1
|
Tsotsokou G, Kouri V, Papatheodoropoulos C. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors induce long-term synaptic enhancement in the dorsal but not ventral hippocampus. Synapse 2024; 78:e22285. [PMID: 38287475 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Agents that positively modulate the activity of α7nAChRs are used as cognitive enhancers and for the treatment of hippocampus-dependent functional decline. However, it is not known whether the expression and the effects of α7nAChRs apply to the entire longitudinal axis of the hippocampus equally. Given that cholinergic system-involving hippocampal functions are not equally distributed along the hippocampus, we comparatively examined the expression and the effects of α7nAChRs on excitatory synaptic transmission between the dorsal and the ventral hippocampal slices from adult rats. We found that α7nAChRs are equally expressed in the CA1 field of the two segments of the hippocampus. However, activation of α7nAChRs by their highly selective agonist PNU 282987 induced a gradually developing increase in field excitatory postsynaptic potential only in the dorsal hippocampus. This long-term potentiation was not reversed upon application of nonselective nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine, but the induction of potentiation was prevented by prior blockade of α7nAChRs by their antagonist MG 624. In contrast to the long-term synaptic plasticity, we found that α7nAChRs did not modulate short-term synaptic plasticity in either the dorsal or the ventral hippocampus. These results may have implications for the role that α7nAChRs play in specifically modulating functions that depend on the normal function of the dorsal hippocampus. We propose that hippocampal functions that rely on a direct α7 nAChR-mediated persistent enhancement of glutamatergic synaptic transmission are preferably supported by dorsal but not ventral hippocampal synapses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giota Tsotsokou
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Physiology, University of Patras, Rion, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Kouri
- Department of Medicine, Laboratory of Physiology, University of Patras, Rion, Greece
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Burjanadze MA, Dashniani MG, Solomonia RO, Beselia GV, Tsverava L, Lagani V, Chkhikvishvili NC, Naneishvili TL, Kruashvili LB, Chighladze MR. Age-related changes in medial septal cholinergic and GABAergic projection neurons and hippocampal neurotransmitter receptors: relationship with memory impairment. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:1589-1604. [PMID: 35357523 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06354-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampus, which provides cognitive functions, has been shown to become highly vulnerable during aging. One important modulator of the hippocampal neural network is the medial septum (MS). The present study attempts to determine how age-related mnemonic dysfunction is associated with neurochemical changes in the septohippocampal (SH) system, using behavioral and immunochemical experiments performed on young-adult, middle-aged and aged rats. According to these behavioral results, the aged and around 52.8% of middle-aged rats (within the "middle-aged-impaired" sub-group) showed both impaired spatial reference memory in the Morris water maze and habituation in the open field. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a significant decrease in the number of MS choline acetyltransferase immunoreactive cells in the aged and all middle-aged rats, in comparison to the young; however the number of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) parvalbumin immunoreactive cells was higher in middle-aged-impaired and older rats compared to young and middle-aged-unimpaired rats. Western Blot analysis moreover showed a decrease in the level of expression of cholinergic, GABAergic and glutamatergic receptors in the hippocampus of middle-aged-impaired and aged rats in contrast to middle-aged-unimpaired and young rats. The present results demonstrate for the first time that a decrease in the expression level of hippocampal receptors in naturally aged rats with impaired cognitive abilities occurs in parallel with an increase in the number of GABAergic neurons in the MS, and it highlights the particular importance of inhibitory signaling in the SH network for memory function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maia A Burjanadze
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia.
| | - Manana G Dashniani
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Revaz O Solomonia
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, 0162, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Gela V Beselia
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Petre Shotadze Tbilisi Medical Academy, 0144, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Lia Tsverava
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia.,Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, 0162, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Vincenzo Lagani
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, 0162, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Nino C Chkhikvishvili
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Temur L Naneishvili
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Lali B Kruashvili
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Mariam R Chighladze
- Department of Behavior and Cognitive Function, I. Beritashvili Center of Experimental Biomedicine, 0160, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Iarkov A, Mendoza C, Echeverria V. Cholinergic Receptor Modulation as a Target for Preventing Dementia in Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:665820. [PMID: 34616271 PMCID: PMC8488354 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.665820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in the midbrain resulting in progressive impairment in cognitive and motor abilities. The physiological and molecular mechanisms triggering dopaminergic neuronal loss are not entirely defined. PD occurrence is associated with various genetic and environmental factors causing inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in the brain, leading to oxidative stress, proteinopathy, and reduced viability of dopaminergic neurons. Oxidative stress affects the conformation and function of ions, proteins, and lipids, provoking mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation and dysfunction. The disruption of protein homeostasis induces the aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-SYN) and parkin and a deficit in proteasome degradation. Also, oxidative stress affects dopamine release by activating ATP-sensitive potassium channels. The cholinergic system is essential in modulating the striatal cells regulating cognitive and motor functions. Several muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed in the striatum. The nAChRs signaling reduces neuroinflammation and facilitates neuronal survival, neurotransmitter release, and synaptic plasticity. Since there is a deficit in the nAChRs in PD, inhibiting nAChRs loss in the striatum may help prevent dopaminergic neurons loss in the striatum and its pathological consequences. The nAChRs can also stimulate other brain cells supporting cognitive and motor functions. This review discusses the cholinergic system as a therapeutic target of cotinine to prevent cognitive symptoms and transition to dementia in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Iarkov
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Cristhian Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Valentina Echeverria
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile.,Research & Development Service, Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, Bay Pines, FL, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Esteves I, Lopes-Aguiar C, Rossignoli M, Ruggiero R, Broggini A, Bueno-Junior L, Kandratavicius L, Monteiro M, Romcy-Pereira R, Leite J. Chronic nicotine attenuates behavioral and synaptic plasticity impairments in a streptozotocin model of Alzheimer’s disease. Neuroscience 2017; 353:87-97. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|
5
|
Pieschl RL, Miller R, Jones KM, Post-Munson DJ, Chen P, Newberry K, Benitex Y, Molski T, Morgan D, McDonald IM, Macor JE, Olson RE, Asaka Y, Digavalli S, Easton A, Herrington J, Westphal RS, Lodge NJ, Zaczek R, Bristow LJ, Li YW. Effects of BMS-902483, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, on cognition and sensory gating in relation to receptor occupancy in rodents. Eur J Pharmacol 2017; 807:1-11. [PMID: 28438647 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.04.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2016] [Revised: 04/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is thought to play an important role in human cognition. Here we describe the in vivo effects of BMS-902483, a selective potent α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, in relationship to α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor occupancy. BMS-902483 has low nanomolar affinity for rat and human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and elicits currents in cells expressing human or rat α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that are about 60% of the maximal acetylcholine response. BMS-902483 improved 24h novel object recognition memory in mice with a minimal effective dose (MED) of 0.1mg/kg and reversed MK-801-induced deficits in a rat attentional set-shifting model of executive function with an MED of 3mg/kg. Enhancement of novel object recognition was blocked by the silent α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, NS6740, demonstrating that activity of BMS-902483 was mediated by α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. BMS-902483 also reversed ketamine-induced deficits in auditory gating in rats, and enhanced ex vivo hippocampal long-term potentiation examined 24h after dosing in mice. Results from an ex vivo brain homogenate binding assay showed that α7 receptor occupancy ranged from 64% (novel object recognition) to ~90% (set shift and gating) at the MED for behavioral and sensory processing effects of BMS-902483.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rick L Pieschl
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Regina Miller
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Kelli M Jones
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Debra J Post-Munson
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Ping Chen
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Kimberly Newberry
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Yulia Benitex
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Thaddeus Molski
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Daniel Morgan
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Ivar M McDonald
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - John E Macor
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Richard E Olson
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Yukiko Asaka
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Siva Digavalli
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Amy Easton
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - James Herrington
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Ryan S Westphal
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Nicholas J Lodge
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Robert Zaczek
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Linda J Bristow
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA
| | - Yu-Wen Li
- Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Department of Neuroscience, 5 Research Parkway, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Townsend M, Whyment A, Walczak JS, Jeggo R, van den Top M, Flood DG, Leventhal L, Patzke H, Koenig G. α7-nAChR agonist enhances neural plasticity in the hippocampus via a GABAergic circuit. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:2663-2675. [PMID: 27655963 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00243.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Agonists of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) have entered clinical trials as procognitive agents for treating schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The most advanced compounds are orthosteric agonists, which occupy the ligand binding site. At the molecular level, agonist activation of α7-nAChR is reasonably well understood. However, the consequences of activating α7-nAChRs on neural circuits underlying cognition remain elusive. Here we report that an α7-nAChR agonist (FRM-17848) enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat septo-hippocampal slices far below the cellular EC50 but at a concentration that coincides with multiple functional outcome measures as we reported in Stoiljkovic M, Leventhal L, Chen A, Chen T, Driscoll R, Flood D, Hodgdon H, Hurst R, Nagy D, Piser T, Tang C, Townsend M, Tu Z, Bertrand D, Koenig G, Hajós M. Biochem Pharmacol 97: 576-589, 2015. In this same concentration range, we observed a significant increase in spontaneous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory postsynaptic currents and a moderate suppression of excitability in whole cell recordings from rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. This modulation of GABAergic activity is necessary for the LTP-enhancing effects of FRM-17848, since inhibiting GABAA α5-subunit-containing receptors fully reversed the effects of the α7-nAChR agonist. These data suggest that α7-nAChR agonists may increase synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices, at least in part, through a circuit-level enhancement of a specific subtype of GABAergic receptor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ross Jeggo
- Cerebrasol, Ltd., Montreal, Quebec City, Canada
| | | | | | - Liza Leventhal
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts; and
| | - Holger Patzke
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts; and
| | - Gerhard Koenig
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Waltham, Massachusetts; and
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Goetghebeur PJ, Swartz JE. True alignment of preclinical and clinical research to enhance success in CNS drug development: a review of the current evidence. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:586-94. [PMID: 27147593 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116645269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system pharmacological research and development has reached a critical turning point. Patients suffering from disorders afflicting the central nervous system are numerous and command significant attention from the pharmaceutical industry. However, given the numerous failures of promising drugs, many companies are no longer investing in or, indeed, are divesting from this therapeutic area. Central nervous system drug development must change in order to develop effective therapies to treat these patients. Preclinical research is a cornerstone of drug development; however, it is frequently criticised for its lack of predictive validity. Animal models and assays can be shown to be more predictive than reported and, on many occasions, the lack of thorough preclinical testing is potentially to blame for some of the clinical failures. Important factors such as translational aspects, nature of animal models, variances in acute versus chronic dosing, development of add-on therapies and understanding of the full dose-response relationship are too often neglected. Reducing the attrition rate in central nervous system drug development could be achieved by addressing these important questions before novel compounds enter the clinical phase. This review illustrates the relevance of employing these criteria to translational central nervous system research, better to ensure success in developing new drugs in this therapeutic area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jina E Swartz
- CNS Therapeutic Area Unit, Takeda Development Centre Europe Ltd, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Freund RK, Graw S, Choo KS, Stevens KE, Leonard S, Dell'Acqua ML. Genetic knockout of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene alters hippocampal long-term potentiation in a background strain-dependent manner. Neurosci Lett 2016; 627:1-6. [PMID: 27233215 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.05.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Reduced α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) function is linked to impaired hippocampal-dependent sensory processing and learning and memory in schizophrenia. While knockout of the Chrna7 gene encoding the α7nAChR on a C57/Bl6 background results in changes in cognitive measures, prior studies found little impact on hippocampal synaptic plasticity in these mice. However, schizophrenia is a multi-genic disorder where complex interactions between specific genetic mutations and overall genetic background may play a prominent role in determining phenotypic penetrance. Thus, we compared the consequences of knocking out the α7nAChR on synaptic plasticity in C57/Bl6 and C3H mice, which differ in their basal α7nAChR expression levels. Homozygous α7 deletion in C3H mice, which normally express higher α7nAChR levels, resulted in impaired long-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA1 synapses, while C3H α7 heterozygous mice maintained robust LTP. In contrast, homozygous α7 deletion in C57 mice, which normally express lower α7nAChR levels, did not alter LTP, as had been previously reported for this strain. Thus, the threshold of Chrna7 expression required for LTP may be different in the two strains. Measurements of auditory gating, a hippocampal-dependent behavioral paradigm used to identify schizophrenia-associated sensory processing deficits, was abnormal in C3H α7 knockout mice confirming that auditory gating also requires α7nAChR expression. Our studies highlight the importance of genetic background on the regulation of synaptic plasticity and could be relevant for understanding genetic and cognitive heterogeneity in human studies of α7nAChR dysfunction in mental disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronald K Freund
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Sharon Graw
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kevin S Choo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Karen E Stevens
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Medical Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Sherry Leonard
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Medical Research Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Mark L Dell'Acqua
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Neuroscience Program, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
|
10
|
Cheng Q, Yakel JL. The effect of α7 nicotinic receptor activation on glutamatergic transmission in the hippocampus. Biochem Pharmacol 2015. [PMID: 26212541 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are expressed widely in the CNS, and mediate both synaptic and perisynaptic activities of endogenous cholinergic inputs and pharmacological actions of exogenous compounds (e.g., nicotine and choline). Behavioral studies indicate that nicotine improves such cognitive functions as learning and memory, however the cellular mechanism of these actions remains elusive. With help from newly developed biosensors and optogenetic tools, recent studies provide new insights on signaling mechanisms involved in the activation of nAChRs. Here we will review α7 nAChR's action in the tri-synaptic pathway in the hippocampus. The effects of α7 nAChR activation via either exogenous compounds or endogenous cholinergic innervation are detailed for spontaneous and evoked glutamatergic synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity, as well as the underlying signaling mechanisms. In summary, α7 nAChRs trigger intracellular calcium rise and calcium-dependent signaling pathways to enhance glutamate release and induce glutamatergic synaptic plasticity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qing Cheng
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Jerrel L Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Stoiljkovic M, Leventhal L, Chen A, Chen T, Driscoll R, Flood D, Hodgdon H, Hurst R, Nagy D, Piser T, Tang C, Townsend M, Tu Z, Bertrand D, Koenig G, Hajós M. Concentration-response relationship of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist FRM-17874 across multiple in vitro and in vivo assays. Biochem Pharmacol 2015. [PMID: 26206187 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7 nAChRs) may improve cognition in schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The present studies describe an integrated pharmacological analysis of the effects of FRM-17874, an analogue of encenicline, on α7 nAChRs in vitro and in behavioral and neurophysiological assays relevant to cognitive function. FRM-17874 demonstrated high affinity binding to human α7 nAChRs, displacing [(3)H]-methyllacaconitine (Ki=4.3nM). In Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human α7 nAChRs, FRM-17874 acted as an agonist, evoking inward currents with an EC50 of 0.42μM. Lower concentrations of FRM-17874 (0.01-3nM) elicited no detectable current, but primed receptors to respond to sub-maximal concentrations of acetylcholine. FRM-17874 improved novel object recognition in rats, and enhanced memory acquisition and reversal learning in the mouse water T-maze. Neurophysiological correlates of cognitive effects of drug treatment, such as synaptic transmission, long-term potentiation, and hippocampal theta oscillation were also evaluated. Modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity was observed in rat hippocampal slices at concentrations of 3.2 and 5nM. FRM-17874 showed a dose-dependent facilitation of stimulation-induced hippocampal theta oscillation in mice and rats. The FRM-17874 unbound brain concentration-response relationship for increased theta oscillation power was similar in both species, exhibited a biphasic pattern peaking around 3nM, and overlapped with active doses and exposures observed in cognition assays. In summary, behavioral and neurophysiological assays indicate a bell-shaped effective concentration range and this report represents the first attempt to explain the concentration-response function of α7 nAChR-mediated pro-cognitive effects in terms of receptor pharmacology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milan Stoiljkovic
- Translational Neuropharmacology, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 310 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Liza Leventhal
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Angela Chen
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Ting Chen
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Rachelle Driscoll
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Dorothy Flood
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Hilliary Hodgdon
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Raymond Hurst
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - David Nagy
- Translational Neuropharmacology, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 310 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Timothy Piser
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Cuyue Tang
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Matthew Townsend
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Zhiming Tu
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Daniel Bertrand
- HiQScreen Sàrl, 6, rte de Compois, 1222 Vésenaz, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Gerhard Koenig
- FORUM Pharmaceuticals Inc., 225 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
| | - Mihaly Hajós
- Translational Neuropharmacology, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 310 Cedar St., New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Grupe M, Grunnet M, Bastlund JF, Jensen AA. Targeting α4β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Central Nervous System Disorders: Perspectives on Positive Allosteric Modulation as a Therapeutic Approach. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2014; 116:187-200. [DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.12361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Morten Grupe
- Synaptic Transmission; H. Lundbeck A/S; Valby Denmark
| | - Morten Grunnet
- Synaptic Transmission; H. Lundbeck A/S; Valby Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| | | | - Anders A. Jensen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology; Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences; University of Copenhagen; Copenhagen Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Kroker KS, Moreth J, Kussmaul L, Rast G, Rosenbrock H. Restoring long-term potentiation impaired by amyloid-beta oligomers: Comparison of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitior and selective neuronal nicotinic receptor agonists. Brain Res Bull 2013; 96:28-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
|
14
|
Acheson DT, Twamley EW, Young JW. Reward learning as a potential target for pharmacological augmentation of cognitive remediation for schizophrenia: a roadmap for preclinical development. Front Neurosci 2013; 7:103. [PMID: 23785309 PMCID: PMC3684768 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2013.00103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Impaired cognitive abilities are a key characteristic of schizophrenia. Although currently approved pharmacological treatments have demonstrated efficacy for positive symptoms, to date no pharmacological treatments successfully reverse cognitive dysfunction in these patients. Cognitively-based interventions such as cognitive remediation (CR) and other psychosocial interventions however, may improve some of the cognitive and functional deficits of schizophrenia. Given that these treatments are time-consuming and labor-intensive, maximizing their effectiveness is a priority. Augmenting psychosocial interventions with pharmacological treatments may be a viable strategy for reducing the impact of cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia. Objective: We propose a strategy to develop pharmacological treatments that can enhance the reward-related learning processes underlying successful skill-learning in psychosocial interventions. Specifically, we review clinical and preclinical evidence and paradigms that can be utilized to develop these pharmacological augmentation strategies. Prototypes for this approach include dopamine D1 receptor and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists as attractive targets to specifically enhance reward-related learning during CR. Conclusion: The approach outlined here could be used broadly to develop pharmacological augmentation strategies across a number of cognitive domains underlying successful psychosocial treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dean T Acheson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego La Jolla, San Diego, CA, USA ; Research Service, San Diego Veteran's Affairs Hospital San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Winterer G, Gallinat J, Brinkmeyer J, Musso F, Kornhuber J, Thuerauf N, Rujescu D, Favis R, Sun Y, Franc MA, Ouwerkerk-Mahadevan S, Janssens L, Timmers M, Streffer JR. Allosteric alpha-7 nicotinic receptor modulation and P50 sensory gating in schizophrenia: a proof-of-mechanism study. Neuropharmacology 2012; 64:197-204. [PMID: 22766391 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.06.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In this multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, four way cross-over proof-of-mechanism study, we tested the effect of the positive allosteric α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) modulator JNJ-39393406 in a key translational assay (sensory P50 gating) in 39 regularly smoking male patients with schizophrenia. All patients were clinically stable and JNJ-39393406 was administered as an adjunct treatment to antipsychotics. No indication was found that JNJ-39393406 has the potential to reverse basic deficits of information processing in schizophrenia (sensory P50 gating) or has a significant effect on other tested electrophysiological markers (MMN, P300 and quantitative resting EEG). Sensitivity analyses including severity of disease, baseline P50 gating, medication and gene variants of the CHRNA7 gene did not reveal any subgroups with consistent significant effects. It is discussed that potential positive effects in subgroups not present or not large enough in the current study or upon chronic dosing are possible, but unlikely to be developed. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Winterer
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Newman EL, Gupta K, Climer JR, Monaghan CK, Hasselmo ME. Cholinergic modulation of cognitive processing: insights drawn from computational models. Front Behav Neurosci 2012; 6:24. [PMID: 22707936 PMCID: PMC3374475 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2012.00024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Acetylcholine plays an important role in cognitive function, as shown by pharmacological manipulations that impact working memory, attention, episodic memory, and spatial memory function. Acetylcholine also shows striking modulatory influences on the cellular physiology of hippocampal and cortical neurons. Modeling of neural circuits provides a framework for understanding how the cognitive functions may arise from the influence of acetylcholine on neural and network dynamics. We review the influences of cholinergic manipulations on behavioral performance in working memory, attention, episodic memory, and spatial memory tasks, the physiological effects of acetylcholine on neural and circuit dynamics, and the computational models that provide insight into the functional relationships between the physiology and behavior. Specifically, we discuss the important role of acetylcholine in governing mechanisms of active maintenance in working memory tasks and in regulating network dynamics important for effective processing of stimuli in attention and episodic memory tasks. We also propose that theta rhythm plays a crucial role as an intermediary between the physiological influences of acetylcholine and behavior in episodic and spatial memory tasks. We conclude with a synthesis of the existing modeling work and highlight future directions that are likely to be rewarding given the existing state of the literature for both empiricists and modelers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ehren L. Newman
- Center for Memory and Brain, Boston University, BostonMA, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|