Nicotinic receptor abnormalities in Alzheimer's disease

Neuropharmacology of memory consolidation and reconsolidation: Insights on central cholinergic mechanisms

Central cholinergic system is critically involved in all known memory processes. Endogenous acetylcholine release by cholinergic neurons is necessary for modulation of acquisition, encoding, consolidation, reconsolidation, extinction, retrieval and expression. Experiments from our laboratory are mainly focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which acetylcholine modulates memory processes. Blockade of hippocampal alpha-7-nicotinic receptors (α7-nAChRs) with the antagonist methyllycaconitine impairs memory reconsolidation. However, the administration of a α7-nAChR agonist (choline) produce a paradoxical modulation, causing memory enhancement in mice trained with a weak footshock, but memory impairment in animals trained with a strong footshock. All these effects are long-lasting, and depend on the age of the memory trace. This review summarizes and discusses some of our recent findings, particularly regarding the involvement of α7-nAChRs on memory reconsolidation.

Treadmill exercise ameliorates short-term memory disturbance in scopolamine-induced amnesia rats

Purpose

Scopolamine is a nonselective muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist, which induces impairment of learning ability and memory function. Exercise is known to ameliorate brain disturbance induced by brain injuries. In the present study, we investigated the effect of treadmill exercise on short-term memory in relation to acetylcholinesterase (AChE) expression in the hippocampus, using a scopolamine-induced amnesia model in mice.

Methods

To induce amnesia, 1 mg/kg scopolamine hydrobromide was administered intraperitoneally once per day for 14 days. A step-down avoidance test for short-term memory was conducted. AChE histochemistry, immunohistochemistry for collagen IV, and doublecortin were performed.

Results

Short-term memory deteriorated in the mice with scopolamine-induced amnesia, concomitant with enhanced AChE expression and suppression of angiogenesis in the hippocampus. Critically, treadmill exercise ameliorated short-term memory impairment, suppressed AChE expression, and enhanced angiogenesis in the mice with scopolamine-induced amnesia.

Conclusions

Overexpression of AChE is implicated in both brain and renal disease. The findings of our study indicate that treadmill exercise may be of therapeutic value in neurodegenerative and renal diseases by suppressing the effects of AChE expression.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementias associated with cortical Lewy bodies: pathophysiology, clinical features, and pharmacological management

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are synucleinopathies that lead to neurodegeneration and dementia. Although they result in symptoms common to Alzheimer's disease, they are associated with early emergence of parkinsonism and high frequency of neuropsychiatric symptoms, most commonly hallucinations and delusions. This review summarizes the current understanding of the underlying biology of neuropsychiatric symptoms in DLB and PDD and the evidence base for treatment to address them. Disruption to cholinergic and serotonergic neurotransmission and synapse activity are highlighted as primary pathological factors in neuropsychiatric symptoms, particularly loss of key neurotransmitter functions, alterations to neuronal receptors in the serotonergic pathway, and regionally specific structural changes that are linked to specific symptoms. Review of options for pharmacological treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms suggests that the best evidence for the value of treatment is for cholinesterase inhibitors, with an indication that people with visual hallucinations are particularly likely to benefit. Evidence for the benefits of antipsychotics other than clozapine is limited, and there are serious safety concerns about the use of antipsychotics in these patients. Evidence to support other pharmacological interventions is very preliminary. Nonpharmacological approaches based on person-centered care and cholinesterase inhibitors should be considered as the first-line treatment for neuropsychiatric symptoms except in extreme cases.

Hippocampal α7-nicotinic cholinergic receptors modulate memory reconsolidation: a potential strategy for recovery from amnesia

When subjects are exposed to new learning experiences, the novel information could be acquired and eventually stored through memory consolidation process. The exposure of mice to a novel experience (a hole-board) after being trained in an inhibitory avoidance apparatus is followed by impaired performance of the avoidance memory in subsequent tests. The same impairing effect is produced when mice are exposed to the novel environment after the reactivation of the avoidance memory. This interfering effect is due to impaired consolidation or reconsolidation of the avoidance memory. The administration of the α7-nicotinic receptor agonist choline (Ch) in the dorsal hippocampus (0.8 μg/hippocampus) immediately after the inhibitory avoidance memory reactivation, allowed memory recovery. This effect of Ch was time-dependent, and retention performance was not affected in drug-treated mice that were not subjected to memory reactivation, suggesting that the effects on performance are not due to non-specific effects of the drug. The effects of Ch also depended on the age of the reactivated memory. Altogether, our results suggest that Ch exerts its effects by modulating memory reconsolidation, and that the memory impairment induced by new learning is a memory expression failure and not a storage deficit. Therefore, reconsolidation, among other functions, might serve to change whether a memory will be expressed in later tests. Summarizing, our results open new avenues about the behavioral significance and the physiological functions of memory reconsolidation, providing new strategies for recovering memories from some types of amnesia.

PET imaging of acetylcholinesterase inhibitor-induced effects on α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are drugs that increase synaptic acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations and are under investigation as treatments for symptoms accompanying Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this work was to use PET imaging to evaluate alterations of in vivo α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) binding induced by the AChEIs physostigmine (PHY) and galanthamine (GAL). The α4β2 nAChR-specific radioligand [(18)F]nifene was used to examine the effects of 0.1-0.2 mg/kg PHY, 5 mg/kg GAL, and saline in three separate experiments all performed on each of two rat subjects. A 60-min bolus-infusion protocol was used with drug administered after 30 min. Data from the thalamus and cortex were analyzed with a graphical model accounting for neurotransmitter activation using the cerebellum as a reference region to test for transient competition with bound [(18) F]nifene. Significant [(18) F]nifene displacement was detected in both regions during one PHY and both GAL studies, while no significant competition was observed in both saline studies. This preliminary work indicates the viability of [(18) F]nifene in detecting increases in synaptic ACh induced by AChEIs.

Complex relationships of nicotinic receptor actions and cognitive functions

Nicotine has been shown in a variety of studies to improve cognitive function including learning, memory and attention. Nicotine both stimulates and desensitizes nicotinic receptors, thus acting both as an agonist and a net antagonist. The relative roles of these two actions for nicotine-induced cognitive improvement have not yet been fully determined. We and others have found that acute nicotinic antagonist treatment can improve learning and attention. Nicotine acts on a variety of nicotinic receptor subtypes. The relative role and interactions of neuronal nicotinic receptor subtypes for cognition also needs to be better characterized. Nicotine acts on nicotinic receptors in a wide variety of brain areas. The role of some of these areas such as the hippocampus has been relatively well studied but other areas like the thalamus, which has the densest nicotinic receptor concentration are still only partially characterized. In a series of studies we characterized nicotinic receptor actions, anatomic localization and circuit interactions, which are critical to nicotine effects on the cognitive functions of learning, memory and attention. The relative role of increases and decreases in nicotinic receptor activation by nicotine were determined in regionally specific studies of the hippocampus, the amygdala, the frontal cortex and the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus with local infusions of antagonists of nicotinic receptor subtypes (α7 and α4β2). The understanding of the functional neural bases of cognitive function is fundamental to the more effective development of nicotinic drugs for treating cognitive dysfunction.

The effects of lobeline on α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding and uptake of [(18)F]nifene in rats

Lobeline is a potential smoking cessation drug with affinity for the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and may inhibit the blood-brain barrier (BBB) amine transporter. The goal of this work was to use PET imaging to evaluate the effects of lobeline on the kinetic properties of [(18)F]nifene in the rat brain.

METHODS

Direct α4β2* competition of lobeline with [(18)F]nifene was evaluated using imaging experiments with both displacing and blocking doses of lobeline (1mg/kg, i.v.) given between two injections of [(18)F]nifene separated by 50min. Inhibition of the BBB amine transporter was examined using a separate imaging protocol with three injections of [(18)F]nifene, first at baseline, then following (-)nicotine blocking, and finally following lobeline blocking.

RESULTS

Rapid displacement of [(18)F]nifene was observed in the α4β2*-rich thalamus following lobeline administration, suggesting direct competition of the drug at α4β2* sites. Slight decreases in BBB transport of [(18)F]nifene were observed when the α4β2* system was first saturated with (-)nicotine and then given lobeline. This perturbation may be due to inhibition of the BBB amine transporter by lobeline or reductions in blood flow. Significant cerebellar displacement of [(18)F]nifene was found following the administration of both lobeline and (-)nicotine, indicating detectable specific binding in the rat cerebellum.

CONCLUSION

The competition of lobeline with [(18)F]nifene is largely dominated at the α4β2* binding site and only small perturbations in BBB transport of [(18)F]nifene are seen at the 1mg/kg dose. Similar experiments could be used to study other drugs as therapeutic agents for smoking cessation with PET.

Acetylcholine and antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor protect neurons and astrocytes against beta-amyloid toxicity

Aggregated amyloid-β causes pathological changes in mixed cultures of neurons and astrocytes such as sporadic cytoplasmic intracellular Ca(2+)-signalling, increase in reactive oxygen species production and cell death. Some of the toxic effects of amyloid-β are mediated through the interaction of the peptide with α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the cell surface. Here we demonstrated that affinity purified antibodies to synthetic fragment 173-193 of the α7-subunit of the nAChR are able to protect cells from amyloid-β induced cell death. The antibodies had no effect on the amyloid-β induced calcium signal in astrocytes. However, they significantly reduced amyloid-β induced and NADPH oxidase mediated ROS production. Modulation of the NADPH oxidase activity by either the antibodies, the receptor agonist acetylcholine or the antagonist of the α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors α-bungarotoxin was vital in inhibiting both amyloid-β induced ROS production, caspase 3 cleavage as well as cell death. The uncovered details of the mechanism underlying the action of antibodies to α7-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors gives additional insight into the involvement of this receptor in Alzheimer's disease pathology and provides a new approach to anti-Alzheimer's disease vaccine design.

PET imaging of α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: quantitative analysis of 18F-nifene kinetics in the nonhuman primate

The PET radioligand 2-fluoro-3-[2-((S)-3-pyrrolinyl)methoxy]pyridine ((18)F-nifene) is an α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist developed to provide accelerated in vivo equilibrium compared with existing α4β2* radioligands. The goal of this work was to analyze the in vivo kinetic properties of (18)F-nifene with both kinetic modeling and graphical analysis techniques.

METHODS

Dynamic PET experiments were performed on 4 rhesus monkeys (female; age range, 9-13 y) using a small-animal PET scanner. Studies began with a high-specific-activity (18)F-nifene injection, followed by a coinjection of (18)F-nifene and unlabeled nifene at 60 min. Sampling of arterial blood with metabolite analysis was performed throughout the experiment to provide a parent radioligand input function. In vivo kinetics were characterized with both a 1-tissue-compartment model (1TCM) and a 2-tissue-compartment model, Logan graphical methods (both with and without blood sampling), and the multilinear reference tissue model. Total distribution volumes and nondisplaceable binding potentials (BP(ND)) were used to compare regional binding of (18)F-nifene. Regions examined include the anteroventral thalamus, lateral geniculate body, frontal cortex, subiculum, and cerebellum.

RESULTS

The rapid uptake and binding of (18)F-nifene in nAChR-rich regions of the brain was appropriately modeled using the 1TCM. No evidence for specific binding of (18)F-nifene in the cerebellum was detected on the basis of the coinjection studies, suggesting the suitability of the cerebellum as a reference region. Total distribution volumes in the cerebellum were 6.91 ± 0.61 mL/cm(3). BP(ND) values calculated with the 1TCM were 1.60 ± 0.17, 1.35 ± 0.16, 0.26 ± 0.08, and 0.30 ± 0.07 in the anteroventral thalamus, lateral geniculate body, frontal cortex, and subiculum, respectively. For all brain regions, there was a less than 0.04 absolute difference in the average BP(ND) values calculated with each of the 1TCM, multilinear reference tissue model, and Logan methods.

CONCLUSION

The fast kinetic properties and specific regional binding of (18)F-nifene promote extension of the radioligand into preclinical animal models and human subjects.

Allosteric modulation of alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by HEPES

A number of new positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been reported that enhance responses of neuronal alpha7 and alpha4beta2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes to orthosteric ligands. PAMs represent promising new leads for the development of therapeutic agents for disorders involving alterations in nicotinic neurotransmission including Autism, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. During our recent studies of alpha4beta2 PAMs, we identified a novel effect of 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES). The effects of HEPES were evaluated in a phosphate buffered recording solution using two-electrode voltage clamp techniques and alpha4beta2 and alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Acetylcholine induced responses of high-sensitivity alpha4beta2 receptors were potentiated 190% by co-exposure to HEPES. Responses were inhibited at higher concentrations (bell-shaped concentration/response curve). Coincidentally, at concentrations of HEPES typically used in oocyte recording (5-10mM), the potentiating effects of HEPES are matched by its inhibitory effects, thus producing no net effect. Mutagenesis results suggest HEPES potentiates the high-sensitivity stoichiometry of the alpha4beta2 receptors through action at the beta2+/beta2- interface and is dependent on residue beta2D218. HEPES did not potentiate low-sensitivity alpha4beta2 receptors and did not produce any observable effect on acetylcholine induced responses on alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: smoking and Alzheimer's disease revisited

Epidemiological studies regarding Alzheimer's disease (AD) in smokers currently suggest inconsistent results. The clinicopathological findings also vary as to how AD pathology is affected by smoking behavior. Even though clinicopathological, functional, and epidemiological studies in humans do not present a consistent picture, much of the in vitro data implies that nicotine has neuroprotective effects when used in neurodegenerative disorder models. Current studies of the effects of nicotine and nicotinic agonists on cognitive function in both the non-demented and those with AD are not convincing. More data is needed to determine whether repetitive activation of nAChR with intermittent or acute exposure to nicotine, acute activation of nAChR, or long-lasting inactivation of nAChR secondary to chronic nicotine exposure will have a therapeutic effect and/or explain the beneficial effects of those types of drugs. Other studies show multifaceted connections between nicotine, nicotinic agonists, smoking, and nAChRs implicated in AD etiology. Although many controversies still exist, ongoing studies are revealing how nicotinic receptor changes and functions may be significant to the neurochemical, pathological, and clinical changes that appear in AD.

Occupancy of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in the Brain by Tropisetron: A Positron Emission Tomography Study Using [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 in Healthy Human Subjects

OBJECTIVE

Agonists of α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have been developed as potential therapeutic drugs for neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. Positron emission tomography (PET) is a noninvasive brain imaging technique to measure receptor occupancy in the living human brain. Although much effort has been expended to create specific PET radioligands for α7-nAChRs in the brain, only 4-[(11)C]methylphenyl-1,4-diazabicyclo[3.2.2.]nonane-4-carboxylate ([(11)C]CHIBA-1001) is currently available for clinical studies. In contrast, two 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT(3)) receptor antagonists, tropisetron and ondansetron, have been used to treat patients with chemotherapy-induced or postoperative nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, tropisetron, but not ondansetron, possesses high affinity for α7-nAChRs. In the present study, we evaluated the receptor occupancy in the human brain after a single oral administration of tropisetron and ondansetron using [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 and PET.

METHODS

Two serial dynamic PET scans using [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 in healthy non-smoking male subjects were performed before and after receiving an oral administration of these medications.

RESULTS

A single oral administration of tropisetron, but not ondansetron, decreased the total distribution volume of [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 in the human brain.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that tropisetron, but not ondansetron, could bind to α7-nAChRs in the human brain after a single oral administration. Therefore, [(11)C]CHIBA-1001 may be a useful PET radioligand to measure the occupancy of α7-nAChRs in the human brain.

Scutellarin protects against Aβ-induced learning and memory deficits in rats: involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and cholinesterase

AIM

To examine the protective effects of scutellarin (Scu) on rats with learning and memory deficit induced by β-amyloid peptide (Aβ).

METHODS

Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, sham operation, Aβ, Aβ+Scu, and Aβ+piracetam groups. Aβ(25-35) was injected into the lateral ventricle (10 μg each side). Scu (10 mg/2 mL) or piracetam (10 mg/2 mL was intragastrically administered per day for 20 consecutive days following Aβ treatment. Learning and memory was assessed with Morris water maze test. The protein and mRNA levels of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) α4, α7, and β2 subunits in the brain were examined using Western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. The activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in the brain and plasma were measured using Ellman's colorimetric method.

RESULTS

In Aβ group, the escape latency period and first platform cross was significantly increased, and the total number of platform crossings was significantly decreased, as compared with the control and the sham operation groups. Both Scu and piracetam treatment significantly reduced the escape latency period and time to cross platform, and increased the number of platform crosses, but there were no significant differences between Aβ+Scu and Aβ+piracetam groups. In Aβ group, the protein levels of nAChR α4 and α7 subunits in the cerebral cortex were significantly decreased by 42%-47% and 58%-61%, respectively, as compared to the control and the sham operation groups. Scu treatment caused upregulation of α4 and α7 subunit proteins by around 24% and 30%, respectively, as compared to Aβ group, but there were no significant differences between Aβ+Scu and Aβ+piracetam groups. The protein level of nAChR β2 subunit had no significant difference among different groups. The mRNA levels of nAChR α4, α7, and β2 subunits were not significantly changed. In Aβ group, the activities of AChE and BuChE in the brain were significantly increased, but were significantly decreased in the plasma, as compared to the control and the sham operation groups. Scu or piracetam treatment restored the activities in brain and plasma nearly to the levels in the control group.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that Scu may rescue some of the deleterious effects of Aβ, possibly by stimulating nAChR protein translation and regulating cholinesterase activity.

Allosteric modulator Desformylflustrabromine relieves the inhibition of α2β2 and α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by β-amyloid(1-42) peptide

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric transmembrane proteins that belong to the cys-loop ligand-gated ion channel family. These receptors are widely expressed in the brain and implicated in the pathophysiology of many neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), where typical symptoms include the loss of cognitive function and dementia. The presence of extracellular neuritic plaques composed of β amyloid (Aβ(1-42)) peptide is a characteristic feature of AD. Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr) is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) for α4β2 nAChRs since it increases peak ACh responses without inducing a response on its own. Previously, the effect of dFBr on the α2β2 nAChR subtype was not known. The action of dFBr was tested on α2β2 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. It was found that dFBr is also a PAM for the α2β2 receptor. Next we tested whether dFBr had any effect on the previously known block of both the α4β2 and α2β2 receptors by Aβ(1-42). We found that the functional blockade of ACh-induced currents in oocytes expressing α4β2 and α2β2 receptors by Aβ(1-42) was prevented by dFBr. We conclude that dFBr is a positive allosteric modulator for both α4β2 and α2β2 subtypes of nAChRs and that it also relieves the blockade of these receptors by Aβ(1-42). This study demonstrates that PAMs for the non-α7 nAChRs have the potential to develop into clinically applicable drugs for AD and other disorders.

Targeting the nicotinic alpha7 acetylcholine receptor to enhance cognition in disease

A promising drug target currently under investigation to improve cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders is the neuronal nicotinic alpha7 acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). Improving cognitive impairments in diseases such as Alzheimer's (AD) and schizophrenia remains a large unmet medical need, and the α7nAChR has many properties that make it an attractive therapeutic target. The α7nAChR is a ligand gated ion channel that has particularly high permeability to Ca(2+) and is expressed in key brain regions involved in cognitive processes (e.g., hippocampus). The α7nAChRs are localized both pre-synaptically, where they can regulate neurotransmitter release, and post-synaptically where they can activate intracellular signaling cascades and influence downstream processes involved in learning and memory. In particular, activation of the α7nAChR with small molecule agonists enhances long-term potentiation, an in vitro model of synaptic plasticity, and improves performance across multiple cognitive domains in rodents, monkeys, and humans. Positive allosteric modulation of the α7nAChR offers an alternate approach to direct agonism that could prove to be particularly beneficial in certain disease populations where smoking nicotine is prevalent (e.g., schizophrenia) and could interfere with an orthosteric agonist approach. The current review focuses on the neurobiology of the α7nAChR, its role in cognition and the development status of some of the most promising molecules advancing for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in disease.

Galantamine potentiates the protective effect of rofecoxib and caffeic acid against intrahippocampal Kainic acid-induced cognitive dysfunction in rat

Role of neuroinflammatory mediators particularly cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX), have been well suggested in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Rofecoxib is a selective cyclooxygenase 2 enzymes belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, commonly called as coxibs. Whereas, caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) is one of the natural phenolic compounds and reported to inhibit 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) activity as one of mechanisms. Present study has been designed to investigate the effects of rofecoxib, caffeic acid and its potentiation by galantamine against intrahippocampal kainic acid-induced cognitive impairment, oxidative damage and mitochondrial respiratory enzyme alterations in rats. Kainic acid (KA) was administrated in the hippocampus region of rat brain. Various behavioral (locomotor activity and memory performances were assessed by using actophotometer and Morris water maze respectively) followed by oxidative stress, mitochondrial enzyme complex were assessed. Intrahippocampal administration of KA significantly impaired locomotor activity, memory performance, mitochondrial enzyme complexes and caused oxidative stress as compared to sham treatment. Rofecoxib (5 and 10mg/kg), caffeic acid (5 and 10mg/kg), Gal (2.5 and 5mg/kg) treatment for 14 days significantly improved locomotor activity, memory retention and oxidative defense (as evidenced by decrease lipid peroxidation, nitrite, increased superoxide dismutase activity and redox ratio) in hippocampus. Besides, alterations in the levels of mitochondrial enzymes and acetylcholine esterase enzyme were significantly restored by rofecoxib and caffeic acid as compared to control. Further, combination of rofecoxib (5mg/kg) with caffeic acid (5mg/kg) and lower dose of gal (2.5mg/kg) with rofecoxib (5mg/kg) treatments significantly potentiated their protective effect which was significant as compared to their effect per se. The results of the present study suggest that galantamine potentiates the protective effect of rofecoxib and caffeic acid against kainic acid induced cognitive impairment and associated oxidative damage.

Brain imaging of nicotinic receptors in Alzheimer's disease

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are a family of ligand-gated ion channels which are widely distributed in the human brain. Several lines of evidence suggest that two major subtypes (α4β2 and α7) of nAChRs play an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Postmortem studies demonstrated alterations in the density of these subtypes of nAChRs in the brain of patients with AD. Currently, nAChRs are one of the most attractive therapeutic targets for AD. Therefore, several researchers have made an effort to develop novel radioligands that can be used to study quantitatively the distribution of these two subtypes in the human brain with positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). In this paper, we discuss the current topics on in vivo imaging of two subtypes of nAChRs in the brain of patients with AD.

Quantification of smoking-induced occupancy of beta2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: estimation of nondisplaceable binding

5-(123)I-iodo-85380 ((123)I-5-IA) is used to quantitate high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (beta(2)-nAChRs) on human SPECT scans. The primary outcome measure is V(T)/f(P), the ratio at equilibrium between total tissue concentration (free, nonspecifically bound, and specifically bound) and the free plasma concentration. Nondisplaceable uptake (free plus nonspecific) of (123)I-5-IA has not been measured in human subjects. Nicotine has high affinity for beta(2)*-nAChRs (nAChRs containing the beta(2)* subunit, for which * represents other subunits that may also be part of the receptor) and displaces specifically bound (123)I-5-IA. In this study, we measured nicotine occupancy and nondisplaceable binding in healthy smokers after they had smoked to satiety.

METHODS

Eleven nicotine-dependent smokers (mean age +/- SD, 35.6 +/- 14.4 y) completed the study. One subject was excluded from subsequent analyses because of abnormal blood nicotine levels. Subjects abstained from tobacco smoke for 5.3 +/- 0.9 d and participated in a 15- to 17-h SPECT scanning day. (123)I-5-IA was administered by bolus plus constant infusion, with a total injected dose of 361 +/- 20 MBq. At approximately 6 h after the start of the infusion, three 30-min SPECT scans and a 15-min transmission-emission scan were acquired to obtain baseline beta(2)*-nAChR availability. Subjects then smoked to satiety (2.4 +/- 0.7 cigarettes), and arterial (first 40 min) and venous (until study completion) plasma nicotine and cotinine levels were collected. About 1 h after subjects had smoked to satiety, up to six 30-min SPECT scans were acquired. V(T)/f(P) data, computed from the tissue and plasma radioactivity measurements from the presmoking baseline and postsmoking scans, were analyzed using the Lassen plot method.

RESULTS

Receptor occupancy after subjects had smoked to satiety was 67% +/- 9% (range, 55%-80%). Nondisplaceable uptake was estimated as 19.4 +/- 5.8 mL x cm(-3) (range, 15-28 mL x cm(-3)). Thus, in the thalamus, where mean V(T)/f(P) is 93 mL x cm(-3), nondisplaceable binding represents approximately 20% of the total binding.

CONCLUSION

These results are in agreement with previous findings and suggest that when satiating doses of nicotine are administered to smokers, imaging of receptor availability can yield valuable data, such as quantifiable measures of nondisplaceable binding.

Investigating the synchronization of hippocampal neural network in response to acute nicotine exposure

Previous studies suggested that γ oscillations in the brain are associated with higher order cognitive function including selective visual attention, motor task planning, sensory perception, working memory and dreaming REM sleep. These oscillations are mainly observed in cortical regions and also occur in neocortical and subcortical areas and the hippocampus. In this paper, we investigate the influence of acute exposure to nicotine on the complexity of hippocampal γ oscillations.

Using the approximate entropy method, the influence of acute nicotine exposure on the hippocampal γ oscillations was investigated. The hippocampal γ oscillations have been generated in response to the 100 Hz stimulus and isolated using the visual inspection and spectral analysis method. Our central hypothesis is that acute exposure to nicotine significantly reduces the complexity of hippocampal γ oscillations. We used brain-slice recordings and the approximate entropy method to test this hypothesis. The approximate entropy (complexity) values of the hippocampal γ oscillations are estimated from the 14 hippocampal slices. Our results show that it takes at least 100 msec to see any hippocampal activities in response to the 100 Hz stimulus. These patterns noticeably changed after 100 msec until 300 msec after the stimulus Finally, they were less prominent after 300 msec. We have analyzed the isolated hippocampal γ oscillations (between 150 and 250 msec after the stimulus) using the approximate entropy (ApEn) method. Our results showed that the ApEn (complexity) values of hippocampal γ oscillations during nicotine exposure were reduced compared to those of hippocampal γ oscillations during control, and washout. This reduction was much more significant in response to acute nicotine exposure (p < 0.05) compared to those during control and washout conditions. These results suggest that the neural firing becomes regular and the hippocampal networks become synchronized in response to nicotine exposure.

Pharmacological characterization of the allosteric modulator desformylflustrabromine and its interaction with alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor orthosteric ligands

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are members of the Cys-loop superfamily of ligand-gated ion channels. nAChRs are involved in modulating nicotinic-based signal transmission in the central nervous system and are implicated in a range of disorders. Desformylflustrabromine (dFBr) is a positive allosteric modulator that potentiates alpha4beta2 nAChRs. It has been reported that dFBr is selective for the alpha4beta2 receptor relative to other common nAChR subtypes (Neurosci Lett 373:144-149, 2005). Coapplication of dFBr with acetylcholine (ACh) produces a bell-shaped dose-response curve with a peak potentiation of more than 265% (Bioorg Med Chem Lett 17:4855-4860, 2007) at dFBr concentrations <10 microM and inhibition of responses at concentrations >10 microM. The potentiation and inhibition components of dFBr-modulated responses were examined by using two-electrode voltage clamp and human alpha4beta2 nAChRs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Currents to both partial and full agonists were potentiated by dFBr. Responses to low-efficacy agonists were potentiated significantly more than responses to high-efficacy agonists. Antagonist pIC(50) values were unaffected by coapplication of dFBr. In addition to its potentiating effects, dFBr was able to induce current spikes when applied to desensitized receptors, suggestive of a shift in equilibrium from the desensitized to open conformation. In contrast to potentiation, inhibition of ACh responses by dFBr depends on membrane potential and is probably the result of open-channel block by dFBr and ACh. Our data indicate distinct mechanisms for the potentiation and inhibition components of dFBr action. dFBr could prove useful for therapeutic enhancement of responses at alpha4beta2-containing synapses.

α7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonists: Potential Therapeutic Drugs for Treatment of Cognitive Impairments in Schizophrenia and Alzheimer's Disease

Accumulating evidence suggests that α7 nicotinic receptors (α7 nAChRs), a subtype of nAChRs, play a role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). A number of psychopharmacological and genetic studies shown that α7 nAChRs play an important role in the deficits of P50 auditory evoked potential in patients with schizophrenia, and that (α nAChR agonists would be potential therapeutic drugs for cognitive impairments associated with P50 deficits in schizophrenia. Furthermore, some studies have demonstrated that α7 nAChRs might play a key role in the amyloid-β (Aβ)-mediated pathology of AD, and that α7 nAChR agonists would be potential therapeutic drugs for Aβ deposition in the brains of patients with AD. Interestingly, the altered expression of α7 nAChRs in the postmortem brain tissues from patients with schizophrenia and AD has been reported. Based on all these findings, selective α7 nAChR agonists can be considered potential therapeutic drugs for cognitive impairments in both schizophrenia and AD. In this article, we review the recent research into the role of α7 nAChRs in the pathophysiology of these diseases and into the potential use of novel α7 nAChR agonists as therapeutic drugs.

Scopolamine-induced learning impairment reversed by physostigmine in zebrafish

In this study, the effects of scopolamine, an acetylcholine muscarinic receptor antagonist, and physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on the learning ability and memory of zebrafish were evaluated using a passive avoidance response test. The zebrafish were trained to stay in a dark compartment to avoid a weight dropping into an acryl shuttle chamber with a central sliding door. The crossing time was increased significantly, from 30.7+/-40.8s to 179.3+/-27.3s in the training session and 179.9+/-28.0s in the test session carried out 2h later in the controls. When treatment with 200 microM scopolamine was administered for 1h prior to the training session, the crossing time did not increase. The scopolamine-induced learning deficit was ameliorated by pretreatment with 20 microM physostigmine for 1h prior to scopolamine treatment; the crossing time was similarly increased, as shown with the controls (60.9+/-11.5s, 130.9+/-27.5s, and 183.4+/-26.6s in the training session and 108.1+/-23.9s in the test session). When scopolamine treatment was administered after the training session, the crossing time in the test session was reduced significantly as compared to that noted in the third trial of the training session, which was also ameliorated by physostigmine pretreatment. These results show that scopolamine impairs both the acquisition of passive avoidance response and retention of the learned response, and that physostigmine rescues the amnesic effects of scopolamine in zebrafish.

In vivo evaluation of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists [11C]A-582941 and [11C]A-844606 in mice and conscious monkeys

BACKGROUND

The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The goal of this study was to evaluate the two carbon-11-labeled alpha7 nAChR agonists [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 for their potential as novel positron emission tomography (PET) tracers.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

The two tracers were synthesized by methylation of the corresponding desmethyl precursors using [(11)C]methyl triflate. Effects of receptor blockade in mice were determined by coinjection of either tracer along with a carrier or an excess amount of a selective alpha7 nAChR agonist (SSR180711). Metabolic stability was investigated using radio-HPLC. Dynamic PET scans were performed in conscious monkeys with/without SSR180711-treatment. [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 showed high uptake in the mouse brain. Most radioactive compounds in the brain were detected as an unchanged form. However, regional selectivity and selective receptor blockade were not clearly observed for either compound in the mouse brain. On the other hand, the total distribution volume of [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 was high in the hippocampus and thalamus but low in the cerebellum in the conscious monkey brain, and reduced by pretreatment with SSR180711.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

A nonhuman primate study suggests that [(11)C]A-582941 and [(11)C]A-844606 would be potential PET ligands for imaging alpha7 nAChRs in the human brain.

Biochemical and pathological correlates of cognitive and behavioural change in DLB/PDD

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) are second only to Alzheimer's disease (AD) in frequency. In particular it is evident that up to 80% of people with PD will develop dementia towards the end of their life. While the neurobiology of movement disorder has been well studied in PD, much less attention has been given to mechanisms underlying the cognitive and behavioural symptoms associated with DLB and PDD. To date, the best correlate of cognitive impairment appears to be cortical Lewy bodies; however, new emphasis has been placed on small aggregates of synuclein. Furthermore, very few studies have attempted to investigate the neurochemical correlates of behavioural disorders in DLB/PDD and whether these are similar or distinct from AD. Aggregated alpha-synuclein forms the core component of Lewy bodies, a major pathological feature of Parkinson's-related conditions. The 26S proteasome is an ATP-dependent protease that catalyses the breakdown of alpha-synuclein. Previous studies have implicated alterations in the proteasome in PD. Furthermore, proteasome inhibitors have been reported to induce alpha-synuclein aggregation and Lewy body-like inclusions, resulting in neuronal loss both in vitro and in vivo. Our preliminary results indicate that selective alterations in the expression of proteosome sub-units are a feature of both DLB and PDD, while changes in activity are restricted to PDD. Depression is a common symptom in DLB/PDD, yet the evidence base for standard treatment with SSRIs is limited. In contrast to previous studies of AD, our results indicate that there is no association between depression and the 5-HT transporter, while there was a significant increase in the number of 5-HT1A receptors in those DLB/PDD patients with depression. These data may provide an insight into the lack of success of current treatments and suggest alternative approaches.

Differential contribution of genetic variation in multiple brain nicotinic cholinergic receptors to nicotine dependence: recent progress and emerging open questions

Nicotine dependence (ND), a major public health challenge, is a complex, multifactorial behavior, in which both genetic and environmental factors have a role. Brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)-encoding genes are among the most prominent candidate genes studied in the context of ND, because of their biological relevance as binding sites for nicotine. Until recently, most research on the role of nAChRs in ND has focused on two of these genes (encoding the alpha4- and beta2-subunits) and not much attention has been paid to the possible contribution of the other nine brain nAChR subunit genes (alpha2-alpha3, alpha5-alpha7, alpha9-alpha10, beta3-beta4) to the pathophysiology and genetics of ND. This situation has changed dramatically in the last 2 years during which intensive research had addressed the issue, mainly from the genetics perspective, and has shown the importance of the CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4 and CHRNA6-CHRNB3 loci in ND-related phenotypes. In this review, we highlight recent findings regarding the contribution of non-alpha4/beta2-subunit containing nAChRs to ND, based on several lines of evidence: (1) human genetics studies (including linkage analysis, candidate-gene association studies and whole-genome association studies) of several ND-related phenotypes; (2) differential pharmacological and biochemical properties of receptors containing these subunits; (3) evidence from genetically manipulated mice; and (4) the contribution of nAChR genes to ND-related personality traits and neurocognitive profiles. Combining neurobiological genetic and behavioral perspectives, we suggest that genetic susceptibility to ND is not linked to one or two specific nAChR subtype genes but to several. In particular, the alpha3, alpha5-6 and beta3-4 nAChR subunit-encoding genes may play a much more pivotal role in the neurobiology and genetics of ND than was appreciated earlier. At the functional level, variants in these subunit genes (most likely regulatory) may have independent as well as interactive contributions to the ND phenotype spectrum. We address methodological challenges in the field, highlight open questions and suggest possible pathways for future research.

Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta-protein and synaptic function

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized neuropathologically by the deposition of different forms of amyloid beta-protein (A beta) including variable amounts of soluble species that correlate with severity of dementia. The extent of synaptic loss in the brain provides the best morphological correlate of cognitive impairment in clinical AD. Animal research on the pathophysiology of AD has therefore focussed on how soluble A beta disrupts synaptic mechanisms in vulnerable brain regions such as the hippocampus. Synaptic plasticity in the form of persistent activity-dependent increases or decreases in synaptic strength provide a neurophysiological substrate for hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Acute treatment with human-derived or chemically prepared soluble A beta that contains certain oligomeric assemblies, potently and selectively disrupts synaptic plasticity causing inhibition of long-term potentiation (LTP) and enhancement of long-term depression (LTD) of glutamatergic transmission. Over time these and related actions of A beta have been implicated in reducing synaptic integrity. This review addresses the involvement of neurotransmitter intercellular signaling in mediating or modulating the synaptic plasticity disrupting actions of soluble A beta, with particular emphasis on the different roles of glutamatergic and cholinergic mechanisms. There is growing evidence to support the view that NMDA and possibly nicotinic receptors are critically involved in mediating the disruptive effect of A beta and that targeting muscarinic receptors can indirectly modulate A beta's actions. Such studies should help inform ongoing and future clinical trials of drugs acting through the glutamatergic and cholinergic systems.

Nicotinic receptors: allosteric transitions and therapeutic targets in the nervous system

Nicotinic receptors - a family of ligand-gated ion channels that mediate the effects of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine - are among the most well understood allosteric membrane proteins from a structural and functional perspective. There is also considerable interest in modulating nicotinic receptors to treat nervous-system disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and tobacco addiction. This article describes both recent advances in our understanding of the assembly, activity and conformational transitions of nicotinic receptors, as well as developments in the therapeutic application of nicotinic receptor ligands, with the aim of aiding novel drug discovery by bridging the gap between these two rapidly developing fields.

Cortical alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and beta-amyloid levels in early Alzheimer disease

OBJECTIVE

To examine alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) binding and beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide load in superior frontal cortex (SFC) across clinical and neuropathological stages of Alzheimer disease (AD).

DESIGN

Quantitative measures of alpha7 nAChR by [(3)H]methyllycaconitine binding and Abeta concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in SFC were compared across subjects with antemortem clinical classification of no cognitive impairment, mild cognitive impairment, or mild to moderate AD, and with postmortem neuropathological diagnoses.

SETTING

Academic medical center. Subjects Twenty-nine elderly retired clergy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Quantitative measures of alpha7 nAChR binding and Abeta peptide concentration in SFC.

RESULTS

Higher concentrations of total Abeta peptide in SFC were associated with clinical diagnosis of mild to moderate AD (P = .02), lower Mini-Mental State Examination scores (P = .003), presence of cortical Abeta plaques (P = .02), and likelihood of AD diagnosis by the National Institute on Aging-Reagan criteria (P = .002). Increased alpha7 nAChR binding was associated with National Institute on Aging-Reagan diagnosis (P = .02) and, albeit weakly, the presence of cortical Abeta plaques (P = .08). There was no correlation between the 2 biochemical measures.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations suggest that during the clinical progression from normal cognition to neurodegenerative disease state, total Abeta peptide concentration increases while alpha7 nAChRs remain relatively stable in SFC. Regardless of subjects' clinical status, however, elevated alpha7 nAChR binding is associated with increased Abeta plaque pathology, supporting the hypothesis that cellular expression of these receptors may be upregulated selectively in Abeta plaque-burdened brain areas.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system regulates the stability of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Ubiquitination is a key event for protein degradation by the proteasome system, membrane protein internalization, and protein trafficking among cellular compartments. Few data are available on the role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in the trafficking of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Experiments conducted in neuron-like differentiated rat pheochromocytoma cells (PC12 cells) show that the alpha3, beta2, and beta4 nAChR subunits are ubiquitinated and that their ubiquitination is necessary for degradation. A 24-h treatment with the proteasome inhibitor PS-341 increased the total levels of alpha3 and the two beta subunits in both whole cell lysates and fractions enriched for the ER/Golgi compartment. nAChR subunit upregulation was also detected in plasma membrane-enriched fractions. Inhibition of the lysosomal degradation machinery by E-64 had a significantly smaller effect on nAChR turnover. The present data, together with previous results showing that the alpha7 nAChR subunit is a target of the UPS, point to a prominent role of the proteasome in nAChR trafficking.

123I-5-IA-85380 SPECT imaging of nicotinic receptors in Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment

Postmortem binding studies have established that the concentration of alpha(4)beta(2)-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (alpha(4)beta(2)-nAChR) is reduced in advanced Alzheimer disease (AD). However, the status of this receptor in mild or prodromal AD has remained the subject of controversy.

METHODS

We compared alpha(4)beta(2)-nAChR availability in 8 brain regions of living human subjects who had AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with that in age-matched healthy control subjects by using the ligand (123)I-5-IA-85380 ((123)I-5-IA) and SPECT. All subjects (n = 32) were nonsmokers; they were administered (123)I-5-IA as a bolus plus a constant infusion and imaged 6-8 h later under equilibrium conditions. The effect of diagnosis on regional alpha(4)beta(2)-nAChR availability (regional brain activity/total parent concentration in plasma, proportional to the binding potential) was analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance, controlling for the effects of age and sex.

RESULTS

Despite a significant overall effect of diagnostic group on mean alpha(4)beta(2)-nAChR availability, univariate analyses revealed no group differences for any brain region analyzed. An exploratory analysis of the relationship between regional alpha(4)beta(2)-nAChR availability and neuropsychologic variables yielded several plausible correlations. However, after Bonferroni adjustment, only the correlation between the anterior cingulate and the Trail Making Test, Part B, in the healthy control subjects remained significant.

CONCLUSION

These results are consistent with several postmortem and in vivo studies suggesting the preservation of nAChRs during the prodromal and early stages of AD. They support the interpretation that nAChR and other cholinergic reductions in AD are late-stage phenomena.

Drug development for Alzheimer's disease: where are we now and where are we headed?

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this article was to provide a survey of the clinical development of pharmacotherapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

A search of PubMed to identify pertinent English-language literature was conducted using the terms Alzheimer's disease AND clinical trials (2003-2008), dementia AND prevention AND clinical trials (2003-2008), and the chemical names of all compounds mentioned in articles on new drugs for AD published since 2005. www.ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for relevant trials. Abstracts of the 2008 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) were reviewed for relevance, as were pharmaceutical company and AD advocacy Web sites. Articles selected for review were primary reports of data from preclinical studies and clinical trials.

RESULTS

A large number of drugs with differing targets and mechanisms of action are under development for the treatment of AD. Phase III trials of Ginkgo biloba, NSAIDs, phenserine, statins, tarenflurbil, tramiprosate, and xaliproden have been completed, none of them demonstrating adequate efficacy. Encouraging results from completed Phase II trials of dimebon, huperzine A, intravenous immunoglobulin, and methylthioninium chloride were reported at ICAD 2008. Nineteen compounds are currently in Phase II trials, and 3 compounds (AN1792, lecozotan SR, and SGS742) failed at this stage of development.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite disappointing results from recently completed Phase III trials of several novel compounds, the extent and breadth of activity at all phases of clinical development suggest that new pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of AD will become available within the next decade.

Cellular trafficking of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play critical roles throughout the body. Precise regulation of the cellular location and availability of nAChRs on neurons and target cells is critical to their proper function. Dynamic, post-translational regulation of nAChRs, particularly control of their movements among the different compartments of cells, is an important aspect of that regulation. A combination of new information and new techniques has the study of nAChR trafficking poised for new breakthroughs.

Central in vivo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)

Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are useful for non-invasive investigation of brain receptors. With these imaging techniques, changes in brain receptor densities and distributions during chronic drug treatments and disease progressions can be tracked for a long period. Appropriate radiolabeled imaging agents are necessary for PET and SPECT molecular imaging. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play important roles in brain functions. The alpha4beta2 and alpha7 are the major nAChR subtypes in the brain. To date, several subtype selective radiolabeled ligands for nAChR have been reported. For the alpha4beta2 subtype, some agents are already applied for human studies, but only a few agents are developed for the alpha7 subtype. Here, we overview our results of [(125/123)I]5-iodo-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine and 5-[11C]methyl-3-(2-(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine ([11C]5MA) for alpha4beta2 subtype imaging, and [11C](R)-2-methylamino-benzoic acid 1-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl ester ([11C](R)-MeQAA) for alpha7 subtype imaging.

Procognitive and neuroprotective activity of a novel alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist for treatment of neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders

The alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a promising target for treatment of cognitive dysfunction associated with Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Here, we report the pharmacological properties of 5-morpholin-4-yl-pentanoic acid (4-pyridin-3-yl-phenyl)-amide [SEN12333 (WAY-317538)], a novel selective agonist of alpha7 nAChR. SEN12333 shows high affinity for the rat alpha7 receptor expressed in GH4C1 cells (K(i) = 260 nM) and acts as full agonist in functional Ca(2+) flux studies (EC(50) = 1.6 microM). In whole-cell patch-clamp recordings, SEN12333 activated peak currents and maximal total charges similar to acetylcholine (EC(50) = 12 microM). The compound did not show agonist activity at other nicotinic receptors tested and acted as a weak antagonist at alpha3-containing receptors. SEN12333 treatment (3 mg/kg i.p.) improved episodic memory in a novel object recognition task in rats in conditions of spontaneous forgetting as well as cognitive disruptions induced via glutamatergic [5H-dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten-5,10-imine (dizocilpine maleate); MK-801] or cholinergic (scopolamine) mechanisms. This improvement was blocked by the alpha7-selective antagonist methyllycaconitine, indicating that it is mediated by alpha7 activation. SEN12333 also prevented a scopolamine-induced deficit in a passive avoidance task. In models targeting other cognitive domains, including attention and perceptual processing, SEN12333 normalized the apomorphine-induced deficit of prepulse inhibition. Neuroprotection of SEN12333 was demonstrated in quisqualate-lesioned animals in which treatment with SEN12333 (3 mg/kg/day i.p.) resulted in a significant protection of choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons in the lesioned hemisphere. Cumulatively, our results demonstrate that the novel alpha7 nAChR agonist SEN12333 has procognitive and neuroprotective properties, further demonstrating utility of alpha7 agonists for treatment of neurodegenerative and cognitive disorders.

Involvement of nicotinic and muscarinic receptors in the endogenous cholinergic modulation of the balance between excitation and inhibition in the young rat visual cortex

This study aims to clarify how endogenous release of cortical acetylcholine (ACh) modulates the balance between excitation and inhibition evoked in visual cortex. We show that electrical stimulation in layer 1 produced a significant release of ACh measured intracortically by chemoluminescence and evoked a composite synaptic response recorded intracellularly in layer 5 pyramidal neurons of rat visual cortex. The pharmacological specificity of the ACh neuromodulation was determined from the continuous whole-cell voltage clamp measurement of stimulation-locked changes of the input conductance during the application of cholinergic agonists and antagonists. Blockade of glutamatergic and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) receptors suppressed the evoked response, indicating that stimulation-induced release of ACh does not directly activate a cholinergic synaptic conductance in recorded neurons. Comparison of cytisine and mecamylamine effects on nicotinic receptors showed that excitation is enhanced by endogenous evoked release of ACh through the presynaptic activation of alpha(*)beta4 receptors located on glutamatergic fibers. DHbetaE, the selective alpha4beta2 nicotinic receptor antagonist, induced a depression of inhibition. Endogenous ACh could also enhance inhibition by acting directly on GABAergic interneurons, presynaptic to the recorded cell. We conclude that endogenous-released ACh amplifies the dominance of the inhibitory drive and thus decreases the excitability and sensory responsiveness of layer 5 pyramidal neurons.

High throughput electrophysiology with Xenopus oocytes

Voltage-clamp techniques are typically used to study the plasma membrane proteins, such as ion channels and transporters that control bioelectrical signals. Many of these proteins have been cloned and can now be studied as potential targets for drug development. The two approaches most commonly used for heterologous expression of cloned ion channels and transporters involve either transfection of the genes into small cells grown in tissue culture or the injection of the genetic material into larger cells. The standard large cells used for the expression of cloned cDNA or synthetic RNA are the egg progenitor cells (oocytes) of the African frog, Xenopus laevis. Until recently, cellular electrophysiology was performed manually by a single operator, one cell at a time. However, methods of high throughput electrophysiology have been developed which are automated and permit data acquisition and analysis from multiple cells in parallel. These methods are breaking a bottleneck in drug discovery, useful in some cases for primary screening as well as for thorough characterization of new drugs. Increasing throughput of high-quality functional data greatly augments the efficiency of academic research and pharmaceutical drug development. Some examples of studies that benefit most from high throughput electrophysiology include pharmaceutical screening of targeted compound libraries, secondary screening of identified compounds for subtype selectivity, screening mutants of ligand-gated channels for changes in receptor function, scanning mutagenesis of protein segments, and mutant-cycle analysis. We describe here the main features and potential applications of OpusXpress, an efficient commercially available system for automated recording from Xenopus oocytes. We show some types of data that have been gathered by this system and review realized and potential applications.