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I have sought to discover genetic causes of neuroanatomical defects by conducting N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis and transgenic knock out screens in mice. The rationale behind this is that mutations causal to structural defects will be informative about developmental neurobiology and the biological basis of behaviour. Direct screening for behavioural abnormalities in mice has historically been arduous and yielded few findings due to small effect sizes and limited statistical power. My approach sought to bypass these problems by screening for highly penetrant morphological phenotypes. This thesis details my screens and the histological, genetic and behavioural characterisation of lines of interest. These include models of hydrocephalous, pyramidal cell layer ectopia, abnormal neurogenesis, corpus callosum agenesis, hippocampal enlargement, elevated cell death and hypomyelination. Whilst N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis screening has been conducted since the twilight of the 20^th century, systematic transgenic knock out screening is currently in its infancy. By discovering gene-phenotype associations through both approaches, I have been able to compare the relative yields, strengths and weaknesses of the two screening methods. Additionally, I have discussed the significant of the gene-phenotype associations produced from both screens.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

L’efficacité de la stimulation cérébrale profonde subthalamique dans certains cas de maladie de Parkinson est maintenant bien établie. Toutefois, des progrès restent possibles, à la fois en terme de contrôle du geste chirurgical et en terme de définition de la cible chirurgicale. Dans la première partie de ce travail, nous nous sommes intéressés à l’optimisation du contrôle de l’implantation des électrodes de stimulation cérébrale profonde. Nous avons tout d’abord analysé rétrospectivement les résultats obtenus en réalisant une imagerie tridimensionnelle per-opératoire pour le contrôle de positionnement des électrodes. Nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à la possibilité d’utiliser un repère de visée radiologique per-opératoire. Nous avons revu pour cela une série de patients ayant subi une réimplantation d’électrodes, pour lesquels l’électrode déjà en place était utilisée comme point de repère à la fois pour définir la cible de la réimplantation et pour contrôler radiologiquement l’implantation de la nouvelle électrode. Dans la seconde partie, nous avons travaillé à l’optimisation de la cible subthalamique. Nous avons tout d’abord évalué la pertinence du repérage du faisceau mamillo-thalamique sur des coupes IRM axiales comme marqueur de la coordonnée y du bord antérieur du noyau subthalamique. Ensuite, nous avons tâché de proposer une normalisation tridimensionnelle de l’espace stéréotaxique à partir de données recueillies dans une série de volontaires sains. Enfin, pour une série de patients opérés avec un bon résultat, nous avons cherché à corréler la position des contacts actifs en stimulation chronique avec des points de repères profonds visibles en IRM. Nous avons pu proposer ainsi une cible normalisée dont les coordonnées sont : x = 0,44xbord latéral du V3 + 10,71mm; y = 0,69xfaisceau mamillothalamique + 1,62 mm ou 0,34 distance CACP + 2,52 mm; z = 0,72 hauteur du thalamus – 16 mm. Cette cible sera évaluée dans une future étude prospective. / The clinical efficacy of subthalamic deep brain stimulation is now well established. Nevertheless, progress is possible, regarding especially (1) the accuracy of electrodes implantation and (2) the definition of the surgical target. In the first part of this work, we worked on the optimization of DBS electrodes implantation. First, we analyzed retrospectively the results obtained by using intra-operative 3D imaging for the control of microelectrodes and definite leads placement. Thereafter, we considered the possibility to use a radiological landmark for intraoperative controls. To this end, we studied the cases of patients who underwent reimplantation of DBS electrodes. The initial electrode (still implanted) was used as a landmark: (1) for the deifntion of the reimplantation target and (2) for the radiological control of the new lead positioning. In the second part, we worked on the optimization of the surgical target. First, we assessed the interest of the mamillothalamic tract as a landmark of the anteroposterior coordinate of the anterior border of the STN in MR axial images. Thereafter, we tried to identify MR landmarks for tridimensionnal normalization of the stereotactic space. Finally, we tried to correlate the coordinates of active contacts with MR-defined landmarks in a series of patients that had been operated with good clinical results. Based on our results, we can propose the following coordinates for a new normalized subthalamic target : x = 0.44xlat edge 3rd ventricle + 10.71mm; y = 0.69xmamillo-thalamic tract + 1.62 mm or 0.34 ACPC length + 2.52 mm; z = 0.72xthalamus height – 16 mm. We will assess this target in a future prospective study.

Many passerine birds, particularly corvids, are known to express complex cognitive skills comparable to those observed in primates. In order to examine how these similarities are reflected at the cellular level, I counted neurons and nonneuronal cells in passerine brains using the isotropic fractionator method. I show that, in these birds, neuronal numbers scale almost isometrically with telencephalic size, i.e., the average neuron size shows little increase and neuronal density decreases minimally as brains get larger. Neuronal densities in the passerine telencephalon exceed those observed in the primate cerebral cortex by a factor of 3-6. As a result, the number of telencephalic neurons in the Common Raven (Corvus corax) equals those observed in the cerebral cortex of small monkeys. The cerebellum features similar scaling rules. However, because the relative size of the cerebellum is smaller than in mammalian brains, cerebellar neurons make a much smaller proportion of total brain neurons than in mammals. In contrast to the little variation in neuronal densities in telencephalon and cerebellum, the density of neurons rapidly decreases with increasing structure size in the diencephalon, optic tectum and brain stem. For all examined brain structures, the densities of nonneuronal cells remain constant...

INTRODUÇÃO: O acesso cirúrgico ao corno temporal do ventrículo lateral (CTVL) é realizado para tratamento de lesões temporais mediais, dentre as quais se destaca a esclerose hipocampal que leva à epilepsia, e pode ser realizado através das superfícies lateral ou inferior do lobo temporal ou pelo sulco lateral do cérebro (fissura silviana). O parênquima cerebral subcortical localizado entre o sulco limitante inferior da ínsula (SLI) e o CTVL é composto por importantes feixes de fibras brancas, os quais podem eventualmente ser lesionados nos acessos cirúrgicos trans-silvianos. OBJETIVO: Descrever a localização dos principais feixes de fibras brancas na região entre o SLI e o CTVL. MÉTODOS: Os principais feixes de fibras brancas subcorticais foram examinados em 14 hemisférios cerebrais cadavéricos adultos utilizando a técnica de dissecção de Klingler, sendo possível descrever suas posições em relação à extremidade anterior do SLI (nomeado de Ponto Temporal do Límen - PTL). RESULTADOS: Os principais feixes de fibras identificados profundamente ao SLI formam um arranjo multilaminar e podem ser divididos de acordo com a profundidade em que são encontrados. As fibras de associação curta da cápsula extrema, que continuam em direção aos opérculos, formam a camada subcortical mais superficial e foram encontradas sob todo o SLI. As fibras da cápsula externa são encontradas mais profundamente, em uma camada formada por três principais feixes em uma disposição anteroposterior sequencial: o fascículo uncinado (encontrado desde o PTL até 10,0 ± 2.2 mm posteriormente), o fascículo fronto-occipital inferior (encontrado entre 10,0 ± 2,2 mm e 35,5 ± 2,7 mm posterior ao PTL) e fibras claustro-corticais (encontradas desde 35,5 ± 2,7 mm posterior ao PTL até o final desse sulco). A extensão lateral da comissura anterior está logo abaixo dessa camada e suas fibras foram encontradas entre 8,4 ± 1,8 mm e 22,0 ± 6,8 mm posterior ao PTL. A camada mais profunda é formada pelas fibras da cápsula interna/corona radiata, onde se destacam as radiações ópticas cujas fibras foram encontradas entre 10,6 ± 3,4 mm e 34,5 ± 3,5 mm posterior ao PTL. CONCLUSÕES: O fascículo uncinado é aproximadamente encontrado sob o terço anterior do segmento anterior do SLI (entre o PTL e o corpo geniculado lateral), enquanto o fascículo fronto-occipital inferior e as fibras da radiação óptica são encontrados sob os dois terços posteriores deste segmento. Os resultados sugerem que na abordagem trans-silviana transinsular, uma incisão através do SLI, começando no PTL e se estendendo até 6 mm posteriormente, irá atravessar o fascículo uncinado, mas não o fascículo fronto-occipital inferior e as radiações ópticas / INTRODUCTION: The surgical approach to the temporal horn of the lateral ventricle (CTVL) is performed for treatment of medial temporal lesions, among which hippocampal sclerosis leading to epilepsy is emphasized, and can be performed through the lateral or inferior surfaces of the temporal lobe or through the sylvian fissure. The subcortical cerebral parenchyma located between the inferior limiting sulcus of the insula (SLI) and the CTVL is composed of important white matter fiber bundles, which may eventually be injured in transsylvian surgical approaches. OBJECTIVES: To describe the location of the main white matter fiber bundles in the region between SLI and CTVL. METHODS: The main subcortical white matter fiber bundles were examined in 14 adult cadaveric cerebral hemispheres using the Klingler dissection technique, and it was possible to describe their positions in relation to the anterior end of the SLI (named Temporal Limen Point - PTL). RESULTS: The main white matter fiber bundles identified deeply to the SLI form a multi-laminar arrangement that can be understood according to the depth in which they are found. The short association fibers of the extreme capsule, which continue toward the opercula, form the most superficial subcortical layer and were found underneath all the SLI. The external capsule fibers were found more deeply, in a layer formed by three main fiber bundles organized in a sequential anterior-posterior disposition: the uncinate fascicle (found from the PTL to 10.0 ± 2.2 mm posteriorly), the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle (found between 10.0 ± 2.2 mm and 35.5 ± 2.7 mm posterior to the PTL) and claustrocortical fibers (found from 35.5 ± 2.7 mm posterior to PTL to the end of this sulcus). The lateral extension of the anterior commissure was below this layer and its fibers were found between 8.4 ± 1.8 mm and 22.0 ± 6.8 mm posterior to the PTL. The deepest layer is formed by the fibers of the internal capsule/corona radiata, where the optical radiation fibers were distinguished and found between 10.6 ± 3.4 mm and 34.5 ± 3.5 mm posterior to the PTL. CONCLUSIONS: The uncinate fascicle is approximately found under the anterior third of the anterior SLI segment (between the PTL and the lateral geniculate body), while the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle and fibers of the optical radiation are found under the posterior two thirds of this segment. The results suggest that at the transsylvian-transinsular approach, an incision at the SLI, from the PTL to 6 mm posteriorly, will cross the uncinate fascicle, but not the inferior fronto-occipital fascicle and optical radiation fibers

In the present Master\'s Dissertation, a detailed cytoarchtectonic study of the brain of the juvenile catfish - Steindachneridion parahybae, has been performed. The animals used for this Atlas were juvenile specimens of one hundred days post-fertilization. The coronal (transverse) sections (5µm-thick) were obtained by using a rotary microtome, stained with cresyl-violet and examined under a photomicroscopy with the help of a digital system of analysis. Some criteria have been used to classify the different cell masses of the catfish brain: (i) characteristic size, shape and intensity of the staining from the perykarya; (ii) packing density and distribution pattern of the cell bodies; (iii) neuropil surrounding the cell groups and (iv) consistency of cell groups in both hemispheres and different brains of catfish. Thus, around one hundred and thirty nuclei have been described in the catfish brain, which are distributed in four main region that are from rostral to caudal: telencephalon, diencephalon, mesencephalon and rhombencephalon. Although we have observed important similarities between the brain of catfish and other teleosts, we have also noticed some differences in the characteristics and placement of several nuclei in relation to other teleosts, or even when compared to the brain of species of the same Order, the Siluriformes. Some of these differences could be related with the age of the animals studied here, but probably represent species-specific differences because the brain of adult catfish specimens has a great similarity in cytoarchitecture and overall organization compared to younger animals. The main outcome of this study has been the availability of a complete Atlas of the brain of catfish, which has been used to localize precisely the distribution of cells and fibers of the Gonadotropin-releasing hormone in the brain. This Atlas will also represent a valuable tool for future endocrine analyses, allowing the precise mapping of the different neurohormones in the brain of catfish, as well as for the study of neural connections among different brain areas / Esta Dissertação de Mestrado, apresenta-se estruturalmente como um Atlas, em que é apresentado um detalhado estudo citoarquitetônico do encéfalo de catfish- Steindachneridion parahybae. Para a realização deste, foram utilizados 7 juvenis de 100 dias após a eclosão, analisados por técnicas rotineiras de histologia, cujas secções coronais(transversais) - 5&um;m de espessura-, foram obtidas utilizando-se de um micrótomo rotativo, coradas com violeta de cresil e examinadas a partir de sistema digital de análise. Alguns critérios foram utilizados para classificar as diferentes massas de células do cérebro catfish, tais como: (i) o tamanho característico, forma e intensidade da coloração do pericário; (ii) padrão de densidade de agrupamento e distribuição dos corpos celulares; (iii) a presença de neurópilos ao redor dos desses agrupamentos celulares e (iv) a consistência/coerência destes agrupamentos em ambos os hemisférios dos diferentes encéfalos, então analisados. Dessa forma, são descritos aproximadamente130 massas celulares para o encéfalo de S. parahybae, as quais estão distribuídas em quatro principais regiões que, da parte rostral para caudal, são: telencéfalo, diencéfalo, mesencéfalo e rombencéfalo. Embora são observadas semelhanças entre o cérebro de S. parahybae e de outros teleósteos, nota-se, também, certas diferenças quanto às características e/ou localização das massas celulares em relação ao encéfalo de outros teleósteos, ou mesmo quando comparado com o cérebro de espécies da mesma ordem, Siluriformes. Algumas destas diferenças pode estar relacionada com a idade dos animais estudados, no entanto,também podem representar diferenças espécie-específicas, uma vez que o encéfalo adultos de S. parahybae apresentam grande similaridade citoarquitetônica, além da organização geral do encéfalo, previamente observadas em animais acima dos 100 dias após a eclosão. Portanto, como resultado deste estudo tem-se a disponibilidade de um Atlas completo do encéfalo de S. parahybae, o qual representa uma ferramenta valiosa para o estudo das conexões neurais entre diferentes áreas do encéfalo, bem como para futuras análises endócrinas, permitindo o mapeamento preciso de neuro-hormônios nesta espécie, como demonstrado ao longo deste estudo, para o hormônio liberador de gonadotropinas

Orientador: Yossi Zana / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal do ABC, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociência e Cognição, 2013

La queue de l’aire tegmentale ventrale (tVTA) est le principal contrôle inhibiteur des neurones dopaminergiques du mésencéphale. Cette structure, bien qu’aujourd’hui très étudiée, n’est cependant pas encore référencée dans les atlas stéréotaxiques. Anatomiquement, nous avons pu apporter une définition de référence de la tVTA, à travers son analyse neurochimique, stéréologique, hodologique et génomique. Fonctionnellement, nous avons montré son rôle dans la réponse à des expériences émotionnelles aversives et nous avons testé son influence sur les symptômes moteurs et non-moteurs de la maladie de Parkinson. Nous avons ainsi montré qu’une co-lésion de la tVTA dans un modèle murin de la maladie permet une amélioration des performances motrices, des seuils nociceptifs et des symptômes de type dépressifs. Ce travail a ainsi participé au progrès de nos connaissances sur la tVTA et ouvre de nouvelles pistes d’exploration quant à son implication fonctionnelle. / The tail of the ventral tegmental area (tVTA) is the major brake of the midbrain dopamine neurons. This structure although studied, is not yet referenced in stereotaxic atlases. Anatomically, this work allowed to obtain a reference definition of the tVTA through its neurochemical, stereological, connectivity-based and genomic analyses. Functionally, we studied its role for the response of aversive stimuli and we tested its influence on motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. We observed that a co-lesion of the tVTA in a rodent model of the disease induce motor, nociceptive and depressive-like symptoms improvements. This work has thus contributed to the progress of our knowledge on the tVTA and opens new explorative track for its functional implication.

Les récepteurs opioïde delta (DORs) sont des récepteurs couplés aux protéines G et sont fortement exprimés au niveau du bulbe olfactif, du cortex, du striatum, du noyau basolateral de l'amygdala et des noyaux du pons (Mansour et al., 1995; Le Merrer et al., 2009). Les souris mutantes de première génération (souris knockout, délétion totale du gène) ont déjà permis de démontrer que DOR joue un rôle critique dans le contrôle de la douleur chronique (Gavériaux-Ruff et al., 2011), la régulation de l’activité motrice et des réponses émotionnelles (Filliol et al ., 2000) et l’association drogue-contexte (Le Merrer et al., 2011). Le but de notre étude est d’identifier les circuits neuronaux dans lesquels les DORs contrôlent les processus émotionnels et cognitifs. Nous avons développé une lignée de souris de deuxième génération, dans laquelle les récepteurs sont supprimés spécifiquement dans les neurones GABAergiques du cerveau antérieur. Nous avons ensuite étudié le rôle des DORs exprimés par ces neurones dans les réponses émotionnelles, locomotrices et la sensibilité aux crises épileptiques. / Delta opioid receptors (DORs) are G-protein coupled receptors belonging to the opioid system, which play a central role in chronic pain and emotional responses. DORs are strongly expressed in olfactory bulb, cortex, striatum, basolateral nucleus of the amygdala and pons nuclei. Using constitutive gene knockout, we have previously demonstrated the role of DORs in reducingchronic pain (Gaveriaux-Ruff, Nozaki et al. 2011), anxiety-related behaviors and impulsivity(Olmstead,Ouagazzal et al. 2009), regulating locomotor activity (Filliol, Ghozland et al. 2000) and facilitating context learning (Le Merrer, Faget et al. 2012; Le Merrer, Rezai et al. 2013), Although these functions are well-established, neuronal networks and mechanisms underlying DOR-regulated behaviors remain poorly understood. The aim of this thesis work was to identify neuronal populations and brain circuits that support DOR functions. Recent evidence showed that DOR is highly expressed in GABAergic neurons (Scherrer et al.. 2006;Erbs et al., 2012; Rezai et al.. 2012). We therefore developed a conditional knockout mouse line (Dlx-DOR)by breeding floxed DOR gene (Oprd1) with a transgenic Dlx-5/6-Cre mouse line (Monorv et al., 2006) in order to produce a specific deletion of DOR in GABAergic neurons of the forebrain. We first determined brain distribution of delta receptors in Dlx-DOR at mRNA and protein levels. Then, behavioral analysis were performed to assess whether DORs expressed in forebrain GABAergic neurons contribute to the regulation of emotional contrai, locomotor activity as well as epileptogenic effect of SNC80, the prototypal DOR agonist. Finally, we initiated a project focused on DORs detected at the level of BLA.