Intracerebroventricular somatostatin attenuates electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rats

Somatostatin: Linking Cognition and Alzheimer Disease to Therapeutic Targeting

Over 4 decades of research support the link between Alzheimer disease (AD) and somatostatin [somatotropin-releasing inhibitory factor (SRIF)]. SRIF and SRIF-expressing neurons play an essential role in brain function, modulating hippocampal activity and memory formation. Loss of SRIF and SRIF-expressing neurons in the brain rests at the center of a series of interdependent pathological events driven by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ), culminating in cognitive decline and dementia. The connection between the SRIF and AD further extends to the neuropsychiatric symptoms, seizure activity, and inflammation, whereas preclinical AD investigations show SRIF or SRIF receptor agonist administration capable of enhancing cognition. SRIF receptor subtype-4 activation in particular presents unique attributes, with the potential to mitigate learning and memory decline, reduce comorbid symptoms, and enhance enzymatic degradation of Aβ in the brain. Here, we review the links between SRIF and AD along with the therapeutic implications. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Somatostatin and somatostatin-expressing neurons in the brain are extensively involved in cognition. Loss of somatostatin and somatostatin-expressing neurons in Alzheimer disease rests at the center of a series of interdependent pathological events contributing to cognitive decline and dementia. Targeting somatostatin-mediated processes has significant therapeutic potential for the treatment of Alzheimer disease.

Sleep Disturbance and Alzheimer's Disease: The Glial Connection

Poor quality and quantity of sleep are very common in elderly people throughout the world. Growing evidence has suggested that sleep disturbances could accelerate the process of neurodegeneration. Recent reports have shown a positive correlation between sleep deprivation and amyloid-β (Aβ)/tau aggregation in the brain of Alzheimer's patients. Glial cells have long been implicated in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and recent findings have also suggested their role in regulating sleep homeostasis. However, how glial cells control the sleep-wake balance and exactly how disturbed sleep may act as a trigger for Alzheimer's or other neurological disorders have recently gotten attention. In an attempt to connect the dots, the present review has highlighted the role of glia-derived sleep regulatory molecules in AD pathogenesis. Role of glia in sleep disturbance and Alzheimer's progression.

The role of neuropeptide somatostatin in the brain and its application in treating neurological disorders

Somatostatin (SST) is a well-known neuropeptide that is expressed throughout the brain. In the cortex, SST is expressed in a subset of GABAergic neurons and is known as a protein marker of inhibitory interneurons. Recent studies have identified the key functions of SST in modulating cortical circuits in the brain and cognitive function. Furthermore, reduced expression of SST is a hallmark of various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and depression. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on SST expression and function in the brain. In particular, we describe the physiological roles of SST-positive interneurons in the cortex. We further describe the causal relationship between pathophysiological changes in SST function and various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we discuss potential treatments and possibility of novel drug developments for neurological disorders based on the current knowledge on the function of SST and SST analogs in the brain derived from experimental and clinical studies.

Neuropeptides in learning and memory

Dementia conditions and memory deficits of different origins (vascular, metabolic and primary neurodegenerative such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases) are getting more common and greater clinical problems recently in the aging population. Since the presently available cognitive enhancers have very limited therapeutical applications, there is an emerging need to elucidate the complex pathophysiological mechanisms, identify key mediators and novel targets for future drug development. Neuropeptides are widely distributed in brain regions responsible for learning and memory processes with special emphasis on the hippocampus, amygdala and the basal forebrain. They form networks with each other, and also have complex interactions with the cholinergic, glutamatergic, dopaminergic and GABA-ergic pathways. This review summarizes the extensive experimental data in the well-established rat and mouse models, as well as the few clinical results regarding the expression and the roles of the tachykinin system, somatostatin and the closely related cortistatin, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate-cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), opioid peptides and galanin. Furthermore, the main receptorial targets, mechanisms and interactions are described in order to highlight the possible therapeutical potentials. Agents not only symptomatically improving the functional impairments, but also inhibiting the progression of the neurodegenerative processes would be breakthroughs in this area. The most promising mechanisms determined at the level of exploratory investigations in animal models of cognitive disfunctions are somatostatin sst4, NPY Y2, PACAP-VIP VPAC1, tachykinin NK3 and galanin GALR2 receptor agonisms, as well as delta opioid receptor antagonism. Potent and selective non-peptide ligands with good CNS penetration are needed for further characterization of these molecular pathways to complete the preclinical studies and decide if any of the above described targets could be appropriate for clinical investigations.

Somatostatinergic systems: an update on brain functions in normal and pathological aging

Somatostatin is highly expressed in mammalian brain and is involved in many brain functions such as motor activity, sleep, sensory, and cognitive processes. Five somatostatin receptors have been described: sst(1), sst(2) (A and B), sst(3), sst(4), and sst(5), all belonging to the G-protein-coupled receptor family. During the recent years, numerous studies contributed to clarify the role of somatostatin systems, especially long-range somatostatinergic interneurons, in several functions they have been previously involved in. New advances have also been made on the alterations of somatostatinergic systems in several brain diseases and on the potential therapeutic target they represent in these pathologies.

Hippocampal SSTR4 somatostatin receptors control the selection of memory strategies

RATIONALE

Somatostatin (SS14) has been implicated in various cognitive disorders, and converging evidence from animal studies suggests that SS14 neurons differentially regulate hippocampal- and striatal-dependent memory formation. Four SS14 receptor subtypes (SSTR1-4) are expressed in the hippocampus, but their respective roles in memory processes remain to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

In the present study, effects of selective SSTR1-4 agonists on memory formation were assessed in a water-maze task which can engage either hippocampus-dependent "place" and/or striatum-dependent "cue" memory formation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mice received an intrahippocampal injection of one of each of the selective agonists and were then trained to locate an escape platform based on either distal cues (place memory) or a visible proximal cue (cue memory). Retention was tested 24 h later on probe trials aimed at identifying which memory strategy was preferentially retained.

RESULTS

Both SS14 and the SSTR4 agonist (L-803,087) dramatically impaired place memory formation in a dose-dependent manner, whereas SSTR1 (L-797,591), SSTR2 (L-779,976), or SSTR3 (L-796,778) agonists did not yield any behavioral effects. However, unlike SS14, the SSTR4 agonist also dose-dependently enhanced cue-based memory formation. This effect was confirmed in another striatal-dependent memory task, the bar-pressing task, where L-803,087 improved memory of the instrumental response, whereas SS14 was once again ineffective.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that hippocampal SSTR4 are selectively involved in the selection of memory strategies by switching from the use of hippocampus-based multiple associations to the use of simple dorsal striatum-based behavioral responses. Possible neural mechanisms and functional implications are discussed.

Role of the somatostatin system in contextual fear memory and hippocampal synaptic plasticity

Somatostatin has been implicated in various cognitive and emotional functions, but its precise role is still poorly understood. Here, we have made use of mice with somatostatin deficiency, based upon genetic invalidation or pharmacologically induced depletion, and Pavlovian fear conditioning in order to address the contribution of the somatostatin system to associative fear memory. The results demonstrate an impairment of foreground and background contextual but not tone fear conditioning in mice with targeted ablation of the somatostatin gene. These deficits were associated with a decrease in long-term potentiation in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. Both the behavioral and the electrophysiological phenotypes were mimicked in wild-type mice through application of the somatostatin-depleting substance cysteamine prior to fear training, whereas no further deficits were observed upon application in the somatostatin null mutants. These results suggest that the somatostatin system plays a critical role in the acquisition of contextual fear memory, but not tone fear learning, and further highlights the role of hippocampal synaptic plasticity for information processing concerning contextual information.

FK962, a novel enhancer of somatostatin release, exerts cognitive-enhancing actions in rats

FK962 (N-(1-acetylpiperidin-4-yl)-4-fluorobenzamide) is a derivative of FK960 (N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate), with putative anti-dementia properties. Here, we wanted to determine whether FK962 retained the ability of the parent compound to both facilitate somatostatinergic nerve activity in hippocampal neurons and to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction in rat models. FK962 (10(-9) - 10(- 6) M) significantly enhanced high K+-evoked somatostatin release from rat hippocampal slices. FK962 also significantly reduced somatostatin-induced inhibition of Ca2+ channels at 10(-9) - 10(-7) M in single rat hippocampal neurons using whole-cell patch-clamp. Furthermore, administration of FK962 (0.032-3.2 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly ameliorated memory deficits in passive avoidance task in animal models: scopolamine-treated rats, nucleus basalis magnocellularis-lesioned rats and aged rats. FK962 (0.01- 1) mg/kg, i.p.) significantly improved spatial memory deficits induced by nucleus basalis magnocellularis-lesion in water maze task. These results suggest that FK962 ameliorates cognitive impairment in rats via activation of the somatostatinergic nervous system in the hippocampus, indicating that FK962 could be a potent cognitive enhancer and therefore might be of therapeutic value for cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

Somatostatin and Alzheimer's disease

One of the most consistent neurochemical deficits in Alzheimer's disease is a reduction in cortical somatostatin concentrations. The probability of a predominant regulatory change is heightened by the finding that 90% of somatostatin positive nonpyramidal neurons are also positive for NADPH, and NADPH neurons are 'protected' in Alzheimer's disease and do not appear to be lost. The first evidence that somatostatin influences learning and memory processes in experimental animals was published more than a decade ago. These reports of somatostatin effects on cognitive functions in rats were later confirmed by several other studies. The somatostatin depleting substance cysteamine inhibited the learning and memory performance of rats in active and passive avoidance behavior tests. Post-mortem human studies suggest that although somatostatin concentration is reduced, the somatostatin receptors are less affected in the brain in Alzheimer's disease. These findings may be of importance for possible therapeutic approaches using somatostatin-receptor-influencing compounds.

Specific changes of somatostatin mRNA expression in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of diabetic rats

Abstract Most current studies of diabetic encephalopathy have focused on brain blood flow and metabolism, but there has been little research on the influence of diabetes on brain tissue and the causes of chronic diabetic encephalopathy. The technique of molecular biology makes it possible to explore the mechanism of chronic diabetic encephalopathy by testing the distribution of somatostatin in the brain. We have therefore analysed, by in situ hybridization histochemistry, the changes in somatostatin (SST) mRNA in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats made diabetic by the injection of streptozotocin. Ten Sprague-Dawley control rats were compared with ten streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The weight, blood glucose and urine glucose did not differ between the two groups before the injection of streptozotocin. Four weeks after the injection of streptozotocin the weight, blood glucose and urine glucose of the diabetic rats were, respectively, 199.1 +/- 15.6 g, 23.7 +/- 3.25 mmol L(-1) and (++) to (+++) whereas those of the control group were 265.5 +/- 30.3 g, 4.84 +/- 0.63 mmol L(-1) and (-). Somatostatin mRNA was reduced in the diabetic rats. The number of SST mRNA-positive neurons and the optical density of positive cells in the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the diabetic rats were 80.6 +/- 17.5 mm(-2) and 76.5 +/- 17.6 compared with 150.5 +/- 21.1 mm(-2) and 115.1 +/- 18.5 in the control rats. The induction of diabetes is thus associated with a decreased expression of SST mRNA in the hippocampus and frontal cortex, which might be an important component of chronic diabetic encephalopathy.

Effects of peptides on animal and human behavior: a review of studies published in the first twenty years of the journal Peptides

This review catalogs effects of peptides on various aspects of animal and human behavior as published in the journal Peptides in its first twenty years. Topics covered include: activity levels, addiction behavior, ingestive behaviors, learning and memory-based behaviors, nociceptive behaviors, social and sexual behavior, and stereotyped and other behaviors. There are separate tables for these behaviors and a short introduction for each section.

FK960, a novel potential anti-dementia drug, enhances high K(+)-evoked release of somatostatin from rat hippocampal slices

We have demonstrated that FK960 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-p-fluorobenzamide monohydrate], a novel putative anti-dementia drug of piperazine derivative, ameliorates memory deficits in a variety of animal models of dementia in rats and monkeys, and also augments long-term potentiation (LTP) in the mossy fiber-CA3 pathway in guinea-pig hippocampal slices. Our recent studies have further suggested that somatostatin activation could be a primary mechanism of the pharmacological action of FK960. To clarify the mode of action of FK960 on somatostatinergic neurotransmission, FK960 was examined for its effects on somatostatin release from rat hippocampal slices. FK960 significantly enhanced high K(+)-evoked release, but not basal release, of somatostatin with similar concentration-dependency to its LTP augmenting action. On the other hands, FK960 had no effects on the release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, 5-HT, D-aspartate or GABA from hippocampal slices. Our results provide compelling evidence that FK960 exerts specific and facilitatory actions on neural mechanisms involved in the activity-dependent release of somatostatin from nerve terminals of the hippocampus. These results also strengthen the view that FK960 regulates cognitive functions and augments LTP through an activation of the somatostatinergic nervous system in the hippocampus.

The growth hormone axis and cognition: empirical results and integrated theory derived from giant transgenic mice

Sleep is required for the consolidation of memory for complex tasks, and elements of the growth-hormone (GH) axis may regulate sleep. The GH axis also up-regulates protein synthesis, which is required for memory consolidation. Transgenic rat GH mice (TRGHM) express plasma GH at levels 100-300 times normal and sleep 3.4 h longer (30%) than their normal siblings. Consequently, we hypothesized that they might show superior ability to learn a complex task (8-choice radial maze); 47% of the TRGHM learned the task before any normal mice. All 17 TRGHM learned the task, but 33% of the 18 normal mice learned little. TRGHM learned the task significantly faster than normal mice (p < 0.05) and made half as many errors in doing so, even when the normal nonlearners were excluded from the analysis. Whereas normal mice expressed a linear learning curve, TRGHM showed exponentially declining error rates. The contribution of the GH axis to cognition is conspicuously sparse in literature syntheses of knowledge concerning neuroendocrine mechanisms of learning and memory. This paper synthesizes the crucial role of major components of the GH axis in brain functioning into a holistic framework, integrating learning, sleep, free radicals, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases. TRGHM show both enhanced learning in youth and accelerated aging. Thus, they may provide a powerful new probe for use in gaining an understanding of aspects of central nervous system functioning, which is highly relevant to human health.

Changes in brain somatostatin in memory-deficient rats: comparison with cholinergic markers

To clarify the functional role of the brain somatostatinergic system in cognitive processes, changes in the performance in passive avoidance and water maze tasks and in brain somatostatin contents were comparatively investigated in young Fischer rats subjected to brain cholinergic and somatostatinergic depletion, and in aged Fischer rats. Lesioning of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and administration of cysteamine (200 mg/kg, s.c.), a depletor of somatostatin, resulted in significant deficits in passive avoidance, but complete transection of the fimbria-fornix hardly affected the performance in the task. When cognitive performance was assessed in the Morris water maze, lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis and the fimbria-fornix, and administration of cysteamine, significantly impaired the acquisition of navigatory spatial memories of rats. On the other hand, aged rats (24-27 months) showed severe impairments of memory acquisition in both tasks. Neurochemistry measurements showed that lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis produced a selective reduction both in the cortical cholinergic marker choline acetyltransferase and in striatal somatostatin level, whereas lesioning of the fimbria-fornix caused a marked loss of choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus and posterior cortex, and a significant reduction in hippocampal somatostatin. On the other hand, treatment with cysteamine significantly reduced the contents of somatostatin in all the brain regions examined, but minimally affected choline acetyltransferase activity. However, significant reduction in the striatal choline acetyltransferase activity and elevation in somatostatin content in the frontal cortex were found in aged rats compared with young rats. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that changes in the brain somatostatinergic transmission are involved in the cognitive deficits in the experimental animal models of dementia presently employed. Furthermore, the present comparative study further implies that there are differences in the relative involvement of the cholinergic and somatostatinergic systems in the performance of rats on two different tests of mnemonic function.

Somatostatin alleviates impairment of working memory induced by hippocampal muscarinic M1 receptor blockade in rats

The effects of somatostatin on the impairment of working memory induced in rats by blockade of hippocampal muscarinic M1 or NMDA receptors were examined, using a three-panel runway task. Both the muscarinic M1 receptor antagonist pirenzepine (1.0 microgram/side) and the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist CPP ((+/-)-3(2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonoic acid) (32 ng/side) significantly increased the number of working memory errors (attempts to pass through two incorrect panels of the three panel-gates at four choice points), when injected bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus. This effect of intrahippocampal pirenzepine on working memory was alleviated by concurrent injection of 0.32 microgram/side somatostatin. However, concurrent somatostatin (0.1 or 0.32 microgram/side) had no significant effect on the intrahippocampal CPP-induced increase in working memory errors. These results suggest that somatostatin ameliorates the impairment of working memory resulting from hippocampal muscarinic M1 receptor blockade, possibly through activation of cholinergic functions.

Possible involvement of brain somatostatin in the memory formation of rats and the cognitive enhancing action of FR121196 in passive avoidance task

Using the passive avoidance learning task in rats, the role of brain somatostatin in cognitive function was investigated with special reference to that of the brain cholinergic system. In addition, the involvement of both the brain somatostatinergic and cholinergic systems in the anti-amnesic action of a newly introduced cognitive enhancer, FR121196 [N-(4-acetyl-1-piperazinyl)-4-fluorobenzenesulfonamide], was examined. Treatment with cysteamine (50, 100, 200 mg/kg, s.c.), a depletor of somatostatin, significantly and dose-dependently reduced the retention of single trial passive avoidance task. Similar memory impairments were found in rats which received central cholinergic blockade either by scopolamine (0.1-1 mg/kg) or by lesioning of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). Intracerebroventricurally (i.c.v.) administered somatostatin (1-14) (10-1000 ng/rat) significantly ameliorated the memory impairments induced not only by cysteamine (200 mg/kg) but also by scopolamine (1 mg/kg) and NBM-lesioning. Although physostigmine (0.01-1 mg/kg) also ameliorated the memory impairments induced by cysteamine and scopolamine, it failed to affect the memory impairment seen in the NBM-lesioned rats. Administration of FR121196 (0.1-10 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated the memory deficits produced by scopolamine and NBM lesioning but not that induced by cysteamine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

CGRP prevents electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rats

The effects of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) on electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced amnesia and the possible involvement of neurotransmitters in this action were studied in rats. ECS-induced amnesia was elicited in a passive avoidance paradigm. The possible roles of different transmitters involved in mediating CGRP action were followed by pretreating the animals with different receptor blockers in doses which themselves could not influence the paradigm. CGRP facilitated learning in the passive avoidance paradigm and prevented ECS-induced amnesia in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with atropine, naloxone, phenoxybenzamine, or propranolol blocked the antiamnesic action of CGRP. Other receptor blockers, such as bicuculline, methysergide, and haloperidol, were ineffective. The results support our previous findings that CGRP facilitates passive avoidance learning and prevents ECS-induced amnesia. In the antiamnesic action of CGRP, cholinergic, opiate, and alpha- and beta-adrenergic mediators are involved.

Suboccipital cerebrospinal fluid and plasma concentrations of somatostatin, neuropeptide Y and beta-endorphin in patients with common migraine

The somatostatin-like (SLI), the neuropeptide Y-like (NPY-LI), and the beta-endorphin-like (BE-LI) immunoreactivities of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained by suboccipital puncture, or plasma from patients suffering from common migraine or other neuropsychiatric disorders were analysed. The SLI concentration was tendentiously decreased in the migraine patients during the attack-free period compared to that of a 'mixed neuropsychiatric group'. During the migraine attack the level of SLI was further decreased. Similar alteration was found in the CSF BE-LI, while the BE-LI in the plasma showed only a tendentious decrease in common migraine patients. The NPY-LI did not change during the attack period in the CSF or plasma. These findings may indicate the possible role of somatostatin in the pathogenesis of common migraine, and support earlier observations that beta-endorphin is involved in the development in this disorder.

Non-endocrine applications of somatostatin and octreotide acetate: facts and flights of fancy

Somatostatin, originally detected by Krulich and ultimately isolated by Brazeau, was initially described as a growth hormone release-inhibiting factor. Subsequent investigation into the use of native somatostatin and the development of long-acting somatostatin analogues, especially octreotide acetate, have fostered increasing uses of these compounds. Though the clinical and investigational uses of somatostatin and its analogues are varied, one central theme remains constant: the ability of these agents to suppress circulating peptide levels. This article, a review of the current non-endocrine applications of somatostatin and its analogues, covers a wide range of potential applications for somatostatin-like compounds. These include use in cirrhosis and variceal bleeding, peptic ulcer disease, pancreatic fistulas, acute and chronic pancreatitis, dumping syndrome, cancer therapy, small bowel fistulas, psoriasis, pain control, and autonomic hypotension. Somatostatin may also play a role in the development and potential treatment of neurologic disease and may have profound found influence on behavior.

Age-related alterations of somatostatin gene expression in different rat brain areas

Numerous experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that brain somatostatinergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the modulation of several brain functions, including learning and memory processes. Due to the gradual decline of cognitive performances occurring during aging, we evaluated whether an age-related modification of brain somatostatin gene activity occurred in discrete rat brain areas. Our study demonstrates that a significant reduction of pre-prosomatostatin mRNA levels occurred in aged animals (25 months) in the frontal cortex (-49%), in the parietal cortex (-80%) and in the striatum (-69%), despite the absence of changes in beta-actin gene expression. Conversely, no statistical differences were observed in the pre-prosomatostatin mRNA content of old animals in the hypothalamus. These results demonstrate that age-related alterations in somatostatin gene expression occur in the rat, and suggest that such alterations may be involved in the behavioral and cognitive impairments that occur during the aging process.

The effects of atrial natriuretic peptide on electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rats. Transmitter-mediated action

Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) applied immediately after passive avoidance learning in rats caused partial amnesia. This could be prevented by administering r-ANP into the lateral brain ventricle. The effects of pre-treatment with different receptor blockers: (haloperidol, atropine, phenoxybenzamine, propranolol, naloxone, bicuculline and methysergide) on the ANP-induced antiamnesia were investigated. The receptor blockers per se in the doses selected had no influence on the ECS-induced amnesia. Haloperidol, atropine and propranolol blocked the antiamnestic action of the peptide, while phenoxybenzamine, naloxone, bicuculline and methysergide were ineffective. The results confirm our previous observations that ANP might play a role in learning and memory processes and also suggest that the antiamnestic action of the peptide is mediated by dopaminergic, cholinergic and beta-adrenergic mediator systems.

Preclinical and clinical studies with somatostatin related to the central nervous system

1. The tetradecapeptide somatostatin (SS) has a widespread, uneven distribution within several organs including the central nervous system (CNS), with particularly high concentration in the hypothalamus. 2. The SS-related peptides (SS28, SS28(1-12), SS28(15-28)) are originated from the precursor pre-prosomatostatin. 3. SS is suggested to be involved in a large number of CNS functions, locomotion, sedation, excitation, catatonia, body temperature, feeding, nociception, paradoxical sleep, self-stimulation, seizure, learning and memory. 4. SS influences central neurochemical processes. 5. It is possible that SS is related to various neurological and psychiatric illnesses, like Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, eating disorders, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia and major depressive illness.

Effects of somatostatin-28 and some of its fragments and analogs on open-field behavior, barrel rotation, and shuttle box learning in rats

The effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of somatostatin-28 (SS-28) and some of its fragments, SS-28 (1-12), SS-28(15-28), and analogs, des-AA-(1,2,4,5,12,13)-(DTrp8)SS-14, ODT8-SS, and (DTrp8,DCys14)SS-14 were studied in different behavioral tests on rats. SS-28 (6.0 nM) decreased, SS-28(15-28) (0.6 nM) increased, and SS-28(15-28) (6.0 nM) decreased activity of the animals in an open-field test. SS-28(1-12) (0.6, 3.0, and 6.0 nM) did not influence this behavior. ODT8-SS (0.6, 3.0, and 6.0 nM) decreased activity of the rats, while (DTrp8,DCys14)SS-14 increased it, only at a high dose (6.0 nM). Similar results were obtained for barrel rotation, except that (DTrp8,DCys14)SS-14 even in high dose (12.0 nM) had no effect. In a shuttle-box learning paradigm, SS-28(15-28) (0.6 nM) facilitated, while SS-28(1-12) (0.6 nM) did not influence, the performance of the animals. These results suggest that the isomeric Cys(28) form of the SS-28(15-28) molecule may be crucial for the expression of the behavioral effects of these peptides.

Morris water task impairment and hypoactivity following cysteamine-induced reductions of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity

The effects of cysteamine-induced reductions of somatostatin-like immunoreactivity (SLI) on spatial learning, passive avoidance, and locomotor activity were examined in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Cysteamine hydrochloride (100 mg/kg, s.c.) produced 54% and 50% reductions in SLI in cortex and hippocampus, respectively, and impaired escape latencies and spatial probe behavior in the Morris water task. Although cysteamine-treated rats displayed hypoactivity in the activity boxes, their swim speed in the Morris water task was unaffected. Cysteamine did not impair passive avoidance retention when administered immediately following training or prior to daily retention testing. These results suggest a role for somatostatin in spatially-mediated behaviors in rats.

Comparative studies of somatostatin-14 and some of its fragments on passive avoidance behavior, open field activity and on barrel rotation phenomenon in rats

Behavioral effects of somatostatin-14, and some of its fragments [somatostatin(3-8), somatostatin(9-14), somatostatin(7-10)] after intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration have been investigated in male rats. In a passive avoidance learning test, somatostatin-14 (0.6 nM) given immediately after the learning session increased the avoidance latency at 24 hr after the injection, when compared to a somatostatin(3-8) (0.6 nM)-treated group. However, compared to a saline-treated group, the peptides did not significantly influence the avoidance latency. Somatostatin-14 administered in higher dose (6.0 nM) decreased the avoidance latency compared to the saline-treated group, while its fragments did not influence it. In an open field behavioral test, immediately after the 24-hr passive avoidance test, 6 nM of somatostatin-14 decreased the rearing activity, while the fragments did not influence this behavior. Somatostatin-14 produced barrel rotation in a dose-related manner, but after the injection of a high dose of the peptide (12 nM) all of the animals died in cardiorespiratory failure (apnea, pulmonary oedema). The fragments did not produce barrel rotation.

The memory-enhancing effects of the piracetam-like nootropics are dependent on experimental parameters

The effects of the nootropic agent piracetam and its congeners oxiracetam, pramiracetam and aniracetam on the retention performance of mice in a passive-avoidance situation are dependent on the intensity of the foot-shock applied. This phenomenon is observed upon both pre-trial and post-trial drug administration.

Biochemical evidence for somatostatin receptors in murine neuroblastoma clone N1E-115

Radioligand binding and functional assays were employed to demonstrate the existence of somatostatin receptors in the murine neuroblastoma clone N1E-115. Saturation experiments with [125I][Tyr11]somatostatin-14 indicated the presence of a single class of binding sites in membranes prepared from N1E-115 cells (Kd = 83 pM; Bmax = 21,000 receptors/cell). Somatostatin-14, somatostatin-28 and L363586 (cyclo(N-Me-ALA-TYR-D-TRP-LYS-VAL-PHE] all displaced the 125I-ligand monophasically in N1E-115 cells (Ki values were 28, 82 and 34 pM, respectively), which contrasted with the binding heterogeneity apparent with L363586 in rat brain membranes. The binding of [125I][Tyr11]somatostatin-14 was reduced by GppNHp, indicating that N1E-115 somatostatin receptors interacted with guanine nucleotide binding protein(s). Somatostatin agonists decreased by 30-50% the levels of [3H]cyclic AMP induced in intact cells by forskolin, prostaglandin E1, or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. The EC50 values for inhibition of the [3H]cyclic AMP response to PGE1 by L363586, somatostatin-14, and somatostatin-28 were 0.24, 0.63 and 1.0 nM, respectively. Pertussis toxin treatment of N1E-115 cells reduced both binding to the receptor and the functional response to somatostatin-14. These data suggest that a single class of somatostatin receptors in N1E-115 cells are linked to the inhibition of adenylate cyclase through a Gi protein.

Cysteamine-induced depletion of somatostatin produces differential cognitive deficits in rats

The effects of a variety of doses of systemically administered cysteamine (a somatostatin depletor) were studied on step-through passive avoidance retention, as well as acquisition and performance of a delayed spatial alternation task and a signaled extinction discrimination task in rats. Retention of single trial passive avoidance was significantly reduced by a pretraining (60-min) dose of cysteamine at 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/kg s.c. This effect was shown to be sensitive to behavioral manipulation; in a second experiment, a retention deficit was found only at the two highest doses tested (150 and 200 mg/kg s.c.) after a second exposure to the footshock. In the operant conditioning studies, biweekly injections (Monday and Wednesday) of cysteamine administered one hour before testing produced no statistically significant changes in acquisition or performance of either the delayed spatial alternation or the signaled discrimination task. The results of these series of experiments suggest that active somatostatin release or chronic somatostatin depletion may selectively affect performance maintained by different behavioral procedures.

Brain and CSF somatostatin concentrations in patients with psychiatric or neurological illness. An overview

Somatostatin was originally isolated as a 14-amino-acid peptide from the ovine hypothalamus. The peptide has a widespread regional distribution within the central and peripheral nervous systems, as well as in peripheral organs. Preservation of the chemical structure over a wide range of vertebral species indicates important functional roles of the peptide. Recent results about the role of somatostatin and related peptides in different psychiatric (depression, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease) and neurological (Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease) diseases, and the effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis are summarized. Also, the influence of some psychotropic drugs (halo-peridol, carbamazepine) on somatostatin levels in cerebrospinal fluid is discussed.

Effects of intracerebroventricularly administered somatostatin on passive avoidance, shuttle-box behaviour and open-field activity in rats

Behavioural effects of somatostatin after intracerebroventricular (icv) administration have been investigated in male rats. In a passive avoidance learning test, somatostatin (1 microgram), given 30 min before the learning session, increased the avoidance latency at 24 h, but not at 48 h, after the injection, when compared to a 10 micrograms treated group. However, compared to a saline treated group, somatostatin (0.01, 0.1, 1, or 10 micrograms) did not significantly influence the avoidance latency. In a shuttle box experiment somatostatin (1 microgram) facilitated the learning process. In an open-field behaviour test, immediately after the 24 h passive avoidance test, 10 micrograms of the peptide decreased the rearing activity without influencing other open field behaviours, like locomotion, grooming and defecation. In a second open-field experiment somatostatin (1 microgram), given 30 min prior to the test, similarly as in the shuttle box learning experiment, increased the locomotion of the animals. These data suggest that somatostatin influences both the passive avoidance and shuttle box behaviours. The peptide-induced motor performance of the animals may play an important role in influencing the responses observed in these behavioural tests.

Somatostatin and SMS 201-995 reverse the impairment of cognitive functions induced by cysteamine depletion of brain somatostatin

The involvement of somatostatin in the organization of cognitive functions was studied. We assessed changes in learning and memory processes by studying the effects of cysteamine, a compound that decreases somatostatin-like immunoreactivity in the brain, somatostatin and the potent somatostatin analogue, SMS 201-995, on active avoidance behaviour, assessed with a shuttle box apparatus, or on passive avoidance behaviour. Cysteamine induced a loss of the conditioned active avoidance response acquired after 3 weeks of daily trials. The effect was observed 2 h (-29%) and 4 h (-51%) after cysteamine treatment (300 mg/kg s.c.) and disappeared after 24 h. Intracerebroventricular administration of somatostatin or SMS 201-995 to cysteamine-treated rats significantly reversed the cysteamine effects on the conditioned avoidance responses. Similar results were obtained on passive avoidance behaviour. We also investigated the effect of cysteamine treatment on brain somatostatin-sensitive adenylate cyclase. We observed that adenylate cyclase activity in the frontal cortex of cysteamine-pretreated animals was more sensitive to inhibition by the SRIF analogue, SMS 201-995, than it was in control animals. This effect was observed at concentrations of SMS 201-995 that were ineffective in control tissue. These results show that disruption of somatostatinergic transmission affects cognitive functions of rats.

Somatostatin in neuropsychiatric disorders

1. Somatostatin is a peptide that is widely and discretely distributed throughout the central nervous system. 2. Its relevance to neuropsychiatric disorders is suggested both by the existence of disease-related alterations in somatostatin content in brain and cerebrospinal fluid as well as by the manifold neuroregulatory capabilities of somatostatin and related peptides. 3. This article will summarize the central nervous system effects of somatostatin, identify those neuropsychiatric disorders that are characterized by changes in somatostatin, and review the evidence for and potential significance of decreases in cerebrospinal fluid somatostatin in depression.

Conditioned avoidance acquisition and extinction following repeated electroconvulsive shock: strain effect and response to vasopressin

Male albino rats (Sabra strain) were exposed to electroconvulsive shock (ECS) once daily for periods ranging from 1 to 13 days, and proactive effects on conditioned avoidance response (CAR) acquisition and extinction were studied. CAR acquisition was intact following both single and repeated ECS, but extinction was accelerated by multiple ECS administration. These findings resembled the effect of repeated ECS on anterograde memory function in humans and confirmed previous observations based on a passive avoidance paradigm. However, extinction was not accelerated in a different rat strain (LC2). Parallel open field activity measures suggested that these findings were not related to ECS-induced alterations in locomotor activity. Administration of arginine vasopressin prior to each ECS, or following acquisition sessions, as well as 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin administration following acquisition sessions, did not ameliorate ECS-induced deficits in the Sabra rats. Differences between the present paradigm of ECS administration and those in which positive effects of vasopressin and other neuropeptides have been reported are discussed. The potential research applications of a rodent model of ECS-induced memory impairment that parallels deficits encountered in the clinical context are considered.

Central nervous system effects of peptides, 1980-1985: a cross-listing of peptides and their central actions from the first six years of the journal Peptides

A tabular synopsis is presented for articles concerned with the effects of peptides on the central nervous system that appeared in the journal Peptides from 1980-1985. A table arranged alphabetically by peptide and one arranged by effects, both listing routes of injection, species, direction of change, and qualifying notes, provides easy cross-referencing of peptides and their effects. Over 80 peptides and over 135 effects are listed. The list of peptides includes, but is not limited to: ACTH, angiotensin, bombesin, bradykinin, calcitonin, casomorphin, CCK, ceruletide, CGRP, CRF, dermorphin, DSIP, dynorphin, endorphins, enkephalins, GRF, gastrin, LHRH, litorin, metkephamid, MIF-l, motilin, MSH, NPY, NT, oxytocin, ranatensin, sauvagine, substances P and K, somatostatin, TRH, VIP, vasopressin, and vasotocin. The list of effects includes, but is not limited to: aggression, alcohol, analgesia, attention, avoidance, behavior, cardiovascular regulation, catalepsy, conditioned behavior, convulsions, dopamine binding and metabolism, discrimination, drinking, EEG, exploration, feeding, fever, gastric secretion, GI motility, grooming, learning, locomotor behavior, mating, memory, neuronal activity, open field, operant behavior, rearing, respiration, satiety, scratching, seizure, sleep, stereotypy, temperature, thermoregulation and tolerance.

Behavioral changes following central injection of cysteamine in rats

When tested 3 days following 4 daily intracerebroventricular injections of 250 micrograms cysteamine, which depletes somatostatin, rats demonstrated a significant increase in locomotor activity that was not observed in animals treated similarly with 350 micrograms cysteamine. A significant deficit in passive avoidance was observed in animals treated with the 350-micrograms dose, but not in animals treated with 250 micrograms cysteamine. These data suggest that altered activity of the somatostatinergic system disrupts specific processes underlying neural integration of complex behaviors.

Somatostatin and (D-Trp8, D-Cys14)-somatostatin delay extinction and reverse electroconvulsive shock induced amnesia in rats

In the present study the effects of somatostatin and its analogs on active avoidance behavior, electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced retrograde amnesia, and spatial-discrimination learning were compared in rats. (D-Trp8, D-Cys14)-somatostatin (as did the somatostatin molecule itself) delayed the extinction of active avoidance behavior, antagonized ECS-induced amnesia, and did not modify spatial-discrimination learning. Des-Asn5-(D-Trp8, D-Ser13) somatostatin and des-AA1,2,4,5,12,13,-(D-Trp8) somatostatin did not influence these behaviors. The data suggest that certain parts of the somatostatin molecule are important for its behavioral actions.

Comparative studies with somatostatin and cysteamine in different behavioral tests on rats

In the present study the effects of somatostatin and cysteamine (a selective decreaser of the somatostatin level in the body) were compared in different behavioral tests on rats. Somatostatin inhibited the extinction of active avoidance behavior 8 hr and 24 hr after intracerebroventricular (ICV) treatment, while cysteamine facilitated it 4 hr and 8 hr after subcutaneous (SC) treatment. Somatostatin did not significantly influence the cysteamine-induced facilitation of the extinction. Somatostatin did not have a significant effect on T-maze spatial discrimination learning and reverse learning, whereas cysteamine markedly attenuated the performance 4 hr (1st day) after treatment. Somatostatin in a dose of 4 micrograms (ICV) increased the locomotor activity 10 min after treatment, while cysteamine markedly decreased all parameters of the open-field test. These effects of the drug had disappeared 24 hr after treatment. If different doses of somatostatin (4 micrograms or 10 micrograms ICV) were administered to cysteamine-pretreated rats, the peptide did not modify the drug-induced changes in the open-field test. The data suggest that the brain somatostatin might have a physiological role in the organization of certain types of behavior.

Phenoxybenzamine antagonizes somatostatin-induced antiamnesia in rats

The effects of pretreatment with atropine, haloperidol and phenoxybenzamine on somatostatin-induced antiamnesia were investigated. Somatostatin itself blocked electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced amnesia. The receptor blockers per se had no influence on the ECS-induced avoidance latency. Atropine and haloperidol did not inhibit somatostatin-induced antiamnesia, whereas phenoxybenzamine blocked it completely. The results suggest that the central noradrenergic system plays an important role in the mediation of the antiamnesic action of somatostatin.

The effects of somatostatin, its fragments and an analog on electroconvulsive shock-induced amnesia in rats

In the present study the effects of intracerebroventricularly [icv] administered somatostatin [linear and cyclic], somatostatin3-6, somatostatin7-10 and des AA1,2,4,5,12,13 [D-Trp8] somatostatin [ODT8-SS] were investigated on electroconvulsive shock [ECS]-induced retrograde amnesia in rats. The ECS significantly decreased the foot shock-induced avoidance latency, and thus caused retrograde amnesia. Somatostatin [linear and cyclic] in a dose of 0.6 nM had no action on the ECS-induced retrograde amnesia, while in doses of 3 nM and [cyclic only] 6 nM it significantly prevented it. Somatostatin3-6, somatostatin7-10 and ODT8-SS in doses of 0.6, 3 and 6 nM had no effect on the ECS-induced amnesia. These results indicate that the whole sequence of the original somatostatin molecule is needed to block the ECS-caused retrograde amnesia.