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Bottom-Tanzer S, Corella S, Meyer J, Sommer M, Bolaños L, Murphy T, Quiñones S, Heiney S, Shtrahman M, Whalen M, Oren R, Higley MJ, Cardin JA, Noubary F, Armbruster M, Dulla C. Traumatic brain injury disrupts state-dependent functional cortical connectivity in a mouse model. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae038. [PMID: 38365273 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae038] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death in young people and can cause cognitive and motor dysfunction and disruptions in functional connectivity between brain regions. In human TBI patients and rodent models of TBI, functional connectivity is decreased after injury. Recovery of connectivity after TBI is associated with improved cognition and memory, suggesting an important link between connectivity and functional outcome. We examined widespread alterations in functional connectivity following TBI using simultaneous widefield mesoscale GCaMP7c calcium imaging and electrocorticography (ECoG) in mice injured using the controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of TBI. Combining CCI with widefield cortical imaging provides us with unprecedented access to characterize network connectivity changes throughout the entire injured cortex over time. Our data demonstrate that CCI profoundly disrupts functional connectivity immediately after injury, followed by partial recovery over 3 weeks. Examining discrete periods of locomotion and stillness reveals that CCI alters functional connectivity and reduces theta power only during periods of behavioral stillness. Together, these findings demonstrate that TBI causes dynamic, behavioral state-dependent changes in functional connectivity and ECoG activity across the cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Bottom-Tanzer
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
- MD/PhD Program, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Sofia Corella
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
- MD/PhD Program, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, United States
| | - Jochen Meyer
- Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Mary Sommer
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Luis Bolaños
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Timothy Murphy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z4
| | - Sadi Quiñones
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
- Neuroscience Program, Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Shane Heiney
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, United States
| | - Matthew Shtrahman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Michael Whalen
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Rachel Oren
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
- Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Michael J Higley
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Jessica A Cardin
- Department of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, United States
| | - Farzad Noubary
- Department of Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Moritz Armbruster
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
| | - Chris Dulla
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, United States
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Ulyanova AV, Adam CD, Cottone C, Maheshwari N, Grovola MR, Fruchet OE, Alamar J, Koch PF, Johnson VE, Cullen DK, Wolf JA. Hippocampal interneuronal dysfunction and hyperexcitability in a porcine model of concussion. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1136. [PMID: 37945934 PMCID: PMC10636018 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05491-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment is a common symptom following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI or concussion) and can persist for years in some individuals. Hippocampal slice preparations following closed-head, rotational acceleration injury in swine have previously demonstrated reduced axonal function and hippocampal circuitry disruption. However, electrophysiological changes in hippocampal neurons and their subtypes in a large animal mTBI model have not been examined. Using in vivo electrophysiology techniques, we examined laminar oscillatory field potentials and single unit activity in the hippocampal network 7 days post-injury in anesthetized minipigs. Concussion altered the electrophysiological properties of pyramidal cells and interneurons differently in area CA1. While the firing rate, spike width and amplitude of CA1 interneurons were significantly decreased post-mTBI, these parameters were unchanged in CA1 pyramidal neurons. In addition, CA1 pyramidal neurons in TBI animals were less entrained to hippocampal gamma (40-80 Hz) oscillations. Stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals also revealed hyperexcitability across the CA1 lamina post-mTBI. Computational simulations suggest that reported changes in interneuronal physiology may be due to alterations in voltage-gated sodium channels. These data demonstrate that a single concussion can lead to significant neuronal and circuit level changes in the hippocampus, which may contribute to cognitive dysfunction following mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra V Ulyanova
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Christopher D Adam
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Carlo Cottone
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Nikhil Maheshwari
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Michael R Grovola
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Oceane E Fruchet
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jami Alamar
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Paul F Koch
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Victoria E Johnson
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - D Kacy Cullen
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA
| | - John A Wolf
- Center for Brain Injury and Repair, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
- Center for Neurotrauma, Neurodegeneration, and Restoration, Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, USA.
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Broussard JI, Redell JB, Zhao J, West R, Homma R, Dash PK. Optogenetic Stimulation of CA1 Pyramidal Neurons at Theta Enhances Recognition Memory in Brain Injured Animals. J Neurotrauma 2023; 40:2442-2448. [PMID: 37387400 PMCID: PMC10653071 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0078] [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] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract The hippocampus plays a prominent role in learning and memory formation. The functional integrity of this structure is often compromised after traumatic brain injury (TBI), resulting in lasting cognitive dysfunction. The activity of hippocampal neurons, particularly place cells, is coordinated by local theta oscillations. Previous studies aimed at examining hippocampal theta oscillations after experimental TBI have reported disparate findings. Using a diffuse brain injury model, the lateral fluid percussion injury (FPI; 2.0 atm), we report a significant reduction in hippocampal theta power that persists for at least three weeks after injury. We questioned whether the behavioral deficit associated with this reduction of theta power can be overcome by optogenetically stimulating CA1 neurons at theta in brain injured rats. Our results show that memory impairments in brain injured animals could be reversed by optogenetically stimulating CA1 pyramidal neurons expressing channelrhodopsin (ChR2) during learning. In contrast, injured animals receiving a control virus (lacking ChR2) did not benefit from optostimulation. These results suggest that direct stimulation of CA1 pyramidal neurons at theta may be a viable option for enhancing memory after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- John I. Broussard
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - John B. Redell
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rebecca West
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ryota Homma
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Pramod K. Dash
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas, USA
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Liu Y, Fan Z, Wang J, Dong X, Ouyang W. Modified mouse model of repeated mild traumatic brain injury through a thinned-skull window and fluid percussion. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1633-1650. [PMID: 37382058 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25227] [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: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a clinically highly heterogeneous neurological disorder, none of the existing animal models can replicate the entire sequelae. This study aimed to develop a modified closed head injury (CHI) model of repeated mTBI (rmTBI) for investigating Ca2+ fluctuations of the affected neural network, the alternations of electrophysiology, and behavioral dysfunctions. The transcranial Ca2+ study protocol includes AAV-GCaMP6s infection in the right motor cortex, thinned-skull preparation, and two-photon laser scanning microscopy (TPLSM) imaging. The CHI rmTBI model is fabricated using the thinned-skull site and applying 2.0 atm fluid percussion with 48-h interval. The neurological dysfunction, minor motor performance, evident mood, spatial working, and reference deficits we found in this study mimic the clinically relevant syndromes after mTBI. Besides, our study revealed that there was a trend of transition from Ca2+ singlepeak to multipeak and plateau, and the total Ca2+ activities of multipeaks and plateaus (p < .001 vs. pre-rmTBI value) were significantly increased in ipsilateral layer 2/3 motor neurons after rm TBI. In parallel, there is a low-frequency power shift from delta to theta band (p < .01 vs. control) in the ipsilateral layer 2/3 of motor cortex of the rmTBI mice, and the overall firing rates significantly increased (p < .01 vs. control). Moreover, rmTBI causes slight cortical and hippocampal neuron damage and possibly induces neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG). The alternations of Ca2+ and electrophysiological characteristics in layer 2/3 neuronal network, histopathological changes, and possible neurogenesis may play concertedly and partially contribute to the functional outcome post-rmTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuncheng Liu
- College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Zhiheng Fan
- College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Jihui Wang
- College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Xuefen Dong
- College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- College of Physical Education and Health Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China
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McNerney MW, Gurkoff GG, Beard C, Berryhill ME. The Rehabilitation Potential of Neurostimulation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Animal and Human Studies. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1402. [PMID: 37891771 PMCID: PMC10605899 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13101402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurostimulation carries high therapeutic potential, accompanied by an excellent safety profile. In this review, we argue that an arena in which these tools could provide breakthrough benefits is traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a major health problem worldwide, with the majority of cases identified as mild TBI (mTBI). MTBI is of concern because it is a modifiable risk factor for dementia. A major challenge in studying mTBI is its inherent heterogeneity across a large feature space (e.g., etiology, age of injury, sex, treatment, initial health status, etc.). Parallel lines of research in human and rodent mTBI can be collated to take advantage of the full suite of neuroscience tools, from neuroimaging (electroencephalography: EEG; functional magnetic resonance imaging: fMRI; diffusion tensor imaging: DTI) to biochemical assays. Despite these attractive components and the need for effective treatments, there are at least two major challenges to implementation. First, there is insufficient understanding of how neurostimulation alters neural mechanisms. Second, there is insufficient understanding of how mTBI alters neural function. The goal of this review is to assemble interrelated but disparate areas of research to identify important gaps in knowledge impeding the implementation of neurostimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Windy McNerney
- Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (M.W.M.); (C.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Gene G. Gurkoff
- Department of Neurological Surgery, and Center for Neuroscience, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA;
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Northern California Health Care System, Martinez, CA 94553, USA
| | - Charlotte Beard
- Mental Illness Research Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA; (M.W.M.); (C.B.)
- Program in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Marian E. Berryhill
- Programs in Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and Integrative Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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Motanis H, Khorasani LN, Giza CC, Harris NG. Peering into the Brain through the Retrosplenial Cortex to Assess Cognitive Function of the Injured Brain. Neurotrauma Rep 2021; 2:564-580. [PMID: 34901949 PMCID: PMC8655812 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2021.0044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The retrosplenial cortex (RSC) is a posterior cortical area that has been drawing increasing interest in recent years, with a growing number of studies studying its contribution to cognitive and sensory functions. From an anatomical perspective, it has been established that the RSC is extensively and often reciprocally connected with the hippocampus, neocortex, and many midbrain regions. Functionally, the RSC is an important hub of the default-mode network. This endowment, with vast anatomical and functional connections, positions the RSC to play an important role in episodic memory, spatial and contextual learning, sensory-cognitive activities, and multi-modal sensory information processing and integration. Additionally, RSC dysfunction has been reported in cases of cognitive decline, particularly in Alzheimer's disease and stroke. We review the literature to examine whether the RSC can act as a cortical marker of persistent cognitive dysfunction after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Because the RSC is easily accessible at the brain's surface using in vivo techniques, we argue that studying RSC network activity post-TBI can shed light into the mechanisms of less-accessible brain regions, such as the hippocampus. There is a fundamental gap in the TBI field about the microscale alterations occurring post-trauma, and by studying the RSC's neuronal activity at the cellular level we will be able to design better therapeutic tools. Understanding how neuronal activity and interactions produce normal and abnormal activity in the injured brain is crucial to understanding cognitive dysfunction. By using this approach, we expect to gain valuable insights to better understand brain disorders like TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Motanis
- UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Geffen Medical School, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Laila N. Khorasani
- UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Geffen Medical School, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Christopher C. Giza
- UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Geffen Medical School, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Neil G. Harris
- UCLA Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Geffen Medical School, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Intellectual Development and Disabilities Research Center, UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- *Address correspondence to: Neil G. Harris, PhD, Department of Neurosurgery, University of California at Los Angeles, Wasserman Building, 300 Stein Plaza, Room 551, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA;
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