Aberrant DJ-1 expression underlies L-type calcium channel hypoactivity in dendrites in tuberous sclerosis complex and Alzheimer's disease.

L-type voltage-gated calcium (Ca2+) channels (L-VGCC) dysfunction is implicated in several neurological and psychiatric diseases. While a popular therapeutic target, it is unknown whether molecular mechanisms leading to disrupted L-VGCC across neurodegenerative disorders are conserved. Importantly, L-VGCC integrate synaptic signals to facilitate a plethora of cellular mechanisms; however, mechanisms that regulate L-VGCC channel density and subcellular compartmentalization are understudied. Herein, we report that in disease models with overactive mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling (or mTORopathies), deficits in dendritic L-VGCC activity are associated with increased expression of the RNA-binding protein (RBP) Parkinsonism-associated deglycase (DJ-1). DJ-1 binds the mRNA coding for the alpha and auxiliary Ca2+ channel subunits CaV1.2 and α2δ2, and represses their mRNA translation, only in the disease states, specifically preclinical models of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In agreement, DJ-1-mediated repression of CaV1.2/α2δ2 protein synthesis in dendrites is exaggerated in mouse models of AD and TSC, resulting in deficits in dendritic L-VGCC calcium activity. Finding of DJ-1-regulated L-VGCC activity in dendrites in TSC and AD provides a unique signaling pathway that can be targeted in clinical mTORopathies.

Chemogenetic inhibition of a monosynaptic projection from the basolateral amygdala to the ventral hippocampus selectively reduces appetitive, but not consummatory, alcohol drinking-related behaviours.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and anxiety/stressor disorders frequently co-occur and this dual diagnosis represents a major health and economic problem worldwide. The basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a key brain region that is known to contribute to the aetiology of both disorders. Although many studies have implicated BLA hyperexcitability in the pathogenesis of AUD and comorbid conditions, relatively little is known about the specific efferent projections from this brain region that contribute to these disorders. Recent optogenetic studies have shown that the BLA sends a strong monosynaptic excitatory projection to the ventral hippocampus (vHC) and that this circuit modulates anxiety- and fear-related behaviours. However, it is not known if this pathway influences alcohol drinking-related behaviours. Here, we employed a rodent operant self-administration regimen that procedurally separates appetitive (e.g. seeking) and consummatory (e.g., drinking) behaviours, chemogenetics and brain region-specific microinjections, to determine if BLA-vHC circuitry influences alcohol and sucrose drinking-related measures. We first confirmed prior optogenetic findings that silencing this circuit reduced anxiety-like behaviours on the elevated plus maze. We then demonstrated that inhibiting the BLA-vHC pathway significantly reduced appetitive drinking-related behaviours for both alcohol and sucrose while having no effect on consummatory measures. Taken together, these findings provide the first indication that the BLA-vHC circuit may regulate appetitive reward seeking directed at alcohol and natural rewards and add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that dysregulation of this pathway may contribute to the pathophysiology of AUD and anxiety/stressor-related disorders.

A paradoxical switch: the implications of excitatory GABAergic signaling in neurological disorders.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. In the mature brain, inhibitory GABAergic signaling is critical in maintaining neuronal homeostasis and vital human behaviors such as cognition, emotion, and motivation. While classically known to inhibit neuronal function under physiological conditions, previous research indicates a paradoxical switch from inhibitory to excitatory GABAergic signaling that is implicated in several neurological disorders. Various mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to the excitatory switch such as chloride ion dyshomeostasis, alterations in inhibitory receptor expression, and modifications in GABAergic synaptic plasticity. Of note, the hypothesized mechanisms underlying excitatory GABAergic signaling are highlighted in a number of neurodevelopmental, substance use, stress, and neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we present an updated review discussing the presence of excitatory GABAergic signaling in various neurological disorders, and their potential contributions towards disease pathology.

Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Exposure Dysregulates Nucleus Basalis Magnocellularis Afferents in the Basolateral Amygdala.

Nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) cholinergic projections to the basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulate the acquisition and consolidation of fear-like and anxiety-like behaviors. However, it is unclear whether the alterations in the NBM-BLA circuit promote negative affect during ethanol withdrawal (WD). Therefore, we performed ex vivo whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology in both the NBM and the BLA of male Sprague Dawley rats following 10 d of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) exposure and 24 h of WD. We found that CIE exposure and withdrawal enhanced the neuronal excitability of NBM putative "cholinergic" neurons. We subsequently used optogenetics to directly manipulate NBM terminal activity within the BLA and measure cholinergic modulation of glutamatergic afferents and BLA pyramidal neurons. Our findings indicate that CIE and withdrawal upregulate NBM cholinergic facilitation of glutamate release via activation of presynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs). Ethanol withdrawal-induced increases in NBM terminal activity also enhance BLA pyramidal neuron firing. Collectively, our results provide a novel characterization of the NBM-BLA circuit and suggest that CIE-dependent modifications to NBM afferents enhance BLA pyramidal neuron activity during ethanol withdrawal.

Torpor Does Not Influence Spatial Memory in Hibernating Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrels (Spermophilus [Callospermophilus] lateralis).

AbstractMammalian hibernation in ground squirrels is characterized by periods of torpor wherein body temperature approaches ambient temperature and metabolism is reduced to as low as 1/100th of active rates. It is unclear how hibernation affects long-term spatial memory, as tremendous remodeling of neurons is associated with torpor use. Given the suspected links between remodeling and memory formation and retention, we examined long-term spatial memory retention throughout a hibernation season. Animals were trained on a Barnes maze before entering torpor. Animals were tested for memory retention once a month throughout a hibernation season. Results indicate marked variation between individuals. Some squirrels retained memory across multiple torpor bouts, while other squirrels did not. No relationship was found between the number of torpor bouts, duration of bouts, or time spent torpid on long-term memory retention. However, that some squirrels successfully retain memory suggests that the profound remodeling of dendritic spines during torpor does not always lead to memory loss.

DetectSyn: A Rapid, Unbiased Fluorescent Method to Detect Changes in Synapse Density.

Synapses are the site of communication between neurons. Neuronal circuit strength is related to synaptic density, and the breakdown of synapses is characteristic of disease states like major depressive disorder (MDD) and Alzheimer's disease. Traditional techniques to investigate synapse numbers include genetic expression of fluorescent markers (e.g., green fluorescent protein (GFP)), dyes that fill a neuron (e.g., carbocyanine dye, DiI), and immunofluorescent detection of spine markers (e.g., postsynaptic density 95 (PSD95)). A major caveat to these proxy techniques is that they only identify postsynaptic changes. Yet, a synapse is a connection between a presynaptic terminal and a postsynaptic spine. The gold standard for measuring synapse formation/elimination requires time-consuming electron microscopy or array tomography techniques. These techniques require specialized training and costly equipment. Further, only a limited number of neurons can be assessed and are used to represent changes to an entire brain region. DetectSyn is a rapid fluorescent technique that identifies changes to synapse formation or elimination due to a disease state or drug activity. DetectSyn utilizes a rapid proximity ligation assay to detect juxtaposed pre- and postsynaptic proteins and standard fluorescent microscopy, a technique readily available to most laboratories. Fluorescent detection of the resulting puncta allows for quick and unbiased analysis of experiments. DetectSyn provides more representative results than electron microscopy because larger areas can be analyzed than a limited number of fluorescent neurons. Moreover, DetectSyn works for in vitro cultured neurons and fixed tissue slices. Finally, a method is provided to analyze the data collected from this technique. Overall, DetectSyn offers a procedure for detecting relative changes in synapse density across treatments or disease states and is more accessible than traditional techniques.

Role of FMRP in rapid antidepressant effects and synapse regulation.

Rapid antidepressants are novel treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD) and work by blocking N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), which, in turn, activate the protein synthesis pathway regulated by mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Our recent work demonstrates that the RNA-binding protein Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) is downregulated in dendrites upon treatment with a rapid antidepressant. Here, we show that the behavioral effects of the rapid antidepressant Ro-25-6981 require FMRP expression, and treatment promotes differential mRNA binding to FMRP in an mTORC1-dependent manner. Further, these mRNAs are identified to regulate transsynaptic signaling. Using a novel technique, we show that synapse formation underlying the behavioral effects of Ro-25-6981 requires GABABR-mediated mTORC1 activity in WT animals. Finally, we demonstrate that in an animal model that lacks FMRP expression and has clinical relevance for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), GABABR activity is detrimental to the effects of Ro-25-6981. These effects are rescued with the combined therapy of blocking GABABRs and NMDARs, indicating that rapid antidepressants alone may not be an effective treatment for people with comorbid FXS and MDD.

Ethanol and a rapid-acting antidepressant produce overlapping changes in exon expression in the synaptic transcriptome.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are prevalent, debilitating, and highly comorbid disorders. The molecular changes that underlie their comorbidity are beginning to emerge. For example, recent evidence showed that acute ethanol exposure produces rapid antidepressant-like biochemical and behavioral responses. Both ethanol and fast-acting antidepressants block N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity, leading to synaptic changes and long-lasting antidepressant-like behavioral effects. We used RNA sequencing to analyze changes in the synaptic transcriptome after acute treatment with ethanol or the NMDAR antagonist, Ro 25-6981. Ethanol and Ro 25-6981 induced differential, independent changes in gene expression. In contrast with gene-level expression, ethanol and Ro 25-6981 produced overlapping changes in exons, as measured by analysis of differentially expressed exons (DEEs). A prominent overlap in genes with DEEs indicated that changes in exon usage were important for both ethanol and Ro 25-6981 action. Structural modeling provided evidence that ethanol-induced exon expression in the NMDAR1 amino-terminal domain could induce conformational changes and thus alter NMDAR function. These findings suggest that the rapid antidepressant effects of ethanol and NMDAR antagonists reported previously may depend on synaptic exon usage rather than gene expression.

Intermittent streptozotocin administration induces behavioral and pathological features relevant to Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

RATIONALE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Few animal models exist that focus on the metabolic contributions to dementia onset and progression. Thus, there is strong scientific rationale to explore the effects of streptozotocin (STZ), a diabetogenic compound, on vascular and inflammatory changes within the brain. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of staggered, low-dose administration of STZ on behavioral and cognitive deficits, neuroinflammation, tau pathology, and histopathological alterations related to dementia. RESULTS: Staggered administration (Days 1, 2, 3, 14, 15) of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg/mL) induced a diabetic-like state in mice, resulting in sustained hyperglycemia. STZ-treated animals displayed memory deficits in the novel object recognition task as well as increased tau phosphorylation and increased neuroinflammation. Additionally, STZ led to altered insulin signaling, exhibited by decreased plasma insulin and decreased levels of insulin degrading enzyme and pAKT within the hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS: STZ-treated animals exhibit cognitive deficits and histopathological changes seen in dementia. This model of dementia warrants continued investigation to better understand the role that DM plays in dementia-related alterations.

FMRP regulates an ethanol-dependent shift in GABABR function and expression with rapid antidepressant properties.

Alcohol promotes lasting neuroadaptive changes that may provide relief from depressive symptoms, often referred to as the self-medication hypothesis. However, the molecular/synaptic pathways that are shared by alcohol and antidepressants are unknown. In the current study, acute exposure to ethanol produced lasting antidepressant and anxiolytic behaviours. To understand the functional basis of these behaviours, we examined a molecular pathway that is activated by rapid antidepressants. Ethanol, like rapid antidepressants, alters γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR) expression and signalling, to increase dendritic calcium. Furthermore, new GABABRs are synthesized in response to ethanol treatment, requiring fragile-X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Ethanol-dependent changes in GABABR expression, dendritic signalling, and antidepressant efficacy are absent in Fmr1-knockout (KO) mice. These findings indicate that FMRP is an important regulator of protein synthesis following alcohol exposure, providing a molecular basis for the antidepressant efficacy of acute ethanol exposure.

Role of GABA(B) receptors in learning and memory and neurological disorders.

Although it is evident from the literature that altered GABAB receptor function does affect behavior, these results often do not correspond well. These differences could be due to the task protocol, animal strain, ligand concentration, or timing of administration utilized. Because several clinical populations exhibit learning and memory deficits in addition to altered markers of GABA and the GABAB receptor, it is important to determine whether altered GABAB receptor function is capable of contributing to the deficits. The aim of this review is to examine the effect of altered GABAB receptor function on synaptic plasticity as demonstrated by in vitro data, as well as the effects on performance in learning and memory tasks. Finally, data regarding altered GABA and GABAB receptor markers within clinical populations will be reviewed. Together, the data agree that proper functioning of GABAB receptors is crucial for numerous learning and memory tasks and that targeting this system via pharmaceuticals may benefit several clinical populations.

Effect of acute lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in intracerebroventricular-streptozotocin injected rats.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is often used to investigate the exacerbatory effects of an immune-related challenge in transgenic models of various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effects of this inflammatory challenge in an insulin resistant brain state, as seen in diabetes mellitus, a major risk factor for both vascular dementia (VaD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), is not as well characterized. We investigated the effects of an LPS-induced inflammatory challenge on behavioral and biological parameters following intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Subjects received a one-time bilateral ICV infusion of STZ (25 mg/mL, 8 µL per ventricle) or ACSF. One week following ICV infusions, LPS (1 mg/mL, i.p.) or saline was administered to activate the immune system. Behavioral testing began on the 22nd day following STZ-ICV infusion, utilizing the open field and Morris water maze (MWM) tasks. Proteins related to immune function, learning and memory, synaptic plasticity, and key histopathological markers observed in VaD and AD were evaluated. The addition of an LPS-induced immune challenge partially attenuated spatial learning and memory deficits in the MWM in STZ-ICV injected animals. Additionally, LPS administration to STZ-treated animals partially mitigated alterations observed in several protein levels in STZ-ICV alone, including NR2A, GABA(B1), and ß-amyloid oligomers. These results suggest that an acute LPS-inflammatory response has a modest protective effect against some of the spatial learning and memory deficits and protein alterations associated with STZ-ICV induction of an insulin resistant brain state.

Postnatal alterations in GABAB receptor tone produce sensorimotor gating deficits and protein level differences in adulthood.

The GABA transmitter system plays a vital role in modulating synaptic formation and activity during development. The GABAB receptor subtype in particular has been implicated in cell migration, promotion of neuronal differentiation, neurite outgrowth, and synapse formation but it's role in development is not well characterized. In order to investigate the effects of brief alterations in GABAB signaling in development, we administered to rats the GABAB agonist baclofen (2.0mg/kg) or antagonist phaclofen (0.3mg/kg) on postnatal days 7, 9, and 12, and evaluated sensorimotor gating in adulthood. We also examined tissue for changes in multiple proteins associated with GABAB receptor function and proteins associated with synapse formation. Our data indicate that early postnatal alterations to GABAB receptor-mediated signaling produced sex differences in sensorimotor gating in adulthood. Additionally, we found differences in GABAB receptor subunits and kalirin protein levels in the brain versus saline treated controls. Our data demonstrate that a subtle alteration in GABAB receptor function in early postnatal life induces changes that persist into adulthood.

Chronic ketamine produces altered distribution of parvalbumin-positive cells in the hippocampus of adult rats.

The underlying mechanisms of schizophrenia pathogenesis are not well understood. Increasing evidence supports the glutamatergic hypothesis that posits a hypofunction of the N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor on specific gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA)-ergic neurons may be responsible for the disorder. Alterations in the GABAergic system have been observed in schizophrenia, most notably a change in the expression of parvalbumin (PV) in the cortex and hippocampus. Several reports also suggest abnormal neuronal migration may play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia. The current study examined the positioning and distribution of PV-positive cells in the hippocampus following chronic treatment with the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine. A robust increase was found in the number of PV-positive interneurons located outside the stratum oriens (SO), the layer where most of these cells are normally localized, as well as an overall numerical increase in CA3 PV cells. These results suggest ketamine leads to an abnormal distribution of PV-positive cells, which may be indicative of aberrant migratory activity and possibly related to the Morris water maze deficits observed. These findings may also be relevant to alterations observed in schizophrenia populations.

Baclofen administration alters fear extinction and GABAergic protein levels.

The investigation of GABAergic systems in learning and extinction has principally focused on ionotropic GABA(A) receptors. Less well characterized is the metabotropic GABA(B) receptor, which when activated, induces a more sustained inhibitory effect and has been implicated in regulating oscillatory activity. Few studies have been carried out utilizing GABA(B) ligands in learning, and investigations of GABA(B) in extinction have primarily focused on interactions with drugs of abuse. The current study examined changes in GABA(B) receptor function using the GABA(B) agonist baclofen (2 mg/mL) or the GABA(B) antagonist phaclofen (0.3 mg/mL) on trace cued and contextual fear conditioning and extinction. The compounds were either administered during training and throughout extinction in Experiment 1, or starting 24 h after training and throughout extinction in Experiment 2. All drugs were administered 1 mL/kg via intraperitoneal injection. These studies demonstrated that the administration of baclofen during training and extinction trials impaired animals' ability to extinguish the fear association to the CS, whereas the animals that were administered baclofen starting 24 h after training (Experiment 2) did display some extinction. Further, contextual fear extinction was impaired by baclofen in both experiments. Tissue analyses suggest the cued fear extinction deficit may be related to changes in the GABA(B2) receptor subunit in the amygdala. The data in the present investigation demonstrate that GABA(B) receptors play an important role in trace cued and contextual fear extinction, and may function differently than GABA(A) receptors in learning, memory, and extinction.

Examination of ketamine-induced deficits in sensorimotor gating and spatial learning.

Subanesthetic administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine has been suggested to have utility in several therapeutic domains; however, its recreational use has exceeded its therapeutic applications. Ketamine has been utilized to investigate NMDA receptor-mediated learning and memory and to model disorders such as schizophrenia. The utility of ketamine in relation to schizophrenia is based on a proposed mechanism of the disorder being associated with reduced NMDA receptor function within a subset of GABAergic neurons. The examination of ketamine with relevance to the above topics has produced valuable data; however, there exists a great deal of variability in the literature regarding dosage and timing of administration to examine ketamine-induced deficits. In the below experiments we sought to identify the minimal subanesthetic dosage and schedule of ketamine administrations that would produce behavioral deficits in multiple tasks with relevance to the above investigations. We evaluated sensorimotor gating as well as spatial learning and memory in the Morris water task utilizing different doses of ketamine. Our data indicate that an 8 mg/kg subcutaneous dose of ketamine was the minimal dose to produce impairments in both sensorimotor gating and spatial learning.

Administration of donepezil does not rescue galanin-induced spatial learning deficits.

The neuropeptide galanin inhibits the evoked release of several neurotransmitters including acetylcholine and modulates adenylate cyclase (AC) activity. Galanin has also been established to impair various forms of learning and memory in rodents. However, whether galanin produces learning deficits by inhibiting cholinergic activity or decreasing AC function has not been clearly established. The current study investigated if donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor utilized in Alzheimer's disease, could rescue galanin-induced Morris water task deficits in rats. The results demonstrated that donepezil did not alter the previously established deficits induced by galanin. These findings suggest that galanin-mediated spatial learning deficits may be unrelated to its modulation of the cholinergic system.

Deficits in emotional learning and memory in an animal model of schizophrenia.

Alterations in N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor function have been linked to numerous behavioral deficits and neurochemical alterations. Recent investigations have begun to explore the role of NMDA receptor function on principally inhibitory neurons and their role in network function. One of the prevailing models of schizophrenia proposes a reduction in NMDA receptor function on inhibitory interneurons and the resulting disinhibition may give rise to aspects of the disorder. Studies using NMDA receptor antagonists such as PCP and ketamine have induced schizophrenia-like behavioral deficits in animal model systems as well as changes in inhibitory circuits. The current study investigated whether the administration of a subanesthetic dose of ketamine (8 mg/kg subcutaneously), that disrupts sensorimotor gating, also produces impairments in a Pavlovian emotional learning and memory task. We utilized both standard delay and trace cued and contextual fear conditioning (CCF) paradigms to examine if ketamine produces differential effects when the task is more difficult and relies on connectivity between specific brain regions. Rats administered ketamine displayed no significant deficits in cued or contextual fear following the delay conditioning protocol. However, ketamine did produce a significant impairment in the more difficult trace conditioning protocol. Analyses of tissue from the hippocampus and amygdala indicated that the administration of ketamine produced an alteration in GABA receptor protein levels differentially depending on the task. These data indicate that 8 mg/kg of ketamine impairs learning in the more difficult emotional classical conditioning task and may be related to altered signaling in GABAergic systems.