Imbalanced mitochondrial dynamics contributes to the pathogenesis of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

The peroxisomal disease adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is caused by loss of the transporter of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), ABCD1. An excess of VLCFAs disrupts essential homeostatic functions crucial for axonal maintenance, including redox metabolism, glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration. As mitochondrial function and morphology are intertwined, we set out to investigate the role of mitochondrial dynamics in X-ALD models. Using quantitative 3D transmission electron microscopy, we revealed mitochondrial fragmentation in corticospinal axons in Abcd1- mice. In patient fibroblasts, an excess of VLCFAs triggers mitochondrial fragmentation through the redox-dependent phosphorylation of DRP1 (DRP1S616). The blockade of DRP1-driven fission by the peptide P110 effectively preserved mitochondrial morphology. Furthermore, mRNA inhibition of DRP1 not only prevented mitochondrial fragmentation but also protected axonal health in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of X-ALD, underscoring DRP1 as a potential therapeutic target. Elevated levels of circulating cell-free mtDNA in patients' CSF align this leukodystrophy with primary mitochondrial disorders. Our findings underscore the intricate interplay between peroxisomal dysfunction, mitochondrial dynamics and axonal integrity in X-ALD, shedding light on potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.

Mitochondria-Induced Immune Response as a Trigger for Neurodegeneration: A Pathogen from Within.

Symbiosis between the mitochondrion and the ancestor of the eukaryotic cell allowed cellular complexity and supported life. Mitochondria have specialized in many key functions ensuring cell homeostasis and survival. Thus, proper communication between mitochondria and cell nucleus is paramount for cellular health. However, due to their archaebacterial origin, mitochondria possess a high immunogenic potential. Indeed, mitochondria have been identified as an intracellular source of molecules that can elicit cellular responses to pathogens. Compromised mitochondrial integrity leads to release of mitochondrial content into the cytosol, which triggers an unwanted cellular immune response. Mitochondrial nucleic acids (mtDNA and mtRNA) can interact with the same cytoplasmic sensors that are specialized in recognizing genetic material from pathogens. High-energy demanding cells, such as neurons, are highly affected by deficits in mitochondrial function. Notably, mitochondrial dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and chronic inflammation are concurrent events in many severe debilitating disorders. Interestingly in this context of pathology, increasing number of studies have detected immune-activating mtDNA and mtRNA that induce an aberrant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and interferon effectors. Thus, this review provides new insights on mitochondria-driven inflammation as a potential therapeutic target for neurodegenerative and primary mitochondrial diseases.

Prenatal pharmacotherapy rescues brain development in a Down's syndrome mouse model.

Intellectual impairment is a strongly disabling feature of Down's syndrome, a genetic disorder of high prevalence (1 in 700-1000 live births) caused by trisomy of chromosome 21. Accumulating evidence shows that widespread neurogenesis impairment is a major determinant of abnormal brain development and, hence, of intellectual disability in Down's syndrome. This defect is worsened by dendritic hypotrophy and connectivity alterations. Most of the pharmacotherapies designed to improve cognitive performance in Down's syndrome have been attempted in Down's syndrome mouse models during adult life stages. Yet, as neurogenesis is mainly a prenatal event, treatments aimed at correcting neurogenesis failure in Down's syndrome should be administered during pregnancy. Correction of neurogenesis during the very first stages of brain formation may, in turn, rescue improper brain wiring. The aim of our study was to establish whether it is possible to rescue the neurodevelopmental alterations that characterize the trisomic brain with a prenatal pharmacotherapy with fluoxetine, a drug that is able to restore post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down's syndrome. Pregnant Ts65Dn females were treated with fluoxetine from embryonic Day 10 until delivery. On post-natal Day 2 the pups received an injection of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine and were sacrificed after either 2 h or after 43 days (at the age of 45 days). Untreated 2-day-old Ts65Dn mice exhibited a severe neurogenesis reduction and hypocellularity throughout the forebrain (subventricular zone, subgranular zone, neocortex, striatum, thalamus and hypothalamus), midbrain (mesencephalon) and hindbrain (cerebellum and pons). In embryonically treated 2-day-old Ts65Dn mice, precursor proliferation and cellularity were fully restored throughout all brain regions. The recovery of proliferation potency and cellularity was still present in treated Ts65Dn 45-day-old mice. Moreover, embryonic treatment restored dendritic development, cortical and hippocampal synapse development and brain volume. Importantly, these effects were accompanied by recovery of behavioural performance. The cognitive deficits caused by Down's syndrome have long been considered irreversible. The current study provides novel evidence that a pharmacotherapy with fluoxetine during embryonic development is able to fully rescue the abnormal brain development and behavioural deficits that are typical of Down's syndrome. If the positive effects of fluoxetine on the brain of a mouse model are replicated in foetuses with Down's syndrome, fluoxetine, a drug usable in humans, may represent a breakthrough for the therapy of intellectual disability in Down's syndrome.

Nerve growth factor: basic studies and possible therapeutic applications.

The nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to a family of neurotrophic factors called neurotrophins. It was discovered as a molecule that stimulates the survival and maturation of developing neurons in the peripheral nervous system and has later been shown to protect adult neurons in the degenerating mammalian brain. Basic and clinical studies have been undertaken to use NGF as a therapeutic agent aimed at restoring and maintaining neuronal function in the central nervous system and to determine the mechanisms to safely deliver the molecule into the brain. Recent studies have also recognized that the role of NGF extends far beyond the horizon of nerve cells and even beyond the peripheral and central nervous system. Studies published from our laboratory have shown that topical application of NGF possesses a protective action on human pressure ulcer, corneal ulcer and glaucoma. Here, we will review these studies, supporting the therapeutic potential of NGF.

Oxidative stress modulates mitochondrial failure and cyclophilin D function in X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

A common process associated with oxidative stress and severe mitochondrial impairment is the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, as described in many neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening represents a potential target for inhibiting mitochondrial-driven cell death. Among the mitochondrial permeability transition pore components, cyclophilin D is the most studied and has been found increased under pathological conditions. Here, we have used in vitro and in vivo models of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy to investigate the relationship between the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and redox homeostasis. X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is a neurodegenerative condition caused by loss of function of the peroxisomal ABCD1 transporter, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. In this study, we provide evidence of impaired mitochondrial metabolism in a peroxisomal disease, as fibroblasts in patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy cannot survive when forced to rely on mitochondrial energy production, i.e. on incubation in galactose. Oxidative stress induced under galactose conditions leads to mitochondrial damage in the form of mitochondrial inner membrane potential dissipation, ATP drop and necrotic cell death, together with increased levels of oxidative modifications in cyclophilin D protein. Moreover, we show increased expression levels of cyclophilin D in the affected zones of brains in patients with adrenomyeloneuropathy, in spinal cord of a mouse model of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (Abcd1-null mice) and in fibroblasts from patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy. Notably, treatment with antioxidants rescues mitochondrial damage markers in fibroblasts from patients with X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, including cyclophilin D oxidative modifications, and reverses cyclophilin D induction in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide mechanistic insight into the beneficial effects of antioxidants in neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative cyclophilin D-dependent disorders.

Nerve growth factor: from the early discoveries to the potential clinical use.

The physiological role of the neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF) has been characterized, since its discovery in the 1950s, first in the sensory and autonomic nervous system, then in central nervous, endocrine and immune systems. NGF plays its trophic role both during development and in adulthood, ensuring the maintenance of phenotypic and functional characteristic of several populations of neurons as well as immune cells. From a translational standpoint, the action of NGF on cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain and on sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia first gained researcher's attention, in view of possible clinical use in Alzheimer's disease patients and in peripheral neuropathies respectively. The translational and clinical research on NGF have, since then, enlarged the spectrum of diseases that could benefit from NGF treatment, at the same time highlighting possible limitations in the use of the neurotrophin as a drug. In this review we give a comprehensive account for almost all of the clinical trials attempted until now by using NGF. A perspective on future development for translational research on NGF is also discussed, in view of recent proposals for innovative delivery strategies and/or for additional pathologies to be treated, such as ocular and skin diseases, gliomas, traumatic brain injuries, vascular and immune diseases.

Early pharmacotherapy restores neurogenesis and cognitive performance in the Ts65Dn mouse model for Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic pathology characterized by intellectual disability and brain hypotrophy. Widespread neurogenesis impairment characterizes the fetal and neonatal DS brain, strongly suggesting that this defect may be a major determinant of mental retardation. Our goal was to establish, in a mouse model for DS, whether early pharmacotherapy improves neurogenesis and cognitive behavior. Neonate Ts65Dn mice were treated from postnatal day (P) 3 to P15 with fluoxetine, an antidepressant that inhibits serotonin (5-HT) reuptake and increases proliferation in the adult Ts65Dn mouse (Clark et al., 2006). On P15, they received a BrdU injection and were killed after either 2 h or 1 month. Results showed that P15 Ts65Dn mice had notably defective proliferation in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, subventricular zone, striatum, and neocortex and that proliferation was completely rescued by fluoxetine. In the hippocampus of untreated P15 Ts65Dn mice, we found normal 5-HT levels but a lower expression of 5-HT1A receptors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). In Ts65Dn mice, fluoxetine treatment restored the expression of 5-HT1A receptors and BDNF. One month after cessation of treatment, there were more surviving cells in the dentate gyrus of Ts65Dn mice, more cells with a neuronal phenotype, more proliferating precursors, and more granule cells. These animals were tested for contextual fear conditioning, a hippocampus-dependent memory task, and exhibited a complete recovery of memory performance. Results show that early pharmacotherapy with a drug usable by humans can correct neurogenesis and behavioral impairment in a model for DS.

OFFgel-based multidimensional LC-MS/MS approach to the cataloguing of the human platelet proteome for an interactomic profile.

The proteome of quiescent human platelets was analyzed by a shotgun proteomics approach consisting of enzymatic digestion, peptide separation based on isoelectric point by the use of OFFgel fractionation and, finally, RP nanoscale chromatography coupled to MS/MS detection (nano-LC-MS/MS). OFFgel fractionation in the first dimension was effective in providing an additional dimension of separation, orthogonal to RP nano-LC, thus generating an off-line multidimensional separation platform that proved to be robust and easy to set up. The analysis identified 1373 proteins with high confidence (false discovery rate<0.25%). The core set of 1373 human platelet proteins was investigated by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software from which ten canonical pathways and eight networks have been validated, to suggest that platelets behave either as inflammatory or immune cells, and plasma membrane and cytoskeleton proteins play a fundamental role in their function. Moreover, toxicity pathway in agreement with network analysis, supports the concept that platelet life span is governed by an apoptotic mechanism.

Measuring Breathing Patterns in Mice Using Whole-body Plethysmography.

Respiratory dysfunction is among the main cause of severe and fatal pathologies worldwide. The use of effective experimental models and methodologies for the study of the pulmonary pathophysiology is necessary to prevent, control and cure these diseases. Plethysmography, a technique for the assessment of lung function, has been widely applied in mice for the characterization of respiratory physiology. However, classical plethysmography methods present technical limitations such as the use of anesthesia and animal immobilization. Whole-body plethysmography (WBP) avoids these issues providing a non-invasive approach for the assessment of the respiratory function in conscious animals. WBP relies on the recording of pressure changes that are produced by the spontaneous breathing activity of an animal placed inside an airtight chamber. During normal respiration, pressure variation is directly proportional to the respiratory pattern of the animal allowing the measurement of the respiratory rate and tidal volume. These parameters are commonly used to evaluate pulmonary function in different physiological and disease models. In contrast to classical plethysmography methods, WBP technique allows reproducible serial measurements as it avoids animal restraint or the use of anesthesia. These key features rend WBP a suitable approach for longitudinal studies allowing the assessment of progressive respiratory alterations in physiological and pathological conditions. This protocol describes the procedures for the measurement of the breathing patterns in mice using the WBP method, the data analysis and results interpretation.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dynamics malfunction are linked in Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is a fatal hypomyelinating disorder characterized by early impairment of motor development, nystagmus, choreoathetotic movements, ataxia and progressive spasticity. PMD is caused by variations in the proteolipid protein gene PLP1, which encodes the two major myelin proteins of the central nervous system, PLP and its spliced isoform DM20, in oligodendrocytes. Large duplications including the entire PLP1 gene are the most frequent causative mutation leading to the classical form of PMD. The Plp1 overexpressing mouse model (PLP-tg66/66 ) develops a phenotype very similar to human PMD, with early and severe motor dysfunction and a dramatic decrease in lifespan. The sequence of cellular events that cause neurodegeneration and ultimately death is poorly understood. In this work, we analyzed patient-derived fibroblasts and spinal cords of the PLP-tg66/66 mouse model, and identified redox imbalance, with altered antioxidant defense and oxidative damage to several enzymes involved in ATP production, such as glycolytic enzymes, creatine kinase and mitochondrial proteins from the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. We also evidenced malfunction of the mitochondria compartment with increased ROS production and depolarization in PMD patient's fibroblasts, which was prevented by the antioxidant N-acetyl-cysteine. Finally, we uncovered an impairment of mitochondrial dynamics in patient's fibroblasts which may help explain the ultrastructural abnormalities of mitochondria morphology detected in spinal cords from PLP-tg66/66 mice. Altogether, these results underscore the link between redox and metabolic homeostasis in myelin diseases, provide insight into the pathophysiology of PMD, and may bear implications for tailored pharmacological intervention.

Lithium Restores Age-related Olfactory Impairment in the Ts65Dn Mouse Model of Down Syndrome.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Down syndrome, a genetic condition caused by triplication of chromosome 21, is characterized by widespread neurogenesis reduction and cognitive impairment. Unlike other brain functions, smell is not impaired at early life stages and olfactory deterioration begins to appear in adulthood. Similarly to individuals with Down syndrome, in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome smell function is normal at early life stages. Smell impairment only appears in adulthood associated with a reduction in the number of new granule neurons migrated to the olfactory bulb from the subventricular zone. Based on evidence that lithium positively impacts neurogenesis, the goal of current study was to establish whether treatment with lithium restores olfactory bulb neurogenesis and olfactory performance in middle-aged Ts65Dn mice. METHOD: Euploid and Ts65Dn mice aged 13 months were treated with lithium chow or control chow for one month. Before the end of treatment, mice were injected with BrdU, in order to label proliferating cells. Results showed that in Ts65Dn mice lithium treatment restored the number of neural precursor cells in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle, rostral migratory stream and olfactory bulb. This effect was accompanied by restoration of olfactory performance. Unlike in olfactory neurogenic regions, treatment had no neurogenesis-enhancing effect on the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus, indicating that lithium has no generalized positive effect on the brain. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that lithium may have a positive impact in brain disorders that, similarly to Down syndrome, are characterized by olfactory decline and neurogenesis impairment in the subventricular zone.

Prevalence of chronic pancreatitis: Results of a primary care physician-based population study.

BACKGROUND: Data on chronic pancreatitis prevalence are scanty and usually limited to hospital-based studies. AIM: Investigating chronic pancreatitis prevalence in primary care. METHODS: Participating primary care physicians reported the prevalence of chronic pancreatitis among their registered patients, environmental factors and disease characteristics. The data were centrally reviewed and chronic pancreatitis cases defined according to M-ANNHEIM criteria for diagnosis and severity and TIGAR-O classification for etiology. RESULTS: Twenty-three primary care physicians participated in the study. According to their judgment, 51 of 36.401 patients had chronic pancreatitis. After reviewing each patient data, 11 turned out to have definite, 5 probable, 19 borderline and 16 uncertain disease. Prevalence was 30.2/100.000 for definite cases and 44.0/100.000 for definite plus probable cases. Of the 16 patients with definite/probable diagnosis, 8 were male, with mean age of 55.6 (±16.7). Four patients had alcoholic etiology, 5 post-acute/recurrent pancreatitis, 6 were deemed to be idiopathic. Four had pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, 10 were receiving pancreatic enzymes, and six had pain. Most patients had initial stage and non-severe disease. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study investigating the prevalence of chronic pancreatitis in primary care. Results suggest that the prevalence in this context is higher than in hospital-based studies, with specific features, possibly representing an earlier disease stage.

Contraceptive practice before and after termination of pregnancy: a prospective study.

This study is part of a larger prospective research program focusing on termination of pregnancy (TOP). One hundred and three women requesting TOP were interviewed before the intervention and 6 months later using open and closed questions and psychological tests. This paper focuses on contraceptive practices before and after abortion. The analysis took into account specific aspects of contraceptive practices and patients' behaviors. The aims were to assess: the level of women's knowledge and practice of contraception at the time of request for a TOP; the behavioral modifications following professional counseling 6 months after TOP; the influence of psychological and sexual factors, and those linked to the women's use of contraception. Most women (n = 101) had already used recommended contraception. During the cycle that had resulted in pregnancy, more than half (n = 58) had used recommended contraception and one third had not used any contraception. Six months later, 86 women used recommended contraception, and 17 did not. The majority of women reported changes in their contraceptive methods (n = 82). Most changes were within recommended methods. The women (n = 10) who continued to practice unprotected intercourse post-TOP were slightly older, satisfied with their sexual relations with their partner, often involved in a long-term and good relationship. During post-TOP period, it is essential to take into account the psychological dynamics involved in the choice of contraceptive methods. Counseling should emphasize not only protection against an unwanted pregnancy but also protection against sexually transmitted diseases, which is often perceived as a less important issue following TOP.

Intranasal nerve growth factor bypasses the blood-brain barrier and affects spinal cord neurons in spinal cord injury.

The purpose of this work was to investigate whether, by intranasal administration, the nerve growth factor bypasses the blood-brain barrier and turns over the spinal cord neurons and if such therapeutic approach could be of value in the treatment of spinal cord injury. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats with intact and injured spinal cord received daily intranasal nerve growth factor administration in both nostrils for 1 day or for 3 consecutive weeks. We found an increased content of nerve growth factor and enhanced expression of nerve growth factor receptor in the spinal cord 24 hours after a single intranasal administration of nerve growth factor in healthy rats, while daily treatment for 3 weeks in a model of spinal cord injury improved the deficits in locomotor behaviour and increased spinal content of both nerve growth factor and nerve growth factor receptors. These outcomes suggest that the intranasal nerve growth factor bypasses blood-brain barrier and affects spinal cord neurons in spinal cord injury. They also suggest exploiting the possible therapeutic role of intranasally delivered nerve growth factor for the neuroprotection of damaged spinal nerve cells.

Age-related impairment of olfactory bulb neurogenesis in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic condition caused by triplication of chromosome 21. Widespread neurogenesis reduction during brain development underlies the numerous neurological defects of DS. These defects start to manifest themselves at birth and worsen with age. However, unlike other brain functions, smell is impaired only at advanced life stages, suggesting preservation of olfactory bulb neurogenesis up to adulthood. To clarify this issue, in the current study we examined olfactory bulb (OB) neurogenesis and olfactory function by exploiting the Ts65Dn mouse, a widely used model of DS. We found that in young (15-day-old) Ts65Dn mice, in spite of a reduced proliferation rate in the subventricular zone (SVZ) in comparison with euploid mice, the number of neuroblasts traveling in the rostral migratory stream (RMS), en route to the OB, and the number of new granule neurons added to the OB were similar to those of euploid mice. In mid-age (13-month-old) Ts65Dn mice, however, the proliferation rate in the SVZ was more severely reduced in comparison with euploid mice and the number of neuroblasts in the RMS and new granule neurons added to the OB underwent a reduction. While in young Ts65Dn mice the olfactory function, assessed with the buried food pellet test, was similar to that of euploid mice, in mid-age mice it was significantly impaired. Taken together, results suggest that an age-related reduction in the renewal of OB granule cells may underlie the age-related smell impairment in DS.

Early pharmacotherapy with fluoxetine rescues dendritic pathology in the Ts65Dn mouse model of down syndrome.

Down syndrome DS is a genetic pathology characterized by brain hypotrophy and severe cognitive impairment. Although defective neurogenesis is an important determinant of mental disability, a severe dendritic pathology appears to be an equally important factor. A previous study showed that fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, fully restores neurogenesis in the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS. The goal of the current study was to establish whether fluoxetine also restores dendritic development. In mice aged 45 days, treated with fluoxetine in the postnatal period P3-P15, we examined the dendritic arbor of the granule cells of the dentate gyrus (DG). The granule cells of trisomic mice had a severely hypotrophic dendritic arbor, fewer spines and a reduced innervation than euploid mice. Treatment with fluoxetine fully restored all these defects. In Ts65Dn mice, we found reduced levels of serotonin that were restored by treatment. Results show that a pharmacotherapy with fluoxetine is able to rescue not only the number of granule neurons but also their "quality" in terms of correct maturation and connectivity. These findings strongly suggest that fluoxetine may be a drug of choice for the improvement of the major defects in the DS brain and, possibly, of mental retardation.

Capsaicin-induced corneal sensory denervation and healing impairment are reversed by NGF treatment.

PURPOSE: We aimed to evaluate the nerve growth factor (NGF) pathway and its influence on corneal healing mechanisms in normal conditions and in an animal model of corneal denervation induced by capsaicin. METHODS: Peripheral sensory damage was induced in rat pups by subcutaneous injection of capsaicin and the effects evaluated by hot-plate test, corneal nerve count, and tear secretion. Corneal damage was induced in capsaicin-treated and -untreated rats by epithelial scraping. Healing rate; NGF pathway (NGF, tyrosine kinase A [TrkA], p75); and the stem cell marker p63 were evaluated by RT-PCR, ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. The effects of exogenous NGF administration as eye drop formulation were also tested. RESULTS: Capsaicin treatment induced a significant reduction of peripheral sensitivity, corneal innervation, tear secretion, and corneal healing rate. The ocular effects of capsaicin treatment were associated with an NGF pathway alteration. NGF eye drop treatment aided corneal healing mechanisms through a significant increase in the NGF receptors TrkA and p75, and in the stem cell marker p63. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we show that an alteration in the NGF pathway is responsible for a delay in corneal healing in an animal model of sensory denervation. Moreover, we show that NGF eye drop administration modulates corneal innervation, epithelial cell healing, and corneal stem cells. These findings may trigger further research on the role of the NGF pathway in limbal stem cell deficiency.

Impact of environmental enrichment on neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus during the early postnatal period.

Accumulating evidence shows that environmental enrichment increases neurogenesis in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus. The goal of the current study was to examine the effect of environmental enrichment on hippocampal neurogenesis during early life stages. We used as an animal model the guinea pig, a precocious rodent that is early independent from maternal care. Animals were assigned to either a standard (control) or an enriched environment a few days after birth (P5-P6). Between P14 and P17 animals received one daily bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) injection, to label dividing cells, and were sacrificed either on P18, to evaluate cell proliferation or on P45, to evaluate cell survival and differentiation. In 18-day old enriched animals, there was a larger number of BrdU-positive cells compared to that found in controls. At P45, enriched animals had more surviving cells and more cells with a neuronal phenotype than controls. Unbiased stereology revealed that enriched animals had more granule cells (+37% at P18 and +31% at P45). Results show that environmental enrichment in the early postnatal period notably increases cell proliferation and survival, with a large increase in the number of neurons forming the granule cell layer. The impact of environmental enrichment in the early postnatal period emphasizes the relevance of extrinsic factors in the modulation of neurogenesis during critical time windows of hippocampal development.

Postnatal neurogenesis in the hippocampal dentate gyrus and subventricular zone of the Göttingen minipig.

Postnatal neurogenesis is currently viewed as important for neuroplasticity and brain repair. We are, therefore, interested in animal models for neuroimaging of postnatal neurogenesis. A recent stereological study found an age-dependent increase in the number of neurons and glial cells in the neocortex of Göttingen minipigs, suggesting that this species may be characterized by a prolonged postnatal neurogenesis. Since there is no direct evidence on this issue, the goal of our study was to quantify cell proliferation in the two major neurogenic regions of the postnatal brain - the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle (SVZ) and the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) - at two separate points during the lifespan of the minipig. Göttingen minipigs aged 6-7 and 32 weeks were injected with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), a marker of cycling cells, and killed after 2h. We found BrdU-positive cells numbering 165,000 in the SVZ and 35,000 in the DG at 6-7 weeks and 66,000 in the SVZ and 19,000 in the DG at 32 weeks-of-age. Stereology showed a 60% increase in the total number of DG granule cells between 6-7 and 32 weeks-of-age. Our findings show a continued postnatal neurogenesis in the major neurogenic regions of Göttingen minipigs, thereby providing a potential animal model for studies aimed at examining ongoing neurogenesis in the living brain with molecular neuroimaging technology.

Lithium restores neurogenesis in the subventricular zone of the Ts65Dn mouse, a model for Down syndrome.

Down syndrome (DS), a high-incidence genetic pathology, involves brain hypoplasia and mental retardation. Emerging evidence suggests that reduced neurogenesis may be a major determinant of brain underdevelopment in DS. To establish whether it is possible to improve neurogenesis in DS, Ts65Dn mice--the most widely used model for DS--and euploid mice were treated with control or lithium chow for 1 month. During the last 3 days animals received one daily injection of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU)--a marker of proliferating cells--and were sacrificed 24 h after the last injection. Neurogenesis was examined in the subventricular zone (SVZ), a region that retains a neurogenic potential across life. We found that Ts65Dn mice had less (-40%) BrdU+ cells than euploid mice, indicating severe proliferation impairment. Treatment with lithium increased the number of Brdu+ cells in both euploid and Ts65Dn mice. In the latter the number of Brdu+ cells became similar to that of untreated euploid mice. Our study shows that lithium is able to restore cell proliferation in the SVZ of the Ts65Dn mouse and point at treatments with mood stabilizers as a potential tool to improve neurogenesis in patients with DS.