Maternal choline supplementation modulates cognition and induces anti-inflammatory signaling in the prefrontal cortices of adolescent rats exposed to maternal immune activation.

Maternal infection has long been described as a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, especially autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia. Although many pathogens do not cross the placenta and infect the developing fetus directly, the maternal immune response to them is sufficient to alter fetal neurodevelopment, a phenomenon termed maternal immune activation (MIA). Low maternal choline is also a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, and most pregnant people do not receive enough of it.

Altered prefrontal and cerebellar parvalbumin neuron counts are associated with cognitive changes in male rats.

Exposure to valproic acid (VPA), a common anti-seizure medication, in utero is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). People with ASD often display changes in the cerebellum, including volume changes, altered circuitry, and changes in Purkinje cell populations. ASD is also characterized by changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), where excitatory/inhibitory balance is often altered.

Maternal choline supplementation in neurodevelopmental disorders: mechanistic insights from animal models and future directions.

Objectives: To synthesize evidence from animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) using maternal choline supplementation, to characterize current knowledge on the mechanisms of choline's protective effects against NDD, and to identify gaps in knowledge for future study.

Methods: A literature review was conducted in PubMed to identify studies using prenatal choline supplementation interventions in rodent models of neurodevelopmental disorders. 24 studies were identified, and behavioral and biological findings were extracted from each.

Adolescent treadmill exercise enhances hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and improves cognition in autism-modeled rats.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by repetitive behaviors and altered communication abilities. Exercise is a low-cost intervention that could improve cognitive function and improve brain plasticity mechanisms. Here, the valproic acid (VPA) model was utilized to induce ASD-like phenotypes in rodents.

Aerobic exercise improves cognitive flexibility and modulates regional volume changes in a rat model of autism.

Gestational exposure to valproic acid (VPA) is a risk factor for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Rodents exposed to VPA in utero display common features of ASD, including volumetric dysregulation in higher-order cognitive regions like the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the hippocampus. Exercise has been shown in elderly populations to boost cognition and to buffer against brain volume losses with age.

Region-Specific Brain Volume Changes Emerge in Adolescence in the Valproic Acid Model of Autism and Parallel Human Findings.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and communication deficits, cognitive dysfunction, and stereotyped repetitive behaviors. Regional volume changes are commonly observed in individuals with ASD. To examine volumetric dysregulation across adolescence, the valproic acid (VPA) model was used to induce ASD-like phenotypes in rats.

Adolescent female valproic acid rats have impaired extra-dimensional shifts of attention and enlarged anterior cingulate cortices.

In order to develop better treatments for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) it is critical to understand the developmental trajectory of the disorder and the accompanying brain changes. This study used the valproic acid (VPA) model to induce ASD-like symptoms in rodents. Prior studies have demonstrated that VPA animals are impaired on executive function tasks, paralleling results in humans with ASD.

Antiviral macrophage responses in flavivirus encephalitis.

Mosquito-borne flaviviruses are a major current and emerging threat, affecting millions of people worldwide. Global climate change, combined with increasing proximity of humans to animals and mosquito vectors by expansion into natural habitats, coupled with the increase in international travel, have resulted in significant spread and concomitant increase in the incidence of infection and severe disease. Although neuroinvasive disease has been well described for some viral infections such as Japanese Encephalitis virus (JEV) and West Nile virus (WNV), others such as dengue virus (DENV) have recently displayed an emerging pattern of neuroinvasive disease, distinct from the previously observed, systemically-induced encephalomyelopathy.

Psychological factors and delayed healing in chronic wounds.

Objective: Studies have shown that stress can delay the healing of experimental punch biopsy wounds. This study examined the relationship between the healing of natural wounds and anxiety and depression.

Methods: Fifty-three subjects (31 women and 22 men) were studied.