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Laczó M, Svatkova R, Lerch O, Martinkovic L, Zuntychova T, Nedelska Z, Horakova H, Vyhnalek M, Hort J, Laczó J. Spatial navigation questionnaires as a supportive diagnostic tool in early Alzheimer's disease. iScience 2024; 27:109832. [PMID: 38779476 PMCID: PMC11108981 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired spatial navigation is early marker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We examined ability of self- and informant-reported navigation questionnaires to discriminate between clinically and biomarker-defined participants, and associations of questionnaires with navigation performance, regional brain atrophy, AD biomarkers, and biomarker status. 262 participants (cognitively normal, with subjective cognitive decline, amnestic mild cognitive impairment [aMCI], and mild dementia) and their informants completed three navigation questionnaires. Navigation performance, magnetic resonance imaging volume/thickness of AD-related brain regions, and AD biomarkers were measured. Informant-reported questionnaires distinguished between cognitively normal and impaired participants, and amyloid-β positive and negative aMCI. Lower scores were associated with worse navigation performance, greater atrophy in AD-related brain regions, and amyloid-β status. Self-reported questionnaire scores did not distinguish between the groups and were weakly associated with navigation performance. Other associations were not significant. Informant-reported navigation questionnaires may be a screening tool for early AD reflecting atrophy of AD-related brain regions and AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Laczó
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Radka Svatkova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ondrej Lerch
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lukas Martinkovic
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Terezie Zuntychova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Zuzana Nedelska
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Hana Horakova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Martin Vyhnalek
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Jan Laczó
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
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Haniff ZR, Bocharova M, Mantingh T, Rucker JJ, Velayudhan L, Taylor DM, Young AH, Aarsland D, Vernon AC, Thuret S. Psilocybin for dementia prevention? The potential role of psilocybin to alter mechanisms associated with major depression and neurodegenerative diseases. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 258:108641. [PMID: 38583670 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2024.108641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Major depression is an established risk factor for subsequent dementia, and depression in late life may also represent a prodromal state of dementia. Considering current challenges in the clinical development of disease modifying therapies for dementia, the focus of research is shifting towards prevention and modification of risk factors to alter the neurodegenerative disease trajectory. Understanding mechanistic commonalities underlying affective symptoms and cognitive decline may reveal biomarkers to aid early identification of those at risk of progressing to dementia during the preclinical phase of disease, thus allowing for timely intervention. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) is a phenomenon that describes the birth of new neurons in the dentate gyrus throughout life and it is associated with spatial learning, memory and mood regulation. Microglia are innate immune system macrophages in the central nervous system that carefully regulate AHN via multiple mechanisms. Disruption in AHN is associated with both dementia and major depression and microgliosis is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging evidence suggests that psychedelics promote neuroplasticity, including neurogenesis, and may also be immunomodulatory. In this context, psilocybin, a serotonergic agonist with rapid-acting antidepressant properties has the potential to ameliorate intersecting pathophysiological processes relevant for both major depression and neurodegenerative diseases. In this narrative review, we focus on the evidence base for the effects of psilocybin on adult hippocampal neurogenesis and microglial form and function; which may suggest that psilocybin has the potential to modulate multiple mechanisms of action, and may have implications in altering the progression from major depression to dementia in those at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zarah R Haniff
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Mariia Bocharova
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Mantingh
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - James J Rucker
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Latha Velayudhan
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - David M Taylor
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Maudsley Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, United Kingdom
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, Beckenham, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; Wolfson Centre for Age Related Diseases, Division of Neuroscience of the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom; MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, United Kingdom.
| | - Sandrine Thuret
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom.
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Angelucci F, Veverova K, Katonová A, Vyhnalek M, Hort J. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 serum levels in frontotemporal lobar degeneration. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18013. [PMID: 38386354 PMCID: PMC10902304 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18013] [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: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) impedes brain plasmin synthesis. Reduced plasmin activity facilitates cumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Since plasmin also regulates the synaptic activity, it is possible that altered PAI-1 is present in other neurodegenerative disorders. We investigated whether PAI-1 and its counter-regulatory tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) are altered in serum of patients with dementia due to frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Thirty five FTLD patients (21 in mild cognitive impairment stage (MCI) and 14 in dementia stage) and 10 cognitively healthy controls were recruited. Serum tPA and PAI-1 protein levels were measured by anova. Correlation between biochemical and demographic data were explored by measuring Pearson correlation coefficient. Serum PAI-1 levels were elevated in the FTLD dementia group as compared to FTLD MCI and controls. tPA serum levels and PAI-1/tPA ratio did not significantly differ among groups. There was a negative correlation between PAI-1 serum levels and disease severity measured by MMSE score. No correlations of tPA serum levels and PAI-1/tPA ratio with MMSE were found. Increased PAI-1 serum levels may serve as a marker of dementia in FTLD, suggesting that, besides Aβ pathway, the plasmin system may affect cognition through synaptic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Angelucci
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologySecond Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University HospitalBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Katerina Veverova
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologySecond Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Alžbeta Katonová
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologySecond Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Martin Vyhnalek
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologySecond Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory ClinicDepartment of NeurologySecond Faculty of MedicineCharles University and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
- International Clinical Research CentreSt. Anne's University HospitalBrnoCzech Republic
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Gephine L, Roux CM, Freret T, Boulouard M, Leger M. Vulnerability of Spatial Pattern Separation in 5xFAD Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1889-1900. [PMID: 38306047 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231112] [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] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and remains incurable. This age-related neurodegenerative disease is characterized by an early decline in episodic and spatial memory associated with progressive disruption of the hippocampal functioning. Recent clinical evidence suggests that impairment of the spatial pattern separation (SPS) function, which enables the encoding and storage of episodic spatial information, may be an indicator of the early stages of AD. Objective The aim of our study was to characterize SPS performance at a prodromal stage in 5xFAD transgenic mouse model of AD. Methods Behavioral performance of male wild-type (WT) and 5xFAD mice (n = 14 per group) was assessed from the age of 4 months in two validated paradigms of SPS function either based on spontaneous exploration of objects or on the use of a touchscreen system. Results Compared with age-matched WT littermates, a mild deficit in SPS function was observed in the object recognition task in 5xFAD mice, whereas both groups showed similar performance in the touchscreen-based task. These results were observed in the absence of changes in locomotor activity or anxiety-like behavior that could have interfered with the tasks assessing SPS function. Conclusions Our results indicate an early vulnerability of the SPS function in 5xFAD mice in the paradigm based on spontaneous exploration of objects. Our work opens up the possibility of examining the early neurobiological processes involved in the decline of episodic memory and may help to propose new therapeutic strategies in the context of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Gephine
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHU Caen, Caen, France
| | - Candice M Roux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHU Caen, Caen, France
| | - Thomas Freret
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHU Caen, Caen, France
| | - Michel Boulouard
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHU Caen, Caen, France
| | - Marianne Leger
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, INSERM, COMETE, CYCERON, CHU Caen, Caen, France
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Laczó M, Martinkovic L, Lerch O, Wiener JM, Kalinova J, Matuskova V, Nedelska Z, Vyhnalek M, Hort J, Laczó J. Different Profiles of Spatial Navigation Deficits In Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarker-Positive Versus Biomarker-Negative Older Adults With Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:886778. [PMID: 35721017 PMCID: PMC9201637 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.886778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSpatial navigation impairment is a promising cognitive marker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that can reflect the underlying pathology.ObjectivesWe assessed spatial navigation performance in AD biomarker positive older adults with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (AD aMCI) vs. those AD biomarker negative (non-AD aMCI), and examined associations between navigation performance, MRI measures of brain atrophy, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers.MethodsA total of 122 participants with AD aMCI (n = 33), non-AD aMCI (n = 31), mild AD dementia (n = 28), and 30 cognitively normal older adults (CN) underwent cognitive assessment, brain MRI (n = 100 had high-quality images for volumetric analysis) and three virtual navigation tasks focused on route learning (body-centered navigation), wayfinding (world-centered navigation) and perspective taking/wayfinding. Cognitively impaired participants underwent CSF biomarker assessment [amyloid-β1–42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau181 (p-tau181)] and amyloid PET imaging (n = 47 and n = 45, respectively), with a subset having both (n = 19).ResultsIn route learning, AD aMCI performed worse than non-AD aMCI (p < 0.001), who performed similarly to CN. In wayfinding, aMCI participants performed worse than CN (both p ≤ 0.009) and AD aMCI performed worse than non-AD aMCI in the second task session (p = 0.032). In perspective taking/wayfinding, aMCI participants performed worse than CN (both p ≤ 0.001). AD aMCI and non-AD aMCI did not differ in conventional cognitive tests. Route learning was associated with parietal thickness and amyloid-β1–42, wayfinding was associated with posterior medial temporal lobe (MTL) volume and p-tau181 and perspective taking/wayfinding was correlated with MRI measures of several brain regions and all CSF biomarkers.ConclusionAD biomarker positive and negative older adults with aMCI had different profiles of spatial navigation deficits that were associated with posterior MTL and parietal atrophy and reflected AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Laczó
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Lukas Martinkovic
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Ondrej Lerch
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan M. Wiener
- Department of Psychology, Ageing and Dementia Research Centre, Bournemouth University, Poole, United Kingdom
| | - Jana Kalinova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
| | - Veronika Matuskova
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Zuzana Nedelska
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Martin Vyhnalek
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jan Laczó
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, Second Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czechia
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne’s University Hospital Brno, Brno, Czechia
- *Correspondence: Jan Laczó
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