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A Comparative Study of the Impact of NO-Related Agents on MK-801- or Scopolamine-Induced Cognitive Impairments in the Morris Water Maze. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13030410. [PMID: 36979220 PMCID: PMC10046674 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13030410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Learning and memory deficits accompany numerous brain dysfunctions, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and many studies point to the role of nitric oxide (NO) in these processes. The present investigations constitute the follow-up of our previous research, in which we investigated the activity of NO releasers and a selective inhibitor of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) to prevent short-term memory deficits in novel object recognition and T-maze. Here, the ability of the compounds to prevent the induction of long-term memory deficits by MK-801 or scopolamine administration was investigated. The Morris Water Maze test, a reliable and valid test of spatial learning and memory, was used, in which escape latency in the acquisition phase and nine different parameters in the retention phase were measured. A fast NO releaser (spermine NONOate), a slow NO releaser (DETA NONOate), and a nNOS inhibitor, N(ω)-propyl-L-arginine (NPLA), were used. The compounds were administered i.p. at a dose range of 0.05–0.5 mg/kg. All compounds prevented learning deficits in the acquisition phase and reversed reference memory deficits in the retention phase of the scopolamine-treated mice. Spermine NONOate was the least effective. In contrast, the drugs poorly antagonised MK-801-induced deficits, and only the administration of DETA NONOate induced some improvements in the retention trial.
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Evaluation of acute and chronic nociception in subchronically administered MK-801-induced rat model of schizophrenia. Behav Pharmacol 2021; 32:571-580. [PMID: 34494988 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia have been reported to exhibit atypically low pain sensitivity and to vary in their experience of chronic pain. To the best of our knowledge, there has yet to be an animal study that provides information concerning the relationship between models of schizophrenia and pain. In the present study, we investigated several distinct nociceptive behaviors in a translational rat model of schizophrenia (0. 5 mg/kg MK-801, twice a day for 7 days followed by a 7-day washout period). The presence of the expected cognitive deficit was confirmed with novel object recognition (NOR) paradigm prior to nociception testing. MK-801-treated rats with lack of novelty interest in NOR testing showed: hyposensitivity to thermal and mechanical stimuli; short-term hypoalgesia followed by augmented hyperalgesia in response to formalin-induced spontaneous nociception and increased thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia in the complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) induced chronic pain model. In conclusion, MK-801 induced antinociception effects for thermal stimuli in rats that were consistent with the decreased pain sensitivity observed in schizophrenia patients. Additionally, the amplified biphasic response exhibited by the MK-801 group in the formalin-induced spontaneous nociception test affirms the suitability of the test as a model of acute to delayed pain transition.
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Phencyclidine-induced cognitive impairments in repeated touchscreen visual reversal learning tests in rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 404:113057. [PMID: 33316322 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.113057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Reversal learning, a component of executive functioning, is commonly impaired among schizophrenia patients and is lacking effective treatment. N-methyl-ᴅ-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists, such as phencyclidine (PCP), impair reversal learning of rodents. Touchscreen-based pairwise visual discrimination and reversal test is a translational tool to assess reversal learning in rodents. However, to fully exploit this task in testing of novel compounds, it is necessary to perform several reversal learning experiments with trained animals. Firstly, we assessed whether PCP-induced deficits in visual reversal learning in rats would be detectable with a short (5 sessions) reversal learning phase, and whether the short reversal phases could be repeated with novel stimulus pairs. Secondly, we assessed whether the PCP-induced deficits in reversal learning could be seen upon repeated PCP challenges with the same animals. Finally, we tested the effect of a novel compound, a selective α2C adrenoceptor antagonist, ORM-13070, to reverse PCP-induced cognitive deficits in this model. A 4-day PCP treatment at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg/day impaired early reversal learning in male Lister Hooded rats without inducing non-specific behavioral effects. We repeated the reversal learning experiment four times using different stimulus pairs with the same animals, and the PCP-induced impairment was evident in every single experiment. The α2C adrenoceptor antagonist ameliorated the PCP-induced cognitive deficits. Our results suggest that repeated PCP challenges in the touchscreen set-up induce schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits in visual reversal learning, improve throughput of the test and provide a protocol for testing novel drugs.
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Unal G, Sirvanci S, Aricioglu F. α7 nicotinic receptor agonist and positive allosteric modulators differently improved schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits in male rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112946. [PMID: 33011186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The majority of schizophrenia patients have cognitive deficits as a separate symptom cluster independent of positive or negative symptoms. Current medicines, unfortunately, cannot provide clear benefits for cognitive symptoms in patients. Recent findings showed decreased α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expressions in subjects with schizophrenia. α7 nAChR full/partial agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) may be valuable drug candidates to treat cognitive deficits of disease. This study comparatively investigated the effect of α7 nAChR agonist (A-582941), type I PAM (CCMI), type II PAM (PNU-120596), and the antipsychotic drug (clozapine) on behavioral, molecular, and immunohistochemical parameters in a subchronic MK-801 model of schizophrenia in male rats. Novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed to evaluate recognition and spatial memories, respectively. Gene and protein expressions of parvalbumin, glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67), and α7 nAChR were examined in the rats' hippocampal tissue. The subchronic MK-801 administration produced cognitive deficits in the NOR and MWM tests. It also decreased the protein and gene expressions of parvalbumin, GAD67, and α7 nAChR in the hippocampus. Clozapine, A-582941, and PNU-120596 but not CCMI increased the parvalbumin and α7 nAChR expressions and provided benefits in recognition memory. Interestingly, clozapine and CCMI restored the MK-801 induced deficits on GAD1 expression and spatial memory while A-582941 and PNU-120596 were ineffective. These results indicated that α7 nAChR agonist, type I and type II PAMs may provide benefits in different types of cognitive deficits rather than a complete treatment in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Unal
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Serap Sirvanci
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Embryology and Histology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Marmara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Mohammadzadeh L, Abnous K, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Crocin-protected malathion-induced spatial memory deficits by inhibiting TAU protein hyperphosphorylation and antiapoptotic effects. Nutr Neurosci 2019; 23:221-236. [DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2018.1492772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Leila Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khalil Abnous
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Bibi Marjan Razavi
- Targeted Drug Delivery Research Center, Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseinzadeh
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Unal G, Aricioglu F. A-582941, cholinergic alpha 7 nicotinic receptor agonist, improved cognitive and negative symptoms of the sub-chronic MK-801 model of schizophrenia in rats. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2017.1379716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Unal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Knox LT, Jing Y, Bawazier-Edgecombe J, Collie ND, Zhang H, Liu P. Effects of withdrawal from repeated phencyclidine administration on behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2016; 153:45-59. [PMID: 27986516 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phencyclidine (PCP) induces behavioural changes in humans and laboratory animals that resemble positive and negative symptoms, and cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. It has been shown repeated treatment of PCP leading to persistent symptoms even after the drug discontinuation, and there is a growing body of evidence implicating altered arginine metabolism in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. The present study investigated the effects of withdrawal from repeated daily injection of PCP (2mg/kg) for 12 consecutive days on animals'behavioural performance and arginine metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in male young adult rats. Repeated PCP treatment reduced spontaneous alternations in the Y-maze and exploratory and locomotor activities in the open field under the condition of a washout period of 24h, but not 4days. Interestingly, the PCP treated rats also displayed spatial working memory deficits when tested 8-10days after withdrawal from PCP and showed altered levels of arginase activities and eight out of ten l-arginine metabolites in neurochemical- and region-specific manner. Cluster analyses showed altered relationships among l-arginine and its three main metabolites as a function of withdrawal from repeated PCP treatment in a duration-specific manner. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant neurochemical-behavioural correlations. Collectively, the results suggest both the residual and long-term effects of withdrawal from repeated PCP treatment on behavioural function and brain arginine metabolism. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the influence of the withdrawal duration on animals' behaviour and brain arginine metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan T Knox
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yu Jing
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Jamal Bawazier-Edgecombe
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nicola D Collie
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Hu Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand; Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
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Ihalainen J, Savolainen K, Tanila H, Forsberg MM. Comparison of phencyclidine-induced spatial learning and memory deficits and reversal by sertindole and risperidone between Lister Hooded and Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2016; 305:140-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Lafioniatis A, Orfanidou MA, Papadopoulou ES, Pitsikas N. Effects of the inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibitor aminoguanidine in two different rat models of schizophrenia. Behav Brain Res 2016; 309:14-21. [PMID: 27132765 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Several lines evidence indicate that the non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine and the mixed dopamine (DA) D1/D2 receptor agonist apomorphine induce schizophrenia-like symptoms in rodents, including memory impairments and social withdrawal. Nitric oxide (NO) has been proposed to act as an intracellular messenger in the brain and its overproduction is associated with schizophrenia. The current study was designed to investigate the ability of the inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG) to counteract schizophrenia-like behavioural deficits produced by ketamine and apomorphine in rats. The efficacy of AG to antagonize extinction of recognition memory, ketamine and apomorphine-induced recognition memory impairments was tested utilizing the novel object recognition task (NORT). Further, the efficacy of AG to attenuate ketamine-induced social withdrawal was examined in the social interaction test. AG (25 and 50mg/kg) antagonized extinction of recognition memory and reversed ketamine (3mg/kg) and apomorphine (1mg/kg)-induced recognition memory deficits. In contrast, AG (50 and 100mg/kg) did not counteract the ketamine (8mg/kg)-induced social isolation. The present data show that the iNOS inhibitor AG counteracted extinction of recognition memory and reversed recognition memory deficits produced by dysfunction of the glutamatergic and the dopaminergic (DAergic) system in rats. Therefore, AG may be efficacious in attenuating memory impairments often observed in schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Lafioniatis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Martha A Orfanidou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Evangelia S Papadopoulou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
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Tanyeri P, Buyukokuroglu ME, Mutlu O, Ulak G, Akar FY, Celikyurt IK, Erden BF. Effects of ziprasidone, SCH23390 and SB277011 on spatial memory in the Morris water maze test in naive and MK-801 treated mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2015; 138:142-7. [PMID: 26394282 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Patients with schizophrenia have cognitive dysfunctions; positive psychotic symptoms are the primary purposes for schizophrenia treatment. Improvements in cognitive function should be a characteristic of all newly developed drugs for the treatment of schizophreniawith dementia. Thus,we investigated the effects of the second-generation antipsychotic ziprasidone, dopamine D1 antagonist SCH-23390 and dopamine D3 antagonist SB-277011 on spatial learning and memory. Materials and methods: Male inbred mice were used. The effects of ziprasidone, SCH-23390 and SB-277011 were investigated using the Morris water maze test. Results: Ziprasidone (0.5 and 1mg/kg), SCH-23390 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and SB-277011 (10 and 20 mg/kg) had no effect on the time spent in the target quadrant in naive mice.MK-801 (0.1mg/kg) significantly decreased the time spent in the target quadrant. The time spent in the target quadrant was significantly prolonged by Ziprasidone (0.5 and 1 mg/kg) and SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg), but not with SB-277011 (20 mg/kg) in MK-801-treated mice. Ziprasidone (0.5 and 1mg/kg), SCH-23390 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and SB-277011 (10 and 20 mg/kg) had no effect on themean distance to the platformin naivemice.MK-801 significantly increased themean distance to the platform. Ziprasidone (1 mg/kg) and SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg) significantly decreased the mean distance to the platform in MK-801-treated mice, but SB-277011 (20 mg/kg) didn't. MK-801 significantly increased the total distance moved. Ziprasidone (0.5 and 1 mg/kg), SCH-23390 (0.05 and 0.1 mg/kg) and SB-277011 (10 and 20 mg/kg) had no effect on the total distance moved in naive mice. Ziprasidone (1 mg/kg) and SCH-23390 (0.1 mg/kg) significantly decreased the total distance moved in MK-801-treated mice, but SB-277011 (20 mg/kg) didn't. Conclusions: The second-generation antipsychotic drug ziprasidone and D1 antagonist SCH23390, but not the D3 antagonist SB277011, might be clinically useful for the treatment of cognitive impairments in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Tanyeri
- Sakarya University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 54100 Sakarya, Turkey.
| | | | - Oguz Mutlu
- Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Güner Ulak
- Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Füruzan Yildiz Akar
- Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | | | - Bekir Faruk Erden
- Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, 41380 Kocaeli, Turkey.
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Wynne AM, Reid CH, Finnerty NJ. In vitro characterisation of ortho phenylenediamine and Nafion®-modified Pt electrodes for measuring brain nitric oxide. J Electroanal Chem (Lausanne) 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelechem.2014.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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12
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Izumi Y, Zorumski CF. Metaplastic effects of subanesthetic ketamine on CA1 hippocampal function. Neuropharmacology 2014; 86:273-81. [PMID: 25128848 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 08/02/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ketamine is a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist of interest in neuropsychiatry. In the present studies, we examined the effects of subanesthetic, low micromolar ketamine on excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs), population spikes (PSs) and synaptic plasticity in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. Ketamine acutely inhibited NMDAR-mediated synaptic responses with half-maximal effects near 10 μM. When administered for 15-30 min at 1-10 μM, ketamine had no effect on baseline dendritic AMPA receptor-mediated EPSPs, but persistently enhanced somatic EPSPs in the pyramidal cell body layer and augmented PS firing. Acute low micromolar ketamine also had no effect on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) but blocked long-term depression (LTD). Following 30 min administration of 1-10 μM ketamine, however, a slowly developing and persistent form of LTP inhibition was observed that took two hours following ketamine washout to become manifest. This LTP inhibition did not result from prolonged or enhanced NMDAR inhibition during drug washout. Effects of low ketamine on somatic EPSPs and LTP were not mimicked by a high ketamine concentration that completely inhibited NMDARs, and both of these effects were blocked by co-administration of low ketamine with a low concentration of the competitive NMDAR antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate or inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase. These results indicate that concentrations of ketamine relevant to psychotropic and psychotomimetic effects have complex metaplastic effects on hippocampal function that involve activation of unblocked NMDARs during ketamine exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukitoshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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Comparison of automated home-cage monitoring systems: Emphasis on feeding behaviour, activity and spatial learning following pharmacological interventions. J Neurosci Methods 2014; 234:13-25. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2014.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2014] [Accepted: 06/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Effects of acute phencyclidine administration on arginine metabolism in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex in rats. Neuropharmacology 2014; 81:195-205. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2013] [Revised: 01/03/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Nasehi M, Piri M, Abdollahian M, Zarrindast MR. Involvement of nitrergic system of CA1in harmane induced learning and memory deficits. Physiol Behav 2013; 109:23-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/19/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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16
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Examination of ketamine-induced deficits in sensorimotor gating and spatial learning. Physiol Behav 2012; 107:355-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2012.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2012] [Revised: 08/21/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Gourgiotis I, Kampouri NG, Koulouri V, Lempesis IG, Prasinou MD, Georgiadou G, Pitsikas N. Nitric oxide modulates apomorphine-induced recognition memory deficits in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2012; 102:507-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2012.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2012] [Revised: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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18
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Brain nitric oxide: Regional characterisation of a real-time microelectrochemical sensor. J Neurosci Methods 2012; 209:13-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2012.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Roenker NL, Gudelsky GA, Ahlbrand R, Horn PS, Richtand NM. Evidence for involvement of nitric oxide and GABA(B) receptors in MK-801- stimulated release of glutamate in rat prefrontal cortex. Neuropharmacology 2012; 63:575-81. [PMID: 22579658 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2011] [Revised: 03/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Systemic administration of NMDA receptor antagonists elevates extracellular glutamate within prefrontal cortex. The cognitive and behavioral effects of NMDA receptor blockade have direct relevance to symptoms of schizophrenia, and recent studies demonstrate an important role for nitric oxide and GABA(B) receptors in mediating the effects of NMDA receptor blockade on these behaviors. We sought to extend those observations by directly measuring the effects of nitric oxide and GABA(B) receptor mechanisms on MK-801-induced glutamate release in the prefrontal cortex. Systemic MK-801 injection (0.3 mg/kg) to male Sprague-Dawley rats significantly increased extracellular glutamate levels in prefrontal cortex, as determined by microdialysis. This effect was blocked by pre-treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME (60 mg/kg). Reverse dialysis of the nitric oxide donor SNAP (0.5-5 mM) directly into prefrontal cortex mimicked the effect of systemic MK-801, dose-dependently elevating cortical extracellular glutamate. The effect of MK-801 was also blocked by systemic treatment with the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (5 mg/kg). In combination, these data suggest increased nitric oxide formation is necessary for NMDA antagonist-induced elevations of extracellular glutamate in the prefrontal cortex. Additionally, the data suggest GABA(B) receptor activation can modulate the NMDA antagonist-induced increase in cortical glutamate release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Roenker
- James Winkle College of Pharmacy, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Adachi N, Numakawa T, Kumamaru E, Itami C, Chiba S, Iijima Y, Richards M, Katoh-Semba R, Kunugi H. Phencyclidine-induced decrease of synaptic connectivity via inhibition of BDNF secretion in cultured cortical neurons. Cereb Cortex 2012; 23:847-58. [PMID: 22467667 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhs074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Repeated administration of phencyclidine (PCP), a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor blocker, produces schizophrenia-like behaviors in humans and rodents. Although impairment of synaptic function has been implicated in the effect of PCP, the molecular mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Considering that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in synaptic plasticity, we examined whether exposure to PCP leads to impaired BDNF function in cultured cortical neurons. We found that PCP caused a transient increase in the level of intracellular BDNF within 3 h. Despite the increased intracellular amount of BDNF, activation of Trk receptors and downstream signaling cascades, including MAPK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/Akt pathways, were decreased. The number of synaptic sites and expression of synaptic proteins were decreased 48 h after PCP application without any impact on cell viability. Both electrophysiological and biochemical analyses revealed that PCP diminished glutamatergic neurotransmission. Furthermore, we found that the secretion of BDNF from cortical neurons was suppressed by PCP. We also confirmed that PCP-caused downregulation of Trk signalings and synaptic proteins were restored by exogenous BDNF application. It is possible that impaired secretion of BDNF and subsequent decreases in Trk signaling are responsible for the loss of synaptic connections caused by PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Adachi
- Department of Mental Disorder Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo 187-8502, Japan
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Synaptic transmission changes in fear memory circuits underlie key features of an animal model of schizophrenia. Behav Brain Res 2012; 227:184-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Revised: 10/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Rose EJ, Greene C, Kelly S, Morris DW, Robertson IH, Fahey C, Jacobson S, O'Doherty J, Newell FN, McGrath J, Bokde A, Garavan H, Frodl T, Gill M, Corvin AP, Donohoe G. The NOS1 variant rs6490121 is associated with variation in prefrontal function and grey matter density in healthy individuals. Neuroimage 2011; 60:614-22. [PMID: 22227051 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2011.12.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2011] [Revised: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A common polymorphism within the nitric oxide sythanse-1 (NOS1) gene (rs6490121), initially identified as risk variant for schizophrenia, has been associated with variation in working memory and IQ. Here we investigated how this variation might be mediated at the level of brain structure and function. In healthy individuals (N=157), voxel based morphometry was used to compare grey matter (GM) volume between homozygous and heterozygous carriers of the 'G' allele (i.e. the allele associated with impaired cognition and schizophrenia risk) and homozygous carriers of the non-risk 'A' allele. Functional brain imaging data were also acquired from 48 participants during performance of a spatial working memory (SWM) task, and analysed to determine any effect of NOS1 risk status. An a priori region-of-interest analysis identified a significant reduction in ventromedial prefrontal GM volume in 'G' allele carriers. Risk carriers also exhibited altered patterns of activation in the prefrontal cortex, caudate, and superior parietal lobe, which were characteristic of abnormal increases in activation in frontoparietal working memory networks and a failure to disengage regions of the default mode network. These functional changes suggest a NOS1-mediated processing inefficiency, which may contribute to cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. While the mechanisms by which NOS1 may influence brain structure and/or function have not yet been well delineated, these data provide further evidence for a role of NOS1 in risk for schizophrenia via an impact upon cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J Rose
- Neuropsychiatric Genetics Research Group & Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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Georgiadou G, Pitsikas N. Repeated administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l-NAME differentially affects rats’ recognition memory. Behav Brain Res 2011; 224:140-4. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.05.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2011] [Accepted: 05/29/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Mutlu O, Ulak G, Celikyurt IK, Akar FY, Erden F. Effects of olanzapine, sertindole and clozapine on learning and memory in the Morris water maze test in naive and MK-801-treated mice. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 98:398-404. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Revised: 01/21/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Wass C, Klamer D, Katsarogiannis E, Pålsson E, Svensson L, Fejgin K, Bogren IB, Engel JA, Rembeck B. L-lysine as adjunctive treatment in patients with schizophrenia: a single-blinded, randomized, cross-over pilot study. BMC Med 2011; 9:40. [PMID: 21501494 PMCID: PMC3094237 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-9-40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2011] [Accepted: 04/18/2011] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests that the brain's nitric oxide (NO) signalling system may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and could thus constitute a novel treatment target. The study was designed to investigate the benefit of L-lysine, an amino acid that interferes with NO production, as an add-on treatment for schizophrenia. METHODS L-lysine, 6 g/day, was administered to 10 patients with schizophrenia as an adjunctive to their conventional antipsychotic medication. The study was designed as a single-blinded, cross-over study where patients were randomly assigned to initial treatment with either L-lysine or placebo and screened at baseline, after four weeks when treatment was crossed over, and after eight weeks. RESULTS L-lysine treatment caused a significant increase in blood concentration of L-lysine and was well tolerated. A significant decrease in positive symptom severity, measured by the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), was detected. A certain decrease in score was also observed during placebo treatment and the effects on PANSS could not unequivocally be assigned to the L-lysine treatment. Furthermore, performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was significantly improved compared to baseline, an effect probably biased by training. Subjective reports from three of the patients indicated decreased symptom severity and enhanced cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS Four-week L-lysine treatment of 6 g/day caused a significant increase in blood concentration of L-lysine that was well tolerated. Patients showed a significant decrease in positive symptoms as assessed by PANSS in addition to self-reported symptom improvement by three patients. The NO-signalling pathway is an interesting, potentially new treatment target for schizophrenia; however, the effects of L-lysine need further evaluation to decide the amino acid's potentially beneficial effects on symptom severity in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Wass
- Schizophrenia Program, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada.
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26
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Boultadakis A, Pitsikas N. Effects of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME on recognition and spatial memory deficits produced by different NMDA receptor antagonists in the rat. Neuropsychopharmacology 2010; 35:2357-66. [PMID: 20664579 PMCID: PMC3055326 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2010.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
There is consistent experimental evidence that noncompetitive antagonists of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, such as ketamine, MK-801, and phencyclidine (PCP), impair cognition and produce psychotomimetic effects in rodents. Nitric oxide (NO) is considered as an intracellular messenger in the brain. The implication of NO in learning and memory is well documented. This study was designed to investigate the ability of the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME to antagonize recognition and spatial memory deficits produced by the NMDA receptor antagonists, MK-801 and ketamine, in the rat. L-NAME (1-3 mg/kg) counteracted MK-801- (0.1 mg/kg) and ketamine (3 mg/kg)-induced performance impairments in the novel object recognition task. L-NAME (10 mg/kg) attenuated ketamine (15 mg/kg)-induced spatial working memory and retention deficits in the radial water maze paradigm. L-NAME, applied at 3 mg/kg, however, disrupted rodents' performance in this spatial memory task. The present findings indicate (1) that L-NAME is sensitive to glutamate hypofunction produced by other than PCP NMDA antagonists such as MK-801 and ketamine and (2) that L-NAME alone differentially affects rodents' spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Boultadakis
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Pitsikas
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece,Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Biopolis, 411-10 Larissa, Greece. Tel: +30 2410 685535, Fax: +30 2410 685552; E-mail:
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Pålsson E, Finnerty N, Fejgin K, Klamer D, Wass C, Svensson L, Lowry J. Increased cortical nitric oxide release after phencyclidine administration. Synapse 2009; 63:1083-8. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.20690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Bullock WM, Bolognani F, Botta P, Valenzuela CF, Perrone-Bizzozero NI. Schizophrenia-like GABAergic gene expression deficits in cerebellar Golgi cells from rats chronically exposed to low-dose phencyclidine. Neurochem Int 2009; 55:775-82. [PMID: 19651169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2009.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2009] [Revised: 07/22/2009] [Accepted: 07/27/2009] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
One of the most consistent findings in schizophrenia is the decreased expression of the GABA synthesizing enzymes GAD(67) and GAD(65) in specific interneuron populations. This dysfunction is observed in distributed brain regions including the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. In an effort to understand the mechanisms for this GABA deficit, we investigated the effect of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist phencyclidine (PCP), which elicits schizophrenia-like symptoms in both humans and animal models, in a chronic, low-dose exposure paradigm. Adult rats were given PCP at a dose of 2.58 mg/kg/day i.p. for a month, after which levels of various GABAergic cell mRNAs and other neuromodulators were examined in the cerebellum by qRT-PCR. Administration of PCP decreased the expression of GAD(67), GAD(65), and the presynaptic GABA transporter GAT-1, and increased GABA(A) receptor subunits similar to those seen in patients with schizophrenia. Additionally, we found that the mRNA levels of two Golgi cell selective NMDAR subunits, NR2B and NR2D, were decreased in PCP-treated rats. Furthermore, we localized the deficits in GAD(67) expression solely to these interneurons. Slice electrophysiological studies showed that spontaneous firing of Golgi cells was reduced by acute exposure to low-dose PCP, suggesting that these neurons are particularly vulnerable to NMDA receptor antagonism. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that chronic exposure to low levels of PCP in rats mimics the GABAergic alterations reported in the cerebellum of patients with schizophrenia (Bullock et al., 2008. Am. J. Psychiatry 165, 1594-1603), further supporting the validity of this animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Michael Bullock
- Department of Neurosciences, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
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Prefrontal GABA(B) receptor activation attenuates phencyclidine-induced impairments of prepulse inhibition: involvement of nitric oxide. Neuropsychopharmacology 2009; 34:1673-84. [PMID: 19145229 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2008.225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Recent theories propose that both GABA and glutamate signaling are compromised in patients with schizophrenia. These deficits can be observed in several brain regions including the prefrontal cortex (PFC), an area extensively linked to the cognitive dysfunction in this disease and notably affected by NMDA receptor antagonists such as phencyclidine (PCP). We have previously demonstrated that inhibition of the nitric oxide (NO) pathways in the brain, particularly in the PFC, prevents a wide range of PCP-induced behavioral deficits including disruption of prepulse inhibition (PPI). This study investigated the role of GABA(B) receptor signaling and NO in the effects of PCP on PPI. Mice received systemic or prefrontal injections of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen (2.5-5 mg/kg and 1 mM) before PCP treatment (5 mg/kg) and were thereafter tested for PPI. GABA/NO interactions were studied by combining baclofen and the NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME (20 mg/kg) in subthreshold doses. The role of GABA(B) receptors for NO production in vivo was assessed using NO-sensors implanted into the rat PFC. PCP-induced PPI deficits were attenuated in an additive manner by systemic baclofen treatment, whereas prefrontal microinjections of baclofen completely blocked the effects of PCP, without affecting PPI per se. The combination of baclofen and L-NAME was more effective in preventing the effects of PCP than any compound by itself. Additionally, baclofen decreased NO release in the PFC in a dose-related manner. This study proposes a role for GABA(B) receptor signaling in the effects of PCP, with altered NO levels as a downstream consequence. Thus, prefrontal NO signaling mirrors an altered level of cortical inhibition that may be of importance for information processing deficits in schizophrenia.
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Wass C, Klamer D, Fejgin K, Pålsson E. The importance of nitric oxide in social dysfunction. Behav Brain Res 2009; 200:113-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2008] [Revised: 12/28/2008] [Accepted: 01/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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31
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Using the MATRICS to guide development of a preclinical cognitive test battery for research in schizophrenia. Pharmacol Ther 2009; 122:150-202. [PMID: 19269307 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2009.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 257] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2009] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia are among the core symptoms of the disease, correlate with functional outcome, and are not well treated with current antipsychotic therapies. In order to bring together academic, industrial, and governmental bodies to address this great 'unmet therapeutic need', the NIMH sponsored the Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) initiative. Through careful factor analysis and consensus of expert opinion, MATRICS identified seven domains of cognition that are deficient in schizophrenia (attention/vigilance, working memory, reasoning and problem solving, processing speed, visual learning and memory, verbal learning and memory, and social cognition) and recommended a specific neuropsychological test battery to probe these domains. In order to move the field forward and outline an approach for translational research, there is a need for a "preclinical MATRICS" to develop a rodent test battery that is appropriate for drug development. In this review, we outline such an approach and review current rodent tasks that target these seven domains of cognition. The rodent tasks are discussed in terms of their validity for probing each cognitive domain as well as a brief overview of the pharmacology and manipulations relevant to schizophrenia for each task.
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Activation of hippocampal nitric oxide and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in response to Morris water maze learning in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2008; 92:260-6. [PMID: 19135080 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2008] [Revised: 12/01/2008] [Accepted: 12/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
This study investigates the interactive roles of nitric oxide (NO) and CaM-kinase II (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II) in Morris water maze learning. In Experiment I, experimental rats received 5 days of training on a Morris water maze, where the controls were trained in the water maze with no spatial cue condition or were trained via a visually guided landmark condition. The experimental rats showed improvement in their rate of spatial learning in the water maze. The escape latencies were significantly correlated with the Ca2+-independent activity of the hippocampal CaM-kinase II. Moreover, there was a significant increase in the endogenous phosphorylation of neuronal NOS and CaM-kinase II in the experimental group when compared to the controls. The intra-hippocampal infusion of 7-NI, KN-93, or AP5 did disrupt water maze learning. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that these drugs significantly depressed phosphorylation of hippocampal NOS. The Ca2+-independent activity of hippocampal CaM-kinase II was significantly lower in the KN-93 or the AP5 infused group when compared to the controls. Although these depressed activities were not reversed by the infusion of NO donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP), the rats' water maze learning behavior were ameliorated significantly. These results, taken together, indicate that the NOS activation is essential for water maze learning, which may be triggered via the CaM-kinase II activation in hippocampus.
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Fejgin K, Pålsson E, Wass C, Svensson L, Klamer D. Nitric oxide signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex is involved in the biochemical and behavioral effects of phencyclidine. Neuropsychopharmacology 2008; 33:1874-83. [PMID: 17895915 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is believed to play an important role in the cognitive impairments observed in schizophrenia and has also been shown to be involved in the modulation of prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of preattentive information processing that is impaired in schizophrenic individuals. Phencyclidine (PCP), a noncompetitive inhibitor of the NMDA receptor, exerts psychotomimetic effects in humans, disrupts PPI, and causes hypofrontality in rodents and monkeys. We have previously demonstrated that interfering with the production of nitric oxide (NO) can prevent a wide range of PCP-induced behavioral deficits, including PPI disruption. In the present study, the role of NO signaling for the behavioral and biochemical effects of PCP was further investigated. Dialysate from the medial PFC of mice receiving systemic treatment with PCP and/or the NO synthase inhibitor, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 40 mg/kg), was analyzed for cGMP content. Furthermore, a specific inhibitor of NO-sensitive soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC), 1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ, 0.01-1 mM), was administered into the medial PFC of mice in combination with systemic injections of PCP, followed by PPI and locomotor activity testing. PCP (5 mg/kg) caused an increase in prefrontal cGMP that could be attenuated by pretreatment with the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME. Moreover, bilateral microinjection of the sGC inhibitor, ODQ, into the medial PFC of mice attenuated the disruption of PPI, but not the hyperlocomotion, caused by PCP. The present study shows that NO/sGC/cGMP signaling pathway in the medial PFC is involved in specific behavioral effects of PCP that may have relevance for the disabling cognitive dysfunction found in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Fejgin
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden
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34
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Beraki S, Kuzmin A, Tai F, Ogren SO. Repeated low dose of phencyclidine administration impairs spatial learning in mice: blockade by clozapine but not by haloperidol. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2008; 18:486-97. [PMID: 18242064 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2007.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2007] [Revised: 10/26/2007] [Accepted: 12/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The effect of phencyclidine (PCP), a non-competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, was examined in the water maze, a spatial learning and memory task dependent on hippocampal functions. Male adult C57Bl/6J mice received daily (s.c.) injections of either saline or PCP (0.25-4.0 mg/kg) for 12 days. During the last 5 days, the injections were followed by water maze training. Repeated PCP treatments disrupted spatial learning and memory in the 0.5-4.0 mg/kg dose range. Severe sensorimotor disturbances, observed at the 2.0 and 4.0 mg/kg doses of PCP, precluded further swim maze testing. The 0.5 mg/kg but not the 1.0 mg/kg dose of PCP impaired spatial learning and memory without any apparent sensorimotor deficits. PCP, at 1.0 mg/kg, produced impairment in non-spatial learning in the swim maze task and motor disturbances in the rotarod test. Repeated daily treatment with either the "atypical" antipsychotic drug clozapine (0.5 mg/kg i.p.) or the "typical" antipsychotic drug haloperidol (0.05 mg/kg i.p.) failed to influence spatial performances. The spatial impairment caused by the 0.5 mg/kg dose of PCP was blocked by concomitant treatment with clozapine (0.5 mg/kg), but not with haloperidol (0.05 mg/kg). The results suggest that it is possible, at low doses of PCP, to dissociate the spatial learning impairment in the water maze from the adverse behavioral effects of NMDA receptor blockade. This model may provide a basis for the analysis of the mechanisms underlying declarative memory disturbances in schizophrenia and the differences in mechanisms between typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simret Beraki
- Department of Neuroscience, Division of Behavioral Neuroscience, Retziusvag 8, B3:5, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden
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Nitric oxide synthase inhibition attenuates phencyclidine-induced disruption of cognitive flexibility. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2008; 89:352-9. [PMID: 18321564 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2008.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2007] [Revised: 01/07/2008] [Accepted: 01/14/2008] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia encompasses, amongst other symptoms, a heavy load of cognitive dysfunctionality. Using the psychotomimetic agent, phencyclidine (PCP), we have previously found that PCP-induced disruptions of cognitive function in translational rodent models of schizophrenia are dependent on nitric oxide (NO) production. In the present study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a Morris water maze task designed to assess cognitive flexibility (i.e. the ability to cope with an increasingly demanding cognitive task) by means of a "constant reversal learning paradigm". Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of the NO synthase inhibitor, L-NAME (10 mg/kg), on PCP-induced (2 mg/kg) impairments. Control animals significantly improved their learning over the first 3 consecutive days, whereas PCP-treated animals failed to show any significant learning. Pretreatment with L-NAME normalized the PCP-induced disruption of learning to control levels. These findings suggest that PCP-induced disruptions of cognitive flexibility (i.e. ability to modify behaviour according to an increasingly demanding cognitive task) are dependent upon NO production. These observations, together with accumulated clinical findings, suggest that the NO system is a potential treatment target for cognitive dysfunctions in schizophrenia.
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Levkovitz Y, Levi U, Braw Y, Cohen H. Minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline, as a neuroprotective agent in an animal model of schizophrenia. Brain Res 2007; 1154:154-62. [PMID: 17488642 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.03.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2006] [Revised: 03/06/2007] [Accepted: 03/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Minocycline is a second-generation tetracycline with a distinct neuroprotective profile. The current study assessed the effects of minocycline in an animal model of schizophrenia, the non-competitive NMDA antagonist (dizocilpine maleate; MK801). The effects of minocycline were compared to those of haloperidol, a dopamine antagonist used for the treatment of schizophrenia. The study protocol involved daily intraperitoneal injections of minocycline (35 mg/kg) for three consecutive days. On the fourth day, the rats were injected with MK801 and assessed for visual-spatial memory (Morris water maze) and sensorimotor gating (acoustic startle response, ASR, and the prepulse inhibition of the ASR). The findings indicate that MK801 caused cognitive visuo-spatial memory deficits and changes in sensorimotor gating, similar to those evident in schizophrenia. Minocycline reversed these cognitive effects of MK801 and this effect was similar to that of haloperidol. The results of this study suggest that minocycline may have protective properties against the cognitive effects of the MK801 animal model of schizophrenia. The discussion addresses potential mechanisms underlying the effects of minocycline and possible directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yechiel Levkovitz
- The Emotion-Cognition Research Center, The Shalvata Mental Health Care Center, P.O.B. 94. Hod-Hasharon, Israel.
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Wultsch T, Chourbaji S, Fritzen S, Kittel S, Grünblatt E, Gerlach M, Gutknecht L, Chizat F, Golfier G, Schmitt A, Gass P, Lesch KP, Reif A. Behavioural and expressional phenotyping of nitric oxide synthase-I knockdown animals. JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION. SUPPLEMENTUM 2007:69-85. [PMID: 17982880 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-211-73574-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The gaseous messenger nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated in a wide range of behaviors, including aggression, anxiety, depression, and cognitive functioning. To further elucidate the physiological role of NO and its down-stream mechanisms, we conducted behavioral and expressional phenotyping of mice lacking the neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS-I), the major source of NO in the central nervous system. No differences were observed in activity-related parameters; in contrast to the a priori hypothesis, derived from pharmacological treatments, depression-related tests (Forced Swim Test, Learned Helplessness) also yielded no significantly different results. A subtle anxiolytic phenotype however was present, with knockdown mice displaying a higher open arm time as compared to their respective wildtypes, yet all other investigated anxiety-related parameters were unchanged. The most prominent feature however was gender-independent cognitive impairment in spatial learning and memory, as assessed by the Water Maze test and an automatized holeboard paradigm. No significant dysregulation of monoamine transporters was evidenced by qRT PCR. To further examine the underlying molecular mechanisms, the transcriptome of knockdown animals was thus examined in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebellum by microarray analysis. A set of >120 differentially expressed genes was identified, whereat the hippocampus and the striatum showed similar expressional profiles as compared to the cerebellum in hierarchical clustering. Among the most significantly up-regulated genes were Peroxiredoxon 3, Atonal homologue 1, Kcnj1, Kcnj8, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP), alpha, 3 genes involved in GABA(B) signalling and, intriguingly, the glucocorticoid receptor GR. While GABAergic genes might underlie reduced anxiety, dysregulation of the glucocorticoid receptor can well contribute to a blunted stress response as found in NOS1 knockdown mice. Furthermore, by CREB inhibition, glucocorticoid receptor upregulation could at least partially explain cognitive deficits in these animals. Taken together, NOS1 knockdown mice display a characteristic behavioural profile consisting of reduced anxiety and impaired learning and memory, paralleled by differential expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and GABAergic genes. Further research has to assess the value of these mice as animal models e.g. for Alzheimer's disease or attention deficit disorder, in order to clarify a possible pathophysiological role of NO therein.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Wultsch
- Molecular and Clinical Psychobiology, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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