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Dissertations |
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RAFAEL HUGO DE ANDRADE PEDROSA
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IMPLEMENTATION OF PLACE CELL RECORDINGS USING MOVABLE TETRODES IN RATS
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Advisor : ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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RODRIGO NEVES ROMCY PEREIRA
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HINDIAEL AERAF BELCHIOR
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CLEITON LOPES AGUIAR
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Data: Apr 9, 2018
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Show Abstract
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The formation of spatial maps depends on the hippocampus and associated structures. Electrophysiological activity in the CA1 region of the hippocampus encodes spatial representations through increases in the firing rate of pyramidal neurons, known as place cells. The present work aimed the implementation of hippocampal electrophysiological recording technique through the use of microdrives of multiple movable tetrodes. For this, we developed a microdrive prototype and performed stereotaxic surgeries in rats for bilateral chronic implant. The new prototype microdrive contained 16 movable tetrodes and allowed the individual progressive positioning of the tetrodes in the pyramidal layer of CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus. After the surgical recovery of the animals, we recorded the extracellular electrophysiological activity of the CA1 region while rats searched for water reward at the ends of a linear track. The waveforms of recorded action potentials were then classified as individual neural units by semi-automatic classification algorithms. Each firing of a given neuron was then associated with the instantaneous position of the rat on the linear track, which allowed for detecting place fields of the place cells. We have thus validated the microdrive prototype we developed and, thereby, provided an important methodological basis for future studies aiming to understand the spatial encoding of the environment and the formation of spatial memories.
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2
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GENEDY KARIELLY DA SILVA APOLINARIO
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Object recognition memory reconsolidation and PKMζ
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Advisor : MARTIN PABLO CAMMAROTA
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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MARTIN PABLO CAMMAROTA
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DIEGO ANDRES LAPLAGNE
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FLAVIO FREITAS BARBOSA
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Data: Jul 18, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Remembering facts and events requires object recognition memory (MRO). Reconsolidation integrates new information into MRO through bidirectional changes in hippocampal synaptic efficacy and BDNF signaling. In turn, BDNF enhances long term potentiation (LTP) through protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ), which might preserve memory by controlling AMPAR function. However, the possible involvement of PKMζ in ORM reconsolidation has not yet been studied. In rats, we found that hippocampal PKMζ inhibition with zeta-inhibitory peptide (ZIP) or antisense oligonucleotides, but not PKCι/λ inhibition with ICAP, hindered retention provided MRO was reactivated simultaneously with the introduction of a novel object. Similarly, ORM reactivation increased hippocampal PKMζ only when it happened in the presence of an unfamiliar object. BDNF co-infusion reversed the amnesia induced by post-reactivation hippocampal protein synthesis inhibition but not that triggered by ZIP, which did not affect spontaneous oscillatory activity. Moreover, reduction of hippocampal AMPAR surface expression after MRO reactivation hampered retention, whereas blockade of AMPAR endocytosis increased PSD GluA1/GluA2 and reversed the amnesic effect of ZIP. MRO consolidation, but not reconsolidation, requires protein synthesis in entorhinal cortex (CE). We found that animals rendered amnesic by intra-CA1 ZIP reacquired MRO upon retraining, but inhibition of CE protein synthesis impaired relearning as if MRO had to be consolidated anew. Our results show that hippocampal PKMζ acts downstream BDNF to regulate AMPAR recycling at the time of reconsolidation and indicate that PKMζ inhibition during this process deletes MRO.
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3
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RODRIGO MARQUES DE MELO SANTIAGO
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Memory Reconsolidation and Extinction: A Computational Approach
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Advisor : ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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JANINE INEZ ROSSATO
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OLAVO BOHRER AMARAL
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Data: Aug 20, 2018
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Show Abstract
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he reconsolidation and extinction of aversive memories and their boundary conditions have been extensively studied in order to outline better strategies for the treatment of fear and anxiety related disorders. In 2011, Osan et al. developed a computational model for exploring such phenomena based on attractors dynamics, Hebbian plasticity and synaptic degradation induced by prediction error. This model was able to explain in a single formalism several experimental findings regarding the freezing behavior of rodents submitted to paradigms of contextual fear memory consolidation, reconsolidation and extinction. In 2017, Radiske et al., based on experiments in rats subjected to the inhibitory avoidance task, found that the previous knowledge of the current aversive context as non-aversive is a boundary condition for the reconsolidation of the shock memory experienced in that context. In the present work, we aimed to investigate whether the formalism introduced by Osan et al. (2011) is sufficiently general to explain the behavioral results described by Radiske et al. (2017). To do so, we first implemented the Osan et al.'s (2011) model in an open programming language (Python) and validated it through the replication of the main results reported in the original publication regarding contextual fear conditioning. Then, we adapted the model to simulate experimental protocols in the inhibitory avoidance task employed by Radiske et al. (2017). The results show that the boundary condition found by Radiske et al. (2017) is compatible with the dynamics of an attractor network that supports a synaptic labilization system common to reconsolidation and extinction. Finally, by scanning some model parameters – such as the levels of protein synthesis and degradation –, we provide behavioral predictions in the inhibitory avoidance task that can be tested experimentally.
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4
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CAROLINE PEREIRA DE ARAÚJO
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BEHAVIORAL CHANGES INDUCED BY INTRA-HIPPOCAMPAL ADMINISTRATION OF PILOCARPINE: RELEVANCE FOR THE STUDY OF COMORBIDITIES IN ANIMAL MODELS OF TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY
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Advisor : CLAUDIO MARCOS TEIXEIRA DE QUEIROZ
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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CLAUDIO MARCOS TEIXEIRA DE QUEIROZ
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MARTIN PABLO CAMMAROTA
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BEATRIZ DE OLIVEIRA MONTEIRO
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Data: Aug 31, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of focal epilepsy. The human condition can be modeled in animals by the systemic administration of pilocarpine (PILO) or kainic acid (KA). The experimental approach involves an initial insult (status epilepticus - SE) resulting in wide-spread cell death, structural reorganization, chronic spontaneous seizures and, impaired performance in memory tasks and anhedonia. The identification of the anatomical substrates related to the cognitive impairments in those models is not entirely known, since systemic administration may lead to multiple epileptic foci. To minimize the impact of spatially distributed, numerous epileptic foci, on cognitive performance, we present a protocol in which the convulsant agent is administered directly in the target structure of interest (i.e., straight into the hippocampus). This approach has been used for KA in mice, but no systematic study has evaluated the effects of intrahippocampal administration of PILO. Here, we described the acute and chronic behavioral effects of the intrahippocampal administration of PILO (4 doses: 70, 245, 400 e 700 µg, in 1 µL) in mice during isoflurane anesthesia. KA (20 mM, 50 nL) and saline (0.9 %) were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. The results show a correlation between the severity of the SE and the dose of PILO given (measured acutely by behavioral scores and indirectly through the evolution of weight). Interestingly, intrahippocampal PILO injection (N=62) did not elicit tonic seizures, as commonly observed after systemic administration which contributed to the low mortality rate of the model (4 out of 63 and 10 out of 11, respectively). In the chronic phase (1 month after SE), mice treated with high doses of PILO and KA presented spontaneous seizures. Behavioral tests revealed that epileptic animals (independent of the convulsive drug used) present higher stereotyped ambulation (in the open-field) than animals from the control group. In hippocampal-dependent memory tests, PILO treatment, especially at high doses, impaired performance in the object recognition task, but not in the Barnes maze. Animals from the KA group presented impaired performance in all memory tests compared with the PILO group (high dose). Taken together, our results demonstrate that ihpc administration of PILO in mice results in spontaneous and recurrent seizures, as well as moderate cognitive impairment (compatible with comorbidities observed in humans with TLE), and low mortality rate. We believe that the present model has face validity for human TLE, and may serve as an alternative to KA models (which are expensive) and to the route of administration (high mortality when PILO is administered systemically).
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5
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BRUNA SANTOS DE CARVALHO
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INFLUENCE OF THE ELECTRICAL ACTIVITY ON SPECIFICATION OF NEURAL PROGENITORS OF THE ADULT SUBVENTRICULAR ZONE
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Advisor : EDUARDO BOUTH SEQUERRA
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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CECÍLIA HEDIN-PEREIRA
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EDUARDO BOUTH SEQUERRA
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EMELIE KATARINA SVAHN LEAO
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Data: Aug 31, 2018
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Show Abstract
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The Subventricular zone (SVZ) is the site of adult neurogenesis to the olfactory bulb (OB). SVZ progenitors generate mainly two types of interneurons that integrate in the OB: granular and periglomerular (PG) neurons. These cells can also be further subdivided based on the expression of the proteins calbindin, calretinin or tyrosine hydroxylase. The mechanisms that lead to the specification into these neuronal types are unknown. In the spinal cord neurogenesis, neurotransmitter identity is specified according to early spontaneous electrical activity in progenitor and precursor cells. This electrical pattern guide master transcription factors expression and the differentiation in a particular subtype. Manipulation of electrical activity can change de fate of progenitors and derived neurons. We hypothesize that the specification of SVZ-OB interneurons could also be influenced by electrical activity. To test this hypothesis, two experiments were designed to manipulate the cell electricity either acutely or chronicly. First, DCX-Cre-ER2/lox-GFP mice were injected with Kainic Acid (KA) or PBS in the neuroblasts migratory route to the bulb. Tamoxifen was injected 4 days after to label immature neuroblasts affected by KA and perfusion was performed 45 days after KA injection. In a second set of experiments, wild type mice were injected with a retrovirus containing the RNA for the expression of NaChBac, a bacterial sodium channel that increases electric activity. This channel is fused with the GFP that labels the infected cells. To control this experiment, a mutated non-functional version of the NaChBac channel was used. Cell identity was analyzed 45 days after injection. Our preliminary results suggest that the neuroblasts stimulated by the acute approach differentiate into TH+ PG neurons at the expense of Calbindin+ PG phenotype
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6
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ANA RAQUEL MELO DE FARIAS
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REPROGRAMMING OF ASTROGLIAL CELLS INTO NEURONS USING A COCKTAIL OF SMALL MOLECULES
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Advisor : MARCOS ROMUALDO COSTA
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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CECÍLIA HEDIN-PEREIRA
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EMELIE KATARINA SVAHN LEAO
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MARCOS ROMUALDO COSTA
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Data: Nov 28, 2018
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Show Abstract
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The reprogramming of different specialized cell types in others has been a field widely studied in recent years. More specifically, the generation of induced neurons (iNs) is used with the objective of applying these cells in the study of pathological models and in cellular therapy, focusing on the treatment of patients with neurodegenerative diseases or acute lesions in the central nervous system. Several methodologies have been used for this approach, including the reprogramming of cells from other lineages into neurons, either directly or indirectly. However, most of the cellular reprogramming protocols depend on the overexpression of ectopic genes, which may lead to other transient changes not desired in reprogrammed cells. In order to overcome these possible side effects, we investigated the possibility of reprogramming astrocytes from postnatal mice into neurons through the transient exposure of the cells to a cocktail of small molecules added to the cell culture medium. This cocktail includes molecules that act in different cellular pathways, among which the regulation of gene expression, the modulation of neurogenesis and the control of the cell cycle, previously been used in the reprogramming of fibroblasts into neurons. To demonstrate the phenotype of the cells after treatment with the cocktail, aspects such as the expression of typically neuronal and astrocytic proteins, morphology, survival, proliferation and gene expression were evaluated through the techniques of immunocytochemistry, time-lapse video-microscopy and RT-qPCR. Based on the data obtained it was observed that the drug cocktail used induced in the treated astrocytes an increase in the expression of genes related to the neuronal profile and a significant change in its morphology, although this is not typical of neurons. Thus indicating that the combination of small molecules used is not sufficient to effectively reprogram astrocyte cells into induced neurons.
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7
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LUANA DANTAS DA SILVA
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GAMMA FREQUENCY DECAY: COMPARING THE ACTIVITY OF RETINA, LATERAL GENICULATE NUCLEUS AND VISUAL CORTEX
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Advisor : SERGIO TULIO NEUENSCHWANDER MACIEL
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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SERGIO TULIO NEUENSCHWANDER MACIEL
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KERSTIN ERIKA SCHMIDT
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JEROME PAUL ARMAND LAURENT BARON
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Data: Dec 14, 2018
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Show Abstract
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In addition, the presence of gamma oscillations (30 to 90 Hz) has been implicated in cognitive processes such as perceptual attachment (Singer, 1999; Uhlhaas et al., 2009), attention (Fries, 2001; Gregoriou et al. Pesaran et al., 2002; Montgomery and Buzsáki, 2007) and the temporal expectation (Lima et al., 2011). In the visual system, gamma activity patterns appear at different levels of processing. Gamma activity has been identified as an important mechanism for sensory coding and for controlling the flow of information in cortical-cortical systems, as originally suggested by Pascal Fries (Fries, 2005, Fries, 2009), in his hypothesis of "communication through coherence" (CTC) hypothesis). Recently, experimental work on monkeys has suggested that frequency control may be crucial for neural communication, for example between cortical areas V1 and V4 (Bosman et al, 2012). Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that different frequencies can be used as distinct channels for information transmission, such as between FEF and V4, a mechanism also described in the hippocampus (Colgin et al., 2009). In this way, it is possible that the frequency is a fundamental parameter for the control of gamma oscillations. In fact, some studies indicate that frequency may vary according to the attention load (Bosman et al, 2012). The present study makes comparisons between the gamma generated by very different mechanisms: 1) the retinogeniculate system of the anesthetized cat and 2) the primary visual cortex of the capuchins agreed. We observed a strong decay along the responses in these two systems. Three adult monkeys (Capuchinhos sapajus libidinosus and Sapajus nigritus, male and female) and 4 adult cats participated in this study. Our data shows that the decay of gamma frequency in the primary visual cortex (awake monkey) is surprisingly similar to that observed in the retinogeniculate system (anesthetized cat).
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Thesis |
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1
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PRISCILA TAVARES MACÊDO
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INVESTIGATION OF INITIAL SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IN WISTAR RATS AFTER INTRACEREBRAL INFUSION OF AMYLOID PEPTIDES AND THE NEUROPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF ERYTHRINA VELUTINA EXTRACT IN BARNES MAZE
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Advisor : REGINA HELENA DA SILVA
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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REGINA HELENA DA SILVA
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MARIA BERNARDETE CORDEIRO DE SOUSA
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RODRIGO NEVES ROMCY PEREIRA
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FLAVIO FREITAS BARBOSA
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VANESSA COSTHEK ABILIO
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Data: Jan 30, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is present in 25 million people in the world, and is characterized by the progressive decline of cognition, mainly episodic memory. AD is multifactorial, and the accumulation of amyloid peptides (Aβ) is the main proposed mechanism underlying neurodegeneration. Aβ are the main components of the amyloid plaques in the brain, that are physiopathological hallmarks of the disease. Intracerebral infusion of Aβ in rats is usually used as an animal model of DA and generates the accumulation of these peptides in the brain together with spatial memory impairment. However, most studies show moderate to severe deficits after chronic Aβ infusion, without evaluation of possible subtle initial deficits. The study of the initial stages of AD is relevant for mechanicistic and therapeutic investigations. The Barnes maze has been used for investigating deficits in the hippocampal function in rats. The animals are exposed to a circular apparatus with holes in its periphery. One of the holes is connected to a safe place. In this task, rats navigate guided by distal cues to find this safe compartment. The performance of the animals in the training phase (repeated exposures to the apparatus with the safe box placed in the same position) and test probe (reexposure after variable intervals without the safe box) is used to the evaluation of acquisition and retrieval of the spatial task, respectively. The evaluation is conduct by parameters of general performance (latency and distance to reach target, number of errors, among others) and by a specific analysis of search strategies. In this way, the animal use spatial information and move directly towards the target (direct strategy), visit sequential holes until reach the target (serial strategy) or visit holes in a non-systematic fashion until reach the target (aleatory search). The analysis of strategies allows the detection of alterations in the mode of solution of the task, even if a given experimental approach does not modify the general performance parameters. In the present study, we aimed to investigate possible initial cognitive signs of AD in Wistar rats submitted to intracerebral infusions of Aβ, as well as the effects of a potentially neuroprotective treatment, by the evaluation of spatial memory in the Barnes maze. We used the alkaloid extract of Erythrina velutina (“mulungu”), which was previously studied for anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cholinergic actions. First, we standardized the task to our experimental conditions, and verified a possible influence of repeated expositions to the apparatus (for future long-term protocols) or of the implantation of the cannulas in the brain. Rats went through (or not) to implantation of cannulas (bilaterally in the hippocampal CA1 and in the lateral ventricle) and were exposed to 5 sequences of exposition to the Barnes maze (4 trainning sessions with 4 trials each, a 24h test and a 10-day retest sessions). Results showed that rats learned the task, showing diminished latency and distance to target, decreased erros and increased target quadrant exploration across the trials of all sequences. Both groups showed task retrieval, and there was a slightly improved performance in the implanted group. We concluded that the task can be held repeatedly, and in implanted animals, without altering the performance. In the second phase, we investigated the use of different strategies in the Barnes maze by rats submitted to the presence of absence of distal cues. Rats were exposed to the training phase, and in the probe session (24 h later) half the animals were exposed to the maze in the presence of the same distal cues used in training (spatial group), while the other rats went through the probe test without those cues (a black curtain was placed around the maze – non-spatial group). Both groups learned the task, but the spatial group preferred the used of direct strategies, while the non-spatial group preferred other strategies. We concluded that the removal of distal cues does not hinder the execution of the task, and the animals use alternative search modes under this condition. In the third phase (two experiments) we verified the effects of the intracerebral infusion of Aβ on the acquisition and retrieval of Barnes task. In experiment 1, rats received 15 daily i.c.v. infusions of saline or Aβ (30, 100 ou 300 pmol) plus bilateral CA1 infusions in the first day, and were exposed to 3 sequences of Barnes task (training, 24h test and 10-day retest in each sequence). Sequence I was held before surgery (all the animals learned the task), II started at 11th infusion and III started 10 days after II. The behavior of the Aβ-treated animals varied greatly at sequences II and III, and hence no differences were observed. There was high mortality due to treatment. At the end of the behavioral sessions, saline and Aβ 30pmol groups were euthanized for Aβ immunohistochemistry. The analysis by relative optical density showed increased Aβ staining in the hippocampus and neocortex. We concluded that, although there was Aβ deposition, the treatment did not induce performance deficits. In experiment 2 we investigated the effects of Aβ (30 pmol) infusion on the search strategies in the Barnes maze. Animals went through one sequence of Barnes task (4 trainings with 2 trials each and a 3-day test, in order to increase difficulty). In the probe test, although Aβ animals showed some retrieval, they showed preference for non-spatial strategies, opposed to saline-treated rats. We concluded that Aβ infusion induced subtle alterations in spatial memory, compatible with the initial stages of AD, which is relevant for investigations of potential neuroprotective approaches. In the last stage, animals submitted to the same infusion protocol described above were concomitantly treated orally with 200 mg/kg of mulungu extract and went through 2 Barnes task sequences. In general, no differences were observed among the groups in acquisition or retrieval. Thus, we concluded that the protocol used here was not able to detect a beneficial effect of mulungu extract in the Aβ infusion AD model.
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2
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KELLY SOARES FARIAS
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USING ASTROCYTES AS DISEASE-MODIFYING TREATMENT FOR TEMPORAL LOBE EPILEPSY
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Advisor : CLAUDIO MARCOS TEIXEIRA DE QUEIROZ
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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CLAUDIO MARCOS TEIXEIRA DE QUEIROZ
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EDUARDO BOUTH SEQUERRA
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RODRIGO NEVES ROMCY PEREIRA
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BEATRIZ DE OLIVEIRA MONTEIRO
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OLAGIDE WAGNER DE CASTRO
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Data: Feb 28, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Astrocytes are specialized glial cells involved in the extracellular homeostasis by buffering potassium cation (K+) concentration, metabolizing neurotransmitters, controlling neuronal firing and synchronization and contributing to the blood-brain barrier. Under pathological conditions, astrocytes may change their morphology in order to compensate abnormal function, being referred to as activated astrocytes (reactive gliosis). This phenomenon is commonly observed in brain regions associated with seizure generation and spread, although its role in abnormal synchronization is unknown. While astrocytes can enhance potassium and glutamate-related metabolism, sustained long-term reactivation can lead to neuronal dysfunction. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of epilepsy and is usually associated to refractoriness. TLE is characterized by extensive cell death (hippocampal sclerosis), synaptic reorganization (mossy fiber sprouting) and reactive gliosis. Here, we hypothesize that transplantation of immature astrocytes in chronically epileptic hippocampus would reduce epileptiform activity, including the occurrence of electrographic and behavioral seizures. To test this hypothesis, animals made epileptic by the systemic injection of pilocarpine (which induced status epilepticus, SE) were unilaterally transplanted with green fluorescent protein-positive (GFP) astrocytes into the hippocampus 30 days after the SE. Group assignment (SE-Saline e SE-Astro GD) was made according to SE behavioral severity and spontaneous epileptiform activities (interictal spikes, high-frequency oscillations, seizures) were recorded in both (treated and untreated) hippocampi using chronically implanted multi-electrodes. Astrocytes had migrated approximately 1500µm injection site, and survival rate was 1%. Astrocytes were found in the host hippocampus seven months after transplantation and were mainly localized at the hilus, at the granular layer of the dentate gyrus, at molecular layer of hippocampus. Cells or tissue clusters indicative of tumor were not identified. In a second group, astrocytes were found in the cortex and constituted the SE-Astro Cortex group. No difference was found in epileptiform activity recorded between groups. Epileptiform electrographic activity was recorded in 80% of control animals (SE-Saline, N= 8/10, in 80% of SE-Astro Cortex group (SE-Astro Córtex, N=4/5) and in 60% of animals that received astrocytes into the hippocampus (SE-Astro GD, N=2/5). Spontaneous seizure occurrence was variable between animals (21 vs 12 vs 1 recorded seizures in SE-Saline and SE-Astro Cortex and SE-Astro GD groups, respectively), however, no difference was observed in seizure frequency between groups (seizures/hour: 0.05±0.01 vs 0.03±0.003 vs 0.02, SE-Saline, SE-Astro Cortex and SE-Astro GD, respectively). Astrocytes grafting did not change seizure duration (67.5 ± 3.6 s vs 74.2 ± 3.9 s vs 65.3 s for SE-Saline, SE-Astro Cortex and SE-Astro GD groups, respectively). Also, we did not observe any difference in the morphology, periodicity or frequency of hippocampal interictal spikes between experimental groups and/or treated hemisphere. Additionally, however, the animals of SE-Astro Cortex group showed reduced behavioral seizure severity (scores: 5 ± 0.1 vs 4 ± 0.4; for SE-Saline and SE-Astro Cortex, respectively; p =0.02, Mann-Whitney test). SE-Astro GD group animals showed only one spontaneous seizure, and therefore not a candidate for statistics. Even thought the small sample size, our results present the cell therapy relevance for the treatment of epilepsies and reinforce importance of transplantation site for epileptiform activity reduction.
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3
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DARDO NAHUEL FERREIRO
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Functional properties and spatial layout of neurons in the primary visual cortex: electrophysiological comparison between the Amazonian agouti and the domestic cat.
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Advisor : KERSTIN ERIKA SCHMIDT
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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CLAUDIO MARCOS TEIXEIRA DE QUEIROZ
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CRISTOVAM WANDERLEY PICANÇO DINIZ
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EMELIE KATARINA SVAHN LEAO
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JEROME PAUL ARMAND LAURENT BARON
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KERSTIN ERIKA SCHMIDT
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Data: Mar 27, 2018
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Show Abstract
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So far, there is no evidence of a columnar orientation preference map in rodent primary visual cortex, such as commonly observed in carnivores and primates. At the same time, orientation selective neurons have been found in all rodent species investigated, though interspersed. This opens up the question whether the connectivity underlying the emergence of selective cortical response properties in animals with interspersed as compared to columnar maps follows a different blueprint. Rodent data are so far mainly available for species with nocturnal or crepuscular habits and small brain size, two factors that could also contribute to develop a different functional architecture.
Therefore, we set out to compare the functional architecture of the primary visual cortex of carnivores with that of a big rodent with diurnal habits, and a V1 size comparable to cats and small primates. To this end, we performed multi-site electrophysiological recordings using spatial arrays from both anesthetized cats’ (Felis catus) and agoutis’ (Dasyprocta aguti) visual cortex. Visual stimuli consisted of oriented gratings of several spatial and temporal frequencies.
Agoutis presented much smaller orientation selectivity indices (median OSI = 0.10) than cats (median OSI = 0.19). In order to describe the functional architecture based on the electrophysiological data, we quantified the orientation preference difference between neurons according to the cortical distance between them. As expected, this analysis revealed a characteristic slow decrease in neuronal orientation preference similarity for cats. No such “classical” modularity was found for agoutis, but a clustering of neurons with similar orientation preferences was observed for short ranges (< 250um).
Overall, our results are consistent with recent literature reporting ‘mini-columns’ of orientation preference in mice, and therefore further prove that the rodents’ interspersed maps are not random, as previously assumed. We cannot confirm, however, recent theoretical literature suggesting that agoutis might have “classical” columnar orientation preference maps. Future research should focus to understand the circuits, which lead to small selective receptive fields in agoutis and great visual performance while adopting a different functional architecture.
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4
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JULIANA ALVES BRANDAO MEDEIROS DE SOUSA
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Epigenetic inheritance of social behavior and neural circuitry organization of the prefrontal cortex in an animal model of autism
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Advisor : MARCOS ROMUALDO COSTA
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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CECÍLIA HEDIN-PEREIRA
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CLEITON LOPES AGUIAR
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EDUARDO BOUTH SEQUERRA
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EMELIE KATARINA SVAHN LEAO
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MARCOS ROMUALDO COSTA
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RODRIGO NEVES ROMCY PEREIRA
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Data: Aug 10, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Autism comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by sensory, motor, language and mainly social deficits perceived early in childhood. Genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as environmental factors, are strongly involved in the predisposition to autism. Studies in animal models of the disease suggest that these same factors can alter the development of the central nervous system, modifying patterns of differentiation and neuronal maturation and generating a dysfunctional brain circuitry. Therefore, identifying the neural changes in the developing brain can provide clues about the causes and possible treatments of autism. Our group previously characterized the animal model induced by administration of VPA in pregnant rats. We demonstrated that VPA-exposed animals during pregnancy (F1VPA) exhibit "autistic" behaviors in postnatal life, such as hyper locomotion, prolonged stereotypy, and reduced social interaction. Histologically, we detected a reduction in the number of parvalbumin (PV)+ interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of these animals compared to controls. Considering the effects of VPA on chromatin structure and DNA methylation, we hypothesized that behavioral and histological changes observed in F1VPA animals would be transmissible for the next generation, independent of new VPA exposures. In this work, we analyzed the behavior and histology of mPFC in F1VPA progeny, hereafter referred to as F2. We observed that these animals present a significant reduction in social interaction and in the frequency of exploratory surveys when compared to control animals. This reduction in social preference, however, was intermediate between that presented by control animals and F1VPAanimals, with the latter showing the most severe deficit in social behavior. On the other hand, we observe neither hyper locomotion, nor alterations in the exploratory ambulation or stereotyped behaviors in F2 animals when compared to the controls. Locomotion, exploration and stereotypies had their profiles normalized with respect to F1VPA animals. In order to test whether behavioral impairments in F2 stemmed from differences in parental care of VPA mothers and control mothers on their offspring, we performed cross-fostering experiments. We observed that F2 animals cared for by control mothers presented low rates of sociability when compared to control animals cared for by control mothers, which corroborates the interpretation that the observed changes in F2 animals are epigenetically inherited. The histological evaluation of cortical tissue revealed an increase in the number of PV+ neurons in the mPFC in F2 animals, suggesting an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in the fronto-cortical circuitry, also observed in F1VPA animals, but in the opposite direction. Therefore, the data presented indicate that prenatal exposure to VPA induces epigenetic changes in rats that can be transmitted to their offspring. This model may contribute in the future to the identification of genetic signatures associated with the behavioral and histological changes observed in autism.
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5
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BRYAN DA COSTA SOUZA
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Electrophysiological studies in the hippocampus – developing new methods and investigating the neural code
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Advisor : ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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CESAR RENNO COSTA
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MARCELO BUSSOTTI REYES
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NIVALDO ANTONIO PORTELA DE VASCONCELOS
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SIDARTA TOLLENDAL GOMES RIBEIRO
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Data: Dec 7, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Extracellular electrophysiology is among the main tools used for studying neural activity. In addition to having a high temporal resolution, this technique is stable enough to allow for recording freely-moving animals. In the last decades, the electrophysiology of the hippocampal formation has received particular attention due to the discovery of its relationship with memory and spatial navigation. Specifically, many spatial correlates have been investigated to understand the basis of neural encoding, such as place cells, which increase their firing rate when the animal is at particular locations of the environment. In this thesis, we present three studies exploring hippocampal electrophysiology through different levels of analysis, which aim at better understanding the different coding mechanisms used by the brain. In the first work, we focus on the problem of spike sorting, which consists in the classification of the waveforms detected by the extracellular recording. We investigated the use of Gaussian mixture models to perform feature extraction and clusterization of the waveforms. After using real and simulated data to evaluate the best strategies of our algorithm, we compared our spike sorting to two other known methods. Our algorithm, which combines two main feature extraction techniques with a new method of dimensionality reduction, showed better, or similar, results compared to the two other spike sorters. In the second work, we analyzed the current metrics used to find neurons presenting some spatial correlate, or information, such as place cells, head-direction cells, and speed cells. Using real and simulated data, we evaluated how the spatial information estimated by each metric correlated to the empirical information obtained using a Naive-Bayes classifier. Our results showed that the two main current metrics fail to detect the information content of neurons with high basal firing rate, and thus bias the universe of spatial correlates to low-firing cells. Finally, in the third work, we explored the differences in the proposed mechanisms underlying place cell firing: rate coding and temporal coding. We analyzed the dynamics of coupling between place cells and theta oscillations, comparing it to the firing rate dynamics. Our results revealed an asymmetry between the two mechanisms, with the theta coupling place cells preceding its major changes in firing rate, which corroborate the hypothesis that temporal and rate coding are independent mechanisms. Beyond that, we found that temporal coding represents more extensively the future positions of the animal than the past ones, suggesting its involvement in trajectory planning. In summary, the results of this thesis contribute to both the understanding of neuronal encoding and the development of new techniques in the field of hippocampal electrophysiology
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6
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ANDRE LUIZ VIEIRA LOCKMANN
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Neural oscillations coupling olfactory and hippocampal networks
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Advisor : ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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ADRIANO BRETANHA LOPES TORT
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DIEGO ANDRES LAPLAGNE
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EMELIE KATARINA SVAHN LEAO
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RODRIGO NEVES ROMCY PEREIRA
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MÁRCIO FLÁVIO DUTRA MORAES
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PABLO DANIEL TORTEROLO MINETTI
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Data: Dec 13, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Local field potentials (LFPs) in the rodent brain exhibit prominent oscillations, which have been suggested to oordinate information flow across neuronal circuits. This thesis investigated oscillations that simultaneously emerge in the rat olfactory and hippocampal systems and supposedly mediate their communication. The main results and insights are presented in four publications – two commentary (1 and 4) and two experimental (2 and 3) papers. Paper 1 discusses the controversial origin of low-frequency LFP oscillations (~ 1 Hz) that appear in the rodent hippocampus during sleep and anesthesia. Do these oscillations reflect internal processing with the neocortex or do they couple to external inputs from rhythmic nasal respiration? This question is experimentally addressed in paper 2. By simultaneously recording nasal respiration and LFPs from urethane-anesthetized rats, we show that the hippocampus exhibits two independent low-frequency oscillations: one that entrains to neocortical “up-and-down” state transitions and another that entrains to the olfactory bulb respiration-coupled rhythm (RR) – and to respiration itself. Paper 3 further shows that the olfactory bulb also drives beta oscillations (10-20 Hz) in the hippocampus. Together, papers 2 and 3 indicate that related network mechanisms generate hippocampal beta and RR: both rhythms are relayed to the hippocampus by entorhinal cortex inputs to the dentate gyrus and, additionally, the phase of RR modulates beta amplitude. Based on our own results and on publications from other groups, in paper 4 we defend that the recently described delta-band oscillations coupling prefrontal cortex and hippocampus correspond to RR. In all, this thesis supports that respiration-coupled and beta oscillations mediate olfacto-hippocampal communication.
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7
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GEISSY LAINNY DE LIMA ARAÚJO
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Psychophysiological effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention in healthy young adults
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Advisor : MARIA BERNARDETE CORDEIRO DE SOUSA
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COMMITTEE MEMBERS :
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BRUNO LOBAO SOARES
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IVANI BRYS
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MARIA BERNARDETE CORDEIRO DE SOUSA
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MARIO ANDRE LEOCADIO MIGUEL
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TIAGO ARRUDA SANCHEZ
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Data: Dec 18, 2018
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Show Abstract
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Mindfulness-based training have been used to facilitate more adaptative mechanisms aimed to reduce anxiety, depression, stress, and improve attention regulation, emotions and enhance quality of life. The present study integrates variables related to sustained attention, interoception, affect and stress response in young adults submitted to a three-day training using a mindfulness-based training. The aim of this study is to understand the mechanism by which the mindfulness meditation practice acts acutely regarding to the variables approached. Electrophysiological, hormonal and behavioral data were collected in two moments, pre and post intervention, in an active control group (n= 20) and an experimental group (n= 20) Our results suggest a difference between groups related to interoception, mindfulness and sustained attention after training. These results are represented through psychological measures and analysis of event-related potentials in one well validated attention task. In addition, intragroup analyzes suggest reduction of anxiety, increased interoceptive sensitivity and state of mindfulness after intervention in the experimental group. Moreover, the data shows lower negative affect and perceived stress in both groups after intervention. In this sense, it is suggested that the brief mindfulness-based intervention impacts on the cognitive performance regarding to an attentional test, with decrease of latency and increase of amplitude of the P300 component. Besides that, increased state of mindfulness, interoception and decrease in the levels of negative affect and perceived stress are also important results consistent with previous findings related to more traditional interventions using mindfulness meditation in a variety of populations
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