Browsing by browse.metadata.contributordepartment "Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología"
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- PublicationRestrictedA computerized analysis of the entire retinal ganglion cell population and its spatial distribution in adult rats(Elsevier, 2009-01) Mayor Torroglosa, S.; Jiménez López, M.; Avilés Trigueros, Marcelino; Holmes, T. M.; Lund, R. D.; Villegas Pérez, M. P.; Vidal Sanz, M.; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaIn adult albino (SD) and pigmented (PVG) rats the entire population of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) was quantified and their spatial distribution analyzed using a computerized technique. RGCs were back-labelled from the optic nerves (ON) or the superior colliculi (SCi) with Fluorogold (FG). Numbers of RGCs labelled from the ON [SD: 82,818 ± 3,949, n = 27; PVG: 89,241 ± 3,576, n = 6) were comparable to those labelled from the SCi [SD: 81,486 ± 4,340, n = 37; PVG: 87,229 ± 3,199; n = 59]. Detailed methodology to provide cell density information at small scales demonstrated the presence of a horizontal region in the dorsal retina with highest densities, resembling a visual streak.
- PublicationRestrictedA freely available semi-automated method for quantifying retinal ganglion cells in entire retinal flatmounts(Elsevier, 2016-04-20) Geeraerts, E. ; Dekeyster, E. ; Gaublomme, D. ; De Groef, L.; Moons, L.; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaGlaucomatous optic neuropathies are characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), the neurons that connect the eye to the brain. Quantification of these RGCs is a cornerstone in experimental optic neuropathy research and commonly performed via manually quantifying parts of the retina. However, this is a time-consuming process subject to inter- and intra-observer variability. Here we present a freely available ImageJ script to semi-automatically quantify RGCs in entire retinal flatmounts after immunostaining for the RGC-specific transcription factor Brn3a. The blob-like signal of Brn3a-immunopositive RGCs is enhanced via eigenvalues of the Hessian matrix and the resulting local maxima are counted as RGCs. After the user has outlined the retinal flatmount area, the total RGC number and retinal area are reported and an isodensity map, showing the RGC density distribution across the retina, is created. The semi-automated quantification shows a very strong correlation (Pearson's r ≥ 0.99) with manual counts for both widefield and confocal images, thereby validating the data generated via the developed script. Moreover, application of this method in established glaucomatous optic neuropathy models such as N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced excitotoxicity, optic nerve crush and laser-induced ocular hypertension revealed RGC loss conform with literature. Compared to manual counting, the described automated quantification method is faster and shows user-independent consistency. Furthermore, as the script detects the RGC number in entire retinal flatmounts, the method allows detection of regional differences in RGC density. As such, it can help advance research investigating the degenerative mechanisms of glaucomatous optic neuropathies and the effectiveness of new neuroprotective treatments. Because the script is flexible and easy to optimize due to a low number of critical parameters, it can potentially be applied in combination with other tissues or alternative labeling protocols.
- PublicationOpen AccessA Hydroxypyrone-Based Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-12 Displays Neuroprotective Properties in Both Status Epilepticus and Optic Nerve Crush Animal Models(MDPI, 2018-07-25) Vinet, Jonathan; Costa, Anna Maria; Leo, Giuseppina; Moons, Lieve; Arckens, Lutgarde; Biagini, Giuseppe; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaRecently, we showed that matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) is highly expressed in microglia and myeloid infiltrates, which are presumably involved in blood–brain barrier (BBB) leakage and subsequent neuronal cell death that follows status epilepticus (SE). Here, we assessed the effects of a hydroxypyrone-based inhibitor selective for MMP-12 in the pilocarpine-induced SE rat model to determine hippocampal cell survival. In the hippocampus of rats treated with pilocarpine, intra-hippocampal injections of the MMP-12 inhibitor protected Cornu Ammonis 3 (CA3) and hilus of dentate gyrus neurons against cell death and limited the development of the ischemic-like lesion that typically develops in the CA3 stratum lacunosum-moleculare of the hippocampus. Furthermore, we showed that MMP-12 inhibition limited immunoglobulin G and albumin extravasation after SE, suggesting a reduction in BBB leakage. Finally, to rule out any possible involvement of seizure modulation in the neuroprotective effects of MMP-12 inhibition, neuroprotection was also observed in the retina of treated animals after optic nerve crush. Overall, these results support the hypothesis that MMP-12 inhibition can directly counteract neuronal cell death and that the specific hydroxypyrone-based inhibitor used in this study could be a potential therapeutic agent against neurological diseases/disorders characterized by an important inflammatory response and/or neuronal cell loss.
- PublicationOpen AccessActivation of adenosine A3 receptor protects retinal ganglion cells from degeneration induced by ocular hypertension(Glaucoma is a progressive chronic retinal degenerative disease and a leading cause of global irreversible blindness. This disease is characterized by optic nerve damage and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death. The current treatments available target the lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP), the main risk factor for disease onset and development. However, in some patients, vision loss progresses despite successful IOP control, indicating that new and effective treatments are needed, such as those targeting the neuroprotection of RGCs. Adenosine A3 receptor (A3R) activation confers protection to RGCs following an excitotoxic stimulus. In this work, we investigated whether the activation of A3R could also afford protection to RGCs in the laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT) model, a well-characterized animal model of glaucoma. The intravitreal injection of 2-Cl-IB-MECA, a selective A3R agonist, abolished the alterations induced by OHT in the negative and positive components of scotopic threshold response (STR) without changing a- and b-wave amplitudes both in scotopic and photopic conditions. Moreover, the treatment of OHT eyes with the A3R agonist promoted the survival of RGCs, attenuated the impairment in retrograde axonal transport, and improved the structure of the optic nerve. Taking into consideration the beneficial effects afforded by 2-Cl-IB-MECA, we can envisage that A3R activation can be considered a good therapeutic strategy to protect RGCs from glaucomatous damage., 2020) Boia, Raquel ; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Gallego Ortega, Alejandro; Galindo Romero, Caridad; Aires, Inês D.; Agudo Barriuso, Marta; Ambrósio, António Francisco; Vidal Sanz, Manuel; Santiago, Ana Raquel; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Medicina
- PublicationOpen AccessAcute pre-learning stress and declarative memory: impact of sex, cortisol response and menstrual cycle phase(Elsevier, 2013-04-12) Espín López, Laura; Almela, Mercedes; Hidalgo, Vanesa; Villada, Carolina; Salvador, Alicia; Gómez Amor, Jesús; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Psicología y LogopediaThis study explores the influence of pre-learning stress on performance on declarative memory tasks in healthy young adults in relation to sex and menstrual cycle phase. The sample was composed of 119 students (32 men and 87 women) from 18 to 25 years of age. The women were tested in different hormonal stages (30 in follicular phase, 34 in luteal phase, and 23 using oral contraceptives). The participants were exposed to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) or a control condition. Afterwards, their memory performance was measured using a standardized memory test (Rey's Auditory Verbal Learning Test). In the control condition, all groups of women recalled more words than men, but these differences disappeared in the group exposed to TSST because men's performance on the memory test improved, but only to the level of women. In addition, our data suggest that in women the relationship between cortisol and memory can be modulated by sex hormone levels, since in luteal women a negative relationship was found between memory performance and peak cortisol level. These results confirm that sex differences need to be considered in the relationship between pre-learning stress and memory performance.
- PublicationRestrictedAcute stress affects free recall and recognition of pictures differently depending on age and sex(Elsevier, 2015) Espín López, Laura; Vanesa Hidalgoa,∗, Matias M. Pulopulosa, Sara Puig-Pereza, Laura Espinb, Jesus Gomez-Amorb, Alicia Salvadora; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Psicología y LogopediaLittle is known about age differences in the effects of stress on memory retrieval. Our aim was to perform an in-depth examination of acute psychosocial stress effects on memory retrieval, depending on age and sex. For this purpose, data from 52 older subjects (27 men and 25 women) were reanalyzed along with data from a novel group of 50 young subjects (26 men and 24 women). Participants were exposed to an acute psychosocial stress task (Trier Social Stress Test) or a control task. After the experimental manip- ulation, the retrieval of positive, negative and neutral pictures learned the previous day was tested. As expected, there was a significant response to the exposure to the stress task, but the older participants had a lower cortisol response to TSST than the younger ones. Stress impaired free recall of emotional (positive and negative) and neutral pictures only in the group of young men. Also in this group, corre- lation analyses showed a marginally significant association between cortisol and free recall. However, exploratory analyses revealed only a negative relationship between the stress-induced cortisol response and free recall of negative pictures. Moreover, stress impaired recognition memory of positive pictures in all participants, although this effect was not related to the cortisol or alpha-amylase response. These results indicate that both age and sex are critical factors in acute stress effects on specific aspects of long-term memory retrieval of emotional and neutral material. They also point out that more research is needed to better understand their specific role.
PublicationRestrictedAge-related brain pathology in Octodon degu: blood vessel, white matter and Alzheimer-like pathology(Elsevier, 2009-11-11) Van Groen, Thomas; Kadish, Inga; Caballero Bleda, María; Baño-Otalora, Beatriz; Vivanco, Pablo; Rol, María Ángeles; Madrid, Juan Antonio; Popovic, Natalija; Popovic Popovic, Miroljub; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaRecently it has been shown that over 3-year-old wild-type South American rodents, Octodon degus, the "common degu" or degu, of their own accord develop Alzheimer's disease neuropathological hallmarks: amyloid-β-peptide depositions and accumulation of tau-protein. Here we analyzed brains of 1-, 3- and 6-year-old degu's, bred in standard animal facilities. Significant amounts of Aβ and tau deposits are present in the hippocampal formation of 6-year-old O. degus, primarily in the white matter, but these hippocampal Aβ and tau deposits are not present in younger ones. In contrast, significant Aβ deposits in blood vessel walls are already found in 3-year-old animals. The tau deposits in the hippocampal formation coincide with a significant decrease in staining for myelin in the same areas, indicating hippocampal disconnection and, likely, dysfunction. Our findings indicate that (1) cerebral amyloid angiopathy precedes brain parenchyma pathology in aged degu's and (2) the onset of disease seems to be delayed in the laboratory vs. wild-type degu's.- PublicationOpen AccessAn anatomical study using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and rhinoscopy of the nasal cavity of domestic cat (Felis silvestris catus L.) and big cats: lion (Panthera leo leo L.), leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya L.), and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus S.)(MDPI, 2024-04-13) Díaz Martínez, Elena; Arencibia Espinosa, Alberto; Kilroy, David; Soler Laguía, Marta; Kilroy, David; Martínez Gomariz, Francisco; Casas García, Diego Luis; Sánchez Collado, Cayetano; Gil Cano, Francisco; Raduán Jaber, José; Ramírez Zarzosa, Gregorio José; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultad de VeterinariaThe objective of this work was to study the normal anatomy of the nasal cavity of the three species of big cats (leopard, lion, and cheetah) compared to the domestic cat through the use of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and rhinoscopy. Computed tomography allowed us to clearly visualize the entire bony and cartilaginous framework that supports the nasal cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging permitted better visualization of the soft tissues of this cavity. On the other hand, rhinoscopy enabled the direct visualization of the mucosa of the vestibule and nasal cavity, which is very useful in the diagnosis of masses or foreign bodies. Furthermore, with this technique, it has been possible to observe several small orifices from the nasolacrimal duct, the pharyngeal auditory tube, and the lateral nasal gland. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and rhinoscopy are useful tools in analysis of the anatomical characteristics of the nasal cavity in these species.
- PublicationOpen AccessAnalysis of speech rhythm and heart rate as indicators of stress on student interpreters(Taylor and Francis Group Routledge, 2021-03-30) Rojo López, Ana María; Foulquié Rubio, Ana Isabel; Espín López, Laura; Martínez Sánchez, Francisco (1960); Traducción e Interpretación; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Psicología Básica y MetodologíaStress is assumed to be intrinsic to interpreting and the ability to manage it a presumed predictor of performance. And yet, empirical research on the role of stress in interpreting has remained scarce. This study explores the impact of stress and anxiety on the academic scores, heart rate (HR) and speech rhythm of 23 student interpreters in a liaison interpreting task. Participants’ stress and anxiety are measured using HR measures and the STAI test. Their speech rhythm is automatically analyzed through different indexes deriving from the variability of syllabic intervals. Results show that students’ grades negatively correlate with their levels of state anxiety, which are, in turn, significantly related to their rhythmic parameters in L1-L2 interpreting. Greater rhythmic variability correlates with students’ lower examination scores when speech is delivered into their L2. A significant increase in mean HR is reported during the interpreting task phase as compared with baseline and recovery phase, suggesting that HR was a sensitive marker to detect the students’ stress response, but not to the level of influencing performance. Results point to the need to triangulate different measures to obtain a complete picture of how stress and anxiety may impact interpreting performance.
- PublicationOpen AccessAnatomía clínica: Implantes cigomáticosLópez González, Laura; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultad de Medicina
- PublicationOpen AccessAtlas de disección: guía de estudio Neuroanatomía ILópez González, Laura; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultad de Medicina
- PublicationOpen AccessAtlas de disección: guía de estudio Neuroanatomía IILópez González, Laura; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultad de Medicina
- PublicationOpen AccessAtlas descriptivo: Anatomía detallada de las estructuras dentales humanasLópez González, Laura; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología
- PublicationOpen AccessAtypical course of the habenulo-interpeduncular tract in chick embryos(Wiley, 2024-07-30) Ferrán Bertone, José Luis; Puelles López, Luis; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultad de MedicinaClassical studies of the avian diencephalon hardly mention the habenulo-interpeduncular tract (a.k.a. retroflex tract), although both the habenula (HB) (its origin) and the interpeduncular nuclear complex (its target) are present. Retroflex tract fibers were described at early embryonic stages but seem absent in the adult in routine stains. However, this tract is a salient diencephalic landmark in all other vertebrate lineages. It typically emerges out of the caudal HB, courses dorsoventrally across thalamic alar and basal plates just in front of the thalamo-pretectal boundary, and then sharply bends 90◦ caudalwards at paramedian basal plate levels (this is the “retroflexion”), to approach longitudinally via paramedian pretectum and midbrain the rostralmost hindbrain, specifically the prepontine median interpeduncular complex across isthmus and rhombomere 1. We systematize this habenulointerpeduncular course into four parts named subhabenular, retrothalamic, tegmental, and interpeduncular. We reexamined the chicken habenulo-interpeduncular fibers at stages HH30 and HH35 (6.5- and 9-day incubation) by mapping them specifically with immunoreaction for BEN protein, a well-known marker. We found that only a small fraction of the stained retroflex tract fibers approaches the basal plate by coursing along the standard dorsoventral pathway in front of the thalamo-pretectal boundary. Many other habenular fibers instead diverge into atypical dispersed courses across the thalamic cellmass (implying alteration of the first subhabenular part of the standard course) before reaching the basal plate; this dispersion explains their invisibility. A significant number of such transthalamic habenular fibers cross orthogonally the zona limitans (ZLI) (the rostral thalamic boundary) and invade the caudal alar prethalamus. Here, they immediately descend dorsoventrally, just rostrally to the ZLI, until reaching the prethalamic basal plate, where they bend (retroflex) caudalwards, entering the thalamic basal paramedian area. These atypical fibers gradually fasciculate with the other groups of habenular efferent fibers in their final longitudinal approach to the hindbrain interpeduncular complex.We conclude that the poor visibility of this tract in birds is due to its dispersion into a diversity of atypical alternative routes, though all components eventually reach the interpeduncular complex. This case merits further analysis of the diverse permissive versus nonpermissive guidance mechanisms called into action, which partially correlate distinctly with successive diencephalic, mesencephalic, and hindbrain neuromeric fields and their boundaries.
- PublicationOpen AccessAutomated quantification and topographical distribution of the whole population of S- and L-cones in adult albino and pigmented rats(Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, 2010-06) Ortín Martínez, Arturo; Jiménez López, Manuel; Sauvé, Yves; Villegas Pérez, María Paz; Vidal Sanz, Manuel; Agudo Barriuso, Marta; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Nadal-Nicolás, Francisco Manuel; Alarcón Martínez, Luis; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaPurpose.: To quantify the whole population of S- and L-cones in the albino (Sprague-Dawley, SD) and pigmented (Piebald Virol Glaxo, PVG) rats and to study their topographical distribution within the retina. Methods.: Retinal radial sections and whole-mounted retinas were double immunodetected with antibodies against UV-sensitive and L-opsins to detect the S- and L-cones, respectively. Two automated routines were developed to quantify the whole population of S- and L-cones. Detailed isodensity maps of each cone type were generated. In both strains, the presence of dual cones was detected, these were semiautomatically quantified and their distribution determined. The matching distribution of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and L-cones was attained by double immunodetection of Brn3a and L-opsin, respectively Results.: The mean number ± SEM of L- or S-cones in SD and PVG retinas was 231,736 ± 14,517 and 239,939 ± 6,494 or 41,028 ± 5,074, and 27,316 ± 2,235, respectively. There was an increasing gradient of S-cone density along the inferonasal quadrant, although the highest densities were found in the retinal rims. The distribution of L-cones seemed to be complementary to the S-cones. The highest densities were observed in the superior nasotemporal axis, paralleling the distribution of Brn3a-positive RGCs. Conclusions.: These data establish, for the first time, the total number and the topographical distribution of S- and L-cones in two rat strains and demonstrate the correlation of L-cones and RGC spatial distribution.
- PublicationOpen AccessAutonomic markers associated with generalized social phobia symptoms: heart rate variability and salivary alpha-amylase(Taylor and Francis Group, 2017) Espín López, Laura; García Rubio, María J.; Hidalgo, Vanesa; Salvador, Alicia; Gómez Amor, Jesús; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Psicología y LogopediaThe study of autonomic nervous system changes associated with generalized social phobia (GSP) dis- order has increased in recent years, showing contradictory results. The present study aimed to evaluate how young people with GSP reacted before, during, and after exposure to the Trier Stress Social Test (TSST), focusing on their autonomic changes (heart rate variability (HRV) and salivary alpha-amylase (sAA)) compared to a control group (non-GSP). Some psychological variables were also considered. Sex was specifically studied as a possible modulator of autonomic fluctuations and psychological state. Eighty young people were randomly distributed into two counterbalanced situations: stress condition (N1⁄418 and 21 for GSP and non-GSP, respectively) and control condition (N1⁄421 and 20 for GSP and non-GSP, respectively), where cardiovascular variables were continuously recorded. Psychological ques- tionnaires about mood and perceived stress were filled out, and five saliva samples were collected to analyze sAA. GSP participants showed higher values on low- and high-frequency ratios (HR domains), compared to non-GSP people, during exposure to the TSST, but no differences were observed after the stressor. Furthermore, the two groups did not differ in sAA. Importantly, positive affect in GSP partici- pants was modulated by sex. The present study suggests that the balance between high- and low-fre- quency domains of HRV is a key cardiovascular marker reflecting the stress response of GSP people, as well the importance of sex in positive affect when facing a stressful situation.
- PublicationOpen AccessAutonomic reactivity in blood-injection-injury and snake phobia(Elsevier, 2018-12) Maldonado, Enrique F.; Pineda, Sara; Torrente, Ginesa; Carrillo Verdejo, María Eduvigis; Sánchez Navarro, Juan Pedro; Martínez Selva, José María; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaObjective: This research aimed to study the salivary flow and other autonomic reactions -heart rate (HR) and skin conductance response (SCR)- in blood-injection-injury (BII) phobia and snake phobia participants, under the assumption that exposure to blood-related pictures in BII phobia will provoke an increase in parasympathetic activity that, in turn, will lead to a greater saliva production than other affective contents. Methods: We selected 18 BII phobia and 14 snake phobia participants along with 22 non-phobia individuals. All participants were exposed to 3 blocks of pictures (12 pictures per block) depicting either mutilations, snakes or neutral, household objects. Saliva samples were taken in the 2-min interval before and after each block. Results: In comparison to other contents, blood-related pictures provoked an increase in salivary flow in BII phobia participants, as well as an increase in the number of SCRs. In the snake phobia group, snake pictures provoked HR acceleration, but the SCRs they elicited did not differ from the SCRs provoked by the blood-related pictures. Conclusion: BII phobia individuals react to their phobic object with a series of physiological changes resulting from a sympathetic-parasympathetic co-activation. This is in contrast with other specific phobias (e.g., small animal phobias) that usually show a sympathetically mediated, defensive reactivity when exposed to their disorder-relevant stimuli. These data support the use of therapeutic interventions in BII phobia that may differ in some respect from those used in other specific phobias.
- PublicationRestrictedAxotomy-induced retinal ganglion cell death in adult mice: quantitative and topographic time course analyses(Elsevier, 2011-02-24) Galindo Romero, Caridad; Avilés Trigueros, Marcelino; Jiménez López, Manuel; Valiente Soriano, Francisco Javier; Salinas Navarro, Manuel Ángel; Nadal-Nicolás, Francisco Manuel; Villegas Pérez, Maria Paz; Vidal Sanz, Manuel; Agudo Barriuso, Marta; Oftalmología, Optometría, Otorrinolaringología y Anatomía Patológica; Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de MedicinaThe fate of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury has been thoroughly described in rat, but not in mice, despite the fact that this species is amply used as a model to study different experimental paradigms that affect retinal ganglion cell population. Here we have analyzed, quantitatively and topographically, the course of mice retinal ganglion cells loss induced by intraorbital nerve transection. To do this, we have doubly identified retinal ganglion cells in all retinas by tracing them from their main retinorecipient area, the superior colliculi, and by their expression of BRN3A (product of Pou4f1 gene). In rat, this transcription factor is expressed by a majority of retinal ganglion cells; however in mice it is not known how many out of the whole population of these neurons express it. Thus, in this work we have assessed, as well, the total population of BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells. These were automatically quantified in all whole-mounted retinas using a newly developed routine. In control retinas, tracedretinal ganglion cells were automatically quantified, using the previously reported method (SalinasNavarro et al., 2009b). After optic nerve injury, though, traced-retinal ganglion cells had to be manually quantified by retinal sampling and their total population was afterwards inferred. In naïve whole-mounts, the mean ( standard deviation) total number of traced-retinal ganglion cells was 40,437 ( 3196) andofBRN3Apositive ones was 34,697( 1821). Retinal ganglion cell loss was first significant for both markers 5 days post-axotomy and by day 21, the last time point analyzed, only 15% or 12% of traced or BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells respectively, survived. Isodensity maps showed that, in control retinas, BRN3A and traced-retinal ganglion cells were distributed similarly, being densest in the dorsal retina along the naso-temporal axis. After axotomy the progressive loss of BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells was diffuse and affected the entire retina. In conclusion, this is the first study assessing the values, in terms of total number and density, of the retinal ganglion cells surviving axotomy from 2 till 21 days post-lesion. Besides, we have demonstrated that BRN3A is expressed by 85.6% of the total retinal ganglion cell population, and because BRN3A positive retinal ganglion cells show the same spatial distribution and temporal course of degeneration than traced ones, BRN3A is a reliable marker to identify, quantify and assess, ex-vivo, retinal ganglion cell loss in this species.
- PublicationRestrictedBarnes maze performance of Octodon degus is gender dependent(Elsevier, 2010-04-10) Madrid, Juan Antonio; Rol, María Ángeles; Caballero Bleda, María; Popovic Popovic, Miroljub; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaGender differences in spatial navigation have been widely reported in nocturnal rodent species. Here, for the first time we report gender differences in spatial learning and memory of Octodon degus, a long-lived diurnal hystricomorph rodent. In the present study, 16 months old male and female O. degus were tested in the 18-holes Barnes circular maze. The acquisition session consisted of four daily 4 min trials, during 10 days. Seven days later, the retention test was performed. To avoid the effect of hormonal fluctuation on spatial navigation, both the acquisition and the retention tests, were performed in 21-day regular cycling females in a period that corresponds to the diestrus phase of the estrus cycle. At the beginning of the acquisition, female degus were significantly slower than males to find the escape hole, but the situation reversed afterwards. Moreover, during the course of acquisition, females made significantly less reference memory errors, working memory errors as well as omission errors, than males. In both sexes, motivation and learning ceiling effects were reached at days 5–6 of the training. During the acquisition, females used more frequently a spatial strategy, while males preferably applied either serial, random or opposite strategies. The observed cognitive differences between male and female O. degus existed only during the acquisition period but not during the retention, indicating that acquisition and consolidation are differently influenced by gender.
- PublicationOpen AccessBidirectional gut-to-brain and brain-to-gut propagation of synucleinopathy in non-human primates(Oxford University Press, 2020-05-07) Arotcarena, Marie-Laure; Dovero, Sandra; Prigent, Alice; Bourdenx, Mathieu; Camus, Sandrine; Porras, Gregory; Thiolat, Marie-Laure; Tasselli, Maddalena; Aubert, Philippe; Kruse, Niels; Mollenhauer, Brit; Trigo Damas, Ines; Estrada, Cristina; Garcia-Carrillo, Nuria; Vaikath, Nishant; El-Agnaf, Omar M.A.; Vila, Miquel; Obeso, Jose A.; Derkinderen, Pascal; Dehay, Benjamin; Bezard, Erwan; Herrero Ezquerro, María Trinidad; Anatomía Humana y PsicobiologíaIn Parkinson’s disease, synucleinopathy is hypothesized to spread from the enteric nervous system, via the vagus nerve, to the CNS. Here, we compare, in baboon monkeys, the pathological consequences of either intrastriatal or enteric injection of a-synucleincontaining Lewy body extracts from patients with Parkinson’s disease. This study shows that patient-derived a-synuclein aggregates are able to induce nigrostriatal lesions and enteric nervous system pathology after either enteric or striatal injection in a non-human primate model. This finding suggests that the progression of a-synuclein pathology might be either caudo-rostral or rostro-caudal, varying between patients and disease subtypes. In addition, we report that a-synuclein pathological lesions were not found in the vagal nerve in our experimental setting. This study does not support the hypothesis of a transmission of a-synuclein pathology through the vagus nerve and the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus. Instead, our results suggest a possible systemic mechanism in which the general circulation would act as a route for long-distance bidirectional transmission of endogenous a-synuclein between the enteric and the central nervous systems. Taken together, our study provides invaluable primate data exploring the role of the gut-brain axis in the initiation and propagation of Parkinson’s disease pathology and should open the door to the development and testing of new therapeutic approaches aimed at interfering with the development of sporadic Parkinson’s disease.