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ORIGINAL RESEARCH article

Front. Mol. Neurosci.
Sec. Brain Disease Mechanisms
Volume 17 - 2024 | doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1414457

Age-related changes in the architecture and biochemical markers levels in motor-related cortical areas of SHR Ratsan ADHD animal model

Provisionally accepted
  • 1 Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
  • 2 Department of Animal Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Warmian-Masurian, Poland
  • 3 School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
  • 4 Department of Biomechatronic Engineering, National Ilan University, Ilan, Taiwan

The final, formatted version of the article will be published soon.

    Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose exact pathophysiology has not been fully understood yet. Numerous studies have suggested disruptions in the cellular architecture and neuronal activity within brain structures of individuals with ADHD, accompanied by imbalances in the immune system, oxidative stress, and metabolism. This study aims to assess two functionally and histologically distinct brain areas involved in motor control and coordination: the motor cortex (MC) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). Namely, the morphometric analysis of the MC throughout the developmental stages of Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHRs) and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKYs). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the levels and activities of specific immune, oxidative stress, and metabolic markers in the PFC of juvenile and maturing SHRs in comparison to WKYs. The results indicate that the most significant MC volume reductions occurred in juvenile SHRs, accompanied by alterations in neuronal density in these brain areas compared to WKYs. Furthermore, juvenile SHRs exhibit heightened levels and activity of various markers, including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-6, serine/threonine-protein mammalian target of rapamycin, RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase, glucocorticoid receptor β , malondialdehyde, sulfhydryl groups , superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, glucose, fructosamine, iron, lactic acid, lactate dehydrogenase, alanine, and aspartate transaminase. In conclusion, significant changes in the MC morphometry and elevated levels of inflammatory, oxidative, and metabolic markers in PFC might be associated with disrupted brain development and maturation in ADHD.

    Keywords: rat, ADHD, motor cortex abnormalities, SHR, brain maturation, neuron density

    Received: 08 Apr 2024; Accepted: 25 Jun 2024.

    Copyright: © 2024 Bogdańska-Chomczyk, Równiak, Wojtacha, Tsai and Kozłowska. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.

    * Correspondence: Ewelina Bogdańska-Chomczyk, Department of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland

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