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Sousa N, Santa-Cruz A, Melo A, Sousa C, Marques F, Leite-Almeida H, Souza L, Marangoni M, Raia M, Santos M, Goncalves N, Morgado P, Souza P, Matos Sousa R, Gomes S, Santos W, Araújo B, Amaral E, Pereira V, Scoles P. A hitchhikers' guide to the terminology of accreditation processes for health professionals and institutions. MedEdPublish (2016) 2023; 13:11. [PMID: 38028656 PMCID: PMC10652034 DOI: 10.12688/mep.19566.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Accreditation processes for health care professions are designed to ensure that individuals and programs in these fields meet established standards of quality and effectiveness. The accelerating pace of globalization in the health care professions has increased the need for a shared understanding of the vocabulary of evaluation, assessment, and accreditation. The psychometric principles of valid and reliable assessment are commonly accepted, but the terminology is confusing. We believe that all stakeholders - evaluators, faculty, students but also the community - will benefit from a shared language and common set of definitions. We recognize that not all readers will agree with the definitions we propose, but we hope that this guide will help to ensure clarity, consistency, transparency, and fairness, and that it will promote through the stimulation of a debate greater collaboration across national and international boundaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Sousa
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Andre Santa-Cruz
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Antonio Melo
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | | | - Fernanda Marques
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Lucimara Souza
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marco Marangoni
- Medical School, Integrado University Center, Campo Mourao, Brazil
| | - Marcia Raia
- School of Medicine, UniEduk group, UniMax Campus, Indaiatuba, Brazil
| | - Maurilio Santos
- School of Medicine, UniEduk group, UniMax Campus, Indaiatuba, Brazil
| | - Nuno Goncalves
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Morgado
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Souza
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rita Matos Sousa
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Sara Gomes
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Wilfredo Santos
- School of Medicine, UniEduk group, UniMax Campus, Indaiatuba, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Araújo
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Eliana Amaral
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Vitor Pereira
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Peter Scoles
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
| | - MAPS
- School of Medicine, University of Minho, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
- Inspirali Education, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Medical School, Integrado University Center, Campo Mourao, Brazil
- School of Medicine, UniEduk group, UniMax Campus, Indaiatuba, Brazil
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA
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Guerreiro SR, Guimarães MR, Silva JM, Dioli C, Vamvaka-Iakovou A, Sousa R, Gomes P, Megalokonomou A, Campos-Marques C, Cunha AM, Almeida A, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H, Sotiropoulos I. Chronic pain inhibits autophagy in hippocampus while the analgetic drug, Gabapentin reverts this SNI-driven action. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4371. [PMID: 36494573 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01874-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara R Guerreiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marco R Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana M Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Chrysoula Dioli
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.,Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Raquel Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Anastasia Megalokonomou
- Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece.,Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Carlos Campos-Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center (2CA), Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal. .,Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR Demokritos, Athens, Greece.
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3
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Amorim L, Dá Mesquita S, Jacinto L, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Santos NC, Leite-Almeida H, Sousa N. Shaping social behavior in an enriched environment. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:999325. [PMID: 36311866 PMCID: PMC9606827 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.999325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to vital needs shapes social orders. In rats, social systems tend to maintain a certain stability, but alterations in the physical environment can change inter-individual relations, which consequently can alter social orders. Principles governing social systems are, however, difficult to study and most analyses have been restricted to dyads of animals over short periods of time, hardly capturing the complexity and temporal dynamics of social interactions. Herein, we studied social interactions in a colony of six rats living in a customized enriched environment (PhenoWorld, PhW), under variable conditions of access/availability to limited resources. Reductions in food accessibility and availability resulted in a marked heterogeneity in sniffing, chasing and fighting/struggling behaviors, and, in the latter condition, an overall increase of these displays. The introduction of the possibility of interaction with a female rat also increased the amount of sniffing and fighting/struggling in a homogeneous manner. Results also showed that individual food retrieval success had no association with fighting/struggling when food pellets are delivered to the animals. However, there was a statistically significant correlation between fighting/struggling and impulsivity as measured by the amount of premature responses in the Variable-to-Signal-Test outside of the PhW providing external validation to our measures. To sum up, through continuous monitoring of a group of rats in the PhW, we demonstrated how variations in access to reinforcers modulate social behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Amorim
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sandro Dá Mesquita
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Luís Jacinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Magda J. Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nadine Correia Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s – PT Government Associate Laboratory, Guimarães, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sousa,
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Leite-Almeida H, d'Ascanio P, Faraguna U, Manzoni D. Editorial: Asymmetry in the central nervous system: Functional implications. Front Syst Neurosci 2022; 16:1002965. [PMID: 36158453 PMCID: PMC9491234 DOI: 10.3389/fnsys.2022.1002965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paola d'Ascanio
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Ugo Faraguna
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy
| | - Diego Manzoni
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Diego Manzoni
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Leite-Almeida H, Castelhano-Carlos MJ, Sousa N. New Horizons for Phenotyping Behavior in Rodents: The Example of Depressive-Like Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 15:811987. [PMID: 35069144 PMCID: PMC8766962 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.811987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The evolution of the field of behavioral neuroscience is significantly dependent on innovative disruption triggered by our ability to model and phenotype animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. The ability to adequately elicit and measure behavioral parameters are the fundaments on which the behavioral neuroscience community establishes the pathophysiological mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders as well as contributes to the development of treatment strategies for those conditions. Herein, we review how mood disorders, in particular depression, are currently modeled in rodents, focusing on the limitations of these models and particularly on the analyses of the data obtained with different behavioral tests. Finally, we propose the use of new paradigms to study behavior using multidimensional strategies that better encompasses the complexity of psychiatric conditions, namely depression; these paradigms provide holistic phenotyping that is applicable to other conditions, thus promoting the emergence of novel findings that will leverage this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Magda J. Castelhano-Carlos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s—PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center—Braga, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Nuno Sousa,
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Leite-Almeida H, Sousa N. Editorial: New Insights Into Behavioral Pharmacology. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:754714. [PMID: 34630053 PMCID: PMC8498201 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.754714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,The Clinical Academic Center of Braga (2CA-Braga), Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- School of Medicine, Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,The Clinical Academic Center of Braga (2CA-Braga), Braga, Portugal
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7
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Esteves M, Moreira PS, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. Assessing Impulsivity in Humans and Rodents: Taking the Translational Road. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:647922. [PMID: 34025369 PMCID: PMC8134540 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.647922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Impulsivity is a multidimensional construct encompassing domains of behavioral inhibition as well as of decision making. It is often adaptive and associated with fast responses, being in that sense physiological. However, abnormal manifestations of impulsive behavior can be observed in contexts of drug abuse and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), among others. A number of tools have therefore been devised to assess the different facets of impulsivity in both normal and pathological contexts. In this narrative review, we systematize behavioral and self-reported measures of impulsivity and critically discuss their constructs and limitations, establishing a parallel between assessments in humans and rodents. The first rely on paradigms that are typically designed to assess a specific dimension of impulsivity, within either impulsive action (inability to suppress a prepotent action) or impulsive choice, which implies a decision that weighs the costs and benefits of the options. On the other hand, self-reported measures are performed through questionnaires, allowing assessment of impulsivity dimensions that would be difficult to mimic in an experimental setting (e.g., positive/negative urgency and lack of premeditation) and which are therefore difficult (if not impossible) to measure in rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.,Psychological Neuroscience Lab, CIPsi, School of Psychology, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
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Cunha AM, Guimarães MR, Kokras N, Sotiropoulos I, Sousa N, Almeida A, Dalla C, Leite-Almeida H. Mesocorticolimbic monoamines in a rodent model of chronic neuropathic pain. Neurosci Lett 2020; 737:135309. [PMID: 32818589 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain manifests in multiple disorders and is highly debilitating. While its pathophysiology is not fully understood, the involvement of the mesocorticolimbic monoaminergic systems have been shown to play a critical role in chronic pain emergence and/or maintenance. In this study, we analyzed the levels of monoamines dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and serotonin (5-HT) in mesocorticolimbic areas - medial prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens and amygdala - 1 month after a neuropathic lesion, Spared Nerve Injury (SNI). In SNI animals, were observed a marginal decrease of DA and 5-HT in the striatum and a rightward shift in the levels of NA in the nucleus accumbens. While mesocorticolimbic monoamines might be relevant for chronic pain pathophysiology its content appears to be relatively unaffected in our experimental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marco Rafael Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center, Braga, Braga, Portugal
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10
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Cunha AM, Teixeira FG, Guimarães MR, Esteves M, Pereira-Mendes J, Soares AR, Almeida A, Sousa N, Salgado AJ, Leite-Almeida H. Unilateral accumbal dopamine depletion affects decision-making in a side-specific manner. Exp Neurol 2020; 327:113221. [PMID: 32027930 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Mechanisms underlying affective and cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease (PD) remain less studied than motor symptoms. Nucleus accumbens (NAc) is affected in PD and due to its well-known involvement in motivation is an interesting target in this context. Furthermore, PD is frequently asymmetrical, with side-specific deficits aligning with evidences of accumbal laterality. We therefore used a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model to study the role of left and right NAc dopamine depletion in a battery of behavioral tasks. 2 months old male rats were used in all experiments. Habitual-based and goal-directed decision-making, impulsivity, anxiety- and depressive-like behavior and motor performance were tested 3 weeks after left (6-OHDA L) or right (6-OHDA R) NAc lesion was induced. Upon contingency degradation, 6-OHDA R decrease their lever press rate less than Sham and 6-OHDA L, indicating an impairment in the shift from habit-based to goal-directed strategies. On the other hand, 6-OHDA L lesions lead to increased rates of premature responding when delays where increased in the variable delay-to-signal test. Importantly, in both paradigms task acquisition was similar between groups. In the same line we found no differences in the amount of sugared pellets eaten when freely available as well as in both general and fine motor behaviors. In conclusion, left and right NAc play distinct roles in the contingency degradation and impulsivity. More studies are needed to understand the mechanisms behind this functional lateralization and its implications for PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - F G Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M R Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - M Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - J Pereira-Mendes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A R Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - A J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - H Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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Esteves M, Ganz E, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. Asymmetrical Brain Plasticity: Physiology and Pathology. Neuroscience 2020; 454:3-14. [PMID: 32027996 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Revised: 01/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The brain is inherently asymmetrical. How that attribute, manifest both structurally (volumetric, cytological, molecular) as well as functionally, relates to cognitive function, is not fully understood. Since the early descriptions of Paul Broca and Marc Dax it has been known that the processing of language in the brain is fundamentally asymmetrical. Contemporary imaging studies have corroborated early observations, and have also revealed significant functional links to multiple other systems, such as those sub serving memory or emotion. Recent studies have demonstrated that laterality is both plastic and adaptive. Learning and training have shown to affect regional changes in asymmetry, such as that observed in the volume of the planum temporale associated with musical practice. Increasing task complexity has been demonstrated to induce recruitment of contralateral regions, suggesting that laterality is a manifestation of functional reserve. Indeed, in terms of cognitive function, successful aging is often associated with a reduction of asymmetrical activity. The goal of this review is to survey and critically appraise the current literature addressing brain laterality, both morphological and functional, with particular emphasis on the asymmetrical plasticity associated with environmental factors and training. The plastic recruitment of contralateral areas associated with aging and unilateral lesions will be discussed in the context of the loss of asymmetry as a compensatory mechanism, and specific instances of maladaptive plasticity will be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - E Ganz
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - H Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal.
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12
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Cunha AM, Esteves M, Pereira-Mendes J, Guimarães MR, Almeida A, Leite-Almeida H. High trait impulsivity potentiates the effects of chronic pain on impulsive behavior. Neurobiol Pain 2019; 7:100042. [PMID: 31890992 PMCID: PMC6928455 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynpai.2019.100042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We explored a potential relation between trait and chronic pain-induced impulsivity. Low trait impulsivity rats with neuropathic pain perform similarly to controls. High trait impulsivity rats are delay intolerant in chronic pain conditions. Trait characteristics influence chronic pain comorbid manifestations.
Preclinical studies on impulsive decision-making in chronic pain conditions are sparse and often contradictory. Outbred rat populations are heterogeneous regarding trait impulsivity manifestations and therefore we hypothesized that chronic pain-related alterations depend on individual traits. To test this hypothesis, we used male Wistar-Han rats in two independent experiments. Firstly, we tested the impact of spared nerve injury (SNI) in impulsive behavior evaluated by the variable delay-to-signal test (VDS). In the second experiment, SNI impact on impulsivity was again tested, but in groups previously categorized as high (HI) and low (LI) trait impulsivity in the VDS. Results showed that in an heterogenous population SNI-related impact on motor impulsivity and delay intolerance cannot be detected. However, when baseline impulsivity was considered, HI showed a significantly higher delay intolerance than the respective controls more prevalent in left-lesioned animals and appearing to result from a response correction on prematurity from VDS I to VDS II, which was present in Sham and right-lesioned animals. In conclusion, baseline differences should be more often considered when analyzing chronic pain impact. While this study pertained to impulsive behavior, other reports indicate that this can be generalized to other behavioral dimensions and that trait differences can influence not only the manifestation of comorbid behaviors but also pain itself in a complex and not totally understood manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Margarida Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Pereira-Mendes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marco Rafael Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga Guimarães, Portugal
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13
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Esteves M, Almeida AM, Silva J, Silva Moreira P, Carvalho E, Pêgo JM, Almeida A, Sotiropoulos I, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. MORPhA Scale: Behavioral and electroencephalographic validation of a rodent anesthesia scale. J Neurosci Methods 2019; 324:108304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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14
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Soares AR, Esteves M, Moreira PS, Cunha AM, Guimarães MR, Carvalho MM, Raposo-Lima C, Morgado P, Carvalho AF, Coimbra B, Melo A, Rodrigues AJ, Salgado AJ, Pêgo JM, Cerqueira JJ, Costa P, Sousa N, Almeida A, Leite-Almeida H. Trait determinants of impulsive behavior: a comprehensive analysis of 188 rats. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17666. [PMID: 30518850 PMCID: PMC6281674 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35537-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Impulsivity is a naturally occurring behavior that, when accentuated, can be found in a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders. The expression of trait impulsivity has been shown to change with a variety of factors, such as age and sex, but the existing literature does not reflect widespread consensus regarding the influence of modulating effects. We designed the present study to investigate, in a cohort of significant size (188 rats), the impact of four specific parameters, namely sex, age, strain and phase of estrous cycle, using the variable delay-to-signal (VDS) task. This cohort included (i) control animals from previous experiments; (ii) animals specifically raised for this study; and (iii) animals previously used for breeding purposes. Aging was associated with a general decrease in action impulsivity and an increase in delay tolerance. Females generally performed more impulsive actions than males but no differences were observed regarding delay intolerance. In terms of estrous cycle, no differences in impulsive behavior were observed and regarding strain, Wistar Han animals were, in general, more impulsive than Sprague-Dawley. In addition to further confirming, in a substantial study cohort, the decrease in impulsivity with age, we have demonstrated that both the strain and sex influences modulate different aspects of impulsive behavior manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rosa Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Margarida Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Marco Rafael Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Miguel Murteira Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience and Centre for Neural Computation, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Catarina Raposo-Lima
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Pedro Morgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana Franky Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Department of General Surgery, Hospital of Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Coimbra
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António Melo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana João Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António José Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José Miguel Pêgo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João José Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. .,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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15
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Esteves M, Magalhães R, Marques P, Castanho TC, Portugal-Nunes C, Soares JM, Almeida A, Santos NC, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. Functional Hemispheric (A)symmetries in the Aged Brain-Relevance for Working Memory. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:58. [PMID: 29593523 PMCID: PMC5857603 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional hemispheric asymmetries have been described in different cognitive processes, such as decision-making and motivation. Variations in the pattern of left/right activity have been associated with normal brain functioning, and with neuropsychiatric diseases. Such asymmetries in brain activity evolve throughout life and are thought to decrease with aging, but clear associations with cognitive function have never been established. Herein, we assessed functional laterality during a working memory task (N-Back) in a healthy aging cohort (over 50 years old) and associated these asymmetries with performance in the test. Activity of lobule VI of the cerebellar hemisphere and angular gyrus was found to be lateralized to the right hemisphere, while the precentral gyrus presented left > right activation during this task. Interestingly, 1-Back accuracy was positively correlated with left > right superior parietal lobule activation, which was mostly due to the influence of the left hemisphere. In conclusion, although regions were mostly symmetrically activated during the N-Back task, performance in working memory in aged individuals seems to benefit from lateralized involvement of the superior parietal lobule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Magalhães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Paulo Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Teresa C Castanho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carlos Portugal-Nunes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - José M Soares
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nadine C Santos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center - Braga, Braga, Portugal
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16
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Gomes ED, Mendes SS, Assunção-Silva RC, Teixeira FG, Pires AO, Anjo SI, Manadas B, Leite-Almeida H, Gimble JM, Sousa N, Lepore AC, Silva NA, Salgado AJ. Co-Transplantation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells and Olfactory Ensheathing Cells for Spinal Cord Injury Repair. Stem Cells 2018; 36:696-708. [PMID: 29352743 DOI: 10.1002/stem.2785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Revised: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Patients suffering from spinal cord injury (SCI) still have a dismal prognosis. Despite all the efforts developed in this area, currently there are no effective treatments. Therefore, cell therapies have been proposed as a viable alternative to the current treatments used. Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) and olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) have been used with promising results in different models of SCI, namely due to the regenerative properties of the secretome of the first, and the guidance capability of the second. Using an in vitro model of axonal growth, the dorsal root ganglia explants, we demonstrated that OECs induce neurite outgrowth mainly through cell-cell interactions, while ASCs' effects are strongly mediated by the release of paracrine factors. A proteomic analysis of ASCs' secretome revealed the presence of proteins involved in VEGF, PI3K, and Cadherin signaling pathways, which may be responsible for the effects observed. Then, the cotransplantation of ASCs and OECs showed to improve motor deficits of SCI-rats. Particular parameters of movement such as stepping, coordination, and toe clearance were improved in rats that received the transplant of cells, in comparison to nontreated rats. A histological analysis of the spinal cord tissues revealed that transplantation of ASCs and OECs had a major effect on the reduction of inflammatory cells close the lesion site. A slight reduction of astrogliosis was also evident. Overall, the results obtained with the present work indicate that the cotransplantation of ASCs and OECs brings important functional benefits to the injured spinal cord. Stem Cells 2018;36:696-708.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo D Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sofia S Mendes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Rita C Assunção-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fábio G Teixeira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana O Pires
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sandra I Anjo
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Department of Life Sciences.,CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Manadas
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Jeffrey M Gimble
- Center for Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Angelo C Lepore
- Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nuno A Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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17
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Kafetzopoulos V, Kokras N, Sotiropoulos I, Oliveira JF, Leite-Almeida H, Vasalou A, Sardinha VM, Papadopoulou-Daifoti Z, Almeida OFX, Antoniou K, Sousa N, Dalla C. The nucleus reuniens: a key node in the neurocircuitry of stress and depression. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:579-586. [PMID: 28397837 PMCID: PMC5822458 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are connected in a reciprocal manner: whereas the hippocampus projects directly to the PFC, a polysynaptic pathway that passes through the nucleus reuniens (RE) of the thalamus relays inputs from the PFC to the hippocampus. The present study demonstrates that lesioning and/or inactivation of the RE reduces coherence in the PFC-hippocampal pathway, provokes an antidepressant-like behavioral response in the forced swim test and prevents, but does not ameliorate, anhedonia in the chronic mild stress (CMS) model of depression. Additionally, RE lesioning before CMS abrogates the well-known neuromorphological and endocrine correlates of CMS. In summary, this work highlights the importance of the reciprocal connectivity between the hippocampus and PFC in the establishment of stress-induced brain pathology and suggests a role for the RE in promoting resilience to depressive illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Kafetzopoulos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - N Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - I Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - J F Oliveira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - H Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - A Vasalou
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - V M Sardinha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Z Papadopoulou-Daifoti
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - O F X Almeida
- NeuroAdaptations Group, Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany
| | - K Antoniou
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
| | - N Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Braga, Portugal,ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - C Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece,Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Mikras Asias 75, Athens 11527, Greece. E-mail:
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18
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Cunha AM, Esteves M, das Neves SP, Borges S, Guimarães MR, Sousa N, Almeida A, Leite-Almeida H. Pawedness Trait Test (PaTRaT)-A New Paradigm to Evaluate Paw Preference and Dexterity in Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:192. [PMID: 29089877 PMCID: PMC5651527 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 09/30/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In rodents, dexterity is commonly analyzed in preference paradigms in which animals are given the chance to use either the left or the right front paws to manipulate food. However, paw preference and dexterity at population and individual levels are controversial as results are incongruent across paradigms. We have therefore developed a semi-quantitative method—the pawdeness trait test (PaTRaT)—to evaluate paw preference degree in rats. The PaTRaT consists in a classification system, ranging from +4 to −4 where increasingly positive and negative values reflect the bias for left or right paw use, respectively. Sprague-Dawley male rats were confined into a metal rectangular mesh cylinder, from which they can see, smell and reach sugared rewards with their paws. Due to its size, the reward could only cross the mesh if aligned with its diagonal, imposing additional coordination. Animals were allowed to retrieve 10 rewards per session in a total of four sessions while their behavior was recorded. PaTRaT was repeated 4 and 8 weeks after the first evaluation. To exclude potential bias, rats were also tested for paw fine movement and general locomotion in other behavioral paradigms as well as impulsivity (variable delay-to-signal, VDS), memory and cognitive flexibility (water maze). At the population level 54% of the animals presented a rightward bias. Individually, all animals presented marked side-preferences, >2 and <−2 for left- and right-sided bias, respectively, and this preference was stable across the three evaluations. Inter-rater consistency was very high between two experienced raters and substantial when two additional inexperienced raters were included. Left- and right-biased animals presented no differences in the ability to perform fine movements with any of the forelimbs (staircase) and general locomotor performance. Additionally, these groups performed similarly in executive function and memory tasks. In conclusion, PaTRaT is able to reliably classify rats’ pawedness direction and degree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Madalena Esteves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sofia P das Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Sónia Borges
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Marco R Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
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Carvalho MM, Campos FL, Marques M, Soares-Cunha C, Kokras N, Dalla C, Leite-Almeida H, Sousa N, Salgado AJ. Effect of Levodopa on Reward and Impulsivity in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:145. [PMID: 28848409 PMCID: PMC5550717 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of dopamine replacement therapies (DRT) in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) can lead to the development of dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) and impulse control disorders (ICD), behavioral disturbances characterized by compulsive DRT self-medication and development of impulsive behaviors. However, the mechanisms behind these disturbances are poorly understood. In animal models of PD, the assessment of the rewarding properties of levodopa (LD), one of the most common drugs used in PD, has produced conflicting results, and its ability to promote increased impulsivity is still understudied. Moreover, it is unclear whether acute and chronic LD therapy differently affects reward and impulsivity. In this study we aimed at assessing, in an animal model of PD with bilateral mesostriatal and mesocorticolimbic degeneration, the behavioral effects of LD therapy regarding reward and impulsivity. Animals with either sham or 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced bilateral lesions in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) were exposed to acute and chronic LD treatment. We used the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm to evaluate the rewarding effects of LD, whereas impulsive behavior was measured with the variable delay-to-signal (VDS) task. Correlation analyses between behavioral measurements of reward or impulsivity and lesion extent in SNc/VTA were performed to pinpoint possible anatomical links of LD-induced behavioral changes. We show that LD, particularly when administered chronically, caused the development of impulsive-like behaviors in 6-OHDA-lesioned animals in the VDS. However, neither acute or chronic LD administration had rewarding effects in 6-OHDA-lesioned animals in the CPP. Our results show that in a bilateral rat model of PD, LD leads to the development of impulsive behaviors, strengthening the association between DRT and DDS/ICD in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel M Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
| | - Filipa L Campos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
| | - Mariana Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
| | - Carina Soares-Cunha
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
| | - Nikolaos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece.,First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of AthensAthens, Greece
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de GualtarBraga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's, PT Government Associate LaboratoryGuimarães, Portugal
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Esteves M, Marques P, Magalhães R, Castanho T, Soares J, Almeida A, Santos N, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. Structural laterality is associated with cognitive and mood outcomes: An assessment of 105 healthy aged volunteers. Neuroimage 2017; 153:86-96. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2017.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 02/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
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21
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Melo A, Leite-Almeida H, Ferreira C, Sousa N, Pêgo JM. Exposure to Ketamine Anesthesia Affects Rat Impulsive Behavior. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:226. [PMID: 27932959 PMCID: PMC5121127 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Ketamine is a general anesthetic (GA) that activates several neurotransmitter pathways in various part of the brain. The acute effects as GA are the most well-known and sought-after: to induce loss of responsiveness and to produce immobility during invasive procedures. However, there is a concern that repeated exposure might induce behavioral changes that could outlast their acute effect. Most research in this field describes how GA affects cognition and memory. Our work is to access if general anesthesia with ketamine can disrupt the motivational behavior trait, more specifically measuring impulsive behavior. Methods: Aiming to evaluate the effects of exposure to repeat anesthetic procedures with ketamine in motivational behavior, we tested animals in a paradigm of impulsive behavior, the variable delay-to-signal (VDS). In addition, accumbal and striatal medium spiny neurons morphology was assessed. Results: Our results demonstrated that previous exposure to ketamine deep-anesthesia affects inhibitory control (impulsive behavior). Specifically, ketamine exposed animals maintain a subnormal impulsive rate in the initial periods of the delays. However, in longer delays while control animals progressively refrain their premature unrewarded actions, ketamine-exposed animals show a different profile of response with higher premature unrewarded actions in the last seconds. Animals exposed to multiple ketamine anesthesia also failed to show an increase in premature unrewarded actions between the initial and final periods of 3 s delays. These behavioral alterations are paralleled by an increase in dendritic length of medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Conclusions: This demonstrates that ketamine anesthesia acutely affects impulsive behavior. Interestingly, it also opens up the prospect of using ketamine as an agent with the ability to modulate impulsivity trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- António Melo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Clara Ferreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José M Pêgo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Moreira PS, Almeida PR, Leite-Almeida H, Sousa N, Costa P. Impact of Chronic Stress Protocols in Learning and Memory in Rodents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163245. [PMID: 27662580 PMCID: PMC5035061 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The idea that maladaptive stress impairs cognitive function has been a cornerstone of decades in basic and clinical research. However, disparate findings have reinforced the need to aggregate results from multiple sources in order to confirm the validity of such statement. In this work, a systematic review and meta-analyses were performed to aggregate results from rodent studies investigating the impact of chronic stress on learning and memory. Results obtained from the included studies revealed a significant effect of stress on global cognitive performance. In addition, stressed rodents presented worse consolidation of learned memories, although no significantly differences between groups at the acquisition phase were found. Despite the methodological heterogeneity across studies, these effects were independent of the type of stress, animals’ strains or age. However, our findings suggest that stress yields a more detrimental effect on spatial navigation tests’ performance. Surprisingly, the vast majority of the selected studies in this field did not report appropriate statistics and were excluded from the quantitative analysis. We have therefore purposed a set of guidelines termed PROBE (Preferred Reporting Orientations for Behavioral Experiments) to promote an adequate reporting of behavioral experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Silva Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center–Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Pedro R Almeida
- School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center–Braga, Braga, Portugal
- * E-mail:
| | - Patrício Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s, PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center–Braga, Braga, Portugal
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Moreira PS, Sotiropoulos I, Silva J, Takashima A, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H, Costa PS. The Advantages of Structural Equation Modeling to Address the Complexity of Spatial Reference Learning. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:18. [PMID: 26955327 PMCID: PMC4767929 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cognitive performance is a complex process influenced by multiple factors. Cognitive assessment in experimental animals is often based on longitudinal datasets analyzed using uni- and multi-variate analyses, that do not account for the temporal dimension of cognitive performance and also do not adequately quantify the relative contribution of individual factors onto the overall behavioral outcome. To circumvent these limitations, we applied an Autoregressive Latent Trajectory (ALT) to analyze the Morris water maze (MWM) test in a complex experimental design involving four factors: stress, age, sex, and genotype. Outcomes were compared with a traditional Mixed-Design Factorial ANOVA (MDF ANOVA). Results: In both the MDF ANOVA and ALT models, sex, and stress had a significant effect on learning throughout the 9 days. However, on the ALT approach, the effects of sex were restricted to the learning growth. Unlike the MDF ANOVA, the ALT model revealed the influence of single factors at each specific learning stage and quantified the cross interactions among them. In addition, ALT allows us to consider the influence of baseline performance, a critical and unsolved problem that frequently yields inaccurate interpretations in the classical ANOVA model. Discussion: Our findings suggest the beneficial use of ALT models in the analysis of complex longitudinal datasets offering a better biological interpretation of the interrelationship of the factors that may influence cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro S Moreira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joana Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Akihiko Takashima
- RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Laboratory for Alzheimers DiseaseSaitama, Japan; Department of Aging Neurobiology, National Center for Geriatrics and GerontologyOhbu, Japan
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrício S Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of MinhoBraga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBraga/Guimarães, Portugal
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24
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Cerqueira SR, Oliveira JM, Silva NA, Leite-Almeida H, Ribeiro-Samy S, Almeida A, Mano JF, Sousa N, Salgado AJ, Reis RL. Microglia Response and In Vivo Therapeutic Potential of Methylprednisolone-Loaded Dendrimer Nanoparticles in Spinal Cord Injury. Small 2016; 12:972. [PMID: 26890375 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201503492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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Leite-Almeida H, Pinto-Ribeiro F, Almeida A. Animal Models for the Study of Comorbid Pain and Psychiatric Disorders. Mod Trends Pharmacopsychiatry 2016; 30:1-21. [PMID: 26436914 DOI: 10.1159/000435929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of chronic pain have provided valuable information on the mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of the disease. Much of the research effort has targeted sensory abnormalities like hyperalgesia and allodynia. However, in the past 15 years a significant number of research groups have focused their attention on comorbid anxiety, depression and cognitive impairments that frequently emerge in chronic pain conditions. A myriad of paradigms have since then been introduced in the field to tackle multiple dimensions of rodents' behavior. Concerning emotional behavior, these include the elevated plus (and zero) maze and dark/light box for anxiety, the forced swimming and tail suspension tests for depression, and the spontaneous burrowing behavior for general well-being. Regarding the cognitive dimension, several water mazes (spatial-reference memory), attentional set-shifting test (attention and reversal learning), novel object recognition (memory), 5-choice serial reaction time task (sustained attention) and variable delay-to-signal task (impulsivity) are among the most commonly employed paradigms. The construct of some of these paradigms in the context of chronic pain will be reviewed in this chapter, with special emphasis on mood and cognitive alterations that are associated with the development of neuropathic and arthritic pain.
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26
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Morgado P, Marques F, Ribeiro B, Leite-Almeida H, Pêgo JM, Rodrigues AJ, Dalla C, Kokras N, Sousa N, Cerqueira JJ. Stress induced risk-aversion is reverted by D2/D3 agonist in the rat. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 25:1744-52. [PMID: 26233608 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Stress exposure triggers cognitive and behavioral impairments that influence decision-making processes. Decisions under a context of uncertainty require complex reward-prediction processes that are known to be mediated by the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system in brain areas sensitive to the deleterious effects of chronic stress, in particular the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Using a decision-making task, we show that chronic stress biases risk-based decision-making to safer behaviors. This decision-making pattern is associated with an increased activation of the lateral part of the OFC and with morphological changes in pyramidal neurons specifically recruited by this task. Additionally, stress exposure induces a hypodopaminergic status accompanied by increased mRNA levels of the dopamine receptor type 2 (Drd2) in the OFC; importantly, treatment with a D2/D3 agonist quinpirole reverts the shift to safer behaviors induced by stress on risky decision-making. These results suggest that the brain mechanisms related to risk-based decision-making are altered after chronic stress, but can be modulated by manipulation of dopaminergic transmission.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Chronic Disease
- Decision Making/drug effects
- Decision Making/physiology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dopamine/metabolism
- Dopamine Agonists/pharmacology
- Male
- Prefrontal Cortex/drug effects
- Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism
- Prefrontal Cortex/pathology
- Pyramidal Cells/drug effects
- Pyramidal Cells/metabolism
- Pyramidal Cells/pathology
- Quinpirole/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger
- Rats, Wistar
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/agonists
- Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism
- Receptors, Dopamine D3/agonists
- Receptors, Dopamine D3/metabolism
- Risk-Taking
- Stress, Psychological/drug therapy
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/pathology
- Uncertainty
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Morgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Ribeiro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - José M Pêgo
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Ana J Rodrigues
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Christina Dalla
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikos Kokras
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João J Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.; ICVS-3Bs PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Guimarães, Portugal.
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27
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Sotiropoulos I, Lopes S, Lopes A, Guimaraes M, Pinto V, Sardinha VM, Pinheiro S, Oliveira J, Sousa N, Leite-Almeida H. O2‐06‐04: Tau deletion triggers age‐dependent sciatic nerve morphofunctional deficits and motor impairment. Alzheimers Dement 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2015.07.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
- ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBragaGuimaraesPortugal
| | - Sofia Lopes
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Andre Lopes
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Marco Guimaraes
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Vitor Pinto
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Vanessa M. Sardinha
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Sara Pinheiro
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Joao Oliveira
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
- ICVS/3Bs - PT Government Associate LaboratoryBragaGuimaraesPortugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- ICVS Institute, Health and Life Sciences SchoolUniversity of MinhoBragaPortugal
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Leite-Almeida H, Guimarães MR, Cerqueira JJ, Ribeiro-Costa N, Anjos-Martins H, Sousa N, Almeida A. Asymmetric c-fos expression in the ventral orbital cortex is associated with impaired reversal learning in a right-sided neuropathy. Mol Pain 2014; 10:41. [PMID: 24958202 PMCID: PMC4106227 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-10-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently we showed that unilateral peripheral neuropathic lesions impacted differentially on rat's emotional/cognitive behavior depending on its left/right location; importantly, this observation recapitulates clinical reports. The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region morphofunctionally affected in chronic pain conditions, is involved in the modulation of both emotion and executive function and displays functional lateralization. To test whether the PFC is involved in the lateralization bias associated with left/right pain, c-fos expression in medial and orbital areas was analyzed in rats with an unilateral spared nerve injury neuropathy installed in the left or in the right side after performing an attentional set-shifting, a strongly PFC-dependent task. RESULTS SNI-R animals required more trials to successfully terminate the reversal steps of the attentional set-shifting task. A generalized increase of c-fos density in medial and orbital PFC (mPFC/OFC), irrespectively of the hemisphere, was observed in both SNI-L and SNI-R. However, individual laterality indexes revealed that contrary to controls and SNI-L, SNI-R animals presented a leftward shift in c-fos density in the ventral OFC (VO). None of these effects were observed in the neighboring primary motor area. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that chronic neuropathic pain is associated with a bilateral mPFC and OFC hyperactivation. We hypothesize that the impaired performance of SNI-R animals is associated with a left/right activity inversion in the VO, whose functional integrity is critical for reversal learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
| | - Marco Rafael Guimarães
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João José Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Ribeiro-Costa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Helena Anjos-Martins
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga 4710-057, Portugal
- ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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29
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Leite-Almeida H, Melo A, Pêgo JM, Bernardo S, Milhazes N, Borges F, Sousa N, Almeida A, Cerqueira JJ. Variable delay-to-signal: a fast paradigm for assessment of aspects of impulsivity in rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2013; 7:154. [PMID: 24167478 PMCID: PMC3806225 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2013.00154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 10/07/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Testing impulsive behavior in rodents is challenging and labor-intensive. We developed a new behavioral paradigm—the Variable Delay-to-Signal (VDS) test—that provides rapid and simultaneous assessment of response and decision impulsivity in rodents. Presentation of a light at variable delays signals the permission for action (nose poke) contingent with a reward. 2 blocks of 25 trials at 3 s delay flank a block of 70 trials in which light is presented with randomly selected 6 or 12 s delays. Exposure to such large delays boosts the rate of premature responses when the delay drops to 3 s in the final block, an effect that is blunted by an acute methamphetamine challenge and that correlates with the delay-discounting (DD) paradigm (choice impulsivity). Finally, as expected, treatment with the NMDA antagonist MK-801 caused a generalized response increase in all VDS blocks. The pharmacological validation, particularly with methamphetamine which has a well established dual effect on response and decision impulsivity, and the correlations between the impulsive behavior in the DD and VDS paradigms, suggests that the later is able to provide, in a single session, a multi-dimensional assessment of impulsive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho Braga, Portugal ; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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Ribeiro-Samy S, Silva NA, Correlo VM, Fraga JS, Pinto L, Teixeira-Castro A, Leite-Almeida H, Almeida A, Gimble JM, Sousa N, Salgado AJ, Reis RL. Development and Characterization of a PHB-HV-based 3D Scaffold for a Tissue Engineering and Cell-therapy Combinatorial Approach for Spinal Cord Injury Regeneration. Macromol Biosci 2013; 13:1576-92. [DOI: 10.1002/mabi.201300178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2013] [Revised: 06/26/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Silvina Ribeiro-Samy
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics; Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Nuno A. Silva
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics; Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Vitor M. Correlo
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics; Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Joana S. Fraga
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Luísa Pinto
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Jeffrey M. Gimble
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center; Louisiana State University System; Baton Rouge Louisiana USA
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - António J. Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences; University of Minho-Campus de Gualtar; 4710-057 Braga Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B's Research Group - Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics; Department of Polymer Engineering, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine; AvePark, 4806-909 Taipas, Guimarães Portugal
- ICVS/3B's-Associate Laboratory; PT Government Associate Laboratory; Braga/Guimarães Portugal
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Cerqueira SR, Oliveira JM, Silva NA, Leite-Almeida H, Ribeiro-Samy S, Almeida A, Mano JF, Sousa N, Salgado AJ, Reis RL. Microglia response and in vivo therapeutic potential of methylprednisolone-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles in spinal cord injury. Small 2013; 9:738-749. [PMID: 23161735 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201201888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The control and manipulation of cells that trigger secondary mechanisms following spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the first opportunities to minimize its highly detrimental outcomes. Herein, the ability of surface-engineered carboxymethylchitosan/polyamidoamine (CMCht/PAMAM) dendrimer nanoparticles to intracellularly deliver methylprednisolone (MP) to glial cells, allowing a controlled and sustained release of this corticosteroid in the injury site, is investigated. The negatively charged MP-loaded CMCht/PAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles with sizes of 109 nm enable a MP sustained release, which is detected for a period of 14 days by HPLC. In vitro studies in glial primary cultures show that incubation with 200 μg mL(-1) nanoparticles do not affect the cells' viability or proliferation, while allowing the entire population to internalize the nanoparticles. At higher concentrations, microglial cell viability is proven to be affected in response to the MP amount released. Following lateral hemisection lesions in rats, nanoparticle uptake by the spinal tissue is observed 3 h after administration. Moreover, significant differences in the locomotor output between the controls and the MP-loaded nanoparticle-treated animals one month after the lesion are observed. Therefore, MP-loaded CMCht/PAMAM dendrimer nanoparticles may prove to be useful in the reduction of the secondary injury following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana R Cerqueira
- 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, AvePark, Zona Industrial da Gandra, S. Cláudio do Barco, 4806-909 Caldas das Taipas, Guimarães, Portugal.
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Leite-Almeida H, Cerqueira JJ, Wei H, Ribeiro-Costa N, Anjos-Martins H, Sousa N, Pertovaara A, Almeida A. Differential effects of left/right neuropathy on rats’ anxiety and cognitive behavior. Pain 2012; 153:2218-2225. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pain.2012.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Revised: 06/21/2012] [Accepted: 07/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Silva NA, Sousa RA, Fraga JS, Fontes M, Leite-Almeida H, Cerqueira R, Almeida A, Sousa N, Reis RL, Salgado AJ. Benefits of spine stabilization with biodegradable scaffolds in spinal cord injured rats. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2012; 19:101-8. [PMID: 22779715 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2012.0264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Spine stabilization upon spinal cord injury (SCI) is a standard procedure in clinical practice, but rarely employed in experimental models. Moreover, the application of biodegradable biomaterials for this would come as an advantage as it would eliminate the presence of a nondegradable prosthesis within the vertebral bone. Therefore, in the present work, we propose the use of a new biodegradable device specifically developed for spine stabilization in a rat model of SCI. A 3D scaffold based on a blend of starch with polycaprolactone was implanted, replacing delaminated vertebra, in male Wistar rats with a T8-T9 spinal hemisection. The impact of spinal stabilization on the locomotor behavior was then evaluated for a period of 12 weeks. Locomotor evaluation--assessed by Basso, Beatie, and Bresnahan test; rotarod; and open field analysis--revealed that injured rats subjected to spine stabilization significantly improved their motor performance, including higher coordination and rearing activity when compared with SCI rats without stabilization. Histological analysis further revealed that the presence of the scaffolds not only stabilized the area, but also simultaneously prevented the infiltration of the injury site by connective tissue. Overall, these results reveal that SCI stabilization using a biodegradable scaffold at the vertebral bone level leads to an improvement of the motor deficits and is a relevant element for the successful treatment of SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno A Silva
- 3B's Research Group-Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
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Silva NA, Salgado AJ, Sousa RA, Oliveira JT, Pedro AJ, Leite-Almeida H, Cerqueira R, Almeida A, Mastronardi F, Mano JF, Neves NM, Sousa N, Reis RL. Development and Characterization of a Novel Hybrid Tissue Engineering–Based Scaffold for Spinal Cord Injury Repair. Tissue Eng Part A 2010; 16:45-54. [DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2008.0559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nuno A. Silva
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Antonio J. Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui A. Sousa
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Joao T. Oliveira
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Adriano J. Pedro
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Armando Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Fabrizio Mastronardi
- Program in Molecular Structure and Function, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
| | - João F. Mano
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno M. Neves
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
| | - Rui L. Reis
- 3B's Research Group—Biomaterials, Biodegradables, and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Guimarães, Portugal
- Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, PT Government Associated Lab, Guimarães, Portugal
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Ansah OB, Leite-Almeida H, Wei H, Pertovaara A. Striatal dopamine D2 receptors attenuate neuropathic hypersensitivity in the rat. Exp Neurol 2007; 205:536-46. [PMID: 17451685 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2007.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2007] [Accepted: 03/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Earlier studies indicate that striatal dopamine D(2) receptors are involved in pain regulation in non-neuropathic conditions. We assessed whether striatal dopamine D(2) receptors contribute to pain regulation also in neuropathic conditions. The spared nerve injury model of neuropathy was induced by unilateral ligation of the tibial and common peroneal nerves in the rat. In awake nerve-injured animals, pain-related withdrawal responses to calibrated monofilaments or noxious heating were attenuated following striatal administration of a dopamine D(2) receptor agonist quinpirole. Pain-related responses were attenuated only in the nerve-injured limb ipsilateral to the injection and in the midline (tail). In unoperated controls, striatal administration of quinpirole at an antihypersensitive dose did not influence withdrawal responses to mechanical stimulation. Attenuation of pain-related responses induced by striatal administration of quinpirole was reversed by intrathecal administration of a dopamine D(2) receptor antagonist (eticlopride) or a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist (methysergide), but not by an alpha(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist (atipamezole). In the rostroventromedial medulla of lightly anesthetized neuropathic animals, striatal administration of quinpirole significantly decreased the activity of presumably pronociceptive cells that are activated by noxious stimulation. The innocuous H-reflex in lightly anesthetized control animals was not suppressed by striatal administration of quinpirole at an antihypersensitive dose. The results indicate that striatal dopamine D(2) receptors attenuate neuropathic hypersensitivity. The antihypersensitive effect induced by striatal dopamine D(2) receptors in peripheral neuropathy involves suppression of impulse discharge of presumably pronociceptive neurons in the rostroventromedial medulla, and a descending influence acting on spinal 5-HT and dopamine D(2) receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osei B Ansah
- Biomedicum Helsinki, Institute of Biomedicine/Physiology, POB 63, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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Leite-Almeida H, Almeida A. Novel applications of common stereology software to represent the complete distribution, density and spatial organization of anterogradely labelled fibers in neuroanatomical tract-tracing studies. J Neurosci Methods 2007; 163:17-23. [PMID: 17368789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2007.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2006] [Revised: 01/24/2007] [Accepted: 02/06/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In a recent study we have adapted for the first time available software used in spatial neuronal organization studies to represent the complete fiber distribution of a brain projection [Leite-Almeida H, Valle-Fernandes A, Almeida A. Brain projections from the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus: an anterograde and retrograde tracing study in the rat. Neuroscience 2006;140:577-95]. Here we describe the technique in detail using the injection of biotinylated-dextran amine (BDA) in the rat cuneate nucleus and its projection through the pyramidal decussation as an example. Camera-lucida-like computer drawings were produced with StereoInvestigator software. Using high magnification lens, rat brain sections were screened and lines superimposed with virtually all fibers and terminal boutons present in each brain section. Additionally, in each screening field of the section, all focal planes were inspected and lines depicted only on focused fibers and/or fiber segments. Later, NeuroExplorer software was used to interpret fiber depth information and obtain the three-dimensional pathway of each fiber bundle along the rostrocaudal extension of each section. This computer methodology presents several advantages over classical camera-lucida hand-made drawings: (i) the software is prepared to work interchangeably in different magnifications without misplacements, which allows the representation of virtually all labelled fibers and, therefore, results in a much more accurate fiber location in each brain section; (ii) three-dimensional information of all individual fibers and fiber bundles is recorded; (iii) the method is more flexible allowing, for example, to colour differently labelled fibers according to their profiles (e.g. terminal or ramified fiber arborizations and terminal boutons).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
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Leite-Almeida H, Valle-Fernandes A, Almeida A. Brain projections from the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus: an anterograde and retrograde tracing study in the rat. Neuroscience 2006; 140:577-95. [PMID: 16563637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2006] [Revised: 02/06/2006] [Accepted: 02/10/2006] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the last 15 years a role has been ascribed for the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus as a supraspinal pain modulating area. The medullary dorsal reticular nucleus is reciprocally connected with the spinal dorsal horn, is populated mainly by nociceptive neurons and regulates spinal nociceptive processing. Here we analyze the distribution of brain projections from the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus using the iontophoretic administration of the anterograde tracer biotinylated-dextran amine and the retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B. Fibers and terminal boutons labeled from the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus were located predominately in the brainstem, although extending also to the forebrain. In the medulla oblongata, anterograde labeling was observed in the orofacial motor nuclei, inferior olive, caudal ventrolateral medulla, rostral ventromedial medulla, nucleus tractus solitarius and most of the reticular formation. Labeling at the pons-cerebellum level was present in the locus coeruleus, A5 and A7 noradrenergic cell groups, parabrachial and deep cerebellar nuclei, whereas in the mesencephalon it was located in the periaqueductal gray matter, deep mesencephalic, oculomotor and anterior pretectal nuclei, and substantia nigra. In the diencephalon, fibers and terminal boutons were found mainly in the parafascicular, ventromedial, and posterior thalamic nuclei and in the arcuate, lateral, posterior, peri- and paraventricular hypothalamic areas. Telencephalic labeling was consistent but less intense and concentrated in the septal nuclei, globus pallidus and amygdala. The well-known role of the medullary dorsal reticular nucleus in nociception and its pattern of brain projections in rats suggests that the nucleus is possibly implicated in the modulation of: (i) the ascending nociceptive transmission involved in the motivational-affective dimension of pain; (ii) the endogenous supraspinal pain control system centered in the periaqueductal gray matter-rostral ventromedial medulla-spinal cord circuitry; (iii) the motor reactions associated with pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Leite-Almeida
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, CP-II, Piso 3, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Teles-Grilo ML, Leite-Almeida H, Martins dos Santos J, Oliveira C, Boaventura P, Grande NR. Differential expression of collagens type I and type IV in lymphangiogenesis during the angiogenic process associated with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rat. Lymphology 2005; 38:130-5. [PMID: 16353490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In order to assess the role of collagens I and IV during the angiogenic process associated with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rat, in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical studies were carried out. An increased expression of collagen IV was observed before an enhanced expression of collagen I after intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. Deposits of both collagen types were detected on the 21st day after treatment with bleomycin, surrounding the new blood vessels formed during the fibrotic process. At this time, the presence of new lymphatic vessels was associated uniquely with deposition of collagen I. These observations lead us to conclude that, at least during pulmonary fibrosis, lymphangiogenesis takes place after blood angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Teles-Grilo
- Department of Molecular Biology and Anatomy, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Portugal, European Union
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