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Kaduk K, Henry T, Guitton J, Meunier M, Thura D, Hadj-Bouziane F. Atomoxetine and reward size equally improve task engagement and perceptual decisions but differently affect movement execution. Neuropharmacology 2023; 241:109736. [PMID: 37774942 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Our ability to engage and perform daily activities relies on balancing the associated benefits and costs. Rewards, as benefits, act as powerful motivators that help us stay focused for longer durations. The noradrenergic (NA) system is thought to play a significant role in optimizing our performance. Yet, the interplay between reward and the NA system in shaping performance remains unclear, particularly when actions are driven by external incentives (reward). To explore this interaction, we tested four female rhesus monkeys performing a sustained Go/NoGo task under two reward sizes (low/high) and three pharmacological conditions (saline and two doses of atomoxetine, a NA reuptake inhibitor: ATX-0.5 mg/kg and ATX-1 mg/kg). We found that increasing either reward or NA levels equally enhanced the animal's engagement in the task compared to low reward saline; the animals also responded faster and more consistently under these circumstances. Notably, we identified differences between reward size and ATX. When combined with ATX, high reward further reduced the occurrence of false alarms (i.e., incorrect go trials on distractors), implying that it helped further suppress impulsive responses. In addition, ATX (but not reward size) consistently increased movement duration dose-dependently, while high reward did not affect movement duration but decreased its variability. We conclude that noradrenaline and reward modulate performance, but their effects are not identical, suggesting differential underlying mechanisms. Reward might energize/invigorate decisions and action, while ATX might help regulate energy expenditure, depending on the context, through the NA system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Kaduk
- University UCBL Lyon 1, F-69000, France; INSERM, U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, ImpAct Team, Lyon, F-69000, France; Decision and Awareness Group, Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen, 37077, Germany.
| | - Tiphaine Henry
- University UCBL Lyon 1, F-69000, France; INSERM, U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, ImpAct Team, Lyon, F-69000, France
| | - Jerome Guitton
- Biochemistry and Pharmacology-Toxicology Laboratory, Lyon-Sud Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, F-69495, Pierre Bénite, France
| | - Martine Meunier
- University UCBL Lyon 1, F-69000, France; INSERM, U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, ImpAct Team, Lyon, F-69000, France
| | - David Thura
- University UCBL Lyon 1, F-69000, France; INSERM, U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, ImpAct Team, Lyon, F-69000, France
| | - Fadila Hadj-Bouziane
- University UCBL Lyon 1, F-69000, France; INSERM, U1028, CNRS UMR5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, ImpAct Team, Lyon, F-69000, France.
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Redding ZV, Sabol KE. Reduced attentional lapses in male rats following a combination treatment of low-dose D-serine and atomoxetine. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:204-215. [PMID: 36648101 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221149652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Goal-directed attention involves the selective processing of behaviorally relevant sensory information. This selective processing is thought to be supported by glutamatergic and noradrenergic systems. Pharmacotherapies that simultaneously target these systems could therefore be effective treatments for impaired attention. AIMS We first tested an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor co-agonist (D-serine) for effects on attention (processing speed and attentional lapses). NMDA receptor activation is thought to support noradrenergic effects on sensory processing; therefore, we tested a combination treatment comprising D-serine and a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (atomoxetine). METHODS D-serine was first tested in rats performing a two-choice visuospatial discrimination task. Combination treatments comprising relatively low doses of D-serine and atomoxetine were then tested in a separate group. RESULTS In experiment 1, D-serine reduced the skew of initiation time (IT) distributions (IT devmode) at the highest dose tested (300 mg/kg). In experiment 2, low-dose D-serine (125 mg/kg) had no effect, while low-dose atomoxetine (0.3 mg/kg) reduced IT devmode and slowed movement speed. Importantly, the combination of these relatively low doses of D-serine and atomoxetine reduced IT devmode more than either drug alone without further slowing movement speed. CONCLUSIONS IT devmode is thought to reflect attentional lapses; therefore, D-serine's effects on IT devmode suggest that NMDA receptors are involved in the preparatory deployment of attention. Greater effects following a combination of D-serine and atomoxetine suggest that preparatory attention can be facilitated by targeting glutamatergic and noradrenergic systems simultaneously. These results could inform the development of improved treatments for individuals with ADHD who experience abnormally high attentional lapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach V Redding
- Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi, University Park, MS, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Karen E Sabol
- Department of Psychology, The University of Mississippi, University Park, MS, USA
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Wang R, Martin CD, Lei AL, Hausknecht KA, Ishiwari K, Oubraim S, Wang AL, Richards JB, Haj-Dahmane S, Shen RY. Moderate prenatal ethanol exposure leads to attention deficits in both male and female rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2021; 45:1122-1135. [PMID: 33730380 DOI: 10.1111/acer.14599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Attention deficits caused by prenatal ethanol (EtOH) exposure (PE) are a prevalent condition in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Importantly, the deficits are observed in individuals with FASD who have normal IQs and show no dysmorphic facial features caused by heavy PE. These observations suggest that even moderate PE could lead to attention deficits. This possibility was investigated in the present study using a rat model. METHODS Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were administered EtOH (3 g/kg/day) or vehicle via intragastric gavage on gestational days 8 to 20. The blood EtOH concentration (BEC) in EtOH-treated rats was 87.7 ± 1.2 mg/dl (1 h after the gavage), similar to the BECs reported in other moderate PE studies in rodents. Moderate PE did not produce teratogenic effects on birthweight or litter size. The adult offspring underwent a 2-choice reaction time task. RESULTS Moderate PE led to augmented action impulsivity in both sexes, indicated by more rapid response initiation and more premature responses. Deficits were more marked in males than in females. No greater lapses of attention, assessed by incorrect or relatively slow responses, were observed in rats of either sex with moderate PE. In addition, no deficits in learning or motor function were detected after moderate PE. Interestingly, rats with moderate PE completed more trials than controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that moderate PE leads to attention deficits in both sexes, which is demonstrated by greater action impulsivity, but not more lapses of attention. This effect differs from that of heavy PE, as shown in our previous study, which is manifested as impaired action impulsivity and lapses of attention in both sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixiang Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Connor D Martin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Anna L Lei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Kathryn A Hausknecht
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Keita Ishiwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Saida Oubraim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - An-Li Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Jerry B Richards
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Samir Haj-Dahmane
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
| | - Roh-Yu Shen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jacob School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA
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Schneider JS, Marshall CA, Keibel L, Snyder NW, Hill MP, Brotchie JM, Johnston TH, Waterhouse BD, Kortagere S. A novel dopamine D3R agonist SK609 with norepinephrine transporter inhibition promotes improvement in cognitive task performance in rodent and non-human primate models of Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 2020; 335:113514. [PMID: 33141071 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment is present in a number of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD). Mild cognitive impairment in PD (PD-MCI) often manifests as deficits in executive functioning, attention, and spatial and working memory. Clinical studies have suggested that the development of mild cognitive impairment may be an early symptom of PD and may even precede the onset of motor impairment by several years. Dysfunction in several neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE), may be involved in PD-MCI, making it difficult to treat pharmacologically. In addition, many agents used to treat motor impairment in PD may exacerbate cognitive impairment. Thus, there is a significant unmet need to develop therapeutics that can treat both motor and cognitive impairments in PD. We have recently developed SK609, a selective, G-protein biased signaling agonist of dopamine D3 receptors. SK609 was successfully used to treat motor impairment and reduce levodopa-induced dyskinesia in a rodent model of PD. Further characterization of SK609 suggested that it is a selective norepinephrine transporter (NET) inhibitor with the ability to increase both DA and NE levels in the prefrontal cortex. Pharmacokinetic analysis of SK609 under systemic administration demonstrated 98% oral bioavailability and high brain distribution in striatum, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. To evaluate the effects of SK609 on cognitive deficits of potential relevance to PD-MCI, we used unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rats and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated cynomolgus macaques, with deficits in performance in a sustained attention and an object retrieval task, respectively. SK609 dose dependently improved the performance of 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, with peak performance achieved using a 4 mg/kg dose. This improvement was predominantly due to a significant reduction in the number of misses and false alarm errors, contributing to an increase in sustained attention. In MPTP-lesioned monkeys, this same dose also improved performance in an object retrieval task, significantly reducing cognitive errors (barrier reaches) and motor errors (fine motor dexterity problems). These data demonstrate that SK609 with its unique pharmacological effects on modulating both DA and NE can ameliorate cognitive impairment in PD models and may provide a therapeutic option to treat both motor and cognitive impairment in PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay S Schneider
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Courtney A Marshall
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Lauren Keibel
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA
| | - Nathaniel W Snyder
- Center for Metabolic Disease Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
| | | | | | | | - Barry D Waterhouse
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA
| | - Sandhya Kortagere
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
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