1
|
Frame AK, Sinka JL, Courchesne M, Muhammad RA, Grahovac-Nemeth S, Bernards MA, Bartha R, Cumming RC. Altered neuronal lactate dehydrogenase A expression affects cognition in a sex- and age-dependent manner. iScience 2024; 27:110342. [PMID: 39055955 PMCID: PMC11269950 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) model posits that astrocyte-generated lactate is transported to neurons to fuel memory processes. However, neurons express high levels of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), the rate-limiting enzyme of lactate production, suggesting a cognitive role for neuronally generated lactate. It was hypothesized that lactate metabolism in neurons is critical for learning and memory. Here transgenic mice were generated to conditionally induce or knockout (KO) the Ldha gene in CNS neurons of adult mice. High pattern separation memory was enhanced by neuronal Ldha induction in young females, and by neuronal Ldha KO in aged females. In older mice, Ldha induction caused cognitive deficits whereas Ldha KO caused cognitive improvements. Genotype-associated cognitive changes were often only observed in one sex or oppositely in males and females. Thus, neuronal-generated lactate has sex-specific cognitive effects, is largely indispensable at young age, and may be detrimental to learning and memory with aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ariel K. Frame
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Jessica L. Sinka
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Marc Courchesne
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | | | | | - Mark A. Bernards
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| | - Robert Bartha
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Robert C. Cumming
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Smith DM, Aggarwal G, Niehoff ML, Jones SA, Banerjee S, Farr SA, Nguyen AD. Biochemical, Biomarker, and Behavioral Characterization of the Grn R493X Mouse Model of Frontotemporal Dementia. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04190-9. [PMID: 38696065 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04190-9] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia due to progranulin haploinsufficiency; complete deficiency of progranulin causes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Several progranulin-deficient mouse models have been generated, including both knockout mice and knockin mice harboring a common patient mutation (R493X). However, the GrnR493X mouse model has not been characterized completely. Additionally, while homozygous GrnR493X and Grn knockout mice have been extensively studied, data from heterozygous mice is still limited. Here, we performed more in-depth characterization of heterozygous and homozygous GrnR493X knockin mice, which includes biochemical assessments, behavioral studies, and analysis of fluid biomarkers. In the brains of homozygous GrnR493X mice, we found increased phosphorylated TDP-43 along with increased expression of lysosomal genes, markers of microgliosis and astrogliosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and complement factors. Heterozygous GrnR493X mice did not have increased TDP-43 phosphorylation but did exhibit limited increases in lysosomal and inflammatory gene expression. Behavioral studies found social and emotional deficits in GrnR493X mice that mirror those observed in Grn knockout mouse models, as well as impairment in memory and executive function. Overall, the GrnR493X knockin mouse model closely phenocopies Grn knockout models. Lastly, in contrast to homozygous knockin mice, heterozygous GrnR493X mice do not have elevated levels of fluid biomarkers previously identified in humans, including neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in both plasma and CSF. These results may help to inform pre-clinical studies that use this Grn knockin mouse model and other Grn knockout models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise M Smith
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Geetika Aggarwal
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Michael L Niehoff
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, USA
| | - Spencer A Jones
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Subhashis Banerjee
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
| | - Susan A Farr
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, St. Louis, USA
| | - Andrew D Nguyen
- Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, USA.
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Smith DM, Aggarwal G, Niehoff ML, Jones SA, Banerjee S, Farr SA, Nguyen AD. Biochemical, biomarker, and behavioral characterization of the GrnR493X mouse model of frontotemporal dementia. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.05.27.542495. [PMID: 37398305 PMCID: PMC10312473 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.27.542495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Heterozygous loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia due to progranulin haploinsufficiency; complete deficiency of progranulin causes neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Several progranulin-deficient mouse models have been generated, including both knockout mice and knockin mice harboring a common patient mutation (R493X). However, the GrnR493X mouse model has not been characterized completely. Additionally, while homozygous GrnR493X and Grn knockout mice have been extensively studied, data from heterozygous mice is still limited. Here, we performed more in-depth characterization of heterozygous and homozygous GrnR493X knockin mice, which includes biochemical assessments, behavioral studies, and analysis of fluid biomarkers. In the brains of homozygous GrnR493X mice, we found increased phosphorylated TDP-43 along with increased expression of lysosomal genes, markers of microgliosis and astrogliosis, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and complement factors. Heterozygous GrnR493X mice did not have increased TDP-43 phosphorylation but did exhibit limited increases in lysosomal and inflammatory gene expression. Behavioral studies found social and emotional deficits in GrnR493X mice that mirror those observed in Grn knockout mouse models, as well as impairment in memory and executive function. Overall, the GrnR493X knockin mouse model closely phenocopies Grn knockout models. Lastly, in contrast to homozygous knockin mice, heterozygous GrnR493X mice do not have elevated levels of fluid biomarkers previously identified in humans, including neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in both plasma and CSF. These results may help to inform pre-clinical studies that use this Grn knockin mouse model and other Grn knockout models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise M. Smith
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Geetika Aggarwal
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Michael L. Niehoff
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Spencer A. Jones
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Subhashis Banerjee
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| | - Susan A. Farr
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, United States of America
| | - Andrew D. Nguyen
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, United States of America
- Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, United States of America
- Saint Louis University, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Arinrad S, Depp C, Siems SB, Sasmita AO, Eichel MA, Ronnenberg A, Hammerschmidt K, Lüders KA, Werner HB, Ehrenreich H, Nave KA. Isolated catatonia-like executive dysfunction in mice with forebrain-specific loss of myelin integrity. eLife 2023; 12:70792. [PMID: 36892455 PMCID: PMC9998085 DOI: 10.7554/elife.70792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
A key feature of advanced brain aging includes structural defects of intracortical myelin that are associated with secondary neuroinflammation. A similar pathology is seen in specific myelin mutant mice that model 'advanced brain aging' and exhibit a range of behavioral abnormalities. However, the cognitive assessment of these mutants is problematic because myelin-dependent motor-sensory functions are required for quantitative behavioral readouts. To better understand the role of cortical myelin integrity for higher brain functions, we generated mice lacking Plp1, encoding the major integral myelin membrane protein, selectively in ventricular zone stem cells of the mouse forebrain. In contrast to conventional Plp1 null mutants, subtle myelin defects were restricted to the cortex, hippocampus, and underlying callosal tracts. Moreover, forebrain-specific Plp1 mutants exhibited no defects of basic motor-sensory performance at any age tested. Surprisingly, several behavioral alterations reported for conventional Plp1 null mice (Gould et al., 2018) were absent and even social interactions appeared normal. However, with novel behavioral paradigms, we determined catatonia-like symptoms and isolated executive dysfunction in both genders. This suggests that loss of myelin integrity has an impact on cortical connectivity and underlies specific defects of executive function. These observations are likewise relevant for human neuropsychiatric conditions and other myelin-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sahab Arinrad
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Constanze Depp
- Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sophie B Siems
- Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Maria A Eichel
- Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anja Ronnenberg
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Katja A Lüders
- Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hauke B Werner
- Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hannelore Ehrenreich
- Clinical Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Armin Nave
- Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, Göttingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Cheng ST, Liu S, Ou-Yang B, Dai XY, Cheng L. Specific Effects of Characteristics of Enriched Environment on Innovative Problem Solving by Animals. Psychol Sci 2022; 33:1097-1111. [PMID: 35776087 DOI: 10.1177/09567976211070562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have revealed that an enriched environment can enhance the survival-related behaviors and brain functions of animals. However, the effects and specific roles of the enrichment characteristics on animals' innovative capability, a cognitive ability crucial for survival in nature, are still not well known. In this study, we assigned mice to environment-manipulation groups (n = 15 each) to investigate the specific effects of environmental novelty (novel vs. familiar) and environmental complexity (complex vs. normal) on innovative problem solving and its possible neural mechanisms. Results showed that mice in only the novel-environment group performed better at innovative-problem-solving tasks and showed greater numbers of novel explorations and dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area to the nucleus accumbens in the brain. These findings indicate that an enriched environment has the potential to promote the innovative capability of mice by enhancing their novel exploratory motivation, which depends on the novelty of the environment but not its complexity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sha-Te Cheng
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University
| | - Sha Liu
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University
| | - Bo Ou-Yang
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University
| | - Xin-Yu Dai
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University
| | - Liang Cheng
- School of Psychology, Central China Normal University.,Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Clipperton-Allen AE, Swick H, Botero V, Aceti M, Ellegood J, Lerch JP, Page DT. Pten haploinsufficiency causes desynchronized growth of brain areas involved in sensory processing. iScience 2022; 25:103796. [PMID: 35198865 PMCID: PMC8844819 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
How changes in brain scaling relate to altered behavior is an important question in neurodevelopmental disorder research. Mice with germline Pten haploinsufficiency (Pten +/-) closely mirror the abnormal brain scaling and behavioral deficits seen in humans with macrocephaly/autism syndrome, which is caused by PTEN mutations. We explored whether deviation from normal patterns of growth can predict behavioral abnormalities. Brain regions associated with sensory processing (e.g., pons and inferior colliculus) had the biggest deviations from expected volume. While Pten +/- mice showed little or no abnormal behavior on most assays, both sexes showed sensory deficits, including impaired sensorimotor gating and hyporeactivity to high-intensity stimuli. Developmental analysis of this phenotype showed sexual dimorphism for hyporeactivity. Mapping behavioral phenotypes of Pten +/- mice onto relevant brain regions suggested abnormal behavior is likely when associated with relatively enlarged brain regions, while unchanged or relatively decreased brain regions have little predictive value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hannah Swick
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA,Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Massimiliano Aceti
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Jacob Ellegood
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada
| | - Jason P. Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5T 3H7, Canada,Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Damon T. Page
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA,Doctoral Program in Chemical and Biological Sciences, The Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences at Scripps Research, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rowell MK, Pillay N, Rymer TL. Problem Solving in Animals: Proposal for an Ontogenetic Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:866. [PMID: 33803609 PMCID: PMC8002912 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Problem solving, the act of overcoming an obstacle to obtain an incentive, has been studied in a wide variety of taxa, and is often based on simple strategies such as trial-and-error learning, instead of higher-order cognitive processes, such as insight. There are large variations in problem solving abilities between species, populations and individuals, and this variation could arise due to differences in development, and other intrinsic (genetic, neuroendocrine and aging) and extrinsic (environmental) factors. However, experimental studies investigating the ontogeny of problem solving are lacking. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of problem solving from an ontogenetic perspective. The focus is to highlight aspects of problem solving that have been overlooked in the current literature, and highlight why developmental influences of problem-solving ability are particularly important avenues for future investigation. We argue that the ultimate outcome of solving a problem is underpinned by interacting cognitive, physiological and behavioural components, all of which are affected by ontogenetic factors. We emphasise that, due to the large number of confounding ontogenetic influences, an individual-centric approach is important for a full understanding of the development of problem solving.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misha K. Rowell
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia;
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Neville Pillay
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa;
| | - Tasmin L. Rymer
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia;
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Sciences, James Cook University, P. O. Box 6811, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Williams A, Lowry T, Sims-Robinson C. The development of a cognitive rehabilitation task for mice. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 175:107296. [PMID: 32784042 PMCID: PMC7655560 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, and injury can all lead to cognitive deficits, which can be improved clinically with the implementation of cognitive rehabilitation. Due to a lack of effective cognitive rehabilitation tools in mice, we re-designed a cognitive task utilized to detect problem-solving deficits, to develop a cognitive rehabilitation paradigm for mice. In this study, we developed a modified the Puzzle Box task by exposing B6 mice to a variety of obstacles and assessing the escape latencies. We then combined obstacles in order to create a "complex obstacle" for the problem-solving task. We determined that our task was reproducible in different cohorts of mice. Furthermore, with repetition the mice display an improvement in the performance, evident by a shorter escape latency and the ability to maintain this improvement in performance, indicative of long-term memory. Given that this approach is new, we validated whether this task could successfully detect deficits in a mouse model of cognitive impairment, the high-fat diet mouse. We demonstrate that high-fat diet mice have longer escape latencies when exposed to the complex obstacle compared to standard diet control mice. Taken together, these data suggest that the Puzzle Box is a valid task for cognitive rehabilitation in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexus Williams
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Taylor Lowry
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; College of Charleston, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Catrina Sims-Robinson
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
von Kortzfleisch VT, Karp NA, Palme R, Kaiser S, Sachser N, Richter SH. Improving reproducibility in animal research by splitting the study population into several 'mini-experiments'. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16579. [PMID: 33024165 PMCID: PMC7538440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73503-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of the hotly discussed 'reproducibility crisis', a rethinking of current methodologies appears essential. Implementing multi-laboratory designs has been shown to enhance the external validity and hence the reproducibility of findings from animal research. We here aimed at proposing a new experimental strategy that transfers this logic into a single-laboratory setting. We systematically introduced heterogeneity into our study population by splitting an experiment into several 'mini-experiments' spread over different time points a few weeks apart. We hypothesised to observe improved reproducibility in such a 'mini-experiment' design in comparison to a conventionally standardised design, according to which all animals are tested at one specific point in time. By comparing both designs across independent replicates, we could indeed show that the use of such a 'mini-experiment' design improved the reproducibility and accurate detection of exemplary treatment effects (behavioural and physiological differences between four mouse strains) in about half of all investigated strain comparisons. Thus, we successfully implemented and empirically validated an easy-to-handle strategy to tackle poor reproducibility in single-laboratory studies. Since other experiments within different life science disciplines share the main characteristics with the investigation reported here, these studies are likely to also benefit from this approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Tabea von Kortzfleisch
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, Münster, Germany.
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Natasha A Karp
- Data Sciences and Quantitative Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rupert Palme
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sylvia Kaiser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Norbert Sachser
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, Münster, Germany
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S Helene Richter
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Badestraße 13, Münster, Germany.
- Otto Creutzfeldt Center for Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Münster, Münster, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Tufano M, Pinna G. Is There a Future for PPARs in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Disorders? Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25051062. [PMID: 32120979 PMCID: PMC7179196 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25051062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α and γ isoforms have been gaining consistent interest in neuropathology and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. Several studies have provided evidence that either the receptor expression or the levels of their endogenously-produced modulators are downregulated in several neurological and psychiatric disorders and in their respective animal models. Remarkably, administration of these endogenous or synthetic ligands improves mood and cognition, suggesting that PPARs may offer a significant pharmacological target to improve several neuropathologies. Furthermore, various neurological and psychiatric disorders reflect sustained levels of systemic inflammation. Hence, the strategy of targeting PPARs for their anti-inflammatory role to improve these disorders is attracting attention. Traditionally, classical antidepressants fail to be effective, specifically in patients with inflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs exert potent antidepressant effects by acting along with PPARs, thereby strongly substantiating the involvement of these receptors in the mechanisms that lead to development of several neuropathologies. We reviewed running findings in support of a role for PPARs in the treatment of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's disease or psychiatric disorders, such as major depression. We discuss the opportunity of targeting PPARs as a future pharmacological approach to decrease neuropsychiatric symptoms at the same time that PPAR ligands resolve neuroinflammatory processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Graziano Pinna
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +1-312-355-1464; Fax: +1-312-413-4569
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Innovation in a native Australian rodent, the fawn-footed mosaic-tailed rat (Melomys cervinipes). Anim Cogn 2019; 23:301-310. [PMID: 31797112 DOI: 10.1007/s10071-019-01334-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/20/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Innovation is the ability to use a new behaviour, or use an existing behaviour in a new context. Innovation, as an aspect of behavioural flexibility, could be important for allowing animals to cope with rapid environmental changes. Surprisingly, few studies have focused on how innovation ability is affected by task complexity. We investigated innovation ability across multiple tasks of varying complexity in a native Australian rodent, the fawn-footed mosaic-tailed rat (Melomys cervinipes). We predicted that mosaic-tailed rats would be capable of innovating because they live in complex habitats and can exploit disturbed and changing environments. However, we also predicted that the success rate of innovating would decrease as task complexity increased. Mosaic-tailed rats were exposed to six novel problems: cylinder, matchbox, obstruction test, pillar, tile and lever (the last three presented in a Trixie dog activity board), which represented increasing complexity. We counted the number of individuals that could solve at least one task, compared individuals for solving efficiency and latency to solve, and compared the solving success of each task. All mosaic-tailed rats could innovate. However, solving success differed between individuals, with some solving every task and others only solving one. Solving success rate was significantly higher in the simplest task (pillar) compared to the most complicated task (lever). There was no effect of sex or sampling condition on innovation. This study is the first to demonstrate innovation ability across task complexity in an Australian rodent and provides promising avenues for future studies of innovation.
Collapse
|
12
|
O'Connor AM, Burton TJ, Mansuri H, Hand GR, Leamey CA, Sawatari A. Environmental Enrichment From Birth Impacts Parvalbumin Expressing Cells and Wisteria Floribunda Agglutinin Labelled Peri-Neuronal Nets Within the Developing Murine Striatum. Front Neuroanat 2019; 13:90. [PMID: 31708753 PMCID: PMC6821641 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2019.00090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental enrichment can dramatically affect both the development and function of neural circuits. This is accomplished, at least in part, by the regulation of inhibitory cellular networks and related extracellular matrix glycoprotein structures known as perineuronal nets. The degree to which enhanced housing can influence brain areas involved in the planning and execution of actions is not well known. We examined the effect of enriching mice from birth on parvalbumin expression and perineuronal net formation in developing and adult striatum. This input nucleus of the basal ganglia consists of topographically discernible regions that serve different functions, providing a means of simultaneously examining the influence of environmental factors on discrete, but related networks. Greater densities of striatal parvalbumin positive cells and wisteria floribunda agglutinin labelled perineuronal nets were present in enriched pups during the second postnatal week, primarily within the lateral portion of the nucleus. Housing conditions continued to have an impact into adulthood, with enriched mice exhibiting higher parvalbumin positive cell densities in both medial and lateral striatum. Curiously, no differences due to housing conditions were detected in striatal perineuronal net densities of mature animals. The degree of overlap between striatal parvalbumin expression and perineuronal net formation was also increased, suggesting that heightened neural activity associated with enrichment may have contributed to greater engagement of networks affiliated with cells that express the calcium binding protein. Brain derived neurotrophic factor, an important regulator of inhibitory network maturation, is also subtly, but significantly affected within the striatum of enriched cohorts. Together, these findings suggest that environmental enrichment can exert cell specific effects within different divisions of an area vital for the regulation of action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela May O'Connor
- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and the Bosch Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Joseph Burton
- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and the Bosch Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hannan Mansuri
- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and the Bosch Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gabriel Rhys Hand
- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and the Bosch Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Catherine Anne Leamey
- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and the Bosch Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Atomu Sawatari
- Systems Neuroscience Laboratory, Discipline of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and the Bosch Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Peveler JL, Swan MP, Wheeler RR, Boehm CA, Hickman DL. Effects of Various Commercially Available Enrichment Options on Handling and Chronic Stress Markers in Female ICR Mice. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2019; 58:119-125. [PMID: 30696520 PMCID: PMC6433358 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-17-000103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Revised: 10/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although social housing of mice generally is preferred, mice must be individually housed in some situations. In these cases, enhanced attention to environmental enrichment is encouraged, but few studies assess the wellbeing of mice provided various enrichments. In this study, we used female ICR mice to evaluate enrichment strategies that encouraged natural behaviors including foraging, exercise, sheltering, and socialization. After 3 mo of exposure to the assigned enrichment strategy, wellbeing was assessed by evaluating behavioral and physiologic differences between groups. The results suggested that the use of red-tinted igloos may decrease markers of mouse wellbeing. However, none of the selected strategies yielded measures of wellbeing indicating improvement as compared to individually housed mice with no enrichment (negative control). Furthermore, measures were not significantly different between paired mice and individually housed mice with no enrichment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Peveler
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Melissa P Swan
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - R'nld R Wheeler
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Christine A Boehm
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Debra L Hickman
- Laboratory Animal Resource Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yuan ZY, Yang J, Ma XW, Wang YY, Wang MW. Enriched environment elevates expression of growth associated protein-43 in the substantia nigra of SAMP8 mice. Neural Regen Res 2018; 13:1988-1994. [PMID: 30233074 PMCID: PMC6183044 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.239447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
An enriched environment protects dopaminergic neurons from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neuronal injury, but the underlying mechanism for this is not clear. Growth associated protein-43 (GAP-43) is closely associated with neurite outgrowth and axon regeneration during neural development. We speculate that an enriched environment can reduce damage to dopaminergic neurons by affecting the expression of GAP-43. This study is designed to test this hypothesis. Three-month-old female senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were housed for 3 months in an enriched environment or a standard environment. These mice were then subcutaneously injected in the abdomen with 14 mg/kg MPTP four times at 2-hour intervals. Morris water maze testing demonstrated that learning and memory abilities were better in the enriched environment group than in the standard environment group. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry and western blot assays showed that mRNA and protein levels of GAP-43 in the substantia nigra were higher after MPTP application in the enriched environment group compared with the standard environment group. These findings indicate that an enriched environment can increase GAP-43 expression in SAMP8 mice. The upregulation of GAP-43 may be a mechanism by which an enriched environment protects against MPTP-induced neuronal damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen-Yun Yuan
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Jie Yang
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Xiao-Wei Ma
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Yan-Yong Wang
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Ming-Wei Wang
- The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University; Brain Aging and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory of Hebei Province, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| |
Collapse
|