1
|
Liu W, Li J, Yang M, Ke X, Dai Y, Lin H, Wang S, Chen L, Tao J. Chemical genetic activation of the cholinergic basal forebrain hippocampal circuit rescues memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2022; 14:53. [PMID: 35418161 PMCID: PMC9006585 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-00994-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Background The degeneration of the cholinergic circuit from the basal forebrain to the hippocampus contributes to memory loss in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the internal relationships between the acetylcholine (Ach) cycle and memory decline during the early stages of AD currently remain unknown. Here, we investigate the mechanisms underlying the activation of the cholinergic circuit and its impact on learning and memory using APP/PS1 mice models. Methods Novel object recognition and Morris water maze tests were used to measure learning and memory function. Magnetic resonance spectrum (MRS) imaging was applied to longitudinally track changes in neurochemical metabolism in APP/PS1 mice aged 2, 4, 6, and 8 months. The number of neurons and the deposition of Aβ plaques were measured using Nissl, immunohistochemistry, and Thioflavin S staining. We then employed a chemogenetic strategy to selectively activate the cholinergic circuit from the medial septal nucleus (MS) and the vertical limb of the diagonal band nucleus (VDB) on the basal forebrain to the hippocampus. MRS and immunoblotting techniques were used to measure the neurochemical metabolism levels and cholinergic-related proteins, respectively. Results We found that the levels of choline (Cho) in the basal forebrain were markedly higher compared to other brain regions and that its decrease along with N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels in the hippocampus was accompanied by memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice aged 4, 6, and 8 months. In terms of pathology, we observed that the deposition of Aβ plaques gradually aggravated throughout the cerebral cortex and hippocampus in APP/PS1 mice aged 6 and 8 months, while no Aβ deposition was detected in the basal forebrain. In contrast, the activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) enzyme in the basal forebrain was decreased at 6 months of age and the cholinergic neurons were lost in the basal forebrain at 8 months of age. In addition, the activation of the cholinergic circuit from the MS and VDB to the hippocampus using chemical genetics is able to improve learning and reduce memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice. Similarly, the levels of Cho in the basal forebrain; NAA in the hippocampus, as well as the expression of ChAT and vesicular acetylcholine transporter (vAchT) in the basal forebrain; and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 2 (CHRM2) in the hippocampus all increased. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the neurochemical Cho and NAA of the cholinergic circuit can be used as biomarkers to enable the early diagnosis of AD. In addition, memory impairment in APP/PS1 mice can be attenuated using chemical genetics-driven Ach cycle activity of the cholinergic circuit. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-022-00994-w.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weilin Liu
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.,The Academy of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Jianhong Li
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Minguang Yang
- The Academy of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaohua Ke
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Yaling Dai
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Huawei Lin
- Rehabilitation Medical Technology Joint National Local Engineering Research Center, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Sinuo Wang
- Rehabilitation Medical Technology Joint National Local Engineering Research Center, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Lidian Chen
- The Academy of Rehabilitation Industry, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Jing Tao
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu H, Zhang D, Lin H, Zhang Q, Zheng L, Zheng Y, Yin X, Li Z, Liang S, Huang S. Meta-Analysis of Neurochemical Changes Estimated via Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:738971. [PMID: 34744689 PMCID: PMC8569809 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.738971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The changes of neurochemicals in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has been observed via magnetic resonance spectroscopy in several studies. However, whether it exists the consistent pattern of changes of neurochemicals in the encephalic region during the progression of MCI to AD were still not clear. The study performed meta-analysis to investigate the patterns of neurochemical changes in the encephalic region in the progress of AD. We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, and finally included 63 studies comprising 1,086 MCI patients, 1,256 AD patients, and 1,907 healthy controls. It showed that during the progression from MCI to AD, N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) decreased continuously in the posterior cingulate (PC) (SMD: −0.42 [95% CI: −0.62 to −0.21], z = −3.89, P < 0.05), NAA/Cr (creatine) was consistently reduced in PC (SMD: −0.58 [95% CI: −0.86 to −0.30], z = −4.06, P < 0.05) and hippocampus (SMD: −0.65 [95% CI: −1.11 to −0.12], z = −2.44, P < 0.05), while myo-inositol (mI) (SMD: 0.44 [95% CI: 0.26–0.61], z = 4.97, P < 0.05) and mI/Cr (SMD: 0.43 [95% CI: 0.17–0.68], z = 3.30, P < 0.05) were raised in PC. Furthermore, these results were further verified by a sustained decrease in the NAA/mI of PC (SMD: −0.94 [95% CI: −1.24 to −0.65], z = −6.26, P < 0.05). Therefore, the levels of NAA and mI were associated with the cognitive decline and might be used as potentially biomarkers to predict the possible progression from MCI to AD. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42020200308.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Liu
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dandan Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Huawei Lin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ling Zheng
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- College of Rehabilitation Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Yin
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zuanfang Li
- Academy of Integrative Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Geriatrics, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shengxiang Liang
- National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Rehabilitation Medicine Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Rehabilitation Industry Institute, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Traditional Chinese Medicine Rehabilitation Research Center of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Saie Huang
- Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Subsidiary Rehabilitation Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tong T, Lu H, Zong J, Lv Q, Chu X. Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment in patients with breast cancer based on MRS and DTI analysis. Breast Cancer 2020; 27:893-902. [PMID: 32301096 DOI: 10.1007/s12282-020-01094-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in breast cancer patients, analyze absolute concentration and structural changes of metabolites in different brain regions by multimodal neuroimaging technology, and explore correlation between them. Breast cancer patients with chemotherapy treatment group (Ctx+, N = 24) and control group without treatment (Ctx-, N = 20) underwent neuropsychological tests, multivoxel magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) before and after chemotherapy. Regions of interest (ROls) in magnetic resonance scan include bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG), bilateral dorsal thalamus (DT), bilateral lenticular nucleus (LN), bilateral posterior horn of the lateral ventricle paratrigonal white matter (PWM). In MRS, absolute concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), myo-inositol (MI), choline-containing compounds (Cho), total creatine (tCr), glutamine + glutamate (Glx) were quantified using LC Model and SAGE software. In DTI, we used fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) to reflect white matter integrity. In Ctx+ patients, scores of functional assessment of cancer treatment cognition test (FACT-Cog), perceived cognitive impairments (PCI), impact of perceived impairments on quality of life (QOL), perceived cognitive abilities (PCA), auditory-verbal learning test (AVLT) recognition and clock drawing test (CDT) were lower than those before chemotherapy (p < 0.05). In MRS, Ctx+ patients had significantly lower NAA values in bilateral PCG, DT, respectively. The concentrations of tCr were observed to decline in bilateral PCG and right DT. Glx values decreased in right DT. Cho values decreased significantly in bilateral DT. In DTI, Ctx+ patients had lower FA values in bilateral PCG compared with patients before chemotherapy. Among imaging metrics and cognitive scores, positive correlations were observed between changes in AVLT recognition scores and changes in NAA values in bilateral PCG (left PCG: r = 0.470, p < 0.01; right PCG: r = 0.500, p < 0.01). Positive correlations were also found between changes in AVLT recognition and changes in FA values in bilateral PCG (left PCG: r = 0.513, p < 0.01; right PCG: r = 0.563, p < 0.01). Chemotherapy can lead to a decrease in memory function, accompanied by changes in brain metabolite concentration and white matter integrity in some parts of brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taishan Tong
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 200 Huihe Road, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 200 Huihe Road, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jian Zong
- Department of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Lv
- Department of Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xing Chu
- Department of Psychology and Psychiatry, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 200 Huihe Road, Wuxi, 214000, Jiangsu, China.
| |
Collapse
|