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Pauls MMH, Fish J, Binnie LR, Benjamin P, Betteridge S, Clarke B, Dhillon MPK, Ghatala R, Hainsworth FAH, Howe FA, Khan U, Kruuse C, Madigan JB, Moynihan B, Patel B, Pereira AC, Rostrup E, Shtaya ABY, Spilling CA, Trippier S, Williams R, Young R, Barrick TR, Isaacs JD, Hainsworth AH. Testing the cognitive effects of tadalafil. Neuropsychological secondary outcomes from the PASTIS trial. CEREBRAL CIRCULATION - COGNITION AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 5:100187. [PMID: 37811523 PMCID: PMC10550803 DOI: 10.1016/j.cccb.2023.100187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) is a major cause of cognitive impairment in older people. As secondary endpoints in a phase-2 randomised clinical trial, we tested the effects of single administration of a widely-used PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, on cognitive performance in older people with SVD. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, participants received tadalafil (20 mg) and placebo on two visits ≥ 7 days apart (randomised to order of treatment). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) was administered at baseline, alongside a measure to estimate optimal intellectual ability (Test of Premorbid Function). Then, before and after treatment, a battery of neuropsychological tests was administered, assessing aspects of attention, information processing speed, working memory and executive function. Sixty-five participants were recruited and 55 completed the protocol (N = 55, age: 66.8 (8.6) years, range 52-87; 15/40 female/male). Median MOCA score was 26 (IQR: 23, 27], range 15-30). No significant treatment effects were seen in any of the neuropsychological tests. There was a trend towards improved performance on Digit Span Forward (treatment effect 0.37, C.I. 0.01, 0.72; P = 0.0521). We did not identify significant treatment effects of single-administration tadalafil on neuropsychological performance in older people with SVD. The trend observed on Digit Span Forward may help to inform future studies. Clinical trial registration http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00123456, https://eudract.ema.europa.eu. Unique identifier: 2015-001,235-20NCT00123456.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde MH Pauls
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Jessica Fish
- Neuropsychology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- School of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Lauren R Binnie
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Philip Benjamin
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Neuroradiology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Shai Betteridge
- Neuropsychology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Brian Clarke
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Rita Ghatala
- South London Stroke Research Network, London, UK
| | | | - Franklyn A Howe
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Usman Khan
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Christina Kruuse
- Department of Neurology and Neurovascular Research Unit, Herlev Gentofte Hospital, Denmark
| | - Jeremy B Madigan
- Neuroradiology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Barry Moynihan
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Bhavini Patel
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Anthony C Pereira
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Egill Rostrup
- Mental Health Centre, University of Copenhagen, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Anan BY Shtaya
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Catherine A Spilling
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | | | | | - Robin Young
- Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow, UK
| | - Thomas R Barrick
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
| | - Jeremy D Isaacs
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Atticus H Hainsworth
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, UK
- Department of Neurology, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Hainsworth AH, Arancio O, Elahi FM, Isaacs JD, Cheng F. PDE5 inhibitor drugs for use in dementia. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2023; 9:e12412. [PMID: 37766832 PMCID: PMC10520293 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) remain a major health-care challenge with few licensed medications. Repurposing existing drugs may afford prevention and treatment. Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) is widely expressed in vascular myocytes, neurons, and glia. Potent, selective, Food and Drug Administration-approved PDE5 inhibitors are already in clinical use (sildenafil, vardenafil, tadalafil) as vasodilators in erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Animal data indicate cognitive benefits of PDE5 inhibitors. In humans, real-world patient data suggest that sildenafil and vardenafil are associated with reduced dementia risk. While a recent clinical trial of acute tadalafil on cerebral blood flow was neutral, there may be chronic actions of PDE5 inhibition on cerebrovascular or synaptic function. We provide a perspective on the potential utility of PDE5 inhibitors for ADRD. We conclude that further prospective clinical trials with PDE5 inhibitors are warranted. The choice of drug will depend on brain penetration, tolerability in older people, half-life, and off-target effects. HIGHLIGHTS Potent phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors are in clinical use as vasodilators.In animals PDE5 inhibitors enhance synaptic function and cognitive ability.In humans the PDE5 inhibitor sildenafil is associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease.Licensed PDE5 inhibitors have potential for repurposing in dementia.Prospective clinical trials of PDE5 inhibitors are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atticus H. Hainsworth
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research InstituteSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
- Department of NeurologySt George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell BiologyTaub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainDepartment of MedicineColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Fanny M. Elahi
- Departments of Neurology and NeuroscienceRonald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's DiseaseFriedman Brain InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Jeremy D. Isaacs
- Molecular & Clinical Sciences Research InstituteSt George's University of LondonLondonUK
- Department of NeurologySt George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Feixiong Cheng
- Genomic Medicine InstituteLerner Research InstituteCleveland ClinicClevelandOhioUSA
- Department of Molecular MedicineCleveland Clinic Lerner College of MedicineCase Western Reserve UniversityClevelandOhioUSA
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Tropea MR, Gulisano W, Vacanti V, Arancio O, Puzzo D, Palmeri A. Nitric oxide/cGMP/CREB pathway and amyloid-beta crosstalk: From physiology to Alzheimer's disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 193:657-668. [PMID: 36400326 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway has been extensively studied for its pivotal role in synaptic plasticity and memory processes, resulting in an increase of cAMP response element-binding (CREB) phosphorylation, and consequent synthesis of plasticity-related proteins. The NO/cGMP/CREB signaling is downregulated during aging and neurodegenerative disorders and is affected by Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau protein, whose increase and deposition is considered the key pathogenic event of Alzheimer's disease (AD). On the other hand, in physiological conditions, the crosstalk between the NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB pathway and Aβ ensures long-term potentiation and memory formation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the interaction between the NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB pathway and Aβ in the healthy and diseased brain, offering a new perspective to shed light on AD pathophysiology. We will focus on the synaptic mechanisms underlying Aβ physiological interplay with cGMP pathway and how this balance is corrupted in AD, as high levels of Aβ interfere with NO production and cGMP molecular signaling leading to cognitive impairment. Finally, we will discuss results from preclinical and clinical studies proposing the increase of cGMP signaling as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Valeria Vacanti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology and Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina (EN), 94018, Italy.
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
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Memory Enhancers for Alzheimer's Dementia: Focus on cGMP. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010061. [PMID: 33451088 PMCID: PMC7828493 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate, better known as cyclic-GMP or cGMP, is a classical second messenger involved in a variety of intracellular pathways ultimately controlling different physiological functions. The family of guanylyl cyclases that includes soluble and particulate enzymes, each of which comprises several isoforms with different mechanisms of activation, synthesizes cGMP. cGMP signaling is mainly executed by the activation of protein kinase G and cyclic nucleotide gated channels, whereas it is terminated by its hydrolysis to GMP operated by both specific and dual-substrate phosphodiesterases. In the central nervous system, cGMP has attracted the attention of neuroscientists especially for its key role in the synaptic plasticity phenomenon of long-term potentiation that is instrumental to memory formation and consolidation, thus setting off a "gold rush" for new drugs that could be effective for the treatment of cognitive deficits. In this article, we summarize the state of the art on the neurochemistry of the cGMP system and then review the pre-clinical and clinical evidence on the use of cGMP enhancers in Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapy. Although preclinical data demonstrates the beneficial effects of cGMP on cognitive deficits in AD animal models, the results of the clinical studies carried out to date are not conclusive. More trials with a dose-finding design on selected AD patient's cohorts, possibly investigating also combination therapies, are still needed to evaluate the clinical potential of cGMP enhancers.
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Baillie GS, Tejeda GS, Kelly MP. Therapeutic targeting of 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: inhibition and beyond. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2019; 18:770-796. [PMID: 31388135 PMCID: PMC6773486 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0033-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that degrade 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides, are being pursued as therapeutic targets for several diseases, including those affecting the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, fertility, immunity, cancer and metabolism. Clinical development programmes have focused exclusively on catalytic inhibition, which continues to be a strong focus of ongoing drug discovery efforts. However, emerging evidence supports novel strategies to therapeutically target PDE function, including enhancing catalytic activity, normalizing altered compartmentalization and modulating post-translational modifications, as well as the potential use of PDEs as disease biomarkers. Importantly, a more refined appreciation of the intramolecular mechanisms regulating PDE function and trafficking is emerging, making these pioneering drug discovery efforts tractable.
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Affiliation(s)
- George S Baillie
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gonzalo S Tejeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michy P Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA.
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Liu L, Xu H, Ding S, Wang D, Song G, Huang X. Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors as novel agents for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res Bull 2019; 153:223-231. [PMID: 31493542 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), characterized by a progressive impairment of memory and cognition, is a major health problem in both developing and developed countries. Currently, no drugs can reverse the progression of AD. Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is a critical component of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate/protein kinase G (cGMP/PKG) signaling pathway in neurons, the inhibition of which has produced neuroprotective effects, and PDE5 inhibitors have recently been thought to be potential therapeutic agents for AD. In this paper, we summarized the outstanding progress that has been made in PDE5 inhibitors as anti-AD agents with encouraging results in animal studies, clinical trials and the investigations on the underlying mechanisms. The novel PDE5 inhibitors reported recently in the treatment of AD were also reviewed and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Huang Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Shumin Ding
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China
| | - Dongyan Wang
- Department of Medicine, Yangzhou Polytechnic College, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, China
| | - Guoqiang Song
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China.
| | - Xianfeng Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Engineering & Life Science, Changzhou University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213164, China.
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Heckman PRA, Blokland A, Bollen EPP, Prickaerts J. Phosphodiesterase inhibition and modulation of corticostriatal and hippocampal circuits: Clinical overview and translational considerations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 87:233-254. [PMID: 29454746 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The corticostriatal and hippocampal circuits contribute to the neurobiological underpinnings of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Based on biological function, these circuits can be clustered into motor circuits, associative/cognitive circuits and limbic circuits. Together, dysfunctions in these circuits produce the wide range of symptoms observed in related neuropsychiatric disorders. Intracellular signaling in these circuits is largely mediated through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway with an additional role for the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/ protein kinase G (PKG) pathway, both of which can be regulated by phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE inhibitors). Through their effects on cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Dopamine- and cAMP-Regulated PhosphoProtein MR 32 kDa (DARPP-32), cyclic nucleotide pathways are involved in synaptic transmission, neuron excitability, neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. In this clinical review, we provide an overview of the current clinical status, discuss the general mechanism of action of PDE inhibitors in relation to the corticostriatal and hippocampal circuits and consider several translational challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R A Heckman
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - A Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - E P P Bollen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Heckman PRA, Van Duinen MA, Blokland A, Uz T, Prickaerts J, Sambeth A. Acute administration of roflumilast enhances sensory gating in healthy young humans in a randomized trial. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:301-308. [PMID: 29098341 PMCID: PMC5748397 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4770-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sensory gating is a process involved in early information processing which prevents overstimulation of higher cortical areas by filtering sensory information. Research has shown that the process of sensory gating is disrupted in patients suffering from clinical disorders including attention deficit hyper activity disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors have received an increased interest as a tool to improve cognitive performance in both animals and man, including sensory gating. METHODS The current study investigated the effects of the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast in a sensory gating paradigm in 20 healthy young human volunteers (age range 18-30 years). We applied a placebo-controlled randomized cross-over design and tested three doses (100, 300, 1000 μg). RESULTS Results show that roflumilast improves sensory gating in healthy young human volunteers only at the 100-μg dose. The effective dose of 100 μg is five times lower than the clinically approved dose for the treatment of acute exacerbations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). No side-effects, such as nausea and emesis, were observed at this dose. This means roflumilast shows a beneficial effect on gating at a dose that had no adverse effects reported following single-dose administration in the present study. CONCLUSION The PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast has a favorable side-effect profile at a cognitively effective dose and could be considered as a treatment in disorders affected by disrupted sensory gating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim R. A. Heckman
- 0000 0001 0481 6099grid.5012.6Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands ,0000 0001 0481 6099grid.5012.6Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marlies A. Van Duinen
- 0000 0001 0481 6099grid.5012.6Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- 0000 0001 0481 6099grid.5012.6Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tolga Uz
- Experimental Medicine CNS, Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Deerfield, MA USA
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- 0000 0001 0481 6099grid.5012.6Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Sambeth
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Prickaerts J, Heckman PRA, Blokland A. Investigational phosphodiesterase inhibitors in phase I and phase II clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2017; 26:1033-1048. [PMID: 28772081 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2017.1364360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors improve signaling pathways in brain circuits by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and/or cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In the last decade, the first clinical studies investigating selective PDE inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been initiated, based on their positive effects on cognitive processes and neuroprotection in numerous animal studies. Areas covered: This article reviews the clinical studies investigating the pro-cognitive/neuroprotective effects of PDE inhibitors in patients with AD, as well as in age-associated memory impaired elderly and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the prodromal stage of AD. PDE inhibitors will also be discussed with respect to adverse effects including safety and tolerability. Expert opinion: The limited available data of clinical studies with PDE inhibitors tested in different populations of AD patients do not allow the drawing of any concrete conclusion yet. Currently, studies with a PDE3 (cilostazol) or PDE9 inhibitor (BI 409,306) are still ongoing in patients with MCI or AD, respectively. Studies with PDE4 inhibitors (HT-0712, roflumilast and BPN14770) in healthy elderly and elderly with age-associated memory impairments indicate that the optimum dose and/or inhibiting the most relevant PDE isoform hold great promise when tested in the appropriate population of patients with MCI or AD eventually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos Prickaerts
- a Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Pim R A Heckman
- a Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands.,b Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- b Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands
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Heckman PRA, Blokland A, Prickaerts J. From Age-Related Cognitive Decline to Alzheimer's Disease: A Translational Overview of the Potential Role for Phosphodiesterases. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2017; 17:135-168. [PMID: 28956332 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-58811-7_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-Is) are pharmacological compounds enhancing cAMP and/or cGMP signaling. Both these substrates affect neural communication by influencing presynaptic neurotransmitter release and postsynaptic intracellular pathways after neurotransmitter binding to its receptor. Both cAMP and cGMP play an important role in a variety of cellular functions including neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. This chapter provides a translational overview of the effects of different classes of PDE-Is on cognition enhancement in age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The most effective PDE-Is in preclinical models of aging and AD appear to be PDE2-Is, PDE4-Is and PDE5-Is. Clinical studies are relatively sparse and so far PDE1-Is and PDE4-Is showed some promising results. In the future, the demonstration of clinical proof of concept and the generation of isoform selective PDE-Is are the hurdles to overcome in developing safe and efficacious novel PDE-Is for the treatment of age-related cognitive decline and cognitive dysfunction in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim R A Heckman
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, PO Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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An emerging role of cGMP in the treatment of schizophrenia: A review. Schizophr Res 2016; 170:226-31. [PMID: 26706197 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 11/12/2015] [Accepted: 11/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a progressive psychotic disorder with devastating effects on the broad aspects of human emotion, perception, thought, and psychosocial interactions. Although treatment with antipsychotic drugs, the mainstay in the treatment of schizophrenia, the large number of patients with schizophrenia respond poorly to the pharmacological and, the large number of patients with schizophrenia poorly respond to the pharmacological treatment. Although a variety of novel therapeutics have long been tested, to date, no drugs clinically efficacious for schizophrenia are available. The multiple lines of evidence strongly suggest that the modulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is a promising target in promoting the novel therapeutic strategies of schizophrenia beyond the "receptor-dependent" psychopharmacology. cGMP is modulated via regulating its synthesis by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and nitric oxide (NO), which regulate guannylyl cyclase (GC), the enzyme producing cGMP. cGMP is also regulated by phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme hydrolyzing cGMP. In this review, we critically evaluate the therapeutic potential of agents modulating cGMP activity by regulating cGMP synthesis including NMDAR enhancers, NO enhancers, NO inhibitors including minocycline with anti-inflammatory properties and PDE inhibitors in improving the negative, cognitive and positive symptoms of schizophrenia. We also discuss the possible mechanisms by which these agents produce therapeutic effects on schizophrenia including cGMP signaling pathways, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.
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Rivastigmine but not vardenafil reverses cannabis-induced impairment of verbal memory in healthy humans. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2015; 232:343-53. [PMID: 24998257 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3667-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 06/16/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE One of the most often reported cognitive deficits of acute cannabis administration is an impaired recall of previously learned information. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to determine whether cannabis-induced memory impairment in humans is mediated via glutamatergic or cholinergic pathways. METHODS Fifteen occasional cannabis users participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, six-way cross-over study. On separate test days, subjects received combinations of pretreatment (placebo, vardenafil 20 mg or rivastigmine 3 mg) and treatment (placebo or 1,376 mg cannabis/kg body weight). Cognitive tests were administered immediately after inhalation of treatment was finished and included measures of memory (visual verbal learning task, prospective memory test, Sternberg memory test), perceptual-motor control (critical tracking task), attention (divided attention task) and motor impulsivity (stop signal task). RESULTS The results of this study demonstrate that subjects under the influence of cannabis were impaired in all memory tasks, in critical tracking, divided attention and the stop signal task. Pretreatment with rivastigmine attenuated the effect of cannabis on delayed recall and showed a trend towards significance on immediate recall. When cannabis was given in combination with vardenafil, there were no significant interaction effects in any of the tasks. CONCLUSIONS The present data therefore suggest that acetylcholine plays an important role in cannabis-induced memory impairment, whereas similar results for glutamate have not been demonstrated in this study.
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PDE2 and PDE10, but not PDE5, inhibition affect basic auditory information processing in rats. Behav Brain Res 2013; 250:251-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Revised: 05/06/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Reneerkens OAH, Sambeth A, Ramaekers JG, Steinbusch HWM, Blokland A, Prickaerts J. The effects of the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor vardenafil on cognitive performance in healthy adults: a behavioral-electroencephalography study. J Psychopharmacol 2013; 27:600-8. [PMID: 23427190 DOI: 10.1177/0269881113477747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) improve cognitive performance of rodents, but the few human studies investigating their effects did not systematically investigate cognitive effects and the results have been quite contradictory. Therefore, we examined whether the PDE5-I vardenafil improves memory and executive functioning and affect electroencephalography (EEG) in healthy young adults. Participants were selected out of a group of volunteers, based on their performance on a memory screening and they were orally treated with vardenafil (10-20 mg or placebo). Memory and executive functioning were tested while EEG activity was recorded. Additionally, a simple reaction time task and questionnaires addressing various complaints were presented. No prominent effects of vardenafil on cognition were found: participants only made more mistakes on a reaction time task after 20 mg vardenafil. During encoding of words, the P300 was generally smaller after vardenafil treatment. Furthermore, the N400 was larger after vardenafil 10 mg than placebo treatment in a spatial memory task at Fz. Finally, headache and feeling weak were reported more after vardenafil treatment. Vardenafil did not affect cognitive performance of healthy adults and showed only some incidental effects on ERPs. These findings in humans do not corroborate the cognition-enhancing effects of PDE5-Is in healthy animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- O A H Reneerkens
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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