Serotonin1A receptors in the dorsal hippocampus regulate working memory and long-term habituation in the hemiparkinsonian rats

Mitochondrial Interaction with Serotonin in Neurobiology and Its Implication in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a lethal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by severe brain pathologies and progressive cognitive decline. While the exact cause of this disease remains unknown, emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of neurotransmitters contributes to the development of AD pathology and symptoms. Serotonin, a critical neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a pivotal role in regulating various brain processes and is implicated in neurological and psychiatric disorders, including AD. Recent studies have shed light on the interplay between mitochondrial function and serotonin regulation in brain physiology. In AD, there is a deficiency of serotonin, along with impairments in mitochondrial function, particularly in serotoninergic neurons. Additionally, altered activity of mitochondrial enzymes, such as monoamine oxidase, may contribute to serotonin dysregulation in AD. Understanding the intricate relationship between mitochondria and serotonin provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of AD and identifies potential therapeutic targets to restore serotonin homeostasis and alleviate AD symptoms. This review summarizes the recent advancements in unraveling the connection between brain mitochondria and serotonin, emphasizing their significance in AD pathogenesis and underscoring the importance of further research in this area. Elucidating the role of mitochondria in serotonin dysfunction will promote the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment and prevention of this neurodegenerative disorder.

Restoration and targeting of aberrant neurotransmitters in Parkinson's disease therapeutics

Neurotransmitters are considered as a fundamental regulator in the process of neuronal growth, differentiation and survival. Parkinson's Disease (PD) occurs due to extensive damage of dopamine-producing neurons; this causes dopamine deficits in the midbrain, followed by the alternation of various other neurotransmitters (glutamate, GABA, serotonin, etc.). It has been observed that fluctuation of neurotransmission in the basal ganglia exhibits a great impact on the pathophysiology of PD. Dopamine replacement therapy, such as the use of L-DOPA, can increase the dopamine level, but it majorly ameliorates the motor symptoms and is also associated with long-term complications (for e.g., LID). While the non-dopaminergic system can efficiently target non-motor symptoms, for instance, the noradrenergic system regulates the synthesis of BDNF via the MAPK pathway, which is important in learning and memory. Herein, we briefly discuss the role of different neurotransmitters, implementation of neurotransmitter receptors in PD. We also illustrate the recent advances of neurotransmitter-based drugs, which are currently under in vivo and clinical studies. Reinstating normal neurotransmitter levels has been believed to be advantageous in the treatment of PD. Thus, there is an increasing demand for drugs that can specifically target the neurotransmission system and reinstate the normal levels of neurotransmitters, which might prevent or delay neurodegeneration in PD.

Modulating role of serotonergic signaling in sleep and memory

Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter with various receptors and wide-range effects on physiological processes and cognitive functions including sleep, learning, and memory. In this review study, we aimed to discuss the role of serotonergic receptors in modulating sleep-wake cycle, and learning and memory function. Furthermore, we mentioned to sleep deprivation, its effects on memory function, and the potential interaction with serotonin. Although there are thousands of research articles focusing on the relationship between sleep and serotonin; however, the pattern of serotonergic function in sleep deprivation is inconsistent and it seems that serotonin has not a certain role in the effects of sleep deprivation on memory function. Also, we found that the injection type of serotonergic agents (systemic or local), the doses of these drugs (dose-dependent effects), and up- or down-regulation of serotonergic receptors during training with various memory tasks are important issues that can be involved in the effects of serotonergic signaling on sleep-wake cycle, memory function, and sleep deprivation-induced memory impairments. This comprehensive review was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases in June and July 2021, by searching keywords sleep, sleep deprivation, memory, and serotonin.

Biased agonism in drug discovery: Is there a future for biased 5-HT1A receptor agonists in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases?

Serotonin (5-HT) is one of the fundamental neurotransmitters that contribute to the information essential for an organism's normal, physiological function. Serotonin acts centrally and systemically. The 5-HT_1A receptor is the most widespread serotonin receptor, and participates in many brain-related disorders, including anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments. The 5-HT_1A receptor can activate several different biochemical pathways and signals through both G protein-dependent and G protein-independent pathways. Preclinical experiments indicate that distinct signaling pathways in specific brain regions may be crucial for antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and procognitive responses. Therefore, the development of new ligands that selectively target a particular signaling pathway(s) could open new possibilities for more effective and safer pharmacotherapy. This review discusses the current state of preclinical studies focusing on the concept of functional selectivity (biased agonism) regarding the 5-HT_1A receptor and its role in antidepressant-like, anxiolytic-like, and procognitive regulation. Such work highlights not only the differential effects of targeted autoreceptors, vs. heteroreceptors, but also the importance of targeting specific downstream intracellular signaling processes, thereby enhancing favorable over unfavorable signaling activation.

Multiple facets of serotonergic modulation

The serotonergic system of the central nervous system (CNS) has been implicated in a broad range of physiological functions and behaviors, such as cognition, mood, social interaction, sexual behavior, feeding behavior, sleep-wake cycle and thermoregulation. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) establishes a plethora of interactions with neurochemical systems in the CNS via its numerous 5-HT receptors and autoreceptors. The facets of this control are multiple if we consider the molecular actors playing a role in the autoregulation of 5-HT neuron activity including the 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_1B, 5-HT_1D, 5-HT_2B, 5-HT₇ receptors as well as the serotonin transporter. Moreover, extrinsic loops involving other neurotransmitters giving the other 5-HT receptors the possibility to impact 5-HT neuron activity. Grasping the complexity of these interactions is essential for the development of a variety of therapeutic strategies for cognitive defects and mood disorders. Presently we can illustrate the plurality of the mechanisms and only conceive that these 5-HT controls are likely not uniform in terms of regional and neuronal distribution. Our understanding of the specific expression patterns of these receptors on specific circuits and neuronal populations are progressing and will expand our comprehension of the function and interaction of these receptors with other chemical systems. Thus, the development of new approaches profiling the expression of 5-HT receptors and autoreceptors should reveal additional facets of the 5-HT controls of neurochemical systems in the CNS.

The 5-HT6 Receptors in the Ventrolateral Orbital Cortex Attenuate Allodynia in a Rodent Model of Neuropathic Pain

Mechanical allodynia, characterized by a painful sensation induced by innocuous stimuli, is thought to be caused by disruption in pain-related regions. Identification and reversal of this pathologic neuroadaptation are therefore beneficial for clinical treatment. Previous evidence suggests that 5-HT₆ receptors in the ventrolateral orbital cortex (VLO) are involved in neuropathic pain, but their function is poorly understood. The aim of the present study is to unveil the role of 5-HT₆ receptors in the VLO and the underlying mechanisms in pain modulation. Here, by using the spared nerve injury (SNI) pain model, first, we report that 5-HT₆ receptor protein decreased in the contralateral VLO compared with the ipsilateral VLO in rats with allodynia. Second, microinjection of the selective 5-HT₆ receptor agonists EMD-386088 and WAY-208466 into the contralateral VLO consistently and significantly depressed allodynia. Third, microinjection of the selective antagonist SB-258585 blocked the agonist-induced anti-allodynic effect, while the antagonist applied alone to the VLO had no effect. Furthermore, the anti-nociceptive effect of EMD-386088 on neuropathic pain was prevented by the adenylate cyclase (AC) inhibitor SQ-22536, and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor H89, suggesting that AC/PKA signaling might underlie the antinociception of agonists. Finally, the 5-HT₆ receptors were found to be colocalized with a glutamate transporter (EAAC1) by immunofluorescent staining, and the glutamate receptor antagonist kynurenic acid was found to completely block antinociception. These findings indicated that the antinociceptive effect of 5-HT₆ receptor agonists might occur via interaction with the glutamatergic system. Altogether, the agonists activated 5-HT₆ receptors present in the glutamatergic neurons in the VLO to facilitate the AC/PKA cascade, which subsequently might evoke glutamate release, thus depressing allodynia. These findings suggest a potential therapeutic role of 5-HT₆ receptor agonists in treating neuropathic pain.

Kv7.2 subunit-containing M-type potassium channels in the lateral habenula are involved in the regulation of working memory in parkinsonian rats

Although the lateral habenula (LHb) is involved in the regulation of multiple brain functions and this region expresses abundant M-type potassium channel (M-channel) subunits Kv7.2 and Kv7.3, the role of M-channels in regulating working memory is unclear, particularly in Parkinson's disease (PD). Here we tested the effects of activation and blockade of LHb M-channels on working memory by the T-maze rewarded alternation test in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the substantia nigra compacta (SNc). The SNc lesion induced working memory impairment, increased the firing rate of LHb neurons, decreased dopamine (DA) level in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and reduced the expression of Kv7.2 subunit in the LHb. Intra-LHb injection of M-channel activator retigabine induced enhancement of working memory in SNc sham-lesioned and SNc-lesioned rats; conversely, the injection of M-channel blocker XE-991 impaired working memory in the two groups of rats. However, doses producing significant effects in SNc-lesioned rats were higher than those in SNc sham-lesioned rats. Further, intra-LHb injection of retigabine decreased the firing rate of LHb neurons and increased release of DA and serotonin (5-HT) in the vmPFC, while XE-991 increased the firing rate and decreased DA and 5-HT release in the two groups of rats. Compared with SNc sham-lesioned rats, the duration of M-channel activation and blockade action on the firing rate of the neurons and release of DA and 5-HT was significantly shortened in SNc-lesioned rats, which was consistent with reduced expression of Kv7.2 subunit in the LHb after lesioning the SNc. Collectively, these findings suggest involvement of LHb Kv7.2 subunit-containing M-channels in working memory impairment in SNc-lesioned rats, and that enhanced or impaired working memory after activation or blockade of M-channels in the LHb is related to the changes in the firing activity of LHb neurons and DA and 5-HT release in the vmPFC.