Comparison of DuP 996, with physostigmine, THA and 3,4-DAP on hypoxia-induced amnesia in rats

In Vivo Attenuation of M-Current Suppression Impairs Consolidation of Object Recognition Memory

The M-current is a low voltage-activated potassium current generated by neuronal Kv7 channels. A prominent role of the M-current is to a create transient increase of neuronal excitability in response to neurotransmitters through the suppression of this current. Accordingly, M-current suppression is assumed to be involved in higher brain functions including learning and memory. However, there is little evidence supporting such a role to date. To address this gap, we examined behavioral tasks to assess learning and memory in homozygous Kv7.2 knock-in mice, Kv7.2(S559A), which show reduced M-current suppression while maintaining a normal basal M-current activity in neurons. We found that Kv7.2(S559A) mice had normal object location memory and contextual fear memory, but impaired long-term object recognition memory. Furthermore, short-term memory for object recognition was intact in Kv7.2(S559A) mice. The deficit in long-term object recognition memory was restored by the administration of a selective Kv7 channel inhibitor, XE991, when delivered during the memory consolidation phase. Lastly, c-Fos induction 2 h after training in Kv7.2(S559A) mice was normal in the hippocampus, which corresponds to intact object location memory, but was reduced in the perirhinal cortex, which corresponds to impaired long-term object recognition memory. Together, these results support the overall conclusion that M-current suppression is important for memory consolidation of specific types of memories.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Dynamic regulation of neuronal excitation is a fundamental mechanism for information processing in the brain, which is mediated by changes in synaptic transmissions or by changes in ion channel activity. Some neurotransmitters can facilitate action potential firing by suppression of a low voltage-activated potassium current, M-current. We demonstrate that M-current suppression is critical for establishment of long-term object recognition memory, but is not required for establishment of hippocampus-dependent location memory or contextual memory. This study suggests that M-current suppression is important for stable encoding of specific types of memories.

Effects of 4-aminopyridine on classical conditioning of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) nictitating membrane response

A large body of data suggests that potassium channels may play an important role in learning and memory. Previous in-vitro research in a number of species including Hermissenda and the rabbit suggests that a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient potassium channel may be involved in classical conditioning. We investigated the effects of in-vivo 4-aminopyridine administration (0.5 mg/kg) on classical conditioning of the rabbit nictitating membrane response using a battery of tests designed to assess the associative, sensory, and motor contributors of 4-aminopyridine to responding. 4-Aminopyridine enhanced both classical conditioning and conditioning-specific reflex modification compared with a saline vehicle control, and these effects had several nonassociative components including an increase in the frequency of responding to both the conditioned and the unconditioned stimuli, suggesting a sensitizing effect of the drug. Although 4-aminopyridine can have peripheral effects, it may also modify cerebellar excitability or hippocampal neurotransmitter balance resulting in heightened responsiveness to stimulation.

Effects of cholinesterase inhibitors on a two-component chained schedule performance in rats

The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors physostigmine (PHY), tacrine (THA), and heptylphysostigmine (HEP) have been evaluated as potential therapeutics for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and as prophylactics against organophosphate (OP) poisoning. The above medical applications are based upon the neurochemical principles of elevation of transient levels of acetylcholine (ACh) in brain and reversible inhibition of AChE in blood and brain, respectively. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of these drugs on performance of a two-component chained schedule of differential-reinforcement-of-high-rate (DRH) reward/differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) nonreward contingencies, for water reinforcement in 2-h experimental sessions in rats. Both PHY (0.031-0.25 mg/kg, SC) and HEP (0.625-10.0 mg/kg, SC) decreased overall reinforcement rate and nonreinforced response in a dose-related and parallel manner, whereas THA (0.625-5.0 mg/kg) decreased the overall reinforcement rate in a dose-related manner, but did not significantly affect nonreinforced response. The least significant doses of PHY (0.625 mg/kg), THA (1.25 mg/kg), and HEP (1. 25 mg/kg) on the behavioral performance were associated with oral movements and/or muscle fasciculation. Moderate to high doses of these drugs (i.e., PHY >/= 0.624, THA >/= 1.25, and HEP >/= 1.25 mg/kg) produced behavioral suppression, which resulted mostly from the cessation of responding in the presence of cholinergic adverse events. The ED(50) values of the behavioral disruption (as documented by overall reinforcer loss) for PHY, THA, and HEP were 0. 081, 3.87, and 2.89 mg/kg, respectively, and the behavioral-deficit-free (BDF) doses were 0.031, 0.625, and 0.625 mg/kg, respectively. Preclinical data revealed that the BDF doses of both PHY and HEP have moderate inhibition of AChE, which leads to an efficacious elevation of ACh level in the brain, whereas the BDF dose of THA shows no significant AChE inhibition or elevation of brain ACh level; however, they all have cognition enhancing effects at their respective safety doses. The above data suggest that the BDF doses of PHY and HEP may have prophylactic efficacy against OP poisoning, whereas THA may not. The BDF doses of these three drugs are comparable to the maximum tolerated doses in clinical practice, suggesting that the present rat model may have potential value in predicting the clinical safety of AChE inhibitors developed for therapy of AD and prophylaxis against OP poisoning as well.

Motor dysfunction produced by tacrine administration in rats

In the present study, three experiments were conducted to provide a characterization of some of the motor effects of the anticholinesterase tacrine (1.25-5.0 mg/kg I.P.) in rats. In the first experiment, tacrine was found to produce tremulous jaw movements in the dose range of 1.25-5.0 mg/kg. The second experiment examined the effects of tacrine on locomotion, and it was demonstrated that tacrine produced a dose-related suppression of open-field motor activity. In the third experiment, the effects of tacrine were assessed using operant conditioning procedures. Behavioral output during lever pressing on a fixed ratio 5 schedule was recorded by a computerized system that measured response initiation time (time from offset of one response to onset of the next) and duration for each lever press. Tacrine administration substantially depressed lever pressing response rate. This deficit was largely due to a substantial increase in the average response initiation time. Analysis of the distribution of response initiation times indicated that tacrine-treated rats made relatively few responses with fast initiation times (e.g., 0-125 ms), and also that tacrine led to a dramatic increase in the number of pauses in responding (i.e., response initiation times greater than 2.5 s). Tacrine-treated rats showed a slight increase in the average initiation time for fast responses (i.e., a slight decrease in the local rate of responding), and also showed a substantial increase in the average length of pauses greater than 2.5 s. Analysis of response durations indicated that there was an overall increase in average response duration among animals that received the higher doses of tacrine. Although tacrine-induced decreases in the local rate of responding and increases in response duration contribute to the overall deficit, the major reason why tacrine-treated animals responded less was because they took much longer breaks in responding. It is possible that the tacrine-induced increases in pausing reflect a drug-induced akinesia. Thus, the present experiments indicate that tacrine impairs several aspects of motor function in the dose range tested. In view of the fact that tremor and motor slowing are classic symptoms of Parkinsonism, the present results in rats are consistent with the human literature indicating that tacrine (Cognex) can produce Parkinsonian side effects. Studies of the motor dysfunctions produced by tacrine in rats could be useful for investigating the motor side effects of tacrine in humans.

A randomized, controlled trial of linopirdine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVES

We tested the efficacy and safety of linopirdine, a novel phenylindolinone, in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, placebo-controlled trial of linopirdine (30 mg three times per day or placebo). Patients (n = 382, 55% male, 98% Caucasian, age range 51-95 years) with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease, of whom 375 received at least one treatment dose were analysed. There were no important differences between the groups at baseline.

RESULTS

No difference was seen in Clinical Global Impression scores between patients receiving placebo and those receiving linopirdine (n = 189). Small differences in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) scores were seen throughout the study favouring linopirdine; at 6 months the ADAS-Cog scores were 20.2 (linopirdine) and 22.1 (placebo) p = 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial did not detect clinically meaningful differences in patients receiving linopirdine for 6 months, despite evidence of a small degree of improved cognitive function. Further studies may benefit from more sensitive tests of treatment effects in Alzheimer's disease.

Species differences in [3H]linopirdine (DuP 996) binding to brain membranes

Binding of [3H]linopirdine was evaluated in membranes prepared from rat, mouse, calf, pig, and human brain tissue. Saturation and homologous competition experiments with freshly prepared and subsequently frozen brain membranes of young adult rats yielded biphasic binding curves. Analysing binding data with two-site models confirmed the existence of specific, high-affinity binding sites for [3H]linopirdine with a Kd value of 7.8 +/- 3.5 nM and revealed that another site with micromolar affinity for the radioligand may exist. Almost identical data were obtained with mouse brain membranes. However, high-affinity binding of [3H]linopirdine could not be detected in cerebral cortical membranes from calf, pig or an aged human subject, respectively. In these tissues [3H]linopirdine bound only with moderate affinity (Kd about 200 nM). In subsequent experiments using brain membranes either freshly prepared from aged (25-month-old) rats or prepared from young adult (3-month-old) rats after a post-mortem delay of up to 15 h, it could be excluded that the factors age or post-mortem delay were responsible for the lack of high-affinity [3H]linopirdine binding sites in calf, pig or human brain. It is concluded that [3H]linopirdine binding data obtained from rodent studies, and consequently physiological drug effects mediated by this drug target, cannot be readily extrapolated to other species including man.

Linopirdine does not improve matching performance in the titrating matching-to-sample paradigm

Linopirdine (DUP 996), a proposed cognitive enhancing agent, was studied in four squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) and six White Carneau pigeons responding under a titrating matching-to-sample paradigm (TMTS). Briefly, under this titration schedule, each trial began with the presentation of a sample stimulus on the center key of a three-key pigeon or squirrel monkey chamber. Completion of a fixed-ratio on the center key resulted in the termination of the stimulus presentation and the initiation of a delay period. The length of the delay changed as a function of the subject's performance. During the first five trials of each session, the delay was fixed at 3 s in length. On the sixth and all subsequent trials, the length of the delay increased, did not change, or decreased such that accuracy was maintained at approximately 80%. Following the delay, two of the three response keys were transilluminated with different colored lights. A single response on the key transilluminated with the same stimulus as the sample stimulus resulted in the presentation of food. A response on the key transilluminated with the stimulus that did not match the sample stimulus resulted in a timeout. Linopridine was administered in the pigeon (0.001-5.6 mg/kg) and squirrel monkey (0.01-1.0 mg/kg) 15 min before testing. Matching performance was not affected as measured by changes in mean delay values or percent accuracy even at doses that decreased rate of responding. These results suggest that the enhancement in cognitive function previously reported after administration of linopiridine may be limited to specific situations.

Linopirdine (DuP 996) improves performance in several tests of learning and memory by modulation of cholinergic neurotransmission

The actions of linopirdine (DuP 996; 3,3-bis[4-pyrindinylmethyl]-1-phenylindolin-2-one) were evaluated in rats and mice in several cognitive behavioral tests, and for its effects on hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) overflow in rats. Using mice treated with the muscarinic receptor antagonist, scopolamine, we studied the effects of linopirdine on retention of a passive avoidance task. Linopirdine (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) ameliorated the scopolamine-induced deficit, but at doses ranging from 0.01-1 mg/kg, it did not affect passive avoidance retention in normal (untreated) mice. In a scopolamine-induced hyperactivity test, linopirdine (1 mg/kg) decreased the motoric stimulation associated with the cholinergic hypofunction, without affecting locomotor activity on its own. Using rats, we studied the effects of linopirdine on performance in the Morris water maze spatial memory task. Young rats treated with atropine (30 mg/kg), a muscarinic receptor antagonist, took significantly longer to locate the submerged platform across 12 trials. Linopirdine (0.01 and 0.1, but not 1 mg/kg) ameliorated the atropine deficit. In addition, linopirdine (0.1 mg/kg) ameliorated the deficit in cognition-impaired aged rats (23-24 mo), but did not affect unimpaired aged rats. In terms of neurochemical action, linopirdine (1, 10, and 100 microM) produced a concentration-dependent increase in K(+)-evoked ACh overflow from superfused rat hippocampal slices. Also, linopirdine (10 microM) similarly increased ACh release in young control rats and cognition-impaired and nonimpaired aged rats. Our results confirm and extend findings from other studies that demonstrate the cognition-enhancing action of linopirdine in rodent models.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Tacrine. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic efficacy in Alzheimer's disease

Tacrine is a centrally acting cholinesterase inhibitor with additional pharmacological activity on monoamine levels and ion channels. It has been postulated that some or all of these additional properties may also be relevant to the mode of action of the drug. There are wide interindividual variations in pharmacological and clinical response to tacrine, possibly related to interindividual variation in bioavailability. Tacrine appears to improve cognitive function and behavioural deficits in a proportion of patients with Alzheimer's disease, at dosages of 80 to 160 mg/day. In the best designed trials, 30 to 51% of evaluable patients showed an improvement of at least 4 points on the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, versus 16 to 25% of placebo recipients. A similar proportion of tacrine recipients were judged to have improved when global assessment scales were used. There was a significant dose-response relationship up to 160 mg/day. However, large numbers of patients were withdrawn during the trials, many because of tacrine-associated increases in transaminase levels. Elevated liver enzyme levels occurred in about 50% of tacrine recipients (reaching clinical significance in about 25%). Cholinergic symptoms also occurred more often in tacrine recipients than in those receiving placebo. A gradual increase in tacrine dosage, at 6-week intervals, is recommended when initiating therapy, and weekly serum transaminase monitoring is required for 6 weeks after each dosage increase. Despite the limitations implied by the low proportion of responders and high incidence of hepatic adverse effects associated with therapy, tacrine appears to make a measurable difference in both cognitive and behavioural function in a proportion of patients with Alzheimer's disease--a welcome advance in an area previously devoid of acceptable treatment options.

Effects of a novel compound MCI-225 on impaired learning and memory in rats

Effects of MCI-225, [4-(2-fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-2-(1-piperazinyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine monohydrate hydrochloride] on experimental amnesia were studied in rats and compared with those of THA [9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine]. In the Morris-type water maze task, MCI-225 (1-10 mg/kg, PO) reduced the spatial learning impairment induced by scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, IP). In a passive avoidance (PA) task, administration of MCI-225 prior to training (1-30 mg/kg, PO) lessened the carbon dioxide (CO2)-induced amnesia in a dose-dependent manner. MCI-225 (1-100 mg/kg) did not affect gross behavior. THA (0.1-3 mg/kg, PO) reduced scopolamine-induced learning deficits in the water maze task, but the effect was not significant. THA (0.3-3 mg/kg, PO) also ameliorated the CO2-induced amnesia, although slightly, in the PA task. THA (10 mg/kg, PO) increased locomotor activity and higher dose of THA (30 mg/kg, PO) induced tremor, hypersalivation, and muscle relaxation. These results suggest that MCI-225 lessens impairments in learning and memory without causing serious behavioral abnormalities.

MKC-231, a choline uptake enhancer, ameliorates working memory deficits and decreased hippocampal acetylcholine induced by ethylcholine aziridinium ion in mice

The effects of acute and chronic administration of MKC-231, a new choline uptake enhancer, and two other nootropic agents, linopiridine (Dup 996) and tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA) on working memory deficits and decreased hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) content were studied in a delayed non-matching to sample task, using a T-maze, in ethylcholine aziridinium ion (AF64A)-treated mice. Treatment with AF64A (3.5 nmol, i.c.v.) produced memory deficits and decreased hippocampal ACh content. In acute behavioral experiments, MKC-231 and THA had no significant effect on AF64A-induced memory deficits at any doses tested (0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg), whereas Dup 996, at a dose of 1.0 mg/kg, significantly improved memory deficits. In chronic experiments, MKC-231 improved memory deficit at all doses tested (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 mg/kg p.o., once daily for 11 days) and Dup 996 did so only at a dose of 3.0 mg/kg, whereas THA did not improve memory deficit at any doses tested. In acute neurochemical experiments, MKC-231 and THA did not reverse the AF64A-induced hippocampal ACh depletion. Dup 996, however, further decreased hippocampal ACh content compared to that in the AF64A-treated group. In chronic experiments, MKC-231 significantly reversed hippocampal ACh depletion at doses of 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg, whereas neither Dup 996 nor THA reversed hippocampal ACh depletion at any doses tested. These results indicate that MKC-231 improved the AF64A-induced working memory deficit and hippocampal ACh depletion, probably by recovering reduced high-affinity choline uptake and ACh release.

Antiamnesic and cholinomimetic side-effects of the cholinesterase inhibitors, physostigmine, tacrine and NIK-247 in rats

The effects of physostigmine, tacrine and NIK-247 on scopolamine-induced impairment of a passive avoidance response were examined in rats. In addition, we investigated possible peripheral side-effects: miosis and salivation, and central side-effects: hypothermia and tremor which are mediated by cholinergic activation. Intraperitoneal injection of physostigmine reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia at a dose of 0.03 mg/kg. Antiamnesic effects of oral administration of tacrine and NIK-247 were observed at doses of 0.3 and 0.1-0.3 mg/kg, respectively. Intraperitoneal injection of physostigmine induced miosis, salivation, hypothermia and tremor at doses > or = 0.1, 0.3, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg, respectively. Oral administration of tacrine (at doses > or = 0.3 mg/kg) and NIK-247 (at doses > or = 3 mg/kg) produced miosis. Tacrine (at doses > or = 1 mg/kg) and NIK-247 (at doses > or = 3 mg/kg) produced hypersalivation. Hypothermia and tremor were observed after administration of tacrine (at doses > or = 10 mg/kg) and NIK-247 (30 mg/kg). The antiamnesic dose of physostigmine was 1/30-1/3 of doses with central or peripheral side-effects. The dose ratio of tacrine was 1/30-1; that of NIK-247 was 1/300-1/10. These results indicate that NIK-247 has higher safety and greater selectivity for cognitive functions than physostigmine or tacrine.

Effects of the memory enhancer linopirdine (Dup 996) on cerebral glucose metabolism in naive and hypoxia-exposed rats

Linopirdine [DuP 996; 3,3-bis(4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one] represents a novel class of compounds which enhance depolarization-activated (but not basal) release of acetylcholine, dopamine and serotonin in brain slices and improve learning and memory in rodents. The effects of linopiridine on local cerebral glucose metabolism were studied by the quantitative autoradiographic 2-deoxy-D-[1-14C]glucose method. Linopirdine administration in naive rats (0.01, 0.1, or 1.0 mg/kg, s.c.) did not significantly alter cerebral glucose metabolism in any of the regions analyzed. Since linopirdine protects against hypoxia-induced passive avoidance deficits in rats, we also examined the effects of linopirdine on cerebral metabolism after the rats were exposed to 30 min of hypoxia. Glucose metabolism was not significantly altered after hypoxic exposure, except for a small increase in some brain regions. Linopirdine administered after hypoxia decreased glucose metabolism in the hippocampus, limbic cortex, ventral hippocampal commissure, medial septum, striatum, subthalamic nucleus, zona incerta, lateral habenula, cerebral cortex, cerebellar vermis and a few thalamic nuclei. Statistically significant effects of linopirdine on glucose metabolism were observed in 22 of 56 brain regions sampled. In hypoxia-exposed rats, linopirdine altered glucose metabolism in brain regions that are implicated in learning and memory and are affected in Alzheimer's disease. Several of the affected regions are associated with the cholinergic system and may play a role in the cognitive enhancing properties of linopirdine.

Linopirdine (DuP996) facilitates the retention of avoidance training and improves performance of septal-lesioned rats in the water maze

The behavioral effects of 3,3-bis(4-pyridinylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one [linopirdine (DuP996)] were investigated on retention of the inhibitory avoidance test in normal mice and acquisition of spatial discrimination in the two-platform water maze task in septal-lesioned rats (a model of cholinergic dysfunction characteristic of Alzheimer's disease). Linopirdine significantly enhanced retention of the inhibitory avoidance response in mice (0.026 mumol/kg) and also reduced the number of errors made by septal-lesioned rats in the water maze to a level comparable to sham-operated animals. At this dose, no effects were observed on septal-lesion-induced hyperactivity in an open field or in unoperated rats tested in the elevated plus-maze anxiolytic test. This study extends previous findings of facilitatory effects of linopirdine on memory and demonstrates improved spatial learning in septal-lesioned rats. As the facilitatory effects on memory are not accompanied by a reduction in the hyperactive state present in septal-lesioned animals, a dissociation between cognitive and noncognitive effects of linopirdine can be differentiated in septal-lesioned rats.

Effects of combined acetylcholinesterase inhibition and serotonergic receptor blockade on age-associated memory impairments in rats

We recently reported that post-training administration of serotonergic receptor antagonists attenuated the inhibitory-avoidance memory deficits normally exhibited by aged rats. In the present study, we determined whether a subeffective dose of the serotonergic type-2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, would augment the facilitative effects produced by the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine, on memory in aged rats using the same task. The drugs were injected intraperitoneally alone, or in combination, immediately following training. Retention testing occurred 24 hours following training. A dose-dependent enhancement of memory was demonstrated as a result of the two treatment conditions (physostigmine 0.01-10.0 micrograms/kg, ketanserin 1.0 mg/kg + physostigmine 0.001-0.01 micrograms/kg). The facilitation of memory produced by the combined treatment was observed at doses well below those required to produce a similar effect when each drug was administered alone. The results provide additional evidence for an interaction between the cholinergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter systems in learning and memory, and may have important implications in the treatment of age-related memory impairments.

[3H]Linopirdine (DuP 996) labels a novel binding site in rat brain involved in the enhancement of stimulus-induced neurotransmitter release: autoradiographic localization studies

A novel high-affinity binding site for linopirdine (DuP 996; 3,3-bis(4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one), a cognitive enhancer which improves learning and memory in rodents and primates, has recently been identified in rat brain homogenates. [3H]Linopirdine binding sites were localized in rat brain using in vitro labeling, light microscopic autoradiography. Highest densities of binding sites were present in the hippocampus (CA1 to CA3 pyramidal cell layers and the granule cells of the dentate gyrus), the cerebral cortex (lamina IV), the dorsal raphe nucleus and the interpeduncular nucleus. Moderate densities were present in the olfactory bulb, olfactory tubercle, amygdala, subiculum and medial habenular nucleus. Lower levels of binding were present in the caudate/putamen, thalamus and hypothalamus. The localization of [3H]linopirdine binding sites in brain areas implicated in cognitive processes and affected in Alzheimer's disease suggest that ligands for this binding site may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of cognitive deficits seen in dementia.

Effects of NIK-247 on CO-induced impairment of passive avoidance in mice

The effect of NIK-247 on carbon monoxide (CO)-induced amnesia were investigated. A step-down type passive avoidance task with mice was used to compare the effects of NIK-247 with those of tacrine. Two types of CO-induced amnesia model, acute and delayed models, were used. The acute amnesia model was developed using mice exposed to CO before memory consolidation, just after training, and a retention test carried out 24 h after training. The delayed amnesia model was prepared 7 days after CO exposure even when the animals were exposed to CO 4 h after training, after memory had consolidated. NIK-247 administered post-training at 0.03-0.3 and 3 mg/kg or pre-retention test (24 h after training) at 0.3 and 10 mg/kg attenuated the acute amnesia. In addition, NIK-247 (0.03, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg/kg) and tacrine (0.03, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg) administered before the retention test (7 days after CO exposure) improved retrieval in the delayed amnesia model. Tacrine (0.01-0.3 and 3 mg/kg), administered post-training, attenuated the acute amnesia but pre-retention test administration did not. The dose-response curves for NIK-247 and tacrine were biphasic bell-shaped. These results indicated that NIK-247 has an improving effect on hypoxia-induced acute and delayed cognitive dysfunction, and suggest that NIK-247 has promise as a nootropic drug for therapy of memory deficits in patients with cerebrovascular-type dementing disorders.

Non-peptide angiotensin II receptor antagonist and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor: effect on a renin-induced deficit of a passive avoidance response in rats

Non-peptide receptor ligands with differential affinity for the angiotensin II-1 (AII-1) receptor (EXP3312, EXP3880) or the AII-2 receptor (PD123177) and an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor captopril were evaluated for the ability to protect against a renin-induced performance deficit in a passive avoidance (PA) task in rats. The ability to retain a PA response was shown to decrease as the dose of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered renin increased with maximal retention deficits occurring at 1.0 micrograms/5 microliters i.c.v. EXP3312 (1-100 micrograms/5 microliters i.c.v.) and EXP3880 (1-100 micrograms/5 microliters i.c.v.) produced dose-dependent increases in retention latencies when co-administered with renin. The peak effect dose (PED) for EXP3312 and EXP3880 was 3 and 30 micrograms i.c.v., respectively. In contrast, PD123177 was not effective in preventing the renin-induced decrease in retention across a broad range of doses (0.1-100 micrograms/5 microliters i.c.v.). Captopril (1-100 micrograms/5 microliters i.c.v.) also prevented the renin-induced performance deficit with a PED of 30 micrograms/5 microliters i.c.v. These results suggest that renin given i.c.v. produces a deficit in performance of a PA response in rats and that this effect can be attenuated by an ACE inhibitor, AII-1 receptor ligands, but not AII-2 receptor blocker.

Visual recognition memory in squirrel monkeys: effects of serotonin antagonists on baseline and hypoxia-induced performance deficits

Cognitive deficits resulting from neuropathological brain changes such as Alzheimer's Disease or normal aging are most likely due to alterations in multiple neurotransmitter systems. While the majority of preclinical studies have focused on the effects of acetylcholine (ACh), it has been shown that activation of the serotonergic (5-HT) pathways in the central nervous system interferes with passive avoidance retention in rats. In contrast, decreased 5-HT activity has been shown to improve learning and memory in rats using similar procedures. In the present experiment, 5-HT antagonists were evaluated for their effects on performance in a delayed match to sample task (DMTS) in two groups of squirrel monkeys: one in which the baseline level of performance was low (less than 65% correct, N = 5; group 1) and another in which DMTS performance was high (greater than 80% correct, N = 3; group 2) but impaired by exposure to hypoxia. Initial parametric tests exposing group 2 to various levels of oxygen deprivation were conducted to determine optimal conditions for performance deficits. Each monkey in both normoxia (group 1) and hypoxia (group 2) served as his own control and received an individualized range of doses for each test compound. For both groups, ketanserin and mianserin, the 5-HT2-selective antagonists, produced dose-dependent increases in DMTS performance at 0.3-1.5 mg/kg PO and 0.05-1.5 mg/kg PO, respectively. Pirenperone, another 5-HT2-selective antagonist, was active in improving performance in group 1 at 0.001 to 0.2 mg/kg PO but was not effective against hypoxia-induced performance deficits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Protection against hypoxia-induced passive avoidance deficits: interactions between DuP 996 and ketanserin

DuP 996 and ketanserin have previously been shown to protect against experimentally induced passive avoidance (PA) deficits. In the present experiment the potential interaction between DuP 996 and ketanserin on hypoxia-induced amnesia was evaluated. Exposure to hypoxia (6.5% oxygen) produced a reliable deficit in PA retention which was attenuated by posthypoxia treatment with DuP 996 (0.01-0.1 mg/kg SC). Similar effects were found with ketanserin at 1.0 and 3.0 mg/kg SC. Coadministration of ketanserin, at a dose that did not protect against hypoxia (0.3 mg/kg SC), and DuP 996 (at doses of 0.005, 0.1, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg SC) revealed a potentiation of both previously inactive doses of DuP 996 (e.g., 0.005, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg SC) and an increase in the protective effect of previously active doses of DuP 996 (0.01, 0.03, 0.1 mg/kg SC). These results suggest that combined administration of DuP 996, a neurotransmitter release enhancer, with ketanserin, a serotonin (5HT) antagonist, may provide a useful treatment for dementia.