scholarly journals The brain of a nocturnal migratory insect, the Australian Bogong moth

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Adden ◽  
Sara Wibrand ◽  
Keram Pfeiffer ◽  
Eric Warrant ◽  
Stanley Heinze
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Access Point ◽  
Brain Atlas ◽  
Migratory Behavior ◽  
Ground Pattern ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Alpine Regions ◽  
Breeding Grounds ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cool Climate

AbstractEvery year, millions of Australian Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) complete an astonishing journey: in spring, they migrate over 1000 km from their breeding grounds to the alpine regions of the Snowy Mountains, where they endure the hot summer in the cool climate of alpine caves. In autumn, the moths return to their breeding grounds, where they mate, lay eggs and die. These moths can use visual cues in combination with the geomagnetic field to guide their flight, but how these cues are processed and integrated in the brain to drive migratory behavior is unknown. To generate an access point for functional studies, we provide a detailed description of the Bogong moth’s brain. Based on immunohistochemical stainings against synapsin and serotonin (5HT), we describe the overall layout as well as the fine structure of all major neuropils, including the regions that have previously been implicated in compass-based navigation. The resulting average brain atlas consists of 3D reconstructions of 25 separate neuropils, comprising the most detailed account of a moth brain to date. Our results show that the Bogong moth brain follows the typical lepidopteran ground pattern, with no major specializations that can be attributed to their spectacular migratory lifestyle. These findings suggest that migratory behavior does not require widespread modifications of brain structure, but might be achievable via small adjustments of neural circuitry in key brain areas. Locating these subtle changes will be a challenging task for the future, for which our study provides an essential anatomical framework.

scholarly journals The Brain/MINDS 3D digital marmoset brain atlas

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Woodward ◽  
Tsutomu Hashikawa ◽  
Masahide Maeda ◽  
Takaaki Kaneko ◽  
Keigo Hikishima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Common Marmoset ◽  
Brain Atlas ◽  
File Format ◽  
Modal Data ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Marmoset Monkey ◽  
The Common ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Human Primate

AbstractWe present a new 3D digital brain atlas of the non-human primate, common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), with MRI and coregistered Nissl histology data. To the best of our knowledge this is the first comprehensive digital 3D brain atlas of the common marmoset having normalized multi-modal data, cortical and sub-cortical segmentation, and in a common file format (NIfTI). The atlas can be registered to new data, is useful for connectomics, functional studies, simulation and as a reference.The atlas was based on previously published work but we provide several critical improvements to make this release valuable for researchers. Nissl histology images were processed to remove illumination and shape artifacts and then normalized to the MRI data. Brain region segmentation is provided for both hemispheres. The data is in the NIfTI format making it easy to integrate into neuroscience pipelines, whereas the previous atlas was in an inaccessible file format. We also provide cortical, mid-cortical and white matter boundary segmentations useful for visualization and analysis.

scholarly journals SAT-606 Distribution of Beta Klotho Gene Expression in the Mouse Brain

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca S Bono ◽  
Persephone A Miller ◽  
Nikita K Koziel Ly ◽  
Melissa J Chee
Keyword(s):  
Basolateral Amygdala ◽  
Piriform Cortex ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Brain Atlas ◽  
Hypothalamic Nucleus ◽  
Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 ◽  
Lateral Olfactory Tract ◽  
Hypothalamic Area ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has emerged as a critical endocrine factor for understanding the neurobiology of obesity, such as by the regulation thermogenesis, food preference, and metabolism, as well as for neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s disease and traumatic brain injury. FGF21 is synthesized primarily by the liver and pancreas then crosses the blood brain barrier to exert its effects in the brain. However, the sites of FGF21 action in the brain is not well-defined. FGF21 action requires the activation of FGF receptor 1c as well as its obligate co-receptor beta klotho (KLB). In order to determine the sites of FGF21 action, we mapped the distribution of Klb mRNA by in situ hybridization using RNAscope technology. We labeled Klb distribution throughout the rostrocaudal axis of male wildtype mice by amplifying Klb hybridization using tyramine signal amplification and visualizing Klb hybridization using Cyanine 3 fluorescence. The resulting Klb signal appears as punctate red “dots,” and each Klb neuron may express low (1–4 dots), medium (5–9 dots), or high levels (10+ dots) of Klb hybridization. We then mapped individual Klb expressing neuron to the atlas plates provided by the Allen Brain Atlas in order to determine Klb distribution within the substructures of each brain region, which are defined by Nissl-based parcellations of cytoarchitectural boundaries. The distribution of Klb mRNA is widespread throughout the brain, and the brain regions analyzed thus far point to notable expression in the hypothalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and the cerebral cortex. The highest expression of Klb was localized to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the hypothalamus, which contained low and medium Klb-expressing neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area and ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus while low expressing Klb neurons were seen in the paraventricular and dorsmedial hypothalamic nucleus. Hippocampal Klb expression was limited to the dorsal region and largely restricted to the pyramidal cell layer of the dentate gyrus, CA3, CA2, and CA1 but at low levels only. In the amygdala, low and medium Klb expressing cells were seen in lateral amygdala nucleus while low levels were observed in the basolateral amygdala nucleus. Cortical Klb expression analyzed thus far included low Klb-expressing neurons in the olfactory areas, including layers 2 and 3 of piriform cortex and nucleus of the lateral olfactory tract. These findings are consistent with the known roles of FGF21 in the central regulation of energy balance, but also implicates potentially wide-ranging effects of FGF21 such as in executive functions.

scholarly journals Remote control of neural function by X-ray-induced scintillation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takanori Matsubara ◽  
Takayuki Yanagida ◽  
Noriaki Kawaguchi ◽  
Takashi Nakano ◽  
Junichiro Yoshimoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Neural Function ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Cellular Functions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Clinical Dose ◽  
Visible Luminescence ◽  
Midbrain Dopamine ◽  
The Brain

Scintillators emit visible luminescence when irradiated with X-rays. Given the unlimited tissue penetration of X-rays, the employment of scintillators could enable remote optogenetic control of neural functions at any depth of the brain. Here we show that a yellow-emitting inorganic scintillator, Ce-doped Gd3(Al,Ga)5O12 (Ce:GAGG), could effectively activate red-shifted excitatory and inhibitory opsins, ChRmine and GtACR1, respectively. Using injectable Ce:GAGG microparticles, we successfully activated and inhibited midbrain dopamine neurons in freely moving mice by X-ray irradiation, producing bidirectional modulation of place preference behavior. Ce:GAGG microparticles were non-cytotoxic and biocompatible, allowing for chronic implantation. Pulsed X-ray irradiation at a clinical dose level was sufficient to elicit behavioral changes without reducing the number of radiosensitive cells in the brain and bone marrow. Thus, scintillator-mediated optogenetics enables less invasive, wireless control of cellular functions at any tissue depth in living animals, expanding X-ray applications to functional studies of biology and medicine.

scholarly journals The Brain/MINDS 3D digital marmoset brain atlas

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Woodward ◽  
Tsutomu Hashikawa ◽  
Masahide Maeda ◽  
Takaaki Kaneko ◽  
Keigo Hikishima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Atlas ◽  
The Brain

scholarly journals Structural and functional insights into transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein complexes

2019 ◽  
Vol 151 (12) ◽  
pp. 1347-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward C. Twomey ◽  
Maria V. Yelshanskaya ◽  
Alexander I. Sobolevsky
Keyword(s):  
Protein Complexes ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Regulatory Proteins ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Modular Architecture ◽  
Auxiliary Subunits ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Excitatory Neurotransmission ◽  
Synaptic Complexes ◽  
The Brain

Fast excitatory neurotransmission is mediated by the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptor (AMPAR). AMPARs initiate depolarization of the postsynaptic neuron by allowing cations to enter through their ion channel pores in response to binding of the neurotransmitter glutamate. AMPAR function is dramatically affected by auxiliary subunits, which are regulatory proteins that form various complexes with AMPARs throughout the brain. The most well-studied auxiliary subunits are the transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs), which alter the assembly, trafficking, localization, kinetics, and pharmacology of AMPARs. Recent structural and functional studies of TARPs and the TARP-fold germ cell-specific gene 1-like (GSG1L) subunit have provided important glimpses into how auxiliary subunits regulate the function of synaptic complexes. In this review, we put these recent structures in the context of new functional findings in order to gain insight into the determinants of AMPAR regulation by TARPs. We thus reveal why TARPs display a broad range of effects despite their conserved modular architecture.

scholarly journals Expression of the yes proto-oncogene in cerebellar Purkinje cells.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 4545-4549 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Sudol ◽  
C F Kuo ◽  
L Shigemitsu ◽  
A Alvarez-Buylla
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Purkinje Cell ◽  
Gene Product ◽  
Purkinje Cells ◽  
Immunofluorescent Staining ◽  
Cell Degeneration ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Cerebellar Purkinje Cells ◽  
The Brain

To identify the kinds of cells in the brain that express the yes proto-oncogene, we examined chicken brains by using immunofluorescent staining and in situ hybridization. Both approaches showed that the highest level of the yes gene product was in cerebellar Purkinje cells. In addition, we analyzed Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutant mice. The level of yes mRNA in cerebella of pcd mutants was four times lower than that found in cerebella of normal littermates. Our studies point to Purkinje cells as an attractive model for functional studies of the yes protein.

scholarly journals What are extreme environmental conditions and how do organisms cope with them?

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-374 ◽  
Author(s):  
John C. Wingfield ◽  
J. Patrick Kelley ◽  
Frédéric Angelier
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Alpine Regions ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Interaction With Receptors

Abstract Severe environmental conditions affect organisms in two major ways. The environment may be predictably severe such as in deserts, polar and alpine regions, or individuals may be exposed to temporarily extreme conditions through weather, presence of predators, lack of food, social status etc. Existence in an extreme environment may be possible, but then to breed or molt in addition can present major bottlenecks that have resulted in the evolution of hormone-behavior adaptations to cope with unpredictable events. Examples of hormone-behavior adaptations in extreme conditions include attenuated testosterone secretion because territoriality and excess courtship may be too costly when there is one opportunity to reproduce. The individual may even become insensitive to testosterone when target areas of the brain regulating reproductive behavior no longer respond to the hormone. A second example is reduced sensitivity to glucocorticoids following acute stress during the breeding season or molt that allows successful reproduction and/or a vital renewal of the integument to endure extreme conditions during the rest of the year. Reduced sensitivity could involve: (a) modulated response of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, (b) reduced sensitivity to high glucocorticoid levels, or (c) a combination of (a) and (b). Moreover, corticosteroid binding proteins (CBP) buffer responses to stress by reducing the movement of glucocorticoids into target cells. Finally, intracellular enzymes (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and variants) can deactivate glucocorticoids entering cells thus reducing interaction with receptors. These mechanisms have important implications for climate change and increasing extremes of weather.

scholarly journals Fahr’s disease

2019 ◽  
pp. 35-42
Author(s):  
N. M. Nevmerzhytska ◽  
V. V. Orzheshkovskyi
Keyword(s):  
Basal Ganglia ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Resonance Spectroscopy ◽  
Pathophysiological Mechanism ◽  
Scientific Review ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Physiological Calcification ◽  
Instrumental Methods ◽  
The Brain

The scientific review based on an analysis of the literature examines key points in the etiology, pathomorphology and clinical picture of basal ganglia calcification. It also involves the so-called physiological calcification of the central nervous system. Juvenile and senile forms of a disease and frequency of occurrence of this nosological form are described. The historical information and modes of inheritance are briefly provided. The article considers the numerous synonyms of this disease and the causes of secondary calcification of the brain (Fahr’s syndrome). Four genes are described associated with primary calcification of the basal ganglia: SLC20A2 and XPR1 coding transmembrane conveyors of inorganic phosphate; PDGFB and PDGFRB which are involved in integrity of a blood-brain barrier and survival of pericytes. Pathogenetic mechanisms of clinical displays of a disease are presented. The article displays the features of macro- and microscopic changes in the brain with this nosology. The characteristic signs of the initial and advanced forms of the disease are described in detail, taking into account the age of the debut of calcification of the basal ganglia. The main and auxiliary instrumental methods for diagnosing this disease are also considered, the results of positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance spectroscopy are described, which confirm the pathophysiological mechanism of neurological manifestations of the disease associated with the disorganization of the front-striatal pathways in the area of ​​calcified basal ganglia. A number of additional general clinical laboratory and functional studies are listed to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of primary family idiopathic ferrocalcinosis (Fahr’s diseases). The main directions in the treatment of the described pathology are given.

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