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Horak M, Holubova K, Nepovimova E, Krusek J, Kaniakova M, Korabecny J, Vyklicky L, Kuca K, Stuchlik A, Ricny J, Vales K, Soukup O. The pharmacology of tacrine at N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 75:54-62. [PMID: 28089695 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of tacrine as a precognitive drug has been considered to be complex and not fully understood. It has been reported to involve a wide spectrum of targets involving cholinergic, gabaergic, nitrinergic and glutamatergic pathways. Here, we review the effect of tacrine and its derivatives on the NMDA receptors (NMDAR) with a focus on the mechanism of action and biological consequences related to the Alzheimer's disease treatment. Our findings indicate that effect of tacrine on glutamatergic neurons is both direct and indirect. Direct NMDAR antagonistic effect is often reported by in vitro studies; however, it is achieved by high tacrine concentrations which are not likely to occur under clinical conditions. The impact on memory and behavioral testing can be ascribed to indirect effects of tacrine caused by influencing the NMDAR-mediated currents via M1 receptor activation, which leads to inhibition of Ca2+-activated potassium channels. Such inhibition prevents membrane repolarization leading to prolonged NMDAR activation and subsequently to long term potentiation. Considering these findings, we can conclude that tacrine-derivatives with dual cholinesterase and NMDARs modulating activity may represent a promising approach in the drug development for diseases associated with cognitive dysfunction, such as the Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Horak
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Holubova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Krusek
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Kaniakova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Ricny
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Deiana S, Platt B, Riedel G. The cholinergic system and spatial learning. Behav Brain Res 2011; 221:389-411. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2010] [Accepted: 11/15/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Pan SY, Guo BF, Zhang Y, Yu Q, Yu ZL, Dong H, Ye Y, Han YF, Ko KM. Tacrine Treatment at High Dose Suppresses the Recognition Memory in Juvenile and Adult Mice with Attention to Hepatotoxicity. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2011; 108:421-7. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-7843.2011.00677.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Roland JJ, Levinson M, Vetreno RP, Savage LM. Differential effects of systemic and intraseptal administration of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor tacrine on the recovery of spatial behavior in an animal model of diencephalic amnesia. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 629:31-9. [PMID: 20006600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2009] [Revised: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 12/07/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE) have their cognitive enhancing effects by stimulating cholinergic receptors within the medial septum. However, intraseptal administration of cholinergic enhancing drugs produce mixed results that appear to depend on both the integrity of the medial septum as well as task demands. Three experiments were conducted to determine the relationship between increased cholinergic activity within the medial septum and hippocampus and behavioral recovery in a model of diencephalic amnesia produced by pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency (PTD). In Experiment 1, systemic tacrine (0.0, 0.75, 1.5mg/kg) was administered to PTD and pair-fed (PF) rats prior to a spontaneous alternation task. Without tacrine, PF rats alternated at a higher rate than PTD rats. Both doses of tacrine increased alternation in PTD rats to within the range of PF rats. In Experiment 2, three doses of intraseptal tacrine (2.5, 5.0, 12.5microg) were administered to PTD and PF rats and changes in hippocampal acetylcholine efflux were assessed. Both the 5.0 and 12.5microg doses significantly increased hippocampal acetylcholine levels, but the change was greater in the PTD rats. In Experiment 3, despite the fact that both intraseptal doses of tacrine (5.0, 12.5microg) increased hippocampal acetylcholine levels, only 5.0microg significantly improved alternation scores in PTD rats. Thus, when there is basal forebrain cholinergic cell loss in conjunction with diencephalic pathology, the therapeutic range of AChE-I in the medial septum and the effective doses do not directly map onto changes in acetylcholine efflux in the hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Roland
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University, State University of New York, United States
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Krebs-Kraft DL, Rauw G, Baker GB, Parent MB. Zero net flux estimates of septal extracellular glucose levels and the effects of glucose on septal extracellular GABA levels. Eur J Pharmacol 2009; 611:44-52. [PMID: 19345207 PMCID: PMC2866298 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2009.03.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2008] [Revised: 03/17/2009] [Accepted: 03/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Although hippocampal infusions of glucose enhance memory, we have found repeatedly that septal glucose infusions impair memory when gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors are activated. For instance, hippocampal glucose infusions reverse the memory-impairing effects of co-infusions of the GABA agonist muscimol, whereas septal glucose infusions exacerbate memory deficits produced by muscimol. One potential explanation for these deleterious effects of glucose in the septum is that there are higher levels of endogenous extracellular fluid glucose concentrations in the septum than in the hippocampus. Another hypothesis is that septal glucose infusions impair memory by increasing septal GABA synthesis or release, which is possible because elevating glucose increases GABA levels in other brain regions. To test these hypotheses, Experiment 1 quantified extracellular fluid glucose levels in the septum and hippocampus using zero net flux in vivo microdialysis procedures in conscious, freely moving rats. Experiment 2 determined whether septal infusions of glucose would increase GABA concentrations in dialysates obtained from the septum. The results of Experiment 1 indicated that extracellular fluid glucose levels in the hippocampus and septum are comparable. The results of Experiment 2 showed that co-infusions of glucose with muscimol, at doses that did not affect memory on their own, decreased percent alternation memory scores. However, none of the infusions significantly affected GABA levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that the memory-impairing effects of septal infusions of glucose are not likely due to regional differences in basal extracellular fluid glucose concentrations and are not mediated via an increase in septal GABA release.
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Roland JJ, Savage LM. Blocking GABA-A receptors in the medial septum enhances hippocampal acetylcholine release and behavior in a rat model of diencephalic amnesia. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2009; 92:480-7. [PMID: 19463263 PMCID: PMC2687320 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2008] [Revised: 01/19/2009] [Accepted: 01/23/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS), a form of diencephalic amnesia caused by thiamine deficiency, results in severe anterograde memory loss. Pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency (PTD), an animal model of WKS, produces cholinergic abnormalities including decreased functional hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) release and poor spatial memory. Increasing hippocampal ACh levels has increased performance in PTD animals. Intraseptal bicuculline (GABA(A) antagonist) augments hippocampal ACh release in normal animals and we found it (0.50 microg/microl and 0.75 microg/microl) also increased in-vivo hippocampal ACh release in PTD animals. However, the 0.75 microg/microl dose produced a greater change in hippocampal ACh release in control animals. The 0.50 microg/microl dose of bicuculline was then selected to determine if it could enhance spontaneous alternation performance in PTD animals. This dose of bicuculline significantly increased hippocampal ACh levels above baseline in both PTD and control rats and resulted in complete behavioral recovery in PTD animals, without altering performance in control rats. This suggests that balancing ACh-GABA interactions in the septohippocampal circuit may be an effective therapeutic approach in certain amnestic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica J Roland
- Behavioral Neuroscience Program, Department of Psychology, Binghamton University-State University of New York, NY, USA.
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Krebs-Kraft DL, Parent MB. Hippocampal infusions of glucose reverse memory deficits produced by co-infusions of a GABA receptor agonist. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2007; 89:142-52. [PMID: 17728160 PMCID: PMC2259438 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2007.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2007] [Revised: 07/11/2007] [Accepted: 07/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Although septal infusions of glucose typically have positive effects on memory, we have shown repeatedly that this treatment exacerbates memory deficits produced by co-infusions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor agonists. The present experiments tested whether this negative interaction between glucose and GABA in the medial septum would be observed in the hippocampus, a brain region where glucose typically has positive effects on memory. Specifically, we determined whether hippocampal infusions of glucose would reverse or exacerbate memory deficits produced by hippocampal co-infusions of the GABA receptor agonist muscimol. Fifteen minutes prior to either assessing spontaneous alternation (SA) or continuous multiple trial inhibitory avoidance (CMIA) training, male Sprague-Dawley-derived rats were given bilateral hippocampal infusions of vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline [PBS], 1 microl/2 min), glucose (33 or 50 nmol), muscimol (0.3 or 0.4 microg, SA or 3 microg, CMIA) or muscimol and glucose combined in one solution. The results indicated that hippocampal infusions of muscimol alone decreased SA scores and CMIA retention latencies. More importantly, hippocampal infusions of glucose, at doses that had no effect when infused alone, attenuated (33 nmol) or reversed (50 nmol) the muscimol-induced memory deficits. Thus, although co-infusions of glucose with muscimol into the medial septum impair memory, the present findings show that an opposite effect is observed in the hippocampus. Collectively, these findings suggest that the memory-impairing interaction between glucose and GABA in the medial septum is not a general property of the brain, but rather is brain region-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree L Krebs-Kraft
- Department of Psychology and Center for Behavioral Neuroscience, Georgia State University, P.O. Box 5010, Atlanta, GA 30302-5010, USA.
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Chrobak JJ, Sabolek HR, Bunce JG. Intraseptal cholinergic infusions alter memory in the rat: method and mechanism. EXS 2006; 98:87-98. [PMID: 17019884 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-7643-7772-4_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- James J Chrobak
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
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