Maternal immune activation has been identified as a significant risk factor for schizophrenia. Using rodent models, past work has demonstrated various behavioral and brain impairments in offspring after immune-activating events. We applied 5 mg/kg of poly(I:C) on gestation day 9 to pregnant mouse dams, whose offspring were then stressed during puberty. We show impairments in attentional set-shifting in a T-maze, and a decreased number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons in the hippocampus as a result of peripubertal stress specifically in females.
- MeSH
- Behavior, Animal physiology MeSH
- Executive Function physiology MeSH
- Hippocampus cytology MeSH
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious * chemically induced immunology MeSH
- Interneurons cytology MeSH
- Cognitive Dysfunction etiology pathology physiopathology MeSH
- Disease Models, Animal MeSH
- Mice, Inbred C57BL MeSH
- Poly I-C administration & dosage MeSH
- Attention physiology MeSH
- Stress, Psychological complications pathology physiopathology MeSH
- Schizophrenia etiology immunology pathology physiopathology MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects chemically induced pathology physiopathology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Pregnancy MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Neural components enabling flexible cognition and behavior are well-established, and depend mostly on proper intercommunication within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum. However, dense projections from the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) alter the functioning of the medial PFC (mPFC). Dysfunctional hippocampo-prefrontal connectivity negatively affects the integrity of flexible cognition, especially in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to test the role of the vHPC and mPFC in a place avoidance task on a rotating arena using two spatial flexibility task variants - reversal learning and set-shifting. To achieve this, we inactivated each of these structures in adult male Long-Evans rats by performing bilateral local muscimol (a GABAA receptor agonist) injections. A significantly disrupted performance was observed in reversal learning in the vHPC-inactivated, but not in the mPFC-inactivated rats. These results confirm the notion that the vHPC participates in some forms of behavioral flexibility, especially when spatial cues are needed. It seems, rather unexpectedly, that the mPFC is not taxed in these flexibility tasks on a rotating arena.
- MeSH
- Hippocampus drug effects physiology MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Muscimol pharmacology MeSH
- Attention drug effects physiology MeSH
- Prefrontal Cortex drug effects physiology MeSH
- Spatial Processing drug effects physiology MeSH
- GABA-A Receptor Agonists pharmacology MeSH
- Reversal Learning drug effects physiology MeSH
- Avoidance Learning drug effects physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Neural components enabling flexible cognition and behavior are well-established, and depend mostly on proper intercommunication within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatum. However, dense projections from the ventral hippocampus (vHPC) alter the functioning of the medial PFC (mPFC). Dysfunctional hippocampo-prefrontal connectivity negatively affects the integrity of flexible cognition, especially in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, we aimed to test the role of the vHPC and mPFC in a place avoidance task on a rotating arena using two spatial flexibility task variants - reversal learning and set-shifting. To achieve this, we inactivated each of these structures in adult male Long-Evans rats by performing bilateral local muscimol (a GABAA receptor agonist) injections. A significantly disrupted performance was observed in reversal learning in the vHPC-inactivated, but not in the mPFC-inactivated rats. These results confirm the notion that the vHPC participates in some forms of behavioral flexibility, especially when spatial cues are needed. It seems, rather unexpectedly, that the mPFC is not taxed in these flexibility tasks on a rotating arena.
- MeSH
- Hippocampus drug effects physiology MeSH
- Rats MeSH
- Muscimol pharmacology MeSH
- Attention drug effects physiology MeSH
- Prefrontal Cortex drug effects physiology MeSH
- Spatial Processing drug effects physiology MeSH
- GABA-A Receptor Agonists pharmacology MeSH
- Reversal Learning drug effects physiology MeSH
- Avoidance Learning drug effects physiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Rats MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Kognitivní a emoční deficit výrazně ovlivňuje průběh a vyústění mnoha psychiatrických onemocnění. U anorexia nervosa (AN) se projevuje především v set shiftingu, centrální koherenci, zhoršené rozhodovací a vizuospaciální schopnosti a paměti. Emoční deficit se projevuje v inhibici averzních pocitů a anhedonii. Kognitivní remediace (CRT) společně s nácvikem emočních dovedností (CREST) patří tak mezi důležité terapeutické metody. V článku sumarizujeme výsledky dosavadních výzkumů rodinné formy těchto intervencí, která vykazuje lepší terapeutický efekt v porovnání s terapií individuální. Záměrem naší plánované studie je využití přístupu CRT a CREST v rodině a v domácím prostředí u nás a ověření účinnosti nového terapeutického manuálu na specifický kognitivní a emoční deficit u AN.
Cognitive deficits in anorexia nervosa (AN) patients are based on set shifting, weak central coherence, impaired decision making, visuospatial ability and memory. There are several emotional deficits including inhibition of adverse feelings, anhedonia as well. Cognitive remediation (CRT) and Emotion Skills Training (CREST) are described to improve these deficits. We summarize results of previous research and introduce the new option of using the existing manuals in treatment including family members. The aim of futher studies is to create self-reported guideline, to support the family-based training in their home environment and verify the effect of cognitive remediation on specific cognitive and emotional deficit in AN.
- Keywords
- CREST,
- MeSH
- Emotions MeSH
- Cognitive Dysfunction etiology therapy MeSH
- Cognitive Remediation * methods MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Anorexia Nervosa * complications MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
With the aid of labeling with stable isotopes ((15)N and (13)C) a complete set of chemical shifts and indirect spin-spin coupling constants was obtained for the zwitterionic form of L-alanyl-L-alanine in aqueous solution. Different sensitivities of the NMR parameters to the molecular geometry were discussed on the basis of comparison with ab initio (DFT) calculated values. An adiabatic two-dimensional vibrational wave function was constructed and used for determination of the main chain torsion angle dispersions and conformational averaging of the NMR shifts and coupling constants. The quantum description of the conformational dynamics based on the density functional theory and a polarizable continuum solvent model agrees reasonably with classical molecular dynamics simulations using explicit solvent. The results consistently evidence the presence of a single form in the aqueous solution with equilibrium main chain torsion angle values (psi = 147 degrees, varphi = -153 degrees), close to that one found previously in an X-ray study. Under normal temperature the torsion angles can vary by about 10 degrees around their equilibrium values, which leads, however, to minor corrections of the NMR parameters only. The main chain heavy atom chemical shifts and spin-spin coupling constants involving the alpha-carbon and hydrogen atoms appear to be most useful for the peptide structural predictions.
Most in vivo 31P MR studies are realized on 3T MR systems that provide sufficient signal intensity for prominent phosphorus metabolites. The identification of these metabolites in the in vivo spectra is performed by comparing their chemical shifts with the chemical shifts measured in vitro on high-field NMR spectrometers. To approach in vivo conditions at 3T, a set of phantoms with defined metabolite solutions were measured in a 3T whole-body MR system at 7.0 and 7.5 pH, at 37 °C. A free induction decay (FID) sequence with and without 1H decoupling was used. Chemical shifts were obtained of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), phosphatidylcholine (PtdC), phosphocholine (PC), phosphoethanolamine (PE), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), glycerophosphoetanolamine (GPE), uridine diphosphoglucose (UDPG), glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), glucose-1-phosphate (G1P), 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH and NAD+), phosphocreatine (PCr), adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and inorganic phosphate (Pi). The measured chemical shifts were used to construct a basis set of 31P MR spectra for the evaluation of 31P in vivo spectra of muscle and the liver using LCModel software (linear combination model). Prior knowledge was successfully employed in the analysis of previously acquired in vivo data.
- MeSH
- Adenosine Diphosphate metabolism MeSH
- Adenosine Triphosphate metabolism MeSH
- Phosphatidylcholines metabolism MeSH
- Phosphatidylethanolamines metabolism MeSH
- Phosphates metabolism MeSH
- Phosphorus metabolism MeSH
- Liver metabolism MeSH
- Muscle, Skeletal metabolism MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular * MeSH
- Pilot Projects MeSH
- Software * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Evaluation Study MeSH
Východiska. Přestože se o existenci a důležitosti exekutivních funkcí ví již dlouhá léta, v odborných kruzích se nevyskytuje příliš odborníků, kteří by se touto problematikou hlouběji zabývali. Doposud nebylo u nás provedeno v adiktologických kruzích výzkumné šetření, které by se pokusilo nalézt spojitost mezi stavem exekutivních funkcí a jejich bezprostředním ovlivněním návykovými látkami. Tato studie vychází z teze, že dlouhodobým pravidelným užíváním alkoholu vzniká reálné riziko poškození exekutivních funkcí. Studie zúžila své pole zkoumání pouze na alkohol. Cíle. Cílem studie bylo sestavení a pilotní ověření testové baterie, která bude dostatečně citlivá vůči zachycení deficitu v oblasti exekutivních funkcí. Metody. Výzkumný vzorek byl sestaven z 6 pacientů. Testová baterie byla složena z 10 komponentů. Jednalo se o FAB, TMT, Addenbrookský kognitivní test, BAI, BDI, BI, test instrumentálních všedních dovedností, DEX. Výsledky.| Komponenty testové baterie se prokázaly jako dostatečně citlivé k popsání stavu exekutivních funkcí. Exekutivní domény, které se ukázaly jako nejméně zasažené, byly konceptualizace, inhibice a verbální fluence. Nejvíce zasažené byly exekuce, generace plánu a set shifting. Z kognitivních domén byly nejméně poškozené pozornost, paměť a psychomotorické tempo, naopak nejvíce zasažené byly vizuokonstruktivní funkce. Závěr. Vytvořená testová baterie se ukázala být dostatečně senzitivní vůči stavu exekutivních funkcí, tudíž může inspirativně posloužit pro další klinickou a výzkumnou práci.
Background. Although the existence and importance of executive functions has been known for many years, there are not many experts in professional circles who would deal with this issue in more depth. So far, no research has been conducted in our addictology circles, which would try to find a connection between the state of executive functions and their direct influence on addictive substances. This study is based on the thesis that long-term regular alcohol consumption poses a real risk of impairing executive functions. The study narrowed its field of study to alcohol only. Aims. The aim of the study was to compile and pilot a test battery which would be sufficiently sensitive to identify any executive deficits. Methods. The research sample consisted of 6 patients. The test battery consisted of 10 components, included the FAB, TMT, Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination, BAI, BDI, BI, Instrumental Activity of Daily Living, and the DEX. Results. Components of the test battery proved to be sufficiently sensitive and qualified to establish the state of executive functions. The executive domains which appeared the least affected included conceptualisation, inhibition, and verbal fluency. The ones that were affected most were plan execution and generation and set-shifting. The least damaged cognitive domains included attention, memory, and psychomotor pace, while visualconstructive functions sustained the greatest damage. Conclusion. The resulting test battery proved to be sufficiently sensitive to the state of executive functions. It can therefore serve as an inspirational tool for further clinical and research work.
