RESUMO
Major depressive disorder (MDD) has demonstrated its negative impact on various aspects of the lives of those affected. Although several therapies have been developed over the years, it remains a challenge for mental health professionals. Thus, understanding the pathophysiology of MDD is necessary to improve existing treatment options or seek new therapeutic alternatives. Clinical and preclinical studies in animal models of depression have shown the involvement of synaptic plasticity in both the development of MDD and the response to available drugs. However, synaptic plasticity involves a cascade of events, including the action of presynaptic proteins such as synaptophysin and synapsins and postsynaptic proteins such as postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95). Additionally, several factors can negatively impact the process of spinogenesis/neurogenesis, which are related to many outcomes, including MDD. Thus, this narrative review aims to deepen the understanding of the involvement of synaptic formations and their components in the pathophysiology and treatment of MDD.
Assuntos
Transtorno Depressivo Maior , Plasticidade Neuronal , Humanos , Transtorno Depressivo Maior/metabolismo , Transtorno Depressivo Maior/tratamento farmacológico , Transtorno Depressivo Maior/fisiopatologia , Animais , Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacos , Sinapses/metabolismo , Sinapses/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Fortea et al.'s. (2024) recent data analysis elegantly calls attention to familial late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) with APOE4 homozygosity. The article by Grant (2024) reviews the factors associated with AD, particularly the APOE genotype and lifestyle, and the broad implications for prevention, both for individuals with the lifestyles associated with living in resource-rich countries and for those enduring environmental adversity in poverty settings, including high exposure to enteric pathogens and precarious access to healthcare. Grant discusses the issue of APOE genotype and its implications for the benefits of lifestyle modifications. This review highlights that bearing APOE4 could constitute an evolutionary benefit in coping with heavy enteric infections and malnutrition early in life in the critical formative first two years of brain development. However, the critical issue may be that this genotype could be a health concern under shifts in lifestyle and unhealthy diets during aging, leading to severe cognitive impairments and increased risk of AD. This commentary supports the discussions of Grant and the benefits of improving lifestyle for decreasing the risks for AD while providing further understanding and modelling of the early life benefits of APOE4 amidst adversity. This attention to the pathophysiology of AD should help further elucidate these critical, newly appreciated pathogenic pathways for developing approaches to the prevention and management in the context of the APOE genetic variations associated with AD.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Apolipoproteína E4 , Desnutrição , Plasticidade Neuronal , Humanos , Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Doença de Alzheimer/prevenção & controle , Apolipoproteína E4/genética , Plasticidade Neuronal/genética , Desnutrição/genética , Desnutrição/complicações , Homozigoto , Estilo de VidaRESUMO
Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the most prevalent form of neuropsychiatric disorder among the elderly population, impacting a minimum of 50 million individuals worldwide. Current pharmacological treatments rely on the prescribing cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. However,recently anecdotal findings based on low-quality real-world data had prompted physicians, patients, and their relatives to consider the use of cannabinoids, especially Cannabidiol (CBD), for alleviating of AD symptoms. CBD the primary non-psychotomimetic compound found in the Cannabis sp. plant, exhibits promising therapeutic potential across various clinical contexts. Pre-clinical and in vitro studies indicate that CBD could mitigate cognitive decline and amyloid-beta-induced neurodegeneration by modulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. In addition, CBD demonstrates significant effects in promoting neuroplasticity, particularly in brain regions such as the hippocampus. However, the available clinical evidence presents conflicting results, and no randomized placebo-controlled trials have been published to date. In conclusion, although pre-clinical and in vitro studies offer encouraging insights into the potential benefits of CBD in AD models, new and well-designed clinical trials are imperative to ascertain the clinical relevance of CBD use in the management of AD symptoms, especially in comparison to conventional treatments.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Canabidiol , Canabidiol/uso terapêutico , Canabidiol/farmacologia , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Humanos , Animais , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
The present study utilized the spared nerve injury (SNI) to create a mouse model of depression to investigate the impact of esketamine on depressive-like behaviors, on the expression of PSD-95 and CRMP2 proteins, and on changes in neuronal dendritic spine plasticity in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Depressive-like behavioral tests were performed 1 h after esketamine treatment, and the PFC tissues were obtained on the fourth day after completing the behavioral tests. Then, dendritic spine density and morphology in the PFC were measured using Golgi staining, and CRMP2 and PSD-95 proteins were obtained from PFC tissue by western blotting. The results of this study showed that esketamine significantly increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test. In the open field test, esketamine increased the time spent in the open arms, the time spent in the central area, and the total distance covered. It also increased the protein expression levels of CRMP2 and PSD-95 in addition to the total and mature dendritic spine density of the PFC in SNI-depressed mice. Esketamine can significantly improve depression-like behaviors in SNI-depressed mice and promote an increase in dendritic spine density and maturation in the PFC. These effects may be associated with changes in CRMP2 and PSD-95 expression.
Assuntos
Espinhas Dendríticas , Depressão , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ketamina , Plasticidade Neuronal , Córtex Pré-Frontal , Animais , Córtex Pré-Frontal/efeitos dos fármacos , Ketamina/farmacologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Espinhas Dendríticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Depressão/tratamento farmacológico , Proteínas do Tecido Nervoso/metabolismo , Proteína 4 Homóloga a Disks-Large/metabolismo , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intercelular , Neurônios/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Western BlottingRESUMO
SUMMARY: Both the academic and popular worlds have paid close attention to the link between exercise and cognitive performance. It is increasingly important to understand the numerous mechanisms by which exercise might influence cognitive abilities in view of the continuous societal issues caused by aging populations and the prevalence of disorders associated to cognitive decline. A rising amount of evidence showing a favorable association between physical activity and cognitive well-being serves as the foundation for the justification for studying the effects of exercise on cognitive function and learning ability. The study employed an 8-week treadmill based on exercise on male adults C57BL/6 mice. The exercise group were engaged in 5 sessions a week gradually increasing the intensity of the protocol by 5 % each week. The Mice cognitive assessments were done using Morris Water Maze and Novel Object Recognition tests. The long term-impact on learning ability were further assessed through immmohistochemistry and molecular analysis of the hippocampal and prefrontal cortex tissues of the animals' brain tissues. The findings showed improved spatial learning abilities, recognition memory, and heighted synaptic plasticity indicated by elevated synaptic makers. The study underscores the role of long-term aerobic exercise in augmenting cognitive performance. It not only contributes to the understanding of the interplay between neuroplasticity and cognitive benefits but also the growing body of research on the impact of exercise on cognitive function.
Tanto el mundo académico como el popular han prestado mucha atención al vínculo entre el ejercicio y el rendimiento cognitivo. Es cada vez más importante comprender los numerosos mecanismos por los cuales el ejercicio podría influir en las capacidades cognitivas en vista de los continuos problemas sociales causados por el envejecimiento de la población y la prevalencia de trastornos asociados al deterioro cognitivo. Una cantidad cada vez mayor de evidencia que muestra una asociación favorable entre la actividad física y el bienestar cognitivo sirve como base para justificar el estudio de los efectos del ejercicio sobre la función cognitiva y la capacidad de aprendizaje. El estudio se realizó en ratones machos adultos C57BL/6 utilizándose en los ejercicios una cinta rodante durante 8 semanas. El grupo de ejercicio realizó 5 sesiones por semana aumentando gradualmente la intensidad del protocolo en un 5 % cada semana. Las evaluaciones cognitivas de los ratones se realizaron utilizando las pruebas Morris Water Maze y Novel Object Recognition. El impacto a largo plazo en la capacidad de aprendizaje se evaluó mediante inmunohistoquímica y análisis molecular de los tejidos del hipocampo y la corteza prefrontal de los tejidos cerebrales de los animales. Los hallazgos mostraron mejoras en las habilidades de aprendizaje espacial, la memoria de reconocimiento y una mayor plasticidad sináptica indicada por unos creadores sinápticos elevados. El estudio subraya el papel del ejercicio aeróbico a largo plazo para aumentar el rendimiento cognitivo. No sólo contribuye a la comprensión de la interacción entre la neuroplasticidad y los beneficios cognitivos, sino también al creciente conjunto de investigaciones sobre el impacto del ejercicio en la función cognitiva.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Exercício Físico , Hipocampo/anatomia & histologia , Hipocampo/fisiologia , Córtex Pré-Frontal , Cognição , Aprendizagem Espacial , Teste de Campo Aberto , Teste do Labirinto Aquático de Morris , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Plasticidade Neuronal , Neurônios/fisiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Impaired brain protein synthesis, synaptic plasticity, and memory are major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) has been shown to modulate protein synthesis, but its effects on memory in AD models remain elusive. METHODS: We investigated the effects of HNK on hippocampal protein synthesis, long-term potentiation (LTP), and memory in AD mouse models. RESULTS: HNK activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p70S6 kinase 1 (S6K1)/ribosomal protein S6 signaling pathways. Treatment with HNK rescued hippocampal LTP and memory deficits in amyloid-ß oligomers (AßO)-infused mice in an ERK1/2-dependent manner. Treatment with HNK further corrected aberrant transcription, LTP and memory in aged APP/PS1 mice. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate that HNK induces signaling and transcriptional responses that correct synaptic and memory deficits in AD mice. These results raise the prospect that HNK could serve as a therapeutic approach in AD. HIGHLIGHTS: The ketamine metabolite HNK activates hippocampal ERK/mTOR/S6 signaling pathways. HNK corrects hippocampal synaptic and memory defects in two mouse models of AD. Rescue of synaptic and memory impairments by HNK depends on ERK signaling. HNK corrects aberrant transcriptional signatures in APP/PS1 mice.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Hipocampo , Ketamina , Camundongos Transgênicos , Plasticidade Neuronal , Animais , Doença de Alzheimer/tratamento farmacológico , Doença de Alzheimer/metabolismo , Ketamina/análogos & derivados , Ketamina/farmacologia , Hipocampo/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacos , Camundongos , Potenciação de Longa Duração/efeitos dos fármacos , Peptídeos beta-Amiloides/metabolismo , Biossíntese de Proteínas/efeitos dos fármacos , Serina-Treonina Quinases TOR/metabolismo , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Memória/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Transtornos da Memória/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/genética , Precursor de Proteína beta-Amiloide/metabolismo , Presenilina-1/genética , HumanosRESUMO
Aging compromises brain function leading to cognitive decline. A cyclic ketogenic diet (KD) improves memory in aged mice after long-term administration; however, short-term effects later in life and the molecular mechanisms that govern such changes remain unclear. Here, we explore the impact of a short-term KD treatment starting at elderly stage on brain function of aged mice. Behavioral testing and long-term potentiation (LTP) recordings reveal that KD improves working memory and hippocampal LTP. Furthermore, the synaptosome proteome of aged mice fed a KD long-term evidence changes predominantly at the presynaptic compartment associated to the protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. These findings were corroborated in vivo by western blot analysis, with high BDNF abundance and PKA substrate phosphorylation. Overall, we show that a KD modifies brain function even when it is administered later in life and recapitulates molecular features of long-term administration, including the PKA signaling pathway, thus promoting synaptic plasticity at advanced age.
Assuntos
Envelhecimento , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico , Dieta Cetogênica , Potenciação de Longa Duração , Memória , Proteoma , Transdução de Sinais , Animais , Proteínas Quinases Dependentes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Envelhecimento/fisiologia , Envelhecimento/metabolismo , Dieta Cetogênica/métodos , Proteoma/metabolismo , Camundongos , Masculino , Memória/fisiologia , Potenciação de Longa Duração/fisiologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Sinapses/metabolismo , Fator Neurotrófico Derivado do Encéfalo/metabolismo , Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologia , FosforilaçãoRESUMO
Synaptic plasticity constitutes a fundamental process in the reorganization of neural networks that underlie memory, cognition, emotional responses, and behavioral planning. At the core of this phenomenon lie Hebbian mechanisms, wherein frequent synaptic stimulation induces long-term potentiation (LTP), while less activation leads to long-term depression (LTD). The synaptic reorganization of neuronal networks is regulated by serotonin (5-HT), a neuromodulator capable of modify synaptic plasticity to appropriately respond to mental and behavioral states, such as alertness, attention, concentration, motivation, and mood. Lately, understanding the serotonergic Neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity has become imperative for unraveling its impact on cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions. Through a comparative analysis across three main forebrain structures-the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, this review discusses the actions of 5-HT on synaptic plasticity, offering insights into its role as a neuromodulator involved in emotional and cognitive functions. By distinguishing between plastic and metaplastic effects, we provide a comprehensive overview about the mechanisms of 5-HT neuromodulation of synaptic plasticity and associated functions across different brain regions.
Assuntos
Plasticidade Neuronal , Serotonina , Plasticidade Neuronal/fisiologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Serotonina/metabolismo , Serotonina/fisiologia , Humanos , Encéfalo/fisiologiaRESUMO
Ataxias are characterized by aberrant movement patterns closely related to cerebellar dysfunction. Purkinje cell axons are the sole outputs from the cerebellar cortex, and dysfunctional activity of Purkinje cells has been associated with ataxic movements. However, the synaptic characteristics of Purkinje cells in cases of ataxia are not yet well understood. The nicotinamide antagonist 3-acethylpyridine (3-AP) selectively destroys inferior olivary nucleus neurons so it is widely used to induce cerebellar ataxia. Five days after 3-AP treatment (65mg/kg) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, motor incoordination was revealed through BBB and Rotarod testing. In addition, in Purkinje cells from lobules V-VII of the cerebellar vermis studied by the Golgi method, the density of dendritic spines decreased, especially the thin and mushroom types. Western blot analysis showed a decrease in AMPA and PSD-95 content with an increase of the α-catenin protein, while GAD-67 and synaptophysin were unchanged. Findings suggest a limited capacity of Purkinje cells to acquire and consolidate afferent excitatory inputs and an aberrant, rigid profile in the movement-related output patterns of Purkinje neurons that likely contributes to the motor-related impairments characteristic of cerebellar ataxias.
Assuntos
Cerebelo , Células de Purkinje , Ratos Sprague-Dawley , Animais , Células de Purkinje/efeitos dos fármacos , Células de Purkinje/patologia , Masculino , Ratos , Cerebelo/efeitos dos fármacos , Ataxia Cerebelar/induzido quimicamente , Piridinas/farmacologia , Plasticidade Neuronal/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Microglial cells, the immune cells of the central nervous system, are key elements regulating brain development and brain health. These cells are fully responsive to stressors, microenvironmental alterations and are actively involved in the construction of neural circuits in children and the ability to undergo full experience-dependent plasticity in adults. Since neuroinflammation is a known key element in the pathogenesis of COVID-19, one might expect the dysregulation of microglial function to severely impact both functional and structural plasticity, leading to the cognitive sequelae that appear in the pathogenesis of Long COVID. Therefore, understanding this complex scenario is mandatory for establishing the possible molecular mechanisms related to these symptoms. In the present review, we will discuss Long COVID and its association with reduced levels of BDNF, altered crosstalk between circulating immune cells and microglia, increased levels of inflammasomes, cytokines and chemokines, as well as the alterations in signaling pathways that impact neural synaptic remodeling and plasticity, such as fractalkines, the complement system, the expression of SIRPα and CD47 molecules and altered matrix remodeling. Together, these complex mechanisms may help us understand consequences of Long COVID for brain development and its association with altered brain plasticity, impacting learning disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, as well as cognitive decline in adults.