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Saavedra-Bonilla H, Varman DR, Reyes-Haro D. Spontaneous Calcium Transients Recorded from Striatal Astrocytes in a Preclinical Model of Autism. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:3069-3077. [PMID: 39120794 PMCID: PMC11450070 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04218-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is known as a group of neurodevelopmental conditions including stereotyped and repetitive behaviors, besides social and sensorimotor deficits. Anatomical and functional evidence indicates atypical maturation of the striatum. Astrocytes regulate the maturation and plasticity of synaptic circuits, and impaired calcium signaling is associated with repetitive behaviors and atypical social interaction. Spontaneous calcium transients (SCT) recorded in the striatal astrocytes of the rat were investigated in the preclinical model of ASD by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA). Our results showed sensorimotor delay, augmented glial fibrillary acidic protein -a typical intermediate filament protein expressed by astrocytes- and diminished expression of GABAA-ρ3 through development, and increased frequency of SCT with a reduced latency that resulted in a diminished amplitude in the VPA model. The convulsant picrotoxin, a GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptor antagonist, reduced the frequency of SCT in both experimental groups but rescued this parameter to control levels in the preclinical ASD model. The amplitude and latency of SCT were decreased by picrotoxin in both experimental groups. Nipecotic acid, a GABA uptake inhibitor, reduced the mean amplitude only for the control group. Nevertheless, nipecotic acid increased the frequency but diminished the latency in both experimental groups. Thus, we conclude that striatal astrocytes exhibit SCT modulated by GABAA-mediated signaling, and prenatal exposure to VPA disturbs this tuning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Saavedra-Bonilla
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro, CP76230, Mexico
| | - Durairaj Ragu Varman
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro, CP76230, Mexico
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Daniel Reyes-Haro
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus Juriquilla, Boulevard Juriquilla 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro, CP76230, Mexico.
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Wu B, Post L, Lin Z, Schonewille M. PP2B-Dependent Cerebellar Plasticity Sets the Amplitude of the Vestibulo-ocular Reflex during Juvenile Development. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1211232024. [PMID: 38527808 PMCID: PMC11044099 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1211-23.2024] [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: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Throughout life, the cerebellum plays a central role in the coordination and optimization of movements, using cellular plasticity to adapt a range of behaviors. Whether these plasticity processes establish a fixed setpoint during development, or continuously adjust behaviors throughout life, is currently unclear. Here, by spatiotemporally manipulating the activity of protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B), an enzyme critical for cerebellar plasticity in male and female mice, we examined the consequences of disrupted plasticity on the performance and adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). We find that, in contrast to Purkinje cell (PC)-specific deletion starting early postnatally, acute pharmacological as well as adult-onset genetic deletion of PP2B affects all forms of VOR adaptation but not the level of VOR itself. Next, we show that PC-specific genetic deletion of PP2B in juvenile mice leads to a progressive loss of the protein PP2B and a concurrent change in the VOR, in addition to the loss of adaptive abilities. Finally, re-expressing PP2B in adult mice that lack PP2B expression from early development rescues VOR adaptation but does not affect the performance of the reflex. Together, our results indicate that chronic or acute, genetic, or pharmacological block of PP2B disrupts the adaptation of the VOR. In contrast, only the absence of plasticity during cerebellar development affects the setpoint of VOR, an effect that cannot be corrected after maturation of the cerebellum. These findings suggest that PP2B-dependent cerebellar plasticity is required during a specific period to achieve the correct setpoint of the VOR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wu
- Department of Neurology & National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Post
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
| | - Zhanmin Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam 3015CN, The Netherlands
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Zhou L, Jiang P, Zhao L, Fei X, Tang Y, Luo Y, Gong H, Wang X, Li X, Li S, Zhang C, Yang H, Fan X. Ligustilide inhibits Purkinje cell ferritinophagy via the ULK1/NCOA4 pathway to attenuate valproic acid-induced autistic features. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 126:155443. [PMID: 38394737 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder in which social impairment is the core symptom. Presently, there are no definitive medications to cure core symptoms of ASD, and most therapeutic strategies ameliorate ASD symptoms. Treatments with proven efficacy in autism are imminent. Ligustilide (LIG), an herbal monomer extracted from Angelica Sinensis and Chuanxiong, is mainly distributed in the cerebellum and widely used in treating neurological disorders. However, there are no studies on its effect on autistic-like phenotypes and its mechanism of action. PURPOSE Investigate the efficacy and mechanism of LIG in treating ASD using two Valproic acid(VPA)-exposed and BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mouse models of autism. METHODS VPA-exposed mice and BTBR mice were given LIG for treatment, and its effect on autistic-like phenotype was detected by behavioral experiments, which included a three-chamber social test. Subsequently, RNA-Sequence(RNA-Seq) of the cerebellum was performed to observe the biological changes to search target pathways. The autophagy and ferroptosis pathways screened were verified by WB(Western Blot) assay, and the cerebellum was stained by immunofluorescence and examined by electron microscopy. To further explore the therapeutic mechanism, ULK1 agonist BL-918 was used to block the therapeutic effect of LIG to verify its target effect. RESULTS Our work demonstrates that LIG administration from P12-P14 improved autism-related behaviors and motor dysfunction in VPA-exposed mice. Similarly, BTBR mice showed the same improvement. RNA-Seq data identified ULK1 as the target of LIG in regulating ferritinophagy in the cerebellum of VPA-exposed mice, as evidenced by activated autophagy, increased ferritin degradation, iron overload, and lipid peroxidation. We found that VPA exposure-induced ferritinophagy occurred in the Purkinje cells, with enhanced NCOA4 and Lc3B expressions. Notably, the therapeutic effect of LIG disappeared when ULK1 was activated. CONCLUSION LIG treatment inhibits ferritinophagy in Purkinje cells via the ULK1/NCOA4-dependent pathway. Our study reveals for the first time that LIG treatment ameliorates autism symptoms in VPA-exposed mice by reducing aberrant Purkinje ferritinophagy. At the same time, our study complements the pathogenic mechanisms of autism and introduces new possibilities for its therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianyu Zhou
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, 400064, China
| | - Peiyan Jiang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Linyang Zhao
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xinghang Fei
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yexi Tang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Yi Luo
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Hong Gong
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xiaqing Wang
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China; Army 953 Hospital, Shigatse Branch of Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Shigatse, 857000, China
| | - Song Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China; Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, 400064, China
| | - Chunqing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China; Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangyang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, 400064, China.
| | - Xiaotang Fan
- Department of Military Cognitive Psychology, School of Psychology, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Zarate-Lopez D, Torres-Chávez AL, Gálvez-Contreras AY, Gonzalez-Perez O. Three Decades of Valproate: A Current Model for Studying Autism Spectrum Disorder. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:260-289. [PMID: 37873949 PMCID: PMC10788883 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231003121513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with increased prevalence and incidence in recent decades. Its etiology remains largely unclear, but it seems to involve a strong genetic component and environmental factors that, in turn, induce epigenetic changes during embryonic and postnatal brain development. In recent decades, clinical studies have shown that inutero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug, is an environmental factor associated with an increased risk of ASD. Subsequently, prenatal VPA exposure in rodents has been established as a reliable translational model to study the pathophysiology of ASD, which has helped demonstrate neurobiological changes in rodents, non-human primates, and brain organoids from human pluripotent stem cells. This evidence supports the notion that prenatal VPA exposure is a valid and current model to replicate an idiopathic ASD-like disorder in experimental animals. This review summarizes and describes the current features reported with this animal model of autism and the main neurobiological findings and correlates that help elucidate the pathophysiology of ASD. Finally, we discuss the general framework of the VPA model in comparison to other environmental and genetic ASD models.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Zarate-Lopez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Ana Laura Torres-Chávez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
- Physiological Science Ph.D. Program, School of Medicine, University of Colima, Colima 28040, Mexico
| | - Alma Yadira Gálvez-Contreras
- Department of Neuroscience, Centro Universitario de Ciencias de la Salud, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara 44340, México
| | - Oscar Gonzalez-Perez
- Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Psychology, University of Colima, Colima 28040, México
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Chen L, Fu Q, Du Y, Jiang ZY, Cheng Y. Transcriptome Analysis and Epigenetics Regulation in the Hippocampus and the Prefrontal Cortex of VPA-Induced Rat Model. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:167-174. [PMID: 37592184 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03560-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a highly heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by complex interaction between various genes and environmental factors. As the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex are involved in social recognition, they are the regions of the brain implicated in autism. The effects of prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) can induce an ASD phenotype in both humans and rats; this tool is commonly used to model the complexity of ASD symptoms in the laboratory. However, researchers rarely undertake epigenetic regulation of the brain regions using this model. The present study has addressed this gap by examining gene expression abnormalities in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in the VPA rat model of ASD. mRNA and miRNA sequencing was performed on samples from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of the VPA model of autism. According to the analysis, 3000 mRNAs in the hippocampus and 2187 mRNAs in the prefrontal cortex showed a significant difference in expression between the VPA and saline groups. In addition, there were 115 DE miRNAs in the hippocampus and 14 DE miRNAs in the prefrontal cortex. Further, the predicted and validated target mRNA of DE miRNA enriched pathways involved neurotransmitter uptake, long-term synaptic depression, and AMPA receptor complex (anti-GluA2-b) in the hippocampus; as well as the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and regulation of postsynaptic membrane potential in the prefrontal cortex. This revealed the negative regulation network of miRNAs-mRNAs in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, while filtering out key genes (miR-10a-5p and Grm3). Finally, the significant variable miR-10a-5p and its negative regulated genes (Grm3) were verified in both brain regions by QPCR. Importantly, the fact that miR-10a-5p downregulated Grm3 in both the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex may play a potentially significant role in the occurrence and development of autism. This study suggests that the VPA model has the potential to reproduce ASD-related hippocampus and prefrontal cortex abnormalities, at the epigenetic and transcriptional levels. Furthermore, the network of miRNAs-mRNAs was confirmed; this negative regulatory relationship may play a key role in determining the occurrence and development of autism. The study of this topic help better understand the pathogenesis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Du
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Zhong-Yong Jiang
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu Seventh People's Hospital, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Center On Translational Neuroscience, School of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
- Institute of National Security, Minzu University of China, Beijing, China.
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Xu FX, Wang XT, Cai XY, Liu JY, Guo JW, Yang F, Chen W, Schonewille M, De Zeeuw C, Zhou L, Shen Y. Purkinje-cell-specific MeCP2 deficiency leads to motor deficits and autistic-like behavior due to aberrations in PTP1B-TrkB-SK signaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113559. [PMID: 38100348 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113559] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Rett syndrome suffer from a loss-of-function mutation of the Mecp2 gene, which results in various symptoms including autistic traits and motor deficits. Deletion of Mecp2 in the brain mimics part of these symptoms, but the specific function of methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) in the cerebellum remains to be elucidated. Here, we demonstrate that Mecp2 deletion in Purkinje cells (PCs) reduces their intrinsic excitability through a signaling pathway comprising the small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel PTP1B and TrkB, the receptor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Aberration of this cascade, in turn, leads to autistic-like behaviors as well as reduced vestibulocerebellar motor learning. Interestingly, increasing activity of TrkB in PCs is sufficient to rescue PC dysfunction and abnormal motor and non-motor behaviors caused by Mecp2 deficiency. Our findings highlight how PC dysfunction may contribute to Rett syndrome, providing insight into the underlying mechanism and paving the way for rational therapeutic designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Xiao Xu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Xin-Tai Wang
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Life Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Xin-Yu Cai
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jia-Yu Liu
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jing-Wen Guo
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Biophysics, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Martijn Schonewille
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 DR Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Chris De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 DR Rotterdam, the Netherlands; The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Dutch Academy of Arts and Science, 1105 CA Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Ying Shen
- Department of Physiology and Department of Psychiatry, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; International Institutes of Medicine, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu 322000, China; Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
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Ahmed S, Abir AH, Sharmin O, Khurshid N, Akter A, Nakshy NT, Hasan MM, Yesmine S, Rahman M. Modulation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling cascade through G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) activation: Prenatal lysophosphatidylinositol attenuates valproic acid-induced synaptic abnormalities and mitochondrial dysfunction. Life Sci 2023; 334:122195. [PMID: 37866808 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122195] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Dysregulation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling has been implicated in various neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) has recently emerged as a potential regulator of this signaling cascade. This study explores the intricate modulation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling cascade via GPR55 activation and its potential therapeutic implications in the context of autism-associated neuronal impairments. MAIN METHODS Valproic acid (VPA) was administered on embryonic day 12 (E12) to induce ASD, and lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), a GPR55 agonist, was used prenatally to modulate the receptor activity. Golgi-cox staining was performed to observe neuronal morphology, and Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining was carried out to quantify damaged neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was implemented to identify molecular mediators involved in neuroprotection. KEY FINDINGS Prenatal VPA exposure resulted in significant abnormalities in synaptic development, which were further evidenced by impairments in social interaction and cognitive function. When LPI was administered, most of the synaptic abnormalities were alleviated, as reflected by higher neuron and dendritic spine count. LPI treatment also reduced cytoplasmic cytochrome c concentration and related neuronal cell death. Mechanistically, GPR55 activation by LPI increases the expression of phospho-Akt and phospho-GSK3β, leading to the activation of this signaling in the process of rescuing synaptic abnormalities and mitochondria-mediated neuronal apoptosis. SIGNIFICANCE The observed therapeutic effects of GPR55 activation shed light on its significance as a prospective target for ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction and dendritic spine loss, offering novel prospects for developing targeted interventions to alleviate the neuropathological causes of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamim Ahmed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Ariful Haque Abir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh; Division of Molecular Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine 3, Universität Klinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nikolaus-Fiebiger-Center, Glückstraße 6, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ozayra Sharmin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
| | - Neda Khurshid
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Amana Akter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Nafisa Tajneen Nakshy
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacy, University of Information Technology and Sciences, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Md Mahmudul Hasan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh
| | - Saquiba Yesmine
- Department of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbubur Rahman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University, Bashundhara, Dhaka 1229, Bangladesh.
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Cording KR, Bateup HS. Altered motor learning and coordination in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1270489. [PMID: 38026686 PMCID: PMC10663323 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1270489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing prevalence. Over 1,000 risk genes have now been implicated in ASD, suggesting diverse etiology. However, the diagnostic criteria for the disorder still comprise two major behavioral domains - deficits in social communication and interaction, and the presence of restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior (RRBs). The RRBs associated with ASD include both stereotyped repetitive movements and other motor manifestations including changes in gait, balance, coordination, and motor skill learning. In recent years, the striatum, the primary input center of the basal ganglia, has been implicated in these ASD-associated motor behaviors, due to the striatum's role in action selection, motor learning, and habit formation. Numerous mouse models with mutations in ASD risk genes have been developed and shown to have alterations in ASD-relevant behaviors. One commonly used assay, the accelerating rotarod, allows for assessment of both basic motor coordination and motor skill learning. In this corticostriatal-dependent task, mice walk on a rotating rod that gradually increases in speed. In the extended version of this task, mice engage striatal-dependent learning mechanisms to optimize their motor routine and stay on the rod for longer periods. This review summarizes the findings of studies examining rotarod performance across a range of ASD mouse models, and the resulting implications for the involvement of striatal circuits in ASD-related motor behaviors. While performance in this task is not uniform across mouse models, there is a cohort of models that show increased rotarod performance. A growing number of studies suggest that this increased propensity to learn a fixed motor routine may reflect a common enhancement of corticostriatal drive across a subset of mice with mutations in ASD-risk genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine R. Cording
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Helen S. Bateup
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Molecular and Cell Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Anshu K, Nair AK, Srinath S, Laxmi TR. Altered Developmental Trajectory in Male and Female Rats in a Prenatal Valproic Acid Exposure Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2023; 53:4390-4411. [PMID: 35976506 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-022-05684-y] [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] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Early motor and sensory developmental delays precede Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis and may serve as early indicators of ASD. The literature on sensorimotor development in animal models is sparse, male centered, and has mixed findings. We characterized early development in a prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model of ASD and found sex-specific developmental delays in VPA rats. We created a developmental composite score combining 15 test readouts, yielding a reliable gestalt measure spanning physical, sensory, and motor development, that effectively discriminated between VPA and control groups. Considering the heterogeneity in ASD phenotype, the developmental composite offers a robust metric that can enable comparison across different animal models of ASD and can serve as an outcome measure for early intervention studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Anshu
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53705, WI, USA
| | - Ajay Kumar Nair
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, 53703, WI, USA
| | - Shoba Srinath
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India
| | - T Rao Laxmi
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Hosur Main Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka, 560029, India.
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Herrera K, Maldonado-Ruiz R, Camacho-Morales A, de la Garza AL, Castro H. Maternal methyl donor supplementation regulates the effects of cafeteria diet on behavioral changes and nutritional status in male offspring. Food Nutr Res 2023; 67:9828. [PMID: 37920679 PMCID: PMC10619398 DOI: 10.29219/fnr.v67.9828] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nutritional status and maternal feeding during the perinatal and postnatal periods can program the offspring to develop long-term health alterations. Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated an association between maternal obesity and intellectual disability/cognitive deficits like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring. Experimental findings have consistently been indicating that maternal supplementation with methyl donors, attenuated the social alterations and repetitive behavior in offspring. Objective This study aims to analyze the effect of maternal cafeteria diet and methyl donor-supplemented diets on social, anxiety-like, and repetitive behavior in male offspring, besides evaluating weight gain and food intake in both dams and male offspring. Design C57BL/6 female mice were randomized into four dietary formulas: control Chow (CT), cafeteria (CAF), control + methyl donor (CT+M), and cafeteria + methyl donor (CAF+M) during the pre-gestational, gestational, and lactation period. Behavioral phenotyping in the offspring was performed by 2-month-old using Three-Chamber Test, Open Field Test, and Marble Burying Test. Results We found that offspring prenatally exposed to CAF diet displayed less social interaction index when compared with subjects exposed to Chow diet (CT group). Notably, offspring exposed to CAF+M diet recovered social interaction when compared to the CAF group. Discussion These findings suggest that maternal CAF diet is efficient in promoting reduced social interaction in murine models. In our study, we hypothesized that a maternal methyl donor supplementation could improve the behavioral alterations expected in maternal CAF diet offspring. Conclusions The CAF diet also contributed to a social deficit and anxiety-like behavior in the offspring. On the other hand, a maternal methyl donor-supplemented CAF diet normalized the social interaction in the offspring although it led to an increase in anxiety-like behaviors. These findings suggest that a methyl donor supplementation could protect against aberrant social behavior probably targeting key genes related to neurotransmitter pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katya Herrera
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud Pública. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Roger Maldonado-Ruiz
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Alberto Camacho-Morales
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Neurometabolismo, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Ana Laura de la Garza
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Nutrición, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
| | - Heriberto Castro
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Salud Pública. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Unidad de Nutrición, Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Ciencias de la Salud. Monterrey, Nuevo León, México
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11
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Park G, Jang WE, Kim S, Gonzales EL, Ji J, Choi S, Kim Y, Park JH, Mohammad HB, Bang G, Kang M, Kim S, Jeon SJ, Kim JY, Kim KP, Shin CY, An JY, Kim MS, Lee YS. Dysregulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway via Rnf146 upregulation in a VPA-induced mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. Exp Mol Med 2023; 55:1783-1794. [PMID: 37524878 PMCID: PMC10474298 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01065-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with impaired social behavior and communication, repetitive behaviors, and restricted interests. In addition to genetic factors, environmental factors such as prenatal drug exposure contribute to the development of ASD. However, how those prenatal factors induce behavioral deficits in the adult stage is not clear. To elucidate ASD pathogenesis at the molecular level, we performed a high-resolution mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomic analysis on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice exposed to valproic acid (VPA) in utero, a widely used animal model of ASD. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in VPA-exposed mice showed significant overlap with ASD risk genes, including differentially expressed genes from the postmortem cortex of ASD patients. Functional annotations of the DEPs revealed significant enrichment in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is dysregulated by the upregulation of Rnf146 in VPA-exposed mice. Consistently, overexpressing Rnf146 in the PFC impaired social behaviors and altered the Wnt signaling pathway in adult mice. Furthermore, Rnf146-overexpressing PFC neurons showed increased excitatory synaptic transmission, which may underlie impaired social behavior. These results demonstrate that Rnf146 is critical for social behavior and that dysregulation of Rnf146 underlies social deficits in VPA-exposed mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaeun Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Wooyoung Eric Jang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science, Global Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient Materials, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
| | - Seoyeon Kim
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- BK21FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Edson Luck Gonzales
- School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungeun Ji
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- BK21FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghwan Choi
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
- BK21FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hwan Park
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | | | - Geul Bang
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Soobin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Jin Jeon
- School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, 28119, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Pyo Kim
- Department of Applied Chemistry, Institute of Natural Science, Global Center for Pharmaceutical Ingredient Materials, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, 17104, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, Kyung Hee Medical Science Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Chan Young Shin
- School of Medicine and Center for Neuroscience Research, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joon-Yong An
- Department of Integrated Biomedical and Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
- BK21FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
- School of Biosystem and Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
| | - Min-Sik Kim
- Department of New Biology, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
- New Biology Research Center, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
- Center for Cell Fate Reprogramming and Control, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yong-Seok Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, 25159, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Hernandez A, Delgado-González E, Varman Durairaj R, Reyes-Haro D, Martínez-Torres A, Espinosa F. Striatal Synaptic Changes and Behavior in Adult mouse Upon Prenatal Exposure to Valproic Acid. Brain Res 2023:148461. [PMID: 37308047 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction. Altered synaptogenesis and aberrant connectivity responsible for social behavior and communication have been reported in autism pathogenesis. Autism has a strong genetic and heritable component; however, environmental factors including toxins, pesticides, infection and in utero exposure to drugs such as VPA have also been implicated in ASD. Administration of VPA during pregnancy has been used as a rodent model to study pathophysiological mechanisms involved in ASD, and in this study, we used the mouse model of prenatal exposure to VPA to assess the effects on striatal and dorsal hippocampus function in adult mice. Alterations in repetitive behaviors and shift habits were observed in mice prenatally exposed to VPA. In particular, such mice presented a better performance in learned motor skills and cognitive deficits in Y-maze learning frequently associated with striatal and hippocampal function. These behavioral changes were associated with a decreased level of proteins involved in the formation and maintenance of excitatory synapses, such as Nlgn-1 and PSD-95. In conclusion, motor skill abilities, repetitive behaviors, and impaired flexibility to shift habits are associated with reduced striatal excitatory synaptic function in the adult mouse prenatally exposed to VPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adan Hernandez
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México.
| | - Evangelina Delgado-González
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | - Ragu Varman Durairaj
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Daniel Reyes-Haro
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | - Ataúlfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla, 76230 Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro, México
| | - Felipe Espinosa
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390
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13
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Carbonell AU, Freire-Cobo C, Deyneko IV, Dobariya S, Erdjument-Bromage H, Clipperton-Allen AE, Page DT, Neubert TA, Jordan BA. Comparing synaptic proteomes across five mouse models for autism reveals converging molecular similarities including deficits in oxidative phosphorylation and Rho GTPase signaling. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1152562. [PMID: 37255534 PMCID: PMC10225639 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1152562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Specific and effective treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are lacking due to a poor understanding of disease mechanisms. Here we test the idea that similarities between diverse ASD mouse models are caused by deficits in common molecular pathways at neuronal synapses. To do this, we leverage the availability of multiple genetic models of ASD that exhibit shared synaptic and behavioral deficits and use quantitative mass spectrometry with isobaric tandem mass tagging (TMT) to compare their hippocampal synaptic proteomes. Comparative analyses of mouse models for Fragile X syndrome (Fmr1 knockout), cortical dysplasia focal epilepsy syndrome (Cntnap2 knockout), PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome (Pten haploinsufficiency), ANKS1B syndrome (Anks1b haploinsufficiency), and idiopathic autism (BTBR+) revealed several common altered cellular and molecular pathways at the synapse, including changes in oxidative phosphorylation, and Rho family small GTPase signaling. Functional validation of one of these aberrant pathways, Rac1 signaling, confirms that the ANKS1B model displays altered Rac1 activity counter to that observed in other models, as predicted by the bioinformatic analyses. Overall similarity analyses reveal clusters of synaptic profiles, which may form the basis for molecular subtypes that explain genetic heterogeneity in ASD despite a common clinical diagnosis. Our results suggest that ASD-linked susceptibility genes ultimately converge on common signaling pathways regulating synaptic function and propose that these points of convergence are key to understanding the pathogenesis of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail U. Carbonell
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Carmen Freire-Cobo
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Ilana V. Deyneko
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Saunil Dobariya
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Hediye Erdjument-Bromage
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Amy E. Clipperton-Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Damon T. Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute Florida, Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Thomas A. Neubert
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bryen A. Jordan
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
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14
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Guerra M, Medici V, Weatheritt R, Corvino V, Palacios D, Geloso MC, Farini D, Sette C. Fetal exposure to valproic acid dysregulates the expression of autism-linked genes in the developing cerebellum. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:114. [PMID: 37019889 PMCID: PMC10076313 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02391-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a set of highly heritable neurodevelopmental syndromes characterized by social and communication impairment, repetitive behaviour, and intellectual disability. Although mutations in multiple genes have been associated to ASD, most patients lack detectable genetic alterations. For this reason, environmental factors are commonly thought to also contribute to ASD aetiology. Transcriptome analyses have revealed that autistic brains possess distinct gene expression signatures, whose elucidation can provide insights about the mechanisms underlying the effects of ASD-causing genetic and environmental factors. Herein, we have identified a coordinated and temporally regulated programme of gene expression in the post-natal development of cerebellum, a brain area whose defects are strongly associated with ASD. Notably, this cerebellar developmental programme is significantly enriched in ASD-linked genes. Clustering analyses highlighted six different patterns of gene expression modulated during cerebellar development, with most of them being enriched in functional processes that are frequently dysregulated in ASD. By using the valproic acid mouse model of ASD, we found that ASD-linked genes are dysregulated in the developing cerebellum of ASD-like mice, a defect that correlates with impaired social behaviour and altered cerebellar cortical morphology. Moreover, changes in transcript levels were reflected in aberrant protein expression, indicating the functional relevance of these alterations. Thus, our work uncovers a complex ASD-related transcriptional programme regulated during cerebellar development and highlight genes whose expression is dysregulated in this brain area of an ASD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Guerra
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Vanessa Medici
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Weatheritt
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, EMBL Australia, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Valentina Corvino
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Palacios
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Section of Biology, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Geloso
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Hearth, Rome, Italy.
- GSTeP-Organoids Research Core Facility, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Sener EF, Dana H, Tahtasakal R, Hamurcu Z, Guler A, Tufan E, Doganyigit Z, Rassoulzadegan M. Partial changes in apoptotic pathways in hippocampus and hypothalamus of Cc2d1a heterozygous. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:531-541. [PMID: 36454503 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01125-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Alterations in the apoptosis pathway have been linked to changes in serotonin levels seen in autistic patients. Cc2d1a is a repressor of the HTR1A gene involved in the serotonin pathway. The hippocampus and hypothalamus of Cc2d1a ± mice were analyzed for the expression of apoptosis markers (caspase 3, 8 and 9). Gender differences were observed in the expression levels of the three caspases consistent with some altered activity in the open-field assay. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly increased. We concluded that apoptotic pathways are only partially affected in the pathogenesis of the Cc2d1a heterozygous mouse model. A) Apoptosis is suppressed because the cell does not receive a death signal, or the receptor cannot activate the caspase 8 pathway despite the death signal. B) Since Caspase 8 and Caspase 3 expression is downregulated in our mouse model, the mechanism of apoptosis is not activated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Funda Sener
- Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey.
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey.
| | - Halime Dana
- Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Reyhan Tahtasakal
- Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zuhal Hamurcu
- Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ahsen Guler
- Department of Medical Biology, Erciyes University Medical Faculty, 38039, Kayseri, Turkey
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Esra Tufan
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zuleyha Doganyigit
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Bozok University Medical Faculty, 66100, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Minoo Rassoulzadegan
- Erciyes University Genome and Stem Cell Center (GENKOK), Kayseri, Turkey
- INSERM-CNRS, IRCAN, Universite Cote d'Azur (UCA), 06107, Nice, France
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16
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Kim UJ, Hong N, Ahn JC. Photobiomodulation Attenuated Cognitive Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation in a Prenatal Valproic Acid-Induced Autism Spectrum Disorder Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416099. [PMID: 36555737 PMCID: PMC9785820 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication and interaction disorders, as well as repetitive and restrictive behaviors. To date, no effective treatment strategies have been identified. However, photobiomodulation (PBM) is emerging as a promising treatment for neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. We used mice exposed to valproic acid (VPA) as a model of ASD and found that pathological behavioral and histological changes that may have been induced by VPA were attenuated by PBM treatment. Pregnant mice that had been exposed to VPA were treated with PBM three times. Thereafter, we evaluated the offspring for developmental disorders, motor function, hyperactivity, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairment. PBM attenuated many of the pathological behaviors observed in the VPA-induced ASD mouse model. In addition, pathophysiological analyses confirmed that the increase in activated microglia and astrocytes observed in the VPA-induced ASD mouse model was attenuated by PBM treatment. This suggests that PBM can counteract the behavioral changes caused by neuroinflammation in ASD. Therefore, our data show that PBM has therapeutic potential and may reduce the prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders such as ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ui-Jin Kim
- Department of Medical Laser, Graduate School, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
| | - Namgue Hong
- Medical Laser Research Center, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (N.H.); (J.-C.A.)
| | - Jin-Chul Ahn
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan 31116, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (N.H.); (J.-C.A.)
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17
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Deficits in Cerebellum-Dependent Learning and Cerebellar Morphology in Male and Female BTBR Autism Model Mice. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently, there has been increased interest in the role of the cerebellum in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To better understand the pathophysiological role of the cerebellum in ASD, it is necessary to have a variety of mouse models that have face validity for cerebellar disruption in humans. Here, we add to the literature on the cerebellum in mouse models of autism with the characterization of the cerebellum in the idiopathic BTBR T + Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) inbred mouse strain, which has behavioral phenotypes that are reminiscent of ASD in patients. When we examined both male and female BTBR mice in comparison to C57BL/6J (C57) controls, we noted that both sexes of BTBR mice showed motor coordination deficits characteristic of cerebellar dysfunction, but only the male mice showed differences in delay eyeblink conditioning, a cerebellum-dependent learning task that is known to be disrupted in ASD patients. Both male and female BTBR mice showed considerable expansion of, and abnormal foliation in, the cerebellum vermis—including a significant expansion of specific lobules in the anterior cerebellum. In addition, we found a slight but significant decrease in Purkinje cell density in both male and female BTBR mice, irrespective of the lobule. Finally, there was a marked reduction of Purkinje cell dendritic spine density in both male and female BTBR mice. These findings suggest that, for the most part, the BTBR mouse model phenocopies many of the characteristics of the subpopulation of ASD patients that have a hypertrophic cerebellum. We discuss the significance of strain differences in the cerebellum as well as the importance of this first effort to identify both similarities and differences between male and female BTBR mice with regard to the cerebellum.
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18
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Xu D, Meng Y, An S, Meng W, Li H, Zhang W, Xue Y, Lan X, Wang X, Li M, Zhang X, Zhihao Z, Zhao Y, Yang H, Zhang C, Zhang R, Zhen Z. Swimming exercise is a promising early intervention for autism-like behavior in Shank3 deletion rats. CNS Neurosci Ther 2022; 29:78-90. [PMID: 36221783 PMCID: PMC9804047 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION SHANK3 is an important excitatory postsynaptic scaffold protein, and its mutations lead to genetic cause of neurodevelopmental diseases including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), Philan McDermid syndrome (PMS), and intellectual disability (ID). Early prevention and treatment are important for Shank3 gene mutation disease. Swimming has been proven to have a positive effect on neurodegenerative diseases. METHODS Shank3 gene exon 11-21 knockout rats were intervened by a 40 min/day, 5 day/week for 8-week protocol. After the intervention, the rats were tested to behavioral measures such as learning and memory, and the volume and H-spectrum of the brain were measured using MRI; hippocampal dendritic spines were measured using Golgi staining and laser confocal. RESULTS The results showed that Shank3-deficient rats had significant deficits in social memory, object recognition, and water maze learning decreased hippocampal volume and number of neurons, and lower levels of related scaffold proteins and receptor proteins were found in Shank3-deficient rats. CONCLUSION It is suggested that early swimming exercise has a positive effect on Shank3 gene-deficient rats, which provides a new therapeutic strategy for the prevention and recovery of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina,Sports and Health Editorial OfficePeople's education pressBeijingChina
| | - Yunchen Meng
- Department of P.E.China University of Mining and Technology‐BeijingBeijingChina
| | - Shasha An
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Wenshu Meng
- College of Life SciencesBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Hanran Li
- Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences and Department of PsychologyUniversity of MacauTaipaMacau
| | - Weinan Zhang
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yaqi Xue
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Xinyu Lan
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijingChina,Neuroscience Research InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning CommissionPeking UniversityBeijingChina,Autism Research Center of Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoxi Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and MoxibustionChina Academy of Chinese Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Mingjuan Li
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijingChina,Neuroscience Research InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning CommissionPeking UniversityBeijingChina,Autism Research Center of Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoyan Zhang
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhang Zhihao
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Yu Zhao
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Haodong Yang
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Chen Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neural Regeneration and Repair, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain ProtectionCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical SciencesPeking UniversityBeijingChina,Neuroscience Research InstitutePeking UniversityBeijingChina,Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health and Family Planning CommissionPeking UniversityBeijingChina,Autism Research Center of Peking University Health Science CenterBeijingChina,Department of Integration of Chinese and Western MedicineSchool of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Zhiping Zhen
- College of P.E and SportsBeijing Normal UniversityBeijingChina
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19
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Alpay M, Yucel F. Changes of Cerebellar Cortex in a Valproic Acid-Induced Rat Model of Autism. Int J Dev Neurosci 2022; 82:606-614. [PMID: 35831992 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 for each group) were used in total to examine the effects of valproic acid on rat cerebellum. It was determined that the experimental group received valproic acid (600mg/kg) on embryonic day 15 and postnatal day 11, whereas the control group was treated with saline on the same days. Moreover, on the postnatal 30th day, the cerebellums of all pups were removed and prepared for light and electron microscopy. The numerical density of granule cells in the cerebellum of experimental groups of rats increased whereas the numerical density of Purkinje cells decreased. Furthermore, the granule cells had a smaller mean nuclear diameter in one of the experimental groups while the Purkinje cells had in both experimental groups than those in the comparison group. Thus, the numerical density of synaptic discs and their mean diameter in the cerebellar granular layer of experimental groups were significantly decreased compared to the corresponding controls; also, the synapse-to-neurons ratio, a parameter indicating interneural connectivity, was the same. Consequently, it was seen that valproic acid administration to pups in prenatal or early postnatal days causes changes in number of neurons and synapses in the cerebellum of rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meltem Alpay
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Ferruh Yucel
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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20
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Neuromotor Development in the Shank3 Mouse Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12070872. [PMID: 35884680 PMCID: PMC9313282 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12070872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is mainly characterized by developmental delay in social and communication skills, it has been shown that neuromotor deficits are an early component of ASD. The neuromotor development of B6.129-Shank3tm2Gfng/J (Shank3B−/−) mice as an animal model of autism has not been analyzed yet. The aim of this study was to compare the early neuromotor development of Shank3B−/− to wild-type mice. The mice underwent a multitude of neurodevelopmental tests and observations from postnatal day 1 (PND = 1) to weaning. Shank3B−/− mice opened their eyes later than their wild-type litter mates (p < 0.01). Shank3B−/− mice were also slower in the negative geotaxis test from PND = 13 to PND = 16 (p < 0.001) in both sexes. The results of this study indicate neurodevelopmental deficits in Shank3B−/− mice. The test is partially dependent on truncal motor control, and these lines of evidence suggest a phenotype of developmental hypotonia, which corresponds with the phenotypes seen in patients with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome. There was no observable effect of sex in any of the tests. There were no observed differences in upper and lower incisor eruption, ear unfolding, air righting, surface righting and ear twitch reflexes. Further studies should prove whether the delay in neuromotor development is linked to social or communication deficits, and thus, whether it may serve as an early indicator of autistic-like phenotype in mice.
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21
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Qi C, Chen A, Mao H, Hu E, Ge J, Ma G, Ren K, Xue Q, Wang W, Wu S. Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Imbalance Caused by Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Deficits During Development in a Valproic Acid Mouse Model of Autism. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:860275. [PMID: 35465089 PMCID: PMC9019547 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.860275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental factors, such as medication during pregnancy, are one of the major causes of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Valproic acid (VPA) intake during pregnancy has been reported to dramatically elevate autism risk in offspring. Recently, researchers have proposed that VPA exposure could induce excitatory or inhibitory synaptic dysfunction. However, it remains to be determined whether and how alterations in the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance contribute to VPA-induced ASD in a mouse model. In the present study, we explored changes in the E/I balance during different developmental periods in a VPA mouse model. We found that typical markers of pre- and postsynaptic excitatory and inhibitory function involved in E/I balance markedly decreased during development, reflecting difficulties in the development of synaptic plasticity in VPA-exposed mice. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin that promotes the formation and maturation of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses during postnatal development, was severely reduced in the VPA-exposed group. Treatment with exogenous BDNF during the critical E/I imbalance period rescued synaptic functions and autism-like behaviors, such as social defects. With these results, we experimentally showed that social dysfunction in the VPA mouse model of autism might be caused by E/I imbalance stemming from BDNF deficits during the developmental stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuchu Qi
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Andi Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Honghui Mao
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Erling Hu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Junye Ge
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Modern Teaching Technology, Center for Teacher Professional Ability Development, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, China
| | - Guaiguai Ma
- Department of Physiology, Medical College of Yan’an University, Yan’an, China
| | - Keke Ren
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Qian Xue
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
| | - Wenting Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- *Correspondence: Wenting Wang,
| | - Shengxi Wu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medicine, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China
- Shengxi Wu,
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22
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Ma SY, KWAN KM. Size Anomaly and Alteration of GABAergic Enzymes Expressions in Cerebellum of a Valproic acid Mouse Model of Autism. Behav Brain Res 2022; 428:113896. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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23
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Jiang S, Xiao L, Sun Y, He M, Gao C, Zhu C, Chang H, Ding J, Li W, Wang Y, Sun T, Wang F. The GABAB receptor agonist STX209 reverses the autism‑like behaviour in an animal model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid. Mol Med Rep 2022; 25:154. [PMID: 35244195 PMCID: PMC8941376 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2022.12670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interaction, compromised communication, and restrictive or stereotyped behaviours and interests. Due to the complex pathophysiology of ASD, there are currently no available medical therapies for improving the associated social deficits. Consequently, the present study investigated the effects of STX209, a selective γ‑aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR2) agonist, on an environmental rodent model of autism. The mouse model of autism induced by prenatal exposure to valproic acid (VPA) was used to assess the therapeutic potential of STX209 on autism‑like behaviour in the present study. This study investigated the effects of STX209 on VPA model mice via behavioral testing and revealed a significant reversal of core/associated autism‑like behavior, including sociability and preference for social novelty, novelty recognition, locomotion and exploration activity and marble‑burying deficit. This may be associated with STX209 correcting dendritic arborization, spine density and GABABR2 expression in hippocampus of VPA model mice. However, expression of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65/67 in the hippocampus were not altered by STX209. The present results demonstrated that STX209 administration ameliorated autism‑like symptoms in mice exposed to VPA prenatally, suggesting that autism‑like symptoms in children with a history of prenatal VPA exposure may also benefit from treatment with the GABABR2 agonist STX209.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shucai Jiang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Lifei Xiao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Yu Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Maotao He
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong 261053, P.R. China
| | - Caibin Gao
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Changliang Zhu
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Haigang Chang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Jiangwei Ding
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Tao Sun
- Ningxia Key Laboratory of Craniocerebral Disease, Incubation Base of National Key Laboratory, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310006, P.R. China
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24
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Ojiro R, Watanabe Y, Okano H, Takahashi Y, Takashima K, Tang Q, Ozawa S, Saito F, Akahori Y, Jin M, Yoshida T, Shibutani M. Gene expression profiles of multiple brain regions in rats differ between developmental and postpubertal exposure to valproic acid. J Appl Toxicol 2021; 42:864-882. [PMID: 34779009 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We have previously reported that the valproic acid (VPA)-induced disruption pattern of hippocampal adult neurogenesis differs between developmental and 28-day postpubertal exposure. In the present study, we performed brain region-specific global gene expression profiling to compare the profiles of VPA-induced neurotoxicity between developmental and postpubertal exposure. Offspring exposed to VPA at 0, 667, and 2000 parts per million (ppm) via maternal drinking water from gestational day 6 until weaning (postnatal day 21) were examined, along with male rats orally administered VPA at 0, 200, and 900 mg/kg body weight for 28 days starting at 5 weeks old. Four brain regions-the hippocampal dentate gyrus, corpus callosum, cerebral cortex, and cerebellar vermis-were subjected to expression microarray analysis. Profiled data suggested a region-specific pattern of effects after developmental VPA exposure, and a common pattern of effects among brain regions after postpubertal VPA exposure. Developmental VPA exposure typically led to the altered expression of genes related to nervous system development (Msx1, Xcl1, Foxj1, Prdm16, C3, and Kif11) in the hippocampus, and those related to nervous system development (Neurod1) and gliogenesis (Notch1 and Sox9) in the corpus callosum. Postpubertal VPA exposure led to the altered expression of genes related to neuronal differentiation and projection (Cd47, Cyr61, Dbi, Adamts1, and Btg2) in multiple brain regions. These findings suggested that neurotoxic patterns of VPA might be different between developmental and postpubertal exposure, which was consistent with our previous study. Of note, the hippocampal dentate gyrus might be a sensitive target of developmental neurotoxicants after puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Ojiro
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yousuke Watanabe
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiromu Okano
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Takahashi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazumi Takashima
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Qian Tang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Ozawa
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Fumiyo Saito
- Chemicals Assessment and Research Center, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Japan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Okayama University of Science, Imabari-shi, Ehime, Japan
| | - Yumi Akahori
- Chemicals Assessment and Research Center, Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Japan, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Meilan Jin
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Toshinori Yoshida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Shibutani
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Cooperative Division of Veterinary Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan.,Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo, Japan
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25
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Soria-Ortiz MB, Reyes-Ortega P, Martínez-Torres A, Reyes-Haro D. A Functional Signature in the Developing Cerebellum: Evidence From a Preclinical Model of Autism. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:727079. [PMID: 34540842 PMCID: PMC8448387 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.727079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are pervasive neurodevelopmental conditions detected during childhood when delayed language onset and social deficits are observed. Children diagnosed with ASD frequently display sensorimotor deficits associated with the cerebellum, suggesting a dysfunction of synaptic circuits. Astroglia are part of the tripartite synapses and postmortem studies reported an increased expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the cerebellum of ASD patients. Astroglia respond to neuronal activity with calcium transients that propagate to neighboring cells, resulting in a functional response known as a calcium wave. This form of intercellular signaling is implicated in proliferation, migration, and differentiation of neural precursors. Prenatal exposure to valproate (VPA) is a preclinical model of ASD in which premature migration and excess of apoptosis occur in the internal granular layer (IGL) of the cerebellum during the early postnatal period. In this study we tested calcium wave propagation in the IGL of mice prenatally exposed to VPA. Sensorimotor deficits were observed and IGL depolarization evoked a calcium wave with astrocyte recruitment. The calcium wave propagation, initial cell recruitment, and mean amplitude of the calcium transients increased significantly in VPA-exposed mice compared to the control group. Astrocyte recruitment was significantly increased in the VPA model, but the mean amplitude of the calcium transients was unchanged. Western blot and histological studies revealed an increased expression of GFAP, higher astroglial density and augmented morphological complexity. We conclude that the functional signature of the IGL is remarkably augmented in the preclinical model of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Berenice Soria-Ortiz
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Pamela Reyes-Ortega
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ataúlfo Martínez-Torres
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Daniel Reyes-Haro
- Departamento de Neurobiología Celular y Molecular, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México-Campus Juriquilla, Querétaro, Mexico
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26
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Timing and Intertemporal Choice Behavior in the Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:2414-2429. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05129-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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27
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Elnahas EM, Abuelezz SA, Mohamad MI, Nabil MM, Abdelraouf SM, Bahaa N, Hassan GA, Ibrahim EA, Ahmed AI, Aboul-Fotouh S. Validation of prenatal versus postnatal valproic acid rat models of autism: A behavioral and neurobiological study. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 108:110185. [PMID: 33238165 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2020.110185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Despite the increasing prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), there is still a deficiency in understanding its exact pathophysiology and treatment, therefore validation of translational ASD animal model is warranted. Although strong evidences support the valproic acid (VPA) model of autism, yet a controversy exists regarding the best timing of exposure whether prenatal or postnatal. Accordingly, this study was designed to compare the time dependent effects of VPA exposure as regard its ability to induce autistic like changes in male Wistar rats. In this study, two different protocols of VPA exposure (prenatal and postnatal) were compared at different levels (behavioral, neurochemical and histopathological). Results of this study revealed that both prenatal and postnatal VPA exposures induced autistic-like behaviors manifested by reduced social interaction, increased repetitive stereotyped behavior and anxiety, cognitive dysfunction, lowered sensitivity to pain, and neurodevelopmental delay. Furthermore, inflammatory cytokines and oxidative/nitrosative stress markers were elevated in prefrontal cortex and hippocampal homogenates. Likewise, histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment confirmed the neurodegenerative and the apoptotic changes in prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum exhibited by decreased viable cells number and Nissl's granules optical density, and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity respectively. Interestingly, ASD core symptoms and histopathological changes were significantly (P < 0.05) altered in prenatal VPA model compared to postnatal VPA model. Additionally, postnatal mortality in prenatal model (4.3%) was much lower compared to the postnatal model (22.7%). In conclusion, our study overweighs the ability of prenatal VPA model over postnatal VPA model to induce behavioral and neuropathological alterations that simulate those observed in autistic individuals with a lower postnatal animal mortality, highlighting the privilege of prenatal over postnatal VPA exposure as a translational model for understanding pathophysiology and developing novel targets for management of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esraa M Elnahas
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sally A Abuelezz
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Magda I Mohamad
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mai M Nabil
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sahar M Abdelraouf
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Misr International University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nevine Bahaa
- Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ghada Am Hassan
- Neuropsychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Eman A Ibrahim
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asmaa I Ahmed
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sawsan Aboul-Fotouh
- Clinical Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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28
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Wang S, Liu H, Cheng B, Wu Q, Li L, Yang T, Hou N, Li T. Vitamin A supplementation ameliorates motor incoordination via modulating RORα in the cerebellum in a valproic acid-treated rat autism model with vitamin A deficiency. Neurotoxicology 2021; 85:90-98. [PMID: 33991534 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Motor dysfunctions are common comorbidities among autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients. Abnormal cerebellar development throughout critical periods may have an effect on motor functions and result in motor impairments. Vitamin A (VA) plays a crucial role in the developing process of the nervous system. The correlation of VA deficiency (VAD) and ASD with motor dysfunctions, however, is not clear. Therefore, we built rat models with different VA levels based on the valproic acid (VPA)-treated autism model. ASD rats with VAD showed aggravated motor coordination abnormalities, Purkinje cell loss and impaired dendritic arborization of Purkinje cells compared to ASD rats with normal VA levels (VA normal, VAN). Additionally, the expression levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor α (RORα) and retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) were lower in the cerebellum of ASD rats with VAD than in those of ASD rats with VAN. VA supplementation (VAS) effectively improved motor coordination and cerebellar Purkinje cell abnormalities in ASD rats with VAD. Furthermore, the results of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays confirmed that the enrichment of RARα was detected on the RORα promoter in the cerebellum and that VAS could upregulate the binding capacity of RARα for RORα promoters. These results showed that VAD in autism might result in cerebellar impairments and be a factor aggravating a subtype of ASD with motor comorbidities. The therapeutic effect of VAS on motor deficits and Purkinje neuron impairments in autism might be due to the regulation of RORα by RARα.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Wang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Huan Liu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Boli Cheng
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Qionghui Wu
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Lisha Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China
| | - Nali Hou
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China; Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Tingyu Li
- Children's Nutrition Research Center, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Nutrition and Health, Chongqing, China.
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Emerging mechanisms of valproic acid-induced neurotoxic events in autism and its implications for pharmacological treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111322. [PMID: 33761592 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a sort of mental disorder marked by deficits in cognitive and communication abilities. To date no effective cure for this pernicious disease has been available. Valproic acid (VPA) is a broad-spectrum, antiepileptic drug, and it is also a potent teratogen. Epidemiological studies have shown that children exposed to VPA are at higher risk for ASD during the first trimester of their gestational development. Several animal and human studies have demonstrated important behavioral impairments and morphological changes in the brain following VPA treatment. However, the mechanism of VPA exposure-induced ASD remains unclear. Several factors are involved in the pathological phase of ASD, including aberrant excitation/inhibition of synaptic transmission, neuroinflammation, diminished neurogenesis, oxidative stress, etc. In this review, we aim to outline the current knowledge of the critical pathophysiological mechanisms underlying VPA exposure-induced ASD. This review will give insight toward understanding the complex nature of VPA-induced neuronal toxicity and exploring a new path toward the development of novel pharmacological treatment against ASD.
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Sabit H, Tombuloglu H, Rehman S, Almandil NB, Cevik E, Abdel-Ghany S, Rashwan S, Abasiyanik MF, Yee Waye MM. Gut microbiota metabolites in autistic children: An epigenetic perspective. Heliyon 2021; 7:e06105. [PMID: 33553761 PMCID: PMC7848646 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Gut microbiota has become an issue of great importance recently due to its major role in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Over the past three decades, there has been a sustained research activity focused to explain the actual mechanism by which gut microbiota triggers/develops autism. Several genetic and epigenetic factors are involved in this disorder, with epigenetics being the most active area of research. Although the constant investigation and advancements, epigenetic implications in ASD still need a deeper functional/causal analysis. In this review, we describe the major gut microbiota metabolites and how they induce epigenetic changes in ASD along with interactions through the gut-brain axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Sabit
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Huseyin Tombuloglu
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Suriya Rehman
- Department of Epidemic Diseases, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Noor B Almandil
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy Research, Institute for Research and Medical Consultation (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Emre Cevik
- Department of Genetics, Institute for Research and Medical Consultations (IRMC), Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, P. O. Box 1982, Dammam, 31441 Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaimaa Abdel-Ghany
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, Misr University for Science and Technology, P. O. Box 77, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sanaa Rashwan
- Pediatrics Department, Madinat Zayed Hospital, SEHA, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mustafa Fatih Abasiyanik
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.,Institute for Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Mary Miu Yee Waye
- The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Croucher Laboratory for Human Genomics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong
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31
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Quezada NT, Salas-Ortíz SF, Peralta FA, Aguayo FI, Morgado-Gallardo KP, Mac-Rae CA, Fiedler JL, Aliaga EE. Loss of Social/Non-social Context Discrimination by Movement Acceleration in the Valproate Model of Autism. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 14:555610. [PMID: 33505254 PMCID: PMC7829965 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.555610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental alteration characterized by social/communicative deficits, repetitive/stereotyped movements, and restricted/obsessive interests. However, there is not much information about whether movement alterations in ASD comprise modifications at the basic kinematic level, such as trajectory and velocity, which may contribute to the higher level of processing that allows the perception and interpretation of actions performed by others, and hence, impact social interaction. In order to further explore possible motor alterations in ASD, we analyzed movement parameters in the Valproate (VPA) animal model of autism. We found that VPA-treated rats displayed greater movement acceleration, reduced distance between stops, spent more time in the corner of the open-field arena, and executed a number of particular behaviors; for example, supported rearing and circling, with no major changes in distance and velocity. However, in the social interaction test, we found other alterations in the movement parameters. In addition to increased acceleration, VPA-rats displayed reduced velocity, increased stops, reduced distance/stop and lost the social/non-social area discrimination that is characteristic of control rats in acceleration and stops variables. Hence, even if prenatal VPA-treatment could have a minor effect in motor variables in a non-social context, it has a crucial effect in the capacity of the animals to adjust their kinematic variables when social/non-social context alternation is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelva T Quezada
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Sebastiana F Salas-Ortíz
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Francisco A Peralta
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Felipe I Aguayo
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Catherine A Mac-Rae
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Jenny L Fiedler
- Laboratory of Neuroplasticity and Neurogenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Esteban E Aliaga
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile.,Faculty of Health Sciences, The Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neurosciences Research Center (CINPSI-Neurocog), Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
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32
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Healing autism spectrum disorder with cannabinoids: a neuroinflammatory story. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 121:128-143. [PMID: 33358985 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a multifactorial etiology. Latest researches are raising the hypothesis of a link between the onset of the main behavioral symptoms of ASD and the chronic neuroinflammatory condition of the autistic brain; increasing evidence of this connection is shedding light on new possible players in the pathogenesis of ASD. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) has a key role in neurodevelopment as well as in normal inflammatory responses and it is not surprising that many preclinical and clinical studies account for alterations of the endocannabinoid signaling in ASD. These findings lay the foundation for a better understanding of the neurochemical mechanisms underlying ASD and for new therapeutic attempts aimed at exploiting the renowned anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids to treat pathologies encompassed in the autistic spectrum. This review discusses the current preclinical and clinical evidence supporting a key role of the ECS in the neuroinflammatory state that characterizes ASD, providing hints to identify new biomarkers in ASD and promising therapies for the future.
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33
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Hao X, Pan J, Gao X, Zhang S, Li Y. Gut microbiota on gender bias in autism spectrum disorder. Rev Neurosci 2020; 32:/j/revneuro.ahead-of-print/revneuro-2020-0042/revneuro-2020-0042.xml. [PMID: 32887209 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2020-0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Its three core symptoms are social communication disorder, communication disorder, narrow interest and stereotyped repetitive behavior. The proportion of male and female autistic patients is 4:1. Many researchers have studied this phenomenon, but the mechanism is still unclear. This review mainly discusses the related mechanism from the perspective of gut microbiota and introduces the influence of gut microbiota on the difference of ASD between men and women, as well as how gut microbiota may affect the gender dimorphism of ASD through metabolite of microbiota, immunity, and genetics, which provide some useful information for those who are interested in this research and find more gender-specific treatment for autistic men and women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
| | - Jiao Pan
- Department of Microbiology, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin300071,China
| | - Xiumei Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
| | - Yue Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-Based Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Pharmacology of Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulae, Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin301617,China
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34
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Chaliha D, Albrecht M, Vaccarezza M, Takechi R, Lam V, Al-Salami H, Mamo J. A Systematic Review of the Valproic-Acid-Induced Rodent Model of Autism. Dev Neurosci 2020; 42:12-48. [DOI: 10.1159/000509109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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35
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Lieberman OJ, Cartocci V, Pigulevskiy I, Molinari M, Carbonell J, Broseta MB, Post MR, Sulzer D, Borgkvist A, Santini E. mTOR Suppresses Macroautophagy During Striatal Postnatal Development and Is Hyperactive in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:70. [PMID: 32296308 PMCID: PMC7136750 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) plays a critical role in neuronal function related to development and degeneration. Here, we investigated whether autophagy is developmentally regulated in the striatum, a brain region implicated in neurodevelopmental disease. We demonstrate that autophagic flux is suppressed during striatal postnatal development, reaching adult levels around postnatal day 28 (P28). We also find that mTOR signaling, a key regulator of autophagy, increases during the same developmental period. We further show that mTOR signaling is responsible for suppressing autophagy, via regulation of Beclin-1 and VPS34 activity. Finally, we discover that autophagy is downregulated during late striatal postnatal development (P28) in mice with in utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an established mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). VPA-exposed mice also display deficits in striatal neurotransmission and social behavior. Correction of hyperactive mTOR signaling in VPA-exposed mice restores social behavior. These results demonstrate that neurons coopt metabolic signaling cascades to developmentally regulate autophagy and provide additional evidence that mTOR-dependent signaling pathways represent pathogenic signaling cascades in ASD mouse models that are active during specific postnatal windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori J. Lieberman
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Irena Pigulevskiy
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maya Molinari
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josep Carbonell
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael R. Post
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Sulzer
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anders Borgkvist
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emanuela Santini
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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36
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Lieberman OJ, Cartocci V, Pigulevskiy I, Molinari M, Carbonell J, Broseta MB, Post MR, Sulzer D, Borgkvist A, Santini E. mTOR Suppresses Macroautophagy During Striatal Postnatal Development and Is Hyperactive in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:70. [PMID: 32296308 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00070/bibtex] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) plays a critical role in neuronal function related to development and degeneration. Here, we investigated whether autophagy is developmentally regulated in the striatum, a brain region implicated in neurodevelopmental disease. We demonstrate that autophagic flux is suppressed during striatal postnatal development, reaching adult levels around postnatal day 28 (P28). We also find that mTOR signaling, a key regulator of autophagy, increases during the same developmental period. We further show that mTOR signaling is responsible for suppressing autophagy, via regulation of Beclin-1 and VPS34 activity. Finally, we discover that autophagy is downregulated during late striatal postnatal development (P28) in mice with in utero exposure to valproic acid (VPA), an established mouse model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). VPA-exposed mice also display deficits in striatal neurotransmission and social behavior. Correction of hyperactive mTOR signaling in VPA-exposed mice restores social behavior. These results demonstrate that neurons coopt metabolic signaling cascades to developmentally regulate autophagy and provide additional evidence that mTOR-dependent signaling pathways represent pathogenic signaling cascades in ASD mouse models that are active during specific postnatal windows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ori J Lieberman
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Irena Pigulevskiy
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Maya Molinari
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Josep Carbonell
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Michael R Post
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - David Sulzer
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
| | - Anders Borgkvist
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Emanuela Santini
- Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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37
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Siniscalco D, Antonucci N. Cellular therapy for autism spectrum disorder: a step forward to the optimal treatments. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:S110. [PMID: 31576317 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.05.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Siniscalco
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
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38
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Solouki S, Bahrami F, Janahmadi M. The Concept of Transmission Coefficient Among Different Cerebellar Layers: A Computational Tool for Analyzing Motor Learning. Front Neural Circuits 2019; 13:54. [PMID: 31507382 PMCID: PMC6718712 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2019.00054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High-fidelity regulation of information transmission among cerebellar layers is mainly provided by synaptic plasticity. Therefore, determining the regulatory foundations of synaptic plasticity in the cerebellum and translating them to behavioral output are of great importance. To date, many experimental studies have been carried out in order to clarify the effect of synaptic defects, while targeting a specific signaling pathway in the cerebellar function. However, the contradictory results of these studies at the behavioral level further add to the ambiguity of the problem. Information transmission through firing rate changes in populations of interconnected neurons is one of the most widely accepted principles of neural coding. In this study, while considering the efficacy of synaptic interactions among the cerebellar layers, we propose a firing rate model to realize the concept of transmission coefficient. Thereafter, using a computational approach, we test the effect of different values of transmission coefficient on the gain adaptation of a cerebellar-dependent motor learning task. In conformity with the behavioral data, the proposed model can accurately predict that disruption in different forms of synaptic plasticity does not have the same effect on motor learning. Specifically, impairment in training mechanisms, like in the train-induced LTD in parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses, has a significant negative impact on all aspects of learning, including memory formation, transfer, and consolidation, although it does not disrupt basic motor performance. In this regard, the overinduction of parallel fiber-molecular layer interneuron LTP could not prevent motor learning impairment, despite its vital role in preserving the robustness of basic motor performance. In contrast, impairment in plasticity induced by interneurons and background activity of climbing fibers is partly compensable through overinduction of train-induced parallel fiber-Purkinje cell LTD. Additionally, blockade of climbing fiber signaling to the cerebellar cortex, referred to as olivary system lesion, shows the most destructive effect on both motor learning and basic motor performance. Overall, the obtained results from the proposed computational framework are used to provide a map from procedural motor memory formation in the cerebellum. Certainly, the generalization of this concept to other multi-layered networks of the brain requires more physiological and computational researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeed Solouki
- Control and Intelligent Processing Center of Excellence, Human Motor Control and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fariba Bahrami
- Control and Intelligent Processing Center of Excellence, Human Motor Control and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahyar Janahmadi
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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39
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Zhang L, So KF. Exercise, spinogenesis and cognitive functions. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2019; 147:323-360. [PMID: 31607360 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2019.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Exercise training improves mental and cognitive functions by enhancing neurogenesis and neuroprotection. Recent studies suggest the facilitation of spinogenesis across different brain regions including hippocampus and cerebral cortex by physical activity. In this article we will summarize major findings for exercise effects on synaptogenesis and spinogenesis, in order to provide mechanisms for exercise intervention of both psychiatric diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. We will also revisit major findings for molecular mechanism governing exercise-related spinogenesis, and will discuss the screening for novel factors, or exerkines, whose levels are correlated with endurance training and affect neural plasticity. We believe that further studies focusing on the molecular mechanism of exercise-mediate spinogenesis should benefit the optimization of exercise therapy in clinics and the evaluation of treatment efficiency using specific biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, PR China; Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, PR China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, PR China; Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, PR China; Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Guangzhou, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, PR China.
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