Since adolescent cognitive training improved

adult cognit

Since adolescent cognitive training improved

adult cognition in NVHL rats, we asked whether the early experience also increased interhippocampal synchrony. Adult NVHL rats that received cognitive training as adolescents had higher interhippocampal synchrony compared to the adult NVHL rats that were just exposed to the rotating arena as adolescents (Figure 4C). In FG-4592 clinical trial fact, interhippocampal synchrony in the trained NVHL rats could not be distinguished from that of the trained control rats (Figure 4D), suggesting that adolescent cognitive training normalized interhippocampal synchrony in NVHL rats. Beyond normalizing the synchrony of LFP oscillations between the two dorsal hippocampi of adult NVHL rats, the juvenile cognitive experience caused additional changes in neural synchrony during the two-frame task. Compared to the NVHL rats that were just exposed to the rotating arena as juveniles, the phase synchrony between the left and right mPFC tended to be lower at all the frequency

bands, from delta to fast gamma, in the NVHL rats that had juvenile cognitive training (Figure 5A). An essentially opposite pattern of differences in synchrony between the mPFC and hippocampus was observed between the adult NVHL rats that had been trained or exposed as juveniles. Phase synchrony between the hippocampus and see more mPFC tended to be higher at all the frequency bands in the NVHL rats that had juvenile cognitive training compared to the NVHL rats that had only been exposed to the rotating arena (Figure 5B). The same variables were compared between the NVHL and sham control animals that were trained in adolescence. No significant differences were identified in left-right mPFC phase synchrony (Figure 5C), but phase synchrony between the hippocampus about and mPFC sites was reliably greater in the NVHL animals (Figure 5D). Because synchrony between the left and right mPFC and synchrony between the mPFC and hippocampus was not different during home cage behavior and during the two frame task (Figure S3), it

is unclear whether these differences are relevant for cognitive function in the two-frame task. Nonetheless, these findings provide additional unambiguous evidence that the adolescent cognitive experience had potentially widespread functional consequences in brain networks known to be involved in a variety of cognitive operations, including cognitive control (Kelemen and Fenton, 2010; Miller and Cohen, 2001). We sought additional evidence that cognitive training in adolescence could alter brain structure or function in adulthood. Four groups were examined: NVHL animals that had training (n = 4) or were exposed (n = 5), and saline-treated animals that had training (n = 3) or were exposed (n = 5) in adolescence (P35).

CTE severity varies from mild complaints to severe deficits accom

CTE severity varies from mild complaints to severe deficits accompanied by dementia, Parkinson-like symptoms, and behavioral changes (Stiller and Weinberger, 1985; Mendez, 1995). Clinical symptoms include neurological and cognitive complaints together with psychiatric and behavioral disturbances (Mendez, 1995; Jordan, 2000). Early neurological symptoms may include speech problems and impaired balance, while later Selleck Panobinostat symptoms include ataxia, spasticity, impaired coordination, and extrapyramidal symptoms, with slowness of movements and

tremor (Stiller and Weinberger, 1985; Mendez, 1995; Jordan, 2000; McKee et al., 2009). Cognitive problems, such as attention deficits and memory disturbances, often become major factors in later stages of the disease (Roberts, 1969; Jordan, 2000; Guterman and Smith, 1987). Psychiatric and behavioral GSK1210151A problems include lack of insight and judgment, disinhibition and euphoria, hypomania, irritability, and aggressiveness. The problems occur at varying times throughout the course of CTE (Roberts, 1969; Jordan, 2000; Guterman and Smith, 1987). There are no

large epidemiological studies on CTE prevalence among boxers and such a study is clearly needed. Some older studies suggest that prevalence of severe CTE in professional boxers is about 20% (Roberts, 1969; Jordan et al., 1997). It has also been suggested that around one-third of retired professional boxers have clinical symptoms, such as memory and speech disturbances, and most perform very poorly on formal cognitive tests (Casson et al., 1984). A study on professional boxers showed that 16% had complaints in daily life, e.g., headache, visual and hearing disturbances, one-sided weakness in legs or hands, shaky hands, and forgetfulness (Ohhashi et al., 2002). Furthermore, recent MRI studies show that 76% of professional boxers have abnormalities, such as hippocampal and cortical atrophy, dilated perivascular spaces, and diffuse axonal injury (DAI); these abnormalities also correlate with career length and number of bouts (Orrison et al., 2009). In contrast, studies in amateur boxers found no change over time in neuropsychological test scores when

comparing amateur boxers with long careers (25–180 bouts) and short careers (0–15 bouts) (Haglund and Persson, 1990) and no change in neuropsychological measurement second results during a 9 year period (Porter, 2003). A recent meta-analysis found no strong relationship between amateur boxing and CTE (Loosemore et al., 2008). The reason for this difference between professional and amateur boxing is under debate but is probably due to the substantially lower number of rounds in amateur boxing and to the more liberal use of the referee stops contest rule to stop an uneven bout to save the amateur boxer from a knockout. There are no available data on the prevalence of CTE among athletes active in martial arts such as kickboxing and ultimate fighting.

, 2007) STDP can also be induced in vivo in the locust olfactory

, 2007). STDP can also be induced in vivo in the locust olfactory system, at synapses from Kenyon cells (KCs) onto β-lobe neurons (β-LN). Associative strengthening of KC → β-LN synapses occurs when a subthreshold KC input precedes a second, suprathreshold KC input that evokes a spike in the β-LN. Pairing single KC inputs with a suprathreshold current pulse in the β-LN induces synapse-specific, Hebbian STDP of the KC synapse, with LTP occurring for pre-leading-post spike pairings (0 < Δt < 20 ms), and LTD for post-leading-pre

pairings (−20 < Δt < 0 ms) (Cassenaer and Laurent, 2007). Thus, sensory-spike pairing evokes STDP in vivo that can be directly observed at the synapse level. STDP in vivo is often smaller, briefer and more variable compared to in vitro brain slices, and the LTP component is less prominent (Feldman, 2000; Froemke and Dan, 2002; Meliza and CB-839 Dan, 2006; Jacob et al., 2007). This may reflect reduced bAP propagation in vivo, or involvement http://www.selleckchem.com/products/BAY-73-4506.html of more distal synapses that show less STDP. Two different visual stimuli that are sequentially

flashed at a brief delay evoke spikes in two corresponding neuronal populations at the flashed interval (Fu et al., 2002; Yao and Dan, 2001). This may induce STDP at synapses between these populations. This was first tested in V1 of adult cats using extracellular single-unit recording. The orientation tuning of a neuron was measured, followed by a conditioning period in which a nonoptimal oriented stimulus (the “conditioned orientation”) was flashed just before (after) a preferred orientation stimulus. After 1,600–3,200 stimulus pairings, the neuron’s orientation tuning shifted toward (away) from the conditioned orientation, but only for pairing delays of <20 ms, not 42 ms (Yao and Dan, 2001; Yao et al., 2004). This temporal order and timing dependence is consistent with Idoxuridine Hebbian STDP at horizontal projections between neurons tuned to the trained orientations. Similarly, repeated sequential presentation of two neighboring retinotopic stimuli

(<50 ms delay, 800–1,200 pairings) causes the spatial location of V1 receptive fields to shift toward the location activated first, consistent with Hebbian STDP at intracortical connections between nearby retinotopic loci in V1. Cross-correlation analysis confirmed that connections from early- to late-activated neurons functionally strengthen, while those in the opposite direction weaken, consistent with Hebbian STDP (Fu et al., 2002). Similar stimulus timing-dependent plasticity also occurs for frequency tuning in ferret primary auditory cortex (Dahmen et al., 2008). However, the magnitude of these plasticity effects is quite small (2° change in preferred orientation, < 2% shift in retinotopic position), and direct evidence that they represent STDP is lacking.

The extracellular solution consisted of (in mM): 134 NaCl, 2 9 KC

The extracellular solution consisted of (in mM): 134 NaCl, 2.9 KCl, 2.1 CaCl2, 1.2 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, and 10 glucose (pH = 7.8). Recording micropipettes were made from borosilicate glass capillaries (BF120-69-15, WPI). The internal solution consisted of (in mM): 110 K-gluconate, 6 NaCl, 2 MgCl2, 2 CaCl2, 10 HEPES, and 10 EGTA (pH 7.3). The equilibrium potential of chloride ion (ECl−) was about −60 mV

according to the Nernst equation. In vivo whole-cell recording PLX4032 solubility dmso of Mauthner cells (M-cells), loose-patch recording of VIIIth nerves, and cell-attached recording of caudal hypothalamic (HC) neurons, retinal ganglion cells, optic tectum neurons, and hindbrain neurons were all made under visual guidance. For whole-cell recording on M-cells, as described in a previous study (Han et al., 2011), a tiny cut for breaking the skin was made

at the dorsal part ∼100 μm caudally to the location of M-cells. A recording micropipette (∼10 MΩ, tip diameter <2 μm) filled with the internal solution was inserted into the brain through this cut, and rostraventrally approached to M-cells with a persistent positive pressure for keeping tip clean. After the contact of micropipette tip with M-cell membrane, giga-ohm seal was formed by removing the positive pressure and applying a slight negative pressure. Whole-cell recording was achieved by delivering a few brief electrical zaps (25 μs to 2 ms) to break the cell membrane beneath the micropipette tip. For loose-patch recording of VIIIth nerves and cell-attach recording Ku-0059436 chemical structure of HC neurons, micropipettes with a resistance of ∼8 MΩ were used. VIIIth nerve bundles, which are laterally to M-cell lateral dendrites, were visible under the infrared microscope (FN-S2N, Nikon). A slight and persistent positive pressure was applied before reaching the nerves. After removing the positive pressure and applying a slight negative pressure, loose-patch recoding of VIIIth nerves was formed. Sound-evoked spike trains were readily recorded from VIIIth Linifanib (ABT-869) nerves. Each spike within sound-evoked

spike trains was phase-locked to the peak or valley of sound waves, and typically with amplitudes ranging from 0.5 to 3 mV. In paired recordings of the VIIIth nerve and M-cell, both the spontaneous and sound-evoked spikes of VIIIth nerves were correlated with postsynaptic currents of M-cells. For HC neuron recordings, loose-patch recoding was visually guided by GFP signal in ETvmat2:GFP larvae and followed the similar strategy as the VIIIth nerve recording. Recordings were made with a patch-clamp amplifier (MultiClamp 700B, Axon Instruments), and signals were filtered at 5 kHz and sampled at 10 kHz by using Clampex 10.2 (Molecular Devices). The total integrated charge of compound synaptic currents (CSCs) of M-cells within the first 20 ms after the onset was calculated.

Mice were perfused transcardially with 50 ml ice-chilled 4% paraf

Mice were perfused transcardially with 50 ml ice-chilled 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS; brains were collected and kept in fixation solution at least overnight at 4°C. Transverse hippocampal sections of 150 μm thickness were generated as previously described (Galimberti et al., 2010). To generate coronal sections, brains Dinaciclib nmr from perfused animals were incubated overnight in PBS containing 30% sucrose and sectioned at 50 μm on a cryostat (Microm) at −5°C. Free-floating coronal and transverse sections

were blocked for 1 hr at room temperature in PBS-T containing 3% BSA, then incubated with the primary antibody solution (PBS-T, 3% BSA) over night at 4°C, and subsequently incubated with the secondary antibody solution (PBS-T) for 3 hr at room temperature. Anisomycin (Tocris) at the concentration of 50 mg/ml and pH 7.2 was injected bilaterally into mouse DG at position −2.18 posterior, 0.96 lateral, 1.90 ventral. Chelerythrine (LC laboratories) at the concentration of 0.5 mg/ml in PBS was injected i.p. at a dosis of 5 mg/kg weight. For the anisomycin experiments, chelerythrine injections were either 1 hr before or 12 hr after anisomycin. For the behavioral or immunoblot analyses chelerythrine was injected 12 hr before learning (novel object recognition) or sacrifice (immunoblot

analysis). Transverse hippocampal sections from perfused animals were used for the analysis of mossy fiber projections in CA3, CA3 pyramidal cell thorny excrescences, Y27632 and CA1 pyramidal cell dendrites. High-resolution images were acquired on an LSM510 confocal microscope (Zeiss) using

a 63× (1.4) oil-immersion objective. Microscope images were deconvolved (Huygens) and analyzed using Imaris 7.0.0 (Bitplane AG) software. We defined LMTs as mossy fiber terminal regions of >2.5 μm diameter in CA3a–c that were arranged either en-passant or as side structures connected to the mossy fiber axon or another LMT by an axonal process (satellite) (Gogolla et al., 2009). For the quantification of LMT volumes and surface areas at least three confocal 3D stacks were acquired in CA3b for each preparation (at least two mice per condition) and analyzed using Imaris Bay 11-7085 7.0.0 software by creating an isosurface object corresponding to each LMT. Complexity was defined as a ratio of the maximum volume (i.e., sphere) given the measured surface area to actual measured volume. Protein extracts for immunoblot experiments were obtained as follows. Brains were flash-frozen at −40°C and cut into 1 mm coronal slices on an iced stage. Stratum lucidum fragments were dissected using a tip of a Pasteur pipette, and homogenized by shearing in lysis buffer (25 mM sucrose, 25mM KCl, 1M Tris, COMPLETE protease inhibitors, pH 7.5). For immunoblots, 20 mg total protein of each lysate was run on an SDS-PAGE gel (5%–10%). The blots were scanned and analyzed using ImageJ.

Briefly, this method identifies a point in which there is a chang

Briefly, this method identifies a point in which there is a change in the slope of the cumulative sum of the time series of interest, which in this case is the averaged single unit firing z-scores. The data is then divided in two parts: the first is comprised of all the data preceding the change point and the second is the data occurring after the putative change point. The nonparametric Kolmogorov-Smirnov test is then used to assess if these two segments of data have significantly different means (p < 0.01). If the two means differ significantly, then the identified point is considered a sample at which

a learn more significant change in the time series being measured has occurred. After one change point is identified, the data is truncated, such that all the data preceding the change point is ignored. The algorithm described above is then repeated, so that a new change point, if any, can be found. This analysis only identified one significant change point per plot. For the change point analysis, 0.25 s bins were used to allow for higher temporal resolution, and the data were not smoothed. To provide better visualization this website of the data, larger, 0.5 s smoothed bins were used for the graphs in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, firing rates differ before and after the animal leaves or enters the closed arms. This is in line with the finding that firing rates in the closed arms are

negatively correlated to both firing in the center (r = −0.54, p < 0.0001) and in the open arms (r = −0.64, p < 0.0001). Change points were estimated using the MATLAB function cp_wrapper, available

online (Gallistel et al., 2004), with the inputs change_points = cp_wrapper(averaged_z scores, 0,2,2), which results in the selection of a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and logit = 2, where logit = log10((1 − p_value)/p_value), resulting in a p_value of 0.01. Population principal components during EPM transitions were calculated with the MATLAB function princomp. mPFC units recorded in the standard EPM at 200 lux and in the standard EPM at zero lux were pooled for this analysis. Phase-locking analysis was conducted as described (Sigurdsson et al., 2010). Briefly, each spike was assigned a theta phase derived from a Hilbert transform of the simultaneously recorded, theta-frequency Thalidomide filtered LFP. The mean resultant length vector (MRL) value was computed as a measure of phase-locking strength, and significance was determined by Rayleigh’s test for circular uniformity. To determine directionality, MRL was calculated for 40 different temporal offsets for each single unit spike train; directionality was determined by the location of the peak MRL value for cells with significant phase-locking after correction for multiple comparisons. Upon the completion of recording, animals were deeply anesthetized; electrolytic lesions were made to verify electrode positions; and animals were then perfused with formalin.

, 2006 and Astary et al , 2010) indicates that the GdDOTA-CTB wor

, 2006 and Astary et al., 2010) indicates that the GdDOTA-CTB works successfully as a unique MRI-visible tract-tracer, based on active uptake and transport processes. Using conventional T1-W MR sequences, GdDOTA-CTB produced a thalamic enhancement of 10%–20% above find more the background MR level. A more targeted background-suppression T1-IR MR sequence yielded much higher signal increases (∼80%). However the exact level of statistical sensitivity of this technique will vary widely depending on multiple technical factors. For instance, increases in the number

of scans will increase the SNR ratio, in accord with the well-known inverse square law of signal averaging (I = 1/d2). Difference imaging (e.g., Figure 2C) will also increase the statistical sensitivity. Difference imaging has been crucial in the fields of fMRI and optical recording, which are routinely BMS-354825 cost based on significant signal variations as low as 0.1%. Thus, the current GdDOTA-CTB procedure produces signal changes that are well above the limits of statistical uncertainty. Another crucial factor is the tracer molecule itself. For instance, the optimal ratio of Gd to CTB is not known. Results here

were achieved with a ratio of 1.3–3 Gd/protein. However in a separate batch with up to 5 Gd per CTB (not described here), transport was not detected. Thus there may be an upper limit to the number of Gd that can be chelated and still yield effective CTB transport. Presumably, ratios that are too low sacrifice MRI sensitivity, whereas ratios that are too high may compromise uptake and/or transport. The

level of MR enhancement will also vary with the density of Gd reaching the target, which in turn reflects the divergence or convergence of those neural connections. Here, our injections were concentrated in ∼3-4 mm3 of S1 cortex. S1 projections converge onto, and arise from, much smaller (∼1 mm3) thalamic targets in VPL and Po; other thalamic targets are even smaller. Thus the convergence of these connections may concentrate Gd levels in thalamus. Anatomical studies support this idea: it has been reported that connections to/from S1 are more abundant with crotamiton the thalamus (up to 1:40), compared with cortical targets (Sherman and Koch, 1990). This factor may partially explain why cortico-cortical connections (e.g., from S1 to ipsilateral S2) were not apparent in our experiments, because cortical-cortical connections do not show such convergence. Technical limitations due to coil size and placement also reduced the detection of MR enhancement in S2 (see Supplemental Information). Inevitably, insertion of an injection needle into the brain produces tissue damage along the needle track at the site of injection; it can also cause a small necrotic zone at the center of the needle tip (Figure S1). The relationship between transport and such tissue damage has a long and complex history in the literature on classical tracers.

We, therefore, measured depolarization-evoked [3H]D-aspartate rel

We, therefore, measured depolarization-evoked [3H]D-aspartate release in primary CGN cultures from the Tg(PG14) mice. Release was significantly lower in PG14 than in wild-type cells (Figure 3A). Single-cell calcium imaging found impaired calcium influx in response to depolarization (Figures 3B and 3C), and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings showed reduced calcium current densities in PG14 CGNs (Figures 3D and 3E). There were no apparent differences between wild-type and PG14 neurons in VGCC activation DAPT supplier and inactivation kinetics (Figure 3D), and in the voltage dependence of activation (Figure 3F), suggesting a reduction

in the number of functional channels rather than changes to their biophysical properties. Evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) check details recorded in cultured PG14 CGN by dual whole-cell patch clamp were significantly smaller than in wild-type cells, supporting the view that reduced calcium influx in the mutant neurons impaired

glutamate release (Figures 3G and 3H). The decrease in EPSC amplitude in PG14 neurons was not due to reduced postsynaptic sensitivity to glutamate, as suggested by the increased amplitude (wild-type = 12.07 ± 0.89 pA; PG14 = 16.51 ± 0.88 pA; mean ± SEM, n = 14 for wild-type and n = 13 for PG14; p < 0.01 by Mann-Whitney U test), and not frequency of miniature events (wild-type = 0.34 ± 0.05 Hz; PG14 = 0.28 ± 0.03 Hz, mean ± SEM; not significant by Mann-Whitney U test). The decrease in EPSC amplitude was rather due to reduced presynaptic calcium currents, as revealed by the increase in facilitation in a protocol of short-term plasticity (Figure 3I), which is sensitive to the amount of calcium entry (Zucker and Regehr, 2002). These results, which are in line with

previous reports for mutations of calcium Thymidine kinase channels affecting excitatory synaptic transmission (Liu and Friel, 2008, Ly et al., 2008 and Qian and Noebels, 2000), indicated abnormal VGCC function and impaired glutamatergic neurotransmission in CGN of Tg(PG14) mice. We used two complementary approaches to demonstrate that the VGCC defect was due to mutant PrP expression. First, we tested whether silencing PG14 PrP expression by lentivector-mediated RNAi restored the depolarization-induced calcium rise in mutant CGNs. CGNs from Tg(PG14) mice were transduced with a control lentivirus carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) cDNA (LV-E), or two different lentiviruses encoding EGFP and anti-PrP shRNAs (LV-MW1 and LV-MW2) that efficiently knock down PrP expression (Figure S4) (White et al., 2008), and the intracellular calcium rise in response to depolarization was measured in transduced neurons identified by EGFP fluorescence.

All marker positional data were filtered

using the same f

All marker positional data were filtered

using the same filter level reported by Brice et al.3 Positional data were then used in conjunction with direction cosines to determine the three-dimensional coordinate data for the centre of the hammer’s head. These positional data were used to calculate hammer linear velocity (calculated speed) and cable force (calculated force).3 All calculated and measured force data were normalised for hammer weight to account for the fact that males use a heavier hammer than females. Two regression models were developed that allowed speed to be predicted from measured BI 2536 chemical structure force data (predicted speed). The calculated speed data and calculated force data were used to develop these regression models. All calculated speed data used in the regression model development were squared due to the mechanical relationship that exists between centripetal force and linear velocity squared (Equation (1)). The first regression model was derived

from the square of the calculated speed and the calculated GSI-IX mw force (non-shifted regression). While the second model was derived from the square of the calculated speed and a time shifted calculated force (shifted regression). The shifted regression model was developed because earlier work showed a phase lag between speed and cable force3 and it was thought that accounting for the phase lag in the model development may lead to a model that would produce speed data that were more accurate. As the magnitude of this phase lag varies

depending on turn number, throw, and athlete, it is not possible to ADAMTS5 apply the same time shift to every throw. It was therefore decided to time shift the calculated force such that for each throw the final peaks in the calculated force and calculated speed coincided. This time shift was applied to ascertain if removal of the phase lag resulted in a more accurate regression. As only the final peaks were aligned, there was no change in the frequency of the force data. The calculated speed and calculated force data used to calculate the shifted regression were also trimmed as the final peak in the calculated force data occurred prior to release whereas the final peak in speed occurred at release. The calculated force data were trimmed so that the final peak was the final data point and the calculated speed data were trimmed by the same amount at the start. This was done so that both data sets were the same size. A shifted and non-shifted regression equation was developed for each of the participant’s 10 throws and all data points of each throw were used to develop these equations. The MATLAB software suite (The Mathworks, Natick, MA, USA) was used to determine the regression equations and the y intercepts for both were also forced through (0,0) since Equation (1) predicts zero speed for zero force. Averages of the gradients of the two linear regression equations were determined for the cohort.

41 and 42 With the presence of a posterior tibial plateau slope,

41 and 42 With the presence of a posterior tibial plateau slope, a compressive force can generate an anterior shear force to cause the tibia to translate anteriorly and load the ACL.41 and 42 An in vitro study showed that anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur increased when the posterior titled tibial plateau

slope increased from 8.8° to 13.2° under a 200 N compressive force loading. 43 An in vivo study showed that female patients with ACL injuries had significantly greater posterior tibia plateau slopes than the uninjured individuals. 44 These results provide a plausible explanation of the mechanism of ACL injury occurring in vertical landing tasks in which the external forces on the lower extremity are mainly in the vertical direction. Knee “valgus collapse” was repeatedly proposed to be the major ACL injury mechanism ALK inhibitor especially in women based on the observation of ACL injury video records.9 and 45 Quatman and Hewett45 proposed sex-specific selleck chemical mechanism of ACL injuries. The investigators

indicated that a primarily “sagittal plane” ACL injury mechanism might be correct for male athletes, but female athletes sustained ACL injuries by a predominantly “valgus collapse” mechanism. However, evidences from quantitative studies do not support “valgus collapse” as the injury mechanism for either males or females. In vitro studies demonstrated that, although knee valgus, varus, and internal rotation moments affected ACL loading, their effects were significant only when an anterior shear force was present at the knee. 30 and 31 A recent in vivo study demonstrated that the knee valgus collapse did not increase ACL length when the knee was in a flexion position. 46 Also, studies demonstrated that medial collateral ligament was the primary structure resisting knee valgus moment in an intact knee, and that a pure valgus moment could not rupture ACL until the medial collateral ligament was completely during ruptured. 47, 48 and 49 Only 6% patients who had ACL injuries completely ruptured their medial collateral ligaments. 50 Further, an in vitro study found that the knee valgus motion

significantly increased only after the ACL had been injured, 42 which indicated that the increased knee valgus motion observed in injury video records was likely a consequence instead of a cause of ACL injuries. Current literature suggests that anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur is the primary mechanism of ACL loading. Increased anterior shear forces at the knee due to a small knee flexion angle and increased compression forces on a posteriorly tilted tibial plateau are primary causes of anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur. Although knee valgus/varus and internal rotation moments affect ACL loading when combined with significant anterior shear forces at the knee, current literature does not support them as primary ACL loading mechanisms relevant to ACL injuries.