在体神经元胞外记录用于大脑皮层可塑性研究

神经元网络可塑性是大脑学习和记忆功能的基础,可塑性的变化也是某些脑功能疾病的成因。研究大脑皮层可塑性不仅可以为认识可塑性机制提供基本方法,也可对自然衰老过程和神经退行性疾病的病理过程进行观测,进而可以为评价抗衰老药物和治疗神经退行性疾病提供新方法。本文基于经典的大鼠胡须配对模型建立了一套实验方案,通过在体细胞外记录实验的数据分析,比较修剪胡须后相同时间内神经元感受野不对称变化程度的差异,衡量不同生理条件下大鼠体感皮层神经元网络可塑性。本文以中年和青年大鼠体感皮层神经元网络可塑性比较为例,详细介绍了实验方法中的关键技术和操作,如皮层D2功能柱的定位和D2功能柱内不同层神经元的定位等,结果和我室以前相关研究证明了此实验方案的可行性。     

组蛋白去乙酰化酶在突触可塑性及神经退行性疾病中的作用

突触可塑性是学习与记忆的分子机制之一。表观遗传调控在突触可塑性过程中起着重要作用。通过组蛋白去乙酰化酶和组蛋白乙酰化酶对组蛋白进行修饰是其中一种主要方式。组蛋白乙酰化修饰可以激活转录、活化相应位点和信号分子,影响突触可塑性。组蛋白去乙酰化酶抑制剂在治疗神经退行性疾病的过程中,发现可以增强突触可塑性,改善记忆损伤。因此,现就组蛋白去乙酰化酶在突触可塑性中的作用机制及其与相关神经退行性疾病发生发展的联系进行综述。     

脑内ATF4对学习记忆的调节作用

转录激活因子4(ATF4)属于碱性亮氨酸拉链结构域蛋白中的ATF/CREB转录因子家族,ATF4在脑内广泛表达,在应激、痛觉、突触可塑性和神经退行性变等中发挥重要作用。学习与记忆是脑的高级功能之一,学习是获取新信息的过程,记忆是将信息进行编码、储存及提取的过程,二者被认为是认知活动的基础。突触可塑性是突触在形态、结构和功能上的可变性和可修饰性,与神经系统的发育和学习记忆等脑的高级功能密切相关。突触可塑性的长时程增强和长时程抑制是学习和记忆形成的基础。近年来研究发现, ATF4与突触可塑性和学习记忆密切相关,其在神经退行性变、脑损伤和药物成瘾等疾病中扮演重要角色,有必要深入理解ATF4在学习记忆障碍相关疾病中发挥的作用,为相关疾病的治疗提供新靶点。     

非常规肌球蛋白与突触可塑性

突触可塑性是学习记忆的基础,其分子机制是理解记忆形成和维持的关键,也为神经退行性疾病的预防与治疗提供了新靶点。肌球蛋白超家族广泛存在于人体各种组织细胞中,主要分为常规肌球蛋白和非常规肌球蛋白。越来越多的研究发现,非常规肌球蛋白参与了许多重要的生命活动,尤其是在神经系统对突触可塑性的调节中,起到了十分重要的作用。     

神经元的突触可塑性与学习和记忆

大量研究表明,神经元的突触可塑性包括功能可塑性和结构可塑性,与学习和记忆密切相关.最近,在经过训练的动物海马区,记录到了学习诱导的长时程增强(long term potentiation,LTP),如果用激酶抑制剂阻断晚期LTP,就会使大鼠丧失训练形成的记忆.这些结果指出,LTP可能是形成记忆的分子基础.因此,进一步研究哺乳动物脑内突触可塑性的分子机制,对揭示学习和记忆的神经基础有重要意义.此外,在精神迟滞性疾病和神经退行性疾病患者脑内记录到异常的LTP,并发现神经元的树突棘数量减少,形态上产生畸变或萎缩,同时发现,产生突变的基因大多编码调节突触可塑性的信号通路蛋白,故突触可塑性研究也将促进精神和神经疾病的预防和治疗.综述了突触可塑性研究的最新进展,并展望了其发展前景.     

突触可塑性与脑疾病的神经发育基础

大脑神经回路高度有序的神经元活动是高级脑功能的基础,神经元之间的突触联结是神经回路的关键功能节点。神经突触根据神经元活动调整其传递效能的能力,亦即突触可塑性,被认为是神经回路发育和学习与记忆功能的基础。其异常则可能导致如抑郁症和阿尔茨海默病等精神、神经疾病。将介绍这两种疾病与突触可塑性的关系,聚焦于相关分子和细胞机制以及新的研究、治疗手段等进展。     

突触蛋白在学习记忆过程中的作用

学习和记忆是脑的高级功能。学习指人和动物获得外界知识的神经过程;记忆指将获得的知识储存和读出的神经过程。突触蛋白(synapsin)是一种与突触结构和功能密切相关的膜蛋白,在突触的可塑性以及长时程增强(long-timepotentiation,LTP)中起着重要作用。而突触可塑性是突触对内外环境变化作出反应的能力,是学习记忆的神经生物学基础。LTP一直被认为是学习记忆的神经基础之一,是突触可塑性的功能指标,也是研究学习记忆的理想模型。该文介绍突触蛋白在学习记忆过程中的作用及机制、突触蛋白在学习记忆研究中的应用。     

代谢型谷氨酸受体在突触可塑性中的作用

突触可塑性是近几年神经科学研究的热点之一,因为它对于理解神经系统的学习、学习和记忆、多咱神经疾病等许多过程有着重要的意义。除了离子型谷氨酸受体外,代谢型谷氨酸受体也参与了一些脑区中不同形式的突触可塑性变化。本文就代谢型谷氨酸受体选择性激动剂和拮抗剂对长时程增强和长时程抑制的作用进行了综述,以助于人们进一步理解突触可塑性的细胞和分子机制。     

动物模型在神经退行性疾病中的应用

神经退行性疾病的主要临床症状表现为记忆丧失、认知障碍、运动能力丧失和感觉缺失等。随着人口老龄化的加剧,神经退行性疾病的发病率也逐渐上升。目前,人们对这类疾病的认知尚浅,因此,对应的治疗和干预方法也很紧缺。动物模型在神经退行性疾病中的广泛应用为我们提供了良好的实验材料,为研究发病机制及治疗方式提供了重要平台。该文总结了在阿尔兹海默症、帕金森症、亨廷顿病以及肌萎缩侧索硬化症这四种常见神经退行性疾病的相关研究中成功构建的动物模型,涉及动物包括秀丽隐杆线虫、黑腹果蝇、斑马鱼、啮齿类动物、小型猪和非人灵长类动物。     

SHH信号通路在海马神经可塑性及相关神经系统疾病中的作用

音猬因子（sonic hedgehog,SHH）是一种分泌蛋白质,可在发育过程中控制神经祖细胞、神经元和神经胶质细胞的形成。研究发现,海马是学习和记忆中至关重要的大脑区域,SHH在海马神经元回路的形成和可塑性中发挥重要作用,可介导海马神经的发生和突触的可塑性调节。海马神经元树突中SHH受体的激活是跨神经元信号通路的组成部分,该信号通路可加速轴突的生长并增强谷氨酸从突触前末端的释放。SHH信号通路转导受损可导致中枢神经系统损伤和相关疾病（如自闭症、抑郁症和神经退行性疾病等）发生。因此,控制SHH信号通路转导,如使用SHH通路抑制剂或激动剂可能有助于相关疾病的治疗。综述了SHH信号通路的海马神经可塑性及其在中枢神经系统发育和相关疾病中的影响,以期为阐明SHH信号转导受损导致的海马神经受损和中枢神经系统相关疾病的机制奠定一定的理论依据。     

Characterization of synchronized bursts in cultured hippocampal neuronal networks with learning training on microelectrode arrays

Spontaneous synchronized bursts seem to play a key role in brain functions such as learning and memory. Still controversial is the characterization of spontaneous synchronized bursts in neuronal networks after learning training, whether depression or promotion. By taking advantages of the main features of the microelectrode array (MEA) technology (i.e. multisite recordings, stable and long-term coupling with the biological preparation), we analyzed changes of spontaneous synchronized bursts in cultured hippocampal neuronal networks after learning training. And for this purpose, a learning model at networking level on MEA system was constructed, and analysis of spontaneous synchronized burst activity modulation was presented. Preliminary results show that, the number of burst was increased by 154%, burst duration was increased by 35%, and the number of spikes per burst was increased by 124%, while interburst interval decreased by 44% with learning. In particular, correlation and synchrony of neuronal activities in networks were enhanced by 51% and 36%, respectively, with learning. In contrast, dynamic properties of neuronal networks were not changed much when the network was under “non-learning” condition. These results indicate that firing, association and synchrony of spontaneous bursts in neuronal networks were promoted by learning. Furthermore, from these observations, we are encouraged to think of a more engineered system based on in vitro hippocampal neurons, as a novel sensitive system for electrophysiological evaluations.     

Structural Synaptic Plasticity Has High Memory Capacity and Can Explain Graded Amnesia,Catastrophic Forgetting,and the Spacing Effect

Although already William James and, more explicitly, Donald Hebb''s theory of cell assemblies have suggested that activity-dependent rewiring of neuronal networks is the substrate of learning and memory, over the last six decades most theoretical work on memory has focused on plasticity of existing synapses in prewired networks. Research in the last decade has emphasized that structural modification of synaptic connectivity is common in the adult brain and tightly correlated with learning and memory. Here we present a parsimonious computational model for learning by structural plasticity. The basic modeling units are “potential synapses” defined as locations in the network where synapses can potentially grow to connect two neurons. This model generalizes well-known previous models for associative learning based on weight plasticity. Therefore, existing theory can be applied to analyze how many memories and how much information structural plasticity can store in a synapse. Surprisingly, we find that structural plasticity largely outperforms weight plasticity and can achieve a much higher storage capacity per synapse. The effect of structural plasticity on the structure of sparsely connected networks is quite intuitive: Structural plasticity increases the “effectual network connectivity”, that is, the network wiring that specifically supports storage and recall of the memories. Further, this model of structural plasticity produces gradients of effectual connectivity in the course of learning, thereby explaining various cognitive phenomena including graded amnesia, catastrophic forgetting, and the spacing effect.     

Validation of long-term primary neuronal cultures and network activity through the integration of reversibly bonded microbioreactors and MEA substrates

In vitro recording of neuronal electrical activity is a widely used technique to understand brain functions and to study the effect of drugs on the central nervous system. The integration of microfluidic devices with microelectrode arrays (MEAs) enables the recording of networks activity in a controlled microenvironment. In this work, an integrated microfluidic system for neuronal cultures was developed, reversibly coupling a PDMS microfluidic device with a commercial flat MEA through magnetic forces. Neurons from mouse embryos were cultured in a 100 μm channel and their activity was followed up to 18 days in vitro. The maturation of the networks and their morphological and functional characteristics were comparable with those of networks cultured in macro-environments and described in literature. In this work, we successfully demonstrated the ability of long-term culturing of primary neuronal cells in a reversible bonded microfluidic device (based on magnetism) that will be fundamental for neuropharmacological studies.     

Cell adhesion molecule (NCAM): Its role in the development and functioning of cultured hippocampal neurons

The dynamics of NCAM expression on the neuronal membranes in dissociated rat hippocampal cell culture during 1–12 days ofin vitro development were studied. Using immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy, quantitative estimation of NCAM re-distribution on the plasma membrane of the neurons in the course of their development and maturation was carried out. By means of computer simulation, localization of NCAM molecules on the membrane of cultured neurons was modeled. It was shown that changes in the level and pattern of NCAM expression are one of the possible mechanisms providing synaptic plasticity and learning and memory processes.     

Targeting reactive astrogliosis by novel biotechnological strategies

Neuroglial cells are fundamental for control of brain homeostasis and synaptic plasticity. Decades of pathological and physiological studies have focused on neurons in neurodegenerative disorders, but it is becoming increasingly evident that glial cells play an irreplaceable part in brain homeostasis and synaptic plasticity. Animal models of brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases have largely contributed to current understanding of astrocyte-specific mechanisms participating in brain function and neurodegeneration. Specifically, gliotransmission (presence of glial neurotransmitters, and their receptors and active transporters), trophic support (release, maturation and degradation of neurotrophins) and metabolism (production of lactate and GSH components) are relevant aspects of astrocyte function in neuronal metabolism, synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. Morpho-functional changes of astrocytes and microglial cells after traumatic or toxic insults to the central nervous system (namely, reactive gliosis) disrupt the complex neuro-glial networks underlying homeostasis and connectivity within brain circuits. Thus, neurodegenerative diseases might be primarily regarded as gliodegenerative processes, in which profound alterations of glial activation have a clear impact on progression and outcomes of neuropathological processes. This review provides an overview of current knowledge of astrocyte functions in the brain and how targeting glial-specific pathways might ultimately impact the development of therapies for clinical management of neurodegenerative disorders.     

Time-Dependent Increase in Network Response to Stimulation

In vitro neuronal cultures have become a popular method with which to probe network-level neuronal dynamics and phenomena in controlled laboratory settings. One of the key dynamics of interest in these in vitro studies has been the extent to which cultured networks display properties indicative of learning. Here we demonstrate the effects of a high frequency electrical stimulation signal in training cultured networks of cortical neurons. Networks receiving this training signal displayed a time-dependent increase in the response to a low frequency probing stimulation, particularly in the time window of 20–50 ms after stimulation. This increase was found to be statistically significant as compared to control networks that did not receive training. The timing of this increase suggests potentiation of synaptic mechanisms. To further investigate this possibility, we leveraged the powerful Cox statistical connectivity method as previously investigated by our group. This method was used to identify and track changes in network connectivity strength.     

Modelling neurodegenerative diseases with 3D brain organoids

Neurodegenerative diseases are incurable and debilitating conditions characterized by the deterioration of brain function. Most brain disease models rely on human post‐mortem brain tissue, non‐human primate tissue, or in vitro two‐dimensional (2D) experiments. Resource limitations and the complexity of the human brain are some of the reasons that make suitable human neurodegenerative disease models inaccessible. However, recently developed three‐dimensional (3D) brain organoids derived from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including embryonic stem cells and induced PSCs, may provide suitable models for the study of the pathological features of neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of existing 3D brain organoid models and discuss recent advances in organoid technology that have increased our understanding of brain development. Moreover, we explain how 3D organoid models recapitulate aspects of specific neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease, and explore the utility of these models, for therapeutic applications.