scholarly journals The Differential Effects of Acute Right- vs. Left-Sided Vestibular Deafferentation on Spatial Cognition in Unilateral Labyrinthectomized Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Tin Nguyen ◽  
Gi-Sung Nam ◽  
Jin-Ju Kang ◽  
Gyu Cheol Han ◽  
Ji-Soo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Cognition ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Spatial Navigation ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Lesion Side ◽  
Unilateral Labyrinthectomy

This study aimed to investigate the disparity in locomotor and spatial memory deficits caused by left- or right-sided unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) using a mouse model of unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) and to examine the effects of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) on the deficits over 14 days. Five experimental groups were established: the left-sided and right-sided UL (Lt.-UL and Rt.-UL) groups, left-sided and right-sided UL with bipolar GVS with the cathode on the lesion side (Lt.-GVS and Rt.-GVS) groups, and a control group with sham surgery. We assessed the locomotor and cognitive-behavioral functions using the open field (OF), Y maze, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests before (baseline) and 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical UL in each group. On postoperative day (POD) 3, locomotion and spatial working memory were more impaired in the Lt.-UL group compared with the Rt.-UL group (p < 0.01, Tamhane test). On POD 7, there was a substantial difference between the groups; the locomotion and spatial navigation of the Lt.-UL group recovered significantly more slowly compared with those of the Rt.-UL group. Although the differences in the short-term spatial cognition and motor coordination were resolved by POD 14, the long-term spatial navigation deficits assessed by the MWM were significantly worse in the Lt.-UL group compared with the Rt.-UL group. GVS intervention accelerated the vestibular compensation in both the Lt.-GVS and Rt.-GVS groups in terms of improvement of locomotion and spatial cognition. The current data imply that right- and left-sided UVD impair spatial cognition and locomotion differently and result in different compensatory patterns. Sequential bipolar GVS when the cathode (stimulating) was assigned to the lesion side accelerated recovery for UVD-induced spatial cognition, which may have implications for managing the patients with spatial cognitive impairment, especially that induced by unilateral peripheral vestibular damage on the dominant side.

scholarly journals Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation Improves Spatial Cognition After Unilateral Labyrinthectomy in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thanh Tin Nguyen ◽  
Gi-Sung Nam ◽  
Jin-Ju Kang ◽  
Gyu Cheol Han ◽  
Ji-Soo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Memory ◽  
Spatial Cognition ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Unilateral Labyrinthectomy

Objectives: To investigate the deficits of spatial memory and navigation from unilateral vestibular deafferentation (UVD) and to determine the efficacy of galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS) for recovery from these deficits using a mouse model of unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL).Methods: Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were allocated into three groups that comprise a control group and two experimental groups, UVD with (GVS group) and without GVS intervention (non-GVS group). In the experimental groups, we assessed the locomotor and cognitive behavioral function before (baseline) and 3, 7, and 14 days after surgical UL, using the open field (OF), Y maze, and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. In the GVS group, the stimulations were applied for 30 min daily from postoperative day (POD) 0–4 via the electrodes inserted subcutaneously close to both bony labyrinths.Results: Locomotion and spatial cognition were significantly impaired in the mice with UVD non-GVS group compared to the control group. GVS significantly accelerated recovery of locomotion compared to the control and non-GVS groups on PODs 3 (p < 0.001) and 7 (p < 0.05, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests) in the OF and Y maze tests. The mice in the GVS group were better in spatial working memory assessed with spontaneous alternation performance and spatial reference memory assessed with place recognition during the Y maze test than those in the non-GVS group on POD 3 (p < 0.001). In addition, the recovery of long-term spatial navigation deficits during the MWM, as indicated by the escape latency and the probe trial, was significantly better in the GVS group than in the non-GVS group 2 weeks after UVD (p < 0.01).Conclusions: UVD impairs spatial memory, navigation, and motor coordination. GVS accelerated recoveries in short- and long-term spatial memory and navigation, as well as locomotor function in mice with UVD, and may be applied to the patients with acute unilateral vestibular failure.

scholarly journals Pharmacologically-Induced Neurovascular Uncoupling is Associated with Cognitive Impairment in Mice

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (11) ◽  
pp. 1871-1881 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Tarantini ◽  
Peter Hertelendy ◽  
Zsuzsanna Tucsek ◽  
M Noa Valcarcel-Ares ◽  
Nataliya Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Cox Inhibitor ◽  
Significant Impairment ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Synthase Inhibitor ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

There is increasing evidence that vascular risk factors, including aging, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, promote cognitive impairment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is adjusted to neuronal activity via neurovascular coupling (NVC) and this mechanism is known to be impaired in the aforementioned pathophysiologic conditions. To establish a direct relationship between impaired NVC and cognitive decline, we induced neurovascular uncoupling pharmacologically in mice by inhibiting the synthesis of vasodilator mediators involved in NVC. Treatment of mice with the epoxygenase inhibitor N-(methylsulfonyl)-2-(2-propynyloxy)-benzenehexanamide (MSPPOH), the NO synthase inhibitor l-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), and the COX inhibitor indomethacin decreased NVC by over 60% mimicking the aging phenotype, which was associated with significantly impaired spatial working memory (Y-maze), recognition memory (Novel object recognition), and impairment in motor coordination (Rotarod). Blood pressure (tail cuff) and basal cerebral perfusion (arterial spin labeling perfusion MRI) were unaffected. Thus, selective experimental disruption of NVC is associated with significant impairment of cognitive and sensorimotor function, recapitulating neurologic symptoms and signs observed in brain aging and pathophysiologic conditions associated with accelerated cerebromicrovascular aging.

scholarly journals Potential Protective Role of Thymoquinone on Experimentally-induced Alzheimer Rats

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Mohammad Fiasal Zaher ◽  
Mohamed Abdelfattah Bendary ◽  
Gamal Saeed Abd El-Aziz ◽  
Ahmad Shaker Ali
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Albino Rats ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Blood Capillaries ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
The Brain

Aim: To evaluate the neuroprotective potential of thymoquinine (TQ) on the oxidative stress status of the brain in aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced AD in rats. Study Design:  Animal research study. Place and Duration of Study: King Fahd Medical Research Center (KFMRC), King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia, April 2018-June 2019. Methodology: Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Group 1 (Control). Group 2 (AD): supplemented orally with AlCl3 (17 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Group 3 (TQ/AD): supplemented concomitantly with oral TQ (10 mg/kg/day) and AlCl3 (17 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, spatial working memory was assessed using the Y-maze spontaneous alternation test. Then, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPX) were assessed. Then, the rats were sacrificed, and the brain was isolated, and a light microscopic examination of the hippocampus was performed. Finally, the brain homogenate content of Aβ, tau protein and acetylcholine were biochemically determined. Results: The AD group showed a significant decreased in the spontaneous alteration performance (SAP %) in Y-maze. Also, in the AD group, serum MDA, Aβ and tau protein were significantly increased with a significant decrease of serum GPX and acetylcholine. Examination of H&E-stained sections of the hippocampus of the AD group revealed decreased thickness and disorganization of the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 and CA3 where many pyramidal cells lost their triangular shape and appeared shrunken. The molecular and polymorphic layers showed increased glial cells and congested blood capillaries. The dentate gyrus showed marked disorganization with some cell loss. Co-administration of TQ with AlCl3 in TQ/AD group, improved SAP % and significantly decreased serum MDA, Aβ, tau protein. It also increased serum GPX and acetylcholine levels. Also, TQ partially attenuated the histopathological changes in the hippocampus. Conclusion: TQ could mitigate the oxidative stress markers, neurodegenerative indices and histopathological alteration encountered in AD that all reflected on improving the cognitive behavior. This may implement TQ as an adjuvant medical strategy in ameliorating AD.

Galvanic vestibular stimulation improves spatial cognition after unilateral labyrinthectomy in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 429 ◽  
pp. 118493
Author(s):  
Thanh Tin Nguyen ◽  
Gi Sung Nam ◽  
Jin Ju Kang ◽  
Kyu Cheol Han ◽  
Ji-Soo Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Cognition ◽  
Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation ◽  
Unilateral Labyrinthectomy

Arthrophytum scoparium Extract Improves Memory Impairment and Affects Acetylcholinesterase Activity In Mice Brain

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 480-487
Author(s):  
Med A. Smach ◽  
Jawhar Hafsa ◽  
Bassem Charfeddine ◽  
Hedi Dridi ◽  
Khalifa Limem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Saline Water ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Chronic Administration ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Oxidative Damages ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
Mice Brain

Background: Arthrophytum scoparium (Pomel) Iljin (Amaranthaceae family) has been widely used in traditional Tunisian medicine to treat many disorders such as migraine, headache, and neurological disorders. This study investigates the effect of Arthrophytum scoparium Aqueous Extract (ASAE) on cognitive impairments and oxidative injury induced by galactose (10%) in a mouse model. Materials and Methods: The mice were divided randomly into 4 experimental groups, including the control group (saline water 9 ‰), Galactose group, Scop group (300 mg/kg/d), and Scop+Gal group (300 mg/kg/d). Mice received the corresponding solutions by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) for 7 days before the Y-maze active tests. Galactose 10% was given to all groups except control and Scop groups, 30 min before the trial. Levels of Acetylcholinesterase Activity (AChE), Ascorbic Acid (AA), Gluthatione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in mice brains were examined. Results: Chronic administration of galactose significantly impaired cognitive performance in Y maze, caused marked oxidative damages and a significant increase in the acetylcholinesterase activity as compared to other groups. On the contrary, ASAE (300 mg/kg) treatment suppressed galactoseinduced oxidative damage by ameliorating the increased levels of GSH and AA. Moreover, ASAE treatment reduced brain AChE activities in the galactose-induced model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ASAE exerts potent anti-amnesic effects via the modulation of cholinergic and antioxidant activities. The observed pharmacological activities should be further evaluated by detailed experimental studies and validated by clinical trials.

scholarly journals Remotely delivered environmental enrichment intervention for traumatic brain injury: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e039767
Author(s):  
Zorry Belchev ◽  
Mary Ellene Boulos ◽  
Julia Rybkina ◽  
Kadeen Johns ◽  
Eliyas Jeffay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Active Control ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Spatial Navigation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hippocampal Atrophy ◽  
Active Control Group ◽  
Navigation Group

IntroductionIndividuals with moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (m-sTBI) experience progressive brain and behavioural declines in the chronic stages of injury. Longitudinal studies found that a majority of patients with m-sTBI exhibit significant hippocampal atrophy from 5 to 12 months post-injury, associated with decreased cognitive environmental enrichment (EE). Encouragingly, engaging in EE has been shown to lead to neural improvements, suggesting it is a promising avenue for offsetting hippocampal neurodegeneration in m-sTBI. Allocentric spatial navigation (ie, flexible, bird’s eye view approach), is a good candidate for EE in m-sTBI because it is associated with hippocampal activation and reduced ageing-related volume loss. Efficacy of EE requires intensive daily training, prohibitive within most current health delivery systems. The present protocol is a novel, remotely delivered and self-administered intervention designed to harness principles from EE and allocentric spatial navigation to offset hippocampal atrophy and potentially improve hippocampal functions such as navigation and memory for patients with m-sTBI.Methods and analysisEighty-four participants with chronic m-sTBI are being recruited from an urban rehabilitation hospital and randomised into a 16-week intervention (5 hours/week; total: 80 hours) of either targeted spatial navigation or an active control group. The spatial navigation group engages in structured exploration of different cities using Google Street View that includes daily navigation challenges. The active control group watches and answers subjective questions about educational videos. Following a brief orientation, participants remotely self-administer the intervention on their home computer. In addition to feasibility and compliance measures, clinical and experimental cognitive measures as well as MRI scan data are collected pre-intervention and post-intervention to determine behavioural and neural efficacy.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from ethics boards at the University Health Network and University of Toronto. Findings will be presented at academic conferences and submitted to peer-reviewed journals.Trial registration numberVersion 3, ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04331392).

scholarly journals The Effect of Neonicotinoid Insecticide and Fungicide on Sugar Responsiveness and Orientation Behavior of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) in Semi-Field Conditions

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingchuan Jiang ◽  
Zhengwei Wang ◽  
Qibao He ◽  
Qiongqiong Liu ◽  
Xinyang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Field Conditions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Orientation Behavior ◽  
Pollinator Decline ◽  
Y Maze ◽  
First Choice ◽  
Crop Field ◽  
Neonicotinoid Insecticide ◽  
Flower Odor

Neonicotinoid insecticides are in widespread use around the world, cause pollinator decline. We used semi-field conditions to determine the effect of sublethal insecticide, thiamethoxam, exposure on orientation behavior and sugar responsiveness. Bees could not reject the non-treated flower or the insecticide or insecticide/fungicide treated flower. After bees consumed the insecticide or insecticide/fungicide treated nectar, they could not discriminate between a flower odor or blank control in a Y-maze when making a first choice. We also found that treated bees wander back and forth in both arms to make a final decision about food location, and used longer duration in the Y maze than the control group. Sugar responsiveness was also reduced after bees were fed with insecticide or insecticide/fungicide treated food, one week was needed for them to display the same level of responsiveness as the control group. The thiamethoxam or thiamethoxam/carbendazol treated crop field does not act as an olfactory repellent to the bee, but it does affect its post-consumption behavior.

scholarly journals Balance and motor coordination are not fully developed in 7 years old blind children

2004 ◽  
Vol 62 (3a) ◽  
pp. 654-657 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa Sanchez Navarro ◽  
Marcia Maiumi Fukujima ◽  
Sissy Veloso Fontes ◽  
Sandro Luiz de Andrade Matas ◽  
Gilmar Fernandes do Prado
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Psychomotor Development ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age And Gender ◽  
Blind Children ◽  
Spatial Parameters ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Impaired Children ◽  
Visually Impaired Children

Visually impaired children show difficulties in recognizing their own bodies, objects around then and the spatial parameters that are essential for independent movement. This study analyzes the neuro-psychomotor development of a group of congenitally visually impaired children as compared to children with normal sight. We have evaluated two groups of seven-year-olds by means of neurological evolution examination (NEE). The group studied comprised 20 blind children and the control group comprised 20 children with normal sight, and they were paired up according to age and gender. In some tests, the blind children were guided by touch. The visually impaired children performed worse in tests evaluating balance and appendage coordination compared to normal sighted children (p< 0.001), and this suggests that visual deficiency impairs children's neuro-psychomotor development.

scholarly journals Analyzing the Embedded Learning-Based Movement Education Program’s Effects on Preschool Children’s Visual-Motor Coordination and Self-Regulation

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Fatma Ozkur ◽  
Gokhan Duman
Keyword(s):  
Preschool Children ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Preschool Education ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Movement Education ◽  
Visual Motor Coordination ◽  
Visual Motor

Preschool children&rsquo;s visual-motor coordination skills are very valuable for their academic and social learnings. Using these skills, children have a broad movement repertoire, display better academic skills, participate in classroom activities and social relations, and develop self-regulation. Self-regulation is required for children to set their goals, purposeful planning, monitoring, and adapting. Children are natural players and they enjoy to move and play. Early childhood programs should consider supporting the visual-motor coordination in joint play situations to enhance children&rsquo;s behaviors. This study used movement activities designed with embedded learning instruction to create cooperative play and increased group interactions among children. The purpose of this research was to analyze the embedded learning-based movement education program&rsquo;s effects on preschool children&rsquo;s visual-motor coordination and self-regulation development. For this purpose, an experimental research design with pretest-posttest, control group constructed. Control group children followed their traditional (MoNE, 2013) preschool education program while the experiment group pursued embedded learning-based movement education. Results indicated that both groups of children had significantly better (p.&le;.0.05) visual-motor coordination and self-regulation skills. The difference was greater in experience group of children and the correlation was stronger between visual-motor coordination and self-regulation. It has been found that embedded learning-based movement education program positively affected preschool children&rsquo;s visual-motor coordination and self-regulation.

scholarly journals Prenatal cigarette smoke exposure slightly alters neurobehavioral development in neonatal rats: Implications for developmental origins of health and disease (DoHAD)

2020 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-66
Author(s):  
B. Mammel ◽  
T. Kvárik ◽  
Zs. Szabó ◽  
J. Gyarmati ◽  
T. Ertl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Motor Coordination ◽  
Smoke Exposure ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Cigarette Smoke Exposure ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Developmental Origins ◽  
Smoking During Pregnancy ◽  
Neurobehavioral Development ◽  
Health And Disease

AbstractNumerous studies indicate that smoking during pregnancy exerts harmful effects on fetal brain development. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of maternal smoking during pregnancy on the early physical and neurobehavioral development of newborn rats. Wistar rats were subjected to whole-body smoke exposure for 2 × 40 min daily from the day of mating until day of delivery. For this treatment, a manual closed-chamber smoking system and 4 research cigarettes per occasion were used. After delivery the offspring were tested daily for somatic growth, maturation of facial characteristics and neurobehavioral development until three weeks of age. Motor coordination tests were performed at 3 and 4 weeks of age. We found that prenatal cigarette smoke exposure did not alter weight gain or motor coordination. Critical physical reflexes indicative of neurobehavioral development (eyelid reflex, ear unfolding) appeared significantly later in pups prenatally exposed to smoke as compared to the control group. Prenatal smoke exposure also resulted in a delayed appearance of reflexes indicating neural maturity, including hind limb grasping and forelimb placing reflexes. In conclusion, clinically relevant prenatal exposure to cigarette smoke results in slightly altered neurobehavioral development in rat pups. These findings suggest that chronic exposure of pregnant mothers to cigarette smoke (including passive smoking) results in persisting alterations in the developing brain, which may have long-lasting consequences supporting the concept of developmental origins of health and disease (DoHAD).

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