scholarly journals S-Ketamine Exerts Antidepressant Effects by Regulating Rac1 Gtpase Mediated Synaptic Plasticity in the Hippocampus of Stressed Rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianlin Zhu ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Yufeng You ◽  
Hongbai Wang ◽  
Su Yuan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Electrophysiological Study ◽  
Transmission Function ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Neuronal Morphology ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Expression And Activity

Abstract Clinical studies have found that ketamine has a rapid and lasting antidepressant effect, especially in the case of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). The molecular mechanisms, however, remain unclear. In this study, we observe the effects of S-Ketamine on the expression of Rac1, neuronal morphology, and synaptic transmission function in the hippocampus of stressed rats. Chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) was used to construct stressed rats. The rats were given a different regimen of ketamine (20mg/kg, i.p.) and Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 (50µg, ICV) treatment. The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by sucrose preference test and open-field test. The protein expression of Rac1, Glur1, synapsin1, and PSD95 in the hippocampus was detected by Western blot. Pull-down analysis was used to examine the activity of Rac1. Golgi staining and electrophysiological study were used to observe the neuronal morphology and long-term potentiation (LTP). Our results showed that ketamine can up-regulate the expression and activity of Rac1; increase the spine density and the expression of synaptic-related proteins such as Glur1, Synapsin1, and PSD95 in the hippocampus of stressed rats; reduce the CUMS-induced LTP impairments; and consequently improve depression-like behavior. However, Rac1 inhibitor NSC23766 could have effectively reversed ketamine-mediated changes in the hippocampus of rats and counteracted its antidepressant effects. The specific mechanism of S-ketamine's antidepressant effect may be related to the up-regulation of the expression and activity of Rac1 in the hippocampus of stressed rats, thus enhancing synaptic plasticity.

scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Reverses CUMS-Induced Depression-Like Behaviors and LTP Impairment in Hippocampus by Downregulating NR2B and CaMK II Expression

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Shuo Jiang ◽  
Zui Shen ◽  
Wenlin Xu
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Preference Test ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Behavior Of Rats

Objective. Depression is a global mental health problem with high disability rate, which brings a huge disease burden to the world. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to be an effective method for the treatment of depression. However, the mechanism underling the antidepressant effect of EA has not been clearly clarified. The change of synaptic plasticity is the focus in the study of antidepressant mechanism. This study will observe the effect of EA on LTP of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and explore its possible mechanism. Methods. The depression-like behavior rat model was established by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). EA stimulation (Hegu and Taichong) was used to treat the depressed rats. The depression-like behavior of rats was tested by weight measurement, open field test, depression preference test, and novelty suppressed feeding test. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was recorded at CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices by electrophysiological method. N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) protein levels were examined by using western blot. Results. After the establishment of CUMS-induced depression model, the weight gain rate, sucrose preference rate, line crossing number, and rearing times of rats decreased, and feeding time increased. At the same time, the LTP in hippocampus was impaired, and the expressions of NR2B and CaMK II were upregulated. After EA treatment, the depression-like behavior of rats was improved, the impairment of LTP was reversed, and the expression levels of NR2B and CaMK II protein were downregulated. Conclusion. EA can ameliorate depression-like behaviors by restoring LTP induction, downregulating NR2B and CaMK II expression in CUMS model rats, which might be part of the mechanism of EA antidepressant.

scholarly journals Altered Short-Term Synaptic Plasticity in Mice Lacking the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor mGlu7

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 730-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trevor J. Bushell ◽  
Gilles Sansig ◽  
Valerie J. Collett ◽  
Herman van der Putten ◽  
Graham L. Collingridge
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Metabotropic Glutamate ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Commissural Pathway ◽  
Frequency Facilitation

Eight subtypes of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors have been identified of which two, mGlu5 and mGlu7, are highly expressed at synapses made between CA3 and CA1 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus. This input, the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway, displays robust long-term potentiation (LTP), a process believed to utilise molecular mechanisms that are key processes involved in the synaptic basis of learning and memory. To investigate the possible function in LTP of mGlu7 receptors, a subtype for which no specific antagonists exist, we generated a mouse lacking this receptor, by homologous recombination. We found that LTP could be induced in mGlu7-/- mice and that once the potentiation had reached a stable level there was no difference in the magnitude of LTP between mGlu7-/- mice and their littermate controls. However, the initial decremental phase of LTP, known as short-term potentiation (STP), was greatly attenuated in the mGlu7-/- mouse. In addition, there was less frequency facilitation during, and less post-tetanic potentiation following, a high frequency train in the mGlu7-/- mouse. These results show that the absence of mGlu7 receptors results in alterations in short-term synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.

scholarly journals Corticosterone as a Potential Confounding Factor in Delineating Mechanisms Underlying Ketamine’s Rapid Antidepressant Actions

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Wegman-Points ◽  
Brock Pope ◽  
Allison Zobel-Mask ◽  
Lori Winter ◽  
Eric Wauson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Confounding Factor ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Antidepressant Effect ◽  
Isoflurane Anesthesia ◽  
Downstream Effector ◽  
Antidepressant Effects ◽  
Cognitive Side Effects

Recent research into the rapid antidepressant effect of subanesthetic doses of ketamine have identified a series of relevant protein cascades activated within hours of administration. Prior to, or concurrent with, these activation cascades, ketamine treatment generates dissociative and psychotomimetic side effects along with an increase in circulating glucocorticoids. In rats, we observed an over 3-fold increase in corticosterone levels in both serum and brain tissue, within an hour of administration of low dose ketamine (10 mg/kg), but not with (2R, 6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) (10 mg/kg), a ketamine metabolite shown to produce antidepressant-like action in rodents without inducing immediate side-effects. Hippocampal tissue from ketamine, but not HNK, injected animals displayed a significant increase in the expression of sgk1, a downstream effector of glucocorticoid receptor signaling. To examine the role conscious sensation of ketamine’s side effects plays in the release of corticosterone, we assessed serum corticosterone levels after ketamine administration while under isoflurane anesthesia. Under anesthesia, ketamine failed to increase circulating corticosterone levels relative to saline controls. Concurrent with its antidepressant effects, ketamine generates a release of glucocorticoids potentially linked to disturbing cognitive side effects and the activation of distinct molecular pathways which should be considered when attempting to delineate the molecular mechanisms of its antidepressant function.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Roles of Kalirin-7/PSD95/GluN2B Interactions in Different Forms of Synaptic Plasticity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason L. Yeh ◽  
Jessica R. Yasko ◽  
Eric S. Levine ◽  
Betty A. Eipper ◽  
Richard E. Mains
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Postsynaptic Density ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Knockout Animals

AbstractKalirin-7 (Kal7) is a Rac1/RhoG GEF and multidomain scaffold localized to the postsynaptic density which plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. Behavioral and physiological phenotypes observed in the Kal7 knockout mouse are quite specific: genetics of breeding, growth, strength and coordination are normal; Kal7 knockout animals self-administer cocaine far more than normal mice, show exaggerated locomotor responses to cocaine, but lack changes in dendritic spine morphology seen in wildtype mice; Kal7 knockout mice have depressed surface expression of GluN2B receptor subunits and exhibit marked suppression of long-term potentiation and depression in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and spinal cord; and Kal7 knockout mice have dramatically blunted perception of pain. To address the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms which are deranged by loss of Kal7, we administered intracellular blocking peptides to acutely change Kal7 function at the synapse, to determine if plasticity deficits in Kal7-/-mice are the product of developmental processes since conception, or could be detected on a much shorter time scale. We found that specific disruption of the interactions of Kal7 with PSD-95 or GluN2B resulted in significant suppression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Biochemical approaches indicated that Kal7 interacted with PSD-95 at multiple sites within Kal7.Graphical Table of ContentsThe postsynaptic density is an integral player in receiving, interpreting and storing signals transmitted by presynaptic terminals. The correct molecular composition is crucial for successful expression of synaptic plasticity. Key components of the postsynaptic density include ligand-gated ion channels, structural and binding proteins, and multidomain scaffolding plus enzymatic proteins. These studies address whether the multiple components of the synaptic density bind together in a static or slowly adapting molecular complex, or whether critical interactions are fluid on a minute-to-minute basis.

scholarly journals Chronic neuronal excitation leads to homeostatic suppression of structural long-term potentiation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi H Ueda ◽  
Aiko Sato ◽  
Maki Onda ◽  
Hideji Murakoshi
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Ca1 Neurons ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Neuronal Excitation ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1

Synaptic plasticity is long-lasting changes in synaptic currents and structure. When neurons are exposed to signals that induce aberrant neuronal excitation, they increase the threshold for the induction of synaptic plasticity, called homeostatic plasticity. To further understand the homeostatic regulation of synaptic plasticity and its molecular mechanisms, we investigated glutamate uncaging/photoactivatable (pa)CaMKII-dependent sLTP induction in hippocampal CA1 neurons after chronic neuronal excitation by GABAA receptor antagonists. The neuronal excitation suppressed the glutamate uncaging-evoked Ca2+ influx and failed to induce sLTP. Single-spine optogenetic stimulation using paCaMKII also failed to induce sLTP, suggesting that CaMKII downstream signaling is impaired in response to chronic neuronal excitation. Furthermore, while the inhibition of Ca2+ influx was protein synthesis-independent, paCaMKII-induced sLTP depended on it. Our findings demonstrate that chronic neuronal excitation suppresses sLTP in two independent ways (i.e., the inhibitions of Ca2+ influx and CaMKII downstream signaling), which may contribute to the robust neuronal protection in excitable environments.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Roles of Kalirin-7/PSD-95/GluN2B Interactions in Different Forms of Synaptic Plasticity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason L. Yeh ◽  
Jessica R Yasko ◽  
Eric S. Levine ◽  
Betty A. Eipper ◽  
Richard Mains
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Knockout Animals

Abstract Background: Kalirin-7 (Kal7) is a multidomain scaffold and guanine nucleotide exchange factor localized to the postsynaptic density, where Kal7 is crucial for synaptic plasticity. Kal7 knockout mice exhibit marked suppression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and spinal cord, with depressed surface expression of GluN2B receptor subunits and dramatically blunted perception of pain. Kal7 knockout animals show exaggerated locomotor responses to psychostimulants and self-administer cocaine more enthusiastically than wildtype mice. Results: To address the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms which are deranged by loss of Kal7, we infused candidate intracellular interfering peptides to acutely challenge the synaptic function(s) of Kal7 with potential protein binding partners, to determine if plasticity deficits in Kal7-/- mice are the product of developmental processes since conception, or could be produced on a much shorter time scale. We demonstrated that these small intracellular peptides disrupted normal long-term potentiation and long-term depression, strongly suggesting that maintenance of established interactions of Kal7 with PSD-95 and/or GluN2B is crucial to synaptic plasticity. Conclusions: Blockade of the Kal7-GluN2B interaction was most effective at blocking long-term potentiation, but had no effect on long-term depression. Biochemical approaches indicated that Kal7 interacted with PSD-95 at multiple sites within Kal7.

scholarly journals A Unique Mouse Model of Early Life Exercise Enables Hippocampal Memory and Synaptic Plasticity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Autumn S. Ivy ◽  
Tim Yu ◽  
Enikö Kramár ◽  
Sonia Parievsky ◽  
Fred Sohn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Memory Task ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Juvenile Period ◽  
Cognitive Benefits

AbstractAerobic exercise is a powerful modulator of learning and memory. Molecular mechanisms underlying the cognitive benefits of exercise are well documented in adult rodents. Animal models of exercise targeting specific postnatal periods of hippocampal development and plasticity are lacking. Here we characterize a model of early-life exercise (ELE) in male and female mice designed with the goal of identifying critical periods by which exercise may have a lasting impact on hippocampal memory and synaptic plasticity. Mice freely accessed a running wheel during three postnatal periods: the 4th postnatal week (juvenile ELE, P21-27), 6th postnatal week (adolescent ELE, P35-41), or 4th-6th postnatal weeks (juvenile-adolescent ELE, P21-41). All exercise groups significantly increased their running distances over time. When exposed to a weak learning stimulus, mice that had exercised during the juvenile period were able to form lasting long-term memory for a hippocampus-dependent spatial memory task. Electrophysiological experiments revealed enhanced long-term potentiation in hippocampal CA1 the juvenile-adolescent ELE group only. Furthermore, basal synaptic transmission was significantly increased in all mice that exercised during the juvenile period. Our results suggest early-life exercise can enable hippocampal memory, synaptic plasticity, and basal synaptic physiology when occurring during postnatal periods of hippocampal maturation.

scholarly journals Ketamine Induces Lasting Antidepressant Effects by Modulating the NMDAR/CaMKII-Mediated Synaptic Plasticity of the Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus in Depressive Stroke Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Idriss Ali Abdoulaye ◽  
Shan-shan Wu ◽  
Enkhmurun Chibaatar ◽  
Da-fan Yu ◽  
Kai Le ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Artery Occlusion ◽  
Mild Stress ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Poststroke Depression ◽  
Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Antidepressant Effects

Background. Ketamine has been shown to possess lasting antidepressant properties. However, studies of the mechanisms involved in its effects on poststroke depression are nonexistent. Methods. To investigate these mechanisms, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with a single local dose of ketamine after middle cerebral artery occlusion and chronic unpredicted mild stress. The effects on the hippocampal dentate gyrus were analyzed through assessment of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor/calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (NMDAR/CaMKII) pathway, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral tests. Results. Ketamine administration rapidly exerted significant and lasting improvements of depressive symptoms. The biochemical analysis showed rapid, selective upregulation and downregulation of the NMDAR2-β and NMDAR2-α subtypes as well as their downstream signaling proteins β-CaMKII and α-phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus, respectively. Furthermore, the colocalization analysis indicated a significant and selectively increased conjunction of β-CaMKII and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) coupled with a notable decrease in NMDAR2-β association with PSD95 after ketamine treatment. These changes translated into significant and extended synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus. Conclusions. These findings not only suggest that ketamine represents a viable candidate for the treatment of poststroke depression but also that ketamine’s lasting antidepressant effects might be achieved through modulation of NMDAR/CaMKII-induced synaptic plasticity in key brain regions.

scholarly journals N-Docosahexanoylethanolamine Reduces Microglial Activation and Improves Hippocampal Plasticity in a Murine Model of Neuroinflammation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9703
Author(s):  
Anna Tyrtyshnaia ◽  
Anatoly Bondar ◽  
Sophia Konovalova ◽  
Ruslan Sultanov ◽  
Igor Manzhulo
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Structural Analog ◽  
Neuronal Morphology ◽  
Hippocampal Neurogenesis ◽  
Inflammatory Factors ◽  
Negative Effect

Chronic neuroinflammation is a common pathogenetic link in the development of various neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, a detailed study of neuroinflammation and the development of drugs that reduce or eliminate the negative effect of neuroinflammation on cognitive processes are among the top priorities of modern neurobiology. N-docosahexanoylethanolamine (DHEA, synaptamide) is an endogenous metabolite and structural analog of anandamide, an essential endocannabinoid produced from arachidonic acid. Our study aims to elucidate the pharmacological activity of synaptamide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation. Memory deficits in animals were determined using behavioral tests. To study the effects of LPS (750 µg/kg/day, 7 days) and synaptamide (10 mg/kg/day, 7 days) on synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation was examined in the CA1 area of acute hippocampal slices. The Golgi–Cox method allowed us to assess neuronal morphology. The production of inflammatory factors and receptors was assessed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. During the study, functional, structural, and plastic changes within the hippocampus were identified. We found a beneficial effect of synaptamide on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and morphological characteristics of neurons. Synaptamide treatment recovered hippocampal neurogenesis, suppressed microglial activation, and significantly improved hippocampus-dependent memory. The basis of the phenomena described above is probably the powerful anti-inflammatory activity of synaptamide, as shown in our study and several previous works.

Estrogen and hippocampal synaptic plasticity

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
MICHAEL FOY ◽  
MICHEL BAUDRY ◽  
RICHARD THOMPSON
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Clinical Studies ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Estrogen Therapy ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Primary Focus

During the past several years, there has been increasing interest in the effects of estrogen on neural function. This enthusiasm is driven, in part, by the results of early clinical studies suggesting that estrogen therapy given after menopause may prevent, or at least delay, the onset of Alzheimer's disease in older women. However, later clinical trials of women with probable Alzheimer's disease had contrary results. Much of the current research related to estrogen and brain function is focused in two directions. One involves clinical studies that examine the potential of estrogen in protecting against cognitive decline during normal aging and against Alzheimer's disease (neuroprotection). The other direction, which is the primary focus of this review, involves laboratory studies that examine the mechanisms by which estrogen can modify the structure of nerve cells and alter the way neurons communicate with other cells in the brain (neuroplasticity). In this review, we examine recent evidence from experimental and clinical research on the rapid effects of estrogen on several mechanisms that involve synaptic plasticity in the nervous system, including hippocampal excitability, long-term potentiation and depression related to sex and aging differences, cellular neuroprotection and probable molecular mechanisms of the action of estrogen in brain tissue.

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