scholarly journals Neurosteroids and Focal Epileptic Disorders

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (24) ◽  
pp. 9391
Author(s):  
Maxime Lévesque ◽  
Giuseppe Biagini ◽  
Massimo Avoli
Keyword(s):  
Brain Slices ◽  
Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽  
Epileptic Activity ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Interictal Spikes ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
High Frequency Oscillations ◽  
Spontaneous Seizures

Neurosteroids are a family of compounds that are synthesized in principal excitatory neurons and glial cells, and derive from the transformation of cholesterol into pregnenolone. The most studied neurosteroids—allopregnanolone and allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC)—are known to modulate GABAA receptor-mediated transmission, thus playing a role in controlling neuronal network excitability. Given the role of GABAA signaling in epileptic disorders, neurosteroids have profound effects on seizure generation and play a role in the development of chronic epileptic conditions (i.e., epileptogenesis). We review here studies showing the effects induced by neurosteroids on epileptiform synchronization in in vitro brain slices, on epileptic activity in in vivo models, i.e., in animals that were made epileptic with chemoconvulsant treatment, and in epileptic patients. These studies reveal that neurosteroids can modulate ictogenesis and the occurrence of pathological network activity such as interictal spikes and high-frequency oscillations (80–500 Hz). Moreover, they can delay the onset of spontaneous seizures in animal models of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Overall, this evidence suggests that neurosteroids represent a new target for the treatment of focal epileptic disorders.

Hypothermia and Isoflurane Similarly Inhibit Glutamate Release Evoked by Chemical Anoxia in Rat Cortical Brain Slices

1996 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 600-607. ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Eilers ◽  
Philip E. Bickler
Keyword(s):  
Minimum Alveolar Concentration ◽  
Glutamate Release ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Release Rates ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Chemical Anoxia

Background Accumulation of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate in ischemic brain tissue contributes to neuronal cell death. Volatile anesthetics at clinically relevant concentrations are neuroprotective in in vivo models of brain ischemia and reduce glutamate release in vivo and in vitro, but they appear to have weaker neuroprotective effects than hypothermia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether isoflurane reduces glutamate release in hypoxic brain slices, how large this effect is compared to that of hypothermia, and if it is diminished by hyperthermia. Methods Glutamate released from rat cortical brain slices during chemical anoxia (100 microM NaCN) was measured continuously with a fluorescence assay. The release rate was compared at three temperatures (28 degrees C, 37 degrees C, and 39 degrees C) with and without isoflurane at concentrations equipotent to 1 minimum alveolar concentration. At the same three temperatures, glutamate release rates before and after exposure to isoflurane were compared. Results Isoflurane reduced glutamate release from brain slices during chemical anoxia at 37 degrees C (19.6%, P < 0.01) and at 39 degrees C (25.4%, P < 0.01), but not at 28 degrees C. The reduction in glutamate release with hypothermia was similar to that with isoflurane. Hyperthermia (39 degrees C) caused greater glutamate release under basal and anoxic conditions than normo- and hypothermia. Isoflurane caused a slight increase in basal glutamate release rates, although this effect was smaller than the increase caused by hyperthermia. Conclusions In a brain slice model of cerebral anoxia, 1 minimum alveolar concentration isoflurane decreases glutamate release to a similar extent that hypothermia (28 degrees C) does. The increased glutamate release with hyperthermia (39 degrees C) is not prevented by isoflurane.

scholarly journals Intraneuronal chloride accumulation via NKCC1 is not essential for hippocampal network development in vivo

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Graf ◽  
Chuanqiang Zhang ◽  
Stephan Lawrence Marguet ◽  
Tanja Herrmann ◽  
Tom Flossmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Network Dynamics ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Network Function ◽  
Excitatory Gaba ◽  
A Minor

AbstractNKCC1 is the primary transporter mediating chloride uptake in immature principal neurons, but its role in the development of in vivo network dynamics and cognitive abilities remains unknown. Here, we address the function of NKCC1 in developing mice using electrophysiological, optical and behavioral approaches. We report that NKCC1 deletion from telencephalic glutamatergic neurons decreases in-vitro excitatory GABA actions and impairs neuronal synchrony in neonatal hippocampal brain slices. In vivo, it has a minor impact on correlated spontaneous activity in the hippocampus and does not affect network activity in the intact visual cortex. Moreover, long-term effects of the developmental NKCC1 deletion on synaptic maturation, network dynamics and behavioral performance are subtle. Our data reveal a neural network function of depolarizing GABA in the hippocampus in vivo, but challenge the hypothesis that NKCC1 is essential for major aspects of hippocampal development.

Low-Calcium Epileptiform Activity in the Hippocampus In Vivo

2003 ◽  
Vol 90 (4) ◽  
pp. 2253-2260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhouyan Feng ◽  
Dominique M. Durand
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Epileptic Activity ◽  
Slow Waves ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Low Calcium

It has been clearly established that nonsynaptic interactions are sufficient for generating epileptiform activity in brain slices. However, it is not known whether this type of epilepsy model can be generated in vivo. In this paper we investigate low-calcium nonsynaptic epileptiform activity in an intact hippocampus. The calcium chelator EGTA was used to lower [Ca2+]o in the hippocampus of urethane anesthetized rats. Spontaneous and evoked field potentials in CA1 pyramidal stratum and in CA1 stratum radiatum were recorded using four-channel silicon recording probes. Three different types of epileptic activity were observed while synaptic transmission was gradually blocked by a decline in hippocampal [Ca2+]o. A short latency burst, named early-burst, occurred during the early period of EGTA application. Periodic slow-waves and a long latency high-frequency burst, named late-burst, were seen after synaptic transmission was mostly blocked. Therefore these activities appear to be associated with nonsynaptic mechanisms. Moreover, the slow-waves were similar in appearance to the depolarization potential shifts in vitro with low calcium. In addition, excitatory postsynaptic amino acid antagonists could not eliminate the development of slow-waves and late-bursts. The slow-waves and late-bursts were morphologically similar to electrographic seizure activity seen in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. These results clearly show that epileptic activity can be generated in vivo in the absence of synaptic transmission. This type of low-calcium nonsynaptic epilepsy model in an intact hippocampus could play an important role in revealing additional mechanisms of epilepsy disorders and in developing novel anti-convulsant drugs.

scholarly journals A limited role of NKCC1 in telencephalic glutamatergic neurons for developing hippocampal network dynamics and behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (14) ◽  
pp. e2014784118
Author(s):  
Jürgen Graf ◽  
Chuanqiang Zhang ◽  
Stephan Lawrence Marguet ◽  
Tanja Herrmann ◽  
Tom Flossmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Network Dynamics ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Network Function ◽  
Glutamatergic Neurons ◽  
A Minor

NKCC1 is the primary transporter mediating chloride uptake in immature principal neurons, but its role in the development of in vivo network dynamics and cognitive abilities remains unknown. Here, we address the function of NKCC1 in developing mice using electrophysiological, optical, and behavioral approaches. We report that NKCC1 deletion from telencephalic glutamatergic neurons decreases in vitro excitatory actions of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and impairs neuronal synchrony in neonatal hippocampal brain slices. In vivo, it has a minor impact on correlated spontaneous activity in the hippocampus and does not affect network activity in the intact visual cortex. Moreover, long-term effects of the developmental NKCC1 deletion on synaptic maturation, network dynamics, and behavioral performance are subtle. Our data reveal a neural network function of NKCC1 in hippocampal glutamatergic neurons in vivo, but challenge the hypothesis that NKCC1 is essential for major aspects of hippocampal development.

Alterations in Piriform and Bulbar Activity/Excitability/Coupling Upon Amyloid-β Administration in vivo Related to Olfactory Dysfunction

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ignacio Martínez-García ◽  
Rebeca Hernández-Soto ◽  
Benjamín Villasana-Salazar ◽  
Benito Ordaz ◽  
Fernando Peña-Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Piriform Cortex ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Olfactory Dysfunction ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Pathological Changes ◽  
Olfactory Pathway ◽  
Lateral Olfactory Tract

Background: Deficits in odor detection and discrimination are premature symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) that correlate with pathological signs in the olfactory bulb (OB) and piriform cortex (PCx). Similar olfactory dysfunction has been characterized in AD transgenic mice that overproduce amyloid-β (Aβ), which can be prevented by reducing Aβ levels by immunological and pharmacological means, suggesting that olfactory dysfunction depends on Aβ accumulation and Aβ-driven alterations in the OB and/or PCx, as well as on their activation. However, this possibility was not directly tested before. Objective: To characterize the effects of Aβ on OB and PCx excitability/coupling and on olfaction. Methods: Aβ oligomerized solution (containing oligomers, monomers, and protofibrils) or its vehicle were intracerebroventricularlly injected two weeks before OB and PCx excitability and synchrony were evaluated through field recordings in vivo and in brain slices. Synaptic transmission from the OB to the PCx was also evaluated in vitro. Olfaction was assessed through the habituation/dishabituation test. Results: Aβ did not affect lateral olfactory tract transmission into the PCx but reduced odor habituation and cross-habituation. This olfactory dysfunction was related to a reduction of PCx and OB network activity power in vivo. Moreover, the coherence between PCx-OB activities was also reduced by Aβ. Finally, Aβ treatment exacerbated the 4-aminopyridine-induced excitation in the PCx in vitro. Conclusion: Our results show that Aβ-induced olfactory dysfunction involves a complex set of pathological changes at different levels of the olfactory pathway including alterations in PCx excitability and its coupling with the OB. These pathological changes might contribute to hyposmia in AD.

scholarly journals Evaluation of in vitro neuronal networks for the study of spontaneous activity

STEMedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. e35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diletta Pozzi
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Spontaneous Activity ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Neuronal Networks ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
External Stimuli

In the absence of external stimuli, the nervous system exhibits a spontaneous electrical activity whose functions are not fully understood, and that represents the background noise of brain operations. Spontaneous activity has been proven to arise not only in vivo, but in in vitro neuronal networks as well, following some stereotypical patterns that reproduce the time course of development of the mammalian nervous system. This review provides an overview of in vitro models for the study of spontaneous network activity, discussing their ability to reproduce in vivo - like dynamics and the main findings obtained with each particular model. While explanted brain slices are able to reproduce the neuronal oscillations typically observed in anaesthetized animals, dissociated cultures allow the use of patient-derived neurons and limit the number of animals used for sample preparation.

Melatonin modifies tumor hypoxia and metabolism by inhibiting HIF-1α and energy metabolic pathway in the in vitro and in vivo models of breast cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 83-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
André De Lima Mota ◽  
Bruna Vitorasso Jardim-Perassi ◽  
Tialfi Bergamin De Castro ◽  
Jucimara Colombo ◽  
Nathália Martins Sonehara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Glucose Metabolism ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Carbonic Anhydrases ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Ca Ix ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and has a high mortality rate. Adverse conditions in the tumor microenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidosis, may exert selective pressure on the tumor, selecting subpopulations of tumor cells with advantages for survival in this environment. In this context, therapeutic agents that can modify these conditions, and consequently the intratumoral heterogeneity need to be explored. Melatonin, in addition to its physiological effects, exhibits important anti-tumor actions which may associate with modification of hypoxia and Warburg effect. In this study, we have evaluated the action of melatonin on tumor growth and tumor metabolism by different markers of hypoxia and glucose metabolism (HIF-1α, glucose transporters GLUT1 and GLUT3 and carbonic anhydrases CA-IX and CA-XII) in triple negative breast cancer model. In an in vitro study, gene and protein expressions of these markers were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR and immunocytochemistry, respectively. The effects of melatonin were also tested in a MDA-MB-231 xenograft animal model. Results showed that melatonin treatment reduced the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor growth in Balb/c nude mice (p <0.05). The treatment significantly decreased HIF-1α gene and protein expression concomitantly with the expression of GLUT1, GLUT3, CA-IX and CA-XII (p <0.05). These results strongly suggest that melatonin down-regulates HIF-1α expression and regulates glucose metabolism in breast tumor cells, therefore, controlling hypoxia and tumor progression. 

Current Challenges in the Development of Vaccines and Drugs Against Emerging Vector-borne Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 2974-2986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kwang-sun Kim
Keyword(s):  
New Host ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Vector Borne Diseases ◽  
Novel Drugs ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
Tick Borne Disease ◽  
Vector Borne ◽  
Living Organisms

Vectors are living organisms that transmit infectious diseases from an infected animal to humans or another animal. Biological vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies carry pathogens that multiply within their bodies prior to delivery to a new host. The increased prevalence of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) such as Aedes-borne dengue, Chikungunya (CHIKV), Zika (ZIKV), malaria, Tick-Borne Disease (TBD), and scrub typhus has a huge impact on the health of both humans and livestock worldwide. In particular, zoonotic diseases transmitted by mosquitoes and ticks place a considerable burden on public health. Vaccines, drugs, and vector control methods have been developed to prevent and treat VBDs and have prevented millions of deaths. However, development of such strategies is falling behind the rapid emergence of VBDs. Therefore, a comprehensive approach to fighting VBDs must be considered immediately. In this review, I focus on the challenges posed by emerging outbreaks of VBDs and discuss available drugs and vaccines designed to overcome this burden. Research into promising drugs needs to be upgraded and fast-tracked, and novel drugs or vaccines being tested in in vitro and in vivo models need to be moved into human clinical trials. Active preventive tactics, as well as new and upgraded diagnostics, surveillance, treatments, and vaccination strategies, need to be monitored constantly if we are to manage VBDs of medical importance.

Potential for Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases with Natural Products or Synthetic Compounds that Stabilize Microtubules

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (35) ◽  
pp. 4362-4372
Author(s):  
John H. Miller ◽  
Viswanath Das
Keyword(s):  
Natural Products ◽  
Neurodegenerative Diseases ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
Synthetic Compounds ◽  
Stabilizing Agents ◽  
Animal Models Of Disease ◽  
Model Studies ◽  
Models Of Disease

No effective therapeutics to treat neurodegenerative diseases exist, despite significant attempts to find drugs that can reduce or rescue the debilitating symptoms of tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Pick’s disease. A number of in vitro and in vivo models exist for studying neurodegenerative diseases, including cell models employing induced-pluripotent stem cells, cerebral organoids, and animal models of disease. Recent research has focused on microtubulestabilizing agents, either natural products or synthetic compounds that can prevent the axonal destruction caused by tau protein pathologies. Although promising results have come from animal model studies using brainpenetrant natural product microtubule-stabilizing agents, such as paclitaxel analogs that can access the brain, epothilones B and D, and other synthetic compounds such as davunetide or the triazolopyrimidines, early clinical trials in humans have been disappointing. This review aims to summarize the research that has been carried out in this area and discuss the potential for the future development of an effective microtubule stabilizing drug to treat neurodegenerative disease.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document