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Neuroscience Y2S2 > Neurobiology of Disease 7 > Flashcards

Neurobiology of Disease 7 Flashcards

1
Q

How has the prevalence of autism changed since the early 1990’s? (1)

a) increased
b) stayed the same
c) decreased

A

a) increased

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2
Q

What is the estimated prevalence of autism in the USA (in children under 8 years)? (1)

a) 1 in 10,000

b) 1 in 68

c) 1 in 10

d) 1 in 5000

A

b) 1 in 68

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3
Q

Complete the sentence relating to the prevalence of autism. (3)

The prevalence of autism is thought to be …………………. higher in the ……………………. sex than in the …………………….. sex.

A

5-fold

male

female

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4
Q

For a diagnosis of autism to be made, three symptoms must be experienced in at least two core domains.

What are the core domains in which deficits are seen in ASD? (4)

A
  • Atypical social behaviour
  • Disrupted verbal and/or non-verbal communication
  • Restrictive interests and/or repetitive behaviours
  • Impairments in symbolic/imaginative play
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5
Q

For a diagnosis of ASD to be made, deficits/symptoms must have onset before what age? (1)

A

3 years

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6
Q

Give 7 specific signs of autism in young children. (7)

Give a criterion which these symptoms must meet to be classed as ‘autistic’. (1)

A
  • Inability to relate/communicate with children or adults
  • Poor speech or lack of speech
  • Inappropriate laughter or crying
  • Oversensitive or undersensitive to sound
  • Inappropriate playing with toys
  • Difficulty dealing with changes in routine
  • Oversensitive or undersensitive to touch

CRITERION: must be developmentally inappropriate behaviour

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7
Q

Give 6 conditions/features which may be associated with autism but which are not core features/symptoms. (6)

A
  • Heterogenous delay in spoken language
  • Epilepsy
  • Mental retardation
  • Motor impairments
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances
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8
Q

How common are speech delay and GI disturbances in autism? (1)

A

Feature in about 50% of people

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9
Q

How is head size thought to relate to autism? (1)

A

People with autism have been found to have ~20% larger head size

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10
Q

Describe how intelligence is thought to relate to autism. (3)

A

Most people have normal intelligence

35-50% have intellectual disability (IQ<70)

Small minority have remarkable memory/intellect

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11
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if appropriate. (1)

Autism is associated with mood and anxiety disorders, as well as ADHD.

A

True

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12
Q

Give three reasons/features of ASD which make a diagnosis difficult. (3)

A
  • No common macroscopic or microscopic neuropathology
  • No specific brain region or cell type is implicated
  • No biomarkers, so no prediction of who will develop the condition
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13
Q

As well as psychiatric and psychological assessment, give two other tests which may be helpful in diagnosing autism. (2)

A
  • eye tracking movements
  • EEG
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14
Q

How can eye tracking movements be useful when diagnosing autism? (1)

A

Autistic people tend to make less eye contact

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15
Q

Autism spectrum disorder is a combined diagnosis, which used to be three separate diagnoses.

What are the three diagnoses which used to be used? (3)

A
  • Autistic disorder
  • Asperger’s disorder
  • Pervasive developmental disorder - not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS)
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16
Q

Is autism usually treated using pharmacological or non-pharmacological management? (1)

Describe this management. (1)

A

Non-pharmacological management

Behavioural intervention

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17
Q

There are two FDA-approved drugs for treating autism.

What group do these two drugs belong to? (1)

Name the drugs. (2)

What are they for? (2)

A

Antipsychotics

Risperidone (for aggressive and repetitive behaviour)

Aripiprazole (for irritability)

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18
Q

What percentage of autism is inherited through a single mendelian gene mutation? (1)

A

3%

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19
Q

5% of autism cases are inherited through chromosome abnormalities and CNVs.

What is a CNV? (1)

A

Copy number variation - large sections of the genome are replicated or deleted

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20
Q

5-10% of autism cases are thought to be due to De novo single gene mutations.

What is a De novo single gene mutation? (1)

A

A mutation in a gene that is present in the offspring but not inherited from either parent (may occur after fertilisation).

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21
Q

What is the most common type (accounting for 80-85%) of autism genetics? (1)

a) De novo single gene mutations

b) Mendelian single gene

c) Chromosome abnormalities and CNVs

d) Unknown and/or multifactorial genes

A

d) unknown and/or multifactorial genes

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22
Q

What is the chance of a child with an autistic sibling developing autism? (1)

What does this suggest about the aetiology of autism? (1)

A

20%

Mix between genetic and environmental risk factors

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23
Q

Complete the sentence relating to autism. (2)

Autism is a disorder of …………………………, especially in the ………………………….

A

neuronal connectivity

cerebral cortex

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24
Q

Give two neuroanatomical differences which may be caused by genes implicated in autism. (2)

A
  • Altered brain growth (smaller, then larger, then size becomes normal)
  • Subtle differences in cerebral neuronal columns
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25
Q

Describe two systems-level differences which may be caused by genes implicated in autism. (2)

A
  • Differences in prenatal neuronal migration and axon pathfinding, leading to differences in white matter tracts and functional connectivity
  • Differences in postnatal dendritic development, synaptic pruning, and neurogenesis (balance of excitation/inhibition)
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26
Q

Describe three cellular/molecular differences which may be caused by genes implicated in autism. (3)

A
  • Alterations in activity-dependent protein synthesis
  • Differences in neuronal activity
  • Differences in neuronal cell adhesion
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27
Q

Complete the sentence relating to the involvement of genetics in autism. (3)

In autism, >100 susceptibility genes converge on pathways affecting …………………….., ……………………….., and ……………………..

A

synapse formation

neuronal activity

neuronal cell adhesion

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28
Q

The gene alterations often seen in autism lead to changes in synaptic function and neuronal circuitry.

Give six specific cellular mechanisms/targets that the implicated genes may affect. (6)

A
  • Synaptogenesis and synaptic plasticity
  • Protein synthesis
  • Chromatin remodelling and transcription
  • Protein degradation
  • Phospholipid homeostasis
  • Cytoskeleton dynamics
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29
Q

Give five specific genes which are well-known to be involved in autism. (5)

A
  • Neurexins
  • Neuroligins
  • DAT
  • D2 receptor
  • Trio gene
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30
Q

The trio gene is well-known to be involved in autism.

Are mutations in this gene generally inherited or de novo? (1)

Where is the protein formed from the trio gene found? (1)

A

de novo

Protein found in dendritic spines of glutamatergic neurones

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31
Q

Neuroligin genes are often implicated in autism.

Describe what the neuroligin protein is and its functions. (4)

A

Synaptic cell adhesion molecules

on postsynaptic neuronal membranes

which interact with glutamatergic NMDA or GABAergic receptors

to maintain synaptic functions and the excitatory/inhibitory balance

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32
Q

Neurexin genes are often implicated in autism.

Describe what the neurexin protein is and its functions. (2)

A

Components of the presynaptic neuronal membrane

intracellular domain interacts with proteins involved in exocytosis

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33
Q

Neurexin and neuroligin genes are implicated in autism.

Very briefly describe the joint function of neurexins and neuroligin proteins. (2)

A

Proteins form links across the synaptic cleft

and maintain synaptic function

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34
Q

Complete the sentence relating to genetics in autism. (2)

A small percentage of ASD patients present with single mutations in genes encoding the neuroligin-neurexin cell adhesion molecules, which modifies …………………………. and the …………………… balance.

A

Cell/synaptic adhesion

excitatory/inhibitory

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35
Q

R451C mice are also known as neuroligin-3 mutants. They show altered GABA signalling.

Give one functional, one histological, and one behavioural change seen in R451C mice. (3)

What neurological condition might this mouse model be used to replicate? (1)

A
  • Increased IPSPs
  • Increased number of GABAergic neurones (shown by increased VGAT)
  • Reduced social interaction behaviour

May be used to replicate autism

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36
Q

Describe the differences which may be seen regarding D2 receptor expression in autism. (1)

How might this difference be imaged in human postmortem brain tissue? (1)

A

Increased D2 receptor expression in dorsal striatum

Immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridisation for D2 mRNA

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37
Q

Human dopamine transporter T356M has impaired function. It has been implicated in autism.

Describe the rate of uptake and the maximum uptake that would be expected with the T356M transporter compared to wild type. (2)

A

Slower rate of uptake

Lower maximum uptake

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38
Q

Human dopamine transporter T356M has impaired function. It has been implicated in autism.

Describe the exact mutation which takes place. (1)

Why is this mutation particularly devastating for the function of the protein? (1)

On which transmembrane domain of the DAT protein does the mutation have an effect? (1)

A

Threonine to methionine

The threonine residue is highly conserved across species, which suggests it must be important for protein function

Mutation affects transmembrane domain 7

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39
Q

Human dopamine transporter T356M has impaired function. It has been implicated in autism.

In Drosophila activity assays, what effect does this mutation, and also complete knockout of the protein have on activity? (2)

Describe the activity assay in Drosophila, and how activity would have been measured. (2)

A

Increased activity in both forms

Flies put in tube with infrared beam separating them from food

Measure how many times fly crosses beam to get to food

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40
Q

Suggest 2 mechanisms by which antipsychotics may work as an adjunctive therapy for MDD along with antidepressants. (2)

A
  • Block D2 receptors to reduce dopaminergic neurotransmission
  • Block other monoamine receptors (including 5HT receptors) to make the effects of antidepressant medication more specific
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41
Q

Describe an environmental risk factor for autism. (2)

A

Maternal/paternal age:

  • In females, risk doubles from 25 to 40yrs
  • Risk also increased if father is 10 or more years older than mother
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42
Q

Give eight possible neurobiological mechanisms which may lead to development of autism. (8)

A
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction
  • Chronic neuroinflammation
  • Oxidative stress
  • Dysregulation of monoaminergic neurotransmission
  • Glutamate/GABAergic imbalance
  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Immune dysregulation
  • Environmental toxins and stressors
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43
Q

Name two neurotransmitters which may be particularly affected in autism. (2)

A
  • Dopamine
  • Serotonin
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44
Q

Describe briefly how serotonin may be altered in autism. (1)

A

Could be increased or decreased

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45
Q

Elevated whole blood serotonin (hyperserotonaemia) is seen in about 25% of children with autism.

Apart from autism, give another neurological condition in which hyperserotonaemia is seen. (1)

A

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

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46
Q

Elevated whole blood serotonin (hyperserotonaemia) is seen in about 25% of children with autism.

Suggest four mechanisms by which hyperserotonaemia may occur in autism. (4)

A
  • Increased production by enterochromaffin cells in intestine
  • Increased uptake of 5HT into platelets
  • Decreased metabolic breakdown of 5HT
  • Altered platelet release of 5HT
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47
Q

Describe the effects of tryptophan depletion on autistic symptoms. (2)

A

Worsened repetitive behaviour

Worsened irritability

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48
Q

Describe how 5HT2a receptor binding is altered in adults with Asperger’s syndrome and parents of children with autism in neuroimaging studies. (1)

A

Decreased 5HT2a receptor binding

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49
Q

Alterations in 5HT deactivation mechanisms have been associated with ASD.

Give two genes/proteins which may be altered. (2)

A

SERT

MAO-A

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50
Q

Complete the sentence relating to SERT and autism. (3)

Genetic knockout of SERT alters overall ……………………., including growth, and interneuron migration to the …………………….
These changes may be related to ……………………..

A

brain development

cortex

autism

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51
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if appropriate. (1)

Due to the altered serotonergic function in autism, SSRIs often are of therapeutic benefit and are commonly prescribed

A

False - SSRIs have little therapeutic benefit in ASD

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52
Q

Describe how the short allele for the promotor region for the SLC6A4 genes may lead to a specific autistic phenotype. (3)

A

Short allele leads to less transcription of SERT

So reduced SERT function

Which is associated with anxiety-related traits and altered brain structure

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53
Q

Name a midbrain region where the SERT transporter is highly expressed. (1)

A

Dorsal and median raphe neurones

54
Q

The SERT Gly56Ala knock-in mouse has a mutation in the SERT protein, and may be able to model autism.

Describe the effects on:

a) blood serotonin levels

b) raphe neurone firing rate

c) behaviour

of the SERT Gly56Ala mutation. (3)

A

a) enhanced 5HT levels

b) reduced raphe neurone firing

c) reduced sociability (with repetitive interests)

55
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if necessary. (1)

It is thought that altered gut microbiome may contribute to autism, specifically, the altered serotonergic signalling seen in autism.

A

True

56
Q

Briefly describe how the gut bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri may be able to alter ASD phenotype via the gut-brain axis. (2)

A
  • Upregulate plasma and brain levels of oxytocin
  • Which increases social behaviour in mouse models of ASD
57
Q

Briefly describe how the gut bacteria Lactobacillus rhamnosus may be able to affect ASD phenotype. (4)

A
  • Produces GABA
  • Regulates GABA receptors in the brain
  • Decreased stress responsiveness
  • Decreased anxiety and depression-like behaviours
58
Q

Briefly describe how the gut bacteria Bifidobacterium longum may be able to affect ASD phenotype. (3)

A
  • Upregulates BDNF
  • Augments neuronal plasticity in enteric nervous system
  • Reduces anxiety and depression-like behaviours in mice
59
Q

Briefly describe how the gut bacteria Bacteroides fragilis affects ASD phenotype. (3)

A
  • Improves anxiety-like behaviour
  • Improves repetitive behaviour
  • Improves communication
60
Q

Describe the general mechanisms by which the gut microbiome may contribute to behaviour seen in autism. (4)

A
  • Altered gut microbiome leads to altered products and immune response
  • Gut and systemic immune response lead to oxidative stress, increased gut permeability, increased BBB permeability
  • Neuroinflammation leads to behaviour changes
61
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if appropriate. (1)

In addition to the bacteria themselves producing serotonin, gut bacteria can also alter serotonin homeostasis to affect neurotransmission.

A

True - for example bacteria may be involved in tryptophan metabolism and/or 5HT breakdown

62
Q

Autism is often associated with ‘leaky gut’.

Describe how this may impact on gut-brain axis signalling. (4)

A
  • Increased permeability of GI tract
  • Coupled with gut dysbiosis
  • So bacterial products (eg. neurotransmitters) and inflammatory cytokines can be transported to blood and brain more easily
  • So gut-brain signalling may be enhanced
63
Q

Stimulating the maternal immune system may produce autism-like behavioural deficits in offspring.

Give two molecules which could be used to stimulate the maternal immune system. (2)

A
  • LPS (lipopolysaccharide)
  • Poly I:C
64
Q

Stimulating the maternal immune system may produce autism-like behavioural deficits in offspring.

Give two changes seen in the brain, and three behavioural changes which may be observed in offspring. (5)

A
  • Abnormal brain cell development (eg. purkinje cells, neurones, microglia)
  • Brain damage
  • Spatial memory deficits
  • Aberrant social behaviours
  • Anxiety-like behaviours
65
Q

Stimulating the maternal immune system may produce autism-like behavioural deficits in offspring.

Describe what you would expect the effects to be of treatment with Bacteroides fragilis in the offspring, in terms of the open field test? (1)

A

Bacteroides corrects the reduced time and entries into the centre, that is seen in maternal immune activation offspring.

66
Q

Describe the HPA axis. (4)

A

Hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus releases corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH)

Anterior pituitary releases adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)

Adrenal glands (cortex) release cortisol

Cortisol causes negative feedback

67
Q

Name the principal endogenous glucocorticoid hormone in the following species. (2)

a) human

b) rodents

A

a) cortisol

b) corticosterone

68
Q

Which of these is the most accurate size of CRH and ACTH? (1)

a) 200aa sequence

b) 4aa sequence

c) 40aa sequence

d) 1000aa sequence

A

c) 40aa sequence

CRH = 41 amino acids

ACTH = 39 amino acids

69
Q

Briefly describe the synthesis of CRH and ACTH. (2)

A

Prepro-peptides are produced

These are cleaved to form CRH/ACTH

70
Q

Does ACTH or cortisol have a longer half life? (1)

A

Cortisol

71
Q

Describe the approximate half lives of human ACTH and cortisol. (2)

A

ACTH = 19 minutes

cortisol = 49 minutes

72
Q

Where are the adrenal glands located, and what is their function? (2)

A

Located above kidneys

Produce corticosteroids mineralocorticoids, and catecholamines

73
Q

Name the two general regions of the adrenal glands. (2)

What is the function of each of these regions? (2)

A

Cortex - produces steroid hormones

Medulla - produces catecholamines

74
Q

Name the three zones of the adrenal cortex. (3)

A

Zona glomerulosa

Zona fasciculata

Zona reticularis

75
Q

Name the cells in the adrenal medulla which produce catecholamines. (1)

A

Chromaffin cells

76
Q

Name two specific steroid hormones which are produced by the adrenal cortex. (2)

A

Cortisol

Aldosterone

77
Q

As well as the HPA axis, describe how the sympathetic nervous system may influence activity of the adrenal gland. (3)

A
  • Sympathetic neurones extend from intermediolateral horn (IML) of spinal cord to adrenal gland
  • Specifically, SNS innervates adrenal medulla
  • And stimulates release of catecholamines into the blood
78
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if applicable. (1)

Endocrine control of the adrenal gland is responsible for producing the stress response.

A

True and false:

  • Endocrine control produces the stress response via cortisol
  • But autonomic control also contributes via catecholamines
79
Q

Describe how stress causes the stress response via the HPA axis and autonomic nervous systems. (3)

A
  • Stress activates paraventricular nucleus in hypothalamus and sympathetic nervous system (intermediolateral horns of spinal cord)
  • Increased stimulation of adrenal glands
  • Increased cortisol and catecholamines released
80
Q

Name the central pacemaker which normally controls the circadian rhythm of cortisol release. (1)

What factor ‘sets’ this pacemaker? (1)

A

Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN)

Light information from the retina sets the pacemaker.

81
Q

Briefly describe the two systems which are thought to control the circadian rhythm of the adrenal gland. (2)

A
  • SCN controlling the HPA axis (eg. ACTH)
  • Peripheral adrenal clock regulating cholesterol action and sensitivity to ACTH
82
Q

Briefly describe how the central pacemaker (SCN) is able to contribute to the circadian rhythmicity of the adrenal gland. (2)

A

SCN activates paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus in a circadian fashion

So CRH and then ACTH is released according to the pattern set by the SCN

83
Q

Describe the mechanism of how the peripheral adrenal clock contributes to the circadian rhythmicity of cortisol production. (3)

A

CLOCK and BMAL1 gene expression regulated in circadian rhythm (via input from SCN)

CLOCK and BMAL1 together induce transcription of StAR gene

StAR gene regulates production of cortisol, and as it is produced in a circadian rhythm, cortisol is produced in a circadian pattern

84
Q

Name three genes in the adrenal gland which help to control the circadian production of cortisol. (3)

A

CLOCK

BMAL1

StAR

85
Q

Give two specific functions of the StAR gene in the adrenal gland which help to regulate the production of cortisol in a circadian manner. (2)

A
  • Regulates cholesterol migration in cell (cholesterol required for cortisol synthesis)
  • Regulates adrenal sensitivity to ACTH
86
Q

In humans, at what time of the day do cortisol levels reach their peak? (1)

What time do they reach their trough? (1)

Why are they thought to reach peak at this particular time? (1)

A

Peak at 08:00

Trough in early morning - about 02:00 to 04:00

Thought to reach peak at 08:00 ready for metabolic demand of the day - peak precedes/predicts energy demand

87
Q

In rodents, at roughly what time of the day do corticosterone levels reach their peak? (1)

Why is this different to humans? (1)

A

Peak reached at about 12:00 or early afternoon

Rodents active at night rather than in the day

88
Q

What would be the effect on the circadian peak of corticosterone, if the clock gene was mutated in mice? (1)

How would this change in corticosterone peak be related to daily activity levels? (1)

A

Delay in corticosterone peak

Peak is now a response to activity instead of preparing for activity

89
Q

In addition to the circadian pattern of corticosteroid release in humans and rodents, there is a frequent bursting pattern (a pulsatile pattern) on top of the diurnal rhythm.

What is the name of this episodic bursting which occurs throughout the day? (1)

A

Ultradian rhythm

90
Q

Fill in the gaps, related to corticosteroids and the circadian rhythm. (2)

The stress response is able to ……………………… the normal circadian rhythm and cause ………………………….. in cortisol.

A

override

huge bursts

91
Q

Give two neurobiological processes which are regulated by normal, basal corticosterone levels. (2)

A

Glutamate transmission

Hippocampal LTP

92
Q

Give three types of stress that can stimulate the HPA axis. (3)

A
  • Physical
  • Psychological
  • Metabolic
93
Q

Give four effects of catecholamines in the fear-fight-flight response. (5)

A
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Bronchodilation
  • Increased respiration
  • Increased blood flow to skeletal muscle
94
Q

Give six effects of cortisol in response to stress. (6)

A
  • Increased energy metabolism
  • Increased lipolysis and proteolysis
  • Gluconeogenesis
  • Reduced immune response and inflammation
  • Reduced gut function
  • Reduced reproductive functions
95
Q

Describe how reduced gut function, immune function, and reproductive function may aid the fight/flight response. (3)

A

Conservation of energy

96
Q

Give four short-term behavioural/cognitive changes which occur in response to activation of the HPA axis. (4)

A
  • Increased anxiogenic behaviours
  • Increased arousal
  • Increased scanning attention
  • Increased memory
97
Q

Give 11 maladaptive changes which may occur due to chronic stress and chronic activation of the HPA axis and adrenal glands. (11)

A
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Attentional disruption
  • Memory less (neurodegeneration)
  • Altered cognition
  • Cardiovascular disease (including increased CV tone)
  • Hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, diabetes
  • Functional bowel syndrome
  • Susceptibility to infection
  • Altered reproductive function (sexual disorders, premature labour)
  • Reduced growth
98
Q

Which of the following interventions has been shown to increase plasma ACTH and/or corticosterone in rodents?

a) tub lacking bedding

b) increased food availability

c) footshock

d) forced swim

e) circular arena

f) elevated pedestal

g) restraint

A

All except b) increased food availability

99
Q

Name the two types of receptor for adrenal steroid hormones. (2)

A
  • Mineralocorticoid receptors
  • Glucocorticoid receptors
100
Q

Describe the affinities of the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors for cortisol. (2)

Link the affinities to what circulating levels of cortisol they may be activated by.

A

Mineralocorticoid = high affinity (so occupied by low basal circulating levels of cortisol)

Glucocorticoid = low affinity (so occupied by circadian/stress high levels of cortisol)

101
Q

Describe where in the cell the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors are typically found. (2)

A

mineralocorticoid = predominantly cytosolic

glucocorticoid = membrane bound or cytosolic

102
Q

Describe the general action of activated cytosolic mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. (1)

A

Act in the nucleus to alter gene expression of certain proteins

103
Q

Briefly describe the two types of glucocorticoid receptor that are located on the cell membrane. (2)

A
  • Classical receptors (same as those found in cytoplasm)
  • GPCR which responds to glucocorticoids
104
Q

Describe the general action of activated membrane-bound glucocorticoid receptors. (1)

A

Alteration in cellular signalling

105
Q

Compare the distribution of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in the brain. (2)

A

Glucocorticoid receptors widespread

Mineralocorticoid receptors mainly in limbic areas

106
Q

Give four brain regions where mineralocorticoid receptors are particularly prevalent. (4)

A
  • Lateral septum
  • Hippocampus
  • Hypothalamus
  • Locus coeruleus (brain stem)
107
Q

What is the role of the hypothalamic corticosteroid receptors thought to be? (1)

A

Act as part of the negative feedback loop of the HPA axis

108
Q

What is the role of the corticosteroid receptors in the locus coeruleus thought to be? (1)

A

Direct part of the stress response - release of noradrenaline

109
Q

Name the brain region that is thought to be the link between stress and Alzheimer’s disease. (1)

A

Locus coeruleus

110
Q

The locus coeruleus is responsible for what neurotransmitter? (1)

A

Noradrenaline

111
Q

Where is the locus coeruleus located in the brain? (1)

A

Brain stem

112
Q

The locus coeruleus send out noradrenergic projections to which parts of the brain? (1)

A

The whole cerebral cortex

113
Q

Give an amino acid, and a neurotransmitter which are precursors for noradrenaline. (2)

A

Tyrosine

Dopamine

114
Q

A way of measuring neuronal activity is to stain for C-Fos.

What is C-Fos, and how can it indicate neuronal activity? (2)

A

Immediate early response gene

It is expressed in response to neuronal activity (increased staining means increased neuronal activity).

115
Q

Stress can be induced in rats by putting them in a chamber with added predator odour.

Describe and explain the signal you would expect to be given off from C-Fos staining in the locus coeruleus in this situation. (2)

A

Increased signal

Because more C-Fos produced due to more activity in locus coeruleus (due to activation of HPA axis and corticosteroids activating LC)

116
Q

Stress can be induced in rats by putting them in a chamber with added predator odour.

Describe what you would expect to see with regards to the following neuronal properties in the locus coeruleus in this situation. (3)

a) spontaneous discharges

b) input resistance

c) Excitability

For b) and c), describe how this would be shown in experimental conditions. (2)

Give a sentence explaining what this means with regards to the relationship between stress and the locus coeruleus. (1)

A

a) increased spontaneous discharge rate

b) increased input resistance (shown as a larger depolarisation in response to a current)

c) increased excitability (shown as higher discharge rate in response to a current injection)

This means that stress activates the locus coeruleus.

117
Q

Stress can be induced in rats by putting them in a chamber with added predator odour.

Describe four behaviours you would expect to see on an open arm maze in this situation. (4)

Give a sentence to describe the relationship between stress and behaviour. (1)

A
  • Reduced open arm entries
  • Reduced open arm time
  • Increased freezing time
  • Reduced closed arm distance

This shows that stress causes an increase in anxious behaviour.

118
Q

Name the brain region which may mediate an increase in anxious behaviour in response to stress. (1)

A

Locus coeruleus

119
Q

Describe how the locus coeruleus is altered in Alzheimer’s disease. (1)

A

It degenerates

120
Q

Describe a hypothesis which relates to stress, the locus coeruleus, and Alzheimer’s disease. (2)

A

Increased or chronic stress causes excitotoxicity of LC neurones (as LC is activated in stress response).

LC then degenerates and contributes to Alzheimer’s disease.

121
Q

True or false? Explain your answer if necessary. (1)

It is thought that the locus coeruleus only contributes to Alzheimer’s disease when it starts to degenerate.

A

False - Stress and overactivation of the LC may contribute to the early stages of AD (before LC starts to degenerate)

122
Q

Name the main neurotransmitter thought to be involved in the early stages of stress and AD, when the locus coeruleus is overactive. (1)

A

To much noradrenaline

123
Q

Briefly describe three mechanisms which may allow stress and overactivation of the locus coeruleus to contribute to early Alzheimer’s disease pathology. (3)

A
  • APP internalised from cellular membrane to endosomes following prolonged adrenergic synaptic activity
  • b2 receptor activation by NA increases y-secretase catalytic activity
  • Activation of adrenergic receptors induces expression of BACE1 (beta secretase)
124
Q

One of the mechanisms by which overactivation of the locus coeruleus by stress may contribute to early Alzheimer’s pathology is the following:

APP internalised from cellular membrane to endosomes following prolonged adrenergic synaptic activity

Describe how this would contribute to Alzheimer’s pathology. (2)

A

When APP is in the endosome, it can act as a substrate for b and y secretases

This pathway produces amyloid plaques

125
Q

One of the mechanisms by which overactivation of the locus coeruleus by stress may contribute to early Alzheimer’s pathology is the following:

b2 receptor activation by NA increases y-secretase catalytic activity

Describe how this would occur. (2)

A

b2 receptor activation interacts with b-arrestin 2 protein

b-arrestin 2 protein directly interacts with a-1A subunit of y-secretase

126
Q

One of the mechanisms by which overactivation of the locus coeruleus by stress may contribute to early Alzheimer’s pathology is the following:

Activation of adrenergic receptors induces expression of BACE1 (beta secretase)

Describe how this would contribute to Alzheimer’s pathology. (1)

A

beta secretase enhances amyloidogenic processing pathway of APP

127
Q

Give two possible ways in which locus coeruleus degeneration may lead to Alzheimer’s (and potentially Parkinson’s) disease. (2)

A
  • LC degeneration leads to neuroinflammation
  • Reduced NA transmission (contributes to cognitive dysfunction)
128
Q

As well as physical neuronal degeneration in the locus coeruleus leading to neuroinflammation, give two other mechanisms by which neuroinflammation may be caused by LC degeneration. (2)

A

Microglia have adrenergic receptors so can be influenced by changes in NA activity (seen when LC degenerates).

Loss of NA may also lead to BBB disruption.

129
Q

Complete the sentence relating to corticosteroids and the brain. (2)

The level of corticosteroids in the body should be in its optimal range - too low causes ………………………., and too high causes ……………………..

A

Addison’s disease

Neurodegeneration

130
Q

Give five beneficial effects of chlorpromazine in schizophrenia treatment. (5)

A
  • Reduced apathy
  • Increased interaction with the environment
  • Reduced emotion
  • Reduced aggression
  • Improved positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Neuroscience Y2S2 (15 decks)

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