The neuroprotective effects of cocoa flavanol and its influence on cognitive performance

Cocoa powder and chocolate contain numerous substances among which there is a quite large percentage of antioxidant molecules, mainly flavonoids, most abundantly found in the form of epicatechin. These substances display several beneficial actions on the brain. They enter the brain and induce widespread stimulation of brain perfusion. They also provoke angiogenesis, neurogenesis and changes in neuron morphology, mainly in regions involved in learning and memory. Epicatechin improves various aspects of cognition in animals and humans. Chocolate also induces positive effects on mood and is often consumed under emotional stress. In addition, flavonoids preserve cognitive abilities during ageing in rats, lower the risk for developing Alzheimer's disease and decrease the risk of stroke in humans. In addition to their beneficial effects on the vascular system and on cerebral blood flow, flavonoids interact with signalization cascades involving protein and lipid kinases that lead to the inhibition of neuronal death by apoptosis induced by neurotoxicants such as oxygen radicals, and promote neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. The present review intends to review the data available on the effects of cocoa and chocolate on brain health and cognitive abilities

Hypoglutamatergic activity in the STOP knockout mouse: a potential model for chronic untreated schizophrenia.: 13C study of metabolism in STOP KO mice

International audienceIn mice, the deletion of the STOP protein leads to hyperdopaminergia and major behavioral disorders that are alleviated by neuroleptics, representing a potential model of schizophrenia. The reduction of the glutamatergic synaptic vesicle pool in the hippocampus could reflect a disturbance in glutamatergic neurotransmission in this model. Here we examined potential disturbances in energy metabolism and interactions between neurons and glia in 15-week-old STOP KO, wild-type, and heterozygous mice. Animals received [1-(13)C]glucose and [1,2-(13)C]acetate, the preferential substrates of neurons and astrocytes, respectively. Extracts from the whole forebrain and midbrain were analyzed by HPLC, (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Amounts and labeling of most metabolites were unchanged. However, glutamine concentration and amount of [4,5-(13)C]glutamine derived from [1,2-(13)C]acetate significantly decreased by 17% and 18%, respectively, in STOP KO compared with wild-type mice. The amount of [4-(13)C]glutamate was decreased in STOP KO and heterozygous compared with wild-type mice. gamma-Aminobutyric acid labeling was not influenced by the genotype. Because STOP-deficient mice have a lower synaptic vesicle density, less glutamate is released to the synaptic cleft, leading to decreased stimulation of the postsynaptic glutamate receptors, reflecting increased glutamine metabolism only in the vicinity of the postsynapse of STOP KO mice

Differential neuroprotection by A(1) receptor activation and A(2A) receptor inhibition following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus

Aiming at a better understanding of the role of A(2A) in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), we characterized the effects of the A(2A) antagonist SCH58261 (7-(2-phenylethyl)-5-amino-2(2-furyl)-pyrazolo-[4,3-e]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c] pyrimidine) on seizures and neuroprotection in the pilocarpine model. the effects of SCH58261 were further analyzed in combination with the A(1) agonist R-Pia (R(-)-N-6-(2)-phenylisopropyl adenosine). Eight groups were studied: pilocarpine (Pilo), SCH + Pilo, R-Pia + Pilo, R-Pia + SCH + Pilo, Saline, SCH + Saline, R-Pia + Saline, and R-Pia + SCH + Saline. the administration of SCH58261, R-Pia, and R-Pia + SCH58261 prior to pilocarpine increased the latency to SE, and decreased either the incidence of or rate of mortality from SE compared with controls. Administration of R-Pia and R-Pia + SCH58261 prior to pilocarpine reduced the number of Fluoro-Jade B-stained cells in the hippocampus and piriform cortex when compared with control. This study showed that pretreatment with R-Pia and SCH58261 reduces seizure occurrence, although only R-Pia has neuroprotective properties. Further studies are needed to clarify the neuroprotective role of A(2A) in TLE. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Neurol & Neurocirurgia, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilINSERM, U666, Fac Med, Strasbourg, FranceUniv Brasilia, Dept Genet & Morfol, Inst Ciencias Biol, Brasilia, DF, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Neurol & Neurocirurgia, BR-04039032 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Epilepsy and neuroprotection: employment of the RPia during status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterize the neuroprotection of the RPia in rats subjected to status epilepticus (SE) induced by pilocarpine (Pilo). METHODS: We evaluated the mismatch between local cerebral glucose utilisation (LCGU) and local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) 4 hours after SE induction. Neuronal loss was evaluated by Fluoro Jade-B (FJB) 24 hours and 90 days after SE. Four groups were studied: Saline, Pilo, RPia+Saline and RPia+Pilo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Significant increases in the LCGU were observed in the almost all brain regions of Pilo and RPia+Pilo groups compared to control. However, significant reduction in the LCGU occurred in the substantia nigra pars reticulata and hippocampal formation of RPia+Pilo group versus Pilo. There was significant increase of the LCBF in all the studied areas, comparing the Pilo and RPia+Pilo groups with the control. The increases of LCBF was more intense in rats from RPia+Pilo compared to Pilo, and located mainly in CA2, CA3, dentate gyrus, entorhinal cortex, thalamic nuclei, mammillary body, red nucleus, zone incerta, pontine nucleus and visual cortex. A great number FJB stained cells was observed in the Pilo group and RPia pretreatment reduced the staining in the hippocampal formation, piriform cortex, basolateral amygdala and substantia nigra pars compacta.OBJETIVO: O objetivo desse estudo foi caracterizar a neuroproteção do RPia em ratos submetidos ao status epilepticus (SE) induzido pela pilocarpina (Pilo). MÉTODOS: Avaliou-se o balanço entre utilização local da glicose cerebral (ULGC) e fluxo sanguíneo cerebral local (FSCL) após 4 horas de SE, e a marcação por Fluoro Jade-B (FJB), 24 horas e 90 dias após SE. Quatro grupos foram avaliados: Salina, Pilo, RPia+Salina e RPia+Pilo. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: Aumentos significantes na ULGC foram observados na maioria das regiões avaliadas nos grupos Pilo e RPia+Pilo quando comparados ao controle. Entretanto, redução significante na ULGC ocorreu na substância negra pars reticulata e giro denteado do grupo RPia+Pilo versus Pilo. Houve aumento significante do FSCL em todas as áreas estudadas, comparando-se os grupos Pilo e RPia+Pilo com o controle. Foi observado um aumento significante do FSCL durante SE em CA2, CA3, giro denteado, córtex entorrinal, corpo mamilar, núcleos talâmicos, núcleo rubro, zona incerta, núcleo oral da ponte e córtex visual, no grupo pré-tratado com RPia comparado ao tratado somente com Pilo. Grande número de células marcadas com FJB foi observado no grupo Pilo e o pré-tratamento com RPia reduziu essa marcação na formação hipocampal, córtex piriforme, amígdala basolateral e substância negra pars compacta.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)UNIFESP Departamento de Neurologia e NeurocirurgiaUniversité Louis Pasteur INSERM Unité 465UNIFESP Centro de Microscopia EletrônicaUNIFESP, Depto. de Neurologia e NeurocirurgiaUNIFESP, Centro de Microscopia EletrônicaSciEL

Loss of STOP Protein Impairs Peripheral Olfactory Neurogenesis

International audienceIn conclusion, STOP protein seems to be involved in the establishment of synapses in the olfactory glomerulus. Our results indicate that the olfactory system of STOP null mice is a well-suited experimental model (1) for the study of the mechanism of action of STOP protein in synaptic function/plasticity and (2) for pathophysiological studies of the mechanisms of altered neuronal connections in schizophrenia

Conséquences des crises épileptiques sur la mémoire et l'anxiété (étude dans un modèle pharmacologique murin d'épilepsie du lobe temporal)

STRASBOURG ILLKIRCH-Pharmacie (672182101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Imagerie de perfusion des crises épileptiques temporo-limbiques (zones épileptogènes et non épileptogènes)

Pour évaluer l apport du SPECT critique à la définition de la zone épileptogène (ZE) dans les épilepsies focales, nous avons étudié l impact de la variabilité des paramètres cliniques et techniques sur le pattern de perfusion cérébrale, susceptibles d expliquer des variations de débit sanguin cérébral (DSC) au-delà de la ZE.Dans le modèle d embrasement de l amygdale chez le rat, nous avons étudié les variations de DSC en fonction du délai d injection du radiotraceur ([14C]-iodoantipyrine, IAP) et de la sévérité des crises, par rapport à un groupe témoin (DSC intercritique chez des animaux embrasés), lors de crises secondairement généralisées (CSG, n=26) et de crises focales (CF, n=19), dans 29 régions cérébrales d intérêt, par la technique d autoradiographie quantitative à l IAP. Lors des CSG, seuls les temps d injection critique précoce et post-critique ont permis la latéralisation et localisation grossière de la ZE, alors que des augmentations diffuses du DSC ont été observées en période critique. La transition de l hyper vers l hypoperfusion était observée lors de l injection critique tardive. La localisation précise du foyer d origine des crises a été obtenue lors de l imagerie des CF les plus subtiles du l embrasement (stade 0), alors que les CF de stade 1 s accompagnaient déjà d augmentations bilatérales et relativement étendues du DSC.Chez des patients avec une épilepsie mesio-temporale (EMT), nous avons étudié 26 paires de SPECT critique et intercritique, répartis en 3 groupes selon l intensité de la sémiologie clinique lors du SPECT critique. D après l étude individuelle des SPECT critique intercritique (SISCOM) et les analyses de groupes dans SPM, nous avons observé des patterns combinant hyper et hypoperfusion, d étendue et de complexité croissantes en fonction de l accentuation de la sémiologie critique. Dans les CF avec aura isolée, la lecture des SISCOM a permis la localisation correcte de la ZE chez 4/8 patients, alors que l analyse de groupe n a montré aucune différence par rapport au groupe témoin, du fait des variations inter-individuelles, de la normalisation spatiale et des faibles variations de DSC. Dans les crises avec altération de la conscience et automatismes moteurs et dystonie, les analyses SISCOM et SPM ont montré une hyperperfusion temporale antéro-mésiale (concordante avec la ZE), s étendant à l insula, aux ganglions de la base et au thalamus dans le groupe avec dystonie. L hypoperfusion critique intéressait des régions pré-frontales et pariétales, le gyrus cingulaire antérieur et postérieur, de façon plus marquée dans ce dernier groupe.L analyse de nos études animales et humaine a montré une corrélation positive entre l étendue spatiale des patterns de perfusion et la sévérité des crises, incluant le recrutement de régions sous-corticales à distance. Nous suggérons que les automatismes moteurs des crises mésio-temporales résultent de la mise au repos des régions hypoperfusées, dont le rôle dans l intentionalité et la planification du mouvement est transitoirement suspendu sous l effet de l hyperactivation critique des régions temporo-limbiques.To assess the contribution of the ictal SPECT to the definition of the epileptogenic zone (EZ) prior to surgery in focal drug-resistant epilepsies, we investigated the effect of the variability of clinical and technical parameters upon patterns of perfusion, that could account for ictal cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes beyond the EZ. We studied CBF patterns in a rat model of amygdala-kindled seizures to assess the influence of the timing of injection of the tracer and the extent of seizure spread, with respect to a control group (interictal CBF measurements in kindled rats), during secondary generalized (SGS, n=26 fully-kindled rats) and focal seizures (FS, n=19 partially kindled rats), in 29 regions of interest, with the quantitative [14C]-iodoantipyrine autoradiographic method. During SGS, the correct lateralization and localization of the focus within limbic structures was only possible at early ictal and post-ictal times, in between we observed widespread rCBF increases. The switch from hyper to hypoperfusion was observed at the time of late ictal injection. The accurate localization of the EZ was obtained for the study of the more FS (stage 0). At stage 1 of the kindling, there was already widespread spreading of hyperperfusion. In humans, we studied 26 pairs of ictal and interictal SPECTs from patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, classified in 3 groups according to the progression of ictal semiology. Using visual analysis of subtracted SPECTs (SISCOM) and group comparisons with a control group (using SPM), we observed more widespread combined hyper and hypoperfusion with the increasing complexity and duration of seizures at the time of the ictal SPECT. In the first group with motionless seizures, SISCOM analysis allowed correct localization of the focus in 4/8 patients, whereas SPM analysis failed to detect significant changes, due to individual variation, spatial normalization and small magnitude of CBF changes. In seizures with impairement of consciousness and automatisms (group 2) and dystonic posturing (group 3), SISCOM and SPM analysis showed antero-mesial temporal hyperperfusion (overlapping the EZ), extending to the insula, basal ganglia, and thalamus in the third group. Ictal hypoperfusion involved pre-frontal and parietal regions, the anterior and posterior cingulate gyri, with a greater extent in the 3rd group. In both human and animals studies, we observed a positive correlation between the spatial extent of composite patterns of hyper/hypoperfusion and the severity of seizures, as well as the recruitment of remote sub-cortical structures. We suggest that ictal purposeless human motor automatisms in MTLE results from the hypoactivity of the above mentioned set of hypoperfused areas, whose role in perceptual decision making and motor planning is transiently disrupted under the effect of hyperactive temporo-limbic structures.STRASBOURG-Sc. et Techniques (674822102) / SudocSudocFranceF

Contribution de l'imagerie et de l'électrophysiologie à l'étude de l'épileptogenèse dans un modèle d'épilepsie du lobe temporal chez le rat mature et immature

L'épilepsie mésiale du lobe temporal (EmLT) se caractérise par la survenue de crises partielles complexes qui prennent naissance dans les structures mésiotemporales. La plupart des patients atteints d'EmLT ont vécu une agression initiale pendant l'enfance (crises fébriles complexes prolongées, état de mal (EdM), traumatisme crânien, encéphalopathie). L'EmLT se caractérise par des dommages cellulaires dans les structures mésiotemporales, en une sclérose hippocampique. Le rôle de l'agression cérébrale initiale et des différentes structures mésiotemporales dans la mise en place de la circuiterie épileptique n'est pas clairement élucidé. Le modèle lithium-pilocarpine chez le rat reproduit les principales caractéristiques comportementales et neuropathologiques de l'EmLT humaine. Suite à l'injection du lithium et de la pilocarpine, les rats développent un EdM, suivi d'une phase de latence avant l'apparition de crises récurrentes spontanées. Les conséquences de l'EdM sont dépendantes de l'âge. Lorsque l'état de mal est induit à l'âge adulte, tous les rats deviennent épileptiques. Par contre, lors d'un état de mal induit chez les rats immatures, l'épilepsie n'est pas systématique et les dommages neuronaux sont plus limités que chez l'adulte.Dans ce travail, nous avons étudiés les processus neuropathologiques induit par un état de mal afin de comprendre l'implication de l'hippocampe et des cortex temporaux dans la constitution de la circuiterie épileptique. Nous avons mis en évidence une atteinte cellulaire précoce des cortex piriforme et entorhinal uniquement chez les rats devenant épileptiques. Cette observation montre le rôle critique et initiateur de ces cortex dans l'épileptogenèse. Par contre, la sclérose de l'hippocampe apparaît secondairement et progressivement au cours de l'épileptogenèse. Elle pourrait être consécutive aux lésions corticales et intervenir à la fois comme cause et conséquence des crises. Les modifications vasculaires et métaboliques consécutives à l'état de mal montrent que les nécroses cellulaires observées dans ce modèle n'ont pas d'origine vasogénique majeure mais semblent plutôt liés à une hyperactivité neuronale. Par contre, un dysfonctionnement métabolique pendant l'EdM pourrait participer à la souffrance cellulaire observée au niveau de ces régions. En effet, chez les rats adultes, l'expression génique du transporteur vasculaire et glial du lactate augmente fortement à la suite de l'EdM et pourraient entraîner des cascades excitotoxiques à l'origine des nécroses cellulaires contrairement aux rats immatures qui montrent une meilleure adaptation cérébrale de l'apport de leurs substrats métaboliques. Au vu de ces résultats, nous émettons l'hypothèse d'un rôle critique et précoce de la voie entorhino-hippocampique dans la propagation des activités épileptiformes.[...]Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is characterized by the occurrence of complex partial seizures originating in the mesiotemporal regions. Retrospective studies have shown that most of the patients underwent an initial precipitating injury early during childhood (complex febrile seizures, status epilepticus (SE), head trauma, encephalopathy). The mELT syndrome is associated with neuronal damage in most of the mesiotemporal structures and with hippocampal sclerosis. The role of the initial precipitating injury and of the mesiotemporal structures in the establishment of the epileptic circuitry is still not fully elucidated. The lithium-pilocarpine model in the rat reproduces main of the behavioural and neuropathological features of human mTLE. After lithium and pilocarpine injection, rats develop a SE followed by a latent phase before the appearance of spontaneous epileptic seizures. Consequences of SE are age-dependent. When SE is induced at the adult age, all the rats become epileptic. In contrast, when it is induced in immature rats, epilepsy appears does not occur in all rats and neuronal damage is more moderate than in adult rats.In the present work, we studied the neuropathological processes consecutive to SE in order to deepen the understanding of the implication of hippocampus and piriform and entorhinal cortex in the establishment of epileptic circuitry. We have shown early cellular alterations in the piriform and entorhinal cortex only in rats that will become epileptic. This observation highlights an initiating and critical role of these cortices in epileptogenesis. Conversely, hippocampal sclerosis appears secondarily and progressively during the course of epileptogenesis. Hippocampal sclerosis could be established consequently to the cortical lesions and could be both the cause and consequence of seizures. Vascular and metabolic modifications after SE indicate that neuronal necrosis seen in this model does not have a major vasogenic origin but seems to be rather linked to neuronal hyperactivity. Nevertheless, metabolic dysfunction that occurs during SE could be implicated in the cellular suffering seen in these structures.[...]STRASBOURG-Sc. et Techniques (674822102) / SudocSudocFranceF