Doctoral defence: Aleksandr Bregin “Alterations of emotional behaviour induced by the genetic invalidation of the limbic system associated membrane protein (Lsamp) – potential implications for neuropsychiatric disorders”

On 28 September at 15:00 Aleksandr Bregin will defend his doctoral thesis “Alterations of emotional behaviour induced by the genetic invalidation of the limbic system associated membrane protein (Lsamp) – potential implications for neuropsychiatric disorders”.

Supervisors:
Associate Professor Mari-Anne Philips, University of Tartu
Professor Eero Vasar, University of Tartu
Medical Resident Jürgen Innos, University of Tartu Psychiatry Clinic

Opponent:
Dr Liga Zvejniece, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (Latvia)

Summary
Cell surface neural adhesion proteins are critical components in the complex orchestration of neuritogenesis, essential for proper brain construction and behaviour. Here we focus on the impact of the plasticity-associated IgLON family neural adhesion molecule -  the limbic system associated membrane protein (Lsamp) and its binding partner, neurotrimin (Ntm), on mouse behaviour and underlying biochemical correlates.

This thesis provides the initial behavioural characterisation of Ntm-deficient mice. These animals display none of the deviations in behaviour that were previously shown in Lsamp-deficient mice, but appear to have a deficit in emotional learning. The only overlap can be seen in the decrease of the locomotor stimulating effect of d-amphetamine in both knockout models.

Tests with Lsamp-deficient mice showed increased sensitivity to the locomotor activating effects of cocaine and morphine, and hypersensitivity to the sedative and muscle relaxant effects of GABA modulators. Chronic administration of escitalopram significantly increased general activity in wild-type mice and protected exploration in Lsamp−/− mice. Escitalopram also restored the elevated 5-HT turnover of Lsamp-deficient mice to a level comparable with their wild-type littermates. We suggest that Lsamp may have an impact on the integrity of serotonergic synapses, which could be the neurochemical basis of the anxiety- and sociability-related phenotype in Lsamp-deficient mice.

Behavioural phenotyping indicated test-specific interactions between Lsamp and Ntm. The reduced swimming speed  and increased activity phenotypes from single-deletion lines were magnified in Lsamp/Ntm-knockout mice. Evidence from further behavioural experiments shows mutual interactions between Lsamp and Ntm. In conclusion, the current study indicates that Lsamp, establishing its impact together with its interaction partner Ntm, is involved in the modulation of major neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, serotonin, GABA) underlying adaptive behavioural responses.