Effects of sex and APOE ε4 genotype on brain mitochondrial high-energy phosphates in midlife individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease: A 31Phosphorus MR spectroscopy study.

Age, female sex, and APOE epsilon 4 (APOE4) genotype are the three greatest risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). The convergence of these risks creates a hypometabolic AD-risk profile unique to women, which may help explain their higher lifetime risk of AD. Less is known about APOE4 effects in men, although APOE4 positive men also experience an increased AD risk. This study uses 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to examine effects of sex and APOE4 status on brain high-energy phosphates [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi)] and membrane phospholipids [phosphomonoesters (PME), phosphodiesters (PDE)] in 209 cognitively normal individuals at risk for AD, ages 40-65, 80% female, 46% APOE4 carriers (APOE4+). Women exhibited lower PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi levels than men in AD-vulnerable regions, including frontal, posterior cingulate, lateral and medial temporal cortex (multi-variable adjusted p≤0.037). The APOE4+ group exhibited lower PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi in frontal regions as compared to non-carriers (APOE4-) (multi-variable adjusted p≤0.005). Sex by APOE4 status interactions were observed in frontal regions (multi-variable adjusted p≤0.046), where both female groups and APOE4+ men exhibited lower PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi than APOE4- men. Among men, APOE4 homozygotes exhibited lower frontal PCr/ATP than heterozygotes and non-carriers. There were no significant effects of sex or APOE4 status on Pi/ATP and PME/PDE measures. Among midlife individuals at risk for AD, women exhibit lower PCr/ATP (e.g. higher ATP utilization) and lower PCr/Pi (e.g. higher energy demand) than age-controlled men, independent of APOE4 status. However, a double dose of APOE4 allele shifted men's brains to a similar metabolic range as women's brains. Examination of brain metabolic heterogeneity can support identification of AD-specific pathways within at-risk subgroups, further advancing both preventive and precision medicine for AD.

Ovarian steroid hormones: A long overlooked but critical contributor to brain aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Ovarian hormones, particularly 17ß-estradiol, are involved in numerous neurophysiological and neurochemical processes, including those subserving cognitive function. Estradiol plays a key role in the neurobiology of aging, in part due to extensive interconnectivity of the neural and endocrine system. This aspect of aging is fundamental for women's brains as all women experience a drop in circulating estradiol levels in midlife, after menopause. Given the importance of estradiol for brain function, it is not surprising that up to 80% of peri-menopausal and post-menopausal women report neurological symptoms including changes in thermoregulation (vasomotor symptoms), mood, sleep, and cognitive performance. Preclinical evidence for neuroprotective effects of 17ß-estradiol also indicate associations between menopause, cognitive aging, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting nearly twice more women than men. Brain imaging studies demonstrated that middle-aged women exhibit increased indicators of AD endophenotype as compared to men of the same age, with onset in perimenopause. Herein, we take a translational approach to illustrate the contribution of ovarian hormones in maintaining cognition in women, with evidence implicating menopause-related declines in 17ß-estradiol in cognitive aging and AD risk. We will review research focused on the role of endogenous and exogenous estrogen exposure as a key underlying mechanism to neuropathological aging in women, with a focus on whether brain structure, function and neurochemistry respond to hormone treatment. While still in development, this research area offers a new sex-based perspective on brain aging and risk of AD, while also highlighting an urgent need for better integration between neurology, psychiatry, and women's health practices.

Sex and menopause impact 31P-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy brain mitochondrial function in association with 11C-PiB PET amyloid-beta load.

Increasing evidence implicates sex and endocrine aging effects on brain bioenergetic aging in the greater lifetime risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women. We conducted 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to assess the impact of sex and menopause on brain high-energy phosphates [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi)] and membrane phospholipids [phosphomonoesters/phosphodiesters (PME/PDE)] in 216 midlife cognitively normal individuals at risk for AD, 80% female. Ninety-seven participants completed amyloid-beta (Aß) 11C-PiB PET. Women exhibited higher ATP utilization than men in AD-vulnerable frontal, posterior cingulate, fusiform, medial and lateral temporal regions (p < 0.001). This profile was evident in frontal cortex at the pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal stage and extended to the other regions at the post-menopausal stage (p = 0.001). Results were significant after multi-variable adjustment for age, APOE-4 status, midlife health indicators, history of hysterectomy/oophorectomy, use of menopause hormonal therapy, and total intracranial volume. While associations between ATP/PCr and Aß load were not significant, individuals with the highest Aß load were post-menopausal and peri-menopausal women with ATP/PCr ratios in the higher end of the distribution. No differences in Pi/PCr, Pi/ATP or PME/PDE were detected. Outcomes are consistent with dynamic bioenergetic brain adaptations that are associated with female sex and endocrine aging.

Association of combination statin and antihypertensive therapy with reduced Alzheimer's disease and related dementia risk.

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemia and hypertension are modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Approximately 25% of adults over age 65 use both antihypertensives (AHTs) and statins for these conditions. While a growing body of evidence found statins and AHTs are independently associated with lower ADRD risk, no evidence exists on simultaneous use for different drug class combinations and ADRD risk. Our primary objective was to compare ADRD risk associated with concurrent use of different combinations of statins and antihypertensives. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study (2007-2014), we analyzed 694,672 Medicare beneficiaries in the United States (2,017,786 person-years) who concurrently used both statins and AHTs. Using logistic regression adjusting for age, socioeconomic status and comorbidities, we quantified incident ADRD diagnosis associated with concurrent use of different statin molecules (atorvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin) and AHT drug classes (two renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-acting AHTs, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs), vs non-RAS-acting AHTs). FINDINGS: Pravastatin or rosuvastatin combined with RAS-acting AHTs reduce risk of ADRD relative to any statin combined with non-RAS-acting AHTs: ACEI+pravastatin odds ratio (OR) = 0.942 (CI: 0.899-0.986, p = 0.011), ACEI+rosuvastatin OR = 0.841 (CI: 0.794-0.892, p<0.001), ARB+pravastatin OR = 0.794 (CI: 0.748-0.843, p<0.001), ARB+rosuvastatin OR = 0.818 (CI: 0.765-0.874, p<0.001). ARBs combined with atorvastatin and simvastatin are associated with smaller reductions in risk, and ACEI with no risk reduction, compared to when combined with pravastatin or rosuvastatin. Among Hispanics, no combination of statins and RAS-acting AHTs reduces risk relative to combinations of statins and non-RAS-acting AHTs. Among blacks using ACEI+rosuvastatin, ADRD odds were 33% lower compared to blacks using other statins combined with non-RAS-acting AHTs (OR = 0.672 (CI: 0.548-0.825, p<0.001)). CONCLUSION: Among older Americans, use of pravastatin and rosuvastatin to treat hyperlipidemia is less common than use of simvastatin and atorvastatin, however, in combination with RAS-acting AHTs, particularly ARBs, they may be more effective at reducing risk of ADRD. The number of Americans with ADRD may be reduced with drug treatments for vascular health that also confer effects on ADRD.

Sex-Related Differences in Brain Volumes and Cerebral Blood Flow Among Overweight and Obese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: Exploratory Analyses From the Action for Health in Diabetes Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

BACKGROUND: Sex may be an important modifier of brain health in response to risk factors. We compared brain structure and function of older overweight and obese women and men with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Cross-sectional cognitive assessments and magnetic resonance images were obtained in 224 women and 95 men (mean age 69 years) with histories of type 2 diabetes mellitus and overweight or obesity. Prior to magnetic resonance images, participants had completed an average of 10 years of random assignment to either multidomain intervention targeting weight loss or a control condition of diabetes support and education. Total (summed gray and white) matter volumes, white matter hyperintensity volumes, and cerebral blood flow across five brain regions of interest were analyzed using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: After covariate adjustment, women, compared with men, averaged 10.9 [95% confidence interval 3.3, 18.5; ≈1%] cc greater summed region of interest volumes and 1.39 [0.00002, 2.78; ≈54%] cc greater summed white matter hyperintensity volumes. Sex differences could not be attributed to risk factor profiles or intervention response. Their magnitude did not vary significantly with respect to age, body mass index, intervention assignment, or APOE-ε4 genotype. Sex differences in brain magnetic resonance images outcomes did not account for the better levels of cognitive functioning in women than men. CONCLUSIONS: In a large cohort of older overweight or obese adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, differences in brain volumes and white matter disease were apparent between women and men, but these did not account for a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment in women compared with men in this cohort. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00017953.

Estrogen and hippocampal plasticity in rodent models.

Accumulating evidence indicates that ovarian hormones regulate a wide variety of non-reproductive functions in the central nervous system by interacting with several molecular and cellular processes. A growing animal literature using both adult and aged rodent models indicates that 17beta-estradiol, the most potent of the biologically relevant estrogens, facilitates some forms of learning and memory, in particular those that involve hippocampal-dependent tasks. A recently developed triple-transgenic mouse (3xTg-AD) has been widely used as an animal model of Alzheimer's disease, as this mouse exhibits an age-related and progressive neuropathological phenotype that includes both plaque and tangle pathology mainly restricted to hippocampus, amygdala and cerebral cortex. In this report, we examine recent studies that compare the effects of ovarian hormones on synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity in adult and aged rodents. A better understanding of the non-reproductive functions of ovarian hormones has far-reaching implications for hormone therapy to maintain health and function within the nervous system throughout aging.

Correction: Perimenopause and emergence of an Alzheimer's bioenergetic phenotype in brain and periphery.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0185926.].

Altered brain energetics induces mitochondrial fission arrest in Alzheimer's Disease.

Altered brain metabolism is associated with progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Mitochondria respond to bioenergetic changes by continuous fission and fusion. To account for three dimensional architecture of the brain tissue and organelles, we applied 3-dimensional electron microscopy (3D EM) reconstruction to visualize mitochondrial structure in the brain tissue from patients and mouse models of AD. We identified a previously unknown mitochondrial fission arrest phenotype that results in elongated interconnected organelles, "mitochondria-on-a-string" (MOAS). Our data suggest that MOAS formation may occur at the final stages of fission process and was not associated with altered translocation of activated dynamin related protein 1 (Drp1) to mitochondria but with reduced GTPase activity. Since MOAS formation was also observed in the brain tissue of wild-type mice in response to hypoxia or during chronological aging, fission arrest may represent fundamental compensatory adaptation to bioenergetic stress providing protection against mitophagy that may preserve residual mitochondrial function. The discovery of novel mitochondrial phenotype that occurs in the brain tissue in response to energetic stress accurately detected only using 3D EM reconstruction argues for a major role of mitochondrial dynamics in regulating neuronal survival.

Neuroprotective and neurotrophic efficacy of phytoestrogens in cultured hippocampal neurons.

Epidemiological data from retrospective and case-control studies have indicated that estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) can decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. In addition, ERT has been found to promote cellular correlates of memory and to promote neuronal survival both in vivo and in vitro. Phytoestrogens have been proposed as potential alternatives to ERT. To determine whether phytoestrogens exert estrogen agonist effect in neural tissue, investigations of neuroprotective and neurotrophic efficacy of phytoestrogens were conducted. Six phytoestrogens, genistein, genistin, daidzein, daidzin, formononetin, and equol, were tested for their neuroprotective efficacy against two toxic insults, glutamate excitotoxicity and beta-amyloid(25-35). Neuronal membrane damage was quantitatively measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and neuronal mitochondrial viability was determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromid (MTT) assay. Results of these studies demonstrated that all phytoestrogens induced a modest but significant reduction in LDH release following exposure to glutamate and beta-amyloid(25-35). In contrast, none of phytoestrogens induced a significant increase in reduced MTT levels, which occurred in the presence of a full estrogen agonist, 17beta-estradiol. Analysis of the neurotrophic potential of genistein and daidzein, two phytoestrogens that exerted a significant reduction in LDH release, demonstrated that neither of these molecules promoted hippocampal neuron process outgrowth. Results of these analyses indicate that although phytoestrogens exert a neuroprotective effect at the plasma membrane, they do not sustain neuron mitochondrial viability nor do they induce cellular correlates of memory as neurite outgrowth and synaptogenesis are putative mechanisms of memory. Data derived from these investigations would predict that phytoestrogens could exert some neuroprotective effects analogous to that of antioxidants, but that these molecules are not functional equivalents to endogenously active 17beta-estradiol or to estrogen replacement formulations and, therefore, would raise the concern that they may not reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease or sustain memory function in postmenopausal women.

Reversal of metabolic deficits by lipoic acid in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: a 13C NMR study.

Alzheimer's disease is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by deterioration of cognition and loss of memory. Several clinical studies have shown Alzheimer's disease to be associated with disturbances in glucose metabolism and the subsequent tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle-related metabolites like glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), and N-acetylaspartate (NAA). These metabolites have been viewed as biomarkers by (a) assisting early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and (b) evaluating the efficacy of a treatment regimen. In this study, 13-month-old triple transgenic mice (a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD)) were given intravenous infusion of [1-(13)C]glucose followed by an ex vivo (13)C NMR to determine the concentrations of (13)C-labeled isotopomers of Glu, Gln, aspartate (Asp), GABA, myo-inositol, and NAA. Total ((12)C+(13)C) Glu, Gln, and Asp were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography to calculate enrichment. Furthermore, we examined the effects of lipoic acid in modulating these metabolites, based on its previously established insulin mimetic effects. Total (13)C labeling and percent enrichment decreased by ∼50% in the 3xTg-AD mice. This hypometabolism was partially or completely restored by lipoic acid feeding. The ability of lipoic acid to restore glucose metabolism and subsequent TCA cycle-related metabolites further substantiates its role in overcoming the hypometabolic state inherent in early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Hypermetabolic state in the 7-month-old triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and the effect of lipoic acid: a 13C-NMR study.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by age-dependent biochemical, metabolic, and physiologic changes. These age-dependent changes ultimately converge to impair cognitive functions. This study was carried out to examine the metabolic changes by probing glucose and tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolism in a 7-month-old triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). The effect of lipoic acid, an insulin-mimetic agent, was also investigated to examine its ability in modulating age-dependent metabolic changes. Seven-month-old 3xTg-AD mice were given intravenous infusion of [1-(13)C]glucose followed by an ex vivo (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the concentrations of (13)C-labeled isotopomers of glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, gamma aminobutyric acid, and N-acetylaspartate. An intravenous infusion of [1-(13)C]glucose+[1,2-(13)C]acetate was given for different periods of time to distinguish neuronal and astrocytic metabolism. Enrichments of glutamate, glutamine, and aspartate were calculated after quantifying the total ((12)C+(13)C) concentrations by high-performance liquid chromatography. A hypermetabolic state was clearly evident in 7-month-old 3xTg-AD mice in contrast to the hypometabolic state reported earlier in 13-month-old mice. Hypermetabolism was evidenced by prominent increase of (13)C labeling and enrichment in the 3xTg-AD mice. Lipoic acid feeding to the hypermetabolic 3xTg-AD mice brought the metabolic parameters to the levels of nonTg mice.

Minireview: translational animal models of human menopause: challenges and emerging opportunities.

Increasing importance is placed on the translational validity of animal models of human menopause to discern risk vs. benefit for prediction of outcomes after therapeutic interventions and to develop new therapeutic strategies to promote health. Basic discovery research conducted over many decades has built an extensive body of knowledge regarding reproductive senescence across mammalian species upon which to advance animal models of human menopause. Modifications to existing animal models could rapidly address translational gaps relevant to clinical issues in human menopausal health, which include the impact of 1) chronic ovarian hormone deprivation and hormone therapy, 2) clinically relevant hormone therapy regimens (cyclic vs. continuous combined), 3) clinically relevant hormone therapy formulations, and 4) windows of opportunity and optimal duration of interventions. Modifications in existing animal models to more accurately represent human menopause and clinical interventions could rapidly provide preclinical translational data to predict outcomes regarding unresolved clinical issues relevant to women's menopausal health. Development of the next generation of animal models of human menopause could leverage advances in identifying genotypic variations in estrogen and progesterone receptors to develop personalized menopausal care and to predict outcomes of interventions for protection against or vulnerability to disease. Key to the success of these models is the close coupling between the translational target and the range of predictive validity. Preclinical translational animal models of human menopause need to keep pace with changes in clinical practice. With focus on predictive validity and strategic use of advances in genetic and epigenetic science, new animal models of human menopause have the opportunity to set new directions for menopausal clinical care for women worldwide.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) for the brain: current status and remaining challenges for developing NeuroSERMs.

Multiple issues regarding the efficacy of estrogen action in the brain remain unresolved. These include the timing, formulation and duration of the therapy intervention. Moreover, issues of thrombotic and neoplastic risks must be factored into the design of estrogen alternatives developed to prevent age-associated neurodegenerative disorders, as well as other climacteric symptoms such as hot flush and sleep dysfunction. One strategy to address these issues is to develop molecules that selectively target and activate estrogen mechanisms of action in the brain while avoiding activation of estrogen receptors peripheral to the brain, particularly in reproductive organs. An overview of recent advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of estrogen action is discussed in the context of designing an efficacious NeuroSERM that will activate cellular, biochemical and genomic events required for the promotion of memory function and neuronal survival. Pharmacological analyses of estrogen receptor subtypes and the case for a membrane-associated estrogen receptor splice variant in mediating these mechanisms are provided along with a summary of the activation profiles of existing clinically relevant estrogen alternatives or SERMs in neurons. Results of these endeavors have yielded insights into strategies for developing novel molecules with NeuroSERM potential in order to prevent brain related climacteric symptoms and neurodegenerative diseases.

Mechanism of estrogen-mediated neuroprotection: regulation of mitochondrial calcium and Bcl-2 expression.

Estrogens are neuroprotective against glutamate excitotoxicity caused by an excessive rise in intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)). In this study, we demonstrate that 17 beta-estradiol (E(2)) treatment of hippocampal neurons attenuated the excitotoxic glutamate-induced rise in bulk-free [Ca(2+)](i) despite potentiating the influx of Ca(2+) induced by glutamate. E(2)-induced attenuation of bulk-free [Ca(2+)](i) depends on mitochondrial sequestration of Ca(2+), which is blocked in the presence of the combination of rotenone and oligomycin or in the presence of antimycin, which collapse the mitochondrial membrane potential, thereby preventing mitochondrial Ca(2+) transport. Release of mitochondrial Ca(2+) by carbonyl cyanide p-trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone (FCCP) after excitotoxic glutamate treatment resulted in a greater [Ca(2+)](i) in E(2)-treated cells, indicating an E(2)-induced increase in the mitochondrial calcium ([Ca(2+)](m)) load. The increased [Ca(2+)](m) load was accompanied by increased expression of Bcl-2, which can promote mitochondrial Ca(2+) load tolerance. These findings provide a mechanism of E(2)-induced neuronal survival by attenuation of excitotoxic glutamate [Ca(2+)](i) rise via increased mitochondrial sequestration of cytosolic Ca(2+) coupled with an increase in Bcl-2 expression to sustain mitochondrial Ca(2+) load tolerance and function.

Impact of the selective estrogen receptor modulator, tamoxifen, on neuronal outgrowth and survival following toxic insults associated with aging and Alzheimer's disease.

We investigated the estrogen agonist/antagonist properties of the selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), tamoxifen (TMX) and 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (OHT), using an in vitro neuron model system to determine the impact of the neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties of these SERMs. Low concentrations of TMX or OHT were without effect on a marker of neuronal viability, basal release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), whereas high concentrations of both SERMs (2500 ng/ml) induced a significant increase in LDH, indicating the potential toxicity of both SERMs at high concentrations. Subsequent experiments revealed that subtoxic concentrations of both TMX and OHT induced significant neuroprotection against beta-amyloid(25-35)-induced toxicity; 15-20% and 10-15% (P < 0.05), respectively and also against glutamate-induced toxicity; 25-30% and 20-40% (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), respectively. Additional in vitro experiments included analysis of neuron survival to determine whether the SERM, OHT, acted competitively or synergistically with the endogenous estrogen, 17 beta-estradiol (E2). These revealed that neuron survival following exposure to the neurotoxins beta-amyloid and excitotoxic glutamate was significantly increased in cultures treated with OHT (50 ng/ml) (10%, P < 0.01) and that the magnitude of survival was equivalent to E2 (10 ng/ml). The combined presence of OHT and E2 significantly protected against both beta-amyloid(25-35) and excitotoxic glutamate-induced neuron death (10%, P < 0.01) but was not significantly different from either OHT or E2 alone. To assess neurotrophic effects of these same SERMs, cultured neurons from brain regions involved in memory function and Alzheimer's disease were evaluated by morphological analysis of individual neurons. Results of these analyses demonstrated that TMX treatment did not significantly increase the process outgrowth or morphological complexity of cortical, hippocampal, or basal forebrain neurons. Similar analyses showed that OHT also failed to significantly increase the neuronal outgrowth of either cortical or hippocampal neurons. Results of these studies predict that TMX and OHT could exert a neuroprotective function but would not promote estrogen-dependent memory function.