scholarly journals A Baldwin interpretation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis: from functional relevance to physiopathology

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djoher Nora Abrous ◽  
Muriel Koehl ◽  
Maël Lemoine
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Mental Disorders ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Baldwin Effect ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Functional Relevance ◽  
The Baldwin Effect ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractHippocampal adult neurogenesis has been associated to many cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions and dysfunctions, and its status as a selected effect or an “appendix of the brain” has been debated. In this review, we propose to understand hippocampal neurogenesis as the process underlying the “Baldwin effect”, a particular situation in evolution where fitness does not rely on the natural selection of genetic traits, but on “ontogenetic adaptation” to a changing environment. This supports the view that a strong distinction between developmental and adult hippocampal neurogenesis is made. We propose that their functions are the constitution and the lifelong adaptation, respectively, of a basic repertoire of cognitive and emotional behaviors. This lifelong adaptation occurs through new forms of binding, i.e., association or dissociation of more basic elements. This distinction further suggests that a difference is made between developmental vulnerability (or resilience), stemming from dysfunctional (or highly functional) developmental hippocampal neurogenesis, and adult vulnerability (or resilience), stemming from dysfunctional (or highly functional) adult hippocampal neurogenesis. According to this hypothesis, developmental and adult vulnerability are distinct risk factors for various mental disorders in adults. This framework suggests new avenues for research on hippocampal neurogenesis and its implication in mental disorders.

Potential Role of Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Traumatic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas Alexandre Santos Marzano ◽  
Fabyolla Lúcia Macedo de Castro ◽  
Caroline Amaral Machado ◽  
João Luís Vieira Monteiro de Barros ◽  
Thiago Macedo e Cordeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Cognitive Outcomes ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
The Brain

: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious cause of disability and death among young and adult individuals, displaying complex pathophysiology including cellular and molecular mechanisms that are not fully elucidated. Many experimental and clinical studies investigated the potential relationship between TBI and the process by which neurons are formed in the brain, known as neurogenesis. Currently, there are no available treatments for TBI’s long-term consequences being the search for novel therapeutic targets, a goal of highest scientific and clinical priority. Some studies evaluated the benefits of treatments aimed at improving neurogenesis in TBI. In this scenario, herein, we reviewed current pre-clinical studies that evaluated different approaches to improving neurogenesis after TBI while achieving better cognitive outcomes, which may consist in interesting approaches for future treatments.

FC29-02 - Is prenatal exposure to alcohol a factor which re-program the brain?

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1978-1978
Author(s):  
J.H. Sliwowska
Keyword(s):  
Prenatal Exposure ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Alcohol Exposure ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Ovariectomized Rats ◽  
List Type ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Hpg Axis ◽  
The Brain

IntroductionFetal programming refers to the concept that early environmental factors, including prenatal exposure to stress and drugs, can permanently organize or imprint physiological and behavioural systems and increase vulnerability to disorders such as depression and anxiety later in life.AimsIs prenatal exposure to alcohol a factor which re-programs the brain?ObjectivesEffects of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on:1)the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis;2)the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis;3)serotonergic (5-HT) system and4)adult hippocampal neurogenesis are presented.MethodsOffspring from prenatal ethanol (PAE), pair-fed (PF) and ad lib-fed control (C) dams are studied across the development or in adulthood. Immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques are used.ResultsIn term of the HPA axis: PAE alters the balance of mineralocorticoids/glucocorticoids (MRs/GRs) receptor levels in the hippocampus of adult females. In the case of the HPG axis: PAE delays puberty and changes hormonal profiles in males and females. PAE also decreases numbers of 5-HT-immunoreactive neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus of the brainstem in ovariectomized rats and estradiol and progesterone modulate those effects. Finally, in adult PAE males, but not females stress-induced decrease in neurogenesis is altered.ConclusionsIn our animal model PAE re-programs the brain. Effects of PAE are long-lasting, affect HPA and HPG axes, 5-HT system and adult hippocampal neurogenesis and if seen in humans could contribute to increased vulnerability to depression and anxiety.

EYE ON CHINA

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (08) ◽  
pp. 4-12
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Initial Public Offering ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Cooperation Agreement ◽  
Diagnose Breast Cancer ◽  
Public Offering ◽  
The Brain

Palm-Sized PCR Device for Rapid Real-Time Detection of Viruses. Scientists Uncover New Mechanism for Diabetic Neuropathy. Chi Med Initiates a Phase I/II Clinical Trial of Novel FGFR Inhibitor HMPL 453 in China. Database Boosts Shanghai’s Technology Aim. Experts Emphasize Scientific and Technological Innovations in Agriculture. China Enlists AI to Diagnose Breast Cancer. Study Offers Clue to Memory Formation in the Brain. China Signed Science Cooperation Agreement with Bolivia. Biotechnology in China Hits 4 Trillion RMB in 2016. A Novel Pathway: Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis Linked to Depression Caused by Inflammation. BGI Genomics Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering.

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis: an important target associated with antidepressant effects of exercise

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 693-703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Sun ◽  
Qingshan Sun ◽  
Jinshun Qi
Keyword(s):  
Adult Neurogenesis ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Brain Plasticity ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Exercise Activity ◽  
The Brain

AbstractDepression is a prevalent devastating mental disorder that affects the normal life of patients and brings a heavy burden to whole society. Although many efforts have been made to attenuate depressive/anxiety symptoms, the current clinic antidepressants have limited effects. Scientists have long been making attempts to find some new strategies that can be applied as the alternative antidepressant therapy. Exercise, a widely recognized healthy lifestyle, has been suggested as a therapy that can relieve psychiatric stress. However, how exercise improves the brain functions and reaches the antidepressant target needs systematic summarization due to the complexity and heterogeneous feature of depression. Brain plasticity, especially adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, is an important neurophysiology to facilitate animals for neurogenesis can occur in not only humans. Many studies indicated that an appropriate level of exercise can promote neurogenesis in the adult brains. In this article, we provide information about the antidepressant effects of exercise and its implications in adult neurogenesis. From the neurogenesis perspective, we summarize evidence about the effects of exercise in enhancing neurogenesis in the hippocampus through regulating growth factors, neurotrophins, neurotransmitters and metabolism as well as inflammations. Taken together, a large number of published works indicate the multiple benefits of exercise in the brain functions of animals, particularly brain plasticity like neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Therefore, a new treatment method for depression therapy can be developed by regulating the exercise activity.

scholarly journals Shaping hippocampal neurogenesis: exercising the brain with cannabinoids

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui S Rodrigues ◽  
Joao B. Moreira ◽  
Ana M. Sebastião ◽  
Carlos P. Fitzsimons ◽  
Sara Xapelli
Keyword(s):  
Physical Exercise ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Neurotrophic Factors ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Potential Conflict ◽  
Brain Physiology ◽  
The Brain

Adult neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPC) are present in specialized niches of the mammalian brain and their proliferative and differentiative potential is modulated by a myriad of factors. Recent evidence sheds light on the interaction between cannabinoids and neurotrophic factors underlying a major regulative force of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, with important effects upon cognitive plasticity and mood flexibility. Herein, we aimed at evaluating the actions of cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) together with exercise upon hippocampal neurogenesis and whether this has significant behavioral implications. Our data suggests a participation of CB2Rs in fine-tuning the actions of physical exercise upon adult hippocampal neurogenesis. Specifically, CB2R ligands as well as exercise-regulated neurotrophic factors promote an acceleration in the differentiation of progenitor cells accompanied by an increase in the number of mature neurons in vitro. Moreover, preliminary results show that CB2Rs play an impactful role in controlling cognitive and depressive-like behavior. This is particularly important because brain physiology and mental health are known to be greatly affected by physical exercise, with adult neurogenesis playing a significant role in this process. Ultimately, this work will contribute to unravel the mechanisms behind the actions of cannabinoids and exercise in the brain and to develop strategies utilizing CB2Rs and physical exercise to boost neural stem cell capacity and treat several brain disorders. Acknowledgements: Supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), projects SFRH/BD/129710/2017 and IF/01227/2015. No potential conflict of interest.

scholarly journals The Effects of Early Life Stress on the Brain and Behaviour: Insights From Zebrafish Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Eachus ◽  
Min-Kyeung Choi ◽  
Soojin Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Life Stress ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Early Life Stress ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
Behavioural Changes ◽  
The Brain

The early life period represents a window of increased vulnerability to stress, during which exposure can lead to long-lasting effects on brain structure and function. This stress-induced developmental programming may contribute to the behavioural changes observed in mental illness. In recent decades, rodent studies have significantly advanced our understanding of how early life stress (ELS) affects brain development and behaviour. These studies reveal that ELS has long-term consequences on the brain such as impairment of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, altering learning and memory. Despite such advances, several key questions remain inadequately answered, including a comprehensive overview of brain regions and molecular pathways that are altered by ELS and how ELS-induced molecular changes ultimately lead to behavioural changes in adulthood. The zebrafish represents a novel ELS model, with the potential to contribute to answering some of these questions. The zebrafish offers some important advantages such as the ability to non-invasively modulate stress hormone levels in a whole animal and to visualise whole brain activity in freely behaving animals. This review discusses the current status of the zebrafish ELS field and its potential as a new ELS model.

Investigating the role of the ghrelin axis in cognitive decline and dementia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Martina Sassi
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Model ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Young Animal ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Tg2576 Mouse ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Acyl Ghrelin ◽  
The Brain

Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid hormone that is generated in a wide number of tissues. Its active form, acyl-ghrelin is able to bind to its receptor GHS-R and exert a variety of functions. In the brain, acyl-ghrelin has been associated with neuroprotection, improved memory and adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). However, the mechanisms controlling acyl-ghrelin-mediated AHN are still unknown. To elucidate this process, different markers of neurogenesis were assessed in a mouse model in which GHS-R+ neurones were ablated specifically from the rostral DG of the hippocampus (rDG), showing that rDG GHS-R+ neurones are essential for maintaining AHN. Acyl-ghrelin has also been shown to prevents the damage caused by neurodegeneration, at least in young animal models of disease. In this thesis, we demonstrated that in the geriatric Tg2576 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, acyl-ghrelin maintained an effect on β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the hippocampus, promoting a reduction of the Aβ plaques size in AD-like mouse model compared to WT mice. Collectively, research findings highlight the importance of circulating acyl-ghrelin in the brain. However, ghrelin exists in two distinct forms and acyl-ghrelin can be enzymatically modified to the ‘inactive' unacylated-ghrelin (UAG) by acyl-protein thioesterase 1 (APT1). Preventing APT1 mediated de-acylation and increasing acyl-ghrelin bio-availability may prevent the damage caused by neurodegeneration. Unpublished data from our group suggest that PalmostatinB, an APT1 inhibitor, increases levels of acyl-ghrelin in macrophage cells (that naturally produce ghrelin). Therefore, this and other APT1 inhibitors may be considered possible therapeutic agents for the treatment of cognitive decline and diseases associated with dementia. We confirmed that, among several APT1 inhibitors, PalmostatinB is able to increase the level of acyl-ghrelin in vitro. However, further research is warranted into APT1 inhibitors as a novel therapeutic approach to treating cognitive decline and dementia. Together, the data in this thesis support a role for the ghrelinergic system components in modulating brain functions.

scholarly journals A Common Language: How Neuroimmunological Cross Talk Regulates Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odette Leiter ◽  
Gerd Kempermann ◽  
Tara L. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Adult Neurogenesis ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Intrinsic Cues ◽  
Normal Brain Function ◽  
The Brain

Immune regulation of the brain is generally studied in the context of injury or disease. Less is known about how the immune system regulates the brain during normal brain function. Recent work has redefined the field of neuroimmunology and, as long as their recruitment and activation are well regulated, immune cells are now known to have protective properties within the central nervous system in maintaining brain health. Adult neurogenesis, the process of new neuron generation in the adult brain, is highly plastic and regulated by diverse extrinsic and intrinsic cues. Emerging research has shown that immune cells and their secreted factors can influence adult neurogenesis, both under baseline conditions and during conditions known to change neurogenesis levels, such as aging and learning in an enriched environment. This review will discuss how, under nonpathological conditions, the immune system can interact with the neural stem cells to regulate adult neurogenesis with particular focus on the hippocampus—a region crucial for learning and memory.

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