One-stage apertura thoracis superior approach for four-vessel occlusion in rats

Objective:There are a great number of modified models based on the four-vessel occlusion(4VO)model of Pulsinelli and Brierley which has been used worldwide for brain ischemia research.However,up to now...     

Atlas-based hippocampus segmentation in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

This study assesses the performance of public-domain automated methodologies for MRI-based segmentation of the hippocampus in elderly subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Structural MR images of 54 age- and gender-matched healthy elderly individuals, subjects with probable AD, and subjects with MCI were collected at the University of Pittsburgh Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. Hippocampi in subject images were automatically segmented by using AIR, SPM, FLIRT, and the fully deformable method of Chen to align the images to the Harvard atlas, MNI atlas, and randomly selected, manually labeled subject images ("cohort atlases"). Mixed-effects statistical models analyzed the effects of side of the brain, disease state, registration method, choice of atlas, and manual tracing protocol on the spatial overlap between automated segmentations and expert manual segmentations. Registration methods that produced higher degrees of geometric deformation produced automated segmentations with higher agreement with manual segmentations. Side of the brain, presence of AD, choice of reference image, and manual tracing protocol were also significant factors contributing to automated segmentation performance. Fully automated techniques can be competitive with human raters on this difficult segmentation task, but a rigorous statistical analysis shows that a variety of methodological factors must be carefully considered to insure that automated methods perform well in practice. The use of fully deformable registration methods, cohort atlases, and user-defined manual tracings are recommended for highest performance in fully automated hippocampus segmentation.     

The effects of preweaning manganese exposure on spatial learning ability and p-CaMKIIα level in the hippocampus

BackgroundThe effects and mechanisms of preweaning Manganese (Mn) exposure on cognitive dysfunction remain unclear.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the effects of preweaning Mn exposure on spatial learning and memory as well as the protein expression of CaMKIIα and p-CaMKIIα.MethodsWe treated neonate rats with Mn²⁺ doses of 0 (control group), 10, 20 and 30 mg of Mn²⁺ per kg body weight (Mn-exposed groups) over postnatal day (PND) 1–21 by intraperitoneal injection. The ability of spatial learning and memory was tested on PND 22 using the Morris water maze (MWM), while the protein expressions of CaMKIIα and p-CaMKIIα in the hippocampus were evaluated by Western blotting. The levels of Mn in the blood and hippocampus were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).ResultsThe rats in Mn-exposed groups showed a significant delay in spatial learning ability on the third day of the MWM without dose-dependent differences, but there was no effect on the spatial memory ability. p-CaMKIIα, but not CaMKIIα protein expression significantly reduced in the Mn-exposed group.ConclusionThese findings suggested that the inhibition of p-CaMKIIα could be one of the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of Mn-induced cognitive impairments.     

Sex-dependent effects of lead and prenatal stress on post-translational histone modifications in frontal cortex and hippocampus in the early postnatal brain

Environmental lead (Pb) exposure and prenatal stress (PS) are co-occurring risk factors for impaired cognition and other disorders/diseases in adulthood and target common biological substrates in the brain. Sex-dependent differences characterize the neurochemical and behavioral responses of the brain to Pb and PS and sexually dimorphic histone modifications have been reported to occur in at-risk brain regions (cortex and hippocampus) during development. The present study sought to examine levels and developmental timing of sexually dimorphic histone modifications (i.e., H3K9/14Ac and H3K9Me3) and the extent to which they may be altered by Pb ± PS. Female C57/Bl6 mice were randomly assigned to receive distilled deionized drinking water containing 0 or 100 ppm Pb acetate for 2 months prior to breeding and throughout lactation. Half of the dams in each group were exposed to restraint stress (PS, three restraint sessions in plastic cylindrical devices 3×/day at for 30 min/day (1000, 1300, and 1600 h)) from gestational day 11–19 or no stress (NS). At delivery (PND0) and postnatal day 6 (PND6), pups were euthanized and frontal cortex and hippocampus were removed, homogenized, and assayed for levels of H3K9/14Ac and H3K9Me3. Sex-dependent differences in both levels of histone modifications as well as the developmental trajectory of changes in these levels were observed in both structures and these parameters were differentially affected by Pb ± PS in a sex and brain-region-dependent manner. Disruptions of these epigenetic processes by developmental Pb ± PS may underlie some of the sex-dependent neurobehavioral differences previously observed in these animals.     

TNF-α from hippocampal microglia induces working memory deficits by acute stress in mice

The role of microglia in stress responses has recently been highlighted, yet the underlying mechanisms of action remain unresolved. The present study examined disruption in working memory due to acute stress using the water-immersion resistant stress (WIRS) test in mice. Mice were subjected to acute WIRS, and biochemical, immunohistochemical, and behavioral assessments were conducted. Spontaneous alternations (working memory) significantly decreased after exposure to acute WIRS for 2 h. We employed a 3D morphological analysis and site- and microglia-specific gene analysis techniques to detect microglial activity. Morphological changes in hippocampal microglia were not observed after acute stress, even when assessing ramification ratios and cell somata volumes. Interestingly, hippocampal tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were significantly elevated after acute stress, and acute stress-induced TNF-α was produced by hippocampal-ramified microglia. Conversely, plasma concentrations of TNF-α were not elevated after acute stress. Etanercept (TNF-α inhibitor) recovered working memory deficits in accordance with hippocampal TNF-α reductions. Overall, results suggest that TNF-α from hippocampal microglia is a key contributor to early-stage stress-to-mental responses.     

麻痹性痴呆患者磁共振波谱与认知障碍的相关研究

目的应用氢质子磁共振波谱(1H-proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy,1H-MRS)技术,探索麻痹性痴呆(general paresis of the insane,GPI)患者海马区代谢物水平特点。方法纳入GPI患者52例,健康中老年对照(normal control,NC)38例进行双侧海马区1H-MRS检查,比较N-乙酰天门冬氨酸(N-acetylaspartate,NAA)/肌酸、胆碱/肌酸,NAA/胆碱,胆碱/NAA和肌醇/肌酸的水平;并同日进行简易精神状态检查(MMSE)、蒙特利尔认知检查量表(Mo CA)量表评定,探索GPI患者海马区代谢物水平与病程严重程度的相关性。结果 GPI和NC两组比较:GPI组的双侧海马区NAA/Cr水平较NC组明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.001)。不同痴呆程度的GPI患者比较:重度痴呆组左侧海马区NAA/Cr水平较轻度痴呆组明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.001)。重度痴呆组右侧海马区的Cho/Cr和m I/Cr较轻度痴呆组升高(P0.05)。GPI组左侧海马区的NAA/Cr与MMSE、Mo CA呈正相关(P0.001)。结论 GPI患者均存在双侧海马区神经元损伤。且痴呆程度越重,左侧海马神经元损害越严重。     

七氟醚对幼鼠获取空间学习记忆能力及海马pERK1/2表达的影响

目的探讨七氟醚对幼鼠获取空间学习记忆能力及海马p ERK1/2表达的影响。方法出生后14 d SD幼鼠54只,随机分为对照组(C组)、七氟醚5%组(Sevo组)、假手术组(Sham组)各18只。C组不做任何处理,Sevo组幼鼠暴露于5%的七氟醚4 h,Sham组幼鼠吸入氧气4 h,1周、3周、6周后于上午8:00~11:00应用Morris水迷宫对幼鼠进行7 d的行为学观察,记录逃避潜伏期,行为学结束后随即取出6只幼鼠用免疫组化法测定海马CA1区神经元p ERK1/2的表达。结果与Sham组比较,Sevo组逃避潜伏期和探索时间明显延长(P<0.01),Sevo组海马CA1区神经元p ERK1/2的表达明显减少(P<0.01);Sham组与C组逃避潜伏期时间差异无统计学意义,海马CA1区神经元p ERK1/2的表达之间差异无统计学意义。结论七氟醚对幼鼠获取空间学习记忆能力的影响与抑制海马p ERK1/2表达有关。     

Memory Dysfunction in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Correlates with Reduced Hippocampal CA1 and Subiculum Volumes

Background:

Little attention has been paid to the role of subcortical deep gray matter (SDGM) structures in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-induced cognitive impairment, especially hippocampal subfields. Our aims were to assess the in vivo volumes of SDGM structures and hippocampal subfields using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to test their associations with cognitive performance in T2DM.

Methods:

A total of 80 T2DM patients and 80 neurologically unimpaired healthy controls matched by age, sex and education level was enrolled in this study. We assessed the volumes of the SDGM structures and seven hippocampal subfields on MRI using a novel technique that enabled automated volumetry. We used Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores as measures of cognitive performance. The association of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) with SDGM structures and neuropsychological tests and correlations between hippocampal subfields and neuropsychological tests were assessed by partial correlation analysis in T2DM.

Results:

Bilaterally, the hippocampal volumes were smaller in T2DM patients, mainly in the CA1 and subiculum subfields. Partial correlation analysis showed that the MoCA scores, particularly those regarding delayed memory, were significantly positively correlated with reduced hippocampal CA1 and subiculum volumes in T2DM patients. Additionally, higher HbA1c levels were significantly associated with poor memory performance and hippocampal atrophy among T2DM patients.

Conclusions:

These data indicate that the hippocampus might be the main affected region among the SDGM structures in T2DM. These structural changes in the hippocampal CA1 and subiculum areas might be at the core of underlying neurobiological mechanisms of hippocampal dysfunction, suggesting that degeneration in these regions could be responsible for memory impairments in T2DM patients.     

Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger 3 is Downregulated in the Hippocampus and Cerebrocortex of Rats with Hyperthermia-induced Convulsion

Background:

Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) plays a crucial role in pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion. However, it is unclear whether NCX is critically involved in hyperthermia-induced convulsion. In this study, we examined the potential changes in NCX3 in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of rats with hyperthermia-induced convulsion.

Methods:

Twenty-one Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to control group, convulsion-prone group and convulsion-resistant group (n = 7 in each group). Whole-cell patch-clamp method was used to record NCX currents. Both the Western blotting analysis and immunofluorescence labeling techniques were used to examine the expression of NCX3.

Results:

NCX currents were decreased in rats after febrile convulsion. Compared to the control group, NCX3 expression was decreased by about 40% and 50% in the hippocampus and cerebrocortex of convulsion-prone rats, respectively. Furthermore, the extent of reduction in NCX3 expression seemed to correlate with the number of seizures.

Conclusions:

There is a significant reduction in NCX3 expression in rats with febrile convulsions. Our findings also indicate a potential link between NCX3 expression, febrile convulsion in early childhood, and adult onset of epilepsy.     

Effects of Danggui-Shaoyao-San on the Influence of Spatial Learning and Memory Induced by Experimental Tooth Movement

Background:The pain caused by orthodontic treatment has been considered as tough problems in orthodontic practice.There is substantial literature on pain which has exactly effected on learning and memo...