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Jiang Q, Wu KLK, Hu XQ, Cheung MH, Chen W, Ma CW, Shum DKY, Chan YS. Neonatal GABAergic transmission primes vestibular gating of output for adult spatial navigation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:147. [PMID: 38502309 PMCID: PMC10951018 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05170-x] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
GABAergic interneurons are poised with the capacity to shape circuit output via inhibitory gating. How early in the development of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) are GABAergic neurons recruited for feedforward shaping of outputs to higher centers for spatial navigation? The role of early GABAergic transmission in assembling vestibular circuits for spatial navigation was explored by neonatal perturbation. Immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging were utilized to reveal the expression of parvalbumin (PV)-expressing MVN neurons and their perineuronal nets. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording, coupled with optogenetics, was conducted in vitro to examine the synaptic function of MVN circuitry. Chemogenetic targeting strategy was also employed in vivo to manipulate neuronal activity during navigational tests. We found in rats a neonatal critical period before postnatal day (P) 8 in which competitive antagonization of GABAergic transmission in the MVN retarded maturation of inhibitory neurotransmission, as evidenced by deranged developmental trajectory for excitation/inhibition ratio and an extended period of critical period-like plasticity in GABAergic transmission. Despite increased number of PV-expressing GABAergic interneurons in the MVN, optogenetic-coupled patch-clamp recording indicated null-recruitment of these neurons in tuning outputs along the ascending vestibular pathway. Such perturbation not only offset output dynamics of ascending MVN output neurons, but was further accompanied by impaired vestibular-dependent navigation in adulthood. The same perturbations were however non-consequential when applied after P8. Results highlight neonatal GABAergic transmission as key to establishing feedforward output dynamics to higher brain centers for spatial cognition and navigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiufen Jiang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth Lap-Kei Wu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Xiao-Qian Hu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Man-Him Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenqiang Chen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
- Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chun-Wai Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Daisy Kwok-Yan Shum
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying-Shing Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China.
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Castillo-Astorga R, Del Valle-Batalla L, Mariman JJ, Plaza-Rosales I, de los Angeles Juricic M, Maldonado PE, Vogel M, Fuentes-Flores R. Combined therapy of bilateral transcranial direct current stimulation and ocular occlusion improves visual function in adults with amblyopia, a randomized pilot study. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1056432. [PMID: 36816499 PMCID: PMC9936073 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1056432] [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: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Amblyopia is the interocular visual acuity difference of two lines or more with the best correction in both eyes. It is treated with ocular occlusion therapy, but its success depends on neuroplasticity, and thus is effective in children but not adults. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) is suggested to increase neuroplasticity. Objective To determine if combined intervention of bilateral tDCS and ocular occlusion improves visual function in adults with amblyopia. Methods A double-blind randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted in 10 volunteers with amblyopia. While applying ocular occlusion and performing a reading task, participants received bilateral tDCS (n = 5) or sham stimulation (n = 5), with the anodal tDCS electrode in the contralateral visual cortex and the cathodal in the ipsilateral visual cortex in relation to the amblyopic eye. Visual function (through visual acuity, stereopsis, and contrast sensitivity tests) and visual evoked potential (with checkerboard pattern stimuli presentation) were evaluated immediately after. Results A total of 30 min after treatment with bilateral tDCS, visual acuity improved by 0.16 (± 0.025) LogMAR in the treatment group compared with no improvement (-0.02 ± 0.02) in five controls (p = 0.0079), along with a significant increase in the amplitude of visual evoked potentials of the amblyopic eye response (p = 0.0286). No significant changes were observed in stereopsis and contrast sensitivity. No volunteer reported any harm derived from the intervention. Conclusion Our study is the first to combine anodal and cathodal tDCS for the treatment of amblyopia, showing transient improved visual acuity in amblyopic adults.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Juan José Mariman
- Departamento de Kinesiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Departamento de Kinesiología, Facultad de Artes y Educación Física, Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile,Núcleo de Bienestar y Desarrollo Humano, Centro de Investigación en Educación (CIE-UMCE), Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ivan Plaza-Rosales
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Departamento de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Maria de los Angeles Juricic
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro Esteban Maldonado
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Marlene Vogel
- Departamento de Oftalmología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Exequiel González, Santiago, Chile,Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Romulo Fuentes-Flores
- Departamento de Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,Biomedical Neuroscience Institute (BNI), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile,*Correspondence: Romulo Fuentes-Flores,
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Liu S, Li Y. Deciphering functional roles of synaptic plasticity and intrinsic neural firing in developing mouse visual cortex layer IV microcircuit. J Comput Neurosci 2023; 51:23-42. [PMID: 35737171 DOI: 10.1007/s10827-022-00823-x] [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: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Between the onset of the critical period of mouse primary visual cortex and eye opening at postnatal day 14 is a complex process and that is vital for the cognitive function of vision. The onset of the critical period of mouse primary visual cortex involves changes of the intrinsic firing property of each neuron and short term plasticity of synapses. In order to investigate the functional role of each factor in regulating the circuit firing activity during the critical period plasticity, we adopted the Markram's model for short term plasticity and Wilson's model for intrinsic neuron firing activity, and construct a microcircuit for mouse visual cortex layer IV based on the connection probabilities from experimental results. Our results indicate that, during CP development, the most critical factors that regulate the firing pattern of microcircuit is the short term plasticity of the synapse from PC to PV and SST interneurons, which upregulates the PV interneuron firing and produces new balance between excitation and inhibition; the intrinsic firing activity of PC and PV during development downregulates the firing frequency of the circuits. In addition, we have investigated the function of feedforward excitatory thalamic-cortical projection to PC and PV interneuron during CP, and found that neural firing activity largely depends on the TC input and the results are similar to the local circuit with minor differences. We conclude that the short term plasticity development during critical period plays a crucial role in regulating the circuit behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanwu Liu
- School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yinyun Li
- School of Systems Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
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Masri S, Fair R, Mowery TM, Sanes DH. Developmental hearing loss-induced perceptual deficits are rescued by cortical expression of GABA B receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.10.523440. [PMID: 36711464 PMCID: PMC9882079 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.10.523440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Even transient periods of developmental hearing loss during the developmental critical period have been linked to long-lasting deficits in auditory perception, including temporal and spectral processing, which correlate with speech perception and educational attainment. In gerbils, hearing loss-induced perceptual deficits are correlated with a reduction of both ionotropic GABAA and metabotropic GABAB receptor-mediated synaptic inhibition in auditory cortex, but most research on critical period plasticity has focused on GABAA receptors. We developed viral vectors to express both endogenous GABAA or GABAB receptor subunits in auditory cortex and tested their capacity to restore perception of temporal and spectral auditory cues following critical period hearing loss in the Mongolian gerbil. HL significantly impaired perception of both temporal and spectral auditory cues. While both vectors similarly increased IPSCs in auditory cortex, only overexpression of GABAB receptors improved perceptual thresholds after HL to be similar to those of animals without developmental hearing loss. These findings identify the GABAB receptor as an important regulator of sensory perception in cortex and point to potential therapeutic targets for developmental sensory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samer Masri
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003
| | - Regan Fair
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003
| | - Todd M. Mowery
- Brain Health Institute & Department of Otolaryngology, Rutgers University
| | - Dan H. Sanes
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, 4 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003
- Department of Psychology, New York University
- Department of Biology, New York University
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center
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Casarotto P, Umemori J, Castrén E. BDNF receptor TrkB as the mediator of the antidepressant drug action. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1032224. [PMID: 36407765 PMCID: PMC9666396 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1032224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling through its receptor TrkB has for a long time been recognized as a critical mediator of the antidepressant drug action, but BDNF signaling has been considered to be activated indirectly through the action of typical and rapid-acting antidepressants through monoamine transporters and glutamate NMDA receptors, respectively. However, recent findings demonstrate that both typical and the fast-acting antidepressants directly bind to TrkB and thereby allosterically potentiate BDNF signaling, suggesting that TrkB is the direct target for antidepressant drugs. Increased TrkB signaling particularly in the parvalbumin-expressing interneurons orchestrates iPlasticity, a state of juvenile-like enhanced plasticity in the adult brain. iPlasticity sensitizes neuronal networks to environmental influences, enabling rewiring of networks miswired by adverse experiences. These findings have dramatically changed the position of TrkB in the antidepressant effects and they propose a new end-to-end model of the antidepressant drug action. This model emphasizes the enabling role of antidepressant treatment and the active participation of the patient in the process of recovery from mood disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Plinio Casarotto
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juzoh Umemori
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Gene and Cell Technology, A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Eero Castrén
- Neuroscience Center, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Mukerji A, Byrne KN, Yang E, Levi DM, Silver MA. Visual cortical γ-aminobutyric acid and perceptual suppression in amblyopia. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:949395. [PMID: 36118971 PMCID: PMC9479630 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.949395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In amblyopia, abnormal visual experience during development leads to an enduring loss of visual acuity in adulthood. Physiological studies in animal models suggest that intracortical GABAergic inhibition may mediate visual deficits in amblyopia. To better understand the relationship between visual cortical γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and perceptual suppression in persons with amblyopia (PWA), we employed magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify GABA levels in both PWA and normally-sighted persons (NSP). In the same individuals, we obtained psychophysical measures of perceptual suppression for a variety of ocular configurations. In PWA, we found a robust negative correlation between the depth of amblyopia (the difference in visual acuity between the amblyopic and non-amblyopic eyes) and GABA concentration that was specific to visual cortex and was not observed in a sensorimotor cortical control region. Moreover, lower levels of visual cortical GABA were associated with weaker perceptual suppression of the fellow eye by the amblyopic eye and stronger suppression of the amblyopic eye by the fellow eye. Taken together, our findings provide evidence that intracortical GABAergic inhibition is an important component of the pathology of human amblyopia and suggest possible therapeutic interventions to restore vision in the amblyopic eye through enhancement of visual cortical GABAergic signaling in PWA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjun Mukerji
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Kelly N. Byrne
- Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Eunice Yang
- Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Dennis M. Levi
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Michael A. Silver
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Henry H. Wheeler, Jr. Brain Imaging Center, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,Vision Science Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,School of Optometry, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Michael A. Silver,
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Perspectives on the Combined Use of Electric Brain Stimulation and Perceptual Learning in Vision. Vision (Basel) 2022; 6:vision6020033. [PMID: 35737420 PMCID: PMC9227313 DOI: 10.3390/vision6020033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of literature offers exciting perspectives on the use of brain stimulation to boost training-related perceptual improvements in humans. Recent studies suggest that combining visual perceptual learning (VPL) training with concomitant transcranial electric stimulation (tES) leads to learning rate and generalization effects larger than each technique used individually. Both VPL and tES have been used to induce neural plasticity in brain regions involved in visual perception, leading to long-lasting visual function improvements. Despite being more than a century old, only recently have these techniques been combined in the same paradigm to further improve visual performance in humans. Nonetheless, promising evidence in healthy participants and in clinical population suggests that the best could still be yet to come for the combined use of VPL and tES. In the first part of this perspective piece, we briefly discuss the history, the characteristics, the results and the possible mechanisms behind each technique and their combined effect. In the second part, we discuss relevant aspects concerning the use of these techniques and propose a perspective concerning the combined use of electric brain stimulation and perceptual learning in the visual system, closing with some open questions on the topic.
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Warm D, Schroer J, Sinning A. Gabaergic Interneurons in Early Brain Development: Conducting and Orchestrated by Cortical Network Activity. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 14:807969. [PMID: 35046773 PMCID: PMC8763242 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.807969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughout early phases of brain development, the two main neural signaling mechanisms—excitation and inhibition—are dynamically sculpted in the neocortex to establish primary functions. Despite its relatively late formation and persistent developmental changes, the GABAergic system promotes the ordered shaping of neuronal circuits at the structural and functional levels. Within this frame, interneurons participate first in spontaneous and later in sensory-evoked activity patterns that precede cortical functions of the mature brain. Upon their subcortical generation, interneurons in the embryonic brain must first orderly migrate to and settle in respective target layers before they can actively engage in cortical network activity. During this process, changes at the molecular and synaptic level of interneurons allow not only their coordinated formation but also the pruning of connections as well as excitatory and inhibitory synapses. At the postsynaptic site, the shift of GABAergic signaling from an excitatory towards an inhibitory response is required to enable synchronization within cortical networks. Concomitantly, the progressive specification of different interneuron subtypes endows the neocortex with distinct local cortical circuits and region-specific modulation of neuronal firing. Finally, the apoptotic process further refines neuronal populations by constantly maintaining a controlled ratio of inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Interestingly, many of these fundamental and complex processes are influenced—if not directly controlled—by electrical activity. Interneurons on the subcellular, cellular, and network level are affected by high frequency patterns, such as spindle burst and gamma oscillations in rodents and delta brushes in humans. Conversely, the maturation of interneuron structure and function on each of these scales feeds back and contributes to the generation of cortical activity patterns that are essential for the proper peri- and postnatal development. Overall, a more precise description of the conducting role of interneurons in terms of how they contribute to specific activity patterns—as well as how specific activity patterns impinge on their maturation as orchestra members—will lead to a better understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological development and function of the nervous system.
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Pietra G, Bonifacino T, Talamonti D, Bonanno G, Sale A, Galli L, Baroncelli L. Visual Cortex Engagement in Retinitis Pigmentosa. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179412. [PMID: 34502320 PMCID: PMC8431500 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a family of inherited disorders caused by the progressive degeneration of retinal photoreceptors. There is no cure for RP, but recent research advances have provided promising results from many clinical trials. All these therapeutic strategies are focused on preserving existing photoreceptors or substituting light-responsive elements. Vision recovery, however, strongly relies on the anatomical and functional integrity of the visual system beyond photoreceptors. Although the retinal structure and optic pathway are substantially preserved at least in early stages of RP, studies describing the visual cortex status are missing. Using a well-established mouse model of RP, we analyzed the response of visual cortical circuits to the progressive degeneration of photoreceptors. We demonstrated that the visual cortex goes through a transient and previously undescribed alteration in the local excitation/inhibition balance, with a net shift towards increased intracortical inhibition leading to improved filtering and decoding of corrupted visual inputs. These results suggest a compensatory action of the visual cortex that increases the range of residual visual sensitivity in RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Pietra
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Tiziana Bonifacino
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, I-16148 Genova, Italy; (T.B.); (G.B.)
| | - Davide Talamonti
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.S.); (L.G.)
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, I-34128 Trieste, Italy
| | - Giambattista Bonanno
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, University of Genova, I-16148 Genova, Italy; (T.B.); (G.B.)
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, I-16132 Genova, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sale
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Lucia Galli
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.S.); (L.G.)
| | - Laura Baroncelli
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy; (G.P.); (D.T.); (A.S.); (L.G.)
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, I-56128 Pisa, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-503-153199; Fax: +39-503-153220
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Hou WL, Yin XL, Yin XY, Guan LY, Cao JQ, Tang Z, Jiang CX, Xu DW, Yu X, Wang J, Jia QF, Chan RCK, Hui L. Association between stereopsis deficits and attention decline in patients with major depressive disorder. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 110:110267. [PMID: 33556482 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive and sensory deficits were considered a core feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, few studies investigated stereopsis integrity in patients with MDD. Thus, the objectives of this study investigated stereopsis integrity and its correlations with cognitive function and depressive symptom in patients with MDD. 90 patients with MDD and 116 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. Their stereoacuity was evaluated using the Titmus Stereopsis Test as well as assessing their cognitive function and depressive symptom by the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Log seconds of arc was significantly higher in patients than HCs (1.92 ± 0.41 versus 1.67 ± 0.16, t = 5.35, p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients with correct stereopsis detection was markedly declined in 400 (z = 3.06, p = 0.002), 200 (z = 3.84, p < 0.001), 140 (z = 4.73, p < 0.001), 100 (z = 4.58, p < 0.001), 80 (z = 5.06, p < 0.001), 60 (z = 4.72, p < 0.001), 50 (z = 4.24, p < 0.001), and 40 (z = 4.85, p < 0.001) seconds of arc compared with HCs. Log seconds of arc was significantly correlated with the RBANS total score (r = -0.38, p < 0.0001), subscores of attention (r = -0.49, p < 0.0001) and language (r = -0.33, p = 0.001) rather than HAMD score (r = 0.03, p = 0.78) in MDD patients. In addition, log seconds of arc was significantly related to the RBANS total score (r = -0.58, p < 0.0001) and language score (r = -0.45, p = 0.006) rather than attention score (r = -0.30, p = 0.07) in HCs. Further stepwise multivariate regression analyses showed the negative correlation of log seconds of arc with attention score (β = -0.80, t = -3.95, p < 0.0001) rather than HAMD score (β = -0.008, t = -0.09, p = 0.93) in MDD patients. However, there was no relationship between log seconds of arc and attention score in HCs (β = 1.52, t = 1.19, p = 0.24). Our results identified the marked deficits of stereopsis in MDD patients that were tightly correlated with their attention functioning rather than depressive symptom.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Long Hou
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Xiao-Li Yin
- Wenzhou Kangning Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325007, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xu-Yuan Yin
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Lu-Yang Guan
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Jia-Qi Cao
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Zhen Tang
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Cai-Xia Jiang
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Dong-Wu Xu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, PR China
| | - Xin Yu
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang, PR China; Institute of Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Qiu-Fang Jia
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health Institute of Psychiatry, Beijing 100101, PR China; Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Li Hui
- Research Center of Biological Psychiatry, The Affiliated Guangji Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215137, Jiangsu, PR China.
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Consorti A, Di Marco I, Sansevero G. Physical Exercise Modulates Brain Physiology Through a Network of Long- and Short-Range Cellular Interactions. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:710303. [PMID: 34489641 PMCID: PMC8417110 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.710303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decades, the effects of sedentary lifestyles have emerged as a critical aspect of modern society. Interestingly, recent evidence demonstrated that physical exercise plays an important role not only in maintaining peripheral health but also in the regulation of central nervous system function. Many studies have shown that physical exercise promotes the release of molecules, involved in neuronal survival, differentiation, plasticity and neurogenesis, from several peripheral organs. Thus, aerobic exercise has emerged as an intriguing tool that, on one hand, could serve as a therapeutic protocol for diseases of the nervous system, and on the other hand, could help to unravel potential molecular targets for pharmacological approaches. In the present review, we will summarize the cellular interactions that mediate the effects of physical exercise on brain health, starting from the factors released in myocytes during muscle contraction to the cellular pathways that regulate higher cognitive functions, in both health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Consorti
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
- NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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12
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Devienne G, Picaud S, Cohen I, Piquet J, Tricoire L, Testa D, Di Nardo AA, Rossier J, Cauli B, Lambolez B. Regulation of Perineuronal Nets in the Adult Cortex by the Activity of the Cortical Network. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5779-5790. [PMID: 34045309 PMCID: PMC8265812 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0434-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Perineuronal net (PNN) accumulation around parvalbumin-expressing (PV) inhibitory interneurons marks the closure of critical periods of high plasticity, whereas PNN removal reinstates juvenile plasticity in the adult cortex. Using targeted chemogenetic in vivo approaches in the adult mouse visual cortex, we found that transient inhibition of PV interneurons, through metabotropic or ionotropic chemogenetic tools, induced PNN regression. EEG recordings indicated that inhibition of PV interneurons did not elicit unbalanced network excitation. Likewise, inhibition of local excitatory neurons also induced PNN regression, whereas chemogenetic excitation of either PV or excitatory neurons did not reduce the PNN. We also observed that chemogenetically inhibited PV interneurons exhibited reduced PNN compared with their untransduced neighbors, and confirmed that single PV interneurons express multiple genes enabling individual regulation of their own PNN density. Our results indicate that PNN density is regulated in the adult cortex by local changes of network activity that can be triggered by modulation of PV interneurons. PNN regulation may provide adult cortical circuits with an activity-dependent mechanism to control their local remodeling.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The perineuronal net is an extracellular matrix, which accumulates around individual parvalbumin-expressing inhibitory neurons during postnatal development, and is seen as a barrier that prevents plasticity of neuronal circuits in the adult cerebral cortex. We found that transiently inhibiting parvalbumin-expressing or excitatory cortical neurons triggers a local decrease of perineuronal net density. Our results indicate that perineuronal nets are regulated in the adult cortex depending on the activity of local microcircuits. These findings uncover an activity-dependent mechanism by which adult cortical circuits may locally control their plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Devienne
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Sandrine Picaud
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Ivan Cohen
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Juliette Piquet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Ludovic Tricoire
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Damien Testa
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unite Mixte de Recherche 7241, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1050, PSL Research University, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Ariel A Di Nardo
- Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, Collège de France, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unite Mixte de Recherche 7241, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U1050, PSL Research University, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Jean Rossier
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Bruno Cauli
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
| | - Bertrand Lambolez
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Neuroscience Paris Seine-Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, Paris, 75005, France
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13
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Abuleil D, McCulloch DL, Thompson B. Older Adults Exhibit Greater Visual Cortex Inhibition and Reduced Visual Cortex Plasticity Compared to Younger Adults. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:607. [PMID: 31249506 PMCID: PMC6582629 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence indicates that inhibition within the visual cortex is greater in older than young adults. Increased inhibition has been associated with reduced visual cortex plasticity in animal models. We investigated whether age-related increases in human visual cortex inhibition occur in conjunction with reduced visual cortex plasticity. Visual cortex inhibition was measured psychophysically using binocular rivalry alternation rates (AR) for dichoptic gratings. Slower ARs are associated with a greater concentration of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA within the human visual cortex. Visual cortex plasticity was measured using an established paradigm for induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) -like increases in visually evoked potential (VEP) amplitude. Following rapid visual stimulation, greater increases in VEP amplitude indicate greater visual cortex plasticity. The study involved two groups; young (18-40 years, n = 29) and older adults (60-80 years, n = 18). VEPs were recorded for a 1 Hz onset/offset checkerboard stimulus before and after 9 Hz visual stimulation with the same stimulus. ARs were slower in older than young adults. In contrast to most previous studies, VEP amplitudes were significantly reduced following the rapid visual stimulation for young adults; older adult VEP amplitudes were unaffected. Our AR results replicate previous observations of increased visual cortex inhibition in the older adults. Rapid visual stimulation significantly altered VEP amplitude in young adults, albeit in the opposite direction than predicted. VEP amplitudes did not change in older adults suggesting an association between increased inhibition and reduced plasticity within the human visual cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dania Abuleil
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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14
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Fu T, Wang J, Ding Y, Zhang Y, Han S, Li J. Modulation of cPKCγ on Synapsin-Ia/b-Specific Phosphorylation Sites in the Developing Visual Cortex of Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:2676-2684. [PMID: 31242289 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-26675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the role of synapsin-Ia/b in visual cortical plasticity, the dynamic changes in total protein expression (T-) and conventional protein kinase C (cPKC)γ-modulated phosphorylation (P-) levels of synapsin-Ia/b were observed in the developing visual cortex of mice. Methods The Western blot analysis was used to determine the levels of T- and P-synapsin-Ia/b at site of Ser9, 549, and 603; the cPKCγ gene wild-type (cPKCγ+/+) and knockout (cPKCγ-/-) mice were applied to explore the modulation of cPKCγ on synapsin-Ia/b phosphorylation status in visual cortex of mice at postnatal 7 to 60 days (P7-P60, n = 6 per group). Results The results showed that T-synapsin-Ia/b protein levels significantly increased at P14 to P35 and peaked at P42 to 60 (P < 0.001) in visual cortex when compared with that of P7 cPKCγ+/+ mice, and cPKCγ-/- did not affect this pattern of T-synapsin-Ia/b protein expressions. For synapsin-Ia/b phosphorylation status, the levels of P-Ser9 and 603 synapsin-Ia/b significantly elevated at P21 to P28 (P < 0.05 or 0.001), and then went down and maintained at lower levels at P35 to P60 (P < 0.05 or 0.001) compared with P7 cPKCγ+/+ mice. In addition, the cPKCγ gene knockout could significantly (P < 0.001) inhibit both the increase and decrease of P-Ser9 and 603 synapsin-Ia/b levels when compared with cPKCγ+/+ mice at P7 to P60. However, there were no significant changes of P-Ser549 synapsin-Ia/b in the developing visual cortex of both cPKCγ+/+ and cPKCγ-/- mice at P7 to P60. Conclusions These results suggested that both protein expression levels and cPKCγ-modulated phosphorylation status at Ser9 and 603 of synapsin-Ia/b may play important role in developing visual cortex of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Fu
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Yichao Ding
- Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Ophthalmology and Visual Science Key Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Yunxia Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Song Han
- Department of Neurobiology and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Junfa Li
- Department of Neurobiology and Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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15
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Mitochondrial pathophysiology beyond the retinal ganglion cell: occipital GABA is decreased in autosomal dominant optic neuropathy. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2018; 256:2341-2348. [PMID: 30324419 PMCID: PMC6224020 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-018-4153-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE It has remained a mystery why some genetic mitochondrial disorders affect predominantly specific cell types such as the retinal ganglion cell. This is particularly intriguing concerning retinal and cortical function since they are tightly linked in health and disease. Autosomal dominant optic neuropathy (ADOA) is a mitochondrial disease that affects the ganglion cell. However, it is unknown whether alterations are also present in the visual cortex, namely in excitation/inhibition balance. METHODS In this study, we performed in vivo structural and biochemical proton magnetic resonance imaging in 14 ADOA and 11 age-matched control participants focusing on the visual cortex, with the aim of establishing whether in this genetically determined disease an independent cortical neurochemical phenotype could be established irrespective of a putative structural phenotype. Cortical thickness of anatomically defined visual areas was estimated, and a voxel-based morphometry approach was used to assess occipital volumetric changes in ADOA. Neurochemical measurements were focused on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate, as indicators of the local excitatory/inhibitory balance. RESULTS We found evidence for reduced visual cortical GABA and preserved glutamate concentrations in the absence of cortical or subcortical atrophy. These changes in GABA levels were explained by neither structural nor functional measures of visual loss, suggesting a developmental origin. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that mitochondrial disorders that were previously believed to only affect retinal function may also affect cortical physiology, especially the GABAergic system, suggesting reduced brain inhibition vs. excitation. This GABA phenotype, independent of sensory loss or cortical atrophy and in the presence of preserved glutamate levels, suggests a neurochemical developmental change at the cortical level, leading to a pathophysiological excitation/inhibition imbalance.
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Interneuron Simplification and Loss of Structural Plasticity As Markers of Aging-Related Functional Decline. J Neurosci 2018; 38:8421-8432. [PMID: 30108129 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0808-18.2018] [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: 03/22/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in excitatory neuron and synapse structure have been recognized as a potential physical source of age-related cognitive decline. Despite the importance of inhibition to brain plasticity, little is known regarding aging-associated changes to inhibitory neurons. Here we test for age-related cellular and circuit changes to inhibitory neurons of mouse visual cortex. We find no substantial difference in inhibitory neuron number, inhibitory neuronal subtypes, or synapse numbers within the cerebral cortex of aged mice compared with younger adults. However, when comparing cortical interneuron morphological parameters, we find differences in complexity, suggesting that arbors are simplified in aged mice. In vivo two-photon microscopy has previously shown that in contrast to pyramidal neurons, inhibitory interneurons retain a capacity for dendritic remodeling in the adult. We find that this capacity diminishes with age and is accompanied by a shift in dynamics from balanced branch additions and retractions to progressive prevalence of retractions, culminating in a dendritic arbor that is both simpler and more stable. Recording of visually evoked potentials shows that aging-related interneuron dendritic arbor simplification and reduced dynamics go hand in hand with loss of induced stimulus-selective response potentiation (SRP), a paradigm for adult visual cortical plasticity. Chronic treatment with the antidepressant fluoxetine reversed deficits in interneuron structural dynamics and restored SRP in aged animals. Our results support a structural basis for age-related impairments in sensory perception, and suggest that declines in inhibitory neuron structural plasticity during aging contribute to reduced functional plasticity.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Structural alterations in neuronal morphology and synaptic connections have been proposed as a potential physical basis for age-related decline in cognitive function. Little is known regarding aging-associated changes to inhibitory neurons, despite the importance of inhibitory circuitry to adult cortical plasticity and the reorganization of cortical maps. Here we show that brain aging goes hand in hand with progressive structural simplification and reduced plasticity of inhibitory neurons, and a parallel decline in sensory map plasticity. Fluoxetine treatment can attenuate the concurrent age-related declines in interneuron structural and functional plasticity, suggesting it could provide an important therapeutic approach for mitigating sensory and cognitive deficits associated with aging.
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17
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Scheyltjens I, Vreysen S, Van den Haute C, Sabanov V, Balschun D, Baekelandt V, Arckens L. Transient and localized optogenetic activation of somatostatin-interneurons in mouse visual cortex abolishes long-term cortical plasticity due to vision loss. Brain Struct Funct 2018; 223:2073-2095. [PMID: 29372324 PMCID: PMC5968055 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-018-1611-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Unilateral vision loss through monocular enucleation (ME) results in partial reallocation of visual cortical territory to another sense in adult mice. The functional recovery of the visual cortex occurs through a combination of spared-eye potentiation and cross-modal reactivation driven by whisker-related, somatosensory inputs. Brain region-specific intracortical inhibition was recently recognized as a crucial regulator of the cross-modal component, yet the contribution of specific inhibitory neuron subpopulations remains poorly understood. Somatostatin (SST)-interneurons are ideally located within the cortical circuit to modulate sensory integration. Here we demonstrate that optogenetic stimulation of visual cortex SST-interneurons prior to eye removal decreases ME-induced cross-modal recovery at the stimulation site. Our results suggest that SST-interneurons act as local hubs, which are able to control the influx and extent of cortical cross-modal inputs into the deprived cortex. These insights critically expand our understanding of SST-interneuron-specific regulation of cortical plasticity induced by sensory loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Samme Vreysen
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Chris Van den Haute
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.,Leuven Viral Vector Core, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Victor Sabanov
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Detlef Balschun
- Laboratory of Biological Psychology, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Veerle Baekelandt
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, KU Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, Box 2467, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
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18
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The neural basis of spatial vision losses in the dysfunctional visual system. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11376. [PMID: 28900225 PMCID: PMC5595843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11364-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human vision relies on correct information processing from the eye to various visual areas. Disturbances in the visual perception of simple features are believed to come from low-level network (e.g., V1) disruptions. In the present study, we modelled monocular losses in spatial vision through plausible multiple network modifications in early visual coding. We investigated perceptual deficits in anisometropic amblyopia and used the monocular tilt illusion as a probe of primary visual cortex orientation coding and inhibitory interactions. The psychophysical results showed that orientation misperception was higher in amblyopic eyes (AE) than in the fellow and neurotypical eyes and was correlated with the subject’s AE peak contrast sensitivity. The model fitted to the experimental results allowed to split these observations between different network characteristics by showing that these observations were explained by broader orientation tuning widths in AEs and stronger lateral inhibition in abnormal amblyopic system that had strong contrast sensitivity losses. Through psychophysics measures and computational modelling of V1, our study links multiple perceptual changes with localized modifications in the primary visual cortex.
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Visual Deprivation During the Critical Period Enhances Layer 2/3 GABAergic Inhibition in Mouse V1. J Neurosci 2017; 36:5914-9. [PMID: 27251614 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0051-16.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The role of GABAergic signaling in establishing a critical period for experience in visual cortex is well understood. However, the effects of early experience on GABAergic synapses themselves are less clear. Here, we show that monocular deprivation (MD) during the adolescent critical period produces marked enhancement of GABAergic signaling in layer 2/3 of mouse monocular visual cortex. This enhancement coincides with a weakening of glutamatergic inputs, resulting in a significant reduction in the ratio of excitation to inhibition. The potentiation of GABAergic transmission arises from both an increased number of inhibitory synapses and an enhancement of presynaptic GABA release from parvalbumin- and somatostatin-expressing interneurons. Our results suggest that augmented GABAergic inhibition contributes to the experience-dependent regulation of visual function. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Visual experience shapes the synaptic organization of cortical circuits in the mouse brain. Here, we show that monocular visual deprivation enhances GABAergic synaptic inhibition in primary visual cortex. This enhancement is mediated by an increase in both the number of postsynaptic GABAergic synapses and the probability of presynaptic GABA release. Our results suggest a contributing mechanism to altered visual responses after deprivation.
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Pizzamiglio L, Focchi E, Murru L, Tamborini M, Passafaro M, Menna E, Matteoli M, Antonucci F. New Role of ATM in Controlling GABAergic Tone During Development. Cereb Cortex 2016; 26:3879-88. [PMID: 27166172 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhw125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The capacity to guarantee the proper excitatory/inhibitory balance is one of the most critical steps during early development responsible for the correct brain organization, function, and plasticity. GABAergic neurons guide this process leading to the right structural organization, brain circuitry, and neuronal firing. Here, we identified the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), a serine/threonine protein kinase linked to DNA damage response, as crucial in regulating neurotransmission. We found that reduced levels of ATM in the hippocampal neuronal cultures produce an excitatory/inhibitory unbalance toward inhibition as indicated by the higher frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic current events and an increased number of GABAergic synapses. In vivo, the increased inhibition still persists and, even if a higher excitation is also present, a reduced neuronal excitability is found as indicated by the lower action potential frequency generated in response to high-current intensity stimuli. Finally, we found an elevated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in heterozygous hippocampi associated with lower expression levels of the ERK1/2 phosphatase PP1. Given that the neurodegenerative condition associated with genetic mutations in the Atm gene, ataxia telangiectasia, presents a variable phenotype with impairment in cognition, our molecular findings provide a logical frame for a more clear comprehension of cognitive defects in the pathology, opening to novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Pizzamiglio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Lazzaro Spallanzani, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Focchi
- Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS Rozzano, Rozzano (Milan), Italy
| | - Luca Murru
- Institute of Neuroscience, C.N.R., 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Tamborini
- Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Menna
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS Rozzano, Rozzano (Milan), Italy Institute of Neuroscience, C.N.R., 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Matteoli
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS Rozzano, Rozzano (Milan), Italy Institute of Neuroscience, C.N.R., 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy Institute of Neuroscience, C.N.R., 20129 Milan, Italy
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Scheyltjens I, Arckens L. The Current Status of Somatostatin-Interneurons in Inhibitory Control of Brain Function and Plasticity. Neural Plast 2016; 2016:8723623. [PMID: 27403348 PMCID: PMC4923604 DOI: 10.1155/2016/8723623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex contains many distinct inhibitory neuronal populations to balance excitatory neurotransmission. A correct excitation/inhibition equilibrium is crucial for normal brain development, functioning, and controlling lifelong cortical plasticity. Knowledge about how the inhibitory network contributes to brain plasticity however remains incomplete. Somatostatin- (SST-) interneurons constitute a large neocortical subpopulation of interneurons, next to parvalbumin- (PV-) and vasoactive intestinal peptide- (VIP-) interneurons. Unlike the extensively studied PV-interneurons, acknowledged as key components in guiding ocular dominance plasticity, the contribution of SST-interneurons is less understood. Nevertheless, SST-interneurons are ideally situated within cortical networks to integrate unimodal or cross-modal sensory information processing and therefore likely to be important mediators of experience-dependent plasticity. The lack of knowledge on SST-interneurons partially relates to the wide variety of distinct subpopulations present in the sensory neocortex. This review informs on those SST-subpopulations hitherto described based on anatomical, molecular, or electrophysiological characteristics and whose functional roles can be attributed based on specific cortical wiring patterns. A possible role for these subpopulations in experience-dependent plasticity will be discussed, emphasizing on learning-induced plasticity and on unimodal and cross-modal plasticity upon sensory loss. This knowledge will ultimately contribute to guide brain plasticity into well-defined directions to restore sensory function and promote lifelong learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Scheyltjens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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Hoppenrath K, Härtig W, Funke K. Intermittent Theta-Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Alters Electrical Properties of Fast-Spiking Neocortical Interneurons in an Age-Dependent Fashion. Front Neural Circuits 2016; 10:22. [PMID: 27065812 PMCID: PMC4811908 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2016.00022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of human cortical excitability by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) appears to be in part related to changed activity of inhibitory systems. Our own studies showed that intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) applied via rTMS to rat cortex primarily affects the parvalbumin-expressing (PV) fast-spiking interneurons (FSIs), evident via a strongly reduced PV expression. We further found the iTBS effect on PV to be age-dependent since no reduction in PV could be induced before the perineuronal nets (PNNs) of FSIs start to grow around postnatal day (PD) 30. To elucidate possible iTBS-induced changes in the electrical properties of FSIs and cortical network activity during cortical critical period, we performed ex vivo-in vitro whole-cell patch clamp recordings from pre-labeled FSIs in the current study. FSIs of verum iTBS-treated rats displayed a higher excitability than sham-treated controls at PD29-38, evident as higher rates of induced action potential firing at low current injections (100-200 pA) and a more depolarized resting membrane potential. This effect was absent in younger (PD26-28) and older animals (PD40-62). Slices of verum iTBS-treated rats further showed higher rates of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs). Based on these and previous findings we conclude that FSIs are particularly sensitive to TBS during early cortical development, when FSIs show an activity-driven step of maturation which is paralleled by intense growth of the PNNs and subsequent closure of the cortical critical period. Although to be proven further, rTMS may be a possible early intervention to compensate for hypo-activity related mal-development of cortical neuronal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Hoppenrath
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University BochumBochum, Germany; Rottendorf Pharma GmbHEnnigerloh, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Härtig
- Pathophysiology of Neuroglia, Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig Leipzig, Germany
| | - Klaus Funke
- Department of Neurophysiology, Medical Faculty, Ruhr-University Bochum Bochum, Germany
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The effect of transcranial direct current stimulation on contrast sensitivity and visual evoked potential amplitude in adults with amblyopia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:19280. [PMID: 26763954 PMCID: PMC4725886 DOI: 10.1038/srep19280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental disorder of vision that occurs when the visual cortex receives decorrelated inputs from the two eyes during an early critical period of development. Amblyopic eyes are subject to suppression from the fellow eye, generate weaker visual evoked potentials (VEPs) than fellow eyes and have multiple visual deficits including impairments in visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. Primate models and human psychophysics indicate that stronger suppression is associated with greater deficits in amblyopic eye contrast sensitivity and visual acuity. We tested whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the visual cortex would modulate VEP amplitude and contrast sensitivity in adults with amblyopia. tDCS can transiently alter cortical excitability and may influence suppressive neural interactions. Twenty-one patients with amblyopia and twenty-seven controls completed separate sessions of anodal (a-), cathodal (c-) and sham (s-) visual cortex tDCS. A-tDCS transiently and significantly increased VEP amplitudes for amblyopic, fellow and control eyes and contrast sensitivity for amblyopic and control eyes. C-tDCS decreased VEP amplitude and contrast sensitivity and s-tDCS had no effect. These results suggest that tDCS can modulate visual cortex responses to information from adult amblyopic eyes and provide a foundation for future clinical studies of tDCS in adults with amblyopia.
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Chumak T, Rüttiger L, Lee SC, Campanelli D, Zuccotti A, Singer W, Popelář J, Gutsche K, Geisler HS, Schraven SP, Jaumann M, Panford-Walsh R, Hu J, Schimmang T, Zimmermann U, Syka J, Knipper M. BDNF in Lower Brain Parts Modifies Auditory Fiber Activity to Gain Fidelity but Increases the Risk for Generation of Central Noise After Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2015; 53:5607-27. [PMID: 26476841 PMCID: PMC5012152 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9474-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
For all sensory organs, the establishment of spatial and temporal cortical resolution is assumed to be initiated by the first sensory experience and a BDNF-dependent increase in intracortical inhibition. To address the potential of cortical BDNF for sound processing, we used mice with a conditional deletion of BDNF in which Cre expression was under the control of the Pax2 or TrkC promoter. BDNF deletion profiles between these mice differ in the organ of Corti (BDNFPax2-KO) versus the auditory cortex and hippocampus (BDNFTrkC-KO). We demonstrate that BDNFPax2-KO but not BDNFTrkC-KO mice exhibit reduced sound-evoked suprathreshold ABR waves at the level of the auditory nerve (wave I) and inferior colliculus (IC) (wave IV), indicating that BDNF in lower brain regions but not in the auditory cortex improves sound sensitivity during hearing onset. Extracellular recording of IC neurons of BDNFPax2 mutant mice revealed that the reduced sensitivity of auditory fibers in these mice went hand in hand with elevated thresholds, reduced dynamic range, prolonged latency, and increased inhibitory strength in IC neurons. Reduced parvalbumin-positive contacts were found in the ascending auditory circuit, including the auditory cortex and hippocampus of BDNFPax2-KO, but not of BDNFTrkC-KO mice. Also, BDNFPax2-WT but not BDNFPax2-KO mice did lose basal inhibitory strength in IC neurons after acoustic trauma. These findings suggest that BDNF in the lower parts of the auditory system drives auditory fidelity along the entire ascending pathway up to the cortex by increasing inhibitory strength in behaviorally relevant frequency regions. Fidelity and inhibitory strength can be lost following auditory nerve injury leading to diminished sensory outcome and increased central noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetyana Chumak
- Department of Auditory Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukas Rüttiger
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sze Chim Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dario Campanelli
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annalisa Zuccotti
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.,Department of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital and DKFZ Heidelberg, In Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Wibke Singer
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jiří Popelář
- Department of Auditory Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Katja Gutsche
- Instituto de Biologíay Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Hyun-Soon Geisler
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Philipp Schraven
- Department of Otolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Comprehensive Hearing Center, University of Würzburg, Josef-Schneider-Straße 11, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mirko Jaumann
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Jing Hu
- Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, Otfried-Müller-Straße 25, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schimmang
- Instituto de Biologíay Genética Molecular, Universidad de Valladolid y Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, E-47003, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ulrike Zimmermann
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Josef Syka
- Department of Auditory Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Vídeňská 1083, 142 20, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marlies Knipper
- Department of Otolaryngology, Hearing Research Centre Tübingen, Molecular Physiology of Hearing, University of Tübingen, Elfriede-Aulhorn-Str. 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
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Joo K, Rhie DJ, Jang HJ. Enhancement of GluN2B Subunit-Containing NMDA Receptor Underlies Serotonergic Regulation of Long-Term Potentiation after Critical Period in the Rat Visual Cortex. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY & PHARMACOLOGY : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY AND THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF PHARMACOLOGY 2015; 19:523-31. [PMID: 26557019 PMCID: PMC4637355 DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2015.19.6.523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] regulates synaptic plasticity in the visual cortex. Although the effects of 5-HT on plasticity showed huge diversity depending on the ages of animals and species, it has been unclear how 5-HT can show such diverse effects. In the rat visual cortex, 5-HT suppressed long-term potentiation (LTP) at 5 weeks but enhanced LTP at 8 weeks. We speculated that this difference may originate from differential regulation of neurotransmission by 5-HT between the age groups. Thus, we investigated the effects of 5-HT on apha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-, γ-aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABAAR)-, and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR)-mediated neurotransmissions and their involvement in the differential regulation of plasticity between 5 and 8 weeks. AMPAR-mediated currents were not affected by 5-HT at both 5 and 8 weeks. GABAAR-mediated currents were enhanced by 5-HT at both age groups. However, 5-HT enhanced NMDAR-mediated currents only at 8 weeks. The enhancement of NMDAR-mediated currents appeared to be mediated by the enhanced function of GluN2B subunit-containing NMDAR. The enhanced GABAAR- and NMDAR-mediated neurotransmissions were responsible for the suppression of LTP at 5 weeks and the facilitation of LTP at 8 weeks, respectively. These results indicate that the effects of 5-HT on neurotransmission change with development, and the changes may underlie the differential regulation of synaptic plasticity between different age groups. Thus, the developmental changes in 5-HT function should be carefully considered while investigating the 5-HT-mediated metaplastic control of the cortical network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayoung Joo
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Duck-Joo Rhie
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea. ; Catholic Neuroscience Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Hyun-Jong Jang
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea. ; Catholic Neuroscience Institute, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
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Laskowska-Macios K, Nys J, Hu TT, Zapasnik M, Van der Perren A, Kossut M, Burnat K, Arckens L. Binocular pattern deprivation interferes with the expression of proteins involved in primary visual cortex maturation in the cat. Mol Brain 2015; 8:48. [PMID: 26271461 PMCID: PMC4536594 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0137-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Binocular pattern deprivation from eye opening (early BD) delays the maturation of the primary visual cortex. This delay is more pronounced for the peripheral than the central visual field representation within area 17, particularly between the age of 2 and 4 months [Laskowska-Macios, Cereb Cortex, 2014]. Results In this study, we probed for related dynamic changes in the cortical proteome. We introduced age, cortical region and BD as principal variables in a 2-D DIGE screen of area 17. In this way we explored the potential of BD-related protein expression changes between central and peripheral area 17 of 2- and 4-month-old BD (2BD, 4BD) kittens as a valid parameter towards the identification of brain maturation-related molecular processes. Consistent with the maturation delay, distinct developmental protein expression changes observed for normal kittens were postponed by BD, especially in the peripheral region. These BD-induced proteomic changes suggest a negative regulation of neurite outgrowth, synaptic transmission and clathrin-mediated endocytosis, thereby implicating these processes in normal experience-induced visual cortex maturation. Verification of the expression of proteins from each of the biological processes via Western analysis disclosed that some of the transient proteomic changes correlate to the distinct behavioral outcome in adult life, depending on timing and duration of the BD period [Neuroscience 2013;255:99-109]. Conclusions Taken together, the plasticity potential to recover from BD, in relation to ensuing restoration of normal visual input, appears to rely on specific protein expression changes and cellular processes induced by the loss of pattern vision in early life. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0137-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Laskowska-Macios
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland. .,Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Julie Nys
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Tjing-Tjing Hu
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Monika Zapasnik
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Anke Van der Perren
- Laboratory for Neurobiology and Gene Therapy, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Malgorzata Kossut
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Kalina Burnat
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Lutgarde Arckens
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neuroproteomics, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, 3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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Trachtenberg JT. Competition, inhibition, and critical periods of cortical plasticity. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2015; 35:44-8. [PMID: 26126153 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2015.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Maturation of cortical inhibition just after eye opening is a necessary precedent for the emergence of competitive, experience-dependent ocular dominance plasticity in the visual cortex. What inhibition is doing in this context, though, is not clear. Here I outline new hypotheses on the roles of somatic and dendritic inhibition in the opening and closure of critical periods, and their roles in the competitive processes therein.
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Groleau M, Kang JI, Huppé-Gourgues F, Vaucher E. Distribution and effects of the muscarinic receptor subtypes in the primary visual cortex. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2015; 7:10. [PMID: 26150786 PMCID: PMC4472999 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2015.00010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscarinic cholinergic receptors modulate the activity and plasticity of the visual cortex. Muscarinic receptors are divided into five subtypes that are not homogeneously distributed throughout the cortical layers and cells types. This distribution results in complex action of the muscarinic receptors in the integration of visual stimuli. Selective activation of the different subtypes can either strengthen or weaken cortical connectivity (e.g., thalamocortical vs. corticocortical), i.e., it can influence the processing of certain stimuli over others. Moreover, muscarinic receptors differentially modulate some functional properties of neurons during experience-dependent activity and cognitive processes and they contribute to the fine-tuning of visual processing. These functions are involved in the mechanisms of attention, maturation and learning in the visual cortex. This minireview describes the anatomo-functional aspects of muscarinic modulation of the primary visual cortex's (V1) microcircuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianne Groleau
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'Optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jun Il Kang
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'Optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Frédéric Huppé-Gourgues
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'Optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Elvire Vaucher
- Laboratoire de Neurobiologie de la Cognition Visuelle, École d'Optométrie, Université de Montréal Montréal, QC, Canada
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Brett ZH, Humphreys KL, Fleming AS, Kraemer GW, Drury SS. Using cross-species comparisons and a neurobiological framework to understand early social deprivation effects on behavioral development. Dev Psychopathol 2015; 27:347-67. [PMID: 25997759 PMCID: PMC5299387 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579415000036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Building upon the transactional model of brain development, we explore the impact of early maternal deprivation on neural development and plasticity in three neural systems: hyperactivity/impulsivity, executive function, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis functioning across rodent, nonhuman primate, and human studies. Recognizing the complexity of early maternal-infant interactions, we limit our cross-species comparisons to data from rodent models of artificial rearing, nonhuman primate studies of peer rearing, and the relations between these two experimental approaches and human studies of children exposed to the early severe psychosocial deprivation associated with institutional care. In addition to discussing the strengths and limitations of these paradigms, we present the current state of research on the neurobiological impact of early maternal deprivation and the evidence of sensitive periods, noting methodological challenges. Integrating data across preclinical animal models and human studies, we speculate about the underlying biological mechanisms; the differential impact of deprivation due to temporal factors including onset, offset, and duration of the exposure; and the possibility and consequences of reopening of sensitive periods during adolescence.
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30
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Bonaccorsi J, Berardi N, Sale A. Treatment of amblyopia in the adult: insights from a new rodent model of visual perceptual learning. Front Neural Circuits 2014; 8:82. [PMID: 25076874 PMCID: PMC4100600 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2014.00082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amblyopia is the most common form of impairment of visual function affecting one eye, with a prevalence of about 1–5% of the total world population. Amblyopia usually derives from conditions of early functional imbalance between the two eyes, owing to anisometropia, strabismus, or congenital cataract, and results in a pronounced reduction of visual acuity and severe deficits in contrast sensitivity and stereopsis. It is widely accepted that, due to a lack of sufficient plasticity in the adult brain, amblyopia becomes untreatable after the closure of the critical period in the primary visual cortex. However, recent results obtained both in animal models and in clinical trials have challenged this view, unmasking a previously unsuspected potential for promoting recovery even in adulthood. In this context, non invasive procedures based on visual perceptual learning, i.e., the improvement in visual performance on a variety of simple visual tasks following practice, emerge as particularly promising to rescue discrimination abilities in adult amblyopic subjects. This review will survey recent work regarding the impact of visual perceptual learning on amblyopia, with a special focus on a new experimental model of perceptual learning in the amblyopic rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joyce Bonaccorsi
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience CNR, National Research Council (CNR) Pisa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Berardi
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience CNR, National Research Council (CNR) Pisa, Italy ; Department of Psychology, Florence University Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Sale
- Department of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience CNR, National Research Council (CNR) Pisa, Italy
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31
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Deidda G, Bozarth IF, Cancedda L. Modulation of GABAergic transmission in development and neurodevelopmental disorders: investigating physiology and pathology to gain therapeutic perspectives. Front Cell Neurosci 2014; 8:119. [PMID: 24904277 PMCID: PMC4033255 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
During mammalian ontogenesis, the neurotransmitter GABA is a fundamental regulator of neuronal networks. In neuronal development, GABAergic signaling regulates neural proliferation, migration, differentiation, and neuronal-network wiring. In the adult, GABA orchestrates the activity of different neuronal cell-types largely interconnected, by powerfully modulating synaptic activity. GABA exerts these functions by binding to chloride-permeable ionotropic GABAA receptors and metabotropic GABAB receptors. According to its functional importance during development, GABA is implicated in a number of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Fragile X, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, schizophrenia, Tourette's syndrome and neurofibromatosis. The strength and polarity of GABAergic transmission is continuously modulated during physiological, but also pathological conditions. For GABAergic transmission through GABAA receptors, strength regulation is achieved by different mechanisms such as modulation of GABAA receptors themselves, variation of intracellular chloride concentration, and alteration in GABA metabolism. In the never-ending effort to find possible treatments for GABA-related neurological diseases, of great importance would be modulating GABAergic transmission in a safe and possibly physiological way, without the dangers of either silencing network activity or causing epileptic seizures. In this review, we will discuss the different ways to modulate GABAergic transmission normally at work both during physiological and pathological conditions. Our aim is to highlight new research perspectives for therapeutic treatments that reinstate natural and physiological brain functions in neuro-pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Deidda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy
| | - Ignacio F Bozarth
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy
| | - Laura Cancedda
- Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Genova, Italy
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Shao YR, Isett BR, Miyashita T, Chung J, Pourzia O, Gasperini RJ, Feldman DE. Plasticity of recurrent l2/3 inhibition and gamma oscillations by whisker experience. Neuron 2013; 80:210-22. [PMID: 24094112 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2013.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Local recurrent networks in neocortex are critical nodes for sensory processing, but their regulation by experience is much less understood than for long-distance (translaminar or cross-columnar) projections. We studied local L2/3 recurrent networks in rat somatosensory cortex during deprivation-induced whisker map plasticity, by expressing channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) in L2/3 pyramidal cells and measuring light-evoked synaptic currents in ex vivo S1 slices. In columns with intact whiskers, brief light impulses evoked recurrent excitation and supralinear inhibition. Deprived columns showed modestly reduced excitation and profoundly reduced inhibition, providing a circuit locus for disinhibition of whisker-evoked responses observed in L2/3 in vivo. Slower light ramps elicited sustained gamma frequency oscillations, which were nearly abolished in deprived columns. Reduction in gamma power was also observed in spontaneous LFP oscillations in L2/3 of deprived columns in vivo. Thus, L2/3 recurrent networks are a powerful site for homeostatic modulation of excitation-inhibition balance and regulation of gamma oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu R Shao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA; Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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Spiegel DP, Li J, Hess RF, Byblow WD, Deng D, Yu M, Thompson B. Transcranial direct current stimulation enhances recovery of stereopsis in adults with amblyopia. Neurotherapeutics 2013; 10:831-9. [PMID: 23857313 PMCID: PMC3805870 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-013-0200-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amblyopia is a neurodevelopmental disorder of vision caused by abnormal visual experience during early childhood that is often considered to be untreatable in adulthood. Recently, it has been shown that a novel dichoptic videogame-based treatment for amblyopia can improve visual function in adult patients, at least in part, by reducing inhibition of inputs from the amblyopic eye to the visual cortex. Non-invasive anodal transcranial direct current stimulation has been shown to reduce the activity of inhibitory cortical interneurons when applied to the primary motor or visual cortex. In this double-blind, sham-controlled cross-over study we tested the hypothesis that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation of the visual cortex would enhance the therapeutic effects of dichoptic videogame-based treatment. A homogeneous group of 16 young adults (mean age 22.1 ± 1.1 years) with amblyopia were studied to compare the effect of dichoptic treatment alone and dichoptic treatment combined with visual cortex direct current stimulation on measures of binocular (stereopsis) and monocular (visual acuity) visual function. The combined treatment led to greater improvements in stereoacuity than dichoptic treatment alone, indicating that direct current stimulation of the visual cortex boosts the efficacy of dichoptic videogame-based treatment. This intervention warrants further evaluation as a novel therapeutic approach for adults with amblyopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Spiegel
- />State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan, Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060 China
- />Department of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
- />Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
| | - Jinrong Li
- />State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan, Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Robert F. Hess
- />Department of Ophthalmology, McGill University, Montreal, QC Canada
| | - Winston D. Byblow
- />Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
- />Department of Sport & Exercise Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
| | - Daming Deng
- />State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan, Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Minbin Yu
- />State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan, Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510060 China
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- />Department of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
- />Centre for Brain Research, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1142 New Zealand
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Cellot G, Cherubini E. Functional role of ambient GABA in refining neuronal circuits early in postnatal development. Front Neural Circuits 2013; 7:136. [PMID: 23964205 PMCID: PMC3741556 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2013.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 07/29/2013] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Early in development, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mature brain, depolarizes and excites targeted neurons by an outwardly directed flux of chloride, resulting from the peculiar balance between the cation-chloride importer NKCC1 and the extruder KCC2. The low expression of KCC2 at birth leads to accumulation of chloride inside the cell and to the equilibrium potential for chloride positive respect to the resting membrane potential. GABA exerts its action via synaptic and extrasynaptic GABAA receptors mediating phasic and tonic inhibition, respectively. Here, recent data on the contribution of "ambient" GABA to the refinement of neuronal circuits in the immature brain have been reviewed. In particular, we focus on the hippocampus, where, prior to the formation of conventional synapses, GABA released from growth cones and astrocytes in a calcium- and SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor attachment protein receptor)-independent way, diffuses away to activate in a paracrine fashion extrasynaptic receptors localized on distal neurons. The transient increase in intracellular calcium following the depolarizing action of GABA leads to inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Tonic GABA exerts also a chemotropic action on cell migration. Later on, when synapses are formed, GABA spilled out from neighboring synapses, acting mainly on extrasynaptic α5, β2, β3, and γ containing GABAA receptor subunits, provides the membrane depolarization necessary for principal cells to reach the window where intrinsic bursts are generated. These are instrumental in triggering calcium transients associated with network-driven giant depolarizing potentials which act as coincident detector signals to enhance synaptic efficacy at emerging GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giada Cellot
- Department of Neuroscience Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati Trieste, Italy
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Kotak VC, Takesian AE, MacKenzie PC, Sanes DH. Rescue of inhibitory synapse strength following developmental hearing loss. PLoS One 2013; 8:e53438. [PMID: 23326429 PMCID: PMC3543446 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0053438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibitory synapse dysfunction may contribute to many developmental brain disorders, including the secondary consequences of sensory deprivation. In fact, developmental hearing loss leads to a profound reduction in the strength of inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in the auditory cortex, and this deficit persists into adulthood. This finding is consistent with the general theory that the emergence of mature synaptic properties requires activity during development. Therefore, we tested the prediction that inhibitory strength can be restored following developmental hearing loss by boosting GABAergic transmission in vivo. Conductive or sensorineural hearing loss was induced surgically in gerbils prior to hearing onset and GABA agonists were then administered for one week. IPSCs were subsequently recorded from pyramidal neurons in a thalamocortical brain slice preparation. Administration of either a GABAA receptor a1 subunit specific agonist (zolpidem), or a selective GABA reuptake inhibitor (SGRI), rescued IPSC amplitude in hearing loss animals. Furthermore, this restoration persisted in adults, long after drug treatment ended. In contrast, a GABAB receptor agonist baclofen did not restore inhibitory strength. IPSCs could also be restored when SGRI administration began 3 weeks after sensory deprivation. Together, these results demonstrate long-lasting restoration of cortical inhibitory strength in the absence of normal experience. This suggests that in vivo GABAA receptor activation is sufficient to promote maturation, and this principle may extend to other developmental disorders associated with diminished inhibitory function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vibhakar C Kotak
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America.
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36
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Abstract
Brain development in neurodevelopmental disorders has been considered to comprise a sequence of critical periods, and abnormalities occurring during early development have been considered irreversible in adulthood. However, findings in mouse models of neurodevelopmental disorders, including fragile X, Rett syndrome, Down syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type I suggest that it is possible to reverse certain molecular, electrophysiological, and behavioral deficits associated with these disorders in adults by genetic or pharmacological manipulations. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that critical period-like plasticity can be reactivated in the adult brain by environmental manipulations or by pharmacotherapy. These studies open up a tantalizing possibility that targeted pharmacological treatments in combination with regimes of training or rehabilitation might alleviate or reverse the symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders even after the end of critical developmental periods. Even though translation from animal experimentation to clinical practice is challenging, these results suggest a rational basis for treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders in adulthood.
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Shift from phasic to tonic GABAergic transmission following laser-lesions in the rat visual cortex. Pflugers Arch 2012; 465:879-93. [PMID: 23224682 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-012-1191-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Revised: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Reduction in the strength of GABAergic neurotransmission has often been reported following brain lesions. This weakened inhibition is believed to influence neurological deficits, neuronal hyperexcitability and functional recovery after brain injuries. Uncovering the mechanisms underlying the altered inhibition is therefore crucial. In the present study we used an ex vivo-in vitro model of laser lesions in the rat visual cortex to characterize the cellular correlates of changes in GABAergic transmission in the tissue adjacent to the injury. In the first week post-injury the number of VGAT positive GABAergic terminals as well as the expression level of the GABA synthesizing enzymes GAD67 and GAD65 remained unaltered. However, a reduced frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) together with an increased paired-pulse ratio (PPR) of evoked IPSCs suggested a functional reduction of phasic GABA release. In parallel, we found an enhancement in the GABAA receptor-mediated tonic inhibition. On the basis of these findings, we propose that cortical lesions provoke a shift in GABAergic transmission, decreasing the phasic and reinforcing the tonic component. We therefore suggest that it is not, as traditionally assumed, the overall inhibitory strength to be primarily compromised by a cortical lesion but rather the temporal accuracy of the GABAergic synaptic signaling.
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Visual cortex plasticity: a complex interplay of genetic and environmental influences. Neural Plast 2012; 2012:631965. [PMID: 22852098 PMCID: PMC3407658 DOI: 10.1155/2012/631965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system architecture is highly dynamic and continuously modified by sensory experience through processes of neuronal plasticity. Plasticity is achieved by a complex interplay of environmental influences and physiological mechanisms that ultimately activate intracellular signal transduction pathways regulating gene expression. In addition to the remarkable variety of transcription factors and their combinatorial interaction at specific gene promoters, epigenetic mechanisms that regulate transcription have emerged as conserved processes by which the nervous system accomplishes the induction of plasticity. Experience-dependent changes of DNA methylation patterns and histone posttranslational modifications are, in fact, recruited as targets of plasticity-associated signal transduction mechanisms. Here, we shall concentrate on structural and functional consequences of early sensory deprivation in the visual system and discuss how intracellular signal transduction pathways associated with experience regulate changes of chromatin structure and gene expression patterns that underlie these plastic phenomena. Recent experimental evidence for mechanisms of cross-modal plasticity following congenital or acquired sensory deprivation both in human and animal models will be considered as well. We shall also review different experimental strategies that can be used to achieve the recovery of sensory functions after long-term deprivation in humans.
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Maya-Vetencourt JF, Tiraboschi E, Greco D, Restani L, Cerri C, Auvinen P, Maffei L, Castrén E. Experience-dependent expression of NPAS4 regulates plasticity in adult visual cortex. J Physiol 2012; 590:4777-87. [PMID: 22674715 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2012.234237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
There is evidence that developmental-like plasticity can be reactivated in the adult visual cortex. Although activity-dependent transcription factors underlying the process of plasticity reactivation are currently unknown, recent studies point towards NPAS4 as a candidate gene for the occurrence of plasticity in the adult visual system. Here, we addressed whether NPAS4 is involved in the reinstatement of plasticity by using the monocular deprivation protocol and long-term fluoxetine treatment as a pharmacological strategy that restores plasticity in adulthood. A combination of molecular assays for gene expression and epigenetic analysis, gene delivery by lentiviral infection, shRNA interference and electrophysiology as a functional read-out, revealed a previously unknown role for the transcription factor NPAS4 in the regulation of adult visual cortical plasticity. We found that NPAS4 overexpression restores ocular dominance plasticity in adult naıve animals whereas NPAS4 down-regulation prevents the plastic outcome caused by fluoxetine in adulthood.Our findings lead the way to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for pathological conditions where reorganization of neuronal networks would be beneficial in adult life.
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Spiegel DP, Hansen BC, Byblow WD, Thompson B. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation reduces psychophysically measured surround suppression in the human visual cortex. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36220. [PMID: 22563485 PMCID: PMC3341359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2011] [Accepted: 03/30/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe, non-invasive technique for transiently modulating the balance of excitation and inhibition within the human brain. It has been reported that anodal tDCS can reduce both GABA mediated inhibition and GABA concentration within the human motor cortex. As GABA mediated inhibition is thought to be a key modulator of plasticity within the adult brain, these findings have broad implications for the future use of tDCS. It is important, therefore, to establish whether tDCS can exert similar effects within non-motor brain areas. The aim of this study was to assess whether anodal tDCS could reduce inhibitory interactions within the human visual cortex. Psychophysical measures of surround suppression were used as an index of inhibition within V1. Overlay suppression, which is thought to originate within the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), was also measured as a control. Anodal stimulation of the occipital poles significantly reduced psychophysical surround suppression, but had no effect on overlay suppression. This effect was specific to anodal stimulation as cathodal stimulation had no effect on either measure. These psychophysical results provide the first evidence for tDCS-induced reductions of intracortical inhibition within the human visual cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel P. Spiegel
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Bruce C. Hansen
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience Program, Colgate University, Hamilton, New York, United States of America
| | - Winston D. Byblow
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Benjamin Thompson
- Department of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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Begenisic T, Spolidoro M, Braschi C, Baroncelli L, Milanese M, Pietra G, Fabbri ME, Bonanno G, Cioni G, Maffei L, Sale A. Environmental enrichment decreases GABAergic inhibition and improves cognitive abilities, synaptic plasticity, and visual functions in a mouse model of Down syndrome. Front Cell Neurosci 2011; 5:29. [PMID: 22207837 PMCID: PMC3245647 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2011.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2011] [Accepted: 12/12/2011] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic disorder associated with mental retardation. It has been repeatedly shown that Ts65Dn mice, the prime animal model for DS, have severe cognitive and neural plasticity defects due to excessive inhibition. We report that increasing sensory-motor stimulation in adulthood through environmental enrichment (EE) reduces brain inhibition levels and promotes recovery of spatial memory abilities, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and visual functions in adult Ts65Dn mice.
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Zhou X, Xiao H, Wang H. Developmental changes of TrkB signaling in response to exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor in primary cortical neurons. J Neurochem 2011; 119:1205-16. [PMID: 21988201 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07528.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neocortical circuits are most sensitive to sensory experience during a critical period of early development. Previous studies implicate that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and GABAergic inhibition may control the timing of the critical period. By using an in vitro maturation model, we found that neurons at DIV (day in vitro) 7, around a period when functional synapses start to form and GABAergic inhibition emerges, displayed the most dynamic activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and CREB by exogenous BDNF. The BDNF-stimulated transcriptional up-regulation of CREB target genes was also the highest in DIV 7 neurons. The basal level of ERK1/2 and CREB activity, as well as the expression of CREB target genes, increased along with maturation, and neurons at DIV 13 and 22 displayed less dynamic responses to BDNF. Furthermore, we found that the developmentally regulated GABAergic inhibition correlated with the decline of BDNF-mediated signaling during maturation. BDNF stimulation along with suppression of GABAergic inhibition enhanced the activation of ERK1/2-CREB signaling and gene transcription in mature neurons. Conversely, BDNF stimulation along with enhancement of GABAergic inhibition reduced the overall induction of intracellular signaling in younger neurons. We propose that the less dynamic molecular changes may play a certain role in the loss of plasticity during maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianju Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
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Spolidoro M, Baroncelli L, Putignano E, Maya-Vetencourt JF, Viegi A, Maffei L. Food restriction enhances visual cortex plasticity in adulthood. Nat Commun 2011; 2:320. [PMID: 21587237 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 04/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural circuits display a heightened sensitivity to external stimuli during well-established windows in early postnatal life. After the end of these critical periods, brain plasticity dramatically wanes. The visual system is one of the paradigmatic models for studying experience-dependent plasticity. Here we show that food restriction can be used as a strategy to restore plasticity in the adult visual cortex of rats. A short period of food restriction in adulthood is able both to reinstate ocular dominance plasticity and promote recovery from amblyopia. These effects are accompanied by a reduction of intracortical inhibition without modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression or extracellular matrix structure. Our results suggest that food restriction could be investigated as a potential way of modulating plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Spolidoro
- Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Moruzzi 1, I-56100 Pisa, Italy
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44
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LeBlanc JJ, Fagiolini M. Autism: a "critical period" disorder? Neural Plast 2011; 2011:921680. [PMID: 21826280 PMCID: PMC3150222 DOI: 10.1155/2011/921680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cortical circuits in the brain are refined by experience during critical periods early in postnatal life. Critical periods are regulated by the balance of excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission in the brain during development. There is now increasing evidence of E/I imbalance in autism, a complex genetic neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed by abnormal socialization, impaired communication, and repetitive behaviors or restricted interests. The underlying cause is still largely unknown and there is no fully effective treatment or cure. We propose that alteration of the expression and/or timing of critical period circuit refinement in primary sensory brain areas may significantly contribute to autistic phenotypes, including cognitive and behavioral impairments. Dissection of the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing well-established critical periods represents a powerful tool to identify new potential therapeutic targets to restore normal plasticity and function in affected neuronal circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jocelyn J. LeBlanc
- Harvard Medical School and The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Michela Fagiolini
- Harvard Medical School and The F. M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Children's Hospital Boston, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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45
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Brain plasticity and disease: a matter of inhibition. Neural Plast 2011; 2011:286073. [PMID: 21766040 PMCID: PMC3134991 DOI: 10.1155/2011/286073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2011] [Accepted: 05/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
One major goal in Neuroscience is the development of strategies promoting neural plasticity in the adult central nervous system, when functional recovery from brain disease and injury is limited. New evidence has underscored a pivotal role for cortical inhibitory circuitries in regulating plasticity both during development and in adulthood. This paper summarizes recent findings showing that the inhibition-excitation balance controls adult brain plasticity and is at the core of the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, Down syndrome, and Rett syndrome.
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