A single dose of cocaine raises SV2A density in hippocampus of adolescent rats

OBJECTIVE

Cocaine is a highly addictive psychostimulant that affects synaptic activity with structural and functional adaptations of neurons. The transmembrane synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) of pre-synaptic vesicles is commonly used to measure synaptic density, as a novel approach to the detection of synaptic changes. We do not know if a single dose of cocaine suffices to affect pre-synaptic SV2A density, especially during adolescence when synapses undergo intense maturation. Here, we explored potential changes of pre-synaptic SV2A density in target brain areas associated with the cocaine-induced boost of dopaminergic neurotransmission, specifically testing if the effects would last after the return of dopamine levels to baseline.

METHODS

We administered cocaine (20 mg/kg i.p.) or saline to rats in early adolescence, tested their activity levels and removed the brains 1 hour and 7 days after injection. To evaluate immediate and lasting effects, we did autoradiography with [3H]UCB-J, a specific tracer for SV2A, in medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and dorsal and ventral areas of hippocampus. We also measured the striatal binding of [3H]GBR-12935 to test cocaine's occupancy of the dopamine transporter at both times of study.

RESULTS

We found a significant increase of [3H]UCB-J binding in the dorsal and ventral sections of hippocampus 7 days after the cocaine administration compared to saline-injected rats, but no differences 1 hour after the injection. The [3H]GBR-12935 binding remained unchanged at both times.

CONCLUSION

Cocaine provoked lasting changes of hippocampal synaptic SV2A density after a single exposure during adolescence.

Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2A: Features and Functions

In recent years, the field of neuroimaging dramatically moved forward by means of the expeditious development of specific radioligands of novel targets. Among these targets, the synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) is a transmembrane protein of synaptic vesicles, present in all synaptic terminals, irrespective of neurotransmitter content. It is involved in key functions of neurons, focused on the regulation of neurotransmitter release. The ubiquitous expression in gray matter regions of the brain is the basis of its candidacy as a marker of synaptic density. Following the development of molecules derived from the structure of the anti-epileptic drug levetiracetam, which selectively binds to SV2A, several radiolabeled markers have been synthetized to allow the study of SV2A distribution with positron emission tomography (PET). These radioligands permit the evaluation of in vivo changes of SV2A distribution held to be a potential measure of synaptic density in physiological and pathological conditions. The use of SV2A as a biomarker of synaptic density raises important questions. Despite numerous studies over the last decades, the biological function and the expressional properties of SV2A remain poorly understood. Some functions of SV2A were claimed, but have not been fully elucidated. While the expression of SV2A is ubiquitous, stronger associations between SV2A and Υ amino butyric acid (GABA)-ergic rather than glutamatergic synapses were observed in some brain structures. A further issue is the unclear interaction between SV2A and its tracers, which reflects a need to clarify what really is detected with neuroimaging tools. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of the SV2A protein and we discuss uncertain aspects of SV2A biology and physiology. As SV2A expression is ubiquitous, but likely more strongly related to a certain type of neurotransmission in particular circumstances, a more extensive knowledge of the protein would greatly facilitate the analysis and interpretation of neuroimaging results by allowing the evaluation not only of an increase or decrease of the protein level, but also of the type of neurotransmission involved.

Validation and optimisation of an automatic blood sampler for preclinical positron emission tomography research in domestic pigs

In preclinical positron emission tomography animal studies, continuous blood sampling is used to measure the time course of the activity concentration in arterial blood. However, pigs have hypercoagulable blood that tends to clot inside plastic tubes. We tested several tube materials and lengths and the use of three-way connectors. We validated set-ups for automated blood sampling with and without blood recirculation that could run for 90 minutes without problematic clots and without any evidence of emboli formation during necropsy.

Exercise protects synaptic density in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by Lewy body and neurite pathology associated with dopamine terminal dysfunction. Clinically, it is associated with motor slowing, rigidity, and tremor. Postural instability and pain are also features. Physical exercise benefits PD patients - possibly by promoting neuroplasticity including synaptic regeneration.

OBJECTIVES

In a parkinsonian rat model, we test the hypotheses that exercise: (a) increases synaptic density and reduces neuroinflammation and (b) lowers the nociceptive threshold by increasing μ-opioid receptor expression.

METHODS

Brain autoradiography was performed on rats unilaterally injected with either 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or saline and subjected to treadmill exercise over 5 weeks. [³H]UCB-J was used to measure synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) density. Dopamine D2/3 receptor and μ-opioid receptor availability were assessed with [³H]Raclopride and [³H]DAMGO, respectively, while neuroinflammation was detected with the 18kDA translocator protein (TSPO) marker [³H]PK11195. The nociceptive threshold was determined prior to and throughout the exercise protocol.

RESULTS

We confirmed a dopaminegic deficit with increased striatal [³H]Raclopride D2/3 receptor availability and reduced nigral tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the ipsilateral hemisphere of all 6-OHDA-injected rats. Sedentary rats lesioned with 6-OHDA showed significant reduction of ipsilateral striatal and substantia nigra [³H]UCB-J binding while [³H]PK11195 showed increased ipsilateral striatal neuroinflammation. Lesioned rats who exercised had higher levels of ipsilateral striatal [³H]UCB-J binding and lower levels of neuroinflammation compared to sedentary lesioned rats. Striatal 6-OHDA injections reduced thalamic μ-opioid receptor availability but subsequent exercise restored binding. Exercise also raised thalamic and hippocampal SV2A synaptic density in 6-OHDA lesioned rats, accompanied by a rise in nociceptive threshold.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that treadmill exercise protects nigral and striatal synaptic integrity in a rat lesion model of PD - possibly by promoting compensatory mechanisms. Exercise was also associated with reduced neuroinflammation post lesioning and altered opioid transmission resulting in an increased nociceptive threshold.

Preclinical PET Studies of [11C]UCB-J Binding in Minipig Brain

PURPOSE

Loss of neuronal synapse function is associated with a number of brain disorders. The [¹¹C]UCB-J positron emission tomography (PET) tracer allows for in vivo examination of synaptic density, as it binds to synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) expressed in presynaptic terminals. Here, we characterise [¹¹C]UCB-J imaging in Göttingen minipigs.

PROCEDURES

Using PET imaging, we examined tracer specificity and compared kinetic models. We explored the use of a standard blood curve and centrum semiovale white matter as a reference region. We compared in vivo [¹¹C]UCB-J PET imaging to in vitro autoradiography, Western blotting and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The uptake kinetics of [¹¹C]UCB-J could be described using a 1-tissue compartment model and blocking of SV2A availability with levetiracetam showed dose-dependent specific binding. Population-based blood curves resulted in reliable [¹¹C]UCB-J binding estimates, while it was not possible to use centrum semiovale white matter as a non-specific reference region. Brain [¹¹C]UCB-J PET signals correlated well with [³H]UCB-J autoradiography and SV2A protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

[¹¹C]UCB-J PET is a valid in vivo marker of synaptic density in the minipig brain, with binding values close to those reported for humans. Minipig models of disease could be valuable for investigating the efficacy of putative neuroprotective agents for preserving synaptic function in future non-invasive, longitudinal studies.