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Zaki M, Youness ER, Orban HA, Ahmed HM, Moustafa RSI, Alzaree FA, Ashaat EA, El-Bassyouni HT. Potential biomarkers of ASD a target for future treatments: oxidative stress, chemokines, apoptotic, and methylation capacity. JOURNAL OF COMPLEMENTARY & INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE 2024; 0:jcim-2024-0145. [PMID: 38960893 DOI: 10.1515/jcim-2024-0145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aimed to assess the effect of these biomarkers on a sample of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to help in early diagnosis and intervention. METHODS A total of 71 autistic patients and 65 normal controls were enrolled in this study. Their ages ranged from 5 to 11 years (mean ± SD 7.47 ± 3.81). Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) was assessed for all patients and controls. Assessment of oxidative stress, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), and apelin was performed. RESULTS Oxidative stress (oxidized low-density lipoprotein and malonaldehyde) increased while antioxidant paraoxonase (PON) decreased. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, B-cell lymphoma 2, and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) were all elevated whereas, apelin was downregulated. CONCLUSIONS It is important to note that many factors that may contribute to ASD including genetic factors. To open the door for novel treatment strategies, it is still necessary to precisely understand how oxidative stress, chemokines, apoptosis, and methylation capability affect the metabolism of people with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moushira Zaki
- Biological Anthropology Department, 68787 Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute-National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman R Youness
- Medical Biochemistry Department, 68787 Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute-National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hisham A Orban
- Medical Biochemistry Department, 68787 Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute-National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hend M Ahmed
- Medical Biochemistry Department, 68787 Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute-National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rehab S I Moustafa
- Child Health Department, 68787 Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fatma A Alzaree
- Child Health Department, 68787 Medical Research and Clinical Studies Institute, National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Engy A Ashaat
- Clinical Genetics Department, 68787 Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala T El-Bassyouni
- Clinical Genetics Department, 68787 Human Genetics and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre , Cairo, Egypt
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2
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Sandhu A, Rawat K, Gautam V, Bhatia A, Grover S, Saini L, Saha L. Ameliorating effect of pioglitazone on prenatal valproic acid-induced behavioral and neurobiological abnormalities in autism spectrum disorder in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 237:173721. [PMID: 38307465 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2024.173721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disorder that mainly arises due to abnormalities in different brain regions, resulting in behavioral deficits. Besides its diverse phenotypical features, ASD is associated with complex and varied etiology, presenting challenges in understanding its precise neuro-pathophysiology. Pioglitazone was reported to have a fundamental role in neuroprotection in various other neurological disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of pioglitazone in the prenatal valproic acid (VPA)-model of ASD in Wistar rats. Pregnant female Wistar rats received VPA on Embryonic day (E.D12.5) to induce autistic-like-behavioral and neurobiological alterations in their offspring. VPA-exposed rats presented core behavioral symptoms of ASD such as deficits in social interaction, poor spatial and learning behavior, increased anxiety, locomotory and repetitive activity, and decreased exploratory activity. Apart from these, VPA exposure also stimulated neurochemical and histopathological neurodegeneration in various brain regions. We administered three different doses of pioglitazone i.e., 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg in rats to assess various parameters. Of all the doses, our study highlighted that 10 mg/kg pioglitazone efficiently attenuated the autistic symptoms along with other neurochemical alterations such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, pioglitazone significantly attenuated the neurodegeneration by restoring the neuronal loss in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Taken together, our study suggests that pioglitazone exhibits therapeutic potential in alleviating behavioral abnormalities induced by prenatal VPA exposure in rats. However, further research is needed to fully understand and establish pioglitazone's effectiveness in treating ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arushi Sandhu
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), 4th Floor, Research Block B, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Kajal Rawat
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), 4th Floor, Research Block B, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Vipasha Gautam
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), 4th Floor, Research Block B, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Alka Bhatia
- Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education andResearch (PGIMER), 2nd Floor, Research Block B, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Sandeep Grover
- Department of Psychiatry, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Lokesh Saini
- Department of Paediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Jodhpur 342001, Rajasthan, India
| | - Lekha Saha
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), 4th Floor, Research Block B, Chandigarh 160012, India.
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3
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Zarate-Lopez D, Torres-Chávez AL, Gálvez-Contreras AY, Gonzalez-Perez O. Three Decades of Valproate: A Current Model for Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:260-289. [PMID: 37873949 PMCID: PMC10788883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231003121513] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence and incidence in recent decades. Its etiology remains largely unclear, but it seems to involve a strong genetic component and environmental factors that, in turn, induce epigenetic changes during embryonic and postnatal brain development. In recent decades, clinical studies have shown that inutero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, is an environmental factor associated with an increased risk of ASD. Subsequently, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents has been established as a reliable translational model to study the pathophysiology of ASD, which has helped demonstrate neurobiological changes in rodents, non-human primates, and brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. This evidence supports the notion that prenatal VPA exposure is a valid and current model to replicate an idiopathic ASD-like disorder in experimental animals. This review summarizes and describes the current features reported with this animal model of autism and the main neurobiological findings and correlates that help elucidate the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we discuss the general framework of the VPA model in comparison to other environmental and genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zarate-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Ana Laura Torres-Chávez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Alma Yadira Gálvez-Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
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4
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Iezzi D, Curti L, Ranieri G, Gerace E, Costa A, Ilari A, La Rocca A, Luceri C, D'Ambrosio M, Silvestri L, Scardigli M, Mannaioni G, Masi A. Acute rapamycin rescues the hyperexcitable phenotype of accumbal medium spiny neurons in the valproic acid rat model of autism spectrum disorder. Pharmacol Res 2022; 183:106401. [PMID: 35987482 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an environmental model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), leads to a hyperexcitable phenotype associated with downregulation of inward-rectifying potassium currents in nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) of adolescent rats. Aberrant mTOR pathway function has been associated with autistic-like phenotypes in multiple animal models, including gestational exposure to VPA. The purpose of this work was to probe the involvement of the mTOR pathway in VPA-induced alterations of striatal excitability. Adolescent male Wistar rats prenatally exposed to VPA were treated acutely with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin and used for behavioral tests, ex vivo brain slice electrophysiology, single-neuron morphometric analysis, synaptic protein quantification and gene expression analysis in the NAc. We report that postnatal rapamycin ameliorates the social deficit and reverts the abnormal excitability, but not the inward-rectifying potassium current defect, of accumbal MSNs. Synaptic transmission and neuronal morphology were largely unaffected by prenatal VPA exposure or postnatal rapamycin treatment. Transcriptome analysis revealed extensive deregulation of genes implied in neurodevelopmental disorders and ionic mechanisms exerted by prenatal VPA, which was partially reverted by postnatal rapamycin. The results of this work support the existence of antagonistic interaction between mTOR and VPA-induced pathways on social behavior, neurophysiological phenotype and gene expression profile, thus prompting further investigation of the mTOR pathway in the quest for specific therapeutic targets in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Iezzi
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy; Institut de Neurobiologie de la MEDiterranée - INMED, 163, Avenue de Luminy - Parc Scientifique, 13009, Marseille, France
| | - L Curti
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - G Ranieri
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - E Gerace
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Costa
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Ilari
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A La Rocca
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - C Luceri
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - M D'Ambrosio
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - L Silvestri
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - M Scardigli
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Via Sansone 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, Via Nello Carrara 1, 50019, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - G Mannaioni
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy
| | - A Masi
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino - NEUROFARBA, viale Pieraccini 6, 50139, Firenze, Italy.
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5
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Intelligent Diagnosis and Analysis of Brain Lymphoma Based on DSC Imaging Features. COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2022:4981620. [PMID: 35251152 PMCID: PMC8894066 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4981620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Currently, DSC has been extensively studied in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognosis evaluation of brain lymphoma, but it has not obtained a uniform standard. By combining DSC imaging features, this study investigated the imaging features and diagnostic value of several types of tumors such as primary brain lymphoma. At the same time, this study obtained data from brain lymphoma patients by data collection and set up different groups to conduct experimental studies to explore the correlation between IVIMMRI perfusion parameters and DSC perfusion parameters in brain lymphoma. Through experimental research, it can be seen that the combination of two perfusion imaging techniques can more fully reflect the blood flow properties of the lesion, which is beneficial to determine the nature of the lesion.
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6
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Sato A, Kotajima-Murakami H, Tanaka M, Katoh Y, Ikeda K. Influence of Prenatal Drug Exposure, Maternal Inflammation, and Parental Aging on the Development of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:821455. [PMID: 35222122 PMCID: PMC8863673 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.821455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects reciprocal social interaction and produces abnormal repetitive, restrictive behaviors and interests. The diverse causes of ASD are divided into genetic alterations and environmental risks. The prevalence of ASD has been rising for several decades, which might be related to environmental risks as it is difficult to consider that the prevalence of genetic disorders related to ASD would increase suddenly. The latter includes (1) exposure to medications, such as valproic acid (VPA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (2), maternal complications during pregnancy, including infection and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and (3) high parental age. Epidemiological studies have indicated a pathogenetic role of prenatal exposure to VPA and maternal inflammation in the development of ASD. VPA is considered to exert its deleterious effects on the fetal brain through several distinct mechanisms, such as alterations of γ-aminobutyric acid signaling, the inhibition of histone deacetylase, the disruption of folic acid metabolism, and the activation of mammalian target of rapamycin. Maternal inflammation that is caused by different stimuli converges on a higher load of proinflammatory cytokines in the fetal brain. Rodent models of maternal exposure to SSRIs generate ASD-like behavior in offspring, but clinical correlations with these preclinical findings are inconclusive. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and advanced parental age increase the risk of ASD in humans, but the mechanisms have been poorly investigated in animal models. Evidence of the mechanisms by which environmental factors are related to ASD is discussed, which may contribute to the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Miho Tanaka
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Katoh
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Ikeda
- Addictive Substance Project, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Xie J, Han Q, Wei Z, Wang Y, Wang S, Chen M. Phenanthrene induces autism-like behavior by promoting oxidative stress and mTOR pathway activation. Toxicology 2021; 461:152910. [PMID: 34453960 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Autism is thought to be associated with both environmental and genetic factors. Phenanthrene (Phe) makes up a relatively high proportion of the low-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. However, the association between exposure to Phe and Autism remain unclear. In this study, the effect and mechanisms of phenanthrene exposure on autistic behavior were investigated. Three-week-old male Kunming mice were exposed to doses of 5, 50, or 500 μg/kg/d Phe for 22 days. Exposure to phenanthrene induced a marked decrease in the activity of the mice in the central area in the open field test, and caused a significant decrease in communication with unfamiliar mice in the three-chambered social test. The hippocampus of the mice exposed to high concentrations of Phe showed pathological changes. Exposure to phenanthrene induced an increase in the levels of ROS and a decrease in levels of glutathione, and caused a significant decrease in the expression of Shank3 and Beclin1. This also led to an increase in the phosphorylation levels of Akt and mTOR. However, administering Rapamycin or vitamin E, inhibited the oxidative stress and activation of the mTOR pathway induced by Phe exposure, effectively alleviating the above-mentioned autistic-like anxious social behaviors. These results indicate that exposure to phenanthrene will lead to autism-like behavior. The underlying mechanism involves oxidative stress and the mTOR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Qi Han
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Zhaolan Wei
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Yunyi Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Shuwei Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China
| | - Mingqing Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Genetic Regulation and Integrative Biology, School of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, 430079, Hubei, China.
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8
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Mao Y, Jiang M, Zhao F, Long L. Intelligent diagnosis and analysis of brain lymphoma based on imaging features. JOURNAL OF INTELLIGENT & FUZZY SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3233/jifs-189808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Currently, DSC has been extensively studied in the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of brain lymphoma, but it has not obtained a uniform standard. By combining DSC imaging features, this study investigated the imaging features and diagnostic value of several types of tumors such as primary brain lymphoma. At the same time, this study obtained data from brain lymphoma patients by data collection and set up different groups to conduct experimental studies to explore the correlation between IVIM-MRI perfusion parameters and DSC perfusion parameters in brain lymphoma. Through experimental research, it can be seen that the combination of two perfusion imaging techniques can more fully reflect the blood flow properties of the lesion, which is beneficial to determine the nature of the lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yipu Mao
- Department of Radiology, Nanning First People’s Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Muliang Jiang
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Fanyu Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ethnic Hospital, Nanning, Guangxi, China
| | - Liling Long
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, China
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9
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Srinivasan V, Korhonen L, Lindholm D. The Unfolded Protein Response and Autophagy as Drug Targets in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:554548. [PMID: 33132844 PMCID: PMC7550790 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.554548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurons are polarized in structure with a cytoplasmic compartment extending into dendrites and a long axon that terminates at the synapse. The high level of compartmentalization imposes specific challenges for protein quality control in neurons making them vulnerable to disturbances that may lead to neurological dysfunctions including neuropsychiatric diseases. Synapse and dendrites undergo structural modulations regulated by neuronal activity involve key proteins requiring strict control of their turnover rates and degradation pathways. Recent advances in the study of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and autophagy processes have brought novel insights into the specific roles of these processes in neuronal physiology and synaptic signaling. In this review, we highlight recent data and concepts about UPR and autophagy in neuropsychiatric disorders and synaptic plasticity including a brief outline of possible therapeutic approaches to influence UPR and autophagy signaling in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignesh Srinivasan
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki 2U, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Laura Korhonen
- Department of Biochemical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Region Östergötland, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Dan Lindholm
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.,Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Biomedicum Helsinki 2U, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Chaliha D, Albrecht M, Vaccarezza M, Takechi R, Lam V, Al-Salami H, Mamo J. A Systematic Review of the Valproic-Acid-Induced Rodent Model of Autism. Dev Neurosci 2020; 42:12-48. [DOI: 10.1159/000509109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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11
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Rojas-Carvajal M, Sequeira-Cordero A, Brenes JC. Neurobehavioral Effects of Restricted and Unpredictable Environmental Enrichment in Rats. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:674. [PMID: 32477137 PMCID: PMC7235364 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
To study how motivational factors modulate experience-dependent neurobehavioral plasticity, we modify a protocol of environmental enrichment (EE) in rats. We assumed that the benefits derived from EE might vary according to the level of incentive salience attributed to it. To enhance the rewarding properties of EE, access to the EE cage varied randomly from 2 to 48 h for 30 days (REE). The REE group was enriched only 50% of the time and was compared to standard housing and continuous EE (CEE) groups. As behavioral readout, we analyzed the spontaneous activity and the ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) within the EE cage weekly, and in the open field test at the end of the experiment. In the cage, REE increased the utilization of materials, physical activity, and the rate of appetitive USVs. In the OF, the CEE-induced enhancements in novelty habituation and social signaling were equaled by the REE. At the neural level, we measured the expression of genes related to neural plasticity and epigenetic regulations in different brain regions. In the dorsal striatum and hippocampus, REE upregulated the expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor, its tropomyosin kinase B receptor, and the DNA methyltransferase 3A. Altogether, our results suggest that the higher activity within the cage and the augmented incentive motivation provoked by the REE boosted its neurobehavioral effects equaling or surpassing those observed in the CEE condition. As constant exposures to treatments or stimulating environments are virtually impossible for humans, restricted EE protocols would have greater translational value than traditional ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mijail Rojas-Carvajal
- Neuroscience Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Institute for Psychological Research, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Andrey Sequeira-Cordero
- Neuroscience Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Institute for Health Research, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
| | - Juan C Brenes
- Neuroscience Research Center, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica.,Institute for Psychological Research, University of Costa Rica, San Pedro, Costa Rica
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12
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Suppression of Akt-mTOR pathway rescued the social behavior in Cntnap2-deficient mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3041. [PMID: 30816216 PMCID: PMC6395585 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39434-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) form a heterogeneous, neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by deficits in social interactions and repetitive behavior/restricted interests. Dysregulation of mTOR signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain types of ASD, and inhibition of mTOR by rapamycin has been demonstrated to be an effective therapeutics for impaired social interaction in Tsc1+/−, Tsc2+/−, Pten−/− mice and valproic acid-induced ASD animal models. However, it is still unknown if dysregulation of mTOR signaling is responsible for the ASD-related deficit caused by other genes mutations. Contactin associated protein-like 2 (CNTNAP2) is the first widely replicated autism-predisposition gene. Mice deficient in Cntnap2 (Cntnap2−/− mice) show core ASD-like phenotypes, and have been demonstrated as a validated model for ASD-relevant drug discovery. In this study, we found hyperactive Akt-mTOR signaling in the hippocampus of Cntnap2−/− mice with RNA sequencing followed with biochemical analysis. Treatment with Akt inhibitor LY294002 or mTOR inhibitor rapamycin rescued the social deficit, but had no effect on hyperactivity and repetitive behavior/restricted behavior in Cntnap2−/− mice. We further showed that the effect of LY294002 and rapamycin on social behaviors is reversible. Our results thus identified hyperactive Akt-mTOR signaling pathway as a therapeutic target for abnormal social behavior in patients with dysfunction of CNTNAP2.
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13
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Mirza R, Sharma B. Benefits of Fenofibrate in prenatal valproic acid-induced autism spectrum disorder related phenotype in rats. Brain Res Bull 2019; 147:36-46. [PMID: 30769127 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with two major behavioral symptoms i.e. repetitive behavior and social-communication impairment. The unknown etiology of ASD is responsible for the difficulty in identifying the possible therapeutic modulators for ASD. Valproic acid (VPA) is an anticonvulsant drug in both human and rodents with teratogenic effects during pregnancy. Therefore, prenatal exposure of VPA induced autism spectrum disorder like phenotypes in both human and rodents. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) is widely localized in the brain. This research investigates the utility of fenofibrate, a selective agonist of PPAR-α in prenatal VPA-induced experimental ASD in Wistar rats. The prenatal VPA has induced social impairment (three chambers social behavior apparatus), repetitive behavior (Y-maze), hyperlocomotion (actophotometer), anxiety (elevated plus maze) and low exploratory activity (hole board test). Also, prenatal VPA treated rats have shown higher levels of oxidative stress (increased in thiobarbituric acid reactive species and decreased in reduced glutathione level) and inflammation (increased in interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α and decreased in interleukin-10) in the cerebellum, brainstem and prefrontal cortex. Treatment with fenofibrate significantly attenuated prenatal VPA-induced social impairment, repetitive behavior, hyperactivity, anxiety, and low exploratory activity. Furthermore, fenofibrate also decreased the prenatal VPA-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in brain regions. Hence, it may be concluded that fenofibrate may provide neurobehavioral and biochemical benefits in prenatal VPA-induced autism phenotypes in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roohi Mirza
- Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Bhupesh Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India; CNS Pharmacology, Conscience Research, Delhi, India.
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Kuo HY, Liu FC. Molecular Pathology and Pharmacological Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder-Like Phenotypes Using Rodent Models. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:422. [PMID: 30524240 PMCID: PMC6262306 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder with a high prevalence rate. The core symptoms of ASD patients are impaired social communication and repetitive behavior. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to pathophysiology of ASD. Regarding environmental risk factors, it is known that valproic acid (VPA) exposure during pregnancy increases the chance of ASD among offspring. Over a decade of animal model studies have shown that maternal treatment with VPA in rodents recapitulates ASD-like pathophysiology at a molecular, cellular and behavioral level. Here, we review the prevailing theories of ASD pathogenesis, including excitatory/inhibitory imbalance, neurotransmitter dysfunction, dysfunction of mTOR and endocannabinoid signaling pathways, neuroinflammation and epigenetic alterations that have been associated with ASD. We also describe the evidence linking neuropathological changes to ASD-like behavioral abnormalities in maternal VPA-treated rodents. In addition to obtaining an understanding of the neuropathological mechanisms, the VPA-induced ASD-like animal models also serve as a good platform for testing pharmacological reagents that might be use treating ASD. We therefore have summarized the various pharmacological studies that have targeted the classical neurotransmitter systems, the endocannabinoids, the Wnt signal pathway and neuroinflammation. These approaches have been shown to often be able to ameliorate the ASD-like phenotypes induced by maternal VPA treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiao-Ying Kuo
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fu-Chin Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
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15
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Brown EA, Lautz JD, Davis TR, Gniffke EP, VanSchoiack AAW, Neier SC, Tashbook N, Nicolini C, Fahnestock M, Schrum AG, Smith SEP. Clustering the autisms using glutamate synapse protein interaction networks from cortical and hippocampal tissue of seven mouse models. Mol Autism 2018; 9:48. [PMID: 30237867 PMCID: PMC6139139 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0229-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of behaviorally defined disorders and are associated with hundreds of rare genetic mutations and several environmental risk factors. Mouse models of specific risk factors have been successful in identifying molecular mechanisms associated with a given factor. However, comparisons among different models to elucidate underlying common pathways or to define clusters of biologically relevant disease subtypes have been complicated by different methodological approaches or different brain regions examined by the labs that developed each model. Here, we use a novel proteomic technique, quantitative multiplex co-immunoprecipitation or QMI, to make a series of identical measurements of a synaptic protein interaction network in seven different animal models. We aim to identify molecular disruptions that are common to multiple models. Methods QMI was performed on 92 hippocampal and cortical samples taken from seven mouse models of ASD: Shank3B, Shank3Δex4-9, Ube3a2xTG, TSC2, FMR1, and CNTNAP2 mutants, as well as E12.5 VPA (maternal valproic acid injection on day 12.5 post-conception). The QMI panel targeted a network of 16 interacting, ASD-linked, synaptic proteins, probing 240 potential co-associations. A custom non-parametric statistical test was used to call significant differences between ASD models and littermate controls, and Hierarchical Clustering by Principal Components was used to cluster the models using mean log2 fold change values. Results Each model displayed a unique set of disrupted interactions, but some interactions were disrupted in multiple models. These tended to be interactions that are known to change with synaptic activity. Clustering revealed potential relationships among models and suggested deficits in AKT signaling in Ube3a2xTG mice, which were confirmed by phospho-western blots. Conclusions These data highlight the great heterogeneity among models, but suggest that high-dimensional measures of a synaptic protein network may allow differentiation of subtypes of ASD with shared molecular pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Brown
- 1Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Jonathan D Lautz
- 1Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Tessa R Davis
- 2Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN USA.,3Present address: Department of Biomedical Engineering, UT Austin, Austin, TX USA
| | - Edward P Gniffke
- 1Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Alison A W VanSchoiack
- 1Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA.,Present address: Nanostring, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Steven C Neier
- 2Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN USA.,5Present address: Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA USA.,6Present address: Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA.,7Present address: Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA USA
| | - Noah Tashbook
- 1Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA
| | - Chiara Nicolini
- 8Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Margaret Fahnestock
- 8Department of Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON Canada
| | - Adam G Schrum
- 9Departments of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Surgery and Bioengineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Stephen E P Smith
- 1Center for Integrative Brain Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA USA.,10Department of Pediatrics and Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Washington, Seattle, WA USA
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The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1): oversight for neurodegenerative disorders. Biochem Soc Trans 2018. [PMID: 29523769 DOI: 10.1042/bst20170121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
As a result of the advancing age of the global population and the progressive increase in lifespan, neurodegenerative disorders continue to increase in incidence throughout the world. New strategies for neurodegenerative disorders involve the novel pathways of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the silent mating-type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1) that can modulate pathways of apoptosis and autophagy. The pathways of mTOR and SIRT1 are closely integrated. mTOR forms the complexes mTOR Complex 1 and mTOR Complex 2 and can impact multiple neurodegenerative disorders that include Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease. SIRT1 can control stem cell proliferation, block neuronal injury through limiting programmed cell death, drive vascular cell survival, and control clinical disorders that include dementia and retinopathy. It is important to recognize that oversight of programmed cell death by mTOR and SIRT1 requires a fine degree of precision to prevent the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Additional investigations and insights into these pathways should offer effective and safe treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Maiese K. Novel Treatment Strategies for the Nervous System: Circadian Clock Genes, Non-coding RNAs, and Forkhead Transcription Factors. Curr Neurovasc Res 2018; 15:81-91. [PMID: 29557749 PMCID: PMC6021214 DOI: 10.2174/1567202615666180319151244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the global increase in lifespan expectancy, neurodegenerative disorders continue to affect an ever-increasing number of individuals throughout the world. New treatment strategies for neurodegenerative diseases are desperately required given the lack of current treatment modalities. METHODS Here, we examine novel strategies for neurodegenerative disorders that include circadian clock genes, non-coding Ribonucleic Acids (RNAs), and the mammalian forkhead transcription factors of the O class (FoxOs). RESULTS Circadian clock genes, non-coding RNAs, and FoxOs offer exciting prospects to potentially limit or remove the significant disability and death associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Each of these pathways has an intimate relationship with the programmed death pathways of autophagy and apoptosis and share a common link to the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Circadian clock genes are necessary to modulate autophagy, limit cognitive loss, and prevent neuronal injury. Non-coding RNAs can control neuronal stem cell development and neuronal differentiation and offer protection against vascular disease such as atherosclerosis. FoxOs provide exciting prospects to block neuronal apoptotic death and to activate pathways of autophagy to remove toxic accumulations in neurons that can lead to neurodegenerative disorders. CONCLUSION Continued work with circadian clock genes, non-coding RNAs, and FoxOs can offer new prospects and hope for the development of vital strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. These innovative investigative avenues have the potential to significantly limit disability and death from these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Maiese
- Cellular and Molecular Signaling, Newark, New Jersey 07101
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