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01-07-2021 | Short Communication

Exercise ameliorates aberrant synaptic plasticity without enhancing adult-born cell survival in the hippocampus of serotonin transporter knockout mice

Authors: Carey Wilson, Jake Rogers, Feng Chen, Shanshan Li, Paul A. Adlard, Anthony J. Hannan, Thibault Renoir

Published in: Brain Structure and Function | Issue 6/2021

Abstract

Deficits in hippocampal cellular and synaptic plasticity are frequently associated with cognitive and mood disorders, and indeed common mechanisms of antidepressants are thought to involve neuroplastic processes. Here, we investigate hippocampal adult-born cell survival and synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation, LTP, and long-term depression, LTD) in serotonin transporter (5-HTT) knockout (KO) mice. From 8 weeks of age, mice either continued in standard-housing conditions or were given access to voluntary running wheels for 1 month. Electrophysiology was performed on hippocampal slices to measure LTP and LTD, and immunohistochemistry was used to assess cell proliferation and subsequent survival in the dentate gyrus. The results revealed a reduced LTP in 5-HTT KO mice that was restored to wild-type (WT) levels after chronic exercise. While LTD appeared normal in 5-HTT KO, exercise decreased the magnitude of LTD in both WT and 5-HTT KO mice. Furthermore, although 5-HTT KO mice had normal hippocampal adult-born cell survival, they did not benefit from the pro-proliferative effects of exercise observed in WT animals. Taken together, these findings suggest that reduced 5-HTT expression is associated with significant alterations to functional neuroplasticity. Interestingly, 5-HTT appeared necessary for exercise-induced augmentation of adult-born hippocampal cell survival, yet exercise corrected the LTP impairment displayed by 5-HTT KO mice. Together, our findings further highlight the salience of serotonergic signalling in mediating the neurophysiological benefits of exercise.

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Title: Exercise ameliorates aberrant synaptic plasticity without enhancing adult-born cell survival in the hippocampus of serotonin transporter knockout mice
Authors: Carey Wilson
Jake Rogers
Feng Chen
Shanshan Li
Paul A. Adlard
Anthony J. Hannan
Thibault Renoir
Publication date: 01-07-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Brain Structure and Function / Issue 6/2021
Print ISSN: 1863-2653
Electronic ISSN: 1863-2661
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-021-02283-y

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Exercise ameliorates aberrant synaptic plasticity without enhancing adult-born cell survival in the hippocampus of serotonin transporter knockout mice

Abstract

Graphic abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Graphic abstract

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