of 'emotionality' across distinct stages of the mouse lifespan involving greater prefrontal-hippocampal connectivity and neurochemistry.
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Zhang S, Ai H, Wang J, Liu T, Zheng X, Tian X, Bai W. Reduced Prefrontal-Thalamic Theta Flow During Working Memory Retrieval in APP/PS1 Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1737-1749. [PMID: 38306044 PMCID: PMC10894573 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231078] [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] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Working memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are linked to impairments in the retrieval of stored memory information. However, research on the mechanism of impaired working memory retrieval in Alzheimer's disease is still lacking. Objective The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and mediodorsal thalamus (MD) are involved in memory retrieval. The purpose of this study is to investigate the functional interactions and information transmission between mPFC and MD in the AD model. Methods We recorded local field potentials from mPFC and MD while the mice (APP/PS1 transgenic model and control) performed a T-maze spatial working memory task. The temporal dynamics of oscillatory activity and bidirectional information flow between mPFC and MD were assessed during the task phases. Results We mainly found a significant decrease in theta flow from mPFC to MD in APP/PS1 mice during retrieval. Conclusions Our results indicate an important role of the mPFC-MD input for retrieval and the disrupted information transfer from mPFC to MD may be the underlying mechanism of working memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengnan Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hongrui Ai
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tiaotiao Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuyuan Zheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin Tian
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Wenwen Bai
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
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Kuchling J, Jurek B, Kents M, Kreye J, Geis C, Wickel J, Mueller S, Koch SP, Boehm-Sturm P, Prüss H, Finke C. Impaired functional connectivity of the hippocampus in translational murine models of NMDA-receptor antibody associated neuropsychiatric pathology. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:85-96. [PMID: 37875549 PMCID: PMC11078734 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02303-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Decreased hippocampal connectivity and disruption of functional networks are established resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) features that are associated with neuropsychiatric symptom severity in human anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. However, the underlying pathophysiology of NMDAR encephalitis remains poorly understood. Application of patient-derived monoclonal antibodies against the NR1 (GluN1) subunit of the NMDAR now allows for the translational investigation of functional connectivity in experimental murine NMDAR antibody disease models with neurodevelopmental disorders. Using rs-fMRI, we studied functional connectivity alterations in (1) adult C57BL/6 J mice that were intrathecally injected with a recombinant human NR1 antibody over 14 days (n = 10) and in (2) a newly established mouse model with in utero exposure to a human recombinant NR1 antibody (NR1-offspring) at the age of (2a) 8 weeks (n = 15) and (2b) 10 months (n = 14). Adult NR1-antibody injected mice showed impaired functional connectivity within the left hippocampus compared to controls, resembling impaired connectivity patterns observed in human NMDAR encephalitis patients. Similarly, NR1-offspring showed significantly reduced functional connectivity in the hippocampus after 8 weeks, and impaired connectivity in the hippocampus was likewise observed in NR1-offspring at the age of 10 months. We successfully reproduced functional connectivity changes within the hippocampus in different experimental murine systems that were previously observed in human NMDAR encephalitis patients. Translational application of this method within a combined imaging and histopathological framework will allow future experimental studies to identify the underlying biological mechanisms and may eventually facilitate non-invasive monitoring of disease activity and treatment responses in autoimmune encephalitis.
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Grants
- J.Ku is participant in the BIH-Charité Junior Clinician Scientist Program
- J.Kr is participant in the BIH-Charité Clinician Scientist Program funded by the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the Berlin Institute of Health.
- C.G. is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation: grant numbers GE2519/8-1, GE2519/9-1, FOR3004 and GE2519/11-1), by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF: grant numbers 01EW1901, 01GM1908B), and receives funding from Hermann und Lilly Schilling Foundation.
- H.P. is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation: grant numbers PR 1274/2-1, PR 1274/3-1, FOR3004 and PR 1274/5-1), by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF: grant numbers 01GM1908D, CONNECT-GENERATE), and by the Helmholtz Association (HIL-A03).
- C.F. is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation: grant numbers FI 2309/1-1 and FI 2309/2-1), and by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF; grant numbers 01GM1908D, CONNECT-GENERATE)
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Kuchling
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Betty Jurek
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mariya Kents
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jakob Kreye
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Section of Translational Neuroimmunology, Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Jonathan Wickel
- Section of Translational Neuroimmunology, Hans Berger Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Susanne Mueller
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, Core Facility 7 T Experimental MRIs, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Stroke Research, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Paul Koch
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, Core Facility 7 T Experimental MRIs, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Stroke Research, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Boehm-Sturm
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Neurocure Cluster of Excellence, Core Facility 7 T Experimental MRIs, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Berlin Center for Stroke Research, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Berlin, Germany.
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Kecheliev V, Boss L, Maheshwari U, Konietzko U, Keller A, Razansky D, Nitsch RM, Klohs J, Ni R. Aquaporin 4 is differentially increased and dislocated in association with tau and amyloid-beta. Life Sci 2023; 321:121593. [PMID: 36934970 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Neurovascular-glymphatic dysfunction plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease and has been analysed mainly in relation to amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology. Here, we aim to investigate the neurovascular alterations and mapping of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) distribution and dislocation associated with tau and Aβ. MATERIALS AND METHODS Perfusion, susceptibility weighted imaging and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed in the pR5 mouse model of 4-repeat tau and the arcAβ mouse model of amyloidosis. Immunofluorescence staining was performed using antibodies against AQP4, vessel, astroglia, microglia, phospho-tau and Aβ in brain tissue slices from pR5, arcAβ and non-transgenic mice. KEY FINDINGS pR5 mice showed regional atrophy, preserved cerebral blood flow, and reduced cerebral vessel density compared to non-transgenic mice, while arcAβ mice showed cerebral microbleeds and reduced cerebral vessel density. AQP4 dislocation and peri-tau enrichment in the hippocampus and increased AQP4 levels in the cortex and hippocampus were detected in pR5 mice compared to non-transgenic mice. In comparison, cortical AQP4 dislocation and cortical/hippocampal peri-plaque increases were observed in arcAβ mice. Increased expression of reactive astrocytes were detected around the tau inclusions in pR5 mice and Aβ plaques in arcAβ mice. SIGNIFICANCE We demonstrated the neurovascular alterations, microgliosis, astrogliosis and increased AQP4 regional expression in pR5 tau and arcAβ mice. We observed a divergent region-specific AQP4 dislocation and association with phospho-tau and Aβ pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasil Kecheliev
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Leo Boss
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Upasana Maheshwari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zürich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Uwe Konietzko
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annika Keller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Center, Zürich University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Razansky
- Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger M Nitsch
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Zentrum für Neurowissenschaften Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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7
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Mandino F, Yeow LY, Bi R, Sejin L, Bae HG, Baek SH, Lee CY, Mohammad H, Horien C, Teoh CL, Lee JH, Lai MK, Jung S, Fu Y, Olivo M, Gigg J, Grandjean J. The lateral entorhinal cortex is a hub for local and global dysfunction in early Alzheimer's disease states. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:1616-1631. [PMID: 35466772 PMCID: PMC9441719 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x221082016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Functional network activity alterations are one of the earliest hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), detected prior to amyloidosis and tauopathy. Better understanding the neuronal underpinnings of such network alterations could offer mechanistic insight into AD progression. Here, we examined a mouse model (3xTgAD mice) recapitulating this early AD stage. We found resting functional connectivity loss within ventral networks, including the entorhinal cortex, aligning with the spatial distribution of tauopathy reported in humans. Unexpectedly, in contrast to decreased connectivity at rest, 3xTgAD mice show enhanced fMRI signal within several projection areas following optogenetic activation of the entorhinal cortex. We corroborate this finding by demonstrating neuronal facilitation within ventral networks and synaptic hyperexcitability in projection targets. 3xTgAD mice, thus, reveal a dichotomic hypo-connected:resting versus hyper-responsive:active phenotype. This strong homotopy between the areas affected supports the translatability of this pathophysiological model to tau-related, early-AD deficits in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mandino
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,Department of Radiology and Bioimaging Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ling Yun Yeow
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Renzhe Bi
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Lee Sejin
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Han Gyu Bae
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Department of Life Sciences, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Baek
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Chun-Yao Lee
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Hasan Mohammad
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Corey Horien
- Department of Radiology and Bioimaging Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chai Lean Teoh
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Jasinda H Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mitchell Kp Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sangyong Jung
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Yu Fu
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Malini Olivo
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - John Gigg
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.,Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine & Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Donders Institute, Radboud University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
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8
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Hall GR, Boehm-Sturm P, Dirnagl U, Finke C, Foddis M, Harms C, Koch SP, Kuchling J, Madan CR, Mueller S, Sassi C, Sotiropoulos SN, Trueman RC, Wallis MD, Yildirim F, Farr TD. Long-Term Connectome Analysis Reveals Reshaping of Visual, Spatial Networks in a Model With Vascular Dementia Features. Stroke 2022; 53:1735-1745. [PMID: 35105183 PMCID: PMC9022688 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.121.036997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Connectome analysis of neuroimaging data is a rapidly expanding field that offers the potential to diagnose, characterize, and predict neurological disease. Animal models provide insight into biological mechanisms that underpin disease, but connectivity approaches are currently lagging in the rodent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard R Hall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (G.R.H., R.C.T., M.D.W., T.D.F.)
| | - Philipp Boehm-Sturm
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
| | - Ulrich Dirnagl
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.).,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Berlin Site, Germany (U.D.)
| | - Carsten Finke
- Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (C.F., J.K.).,Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany (C.F.)
| | - Marco Foddis
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
| | - Christoph Harms
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
| | - Stefan Paul Koch
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
| | - Joseph Kuchling
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Max Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine and Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (J.K.).,Department of Neurology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (C.F., J.K.)
| | | | - Susanne Mueller
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
| | - Celeste Sassi
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
| | - Stamatios N Sotiropoulos
- Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (S.N.S.).,Centre for Functional MRI of the Brain, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (S.N.S.)
| | - Rebecca C Trueman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (G.R.H., R.C.T., M.D.W., T.D.F.)
| | - Marcus D Wallis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (G.R.H., R.C.T., M.D.W., T.D.F.)
| | - Ferah Yildirim
- corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.).,NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (F.Y.)
| | - Tracy D Farr
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom (G.R.H., R.C.T., M.D.W., T.D.F.).,Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., T.D.F.).,corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Germany. NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence and Charité Core Facility 7T Experimental MRIs, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany. (P.B.-S., U.D., M.F., C.H., S.P.K., S.M., C.S., F.Y., T.D.F.)
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9
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Neuroimaging of Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020305. [PMID: 35203515 PMCID: PMC8869427 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have made great strides in the diagnosis and our understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Despite the knowledge gained from human studies, mouse models have and continue to play an important role in deciphering the cellular and molecular evolution of AD. MRI and PET are now being increasingly used to investigate neuroimaging features in mouse models and provide the basis for rapid translation to the clinical setting. Here, we provide an overview of the human MRI and PET imaging landscape as a prelude to an in-depth review of preclinical imaging in mice. A broad range of mouse models recapitulate certain aspects of the human AD, but no single model simulates the human disease spectrum. We focused on the two of the most popular mouse models, the 3xTg-AD and the 5xFAD models, and we summarized all known published MRI and PET imaging data, including contrasting findings. The goal of this review is to provide the reader with broad framework to guide future studies in existing and future mouse models of AD. We also highlight aspects of MRI and PET imaging that could be improved to increase rigor and reproducibility in future imaging studies.
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10
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Ni R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Tauopathy Animal Models. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:791679. [PMID: 35145392 PMCID: PMC8821905 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.791679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau plays an important role in tauopathic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and primary tauopathies such as progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. Tauopathy animal models, such as transgenic, knock-in mouse and rat models, recapitulating tauopathy have facilitated the understanding of disease mechanisms. Aberrant accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau contributes to synaptic deficits, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, leading to cognitive impairment in animal models. Recent advances in molecular imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have provided valuable insights into the time course of disease pathophysiology in tauopathy animal models. High-field MRI has been applied for in vivo imaging in animal models of tauopathy, including diffusion tensor imaging for white matter integrity, arterial spin labeling for cerebral blood flow, resting-state functional MRI for functional connectivity, volumetric MRI for neurodegeneration, and MR spectroscopy. In addition, MR contrast agents for non-invasive imaging of tau have been developed recently. Many preclinical MRI indicators offer excellent translational value and provide a blueprint for clinical MRI in the brains of patients with tauopathies. In this review, we summarized the recent advances in using MRI to visualize the pathophysiology of tauopathy in small animals. We discussed the outstanding challenges in brain imaging using MRI in small animals and propose a future outlook for visualizing tau-related alterations in the brains of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Ruiqing Ni,
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11
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Van der Linden A, Hoehn M. Monitoring Neuronal Network Disturbances of Brain Diseases: A Preclinical MRI Approach in the Rodent Brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 15:815552. [PMID: 35046778 PMCID: PMC8761853 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.815552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional and structural neuronal networks, as recorded by resting-state functional MRI and diffusion MRI-based tractography, gain increasing attention as data driven whole brain imaging methods not limited to the foci of the primary pathology or the known key affected regions but permitting to characterize the entire network response of the brain after disease or injury. Their connectome contents thus provide information on distal brain areas, directly or indirectly affected by and interacting with the primary pathological event or affected regions. From such information, a better understanding of the dynamics of disease progression is expected. Furthermore, observation of the brain's spontaneous or treatment-induced improvement will contribute to unravel the underlying mechanisms of plasticity and recovery across the whole-brain networks. In the present review, we discuss the values of functional and structural network information derived from systematic and controlled experimentation using clinically relevant animal models. We focus on rodent models of the cerebral diseases with high impact on social burdens, namely, neurodegeneration, and stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- Research Center Jülich, Institute 3 for Neuroscience and Medicine, Jülich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Mathias Hoehn
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12
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Ni R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12768. [PMID: 34884573 PMCID: PMC8657987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Aberrant Aβ accumulation induces neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular alterations, and synaptic deficits, leading to cognitive impairment. Animal models recapitulating the Aβ pathology, such as transgenic, knock-in mouse and rat models, have facilitated the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutics targeting Aβ. There is a rapid advance in high-field MRI in small animals. Versatile high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, such as diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling, resting-state functional MRI, anatomical MRI, and MR spectroscopy, as well as contrast agents, have been developed for preclinical imaging in animal models. These tools have enabled high-resolution in vivo structural, functional, and molecular readouts with a whole-brain field of view. MRI has been used to visualize non-invasively the Aβ deposits, synaptic deficits, regional brain atrophy, impairment in white matter integrity, functional connectivity, and cerebrovascular and glymphatic system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. Many of the readouts are translational toward clinical MRI applications in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in MRI for visualizing the pathophysiology in amyloidosis animal models. We discuss the outstanding challenges in brain imaging using MRI in small animals and propose future outlook in visualizing Aβ-related alterations in the brains of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Zurich, Switzerland
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13
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Chakravarty MM, Guma E. Small animal imaging presents an opportunity for improving translational research in biological psychiatry. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E579-E582. [PMID: 34670841 PMCID: PMC8532952 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Elisa Guma
- From the Computational Brain Anatomy (CoBrA) Laboratory, Cerebral Imaging Centre, Douglas Research Institute, Montreal, Que., Canada (Chakravarty, Guma); the Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada (Chakravarty); the Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Que., Canada (Chakravarty); and the Developmental Neurogenomics Unit, Human Genetics Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Intramural Program, USA (Guma)
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14
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Markicevic M, Savvateev I, Grimm C, Zerbi V. Emerging imaging methods to study whole-brain function in rodent models. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:457. [PMID: 34482367 PMCID: PMC8418612 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01575-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In the past decade, the idea that single populations of neurons support cognition and behavior has gradually given way to the realization that connectivity matters and that complex behavior results from interactions between remote yet anatomically connected areas that form specialized networks. In parallel, innovation in brain imaging techniques has led to the availability of a broad set of imaging tools to characterize the functional organization of complex networks. However, each of these tools poses significant technical challenges and faces limitations, which require careful consideration of their underlying anatomical, physiological, and physical specificity. In this review, we focus on emerging methods for measuring spontaneous or evoked activity in the brain. We discuss methods that can measure large-scale brain activity (directly or indirectly) with a relatively high temporal resolution, from milliseconds to seconds. We further focus on methods designed for studying the mammalian brain in preclinical models, specifically in mice and rats. This field has seen a great deal of innovation in recent years, facilitated by concomitant innovation in gene-editing techniques and the possibility of more invasive recordings. This review aims to give an overview of currently available preclinical imaging methods and an outlook on future developments. This information is suitable for educational purposes and for assisting scientists in choosing the appropriate method for their own research question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Markicevic
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Iurii Savvateev
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Decision Neuroscience Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Christina Grimm
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, HEST, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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15
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Massalimova A, Ni R, Nitsch RM, Reisert M, von Elverfeldt D, Klohs J. Diffusion Tensor Imaging Reveals Whole-Brain Microstructural Changes in the P301L Mouse Model of Tauopathy. NEURODEGENER DIS 2021; 20:173-184. [PMID: 33975312 DOI: 10.1159/000515754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increased expression of hyperphosphorylated tau and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles are associated with neuronal loss and white matter damage. Using high-resolution ex vivo diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we investigated microstructural changes in the white and grey matter in the P301L mouse model of human tauopathy at 8.5 months of age. For unbiased computational analysis, we implemented a pipeline for voxel-based analysis (VBA) and atlas-based analysis (ABA) of DTI mouse brain data. METHODS Hemizygous and homozygous transgenic P301L mice and non-transgenic littermates were used. DTI data were acquired for generation of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) maps. VBA on the entire brain was performed using SPM8 and the SPM Mouse toolbox. Initially, all DTI maps were coregistered with the Allen mouse brain atlas to bring them to one common coordinate space. In VBA, coregistered DTI maps were normalized and smoothed in order to perform two-sample and unpaired t tests with false discovery rate correction to compare hemizygotes with non-transgenic littermates, homozygotes with non-transgenic littermates, and hemizygotes with homozygotes on each DTI parameter map. In ABA, the average values for selected regions of interests were computed with coregistered DTI maps and labels in Allen mouse brain atlas. Afterwards, a Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA on ranks with a Tukey post hoc test was executed on the estimated average values. RESULTS With VBA, we found pronounced and brain-wide spread changes when comparing homozygous, P301L mice with non-transgenic littermates, which were not seen when comparing hemizygous P301L with non-transgenic animals. Statistical comparison of DTI metrics in selected brain regions by ABA corroborated findings from VBA. FA was found to be decreased in most brain regions, while MD, RD, and AD were increased in homozygotes compared to hemizygotes and non-transgenic littermates. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION High-resolution ex vivo DTI demonstrated brain-wide microstructural and gene-dose-dependent changes in the P301L mouse model of human tauopathy. The DTI analysis pipeline may serve for the phenotyping of models of tauopathy and other brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidana Massalimova
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger M Nitsch
- Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Marco Reisert
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominik von Elverfeldt
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Zurich Neuroscience Center (ZNZ), Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Østergaard FG, Skoven CS, Wade AR, Siebner HR, Laursen B, Christensen KV, Dyrby TB. No Detectable Effect on Visual Responses Using Functional MRI in a Rodent Model of α-Synuclein Expression. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0516-20.2021. [PMID: 33958374 PMCID: PMC8143025 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0516-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is typically diagnosed late in its progression. There is a need for biomarkers suitable for monitoring the disease progression at earlier stages to guide the development of novel neuroprotective therapies. One potential biomarker, α-synuclein, has been found in both the familial cases of PD, as well as the sporadic cases and is considered a key feature of PD. α-synuclein is naturally present in the retina, and it has been suggested that early symptoms of the visual system may be used as a biomarker for PD. Here, we use a viral vector to induce a unilateral expression of human wild-type α-synuclein in rats as a mechanistic model of protein aggregation in PD. We employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether adeno-associated virus (AAV) mediated expression of human wild-type α-synuclein alter functional activity in the visual system. A total of 16 rats were injected with either AAV-α-synuclein (n = 7) or AAV-null (n = 9) in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) of the left hemisphere. The expression of α-synuclein was validated by a motor assay and postmortem immunohistochemistry. Five months after the introduction of the AAV-vector, fMRI showed robust blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) responses to light stimulation in the visual systems of both control and AAV-α-synuclein animals. However, our results demonstrate that the expression of AAV-α-synuclein does not affect functional activation of the visual system. This negative finding suggests that fMRI-based read-outs of visual responses may not be a sensitive biomarker for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Stald Skoven
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen 2650, Denmark
| | - Alex R Wade
- Department of Psychology, The University of York, Heslington, York YO10 5DD, United Kingdom
| | - Hartwig R Siebner
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen 2650, Denmark
| | | | | | - Tim B Dyrby
- Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance, Centre for Functional and Diagnostic Imaging and Research, Copenhagen University Hospital - Amager and Hvidovre, Copenhagen 2650, Denmark
- Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
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17
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Degiorgis L, Karatas M, Sourty M, Faivre E, Lamy J, Noblet V, Bienert T, Reisert M, von Elverfeldt D, Buée L, Blum D, Boutillier AL, Armspach JP, Blanc F, Harsan LA. Brain network remodelling reflects tau-related pathology prior to memory deficits in Thy-Tau22 mice. Brain 2021; 143:3748-3762. [PMID: 33184651 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease, the tauopathy is known as a major mechanism responsible for the development of cognitive deficits. Early biomarkers of such affectations for diagnosis/stratification are crucial in Alzheimer's disease research, and brain connectome studies increasingly show their potential establishing pathology fingerprints at the network level. In this context, we conducted an in vivo multimodal MRI study on young Thy-Tau22 transgenic mice expressing tauopathy, performing resting state functional MRI and structural brain imaging to identify early connectome signatures of the pathology, relating with histological and behavioural investigations. In the prodromal phase of tauopathy, before the emergence of cognitive impairments, Thy-Tau22 mice displayed selective modifications of brain functional connectivity involving three main centres: hippocampus (HIP), amygdala (AMG) and the isocortical areas, notably the somatosensory (SS) cortex. Each of these regions showed differential histopathological profiles. Disrupted ventral HIP-AMG functional pathway and altered dynamic functional connectivity were consistent with high pathological tau deposition and astrogliosis in both hippocampus and amygdala, and significant microglial reactivity in amygdalar nuclei. These patterns were concurrent with widespread functional hyperconnectivity of memory-related circuits of dorsal hippocampus-encompassing dorsal HIP-SS communication-in the absence of significant cortical histopathological markers. These findings suggest the coexistence of two intermingled mechanisms of response at the functional connectome level in the early phases of pathology: a maladaptive and a likely compensatory response. Captured in the connectivity patterns, such first responses to pathology could further be used in translational investigations as a lead towards an early biomarker of tauopathy as well as new targets for future treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Degiorgis
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Meltem Karatas
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany.,CNRS, University of Strasbourg, INCI, UMR 7168, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Marion Sourty
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,The University of Sydney, Faculty of Engineering, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, NSW 2006 Sydney, Australia
| | - Emilie Faivre
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, LabEx DISTALZ, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Julien Lamy
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Vincent Noblet
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Thomas Bienert
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Marco Reisert
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dominik von Elverfeldt
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, University Medical Center Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University Freiburg, 79085 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Luc Buée
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, LabEx DISTALZ, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - David Blum
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, UMR-S 1172 - JPArc, LabEx DISTALZ, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Anne-Laurence Boutillier
- Laboratoire de Neuroscience Cognitives et Adaptatives (LNCA), CNRS UMR 7364, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Paul Armspach
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Frédéric Blanc
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,University Hospital of Strasbourg, CM2R (Memory Resource and Research Centre), Day Hospital, Geriatrics Department, 67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Laura-Adela Harsan
- Laboratory of Engineering, Informatics and Imaging (ICube), Integrative multimodal imaging in healthcare (IMIS), UMR 7357, University of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France.,Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67000 Strasbourg, France
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18
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Engelhardt C, Boulat B, Czisch M, Schmidt MV. Lack of FKBP51 Shapes Brain Structure and Connectivity in Male Mice. J Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 53:1358-1365. [PMID: 33184939 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.27439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress exposure as well as psychiatric disorders are often associated with abnormalities in brain structure or connectivity. The co-chaperone FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) is a regulator of the stress system and is associated with a risk to develop stress-related mental illnesses. PURPOSE To assess the effect of a general FKBP51 knockout on brain structure and connectivity in male mice. STUDY TYPE Animal study. ANIMAL MODEL Two cohorts of FKBP51 knockout (51KO) and wildtype (WT) mice. The first cohort was comprised of n = 18 WT and n = 17 51KOs; second cohort n = 10 WT and n = 9 51KOs. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 9.4T/3D gradient echo (VBM), DTI-EPI (DTI). ASSESSMENT Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). For VBM, all procedures were executed in SPM12. DTI: FMRIB Software Library (FSL) Tract Based Statistics (TBSS) were integrated within DTI-TK, allowing the creation of a mean FA skeleton. A voxelwise statistical analysis was applied between WT and 51KO mice. STATISTICAL TEST Volumetric differences were collected at a threshold of P < 0.005, and only clusters surviving a familywise error correction on the cluster level (pFWE, cluster <0.05) were further considered. VBM data were analyzed using a two-sample t-test. The Threshold Free Cluster Enhancement (TFCE) method was used to derive uncorrected-P statistical results at a P-level of 0.01. RESULTS The structural analysis revealed two clusters of significantly larger volumes in the hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray, and dorsal raphe region of WT animals. DTI measurements, however, demonstrated statistically higher fractional anisotropy (FA) values for 51KO animals in locations including the anterior commissure, fornix, and posterior commissure/superior colliculus commissure region. DATA CONCLUSION This study used in vivo structural MRI and DTI to demonstrate that a lack of FKBP51 leads to alterations in brain architecture and connectivity in male mice. These findings are of particular translational relevance for our understanding of the neuroanatomy underlying the interaction of FKBP5 genetic status, stress susceptibility, and psychiatric disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Engelhardt
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V
| | | | | | - Mathias V Schmidt
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Research Group Neurobiology of Stress Resilience, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Kelberman M, Keilholz S, Weinshenker D. What's That (Blue) Spot on my MRI? Multimodal Neuroimaging of the Locus Coeruleus in Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:583421. [PMID: 33122996 PMCID: PMC7573566 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.583421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The locus coeruleus (LC) has long been underappreciated for its role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and other neurodegenerative disorders. While AD and PD are distinct in clinical presentation, both are characterized by prodromal protein aggregation in the LC, late-stage degeneration of the LC, and comorbid conditions indicative of LC dysfunction. Many of these early studies were limited to post-mortem histological techniques due to the LC’s small size and location deep in the brainstem. Thus, there is a growing interest in utilizing in vivo imaging of the LC as a predictor of preclinical neurodegenerative processes and biomarker of disease progression. Simultaneously, neuroimaging in animal models of neurodegenerative disease holds promise for identifying early alterations to LC circuits, but has thus far been underutilized. While still in its infancy, a handful of studies have reported effects of single gene mutations and pathology on LC function in disease using various neuroimaging techniques. Furthermore, combining imaging and optogenetics or chemogenetics allows for interrogation of network connectivity in response to changes in LC activity. The purpose of this article is twofold: (1) to review what magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have revealed about LC dysfunction in neurodegenerative disease and its potential as a biomarker in humans, and (2) to explore how animal models can be used to test hypotheses derived from clinical data and establish a mechanistic framework to inform LC-focused therapeutic interventions to alleviate symptoms and impede disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kelberman
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shella Keilholz
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - David Weinshenker
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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20
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Brain-wide structural and functional disruption in mice with oligodendrocyte-specific Nf1 deletion is rescued by inhibition of nitric oxide synthase. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:22506-22513. [PMID: 32839340 PMCID: PMC7486714 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2008391117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
This study assessed the effects of myelin decompaction on motor behavior and brain-wide structural and functional connectivity, and the effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition by N-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on these imaging measures. We report that inducible oligodendrocyte-specific inactivation of the Nf1 gene, which causes myelin decompaction, results in reduced initial motor coordination. Using diffusion-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we show reduced myelin integrity, and using functional MRI, we show reduced functional connectivity in awake passive mice. L-NAME administration results in rescue of the pathology at the mesoscopic level, as measured using imaging procedures that can be directly applied to humans to study treatment efficacy in clinical trials. Neurofibromin gene (NF1) mutation causes neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a disorder in which brain white matter deficits identified by neuroimaging are common, yet of unknown cellular etiology. In mice, Nf1 loss in adult oligodendrocytes causes myelin decompaction and increases oligodendrocyte nitric oxide (NO) levels. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors rescue this pathology. Whether oligodendrocyte pathology is sufficient to affect brain-wide structure and account for NF1 imaging findings is unknown. Here we show that Nf1 gene inactivation in adult oligodendrocytes (Plp-Nf1fl/+ mice) results in a motor coordination deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging in awake mice showed that fractional anisotropy is reduced in Plp-Nf1fl/+ corpus callosum and that interhemispheric functional connectivity in the motor cortex is also reduced, consistent with disrupted myelin integrity. Furthermore, NOS-specific inhibition rescued both measures. These results suggest that oligodendrocyte defects account for aspects of brain dysfunction in NF1 that can be identified by neuroimaging and ameliorated by NOS inhibition.
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21
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Detrez JR, Ben-Nejma IRH, Van Kolen K, Van Dam D, De Deyn PP, Fransen E, Verhoye M, Timmermans JP, Nuydens R, Van der Linden A, Keliris GA, De Vos WH. Progressive tau aggregation does not alter functional brain network connectivity in seeded hTau.P301L mice. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 143:105011. [PMID: 32653674 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease. However, to date, the functional effects of tau pathology on brain network connectivity remain poorly understood. To directly interrogate the impact of tau pathology on functional brain connectivity, we conducted a longitudinal experiment in which we monitored a fibril-seeded hTau.P301L mouse model using correlative whole-brain microscopy and resting-state functional MRI. Despite a progressive aggravation of tau pathology across the brain, the major resting-state networks appeared unaffected up to 15 weeks after seeding. Targeted analyses also showed that the connectivity of regions with high levels of hyperphosphorylated tau was comparable to that observed in controls. In line with the ostensible retention of connectivity, no behavioural changes were detected between seeded and control hTau.P301L mice as determined by three different paradigms. Our data indicate that seeded tau pathology, with accumulation of tau aggregates throughout different regions of the brain, does not alter functional connectivity or behaviour in this mouse model. Additional correlative functional studies on different mouse models should help determine whether this is a generalizable trait of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan R Detrez
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Kristof Van Kolen
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Belgium.
| | - Debby Van Dam
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center Groningen, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Peter Paul De Deyn
- Laboratory of Neurochemistry and Behavior, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Neurology, Memory Clinic of Hospital Network Antwerp (ZNA) Middelheim and Hoge Beuken, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center Groningen, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Erik Fransen
- StatUa Center for Statistics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | | | - Rony Nuydens
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | | | | | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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22
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Grandjean J, Canella C, Anckaerts C, Ayrancı G, Bougacha S, Bienert T, Buehlmann D, Coletta L, Gallino D, Gass N, Garin CM, Nadkarni NA, Hübner NS, Karatas M, Komaki Y, Kreitz S, Mandino F, Mechling AE, Sato C, Sauer K, Shah D, Strobelt S, Takata N, Wank I, Wu T, Yahata N, Yeow LY, Yee Y, Aoki I, Chakravarty MM, Chang WT, Dhenain M, von Elverfeldt D, Harsan LA, Hess A, Jiang T, Keliris GA, Lerch JP, Meyer-Lindenberg A, Okano H, Rudin M, Sartorius A, Van der Linden A, Verhoye M, Weber-Fahr W, Wenderoth N, Zerbi V, Gozzi A. Common functional networks in the mouse brain revealed by multi-centre resting-state fMRI analysis. Neuroimage 2019; 205:116278. [PMID: 31614221 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Preclinical applications of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) offer the possibility to non-invasively probe whole-brain network dynamics and to investigate the determinants of altered network signatures observed in human studies. Mouse rsfMRI has been increasingly adopted by numerous laboratories worldwide. Here we describe a multi-centre comparison of 17 mouse rsfMRI datasets via a common image processing and analysis pipeline. Despite prominent cross-laboratory differences in equipment and imaging procedures, we report the reproducible identification of several large-scale resting-state networks (RSN), including a mouse default-mode network, in the majority of datasets. A combination of factors was associated with enhanced reproducibility in functional connectivity parameter estimation, including animal handling procedures and equipment performance. RSN spatial specificity was enhanced in datasets acquired at higher field strength, with cryoprobes, in ventilated animals, and under medetomidine-isoflurane combination sedation. Our work describes a set of representative RSNs in the mouse brain and highlights key experimental parameters that can critically guide the design and analysis of future rodent rsfMRI investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanes Grandjean
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 11 Biopolis Way, 138667, Singapore.
| | - Carola Canella
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UNITN, 38068, Rovereto, Italy; CIMeC, Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, 38068, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Cynthia Anckaerts
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gülebru Ayrancı
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Salma Bougacha
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut François Jacob, MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Thomas Bienert
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstr. 5a, 79106, Freiburg, Germany; BrainLinks-BrainTools Cluster of Excellence, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 80, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - David Buehlmann
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ludovico Coletta
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UNITN, 38068, Rovereto, Italy; CIMeC, Centre for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, 38068, Rovereto, Italy
| | - Daniel Gallino
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Natalia Gass
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Clément M Garin
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut François Jacob, MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Nachiket Abhay Nadkarni
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut François Jacob, MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Neele S Hübner
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstr. 5a, 79106, Freiburg, Germany; BrainLinks-BrainTools Cluster of Excellence, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 80, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Meltem Karatas
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstr. 5a, 79106, Freiburg, Germany; The Engineering Science, Computer Science and Imaging Laboratory (ICube), Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, University of Strasbourg and University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Yuji Komaki
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan; Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Silke Kreitz
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Francesca Mandino
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 11 Biopolis Way, 138667, Singapore; Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Anna E Mechling
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstr. 5a, 79106, Freiburg, Germany; BrainLinks-BrainTools Cluster of Excellence, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 80, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Chika Sato
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Team, Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba-city, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Katja Sauer
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Disha Shah
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, KU Leuven, O&N4 Herestraat 49 Box 602, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sandra Strobelt
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Norio Takata
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12, Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, 210-0821, Japan; Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Isabel Wank
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tong Wu
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Centre for Medical Image Computing, Department of Computer Science, & Max Planck University College London Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, University College London, London, UK; Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Imaging Lab, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, W12 0NN, UK; UK DRI Centre for Care Research and Technology, Imperial College London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - Noriaki Yahata
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Team, Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba-city, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - Ling Yun Yeow
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 11 Biopolis Way, 138667, Singapore
| | - Yohan Yee
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ichio Aoki
- Functional and Molecular Imaging Team, Department of Molecular Imaging and Theranostics, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Anagawa 4-9-1, Inage, Chiba-city, Chiba, 263-8555, Japan
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Wei-Tang Chang
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 11 Biopolis Way, 138667, Singapore
| | - Marc Dhenain
- Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives (CEA), Direction de la Recherche Fondamentale (DRF), Institut François Jacob, MIRCen, Fontenay-aux-roses, France; Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay UMR 9199, Neurodegenerative Diseases Laboratory, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Dominik von Elverfeldt
- Department of Radiology, Medical Physics, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Killianstr. 5a, 79106, Freiburg, Germany; BrainLinks-BrainTools Cluster of Excellence, University of Freiburg, Georges-Köhler-Allee 80, 79110, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laura-Adela Harsan
- The Engineering Science, Computer Science and Imaging Laboratory (ICube), Department of Biophysics and Nuclear Medicine, University of Strasbourg and University Hospital of Strasbourg, 67000, Strasbourg, France
| | - Andreas Hess
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Fahrstraße 17, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Brainnetome Center & National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
| | - Georgios A Keliris
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Medical Biophysics, The University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan; Laboratory for Marmoset Neural Architecture, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, 8093, Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Sartorius
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, University of Antwerp, CDE, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wolfgang Weber-Fahr
- Department of Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nicole Wenderoth
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Valerio Zerbi
- Neural Control of Movement Lab, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zürich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Alessandro Gozzi
- Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems @ UNITN, 38068, Rovereto, Italy
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23
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Shofty B, Bergmann E, Zur G, Asleh J, Bosak N, Kavushansky A, Castellanos FX, Ben-Sira L, Packer RJ, Vezina GL, Constantini S, Acosta MT, Kahn I. Autism-associated Nf1 deficiency disrupts corticocortical and corticostriatal functional connectivity in human and mouse. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 130:104479. [PMID: 31128207 PMCID: PMC6689441 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 05/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Children with the autosomal dominant single gene disorder, neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), display multiple structural and functional changes in the central nervous system, resulting in neuropsychological cognitive abnormalities. Here we assessed the pathological functional organization that may underlie the behavioral impairments in NF1 using resting-state functional connectivity MRI. Coherent spontaneous fluctuations in the fMRI signal across the entire brain were used to interrogate the pattern of functional organization of corticocortical and corticostriatal networks in both NF1 pediatric patients and mice with a heterozygous mutation in the Nf1 gene (Nf1+/-). Children with NF1 demonstrated abnormal organization of cortical association networks and altered posterior-anterior functional connectivity in the default network. Examining the contribution of the striatum revealed that corticostriatal functional connectivity was altered. NF1 children demonstrated reduced functional connectivity between striatum and the frontoparietal network and increased striatal functional connectivity with the limbic network. Awake passive mouse functional connectivity MRI in Nf1+/- mice similarly revealed reduced posterior-anterior connectivity along the cingulate cortex as well as disrupted corticostriatal connectivity. The striatum of Nf1+/- mice showed increased functional connectivity to somatomotor and frontal cortices and decreased functional connectivity to the auditory cortex. Collectively, these results demonstrate similar alterations across species, suggesting that NF1 pathogenesis is linked to striatal dysfunction and disrupted corticocortical connectivity in the default network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Shofty
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel; The Gilbert Israeli NF Center, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Eyal Bergmann
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Gil Zur
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jad Asleh
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Noam Bosak
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Alexandra Kavushansky
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - F Xavier Castellanos
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York, NY, USA; Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Liat Ben-Sira
- The Gilbert Israeli NF Center, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roger J Packer
- The Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute, Children's National Health System, Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Gilbert L Vezina
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiology, Children's National Health System, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Shlomi Constantini
- The Gilbert Israeli NF Center, Department of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Medical Center, and Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Maria T Acosta
- The Gilbert Family Neurofibromatosis Institute, Children's National Health System, Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA; National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Itamar Kahn
- Department of Neuroscience, Rappaport Faculty of Medicine and Institute, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
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24
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Longitudinal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging in a mouse model of metastatic bone cancer reveals distinct functional reorganizations along a developing chronic pain state. Pain 2019; 159:719-727. [PMID: 29319607 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Functional neuroimaging has emerged as attractive option for characterizing pain states complementing behavioral readouts or clinical assessment. In particular, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) enables monitoring of functional adaptations across the brain, for example, in response to chronic nociceptive input. We have used rs-fMRI in a mouse model of chronic pain from breast cancer-derived tibial bone metastases to identify pain-induced alterations in functional connectivity. Combined assessment of behavioral readouts allowed for defining a trajectory as model function for extracting pain-specific functional connectivity changes from the fMRI data reflective of a chronic pain state. Cingulate and prefrontal cortices as well as the ventral striatum were identified as predominantly affected regions, in line with findings from clinical and preclinical studies. Inhibition of the peripheral bone remodeling processes by antiosteolytic therapy led to a reduction of pain-induced network alterations, emphasizing the specificity of the functional readouts for a developing chronic pain state.
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Early functional connectivity deficits and progressive microstructural alterations in the TgF344-AD rat model of Alzheimer’s Disease: A longitudinal MRI study. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 124:93-107. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 11/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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26
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Anckaerts C, Blockx I, Summer P, Michael J, Hamaide J, Kreutzer C, Boutin H, Couillard-Després S, Verhoye M, Van der Linden A. Early functional connectivity deficits and progressive microstructural alterations in the TgF344-AD rat model of Alzheimer’s Disease: A longitudinal MRI study. Neurobiol Dis 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.11.010 and 21=21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
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27
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Green C, Sydow A, Vogel S, Anglada-Huguet M, Wiedermann D, Mandelkow E, Mandelkow EM, Hoehn M. Functional networks are impaired by elevated tau-protein but reversible in a regulatable Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Mol Neurodegener 2019; 14:13. [PMID: 30917861 PMCID: PMC6438042 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-019-0316-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aggregation of tau proteins is a distinct hallmark of tauopathies and has been a focus of research and clinical trials for Alzheimer’s Disease. Recent reports have pointed towards a toxic effect of soluble or oligomeric tau in the spreading of tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease. Here we investigated the effects of expressing human tau repeat domain (tauRD) with pro- or anti-aggregant mutations in regulatable transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s Disease on the functional neuronal networks and the structural connectivity strength. Methods Pro-aggregant and anti-aggregant mice were studied when their mutant tauRD was switched on for 12 months to reach the stage where pro-aggregant mice show cognitive impairment, whereas anti-aggregant mice remained cognitively normal. Then, mutant tauRD was switched off by doxycycline treatment for 8 weeks so that soluble transgenic tau disappeared and cognition recovered in the pro-aggregant mice, although some aggregates remained. At these two time points, at baseline after 12 months of mutant tau expression and after 8 weeks of doxycycline treatment, resting state fMRI and diffusion MRI were used to determine functional neuronal networks and fiber connectivities. Results of the transgenic mice were compared with wildtype littermates. Results Functional connectivity was strongly reduced in transgenic animals during mutant tauRD expression, in relation to WT mice. Interestingly, transgenic mice with the non-aggregant tau mutant showed identical functional deficits as the pro-aggregant mice, even though in this case there was no cognitive decline by behavioral testing. Upon 8 weeks doxycycline treatment and transgene switch-off, functional connectivity in both transgenic groups presented complete normalization of functional connectivity strength, equivalent to the situation in WT littermates. Structural connectivity was found only marginally sensitive to mutant tau expression (both pro- and anti-aggregant tauRD) and by doxycycline treatment. Conclusions Our in vivo investigations unravel for the first time a strong reduction of functional neuronal networks by the presence of increased soluble rather than fibrillary tau, independent of its intrinsic propensity of aggregation, which is reversible by switching tau off. Our functional MRI study thus is an unexpected in vivo validation of a novel property of tau, while previous results pointed to a role of aggregation propensity for a pathological state by histopathology and cognitive decline. Our results present further evidence for early tauopathy biomarkers or a potential early stage drug target by functional networks analysis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13024-019-0316-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Green
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, D-50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Astrid Sydow
- Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Vogel
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, D-50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marta Anglada-Huguet
- Max-Planck-Institute for Metabolism Research, Hamburg Outstation, c/o DESY, Notkestrasse 85, 22607, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dirk Wiedermann
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, D-50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Eckhard Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany.,CAESAR Research Center, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Mandelkow
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany.,CAESAR Research Center, Ludwig-Erhard-Allee 2, 53175, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mathias Hoehn
- In-vivo-NMR Laboratory, Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Gleuelerstrasse 50, D-50931, Cologne, Germany. .,Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. .,Percuros B.V., Enschede, The Netherlands.
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28
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Pietzuch M, King AE, Ward DD, Vickers JC. The Influence of Genetic Factors and Cognitive Reserve on Structural and Functional Resting-State Brain Networks in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:30. [PMID: 30894813 PMCID: PMC6414800 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers significant insight into the complex organization of neural networks within the human brain. Using resting-state functional MRI data, topological maps can be created to visualize changes in brain activity, as well as to represent and assess the structural and functional connections between different brain regions. Crucially, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with progressive loss in this connectivity, which is particularly evident within the default mode network. In this paper, we review the recent literature on how factors that are associated with risk of dementia may influence the organization of the brain network structures. In particular, we focus on cognitive reserve and the common genetic polymorphisms of APOE and BDNF Val66Met.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Pietzuch
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Anna E. King
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - David D. Ward
- Population Health Sciences, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany
| | - James C. Vickers
- Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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29
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Kesler SR, Acton P, Rao V, Ray WJ. Functional and structural connectome properties in the 5XFAD transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Netw Neurosci 2018; 2:241-258. [PMID: 30215035 PMCID: PMC6130552 DOI: 10.1162/netn_a_00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with amyloid-beta peptide accumulation into insoluble amyloid plaques. The five-familial AD (5XFAD) transgenic mouse model exhibits accelerated amyloid-beta deposition, neuronal dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. We aimed to determine whether connectome properties of these mice parallel those observed in patients with AD. We obtained diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data for four transgenic and four nontransgenic male mice. We constructed both structural and functional connectomes and measured their topological properties by applying graph theoretical analysis. We compared connectome properties between groups using both binarized and weighted networks. Transgenic mice showed higher characteristic path length in weighted structural connectomes and functional connectomes at minimum density. Normalized clustering and modularity were lower in transgenic mice across the upper densities of the structural connectome. Transgenic mice also showed lower small-worldness index in higher structural connectome densities and in weighted structural networks. Hyper-correlation of structural and functional connectivity was observed in transgenic mice compared with nontransgenic controls. These preliminary findings suggest that 5XFAD mouse connectomes may provide useful models for investigating the molecular mechanisms of AD pathogenesis and testing the effectiveness of potential treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R Kesler
- Department of Neuro-oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Paul Acton
- Neurodegeneration Consortium, Institute for Applied Cancer Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Vikram Rao
- Department of Neuro-oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - William J Ray
- Neurodegeneration Consortium, Institute for Applied Cancer Science, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
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30
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Asaad M, Lee JH. A guide to using functional magnetic resonance imaging to study Alzheimer's disease in animal models. Dis Model Mech 2018; 11:dmm031724. [PMID: 29784664 PMCID: PMC5992611 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.031724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a leading healthcare challenge facing our society today. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the brain has played an important role in our efforts to understand how Alzheimer's disease alters brain function. Using fMRI in animal models of Alzheimer's disease has the potential to provide us with a more comprehensive understanding of the observations made in human clinical fMRI studies. However, using fMRI in animal models of Alzheimer's disease presents some unique challenges. Here, we highlight some of these challenges and discuss potential solutions for researchers interested in performing fMRI in animal models. First, we briefly summarize our current understanding of Alzheimer's disease from a mechanistic standpoint. We then overview the wide array of animal models available for studying this disease and how to choose the most appropriate model to study, depending on which aspects of the condition researchers seek to investigate. Finally, we discuss the contributions of fMRI to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease and the issues to consider when designing fMRI studies for animal models, such as differences in brain activity based on anesthetic choice and ways to interrogate more specific questions in rodents beyond those that can be addressed in humans. The goal of this article is to provide information on the utility of fMRI, and approaches to consider when using fMRI, for studies of Alzheimer's disease in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazen Asaad
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jin Hyung Lee
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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31
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Bajic D, Craig MM, Mongerson CRL, Borsook D, Becerra L. Identifying Rodent Resting-State Brain Networks with Independent Component Analysis. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:685. [PMID: 29311770 PMCID: PMC5733053 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Rodent models have opened the door to a better understanding of the neurobiology of brain disorders and increased our ability to evaluate novel treatments. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) allows for in vivo exploration of large-scale brain networks with high spatial resolution. Its application in rodents affords researchers a powerful translational tool to directly assess/explore the effects of various pharmacological, lesion, and/or disease states on known neural circuits within highly controlled settings. Integration of animal and human research at the molecular-, systems-, and behavioral-levels using diverse neuroimaging techniques empowers more robust interrogations of abnormal/ pathological processes, critical for evolving our understanding of neuroscience. We present a comprehensive protocol to evaluate resting-state brain networks using Independent Component Analysis (ICA) in rodent model. Specifically, we begin with a brief review of the physiological basis for rs-fMRI technique and overview of rs-fMRI studies in rodents to date, following which we provide a robust step-by-step approach for rs-fMRI investigation including data collection, computational preprocessing, and brain network analysis. Pipelines are interwoven with underlying theory behind each step and summarized methodological considerations, such as alternative methods available and current consensus in the literature for optimal results. The presented protocol is designed in such a way that investigators without previous knowledge in the field can implement the analysis and obtain viable results that reliably detect significant differences in functional connectivity between experimental groups. Our goal is to empower researchers to implement rs-fMRI in their respective fields by incorporating technical considerations to date into a workable methodological framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusica Bajic
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Michael M Craig
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Chandler R L Mongerson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - David Borsook
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lino Becerra
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Center for Pain and the Brain, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
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32
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Functional networks and network perturbations in rodents. Neuroimage 2017; 163:419-436. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.09.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 09/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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33
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Yuan Q, Yang J, Wu W, Lin ZX. Motor deficits are independent of axonopathy in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model of TgCRND8 mice. Oncotarget 2017; 8:97900-97912. [PMID: 29228660 PMCID: PMC5716700 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.18429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
There have been an increasing number of reports of non-cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some symptoms are associated with the loss of motor functions, e.g. gait disturbances, disturbed activity level and balance. Consistent with clinical findings, several AD mouse models harboring amyloid pathology develop motor impairment. Although the factors that contribute to the motor deficits have not yet been determined, it has been suggested that axonopathy is one of the key factors that may contribute to this particular feature of the disease. Our previous study found that TgCRND8 mice exhibited profound motor deficits as early as 3 months old. In this study, we explored the possible factors that may be related to motor deficits in TgCRND8 mice. Results from silver, neurofilament and amyloid precursor protein (APP) staining revealed no axonopathy occurred in the brain and spinal cord of TgCRND8 mice at the age of 3 months. Anterograde labeling of corticospinal tract of spinal cord and electronic microscopy (EM) analysis showed that no axonopathy occurred in TgCRND8 mice at the age of 3 months. According to these results, it could be concluded that no axonal alterations were evident in the TgCRND8 mice when motor deficits was overt. Thus, axonopathy may play a less prominent role in motor deficits in AD. These results suggest that mechanisms by which motor function undergo impairment in AD need to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuju Yuan
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Brain Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jian Yang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wutian Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Research Center of Reproduction, Development and Growth, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- GHM Institute of CNS regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Xiu Lin
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Brain Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
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34
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Mouse models of neurodegenerative disease: preclinical imaging and neurovascular component. Brain Imaging Behav 2017; 12:1160-1196. [PMID: 29075922 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-017-9770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases represent great challenges for basic science and clinical medicine because of their prevalence, pathologies, lack of mechanism-based treatments, and impacts on individuals. Translational research might contribute to the study of neurodegenerative diseases. The mouse has become a key model for studying disease mechanisms that might recapitulate in part some aspects of the corresponding human diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders are very complicated and multifactorial. This has to be taken in account when testing drugs. Most of the drugs screening in mice are very difficult to be interpretated and often useless. Mouse models could be condiderated a 'pathway models', rather than as models for the whole complicated construct that makes a human disease. Non-invasive in vivo imaging in mice has gained increasing interest in preclinical research in the last years thanks to the availability of high-resolution single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), high field Magnetic resonance, Optical Imaging scanners and of highly specific contrast agents. Behavioral test are useful tool to characterize different animal models of neurodegenerative pathology. Furthermore, many authors have observed vascular pathological features associated to the different neurodegenerative disorders. Aim of this review is to focus on the different existing animal models of neurodegenerative disorders, describe behavioral tests and preclinical imaging techniques used for diagnose and describe the vascular pathological features associated to these diseases.
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35
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Schroeter A, Grandjean J, Schlegel F, Saab BJ, Rudin M. Contributions of structural connectivity and cerebrovascular parameters to functional magnetic resonance imaging signals in mice at rest and during sensory paw stimulation. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2017; 37:2368-2382. [PMID: 27596833 PMCID: PMC5531337 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x16666292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we reported widespread bilateral increases in stimulus-evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging signals in mouse brain to unilateral sensory paw stimulation. We attributed the pattern to arousal-related cardiovascular changes overruling cerebral autoregulation thereby masking specific signal changes elicited by local neuronal activity. To rule out the possibility that interhemispheric neuronal communication might contribute to bilateral functional magnetic resonance imaging responses, we compared stimulus-evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging responses to unilateral hindpaw stimulation in acallosal I/LnJ, C57BL/6, and BALB/c mice. We found bilateral blood-oxygenation-level dependent signal changes in all three strains, ruling out a dominant contribution of transcallosal communication as reason for bilaterality. Analysis of functional connectivity derived from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging, revealed that bilateral cortical functional connectivity is largely abolished in I/LnJ animals. Cortical functional connectivity in all strains correlated with structural connectivity in corpus callosum as revealed by diffusion tensor imaging. Given the profound influence of systemic hemodynamics on stimulus-evoked functional magnetic resonance imaging outcomes, we evaluated whether functional connectivity data might be affected by cerebrovascular parameters, i.e. baseline cerebral blood volume, vascular reactivity, and reserve. We found that effects of cerebral hemodynamics on functional connectivity are largely outweighed by dominating contributions of structural connectivity. In contrast, contributions of transcallosal interhemispheric communication to the occurrence of ipsilateral functional magnetic resonance imaging response of equal amplitude to unilateral stimuli seem negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aileen Schroeter
- 1 Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,2 Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- 1 Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,2 Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Schlegel
- 1 Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,2 Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bechara J Saab
- 2 Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,3 Preclinical Laboratory for Translational Research into Affective Disorders, University of Zurich Hospital for Psychiatry, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rudin
- 1 Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,2 Neuroscience Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,4 Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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36
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Wiesmann M, Roelofs M, van der Lugt R, Heerschap A, Kiliaan AJ, Claassen JAHR. Angiotensin II, hypertension and angiotensin II receptor antagonism: Roles in the behavioural and brain pathology of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2017; 37:2396-2413. [PMID: 27596834 PMCID: PMC5531339 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x16667364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Elevated angiotensin II causes hypertension and contributes to Alzheimer's disease by affecting cerebral blood flow. Angiotensin II receptor blockers may provide candidates to reduce (vascular) risk factors for Alzheimer's disease. We studied effects of two months of angiotensin II-induced hypertension on systolic blood pressure, and treatment with the angiotensin II receptor blockers, eprosartan mesylate, after one month of induced hypertension in wild-type C57bl/6j and AβPPswe/PS1ΔE9 (AβPP/PS1/Alzheimer's disease) mice. AβPP/PS1 showed higher systolic blood pressure than wild-type. Subsequent eprosartan mesylate treatment restored this elevated systolic blood pressure in all mice. Functional connectivity was decreased in angiotensin II-infused Alzheimer's disease and wild-type mice, and only 12 months of Alzheimer's disease mice showed impaired cerebral blood flow. Only angiotensin II-infused Alzheimer's disease mice exhibited decreased spatial learning in the Morris water maze. Altogether, angiotensin II-induced hypertension not only exacerbated Alzheimer's disease-like pathological changes such as impairment of cerebral blood flow, functional connectivity, and cognition only in Alzheimer's disease model mice, but it also induced decreased functional connectivity in wild-type mice. However, we could not detect hypertension-induced overexpression of Aβ nor increased neuroinflammation. Our findings suggest a link between midlife hypertension, decreased cerebral hemodynamics and connectivity in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Eprosartan mesylate treatment restored and beneficially affected cerebral blood flow and connectivity. This model could be used to investigate prevention/treatment strategies in early Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Wiesmann
- Department of Anatomy, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Monica Roelofs
- Department of Anatomy, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert van der Lugt
- Department of Anatomy, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Arend Heerschap
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Amanda J Kiliaan
- Department of Anatomy, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jurgen AHR Claassen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Radboud Alzheimer Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition & Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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37
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Dynamic reorganization of intrinsic functional networks in the mouse brain. Neuroimage 2017; 152:497-508. [PMID: 28315459 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional connectivity (FC) derived from resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) allows for the integrative study of neuronal processes at a macroscopic level. The majority of studies to date have assumed stationary interactions between brain regions, without considering the dynamic aspects of network organization. Only recently has the latter received increased attention, predominantly in human studies. Applying dynamic FC (dFC) analysis to mice is attractive given the relative simplicity of the mouse brain and the possibility to explore mechanisms underlying network dynamics using pharmacological, environmental or genetic interventions. Therefore, we have evaluated the feasibility and research potential of mouse dFC using the interventions of social stress or anesthesia duration as two case-study examples. By combining a sliding-window correlation approach with dictionary learning, several dynamic functional states (dFS) with a complex organization were identified, exhibiting highly dynamic inter- and intra-modular interactions. Each dFS displayed a high degree of reproducibility upon changes in analytical parameters and across datasets. They fluctuated at different degrees as a function of anesthetic depth, and were sensitive indicators of pathology as shown for the chronic psychosocial stress mouse model of depression. Dynamic functional states are proposed to make a major contribution to information integration and processing in the healthy and diseased brain.
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38
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Wiesmann M, Zerbi V, Jansen D, Lütjohann D, Veltien A, Heerschap A, Kiliaan AJ. Hypertension, cerebrovascular impairment, and cognitive decline in aged AβPP/PS1 mice. Theranostics 2017; 7:1277-1289. [PMID: 28435465 PMCID: PMC5399593 DOI: 10.7150/thno.18509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular risk factors, especially hypertension, are also major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To elucidate the underlying vascular origin of neurodegenerative processes in AD, we investigated the relation between systolic blood pressure (SBP) cerebral blood flow (CBF) and vasoreactivity with brain structure and function in a 16-18 months old double transgenic AβPPswe/PS1dE9 (AβPP/PS1) mouse model for AD. These aging AβPP/PS1 mice showed an increased SBP linked to a declined regional CBF. Furthermore, using advanced MRI techniques, decline of functional and structural connectivity was revealed in the AD-like mice coupled to impaired cognition, increased locomotor activity, and anxiety-related behavior. Post mortem analyses demonstrated also increased neuroinflammation, and both decreased synaptogenesis and neurogenesis in the AβPP/PS1 mice. Additionally, deviant levels of fatty acids and sterols were present in the brain tissue of the AβPP/PS1 mice indicating maladapted brain fatty acid metabolism. Our findings suggest a link between increased SBP, decreased cerebral hemodynamics and connectivity in an AD mouse model during aging, leading to behavioral and cognitive impairments. As these results mirror the complex clinical symptomatology in the prodromal phase of AD, we suggest that this AD-like murine model could be used to investigate prevention and treatment strategies for early AD patients. Moreover, this study helps to develop more efficient therapies and diagnostics for this very early stage of AD.
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39
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Wu T, Grandjean J, Bosshard SC, Rudin M, Reutens D, Jiang T. Altered regional connectivity reflecting effects of different anaesthesia protocols in the mouse brain. Neuroimage 2017; 149:190-199. [PMID: 28159688 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.01.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in mice using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) have provided opportunities to investigate the effects of pharmacological manipulations on brain function and map the phenotypes of mouse models of human brain disorders. Mouse rs-fMRI is typically performed under anaesthesia, which induces both regional suppression of brain activity and disruption of large-scale neural networks. Previous comparative studies using rodents investigating various drug effects on long-distance functional connectivity (FC) have reported agent-specific FC patterns, however, effects of regional suppression are sparsely explored. Here we examined changes in regional connectivity under six different anaesthesia conditions using mouse rs-fMRI with the goal of refining the framework of understanding the brain activation under anaesthesia at a local level. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) was used to map local synchronization in the brain, followed by analysis of several brain areas based on ReHo maps. The results revealed high local coherence in most brain areas. The primary somatosensory cortex and caudate-putamen showed agent-specific properties. Lower local coherence in the cingulate cortex was observed under medetomidine, particularly when compared to the combination of medetomidine and isoflurane. The thalamus was associated with retained local coherence across anaesthetic levels and multiple nuclei. These results show that anaesthesia induced by the investigated anaesthetics through different molecular targets promote agent-specific regional connectivity. In addition, ReHo is a data-driven method with minimum user interaction, easy to use and fast to compute. Given that examination of the brain at a local level is widely applied in human rs-fMRI studies, our results show its sensitivity to extract information on varied neuronal activity under six different regimens relevant to mouse functional imaging. These results, therefore, will inform future rs-fMRI studies on mice and the type of anaesthetic agent used, and will help to bridge observations between this burgeoning research field and ongoing human research across analytical scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wu
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Molecular Imaging and Functional Pharmacology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; Singapore BioImaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore
| | - Simone C Bosshard
- The Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Markus Rudin
- Molecular Imaging and Functional Pharmacology, Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - David Reutens
- The Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Brainnetome Centre, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory for NeuroInformation of the Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 625014, China
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Grandjean J, Azzinnari D, Seuwen A, Sigrist H, Seifritz E, Pryce CR, Rudin M. Chronic psychosocial stress in mice leads to changes in brain functional connectivity and metabolite levels comparable to human depression. Neuroimage 2016; 142:544-552. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
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Yoshida K, Mimura Y, Ishihara R, Nishida H, Komaki Y, Minakuchi T, Tsurugizawa T, Mimura M, Okano H, Tanaka KF, Takata N. Physiological effects of a habituation procedure for functional MRI in awake mice using a cryogenic radiofrequency probe. J Neurosci Methods 2016; 274:38-48. [PMID: 27702586 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2016.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in mice is typically performed under anesthesia due to difficulties in holding the head of awake mice stably with a conventional three-point fixation method that uses a tooth-bar and earplugs. Although some studies have succeeded in fMRI in awake mice by attaching a head-post on the skull, this cannot be applied to fMRI using a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) cryogenic MRI-detector, CryoProbe, because it covers the head of a mouse closely. NEW METHOD We developed head-fixation implements for awake mice that are applicable to fMRI using CryoProbe. RESULTS A head-bar was surgically attached to the skull of a mouse that was then habituated to a mock fMRI-environment, two hours/day for eight days with physiological examinations of body-weight, fecal weight, electromyogram (EMG), and electrocardiogram. EMG power decreased with just one day of habituation, whereas heart rate decreased after at least seven days of habituation. Estimated head motions of awake mice during fMRI were significantly smaller than a voxel size. Unexpectedly, temporal SNR of fMRI signals for awake mice was higher than that for anesthetized mice held by a conventional method. Functional connectivity in the brain of both anesthetized and awake mice showed bilateral and unilateral networks. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S): fMRI using CryoProbe had been performed on anesthetized mice previously. Our method does not use anesthetics during habituation or fMRI. CONCLUSION Our method would be beneficial for translational research using fMRI in mice and humans because human fMRI is typically performed without anesthetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keitaro Yoshida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yu Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Ishihara
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Nishida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yuji Komaki
- Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan
| | - Tomohito Minakuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Tsurugizawa
- NeuroSpin, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Kenji F Tanaka
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan
| | - Norio Takata
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, Keio University, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-8582, Japan; Central Institute for Experimental Animals (CIEA), 3-25-12 Tonomachi, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 210-0821, Japan.
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Dá Mesquita S, Ferreira AC, Sousa JC, Correia-Neves M, Sousa N, Marques F. Insights on the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease: The crosstalk between amyloid pathology, neuroinflammation and the peripheral immune system. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 68:547-562. [PMID: 27328788 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 06/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, whose prevalence is growing along with the increased life expectancy. Although the accumulation and deposition of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is viewed as one of the pathological hallmarks of AD and underlies, at least in part, brain cell dysfunction and behavior alterations, the etiology of this neurodegenerative disease is still poorly understood. Noticeably, increased amyloid load is accompanied by marked inflammatory alterations, both at the level of the brain parenchyma and at the barriers of the brain. However, it is debatable whether the neuroinflammation observed in aging and in AD, together with alterations in the peripheral immune system, are responsible for increased amyloidogenesis, decreased clearance of Aβ out of the brain and/or the marked deficits in memory and cognition manifested by AD patients. Herein, we scrutinize some important traits of the pathophysiology of aging and AD, focusing on the interplay between the amyloidogenic pathway, neuroinflammation and the peripheral immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Dá Mesquita
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Ana Catarina Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - João Carlos Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimaraes, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimaraes, Portugal.
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Shah D, Praet J, Latif Hernandez A, Höfling C, Anckaerts C, Bard F, Morawski M, Detrez JR, Prinsen E, Villa A, De Vos WH, Maggi A, D'Hooge R, Balschun D, Rossner S, Verhoye M, Van der Linden A. Early pathologic amyloid induces hypersynchrony of BOLD resting-state networks in transgenic mice and provides an early therapeutic window before amyloid plaque deposition. Alzheimers Dement 2016; 12:964-976. [PMID: 27107518 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Alzheimer's disease (AD), pathologic amyloid-beta (Aβ) is synaptotoxic and impairs neuronal function at the microscale, influencing brain networks at the macroscale before Aβ deposition. The latter can be detected noninvasively, in vivo, using resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), a technique used to assess brain functional connectivity (FC). METHODS RsfMRI was performed longitudinally in TG2576 and PDAPP mice, starting before Aβ deposition to determine the earliest FC changes. Additionally, the role of pathologic Aβ on early FC alterations was investigated by treating TG2576 mice with the 3D6 anti-Aβ-antibody. RESULTS Both transgenic models showed hypersynchronized FC before Aβ deposition and hyposynchronized FC at later stages. Early anti-Aβ treatment in TG2576 mice prevented hypersynchronous FC and the associated synaptic impairments and excitatory/inhibitory disbalances. DISCUSSION Hypersynchrony of FC may be used as a new noninvasive read out of early AD and can be recovered by anti-Aβ treatment, encouraging preventive treatment strategies in familial AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Disha Shah
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Jelle Praet
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Amira Latif Hernandez
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Corinna Höfling
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Cynthia Anckaerts
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Markus Morawski
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jan R Detrez
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Els Prinsen
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Alessandro Villa
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Winnok H De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium; Cell Systems and Imaging, Department Molecular Biotechnology, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adriana Maggi
- Center of Excellence on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Rudi D'Hooge
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Detlef Balschun
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, Department of Psychology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Steffen Rossner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
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Grandjean J, Derungs R, Kulic L, Welt T, Henkelman M, Nitsch RM, Rudin M. Complex interplay between brain function and structure during cerebral amyloidosis in APP transgenic mouse strains revealed by multi-parametric MRI comparison. Neuroimage 2016; 134:1-11. [PMID: 27033685 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder affecting the aging population. Neuroimaging methods, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have helped reveal alterations in the brain structure, metabolism, and function of patients and in groups at risk of developing AD, yet the nature of these alterations is poorly understood. Neuroimaging in mice is attractive for investigating mechanisms underlying functional and structural changes associated with AD pathology. Several preclinical murine models of AD have been generated based on transgenic insertion of human mutated APP genes. Depending on the specific mutations, mouse strains express different aspects of amyloid pathology, e.g. intracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates, parenchymal plaques, or cerebral amyloid angiopathy. We have applied multi-parametric MRI in three transgenic mouse lines to compare changes in brain function with resting-state fMRI and structure with diffusion tensor imaging and high resolution anatomical imaging. E22ΔAβ developing intracellular Aβ aggregates did not present functional or structural alterations compared to their wild-type littermates. PSAPP mice displaying parenchymal amyloid plaques displayed mild functional changes within the supplementary and barrel field cortices, and increased isocortical volume relative to controls. Extensive reduction in functional connectivity in the sensory-motor cortices and within the default mode network, as well as local volume increase in the midbrain relative to wild-type have been observed in ArcAβ mice bearing intracellular Aβ aggregates as well as parenchymal and vascular amyloid deposits. Patterns of functional and structural changes appear to be strain-specific and not directly related to amyloid deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanes Grandjean
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Rebecca Derungs
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Luka Kulic
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Welt
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mark Henkelman
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Roger M Nitsch
- Center for Neuroscience Research, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Center for Neuroscience Research, University and ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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Ielacqua GD, Schlegel F, Füchtemeier M, Xandry J, Rudin M, Klohs J. Magnetic Resonance Q Mapping Reveals a Decrease in Microvessel Density in the arcAβ Mouse Model of Cerebral Amyloidosis. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 7:241. [PMID: 26834622 PMCID: PMC4717293 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2015.00241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in density and morphology of the cerebral microvasculature have been reported to occur in Alzheimer's disease patients and animal models of the disease. In this study we compared magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques for their utility to detect age-dependent changes of the cerebral vasculature in the arcAβ mouse model of cerebral amyloidosis. Dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC)-MRI was performed by tracking the passage of a superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle in the brain with dynamic gradient echo planar imaging (EPI). From this measurements relative cerebral blood volume [rCBV(DSC)] and relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were estimated. For the same animal maps of the relaxation shift index Q were computed from high resolution gradient echo and spin echo data that were acquired before and after superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle injection. Q-values were used to derive estimates of microvessel density. The change in the relaxation rates ΔR2* obtained from pre- and post-contrast gradient echo data was used for the alternative determination of rCBV [rCBV(ΔR2*)]. Linear mixed effects modeling found no significant association between rCBV(DSC), rCBV(ΔR2*), rCBF, and Q with genotype in 13-month old mice [compared to age-matched non-transgenic littermates (NTLs)] for any of the evaluated brain regions. In 24-month old mice there was a significant association for rCBV(DSC) with genotype in the cerebral cortex, and for rCBV(ΔR2*) in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. For rCBF there was a significant association in the cerebellum but not in other brain regions. Q-values in the olfactory bulb, cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum in 24-month old mice were significantly associated with genotype. In those regions Q-values were reduced between 11 and 26% in arcAβ mice compared to age-matched NTLs. Vessel staining with CD31 immunohistochemistry confirmed a reduction of microvessel density in the old arcAβ mice. We further demonstrated a region-specific association between parenchymal and vascular deposition of β-amyloid and decreased vascular density, without a correlation with the amount of Aβ deposition. We found that Q mapping was more suitable than the hemodynamic read-outs to detect amyloid-related degeneration of the cerebral microvasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna D Ielacqua
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Felix Schlegel
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - Martina Füchtemeier
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesBerlin, Germany; Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité - University Medicine BerlinBerlin, Germany
| | - Jael Xandry
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of Zurich Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rudin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH ZurichZurich, Switzerland; Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Klohs
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH and University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich and ETH ZurichZurich, Switzerland
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Gozzi A, Schwarz AJ. Large-scale functional connectivity networks in the rodent brain. Neuroimage 2015; 127:496-509. [PMID: 26706448 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Revised: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rsfMRI) of the human brain has revealed multiple large-scale neural networks within a hierarchical and complex structure of coordinated functional activity. These distributed neuroanatomical systems provide a sensitive window on brain function and its disruption in a variety of neuropathological conditions. The study of macroscale intrinsic connectivity networks in preclinical species, where genetic and environmental conditions can be controlled and manipulated with high specificity, offers the opportunity to elucidate the biological determinants of these alterations. While rsfMRI methods are now widely used in human connectivity research, these approaches have only relatively recently been back-translated into laboratory animals. Here we review recent progress in the study of functional connectivity in rodent species, emphasising the ability of this approach to resolve large-scale brain networks that recapitulate neuroanatomical features of known functional systems in the human brain. These include, but are not limited to, a distributed set of regions identified in rats and mice that may represent a putative evolutionary precursor of the human default mode network (DMN). The impact and control of potential experimental and methodological confounds are also critically discussed. Finally, we highlight the enormous potential and some initial application of connectivity mapping in transgenic models as a tool to investigate the neuropathological underpinnings of the large-scale connectional alterations associated with human neuropsychiatric and neurological conditions. We conclude by discussing the translational potential of these methods in basic and applied neuroscience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Gozzi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems at UniTn, Rovereto, Italy.
| | - Adam J Schwarz
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA; Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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Jonckers E, Shah D, Hamaide J, Verhoye M, Van der Linden A. The power of using functional fMRI on small rodents to study brain pharmacology and disease. Front Pharmacol 2015; 6:231. [PMID: 26539115 PMCID: PMC4612660 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is an excellent tool to study the effect of pharmacological modulations on brain function in a non-invasive and longitudinal manner. We introduce several blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI techniques, including resting state (rsfMRI), stimulus-evoked (st-fMRI), and pharmacological MRI (phMRI). Respectively, these techniques permit the assessment of functional connectivity during rest as well as brain activation triggered by sensory stimulation and/or a pharmacological challenge. The first part of this review describes the physiological basis of BOLD fMRI and the hemodynamic response on which the MRI contrast is based. Specific emphasis goes to possible effects of anesthesia and the animal’s physiological conditions on neural activity and the hemodynamic response. The second part of this review describes applications of the aforementioned techniques in pharmacologically induced, as well as in traumatic and transgenic disease models and illustrates how multiple fMRI methods can be applied successfully to evaluate different aspects of a specific disorder. For example, fMRI techniques can be used to pinpoint the neural substrate of a disease beyond previously defined hypothesis-driven regions-of-interest. In addition, fMRI techniques allow one to dissect how specific modifications (e.g., treatment, lesion etc.) modulate the functioning of specific brain areas (st-fMRI, phMRI) and how functional connectivity (rsfMRI) between several brain regions is affected, both in acute and extended time frames. Furthermore, fMRI techniques can be used to assess/explore the efficacy of novel treatments in depth, both in fundamental research as well as in preclinical settings. In conclusion, by describing several exemplary studies, we aim to highlight the advantages of functional MRI in exploring the acute and long-term effects of pharmacological substances and/or pathology on brain functioning along with several methodological considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Jonckers
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Disha Shah
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Julie Hamaide
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marleen Verhoye
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Annemie Van der Linden
- Bio-Imaging Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp Antwerp, Belgium
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Network Disruption and Cerebrospinal Fluid Amyloid-Beta and Phospho-Tau Levels in Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Neurosci 2015; 35:10325-30. [PMID: 26180207 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0704-15.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Synaptic dysfunction is a core deficit in Alzheimer's disease, preceding hallmark pathological abnormalities. Resting-state magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used to assess whether functional connectivity patterns, as an index of synaptic dysfunction, are associated with CSF biomarkers [i.e., phospho-tau (p-tau) and amyloid beta (Aβ42) levels]. We studied 12 human subjects diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, comparing those with normal and abnormal CSF levels of the biomarkers. We also evaluated the association between aberrant functional connections and structural connectivity abnormalities, measured with diffusion tensor imaging, as well as the convergent impact of cognitive deficits and CSF variables on network disorganization. One-third of the patients converted to Alzheimer's disease during a follow-up period of 2.5 years. Patients with abnomal CSF p-tau and Aβ42 levels exhibited both reduced and increased functional connectivity affecting limbic structures such as the anterior/posterior cingulate cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, and medial temporal areas in different frequency bands. A reduction in posterior cingulate functional connectivity mediated by p-tau was associated with impaired axonal integrity of the hippocampal cingulum. We noted that several connectivity abnormalities were predicted by CSF biomarkers and cognitive scores. These preliminary results indicate that CSF markers of amyloid deposition and neuronal injury in early Alzheimer's disease associate with a dual pattern of cortical network disruption, affecting key regions of the default mode network and the temporal cortex. MEG is useful to detect early synaptic dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease brain pathology in terms of functional network organization. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT In this preliminary study, we used magnetoencephalography and an integrative approach to explore the impact of CSF biomarkers, neuropsychological scores, and white matter structural abnormalities on neural function in mild cognitive impairment. Disruption in functional connectivity between several pairs of cortical regions associated with abnormal levels of biomarkers, cognitive deficits, or with impaired axonal integrity of hippocampal tracts. Amyloid deposition and tau protein-related neuronal injury in early Alzheimer's disease are associated with synaptic dysfunction and a dual pattern of cortical network disorganization (i.e., desynchronization and hypersynchronization) that affects key regions of the default mode network and temporal areas.
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Mapping the mouse brain with rs-fMRI: An optimized pipeline for functional network identification. Neuroimage 2015; 123:11-21. [PMID: 26296501 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.07.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2015] [Revised: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of resting state fMRI (rs-fMRI) in translational research is a powerful tool to assess brain connectivity and investigate neuropathology in mouse models. However, despite encouraging initial results, the characterization of consistent and robust resting state networks in mice remains a methodological challenge. One key reason is that the quality of the measured MR signal is degraded by the presence of structural noise from non-neural sources. Notably, in the current pipeline of the Human Connectome Project, a novel approach has been introduced to clean rs-fMRI data, which involves automatic artifact component classification and data cleaning (FIX). FIX does not require any external recordings of physiology or the segmentation of CSF and white matter. In this study, we evaluated the performance of FIX for analyzing mouse rs-fMRI data. Our results showed that FIX can be easily applied to mouse datasets and detects true signals with 100% accuracy and true noise components with very high accuracy (>98%), thus reducing both within- and between-subject variability of rs-fMRI connectivity measurements. Using this improved pre-processing pipeline, maps of 23 resting state circuits in mice were identified including two networks that displayed default mode network-like topography. Hierarchical clustering grouped these neural networks into meaningful larger functional circuits. These mouse resting state networks, which are publicly available, might serve as a reference for future work using mouse models of neurological disorders.
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Herrick R, Horton W, Olsen T, McKay M, Archie KA, Marcus DS. XNAT Central: Open sourcing imaging research data. Neuroimage 2015; 124:1093-1096. [PMID: 26143202 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.06.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2015] [Revised: 06/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
XNAT Central is a publicly accessible medical imaging data repository based on the XNAT open-source imaging informatics platform. It hosts a wide variety of research imaging data sets. The primary motivation for creating XNAT Central was to provide a central repository to host and provide access to a wide variety of neuroimaging data. In this capacity, XNAT Central hosts a number of data sets from research labs and investigative efforts from around the world, including the OASIS Brains imaging studies, the NUSDAST study of schizophrenia, and more. Over time, XNAT Central has expanded to include imaging data from many different fields of research, including oncology, orthopedics, cardiology, and animal studies, but continues to emphasize neuroimaging data. Through the use of XNAT's DICOM metadata extraction capabilities, XNAT Central provides a searchable repository of imaging data that can be referenced by groups, labs, or individuals working in many different areas of research. The future development of XNAT Central will be geared towards greater ease of use as a reference library of heterogeneous neuroimaging data and associated synthetic data. It will also become a tool for making data available supporting published research and academic articles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rick Herrick
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - William Horton
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Michael McKay
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kevin A Archie
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daniel S Marcus
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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