During development, brain circuits undergo extensive remodeling, involving both synaptogenesis and pruning. Adolescence, in particular, is thought to be a sensitive period for synaptic pruning in cortical circuits involved in cognitive functions and emotional regulation. Adolescence is also a sensitive period for the pathophysiology of many psychiatric disorders, presumably due to this extensive synaptic remodeling. Thus, it would be useful to be able to track changes in the number and efficacy of synapses longitudinally and non-invasively during adolescence. New evidence suggests that changes in sleep slow wave activity (SWA), which can be assessed longitudinally and non-invasively using electroencephalography (EEG), may parallel neurodevelopmental changes in cortical synaptic density. To develop SWA as a potential marker of synaptic function during developmental sensitive periods requires an animal model in which: i) anatomical, molecular, and physiological changes in cortical synapses can be evaluated directly;ii) a point- to-point, intra-subject correlation can be established between sleep SWA and direct measures of synaptic number/molecular composition/efficacy.
In Aim 1 of this project, we will pursue these goals by performing both chronic EEG recordings and repeated in vivo imaging with two-photon microscopy in transgenic mice that express yellow fluorescent protein in cortical neurons. Moreover, we will measure molecular and electrophysiological markers of synaptic strength in these mice throughout development. In addition to monitoring synaptic remodeling in vivo, it is important to begin investigating which factors can influence it during the sensitive period of adolescence. Since major changes in synaptogenesis/pruning during development are correlated with major changes in sleep/wake patterns, it has been hypothesized that changes in behavioral state may not only reflect, but also affect synaptic remodeling. Consistent with this notion, new evidence in animals and humans shows that, in the adult brain, waking is associated with a net increase in synaptic strength, and sleep with a net decrease, and that SWA reflects molecular and physiological changes in synaptic function brought about by wake and sleep.
Aim 2 of this proposal will test the hypothesis that sleep/wake behavior affect synaptic structure/function also during development. Specifically, we will determine whether sleep and waking differentially affect synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning, consistent with their effects on synaptic strength in adults. If successful, Aim 1 will lead the foundation for EEG monitoring of synaptic efficacy during neurodevelopment in human subjects at risk or patient populations as an essential aid for both diagnosis and therapy.
Aim 2 will open the way to preventive/therapeutic approaches for influencing synaptogenesis/pruning by stabilizing/adjusting sleep/wake patterns in children.

Public Health Relevance

Adolescence is a sensitive period during which the brain undergoes massive elimination or pruning of synapses - the connections among neurons in the brain. Adolescence is also a sensitive period for the onset and progression of many psychiatric disorders. This project seeks to establish whether the slow waves that can be recorded with the electroencephalogram during sleep in children and adolescents can be used as a sensitive, well-tolerated indicator of the number and strength of synapses. Moreover, this project will establish whether sleep can affect synaptic pruning during development. If so, changes in sleep and waking routines could help both the prevention and the therapy of mental illness.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH091326-05
Application #
8666050
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-ERB-L (02))
Program Officer
Vicentic, Aleksandra
Project Start
2010-09-01
Project End
2015-05-31
Budget Start
2014-06-01
Budget End
2015-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$545,840
Indirect Cost
$175,928
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Bellesi, Michele; de Vivo, Luisa; Koebe, Samuel et al. (2018) Sleep and Wake Affect Glycogen Content and Turnover at Perisynaptic Astrocytic Processes. Front Cell Neurosci 12:308
de Vivo, Luisa; Bellesi, Michele; Marshall, William et al. (2017) Ultrastructural evidence for synaptic scaling across the wake/sleep cycle. Science 355:507-510
Nagai, Hirotaka; de Vivo, Luisa; Bellesi, Michele et al. (2017) Sleep Consolidates Motor Learning of Complex Movement Sequences in Mice. Sleep 40:
Bellesi, Michele; de Vivo, Luisa; Chini, Mattia et al. (2017) Sleep Loss Promotes Astrocytic Phagocytosis and Microglial Activation in Mouse Cerebral Cortex. J Neurosci 37:5263-5273
Billeh, Yazan N; Rodriguez, Alexander V; Bellesi, Michele et al. (2016) Effects of Chronic Sleep Restriction during Early Adolescence on the Adult Pattern of Connectivity of Mouse Secondary Motor Cortex. eNeuro 3:
Bellesi, Michele; Bushey, Daniel; Chini, Mattia et al. (2016) Contribution of sleep to the repair of neuronal DNA double-strand breaks: evidence from flies and mice. Sci Rep 6:36804
Rodriguez, Alexander V; Funk, Chadd M; Vyazovskiy, Vladyslav V et al. (2016) Why Does Sleep Slow-Wave Activity Increase After Extended Wake? Assessing the Effects of Increased Cortical Firing During Wake and Sleep. J Neurosci 36:12436-12447
Cirelli, Chiara; Tononi, Giulio (2015) Cortical development, electroencephalogram rhythms, and the sleep/wake cycle. Biol Psychiatry 77:1071-8
de Vivo, Luisa; Faraguna, Ugo; Nelson, Aaron B et al. (2014) Developmental patterns of sleep slow wave activity and synaptic density in adolescent mice. Sleep 37:689-700, 700A-700B
de Vivo, Luisa; Faraguna, Ugo; Nelson, Aaron B et al. (2014) Developmental patterns of sleep slow wave activity and synaptic density in adolescent mice. Sleep 37:689-700

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