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Merolla A, Michetti C, Moschetta M, Vacca F, Ciano L, Emionite L, Astigiano S, Romei A, Horenkamp S, Berglund K, Gross RE, Cesca F, Colombo E, Benfenati F. A pH-sensitive closed-loop nanomachine to control hyperexcitability at the single neuron level. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5609. [PMID: 38965228 PMCID: PMC11224301 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49941-3] [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: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy affects 1% of the general population and 30% of patients are resistant to antiepileptic drugs. Although optogenetics is an efficient antiepileptic strategy, the difficulty of illuminating deep brain areas poses translational challenges. Thus, the search of alternative light sources is strongly needed. Here, we develop pH-sensitive inhibitory luminopsin (pHIL), a closed-loop chemo-optogenetic nanomachine composed of a luciferase-based light generator, a fluorescent sensor of intracellular pH (E2GFP), and an optogenetic actuator (halorhodopsin) for silencing neuronal activity. Stimulated by coelenterazine, pHIL experiences bioluminescence resonance energy transfer between luciferase and E2GFP which, under conditions of acidic pH, activates halorhodopsin. In primary neurons, pHIL senses the intracellular pH drop associated with hyperactivity and optogenetically aborts paroxysmal activity elicited by the administration of convulsants. The expression of pHIL in hippocampal pyramidal neurons is effective in decreasing duration and increasing latency of pilocarpine-induced tonic-clonic seizures upon in vivo coelenterazine administration, without affecting higher brain functions. The same treatment is effective in markedly decreasing seizure manifestations in a murine model of genetic epilepsy. The results indicate that pHIL represents a potentially promising closed-loop chemo-optogenetic strategy to treat drug-refractory epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Merolla
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Caterina Michetti
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Matteo Moschetta
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesca Vacca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ciano
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessandra Romei
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Simone Horenkamp
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
| | - Ken Berglund
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert E Gross
- Department of Neurosurgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Fabrizia Cesca
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
| | - Elisabetta Colombo
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy.
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
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Xiao W, Li P, Kong F, Kong J, Pan A, Long L, Yan X, Xiao B, Gong J, Wan L. Unraveling the Neural Circuits: Techniques, Opportunities and Challenges in Epilepsy Research. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2024; 44:27. [PMID: 38443733 PMCID: PMC10914928 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-024-01458-5] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy, a prevalent neurological disorder characterized by high morbidity, frequent recurrence, and potential drug resistance, profoundly affects millions of people globally. Understanding the microscopic mechanisms underlying seizures is crucial for effective epilepsy treatment, and a thorough understanding of the intricate neural circuits underlying epilepsy is vital for the development of targeted therapies and the enhancement of clinical outcomes. This review begins with an exploration of the historical evolution of techniques used in studying neural circuits related to epilepsy. It then provides an extensive overview of diverse techniques employed in this domain, discussing their fundamental principles, strengths, limitations, as well as their application. Additionally, the synthesis of multiple techniques to unveil the complexity of neural circuits is summarized. Finally, this review also presents targeted drug therapies associated with epileptic neural circuits. By providing a critical assessment of methodologies used in the study of epileptic neural circuits, this review seeks to enhance the understanding of these techniques, stimulate innovative approaches for unraveling epilepsy's complexities, and ultimately facilitate improved treatment and clinical translation for epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Xiao
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Peile Li
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Fujiao Kong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jingyi Kong
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lili Long
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoxin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Bo Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jiaoe Gong
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Lily Wan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Central South University Xiangya Medical School, Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
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De Araujo Furtado M, Aroniadou-Anderjaska V, Figueiredo TH, Pidoplichko VI, Apland JP, Rossetti K, Braga MFM. Preventing Long-Term Brain Damage by Nerve Agent-Induced Status Epilepticus in Rat Models Applicable to Infants: Significant Neuroprotection by Tezampanel Combined with Caramiphen but Not by Midazolam Treatment. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:432-450. [PMID: 37739807 PMCID: PMC10801760 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute exposure to nerve agents induces a peripheral cholinergic crisis and prolonged status epilepticus (SE), causing death or long-term brain damage. To provide preclinical data pertinent to the protection of infants and newborns, we compared the antiseizure and neuroprotective effects of treating soman-induced SE with midazolam (MDZ) versus tezampanel (LY293558) in combination with caramiphen (CRM) in 12- and 7-day-old rats. The anticonvulsants were administered 1 hour after soman exposure; neuropathology data were collected up to 6 months postexposure. In both ages, the total duration of SE within 24 hours after soman exposure was significantly shorter in the LY293558 plus CRM groups compared with the MDZ groups. Neuronal degeneration was substantial in the MDZ-treated groups but absent or minimal in the groups treated with LY293558 plus CRM. Loss of neurons and interneurons in the basolateral amygdala and CA1 hippocampal area was significant in the MDZ-treated groups but virtually absent in the LY293558 plus CRM groups. Atrophy of the amygdala and hippocampus occurred only in MDZ-treated groups. Neuronal/interneuronal loss and atrophy of the amygdala and hippocampus deteriorated over time. Reduction of inhibitory activity in the basolateral amygdala and increased anxiety were found only in MDZ groups. Spontaneous recurrent seizures developed in the MDZ groups, deteriorating over time; a small percentage of rats from the LY293558 plus CRM groups also developed seizures. These results suggest that brain damage can be long lasting or permanent if nerve agent-induced SE in infant victims is treated with midazolam at a delayed timepoint after SE onset, whereas antiglutamatergic treatment with tezampanel and caramiphen provides significant neuroprotection. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: To protect the brain and the lives of infants in a mass exposure to nerve agents, an anticonvulsant treatment must be administered that will effectively stop seizures and prevent neuropathology, even if offered with a relative delay after seizure onset. The present study shows that midazolam, which was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of nerve agent-induced status epilepticus, is not an effective neuroprotectant, whereas brain damage can be prevented by targeting glutamate receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcio De Araujo Furtado
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
| | - Vassiliki Aroniadou-Anderjaska
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
| | - Taiza H Figueiredo
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
| | - Volodymyr I Pidoplichko
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
| | - James P Apland
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
| | - Katia Rossetti
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
| | - Maria F M Braga
- Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics (M.D.A.F., V.A.-A., T.H.F., V.I.P., K.R., M.F.M.B.) and Psychiatry (V.A.-A., M.F.M.B.), F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland; and Neuroscience Branch, US Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Gunpowder, Maryland (J.P.A.)
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Yoo HJ, Nashiro K, Dutt S, Min J, Cho C, Thayer JF, Lehrer P, Chang C, Mather M. Daily biofeedback to modulate heart rate oscillations affects structural volume in hippocampal subregions targeted by the locus coeruleus in older adults but not younger adults. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.03.02.23286715. [PMID: 37745356 PMCID: PMC10516053 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.02.23286715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Using data from a clinical trial, we tested the hypothesis that daily sessions modulating heart rate oscillations affect older adults' volume of a region-of-interest (ROI) comprised of adjacent hippocampal subregions with relatively strong locus coeruleus (LC) noradrenergic input. Younger and older adults were randomly assigned to one of two daily biofeedback practices for 5 weeks: 1) engage in slow-paced breathing to increase the amplitude of oscillations in heart rate at their breathing frequency (Osc+); 2) engage in self-selected strategies to decrease heart rate oscillations (Osc-). The interventions did not significantly affect younger adults' hippocampal volume. Among older adults, the two conditions affected volume in the LC-targeted hippocampal ROI differentially as reflected in a significant condition x time-point interaction on ROI volume. These condition differences were driven by opposing changes in the two conditions (increased volume in Osc+ and decreased volume in Osc-) and were mediated by the degree of heart rate oscillation during training sessions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Joo Yoo
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Kaoru Nashiro
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Shubir Dutt
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Jungwon Min
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | - Christine Cho
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
| | | | | | | | - Mara Mather
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089
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Paredes-Aragon E, AlKhaldi NA, Ballesteros-Herrera D, Mirsattari SM. Stereo-Encephalographic Presurgical Evaluation of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: An Evolving Science. Front Neurol 2022; 13:867458. [PMID: 35720095 PMCID: PMC9197919 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.867458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant epilepsy is present in nearly 30% of patients. Resection of the epileptogenic zone has been found to be the most effective in achieving seizure freedom. The study of temporal lobe epilepsy for surgical treatment is extensive and complex. It involves a multidisciplinary team in decision-making with initial non-invasive studies (Phase I), providing 70% of the required information to elaborate a hypothesis and treatment plans. Select cases present more complexity involving bilateral clinical or electrographic manifestations, have contradicting information, or may involve deeper structures as a part of the epileptogenic zone. These cases are discussed by a multidisciplinary team of experts with a hypothesis for invasive methods of study. Subdural electrodes were once the mainstay of invasive presurgical evaluation and in later years most Comprehensive Epilepsy Centers have shifted to intracranial recordings. The intracranial recording follows original concepts since its development by Bancaud and Talairach, but great advances have been made in the field. Stereo-electroencephalography is a growing field of study, treatment, and establishment of seizure pattern complexities. In this comprehensive review, we explore the indications, usefulness, discoveries in interictal and ictal findings, pitfalls, and advances in the science of presurgical stereo-encephalography for temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elma Paredes-Aragon
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Norah A AlKhaldi
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Neurology Department, King Fahad Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Daniel Ballesteros-Herrera
- Neurosurgery Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery "Dr. Manuel Velasco Suárez", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Seyed M Mirsattari
- Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Departments of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Diagnostic Imaging, Biomedical Imaging and Psychology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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