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Rolls ET, Treves A. A theory of hippocampal function: New developments. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 238:102636. [PMID: 38834132 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102636] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
We develop further here the only quantitative theory of the storage of information in the hippocampal episodic memory system and its recall back to the neocortex. The theory is upgraded to account for a revolution in understanding of spatial representations in the primate, including human, hippocampus, that go beyond the place where the individual is located, to the location being viewed in a scene. This is fundamental to much primate episodic memory and navigation: functions supported in humans by pathways that build 'where' spatial view representations by feature combinations in a ventromedial visual cortical stream, separate from those for 'what' object and face information to the inferior temporal visual cortex, and for reward information from the orbitofrontal cortex. Key new computational developments include the capacity of the CA3 attractor network for storing whole charts of space; how the correlations inherent in self-organizing continuous spatial representations impact the storage capacity; how the CA3 network can combine continuous spatial and discrete object and reward representations; the roles of the rewards that reach the hippocampus in the later consolidation into long-term memory in part via cholinergic pathways from the orbitofrontal cortex; and new ways of analysing neocortical information storage using Potts networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund T Rolls
- Oxford Centre for Computational Neuroscience, Oxford, UK; Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
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Santana NNM, Silva EHA, Santos SFD, Bezerra LLF, da Silva MMO, Cavalcante JS, Fiuza FP, Morais PLADG, Engelberth RC. Neuronal Stability, Volumetric Changes, and Decrease in GFAP Expression of Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) Subcortical Visual Nuclei During Aging. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25649. [PMID: 38967410 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25649] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
The physiological aging process is well known for functional decline in visual abilities. Among the components of the visual system, the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (DLG) and superior colliculus (SC) provide a good model for aging investigations, as these structures constitute the main visual pathways for retinal inputs reaching the visual cortex. However, there are limited data available on quantitative morphological and neurochemical aspects in DLG and SC across lifespan. Here, we used optical density to determine immunoexpression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and design-based stereological probes to estimate the neuronal number, total volume, and layer volume of the DLG and SC in marmosets (Callithrix jacchus), ranging from 36 to 143 months of age. Our results revealed an age-related increase in total volume and layer volume of the DLG, with an overall stability in SC volume. Furthermore, a stable neuronal number was demonstrated in DLG and superficial layers of SC (SCv). A decrease in GFAP immunoexpression was observed in both visual centers. The results indicate region-specific variability in volumetric parameter, possibly attributed to structural plastic events in response to inflammation and compensatory mechanisms at the cellular and subcellular level. Additionally, the DLG and SCv seem to be less vulnerable to aging effects in terms of neuronal number. The neuropeptidergic data suggest that reduced GFAP expression may reflect morphological atrophy in the astroglial cells. This study contributes to updating the current understanding of aging effects in the visual system and stablishes a crucial foundation for future research on visual perception throughout the aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelyane N M Santana
- Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Eryck H A Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sâmarah F Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Lyzandro L F Bezerra
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Maria M O da Silva
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Felipe P Fiuza
- Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, Brazil
| | - Paulo L A de G Morais
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, College of the Health Sciences, University of the State of Rio Grande do Norte, Mossoró, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Bioscience Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, Brazil
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Firdaus Z, Gutti G, Ganeshpurkar A, Kumar A, Krishnamurthy S, Singh SK, Singh TD. Centella asiatica improves memory and executive function in middle-aged rats by controlling oxidative stress and cholinergic transmission. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 325:117888. [PMID: 38336185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.117888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, is a medicinal herb with rich history of traditional use in Indian subcontinent. This herb has been valued for its diverse range of medicinal properties including memory booster, and also as a folk treatment for skin diseases, wound healing and mild diuretic. AIM OF STUDY Aging is a gradual and continuous process of natural decay in the biological systems, including the brain. This work aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ethanolic extract of Centella asiatica (CAE) on age-associated cognitive impairments in rats, as well as the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rats were allocated into five distinct groups of 5 animals each: Young rats (3 months old rats), middle-aged (m-aged) rats (13-14 months old), and the remaining three groups were comprised of m-aged rats treated with different concentrations of CAE, viz., 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg b. w., orally for 42 days. Y-maze, open field, novel object recognition, and elevated plus maze tests were used to assess animal behavior. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) assays; and H&E staining were done in the rat brain to assess the biochemical and structural changes. CAE was also subjected to HPLC analysis, in vitro antioxidant and anti-cholinergic activity. The active compounds of CAE were docked with AChE and BuChE in molecular docking study. RESULTS The results showed that CAE treatment improves behavioral performance; attenuates the age-associated increase in MDA content, SOD, and AChE activity; and reduces neuronal loss. In vitro study showed that CAE has concentration-dependent antioxidant and anti-AChE activity. Furthermore, the presence of Asiatic acid and Madecassic acid in CAE and their good binding with cholinergic enzymes (in silico) also suggest the anticholinergic effect of CAE. CONCLUSION The findings of the current study show that the anticholinergic and antioxidant effects of CAE are attributable to the presence of Asiatic acid and Madecassic acid, which not only provide neuroprotection against age-associated cognitive decline but also reverse it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeba Firdaus
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Gopichand Gutti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Ankit Ganeshpurkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Sairam Krishnamurthy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Sushil Kumar Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi, 221005, India
| | - Tryambak Deo Singh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India.
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Çon N, Mercan S, Küçüköner A, Çalişkan N. Adolescent intermittent ethanol use in male rats do not change cerebellar cell numbers but initiate astroglial reaction. Int J Dev Neurosci 2024; 84:177-189. [PMID: 38327108 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10317] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Alcohol consumption during adolescence causes negative structural changes in the cerebellum and can lead to cognitive and motor skill disorders. Unfortunately, the age at which individuals begin drinking alcohol has decreased in recent years, which has drawn attention to the effects of alcohol on neurological changes during preadolescence. In this study, we investigated the effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure on the cellular composition of the cerebellum in male rats, particularly when alcohol consumption begins early. The male rats received eight doses of intermittent intraperitoneal injection of 25% (v/v) ethanol (3 g/kg) or saline from postnatal days (PND) 25 to PND 38. In rats, 28-42 days old corresponds to 10-18 years old in humans. Two hours after the last injection, the cells, neurons, and non-neuronal cells in the cerebellum were immunocytochemically labeled and the total numbers of related cells were calculated using the Isotropic Fractionator method. We found that AIE exposure does not change the cell numbers of the cerebellum in the short term, but it does activate astrocytes in the white matter of the cerebellum. These findings suggest that alcohol use during adolescence impairs the innate immune system and negatively affects brain plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurhan Çon
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Sevcan Mercan
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Asuman Küçüköner
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Nüket Çalişkan
- Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey
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Eslami Farsani M, Razavi S, Rasoolijazi H, Esfandiari E, Seyedebrahimi R, Ababzadeh S. Neuroprotective effects of rosemary extract on white matter of prefrontal cortex in old rats. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF BASIC MEDICAL SCIENCES 2024; 27:518-523. [PMID: 38419891 PMCID: PMC10897559 DOI: 10.22038/ijbms.2023.74168.16117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Objectives During aging, cerebral structures undergo changes due to oxidative stress. The consumption of some plants seems to improve neurological health. For example, rosemary extract (RE) which is widely used as a flavoring food has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Therefore, we aimed to study the effect of RE on the changes related to the aging process in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Materials and Methods Twenty-four male Wistar rats including young and old were purchased. Each group was divided into two subgroups: vehicle and rosemary (old vehicle (OV), old rosemary (OR), young vehicle (YV), and young rosemary (YR) groups). Then, we examined the number of intact neurons, myelin base protein (MBP), white matter (WM), levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the PFC. Results The results showed that in the old vehicle rats compared to the young group without treatment, except for the MDA level (which increased), other variables significantly decreased (P≤0.05). Additionally, RE consumption demonstrated a significant elevation of WMA, MBP intensity, number of intact neurons, and GPx activity level, while MDA levels significantly reduced in the treated old rats compared to the old vehicle group (P≤0.05). However, there was no significant difference between the OR and YV groups (P≥0.05). Conclusion Overall, it seems that RE can protect and improve aging damages in the PFC due to its anti-oxidant properties. So, the use of RE can be a suitable strategy to prevent aging complications in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Eslami Farsani
- Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Shahnaz Razavi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Homa Rasoolijazi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Esfandiari
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Reihaneh Seyedebrahimi
- Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Shima Ababzadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
- Tissue Engineering and Applied Cell Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
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Lei A, Breit KR, Thomas JD. Prenatal alcohol and tetrahydrocannabinol exposure: Effects on spatial and working memory. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1192786. [PMID: 37383100 PMCID: PMC10293645 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1192786] [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: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alcohol and cannabis are widely used recreational drugs that can negatively impact fetal development, leading to cognitive impairments. However, these drugs may be used simultaneously and the effects of combined exposure during the prenatal period are not well understood. Thus, this study used an animal model to investigate the effects of prenatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH), Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or the combination on spatial and working memory. Methods Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vaporized ethanol (EtOH; 68 ml/h), THC (100 mg/ml), the combination, or vehicle control during gestational days 5-20. Adolescent male and female offspring were evaluated using the Morris water maze task to assess spatial and working memory. Results Prenatal THC exposure impaired spatial learning and memory in female offspring, whereas prenatal EtOH exposure impaired working memory. The combination of THC and EtOH did not exacerbate the effects of either EtOH or THC, although subjects exposed to the combination were less thigmotaxic, which might represent an increase in risk-taking behavior. Discussion Our results highlight the differential effects of prenatal exposure to THC and EtOH on cognitive and emotional development, with substance- and sex-specific patterns. These findings highlight the potential harm of THC and EtOH on fetal development and support public health policies aimed at reducing cannabis and alcohol use during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie Lei
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Kristen R. Breit
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
- Department of Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA, United States
| | - Jennifer D. Thomas
- Department of Psychology, Center for Behavioral Teratology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
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Konar-Nié M, Guzman-Castillo A, Armijo-Weingart L, Aguayo LG. Aging in nucleus accumbens and its impact on alcohol use disorders. Alcohol 2023; 107:73-90. [PMID: 36087859 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2022.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ethanol is one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world and prolonged excessive ethanol intake might lead to alcohol use disorders (AUDs), which are characterized by neuroadaptations in different brain regions, such as in the reward circuitry. In addition, the global population is aging, and it appears that they are increasing their ethanol consumption. Although research involving the effects of alcohol in aging subjects is limited, differential effects have been described. For example, studies in human subjects show that older adults perform worse in tests assessing working memory, attention, and cognition as compared to younger adults. Interestingly, in the field of the neurobiological basis of ethanol actions, there is a significant dichotomy between what we know about the effects of ethanol on neurochemical targets in young animals and how it might affect them in the aging brain. To be able to understand the distinct effects of ethanol in the aging brain, the following questions need to be answered: (1) How does physiological aging impact the function of an ethanol-relevant region (e.g., the nucleus accumbens)? and (2) How does ethanol affect these neurobiological systems in the aged brain? This review discusses the available data to try to understand how aging affects the nucleus accumbens (nAc) and its neurochemical response to alcohol. The data show that there is little information on the effects of ethanol in aged mice and rats, and that many studies had considered 2-3-month-old mice as adults, which needs to be reconsidered since more recent literature defines 6 months as young adults and >18 months as an older mouse. Considering the actual relevance of an aged worldwide population and that this segment is drinking more frequently, it appears at least reasonable to explore how ethanol affects the brain in adult and aged models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Macarena Konar-Nié
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Alejandra Guzman-Castillo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Lorena Armijo-Weingart
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
| | - Luis Gerardo Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Department of Physiology, Universidad de Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile; Programa en Neurociencia, Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Universidad de Concepción, Concepcion, Chile.
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Osterlund Oltmanns JR, Schaeffer EA, Blackwell AA, Lake RI, Einhaus RM, Kartje GL, Wallace DG. Age-related changes in the organization of spontaneously occurring behaviors. Behav Processes 2022; 201:104713. [PMID: 35901935 PMCID: PMC10436331 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104713] [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: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Age-related changes in spatial and temporal processing have been documented across a range of species. Rodent studies typically investigate differences in performance between adult and senescent animals; however, progressive loss of neurons in the hippocampus and cortex has been observed to occur as early as after adolescence. Therefore, the current study evaluated the effects of age in three- and ten-month-old female rats on the organization of movement in open field and food protection behaviors, two tasks that have previously dissociated hippocampal and cortical pathology. Age-related differences were observed in general measures of locomotion, spatial orientation, and attentional processing. The results of the current study are consistent with age-related changes in the processing of spatial information and motivation that occur earlier in life than previously anticipated. These observations establish a foundation for future studies evaluating interventions that influence these age-related differences in performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - E A Schaeffer
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - A A Blackwell
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - R I Lake
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - R M Einhaus
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA
| | - G L Kartje
- Research Service, Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL, USA; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Loyola University Chicago Health, Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, USA
| | - D G Wallace
- Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL, USA.
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Fowler C, Goerzen D, Madularu D, Devenyi GA, Chakravarty MM, Near J. Longitudinal characterization of neuroanatomical changes in the Fischer 344 rat brain during normal aging and between sexes. Neurobiol Aging 2022; 109:216-228. [PMID: 34775212 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.10.003] [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: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Animal models are widely used to study the pathophysiology of disease and to evaluate the efficacy of novel interventions, crucial steps towards improving disease outcomes in humans. The Fischer 344 (F344) wildtype rat is a common experimental background strain for transgenic models of disease and is one of the most frequently used models in aging research. Despite frequency of use, characterization of agerelated neuroanatomical change has not been performed in the F344 rat. To this end, we present a comprehensive longitudinal examination of morphometric change in 73 brain regions and at a voxel-wise level during normative aging in vivo in a mixed-sexcohort of F344 rats. We identified the greatest vulnerability to aging within the cortex, caudoputamen, hindbrain, and internal capsule, while the influence of sex was strongest in the caudoputamen, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens, and thalamus, many of which are implicated in memory and motor control circuits frequently affected by aging and neurodegenerative disease. These findings provide a baseline for neuroanatomical changes associated with aging in male and female F344 rats, to which data from transgenic models or other background strains can be compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Fowler
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre d'Imagerie Cérébrale, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Dana Goerzen
- Centre d'Imagerie Cérébrale, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Dan Madularu
- Centre d'Imagerie Cérébrale, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Center for Translational NeuroImaging, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Gabriel A Devenyi
- Centre d'Imagerie Cérébrale, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - M Mallar Chakravarty
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre d'Imagerie Cérébrale, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jamie Near
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Centre d'Imagerie Cérébrale, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Abstract
The developing brain is remarkably plastic as it changes in response to a wide range of experiences including sensory and motor experience, psychoactive drugs, peer relationships, parent-infant interactions, gonadal hormones, intestinal flora, diet, and injury. There are sensitive periods for many of these experiences, including cerebral injury. Comparisons across mammalian species (humans, monkeys, cats, rats, mice) show a sensitive period for good outcomes from cerebral injury around the time of intense synaptogenesis. This period is postnatal in humans, cats, and rats, but prenatal in monkeys, reflecting the differences in neuronal development at birth across species. In addition, there appears to be a sensitive period prenatally during the time of maximum cortical neurogenesis and possibly during adolescence as well, although these periods are not as well studied as the period related to synaptogenesis and to date only examined in rats. Here we review the evidence for sensitive periods related to brain injury across species and propose mechanisms that may underlie the plasticity during these periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Kolb
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
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VanRyzin JW. Phagocytic microglia in development: Are they what they eat? Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100373. [PMID: 34761244 PMCID: PMC8566956 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the innate immune cells of the brain, are indispensable for proper brain development. As professional phagocytes, microglia engulf other cells within distinct developmental niches to sculpt the architecture of the brain. Here, I highlight the age-, brain region-, and substrate-dependent diversity of developmental phagocytosis, and pose the idea that phagocytosis may, in turn, drive changes in microglia phenotype. Ultimately, phagocytosis might be just as important for shaping microglia function as it is for shaping the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W VanRyzin
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Tsoukalas D, Buga AM, Docea AO, Sarandi E, Mitrut R, Renieri E, Spandidos DA, Rogoveanu I, Cercelaru L, Niculescu M, Tsatsakis A, Calina D. Reversal of brain aging by targeting telomerase: A nutraceutical approach. Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:199. [PMID: 34515324 PMCID: PMC8448543 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.5032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes, shorten with age, as telomerase, the enzyme responsible for the compensation of telomere erosion, is inactive in the majority of cells. Telomere shortening and subsequent cell senescence lead to tissue aging and age‑related diseases. Neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by the progressive loss of neurons among other hallmarks of aged tissue, and poor cognitive function, have been associated with a short telomere length. Thus, telomerase activity has emerged as a therapeutic target, with novel agents being under investigation. The present study aimed to examine the effects of a novel natural telomerase activator, 'Reverse™', containing Centella asiatica extract, vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D3 on the brains of 18‑month‑old rats. The administration of the 'Reverse™' supplement for 3 months restored telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) expression in the brains of rats, as revealed by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. In addition, the findings from PCR‑ELISA demonstrated an enhanced telomerase activity in the cerebellum and cortex cells in the brains of rats treated with the 'Reverse™' supplement. The histopathological findings confirmed a structural reversibility effect close to the differentiation observed in the young control group of rats treated with two capsules/kg body weight of the 'Reverse™' supplement. On the whole, the findings of the present study provide a strong indication that an increased telomerase activity and TERT expression may be achieved not only in the postnatal or embryonic period, but also in the brains of middle‑aged rats through nutraceutical supplementation. The use of the 'Reverse™' supplement may thus contribute to the potential alleviation of a number of central nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitris Tsoukalas
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Metabolomic Medicine, Health Clinic for Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases, 10674 Athens, Greece
- European Institute of Nutritional Medicine (E.I.Nu.M.), I-00198 Rome, Italy
| | - Ana Maria Buga
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Anca Oana Docea
- Department of Toxicology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Evangelia Sarandi
- Metabolomic Medicine, Health Clinic for Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases, 10674 Athens, Greece
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Radu Mitrut
- Department of Cardiology, University and Emergency Hospital, 050098 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Elisavet Renieri
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Environmental Engineering Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Demetrios A. Spandidos
- Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Medical School, University of Crete, 71409 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ion Rogoveanu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Liliana Cercelaru
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Mihaela Niculescu
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
| | - Aristidis Tsatsakis
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Daniela Calina
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
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13
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Morgunova GV, Shilovsky GA, Khokhlov AN. Effect of Caloric Restriction on Aging: Fixing the Problems of Nutrient Sensing in Postmitotic Cells? BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2021; 86:1352-1367. [PMID: 34903158 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921100151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The review discusses the role of metabolic disorders (in particular, insulin resistance) in the development of age-related diseases and normal aging with special emphasis on the changes in postmitotic cells of higher organisms. Caloric restriction helps to prevent such metabolic disorders, which could probably explain its ability to prolong the lifespan of laboratory animals. Maintaining metabolic homeostasis is especially important for the highly differentiated long-lived body cells, whose lifespan is comparable to the lifespan of the organism itself. Normal functioning of these cells can be ensured only upon correct functioning of the cytoplasm clean-up system and availability of all required nutrients and energy sources. One of the central problems in gerontology is the age-related disruption of glucose metabolism leading to obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other related pathologies. Along with the adipose tissue, skeletal muscles are the main consumers of insulin; hence the physical activity of muscles, which supports their energy metabolism, delays the onset of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance disrupts the metabolism of cardiomyocytes, so that they fail to utilize the nutrients to perform their functions even being surrounded by a nutrient-rich environment, which contributes to the development of age-related cardiovascular diseases. Metabolic pathologies also alter the nutrient sensitivity of neurons, thus disrupting the action of insulin in the central nervous system. In addition, there is evidence that neurons can develop insulin resistance as well. It has been suggested that affecting nutritional sensors (e.g., AMPK) in postmitotic cells might improve the state of the entire multicellular organism, slow down its aging, and increase the lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina V Morgunova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia.
| | - Gregory A Shilovsky
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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14
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Song MK, Kim YJ, Kim SH, Yeo SG, Kim YJ. Environmental enrichment modulates silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) activity to attenuate central presbycusis in a rat model of normal aging. Exp Gerontol 2021; 155:111552. [PMID: 34530105 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is sensory impairment in the elderly. This study aimed to identify a critical molecular mechanism that can maintain young phenotypes. We focused on the effect of exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) for 12 weeks in the central auditory pathway and limbic system of aged rats. The effects of EE were compared with the effects of dexamethasone administration. We found that in 74-week-old rats hearing function was significantly reduced and the number of neuronal specific nuclear protein (NeuN)-positive cells was decreased by 10-15% in the auditory cortex, amygdala, and hippocampus. EE exposure did not significantly affect the number of neurons, but DX administration significantly decreased their numbers in the amygdala compared with untreated aged rats. Both treatments reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the auditory pathway and limbic system. Exposure to EE significantly increased silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) expression and activity, and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) concentration. In this study, the exposure to EE resulted in attenuated age-related hearing loss accompanied by reduction of iNOS expression and increase SIRT1 activity and NAMPT level. These data showed that EE may be a potential therapeutic to prevent ARHL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Kyung Song
- Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Ju Kim
- Department of Nursing, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Kim
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Geun Yeo
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Youn-Jung Kim
- College of Nursing Science, Kyung Hee University·East-West Nursing Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Butler CA, Popescu AS, Kitchener EJA, Allendorf DH, Puigdellívol M, Brown GC. Microglial phagocytosis of neurons in neurodegeneration, and its regulation. J Neurochem 2021; 158:621-639. [PMID: 33608912 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
There is growing evidence that excessive microglial phagocytosis of neurons and synapses contributes to multiple brain pathologies. RNA-seq and genome-wide association (GWAS) studies have linked multiple phagocytic genes to neurodegenerative diseases, and knock-out of phagocytic genes has been found to protect against neurodegeneration in animal models, suggesting that excessive microglial phagocytosis contributes to neurodegeneration. Here, we review recent evidence that microglial phagocytosis of live neurons and synapses causes neurodegeneration in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, Parkinson's disease, frontotemporal dementias, multiple sclerosis, retinal degeneration and neurodegeneration induced by ischaemia, infection or ageing. We also review factors regulating microglial phagocytosis of neurons, including: nucleotides, frackalkine, phosphatidylserine, calreticulin, UDP, CD47, sialylation, complement, galectin-3, Apolipoprotein E, phagocytic receptors, Siglec receptors, cytokines, microglial epigenetics and expression profile. Some of these factors may be potential treatment targets to prevent neurodegeneration mediated by excessive microglial phagocytosis of live neurons and synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Butler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alma S Popescu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Mar Puigdellívol
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Guy C Brown
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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16
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Chronic noncancer pain is not associated with accelerated brain aging as assessed by structural magnetic resonance imaging in patients treated in specialized outpatient clinics. Pain 2021; 161:641-650. [PMID: 31764393 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is often associated with changes in brain structure and function, and also cognitive deficits. It has been noted that these chronic pain-related alterations may resemble changes found in healthy aging, and thus may represent accelerated or premature aging of the brain. Here, we test the hypothesis that patients with chronic noncancer pain demonstrate accelerated brain aging compared with healthy control subjects. The predicted brain age of 59 patients with chronic pain (mean chronological age ± SD: 53.0 ± 9.0 years; 43 women) and 60 pain-free healthy controls (52.6 ± 9.0 years; 44 women) was determined using the software brainageR. This software segments the individual T1-weighted structural MR images into gray and white matter and compares gray and white matter images with a large (n = 2001) training set of structural images, using machine learning. Finally, brain age delta, which is the predicted brain age minus chronological age, was calculated and compared across groups. This study provided no evidence for the hypothesis that chronic pain is associated with accelerated brain aging (Welch t test, P = 0.74, Cohen's d = 0.061). A Bayesian independent-samples t test indicated moderate evidence in favor of the null hypothesis (BF01 = 4.875, ie, group means were equal). Our results provide indirect support for recent models of pain-related changes of brain structure, brain function, and cognitive functions. These models postulate network-specific maladaptive plasticity, rather than widespread or global neural degeneration.
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17
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Kverková K, Polonyiová A, Kubička L, Němec P. Individual and age-related variation of cellular brain composition in a squamate reptile. Biol Lett 2020; 16:20200280. [PMID: 32961085 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0280] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Within-species variation in the number of neurons, other brain cells and their allocation to different brain parts is poorly studied. Here, we assess these numbers in a squamate reptile, the Madagascar ground gecko (Paroedura picta). We examined adults from two captive populations and three age groups within one population. Even though reptiles exhibit extensive adult neurogenesis, intrapopulation variation in the number of neurons is similar to that in mice. However, the two populations differed significantly in most measures, highlighting the fact that using only one population can underestimate within-species variation. There is a substantial increase in the number of neurons and decrease in neuronal density in adult geckos relative to hatchlings and an increase in the number of neurons in the telencephalon in fully grown adults relative to sexually mature young adults. This finding implies that adult neurogenesis does not only replace worn out but also adds new telencephalic neurons in reptiles during adulthood. This markedly contrasts with the situation in mammals, where the number of cortical neurons declines with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Kverková
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Alexandra Polonyiová
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Kubička
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Němec
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
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18
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Kang S, Hayashi Y, Bruyns-Haylett M, Delivopoulos E, Zheng Y. Model-Predicted Balance Between Neural Excitation and Inhibition Was Maintained Despite of Age-Related Decline in Sensory Evoked Local Field Potential in Rat Barrel Cortex. Front Syst Neurosci 2020; 14:24. [PMID: 32528256 PMCID: PMC7247833 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2020.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The balance between neural excitation and inhibition has been shown to be crucial for normal brain function. However, it is unclear whether this balance is maintained through healthy aging. This study investigated the effect of aging on the temporal dynamics of the somatosensory evoked local field potential (LFP) in rats and tested the hypothesis that excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic activities remain balanced during the aging process. The LFP signal was obtained from the barrel cortex of three different age groups of anesthetized rats (pre-adolescence: 4–6 weeks, young adult: 2–3 months, middle-aged adult: 10–20 months) under whisker pad stimulation. To confirm our previous finding that the initial segment of the evoked LFP was solely associated with excitatory post-synaptic activity, we micro-injected gabazine into the barrel cortex to block inhibition while LFP was collected continuously under the same stimulus condition. As expected, the initial slope of the evoked LFP in the granular layer was unaffected by gabazine injection. We subsequently estimated the excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic activities through a balanced model of the LFP with delayed inhibition as an explicit constraint, and calculated the amplitude ratio of inhibition to excitation. We found an age-dependent slowing of the temporal dynamics in the somatosensory-evoked post-synaptic activity, as well as a significant age-related decrease in the amplitude of the excitatory component and a decreasing trend in the amplitude of the inhibitory component. Furthermore, the delay of inhibition with respect to excitation was significantly increased with age, but the amplitude ratio was maintained. Our findings suggest that aging reduces the amplitude of neural responses, but the balance between sensory evoked excitatory and inhibitory post-synaptic activities is maintained to support normal brain function during healthy aging. Further whole cell patch clamp experiments will be needed to confirm or refute these findings by measuring sensory evoked synaptic excitatory and inhibitory activities in vivo during the normal aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungmin Kang
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN), University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Yurie Hayashi
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Bruyns-Haylett
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College, South Kensington Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Evangelos Delivopoulos
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN), University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Ying Zheng
- Biomedical Engineering, School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom.,Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN), University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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19
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Marchionni S, Sell C, Lorenzini A. Development and Longevity: Cellular and Molecular Determinants - A Mini-Review. Gerontology 2020; 66:223-230. [PMID: 32036369 DOI: 10.1159/000505327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Across species, development and longevity are tightly linked. We discuss the relevant literature and suggest that the root for this stringent relationship is the rate of development. The basis for the relationship between rate of development and longevity lies in adaptations that have occurred through evolution at multiple levels of biological complexity: organism, organ, cellular, and molecular. Thus, the analysis of the relationship is of interest for multiple fields of biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Marchionni
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Christian Sell
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Antonello Lorenzini
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences (DIBINEM), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy,
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20
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Diene LD, Costa-Ferro ZSM, Barbosa S, Milanesi BB, Lazzari GZ, Neves LT, Paz LV, Neves PFR, Battisti V, Martins LA, Gehlen G, Mestriner RG, Da Costa JC, Xavier LL. Selective brain neuronal and glial losses without changes in GFAP immunoreactivity: Young versus mature adult Wistar rats. Mech Ageing Dev 2019; 182:111128. [PMID: 31404554 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2019.111128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Normal ageing results in brain selective neuronal and glial losses. In the present study we analyze neuronal and glial changes in Wistar rats at two different ages, 45 days (young) and 420 days (mature adult), using Nissl staining and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunohistochemistry associated to the Sholl analysis. Comparing mature adults with young rats we noted the former present a decrease in neuronal density in the cerebral cortex, corpus callosum, pyriform cortex, L.D.D.M., L.D.V.L., central medial thalamic nucleus and zona incerta. A decrease in glial density was found in the dorsomedial and ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei. Additionally, the neuron/glia ratio was reduced in the central medial thalamic nucleus and increased in the habenula. No changes were found in the neuronal and glial densities or neuron/glia ratio in the other studied regions. The number of astrocytic primary processes and the number of intersections counted in the Sholl analysis presented no significant difference in any of the studied regions. Overall, neither GFAP positive astrocytic density nor GFAP immunoreactivity showed alteration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo D Diene
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Silvia Barbosa
- Laboratório de Histofisiologia Comparada, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Bueno Milanesi
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriele Zenato Lazzari
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Laura Tartari Neves
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lisiê Valéria Paz
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Paula Fernanda Ribas Neves
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Battisti
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Lucas A Martins
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Régis Gemerasca Mestriner
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jaderson C Da Costa
- Instituto do Cérebro do Rio Grande do Sul (InsCer/RS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Léder L Xavier
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular e Tecidual, Escola de Ciências da Saúde, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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21
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Ferro A, Sheeler C, Rosa JG, Cvetanovic M. Role of Microglia in Ataxias. J Mol Biol 2019; 431:1792-1804. [PMID: 30660620 PMCID: PMC7164490 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2019.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Microglia, the resident macrophages of the central nervous system, critically influence neural function during development and in adulthood. Microglia are also profoundly sensitive to insults to the brain to which they respond with process of activation that includes spectrum of changes in morphology, function, and gene expression. Ataxias are a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by motor discoordination and predominant cerebellar involvement. In case of inherited forms of ataxia, mutant proteins are expressed throughout the brain and it is unclear why cerebellum is particularly vulnerable. Recent studies demonstrated that cerebellar microglia have a uniquely hyper-vigilant immune phenotype compared to microglia from other brain regions. These findings may indicate that microglia actively contribute to cerebellar vulnerability in ataxias. Here we review current knowledge about cerebellar microglia, their activation, and their role in the pathogenesis of ataxias. In addition, we briefly review advantages and disadvantages of several experimental approaches available to study microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin Ferro
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Carrie Sheeler
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Juao-Guilherme Rosa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Marija Cvetanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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22
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Morphological and neurochemical changes in GABAergic neurons of the aging human inferior colliculus. Hear Res 2019; 377:318-329. [PMID: 30878270 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 02/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
It is well known that quality of hearing decreases with increasing age due to changes in the peripheral or central auditory pathway. Along with the decrease in the number of neurons the neurotransmitter profile is also affected in the various parts of the auditory system. Particularly, changes in the inhibitory neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) are known to affect quality of hearing with aging. To date, there is no information about the status of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the human IC during aging. We have collected and processed inferior colliculi of persons aged 11-97 years at the time of death for morphometry and immunohistochemical expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) and parvalbumin. We used unbiased stereology to estimate the number of cresyl-violet and immunostained neurons. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure the relative expression of the GAD67 mRNA. We found that the number of total, GABAergic and PV-positive neurons significantly decreased with increasing age (p < 0.05). The proportion of GAD67-ir neurons to total number of neurons was also negatively associated with increasing age (p = 0.004), but there was no change observed in the proportion of PV-ir neurons relative to GABAergic neurons (p = 0.25). Further, the fold change in the levels of GAD67 mRNA was negatively correlated to age (p = 0.024). We conclude that the poorer quality of hearing with increasing age may be due to decreased expression of inhibitory neurotransmitters and the decline in the number of inhibitory neurons in the IC.
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23
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Biochemical deficits and cognitive decline in brain aging: Intervention by dietary supplements. J Chem Neuroanat 2019; 95:70-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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24
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Payán-Gómez C, Rodríguez D, Amador-Muñoz D, Ramírez-Clavijo S. Integrative Analysis of Global Gene Expression Identifies Opposite Patterns of Reactive Astrogliosis in Aged Human Prefrontal Cortex. Brain Sci 2018; 8:brainsci8120227. [PMID: 30572619 PMCID: PMC6317157 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci8120227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 11/28/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the brain regions with more prominent changes in human aging. The molecular processes related to the cognitive decline and mood changes during aging are not completely understood. To improve our knowledge, we integrated transcriptomic data of four studies of human PFC from elderly people (58–80 years old) compared with younger people (20–40 years old) using a meta-analytic approximation combined with molecular signature analysis. We identified 1817 differentially expressed genes, 561 up-regulated and 1256 down-regulated. Pathway analysis revealed down-regulation of synaptic genes with conservation of gene expression of other neuronal regions. Additionally, we identified up-regulation of markers of astrogliosis with transcriptomic signature compatible with A1 neurotoxic astrocytes and A2 neuroprotective astrocytes. Response to interferon is related to A1 astrocytes and the A2 phenotype is mediated in aging by activation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) pathway and up-regulation of metallothioneins I and genes of the family ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin). The main conclusions of our study are the confirmation of a global dysfunction of the synapses in the aged PFC and the evidence of opposite phenotypes of astrogliosis in the aging brain, which we report for the first time in the present article.
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Affiliation(s)
- César Payán-Gómez
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
| | - Diego Rodríguez
- Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
| | - Diana Amador-Muñoz
- Neuroscience (NEUROS) Research Group, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Carrera 24 No. 63C-69, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
| | - Sandra Ramírez-Clavijo
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemáticas, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111221, Colombia.
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25
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Herculano-Houzel S. Longevity and sexual maturity vary across species with number of cortical neurons, and humans are no exception. J Comp Neurol 2018; 527:1689-1705. [PMID: 30350858 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Maximal longevity of endotherms has long been considered to increase with decreasing specific metabolic rate, and thus with increasing body mass. Using a dataset of over 700 species, here I show that maximal longevity, age at sexual maturity, and postmaturity longevity across bird and mammalian species instead correlate primarily, and universally, with the number of cortical brain neurons. Correlations with metabolic rate and body mass are entirely explained by clade-specific relationships between these variables and numbers of cortical neurons across species. Importantly, humans reach sexual maturity and subsequently live just as long as expected for their number of cortical neurons, which eliminates the basis for earlier theories of protracted childhood and prolonged post-menopause longevity as derived human characteristics. Longevity might increase together with numbers of cortical neurons through their impact on three main factors: delay of sexual maturity, which postpones the onset of aging; lengthening of the period of viable physiological integration and adaptation, which increases postmaturity longevity; and improved cognitive capabilities that benefit survival of the self and of longer-lived progeny, and are conducive to prolonged learning and cultural transmission through increased generational overlap. Importantly, the findings indicate that theories of aging and neurodegenerative diseases should take absolute time lived besides relative "age" into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzana Herculano-Houzel
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.,Department of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.,Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
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26
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Ayata P, Badimon A, Strasburger HJ, Duff MK, Montgomery SE, Loh YHE, Ebert A, Pimenova AA, Ramirez BR, Chan AT, Sullivan JM, Purushothaman I, Scarpa JR, Goate AM, Busslinger M, Shen L, Losic B, Schaefer A. Epigenetic regulation of brain region-specific microglia clearance activity. Nat Neurosci 2018; 21:1049-1060. [PMID: 30038282 PMCID: PMC6090564 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-018-0192-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The rapid elimination of dying neurons and nonfunctional synapses in the brain is carried out by microglia, the resident myeloid cells of the brain. Here we show that microglia clearance activity in the adult brain is regionally regulated and depends on the rate of neuronal attrition. Cerebellar, but not striatal or cortical, microglia exhibited high levels of basal clearance activity, which correlated with an elevated degree of cerebellar neuronal attrition. Exposing forebrain microglia to apoptotic cells activated gene-expression programs supporting clearance activity. We provide evidence that the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) epigenetically restricts the expression of genes that support clearance activity in striatal and cortical microglia. Loss of PRC2 leads to aberrant activation of a microglia clearance phenotype, which triggers changes in neuronal morphology and behavior. Our data highlight a key role of epigenetic mechanisms in preventing microglia-induced neuronal alterations that are frequently associated with neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Ayata
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ana Badimon
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hayley J Strasburger
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mary Kaye Duff
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah E Montgomery
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yong-Hwee E Loh
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anja Ebert
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anna A Pimenova
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Brianna R Ramirez
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Andrew T Chan
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josefa M Sullivan
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Immanuel Purushothaman
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph R Scarpa
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alison M Goate
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna Biocenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Li Shen
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bojan Losic
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Tisch Cancer Institute, Cancer Immunology Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne Schaefer
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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Shah AK, Kreibich CD, Amdam GV, Münch D. Metabolic enzymes in glial cells of the honeybee brain and their associations with aging, starvation and food response. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198322. [PMID: 29927967 PMCID: PMC6013123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The honey bee has been extensively studied as a model for neuronal circuit and memory function and more recently has emerged as an unconventional model in biogerontology. Yet, the detailed knowledge of neuronal processing in the honey bee brain contrasts with the very sparse information available on glial cells. In other systems glial cells are involved in nutritional homeostasis, detoxification, and aging. These glial functions have been linked to metabolic enzymes, such as glutamine synthetase and glycogen phosphorylase. As a step in identifying functional roles and potential differences among honey bee glial types, we examined the spatial distribution of these enzymes and asked if enzyme abundance is associated with aging and other processes essential for survival. Using immunohistochemistry and confocal laser microscopy we demonstrate that glutamine synthetase and glycogen phosphorylase are abundant in glia but appear to co-localize with different glial sub-types. The overall spatial distribution of both enzymes was not homogenous and differed markedly between different neuropiles and also within each neuropil. Using semi-quantitative Western blotting we found that rapid aging, typically observed in shortest-lived worker bees (foragers), was associated with declining enzyme levels. Further, we found enzyme abundance changes after severe starvation stress, and that glutamine synthetase is associated with food response. Together, our data indicate that aging and nutritional physiology in bees are linked to glial specific metabolic enzymes. Enzyme specific localization patterns suggest a functional differentiation among identified glial types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish K. Shah
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Claus D. Kreibich
- Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
| | - Gro V. Amdam
- Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Daniel Münch
- Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway
- * E-mail:
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28
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Chamniansawat S, Sawatdiyaphanon C. Age-Related Memory Impairment Associated With Decreased Endogenous Estradiol in the Hippocampus of Female Rats. Int J Toxicol 2018; 37:207-215. [PMID: 29554823 DOI: 10.1177/1091581818761653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
It is widely known that not only the gonadal estradiol (E2) but also hippocampal E2 plays an essential role in memory process. However, the role of hippocampal E2-enhanced memory mechanism during aging is largely unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of age on E2 concentration, the expression level of its receptors, and key steroidogenic enzymes in hippocampus. We also investigated the effect of microglia activation on E2 synthesis in hippocampal neurons. The results showed that serum E2 was higher in 19-month-old (aged) rats, which exhibited spatial memory decline in the Morris water maze (MWM) test when compared to the younger rats. Hence, serum E2 may not be associated with the reduced spatial memory performance in aging. In contrast, the level of E2 and the expressions of its receptors were significantly decreased in hippocampus of aged female rat compared to younger females. Furthermore, the expressions of key hippocampal steroidogenic enzymes, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and cytochrome P450 (P450) also significantly decreased with age, which resulted in lower hippocampal E2 levels. In addition, we found that the microglia of aged brain highly expressed interleukin 6 (IL-6), which directly inhibited E2 synthesis in hippocampal neurons via suppression of P450 synthesis. Taken together, we summarized that the microglia-derived IL-6 inhibited hippocampal E2 synthesis in aged rats which, in turn, contributed to the deficit of spatial memory performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siriporn Chamniansawat
- 1 Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
| | - Chattraporn Sawatdiyaphanon
- 1 Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Burapha University, Chonburi, Thailand
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29
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Mecca C, Giambanco I, Donato R, Arcuri C. Microglia and Aging: The Role of the TREM2-DAP12 and CX3CL1-CX3CR1 Axes. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E318. [PMID: 29361745 PMCID: PMC5796261 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Depending on the species, microglial cells represent 5-20% of glial cells in the adult brain. As the innate immune effector of the brain, microglia are involved in several functions: regulation of inflammation, synaptic connectivity, programmed cell death, wiring and circuitry formation, phagocytosis of cell debris, and synaptic pruning and sculpting of postnatal neural circuits. Moreover, microglia contribute to some neurodevelopmental disorders such as Nasu-Hakola disease (NHD), and to aged-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and others. There is evidence that human and rodent microglia may become senescent. This event determines alterations in the microglia activation status, associated with a chronic inflammation phenotype and with the loss of neuroprotective functions that lead to a greater susceptibility to the neurodegenerative diseases of aging. In the central nervous system (CNS), Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2-DNAX activation protein 12 (TREM2-DAP12) is a signaling complex expressed exclusively in microglia. As a microglial surface receptor, TREM2 interacts with DAP12 to initiate signal transduction pathways that promote microglial cell activation, phagocytosis, and microglial cell survival. Defective TREM2-DAP12 functions play a central role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. The CX3CL1 (fractalkine)-CX3CR1 signaling represents the most important communication channel between neurons and microglia. The expression of CX3CL1 in neurons and of its receptor CX3CR1 in microglia determines a specific interaction, playing fundamental roles in the regulation of the maturation and function of these cells. Here, we review the role of the TREM2-DAP12 and CX3CL1-CX3CR1 axes in aged microglia and the involvement of these pathways in physiological CNS aging and in age-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Mecca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Ileana Giambanco
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Rosario Donato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
- Centro Universitario per la Ricerca sulla Genomica Funzionale, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
| | - Cataldo Arcuri
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Perugia Medical School, University of Perugia, Piazza Lucio Severi 1, 06132 Perugia, Italy.
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30
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Fiuza FP, Aquino ACQ, Câmara DA, Cavalcanti JRLP, Nascimento Júnior ES, Lima RH, Engelberth RCGJ, Cavalcante JS. Region-specific glial hyperplasia and neuronal stability of rat lateral geniculate nucleus during aging. Exp Gerontol 2017; 100:91-99. [PMID: 29113752 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The normal aging process is accompanied by functional declines in image-forming and non-image forming visual systems. Among the components of these systems, the thalamic lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) offers a good model for aging studies since its three anatomical subdivisions, namely dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) and ventral lateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN), receives light information from retina and projects to different brain areas involved in visual-related functions. Nevertheless, there is very little data available about quantitative morphological aspects in LGN across lifespan. In this study, we used design-based stereology to estimate the number of neurons, glial cells, the glia/neuron ratio and the volume of the LGN of Wistar rats from 3, 13 or 23months of age. We examined each LGN subdivision processed by immunohistochemistry for NeuN and Nissl counterstain. We observed no significant age-related neuronal loss in any nuclei and a 21% and 33% significant increase in dLGN and IGL glial cells of 23month-old rats. We also observed the glia/neuron relation increases in dLGN of 13month-old rats and in dLGN, IGL and vLGN internal portion of 23month-old ones. Moreover, we report an age-related increase in IGL volume. These results show region-specific glial hyperplasia during aging within LGN nuclei, perhaps due to compensatory responses to inflammation. In addition, we observed the glia/neuron ratio as a more sensitive parameter to quantify age-related alterations. Hence, we provide an updated and expanded quantitative characterization of these visual-related thalamic nuclei and its variability across lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe P Fiuza
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Antônio Carlos Q Aquino
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Diego A Câmara
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - José Rodolfo L P Cavalcanti
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Health Science Center, University of State of Rio Grande do Norte, 59607-360 Mossoró, RN, Brazil
| | - Expedito S Nascimento Júnior
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy, Department of Morphology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Ramon H Lima
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Rovena Clara G J Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Jeferson S Cavalcante
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, 59072-970 Natal, RN, Brazil
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31
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Dönertaş HM, İzgi H, Kamacıoğlu A, He Z, Khaitovich P, Somel M. Gene expression reversal toward pre-adult levels in the aging human brain and age-related loss of cellular identity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5894. [PMID: 28724976 PMCID: PMC5517654 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It was previously reported that mRNA expression levels in the prefrontal cortex at old age start to resemble pre-adult levels. Such expression reversals could imply loss of cellular identity in the aging brain, and provide a link between aging-related molecular changes and functional decline. Here we analyzed 19 brain transcriptome age-series datasets, comprising 17 diverse brain regions, to investigate the ubiquity and functional properties of expression reversal in the human brain. Across all 19 datasets, 25 genes were consistently up-regulated during postnatal development and down-regulated in aging, displaying an "up-down" pattern that was significant as determined by random permutations. In addition, 113 biological processes, including neuronal and synaptic functions, were consistently associated with genes showing an up-down tendency among all datasets. Genes up-regulated during in vitro neuronal differentiation also displayed a tendency for up-down reversal, although at levels comparable to other genes. We argue that reversals may not represent aging-related neuronal loss. Instead, expression reversals may be associated with aging-related accumulation of stochastic effects that lead to loss of functional and structural identity in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Handan Melike Dönertaş
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom.
| | - Hamit İzgi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Altuğ Kamacıoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zhisong He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Philipp Khaitovich
- CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, CAS-MPG Partner Institute for Computational Biology, 320 Yue Yang Road, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Mehmet Somel
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06800, Ankara, Turkey.
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Improvement of spatial learning and memory, cortical gyrification patterns and brain oxidative stress markers in diabetic rats treated with Ficus deltoidea leaf extract and vitexin. J Tradit Complement Med 2017; 8:190-202. [PMID: 29322009 PMCID: PMC5755998 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2017] [Revised: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that Ficus deltoidea and vitexin played important roles in controlling hyperglycemia, an effective mitigation strategy dealing with cognitive deficit observed in diabetes, little is known about its neuroprotective effects. The study is aimed to determine changes in behavioral, gyrification patterns and brain oxidative stress markers in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats following F. deltoidea and vitexin treatments. Diabetic rats were treated orally with metformin, methanolic extract of F. deltoidea leaves and vitexin for eight weeks. Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate learning and memory functions. The patterns of cortical gyrification were subsequently visualized using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Quantification of brain oxidative stress biomarkers, insulin, amylin as well as serum testosterone were measured using a spectrophotometer. The brain fatty acid composition was determined using gas chromatography (GC). Biochemical variation in brain was estimated using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Results showed that oral administration of F. deltoidea extract and vitexin to diabetic rats attenuated learning and memory impairment, along with several clusters of improved gyrification. Both treatments also caused a significant increase in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) values, as well as a significant reduction of TBARS. Strikingly, improvement of cortical gyrification, spatial learning and memory are supported by serum testosterone levels, fatty acid composition of brain and FT-IR spectra.
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Chen BJ, Ueberham U, Mills JD, Kirazov L, Kirazov E, Knobloch M, Bochmann J, Jendrek R, Takenaka K, Bliim N, Arendt T, Janitz M. RNA sequencing reveals pronounced changes in the noncoding transcriptome of aging synaptosomes. Neurobiol Aging 2017; 56:67-77. [PMID: 28499146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2017.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2017] [Revised: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Normal aging is associated with impairments in cognitive functions. These alterations are caused by diminutive changes in the biology of synapses, and ineffective neurotransmission, rather than loss of neurons. Hitherto, only a few studies, exploring molecular mechanisms of healthy brain aging in higher vertebrates, utilized synaptosomal fractions to survey local changes in aging-related transcriptome dynamics. Here we present, for the first time, a comparative analysis of the synaptosomes transcriptome in the aging mouse brain using RNA sequencing. Our results show changes in the expression of genes contributing to biological pathways related to neurite guidance, synaptosomal physiology, and RNA splicing. More intriguingly, we also discovered alterations in the expression of thousands of novel, unannotated lincRNAs during aging. Further, detailed characterization of the cleavage and polyadenylation factor I subunit 1 (Clp1) mRNA and protein expression indicates its increased expression in neuronal processes of hippocampal stratum radiatum in aging mice. Together, our study uncovers a new layer of transcriptional regulation which is targeted by aging within the local environment of interconnecting neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Jun Chen
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Uwe Ueberham
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - James D Mills
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ludmil Kirazov
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Evgeni Kirazov
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany; Institute of Experimental Morphology, Pathology and Anthropology with Museum, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Mara Knobloch
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jana Bochmann
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Renate Jendrek
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Konii Takenaka
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicola Bliim
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Thomas Arendt
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, School of Medicine, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Janitz
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Amato D, Canneva F, Nguyen HP, Bauer P, Riess O, von Hörsten S, Müller CP. Capturing schizophrenia-like prodromal symptoms in a spinocerebellar ataxia-17 transgenic rat. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:461-473. [PMID: 27856682 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The polyglutamine disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 17 (SCA17) is a neurodegenerative disease leading to severe neurological symptoms during development. Additionally, patients affected by SCA17 display psychosis earlier than their motor disorders. OBJECTIVE Here the putative psychotic phenotype and endophenotype of transgenic SCA17 rats was examined. METHODS The expression of schizophrenia-like symptoms was evaluated over a longitudinal period before and after the onset of neurological symptoms in SCA17. To this end, transgenic SCA17 rats' monoamine neurotransmission was investigated along with their locomotion at baseline and in response to amphetamine using in-vivo microdialysis in free moving conditions, their sensorimotor gating using pre-pulse inhibition of startle reaction, and their object memory using the novel object recognition test as an index of cognitive impairments. RESULTS Presymptomatic SCA17 rats displayed dysregulated monoamine levels at baseline and in response to amphetamine compared with control wild-type (wt) rats. At that stage, neither amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion nor sensorimotor gating differed from that in wt rats. Symptomatic SCA17 rats developed sensorimotor gating deficits and also showed an impaired object memory, while their monoaminergic responses remained supersensitive to amphetamine. CONCLUSIONS The data of the present study demonstrate a neurochemical endophenotype in SCA17 rats resembling that of prodromal schizophrenia. These findings suggest that a sensitization of the monoamine systems arises early in adulthood in SCA17 rats and may predispose them to express schizophrenia-like symptoms later in life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Amato
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Fabio Canneva
- 2 Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- 3 Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Rare Disease Center Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter Bauer
- 3 Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Rare Disease Center Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Riess
- 3 Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Rare Disease Center Tübingen, University of Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- 2 Department of Experimental Therapy, Preclinical Experimental Center, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
| | - Christian P Müller
- 1 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany
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de Almondes KM, Leonardo MEM, Moreira AMS. Effects of a cognitive training program and sleep hygiene for executive functions and sleep quality in healthy elderly. Dement Neuropsychol 2017; 11:69-78. [PMID: 29213496 PMCID: PMC5619217 DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642016dn11-010011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aging process causes changes in the sleep-wake cycle and cognition, especially executive functions. Interventions are required to minimize the impact of the losses caused by the aging process. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a cognitive training program and psychoeducation on sleep hygiene techniques for executive functions and sleep quality in healthy elderly. METHODS The participants were 41 healthy elderly randomized into four groups ([CG] control group, cognitive training group [CTG], sleep hygiene group [SHG] and cognitive training and hygiene group [THG]). The study was conducted in three stages:1st - assessment of cognition and sleep;2nd - specific intervention for each group;3rd - post-intervention assessment. RESULTS The results showed that the CTG had significant improvements in cognitive flexibility tasks, planning, verbal fluency and episodic memory, gains in sleep quality and decreased excessive daytime sleepiness. The SHG also had improved sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness and significant improvements in insights, planning, attention and episodic memory. The THG had significant gains in cognitive flexibility, problem solving, verbal fluency, attention and episodic memory. CONCLUSION Cognitive training and sleep hygiene interventions were useful strategies for improving cognitive performance and sleep quality of healthy elderly, but there was no evidence that sessions combining cognitive training and psychoeducation on sleep hygiene enhanced the gains provided by these interventions applied individually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Moraes de Almondes
- Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology and
on the Postgraduate Program in Psychobiology, Federal University of Rio Grande do
Norte, Natal RN, Brazil
| | - Maria Emanuela Matos Leonardo
- Master's Student on the Postgraduate Program in
Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal RN, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Souza Moreira
- Master's Degree on the Postgraduate Program in
Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal RN, Brazil
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36
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Reichel JM, Bedenk BT, Czisch M, Wotjak CT. Age-related cognitive decline coincides with accelerated volume loss of the dorsal but not ventral hippocampus in mice. Hippocampus 2016; 27:28-35. [PMID: 27699923 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Even in the absence of neurodegenerative diseases, progressing age often coincides with cognitive decline and morphological changes. However, longitudinal studies that directly link these two processes are missing. In this proof-of-concept study we therefore performed repeated within-subject testing of healthy male R26R mice in a spatial learning task in combination with manganese-enhanced volumetric MRI analyses at the ages of 8, 16, and 24 months. We grouped the mice into good and poor performers (n = 6, each), based on their spatial learning abilities at the age of 24 months. Using this stratification, we failed to detect a priori volume differences, but observed a significant decrease in total hippocampal volume over time for both groups. Interestingly, this volume decrease was specific for the dorsal hippocampus and significantly accelerated in poor performers between 16 and 24 months of age. This is the first time that individual changes in hippocampal volume were traced alongside cognitive performance within the same subjects over 1½ years. Our study points to a causal link between volume loss of the dorsal hippocampus and cognitive impairments. In addition, it suggests accelerated degenerative processes rather than a priori volume differences as determining trajectories of age-related cognitive decline. Despite the relatively small sample sizes, the strong behavioral and moderate morphological alterations demonstrate the general feasibility of longitudinal studies of age-related decline in cognition and hippocampus integrity. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Reichel
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - B T Bedenk
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - M Czisch
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany.,Core Unit Neuroimaging, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - C T Wotjak
- Department of Stress Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
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Abstract
Introduction A recent increase in studies suggests a role of age-related sleep changes in executive functions (EF). However, this relationship remains unclear and mixed results have emerged. Objective To investigate how age-related sleep changes may play an important role in the extent to which healthy older adults exhibit decline in EF. Methods A systematic strategy was employed to identify the available literature on age-related sleep changes and EF. Results: Of the 465 studies identified, 26 were included. Results suggest that multiple sleep parameters differ in the way they benefit or impair EF. Parameters such as greater wake after sleep onset and lower sleep efficiency, in addition to circadian fragmentation of sleep, showed more consistent results and are potentially correlated with worsening in EF measures. However, other results seem inconclusive. Conclusion These findings were discussed based on the prefrontal circuitry vulnerability model, in which sleep has been identified as a beneficial factor for prefrontal cortex functioning and hence for EF, which relies mostly on this brain area and its related networks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Katie Moraes de Almondes
- Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology and on the Postgraduate Program in Psychology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Natal RN, Brazil
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Beuk J, Beninger RJ, Paré M. Lifespan Changes in the Countermanding Performance of Young and Middle Aged Adult Rats. Front Aging Neurosci 2016; 8:190. [PMID: 27555818 PMCID: PMC4977309 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2016.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory control can be investigated with the countermanding task, which requires subjects to make a response to a go signal and cancel that response when a stop signal is presented occasionally. Adult humans performing the countermanding task typically exhibit impaired response time (RT), stop signal response time (SSRT) and response accuracy as they get older, but little change in post-error slowing. Rodent models of the countermanding paradigm have been developed recently, yet none have directly examined age-related changes in performance throughout the lifespan. Male Wistar rats (N = 16) were trained to respond to a visual stimulus (go signal) by pressing a lever directly below an illuminated light for food reward, but to countermand the lever press subsequent to a tone (stop signal) that was presented occasionally (25% of trials) at a variable delay. Subjects were tested in 1 h sessions at approximately 7 and 12 months of age with intermittent training in between. Rats demonstrated longer go trial RT, a higher proportion of go trial errors and performed less total trials at 12, compared to 7 months of age. Consistent SSRT and post-error slowing were observed for rats at both ages. These results suggest that the countermanding performance of rats does vary throughout the lifespan, in a manner similar to humans, suggesting that rodents may provide a suitable model for behavioral impairment related to normal aging. These findings also highlight the importance of indicating the age at which rodents are tested in countermanding investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Beuk
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's University Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Richard J Beninger
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's UniversityKingston, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, Queen's UniversityKingston, ON, Canada
| | - Martin Paré
- Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Queen's UniversityKingston, ON, Canada; Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen's UniversityKingston, ON, Canada
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Repetto IE, Monti R, Tropiano M, Tomasi S, Arbini A, Andrade-Moraes CH, Lent R, Vercelli A. The Isotropic Fractionator as a Tool for Quantitative Analysis in Central Nervous System Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:190. [PMID: 27547177 PMCID: PMC4974250 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
One major aim in quantitative and translational neuroscience is to achieve a precise and fast neuronal counting method to work on high throughput scale to obtain reliable results. Here, we tested the isotropic fractionator (IF) method for evaluating neuronal and non-neuronal cell loss in different models of central nervous system (CNS) pathologies. Sprague-Dawley rats underwent: (i) ischemic brain damage; (ii) intraperitoneal injection with kainic acid (KA) to induce epileptic seizures; and (iii) monolateral striatal injection with quinolinic acid (QA) mimicking human Huntington's disease. All specimens were processed for IF method and cell loss assessed. Hippocampus from KA-treated rats and striatum from QA-treated rats were carefully dissected using a dissection microscope and a rat brain matrix. Ischemic rat brains slices were first processed for TTC staining and then for IF. In the ischemic group the cell loss corresponded to the neuronal loss suggesting that hypoxia primarily affects neurons. Combining IF with TTC staining we could correlate the volume of lesion to the neuronal loss; by IF, we could assess that neuronal loss also occurs contralaterally to the ischemic side. In the epileptic group we observed a reduction of neuronal cells in treated rats, but also evaluated the changes in the number of non-neuronal cells in response to the hippocampal damage. In the QA model, there was a robust reduction of neuronal cells on ipsilateral striatum. This neuronal cell loss was not related to a drastic change in the total number of cells, being overcome by the increase in non-neuronal cells, thus suggesting that excitotoxic damage in the striatum strongly activates inflammation and glial proliferation. We concluded that the IF method could represent a simple and reliable quantitative technique to evaluate the effects of experimental lesions mimicking human diseases, and to consider the neuroprotective/anti-inflammatory effects of different treatments in the whole brain and also in discrete regions of interest, with the potential to investigate non-neuronal alterations. Moreover, IF could be used in addition or in substitution to classical stereological techniques or TTC staining used so far, since it is fast, precise and easily combined with complex molecular analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan E. Repetto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Riccardo Monti
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Marta Tropiano
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Simone Tomasi
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New HavenCT, USA
| | - Alessia Arbini
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Lent
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Department of Neuroscience, University of TurinTurin, Italy
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Lana D, Iovino L, Nosi D, Wenk GL, Giovannini MG. The neuron-astrocyte-microglia triad involvement in neuroinflammaging mechanisms in the CA3 hippocampus of memory-impaired aged rats. Exp Gerontol 2016; 83:71-88. [PMID: 27466072 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2016.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We examined the effects of inflammaging on memory encoding, and qualitative and quantitative modifications on proinflammatory proteins, apoptosis, neurodegeneration and morphological changes of neuron-astrocyte-microglia triads in CA3 Stratum Pyramidale (SP), Stratum Lucidum (SL) and Stratum Radiatum (SR) of young (3months) and aged rats (20months). Aged rats showed short-term memory impairments in the inhibitory avoidance task, increased expression of iNOS and activation of p38MAPK in SP, increase of apoptotic neurons in SP and of ectopic neurons in SL, and decrease of CA3 pyramidal neurons. The number of astrocytes and their branches length decreased in the three CA3 subregions of aged rats, with morphological signs of clasmatodendrosis. Total and activated microglia increased in the three CA3 subregions of aged rats. In aged rats CA3, astrocytes surrounded ectopic degenerating neurons forming "micro scars" around them. Astrocyte branches infiltrated the neuronal cell body, and, together with activated microglia formed "triads". In the triads, significantly more numerous in CA3 SL and SR of aged rats, astrocytes and microglia cooperated in fragmentation and phagocytosis of ectopic neurons. Inflammaging-induced modifications of astrocytes and microglia in CA3 of aged rats may help clearing neuronal debris derived from low-grade inflammation and apoptosis. These events might be common mechanisms underlying many neurodegenerative processes. The frequency to which they appear might depend upon, or might be the cause of, the burden and severity of neurodegeneration. Targeting the triads may represent a therapeutic strategy which may control inflammatory processes and spread of further cellular damage to neighboring cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Lana
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Clinical Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Ludovica Iovino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, Viale Morgagni 63 and Section of Anatomy and Histology, Largo Brambilla 3, University of Florence, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Daniele Nosi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, Viale Morgagni 63 and Section of Anatomy and Histology, Largo Brambilla 3, University of Florence, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Gary L Wenk
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, OH, USA..
| | - Maria Grazia Giovannini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Pharmacology and Clinical Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Firenze, Italy.
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Tse KH, Herrup K. DNA damage in the oligodendrocyte lineage and its role in brain aging. Mech Ageing Dev 2016; 161:37-50. [PMID: 27235538 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Myelination is a recent evolutionary addition that significantly enhances the speed of transmission in the neural network. Even slight defects in myelin integrity impair performance and enhance the risk of neurological disorders. Indeed, myelin degeneration is an early and well-recognized neuropathology that is age associated, but appears before cognitive decline. Myelin is only formed by fully differentiated oligodendrocytes, but the entire oligodendrocyte lineage are clear targets of the altered chemistry of the aging brain. As in neurons, unrepaired DNA damage accumulates in the postmitotic oligodendrocyte genome during normal aging, and indeed may be one of the upstream causes of cellular aging - a fact well illustrated by myelin co-morbidity in premature aging syndromes arising from deficits in DNA repair enzymes. The clinical and experimental evidence from Alzheimer's disease, progeroid syndromes, ataxia-telangiectasia and other conditions strongly suggest that oligodendrocytes may in fact be uniquely vulnerable to oxidative DNA damage. If this damage remains unrepaired, as is increasingly true in the aging brain, myelin gene transcription and oligodendrocyte differentiation is impaired. Delineating the relationships between early myelin loss and DNA damage in brain aging will offer an additional dimension outside the neurocentric view of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Hei Tse
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Karl Herrup
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Zhang M, Ma Z, Qin H, Yao Z. Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Developmentally Expresses in Oligodendrocytes and Associates with Neuronal Amounts. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:2315-2326. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Carletti F, Sardo P, Gambino G, Liu XA, Ferraro G, Rizzo V. Hippocampal Hyperexcitability is Modulated by Microtubule-Active Agent: Evidence from In Vivo and In Vitro Epilepsy Models in the Rat. Front Cell Neurosci 2016; 10:29. [PMID: 26903814 PMCID: PMC4746529 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2016.00029] [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: 11/13/2015] [Accepted: 01/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The involvement of microtubule dynamics on bioelectric activity of neurons and neurotransmission represents a fascinating target of research in the context of neural excitability. It has been reported that alteration of microtubule cytoskeleton can lead to profound modifications of neural functioning, with a putative impact on hyperexcitability phenomena. Altogether, in the present study we pointed at exploring the outcomes of modulating the degree of microtubule polymerization in two electrophysiological models of epileptiform activity in the rat hippocampus. To this aim, we used in vivo maximal dentate activation (MDA) and in vitro hippocampal epileptiform bursting activity (HEBA) paradigms to assess the effects of nocodazole (NOC) and paclitaxel (PAC), that respectively destabilize and stabilize microtubule structures. In particular, in the MDA paroxysmal discharge is electrically induced, whereas the HEBA is obtained by altering extracellular ionic concentrations. Our results provided evidence that NOC 10 μM was able to reduce the severity of MDA seizures, without inducing neurotoxicity as verified by the immunohistochemical assay. In some cases, paroxysmal discharge was completely blocked during the maximal effect of the drug. These data were also in agreement with the outcomes of in vitro HEBA, since NOC markedly decreased burst activity that was even silenced occasionally. In contrast, PAC at 10 μM did not exert a clear action in both paradigms. The present study, targeting cellular mechanisms not much considered so far, suggests the possibility that microtubule-active drugs could modulate brain hyperexcitability. This contributes to the hypothesis that cytoskeleton function may affect synaptic processes, relapsing on bioelectric aspects of epileptic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Carletti
- Department of "Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience" (Bio.Ne.C.), "Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano", University of Palermo Palermo, Italy
| | - Pierangelo Sardo
- Department of "Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience" (Bio.Ne.C.), "Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano", University of PalermoPalermo, Italy; Post-graduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of PalermoPalermo, Italy
| | - Giuditta Gambino
- Department of "Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience" (Bio.Ne.C.), "Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano", University of Palermo Palermo, Italy
| | - Xin-An Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Jupiter, FL, USA
| | - Giuseppe Ferraro
- Department of "Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience" (Bio.Ne.C.), "Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano", University of PalermoPalermo, Italy; Post-graduate School of Nutrition and Food Science, University of PalermoPalermo, Italy
| | - Valerio Rizzo
- Department of "Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neuroscience" (Bio.Ne.C.), "Sezione di Fisiologia Umana G. Pagano", University of PalermoPalermo, Italy; Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiter, FL, USA
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Korpi ER, den Hollander B, Farooq U, Vashchinkina E, Rajkumar R, Nutt DJ, Hyytiä P, Dawe GS. Mechanisms of Action and Persistent Neuroplasticity by Drugs of Abuse. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:872-1004. [DOI: 10.1124/pr.115.010967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
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Rodriguez M, Rodriguez-Sabate C, Morales I, Sanchez A, Sabate M. Parkinson's disease as a result of aging. Aging Cell 2015; 14:293-308. [PMID: 25677794 PMCID: PMC4406659 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
It is generally considered that Parkinson's disease is induced by specific agents that degenerate a clearly defined population of dopaminergic neurons. Data commented in this review suggest that this assumption is not as clear as is often thought and that aging may be critical for Parkinson's disease. Neurons degenerating in Parkinson's disease also degenerate in normal aging, and the different agents involved in the etiology of this illness are also involved in aging. Senescence is a wider phenomenon affecting cells all over the body, whereas Parkinson's disease seems to be restricted to certain brain centers and cell populations. However, reviewed data suggest that Parkinson's disease may be a local expression of aging on cell populations which, by their characteristics (high number of synaptic terminals and mitochondria, unmyelinated axons, etc.), are highly vulnerable to the agents promoting aging. The development of new knowledge about Parkinson's disease could be accelerated if the research on aging and Parkinson's disease were planned together, and the perspective provided by gerontology gains relevance in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La LagunaLa Laguna, Spain
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED)La Laguna, Spain
| | - Clara Rodriguez-Sabate
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED)La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ingrid Morales
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La LagunaLa Laguna, Spain
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED)La Laguna, Spain
| | - Alberto Sanchez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La LagunaLa Laguna, Spain
| | - Magdalena Sabate
- Rehabilitation Service, Department of Pharmacology and Physical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of La LagunaLa Laguna, Spain
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Fu Y, Yu Y, Paxinos G, Watson C, Rusznák Z. Aging-dependent changes in the cellular composition of the mouse brain and spinal cord. Neuroscience 2015; 290:406-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.01.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 12/21/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Rodriguez M, Morales I, Rodriguez-Sabate C, Sanchez A, Castro R, Brito JM, Sabate M. The degeneration and replacement of dopamine cells in Parkinson's disease: the role of aging. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:80. [PMID: 25147507 PMCID: PMC4124707 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Available data show marked similarities for the degeneration of dopamine cells in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and aging. The etio-pathogenic agents involved are very similar in both cases, and include free radicals, different mitochondrial disturbances, alterations of the mitophagy and the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Proteins involved in PD such as α-synuclein, UCH-L1, PINK1 or DJ-1, are also involved in aging. The anomalous behavior of astrocytes, microglia and stem cells of the subventricular zone (SVZ) also changes similarly in aging brains and PD. Present data suggest that PD could be the expression of aging on a cell population with high vulnerability to aging. The future knowledge of mechanisms involved in aging could be critical for both understanding the etiology of PD and developing etiologic treatments to prevent the onset of this neurodegenerative illness and to control its progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain ; Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Madrid, Spain
| | - Ingrid Morales
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain ; Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Rodriguez-Sabate
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED) Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Sanchez
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Rafael Castro
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jose Miguel Brito
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Experimental Neurology, Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Magdalena Sabate
- Rehabilitation Service, Department of Physical Medicine and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of La Laguna La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
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Elibol-Can B, Dursun I, Telkes I, Kilic E, Canan S, Jakubowska-Dogru E. Examination of age-dependent effects of fetal ethanol exposure on behavior, hippocampal cell counts, and doublecortin immunoreactivity in rats. Dev Neurobiol 2013; 74:498-513. [PMID: 24302592 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2013] [Revised: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol is known as a potent teratogen having adverse effects on brain and behavior. However, some of the behavioral deficits caused by fetal alcohol exposure and well expressed in juveniles ameliorate with maturation may suggest some kind of functional recovery occurring during postnatal development. The aim of this study was to reexamine age-dependent behavioral impairments in fetal-alcohol rats and to investigate the changes in neurogenesis and gross morphology of the hippocampus during a protracted postnatal period searching for developmental deficits and/or delays that would correlate with behavioral impairments in juveniles and for potential compensatory processes responsible for their amelioration in adults. Ethanol was delivered to the pregnant dams by intragastric intubation throughout 7-21 gestation days at daily dose of 6 g/kg. Isocaloric intubation and intact control groups were included. Locomotor activity, anxiety, and spatial learning tasks were applied to juvenile and young-adult rats from all groups. Unbiased stereological estimates of hippocampal volumes, the total number of pyramidal and granular cells, and double cortin expressing neurons were carried out for postnatal days (PDs) PD1, PD10, PD30, and PD60. Alcohol insult during second trimester equivalent caused significant deficits in the spatial learning in juvenile rats; however, its effect on hippocampal morphology was limited to a marginally lower number of granular cells in dentate gyrus (DG) on PD30. Thus, initial behavioral deficits and the following functional recovery in fetal-alcohol subjects may be due to more subtle plastic changes within the hippocampal formation but also in other structures of the extended hippocampal circuit. Further investigation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birsen Elibol-Can
- Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06531, Turkey
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