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Barker-Haliski M, Hawkins NA. Innovative drug discovery strategies in epilepsy: integrating next-generation syndrome-specific mouse models to address pharmacoresistance and epileptogenesis. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1099-1113. [PMID: 39075876 PMCID: PMC11390315 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2384455] [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: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Although there are numerous treatment options already available for epilepsy, over 30% of patients remain resistant to these antiseizure medications (ASMs). Historically, ASM discovery has relied on the demonstration of efficacy through the use of 'traditional' acute in vivo seizure models (e.g. maximal electroshock, subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol, and kindling). However, advances in genetic sequencing technologies and remaining medical needs for people with treatment-resistant epilepsy or special patient populations have encouraged recent efforts to identify novel compounds in syndrome-specific models of epilepsy. Syndrome-specific models, including Scn1a variant models of Dravet syndrome and APP/PS1 mice associated with familial early-onset Alzheimer's disease, have already led to the discovery of two mechanistically novel treatments for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), namely cannabidiol and soticlestat, respectively. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors discuss how it is likely that next-generation drug discovery efforts for epilepsy will more comprehensively integrate syndrome-specific epilepsy models into early drug discovery providing the reader with their expert perspectives. EXPERT OPINION The percentage of patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy has remained unchanged despite over 30 marketed ASMs. Consequently, there is a high unmet need to reinvent and revise discovery strategies to more effectively address the remaining needs of patients with specific epilepsy syndromes, including drug-resistant epilepsy and DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicole A Hawkins
- Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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Zhang Z, Ding C, Fu R, Wang J, Zhao J, Zhu H. Low-frequency rTMS modulated the excitability and high-frequency firing in hippocampal neurons of the Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Brain Res 2024; 1831:148822. [PMID: 38408558 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), a non-invasive brain stimulation technique, holds potential for applications in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aims to compare the therapeutic effects of rTMS at different frequencies on Alzheimer's disease and explore the alterations in neuronal electrophysiological properties throughout this process. APP/PS1 AD mice were subjected to two rTMS treatments at 0.5 Hz and 20 Hz, followed by assessments of therapeutic outcomes through the Novel Object Recognition (NOR) and Morris Water Maze (MWM) tests. Following this, whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to record action potential, voltage-gated sodium channel currents, and voltage-gated potassium channel currents in dentate gyrus granule neurons. The results show that AD mice exhibit significant cognitive decline compared to normal mice, along with a pronounced reduction in neuronal excitability and ion channel activity. Both frequencies of rTMS treatment partially reversed these changes, demonstrating similar therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the investigation indicates that low-frequency magnetic stimulation inhibited the concentrated firing of early action potentials in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- School of Health Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics and Neural Engineering, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Chong Ding
- School of Health Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics and Neural Engineering, Tianjin 300130, China; State Key Laboratory of Reliability and Intelligence of Electrical Equipment, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Rui Fu
- School of Health Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics and Neural Engineering, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Jiale Wang
- School of Health Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics and Neural Engineering, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Junqiao Zhao
- School of Health Sciences & Biomedical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300130, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Bioelectromagnetics and Neural Engineering, Tianjin 300130, China.
| | - Haijun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Digital Medical Engineering of Hebei Province, College of Electronic & Information Engineering, Hebei University, Baoding, Hebei 071002, China.
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Deehan MA, Kothuis JM, Sapp E, Chase K, Ke Y, Seeley C, Iuliano M, Kim E, Kennington L, Miller R, Boudi A, Shing K, Li X, Pfister E, Anaclet C, Brodsky M, Kegel-Gleason K, Aronin N, DiFiglia M. Nacc1 Mutation in Mice Models Rare Neurodevelopmental Disorder with Underlying Synaptic Dysfunction. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1610232024. [PMID: 38388424 PMCID: PMC10993038 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1610-23.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
A missense mutation in the transcription repressor Nucleus accumbens-associated 1 (NACC1) gene at c.892C>T (p.Arg298Trp) on chromosome 19 causes severe neurodevelopmental delay ( Schoch et al., 2017). To model this disorder, we engineered the first mouse model with the homologous mutation (Nacc1+/R284W ) and examined mice from E17.5 to 8 months. Both genders had delayed weight gain, epileptiform discharges and altered power spectral distribution in cortical electroencephalogram, behavioral seizures, and marked hindlimb clasping; females displayed thigmotaxis in an open field. In the cortex, NACC1 long isoform, which harbors the mutation, increased from 3 to 6 months, whereas the short isoform, which is not present in humans and lacks aaR284 in mice, rose steadily from postnatal day (P) 7. Nuclear NACC1 immunoreactivity increased in cortical pyramidal neurons and parvalbumin containing interneurons but not in nuclei of astrocytes or oligodendroglia. Glial fibrillary acidic protein staining in astrocytic processes was diminished. RNA-seq of P14 mutant mice cortex revealed over 1,000 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Glial transcripts were downregulated and synaptic genes upregulated. Top gene ontology terms from upregulated DEGs relate to postsynapse and ion channel function, while downregulated DEGs enriched for terms relating to metabolic function, mitochondria, and ribosomes. Levels of synaptic proteins were changed, but number and length of synaptic contacts were unaltered at 3 months. Homozygosity worsened some phenotypes including postnatal survival, weight gain delay, and increase in nuclear NACC1. This mouse model simulates a rare form of autism and will be indispensable for assessing pathophysiology and targets for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Deehan
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Josine M Kothuis
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Ellen Sapp
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Kathryn Chase
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Yuting Ke
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Connor Seeley
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Maria Iuliano
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Emily Kim
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Lori Kennington
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Rachael Miller
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Adel Boudi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Kai Shing
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Xueyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Edith Pfister
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Christelle Anaclet
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis, California 95817
| | - Michael Brodsky
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Kimberly Kegel-Gleason
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
| | - Neil Aronin
- Department of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
| | - Marian DiFiglia
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
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Xu L, Wang Q. The bidirectional relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy: A Mendelian randomization study. Brain Behav 2023; 13:e3221. [PMID: 37666799 PMCID: PMC10636418 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a complex, bidirectional relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy. However, the causality of this association is unclear, as confounders play a role in this association. METHODS We conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) study to clarify the causal relationship and direction of epilepsy on AD risk. We used publicly available summary statistics to obtain all genetic datasets for the MR analyses. AD and AD-by-proxy and late-onset AD (LOAD) cohorts were included in our study. The epilepsy cohort comprised all epilepsy, generalized epilepsy, focal epilepsy, and its subtypes, as well as some epilepsy syndromes. Next, we conducted validation using another AD cohort. RESULTS Two correlations between AD and epilepsy using the inverse variance-weighted (IVW) method are as follows: LOAD and focal epilepsy (ORIVW = 1.079, pIVW = .013), focal epilepsy-documented hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and AD (ORIVW = 1.152, pIVW = .017). The causal relationship between epilepsy-documented HS and AD has been validated (ORIVW = 3.994, pIVW = .027). CONCLUSIONS Our MR study provides evidence for a causal relationship between focal epilepsy-documented HS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianping Xu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological DiseasesBeijingChina
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tiantan HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
- China National Clinical Research Center for Neurological DiseasesBeijingChina
- Beijing Institute of Brain DisordersCollaborative Innovation Center for Brain DisordersCapital Medical UniversityBeijingChina
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Vande Vyver M, Daeninck L, De Smet G, Aourz N, Sahu S, Engelborghs S, Pauwels K, De Bundel D, Smolders I. The intracerebral injection of Aβ 1-42 oligomers does not invariably alter seizure susceptibility in mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1239140. [PMID: 37744393 PMCID: PMC10512828 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1239140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Epileptiform activity and seizures are present in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and genetic animal models of AD. Amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42) oligomers are thought to be crucial in AD and can cause neuronal hyperexcitability in vitro. However, it is unclear whether these Aβ1-42 oligomers cause the increased seizure susceptibility in vivo in people with AD and in AD animal models, nor via which mechanisms it would do so. We investigated this question by injecting Aβ1-42 oligomers intracerebrally in mice and assessed its impact on seizure susceptibility. Materials and methods We performed a single intracerebral injection of synthetic Aβ1-42 oligomers or scrambled Aβ1-42 in NMRI mice in three different cohorts and subjected them to an i.v. infusion of a chemoconvulsant. We evoked the seizures 1.5 h, 1 week, or 3 weeks after the intracerebral injection of Aβ1-42 oligomers, covering also the timepoints and injection locations that were used by others in similar experimental set-ups. Results With a thioflavine T assay and transmission electron microscopy we confirmed that Aβ1-42 monomers spontaneously aggregated to oligomers. We did not find an effect of Aβ1-42 oligomers on susceptibility to seizures - evoked 1.5 h, 1 week or 3 weeks - after their intracerebral injection. Significance The lack of effect of Aβ1-42 oligomers on seizure susceptibility in our experiments contrasts with recent findings in similar experimental set-ups. Contradicting conclusions are frequent in experiments with Aβ1-42 and they are often attributed to subtle differences in the various aggregation forms of the Aβ1-42 used in different experiments. We confirmed the presence of Aβ1-42 oligomers with state-of-the-art methods but cannot ascertain that the protein aggregates we used are identical to those used by others. Whether our findings or those previously published best represent the role of Aβ1-42 oligomers on seizures in AD remains unclear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Vande Vyver
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Bru-BRAIN, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- NEUR Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia (BIODEM), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Louise Daeninck
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gino De Smet
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Najat Aourz
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Surajit Sahu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- Department of Neurology and Bru-BRAIN, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- NEUR Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia (BIODEM), University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kris Pauwels
- RESEARCH Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dimitri De Bundel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ilse Smolders
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Drug Analysis and Drug Information, Research Group Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR), Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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Bosco F, Guarnieri L, Rania V, Palma E, Citraro R, Corasaniti MT, Leo A, De Sarro G. Antiseizure Medications in Alzheimer's Disease from Preclinical to Clinical Evidence. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12639. [PMID: 37628821 PMCID: PMC10454935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy are common neurological disorders in the elderly. A bi-directional link between these neurological diseases has been reported, with patients with either condition carrying almost a two-fold risk of contracting the other compared to healthy subjects. AD/epilepsy adversely affects patients' quality of life and represents a severe public health problem. Thus, identifying the relationship between epilepsy and AD represents an ongoing challenge and continuing need. Seizures in AD patients are often unrecognized because they are often nonconvulsive and sometimes mimic some behavioral symptoms of AD. Regarding this, it has been hypothesized that epileptogenesis and neurodegeneration share common underlying mechanisms. Targeted treatment to decrease epileptiform activity could represent a valuable strategy for delaying the neurodegenerative process and related cognitive impairment. Several preclinical studies have shown that some antiseizure medications (ASMs) targeting abnormal network hyperexcitability may change the natural progression of AD. However, to date, no guidelines are available for managing seizures in AD patients because of the paucity of randomized clinical trials sufficient for answering the correlated questions. Future AD clinical studies are mandatory to update clinicians about the symptomatic treatment of seizures in AD patients and recognize whether ASM therapy could change the natural progression of the disease, thereby rescuing cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bosco
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.B.); (L.G.); (V.R.); (R.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Lorenza Guarnieri
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.B.); (L.G.); (V.R.); (R.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Vincenzo Rania
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.B.); (L.G.); (V.R.); (R.C.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (E.P.); (M.T.C.)
| | - Rita Citraro
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.B.); (L.G.); (V.R.); (R.C.); (G.D.S.)
- System and Applied Pharmacology, University Magna Graecia (FAS@UMG) Research Center, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Tiziana Corasaniti
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (E.P.); (M.T.C.)
| | - Antonio Leo
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.B.); (L.G.); (V.R.); (R.C.); (G.D.S.)
- System and Applied Pharmacology, University Magna Graecia (FAS@UMG) Research Center, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Surgery, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.B.); (L.G.); (V.R.); (R.C.); (G.D.S.)
- System and Applied Pharmacology, University Magna Graecia (FAS@UMG) Research Center, Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Lehmann LM, Barker-Haliski M. Loss of normal Alzheimer's disease-associated Presenilin 2 function alters antiseizure medicine potency and tolerability in the 6-Hz focal seizure model. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1223472. [PMID: 37592944 PMCID: PMC10427874 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1223472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Patients with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) experience seizures and subclinical epileptiform activity, which may accelerate cognitive and functional decline. Antiseizure medicines (ASMs) may be a tractable disease-modifying strategy; numerous ASMs are marketed with well-established safety. However, little information is available to guide ASM selection as few studies have rigorously quantified ASM potency and tolerability in traditional seizure models in rodents with EOAD-associated risk factors. Presenilin 2 (PSEN2) variants evoke EOAD, and these patients experience seizures. This study thus established the anticonvulsant profile of mechanistically distinct ASMs in the frontline 6-Hz limbic seizure test evoked in PSEN2-knockout (KO) mice to better inform seizure management in EOAD. Methods The median effective dose (ED50) of prototype ASMs was quantified in the 6-Hz test in male and female PSEN2-KO and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice (3-4 months old). Minimal motor impairment (MMI) was assessed to estimate a protective index (PI). Immunohistological detection of cFos established the extent to which 6-Hz stimulation activates discrete brain regions in KO vs. WT mice. Results There were significant genotype-related differences in the potency and tolerability of several ASMs. Valproic acid and levetiracetam were significantly more potent in male KO than in WT mice. Additionally, high doses of valproic acid significantly worsened MMI in KO mice. Conversely, carbamazepine was significantly less potent in female KO vs. WT mice. In both male and female KO mice vs. WTs, perampanel and lamotrigine were equally potent. However, there were marked genotype-related shifts in PI of both carbamazepine and perampanel, with KO mice exhibiting less MMI at the highest doses tested. Gabapentin was ineffective against 6-Hz seizures in KO mice vs. WTs without MMI changes. Neuronal activation 90 min following 6-Hz stimulation was significantly increased in the posterior parietal association cortex overlying CA1 and in the piriform cortex of WT mice, while stimulation-induced increases in cFos immunoreactivity were absent in KO mice. Discussion Acute ASM potency and tolerability in the high-throughput 6-Hz test may be significantly altered with loss of normal PSEN2 function. Seizures in discrete EOAD populations may benefit from precisely selected medicines optimized for primary ASM pharmacological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Barker-Haliski
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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Del Pozo A, Knox KM, Lehmann L, Davidson S, Rho S, Jayadev S, Barker-Haliski M. Chronic evoked seizures in young pre-symptomatic APP/PS1 mice induce serotonin changes and accelerate onset on Alzheimer's disease-related neurpathology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.05.522897. [PMID: 36711965 PMCID: PMC9881977 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.05.522897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE People with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) are at elevated seizure risk. Further, chronic seizures in pre-symptomatic stages may disrupt serotonin pathway-related protein expression, precipitating the onset of AD-related pathology and burden of neuropsychiatric comorbidities. METHODS 2-3-month-old APP/PS1, PSEN2-N141I, and transgenic control mice were sham or corneal kindled for 2 weeks to model chronic seizures. Seizure-induced changes in glia, serotonin pathway proteins, and amyloid beta; levels in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were quantified. RESULTS APP/PS1 mice experienced worsened mortality versus kindled Tg- controls. APP/PS1 females were also more susceptible to chronic kindled seizures. These changes correlated with a marked downregulation of hippocampal tryptophan hydroxylase 2 and monoamine oxidase A protein expression compared to controls; these changes were not detected in PSEN2-N141I mice. Kindled APP/PS1 mice exhibited amyloid beta; overexpression and glial overactivity without plaque deposition. PSEN2 protein expression was AD model-dependent. SIGNIFICANCE Seizures evoked in pre-symptomatic APP/PS1 mice promotes premature mortality in the absence of pathological amyloid deposition. Disruptions in serotonin pathway metabolism are associated with increased glial reactivity and PSEN2 downregulation without amyloid beta; deposition. This study provides the first direct evidence that seizures occurring prior to amyloid beta, plaque accumulation worsen disease burden in an AD genotype-specific manner.
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Rizzello E, Pimpinella D, Pignataro A, Titta G, Merenda E, Saviana M, Porcheddu G, Paolantoni C, Malerba F, Giorgi C, Curia G, Middei S, Marchetti C. Lamotrigine rescues neuronal alterations and prevents seizure-induced memory decline in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 181:106106. [PMID: 37001613 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a comorbidity associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), often starting many years earlier than memory decline. Investigating this association in the early pre-symptomatic stages of AD can unveil new mechanisms of the pathology as well as guide the use of antiepileptic drugs to prevent or delay hyperexcitability-related pathological effects of AD. We investigated the impact of repeated seizures on hippocampal memory and amyloid-β (Aβ) load in pre-symptomatic Tg2576 mice, a transgenic model of AD. Seizure induction caused memory deficits and an increase in oligomeric Aβ42 and fibrillary species selectively in pre-symptomatic transgenic mice, and not in their wildtype littermates. Electrophysiological patch-clamp recordings in ex vivo CA1 pyramidal neurons and immunoblots were carried out to investigate the neuronal alterations associated with the behavioral outcomes of Tg2576 mice. CA1 pyramidal neurons exhibited increased intrinsic excitability and lower hyperpolarization-activated Ih current. CA1 also displayed lower expression of the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated HCN1 subunit, a protein already identified as downregulated in the AD human proteome. The antiepileptic drug lamotrigine restored electrophysiological alterations and prevented both memory deficits and the increase in extracellular Aβ induced by seizures. Thus our study provides evidence of pre-symptomatic hippocampal neuronal alterations leading to hyperexcitability and associated with both higher susceptibility to seizures and to AD-specific seizure-induced memory impairment. Our findings also provide a basis for the use of the antiepileptic drug lamotrigine as a way to counteract acceleration of AD induced by seizures in the early phases of the pathology.
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Chronic seizures induce sex-specific cognitive deficits with loss of presenilin 2 function. Exp Neurol 2023; 361:114321. [PMID: 36634751 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Patients with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD) are at elevated risk for seizures, including patients with presenilin 2 (PSEN2) variants. Like people with epilepsy, uncontrolled seizures may worsen cognitive function in AD. While the relationship between seizures and amyloid beta accumulation has been more thoroughly investigated, the role of other drivers of seizure susceptibility in EOAD remain relatively understudied. We therefore sought to define the impact of loss of normal PSEN2 function and chronic seizures on cognitive function in the aged brain. Male and female PSEN2 KO and age- and sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice were sham or corneal kindled beginning at 6-months-old. Kindled and sham-kindled mice were then challenged up to 6 weeks later in a battery of cognitive tests: non-habituated open field (OF), T-maze spontaneous alternation (TM), and Barnes maze (BM), followed by immunohistochemistry for markers of neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity. PSEN2 KO mice required significantly more stimulations to kindle (males: p < 0.02; females: p < 0.02) versus WT. Across a range of behavioral tests, the cognitive performance of kindled female PSEN2 KO mice was most significantly impaired versus age-matched WT females. Male BM performance was generally worsened by seizures (p = 0.038), but loss of PSEN2 function did not itself worsen cognitive performance. Conversely, kindled PSEN2 KO females made the most BM errors (p = 0.007). Chronic seizures also significantly altered expression of hippocampal neuroinflammation and neuroplasticity markers in a sex-specific manner. Chronic seizures may thus significantly worsen hippocampus-dependent cognitive deficits in aged female, but not male, PSEN2 KO mice. Our work suggests that untreated focal seizures may worsen cognitive burden with loss of normal PSEN2 function in a sex-related manner.
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Sciaccaluga M, Ruffolo G, Palma E, Costa C. Traditional and Innovative Anti-seizure Medications Targeting Key Physiopathological Mechanisms: Focus on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1736-1754. [PMID: 37143270 PMCID: PMC10514539 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230504160948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the wide range of compounds currently available to treat epilepsy, there is still no drug that directly tackles the physiopathological mechanisms underlying its development. Indeed, antiseizure medications attempt to prevent seizures but are inefficacious in counteracting or rescuing the physiopathological phenomena that underlie their onset and recurrence, and hence do not cure epilepsy. Classically, the altered excitation/inhibition balance is postulated as the mechanism underlying epileptogenesis and seizure generation. This oversimplification, however, does not account for deficits in homeostatic plasticity resulting from either insufficient or excessive compensatory mechanisms in response to a change in network activity. In this respect, both neurodevelopmental epilepsies and those associated with neurodegeneration may share common underlying mechanisms that still need to be fully elucidated. The understanding of these molecular mechanisms shed light on the identification of new classes of drugs able not only to suppress seizures, but also to present potential antiepileptogenic effects or "disease-modifying" properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
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12
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Černotová D, Hrůzová K, Levčík D, Svoboda J, Stuchlík A. Linking Social Cognition, Parvalbumin Interneurons, and Oxytocin in Alzheimer's Disease: An Update. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:861-875. [PMID: 37980658 PMCID: PMC10741376 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been notoriously challenging for many decades. Therefore, the current focus is mainly on prevention, timely intervention, and slowing the progression in the earliest stages. A better understanding of underlying mechanisms at the beginning of the disease could aid in early diagnosis and intervention, including alleviating symptoms or slowing down the disease progression. Changes in social cognition and progressive parvalbumin (PV) interneuron dysfunction are among the earliest observable effects of AD. Various AD rodent models mimic these early alterations, but only a narrow field of study has considered their mutual relationship. In this review, we discuss current knowledge about PV interneuron dysfunction in AD and emphasize their importance in social cognition and memory. Next, we propose oxytocin (OT) as a potent modulator of PV interneurons and as a promising treatment for managing some of the early symptoms. We further discuss the supporting evidence on its beneficial effects on AD-related pathology. Clinical trials have employed the use of OT in various neuropsychiatric diseases with promising results, but little is known about its prospective impacts on AD. On the other hand, the modulatory effects of OT in specific structures and local circuits need to be clarified in future studies. This review highlights the connection between PV interneurons and social cognition impairment in the early stages of AD and considers OT as a promising therapeutic agent for addressing these early deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Černotová
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Karolína Hrůzová
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - David Levčík
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Svoboda
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Aleš Stuchlík
- Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Memory, Institute of Physiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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13
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Barker-Haliski M, Pitsch J, Galanopoulou AS, Köhling R. A companion to the preclinical common data elements for phenotyping seizures and epilepsy in rodent models. A report of the TASK3-WG1C: Phenotyping working group of the ILAE/AES joint translational task force. Epilepsia Open 2022. [PMID: 36461665 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by spontaneous seizures and behavioral comorbidities. The underlying mechanisms of seizures and epilepsy across various syndromes lead to diverse clinical presentation and features. Similarly, animal models of epilepsy arise from numerous dissimilar inciting events. Preclinical seizure and epilepsy models can be evoked through many different protocols, leaving the phenotypic reporting subject to diverse interpretations. Serendipity can also play an outsized role in uncovering novel drivers of seizures or epilepsy, with some investigators even stumbling into epilepsy research because of a new genetic cross or unintentional drug effect. The heightened emphasis on rigor and reproducibility in preclinical research, including that which is conducted for epilepsy, underscores the need for standardized phenotyping strategies. To address this goal as part of the TASK3-WG1C Working Group of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)/American Epilepsy Society (AES) Joint Translational Task Force, we developed a case report form (CRF) to describe the common data elements (CDEs) necessary for the phenotyping of seizure-like behaviors in rodents. This companion manuscript describes the use of the proposed CDEs and CRF for the visual, behavioral phenotyping of seizure-like behaviors. These phenotyping CDEs and accompanying CRF can be used in parallel with video-electroencephalography (EEG) studies or as a first visual screen to determine whether a model manifests seizure-like behaviors before utilizing more specialized diagnostic tests, like video-EEG. Systematic logging of seizure-like behaviors may help identify models that could benefit from more specialized diagnostic tests to determine whether these are epileptic seizures, such as video-EEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Barker-Haliski
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Julika Pitsch
- Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Isabelle Rapin Division of Child Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Dominick P Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Isabelle Rapin Division of Child Neurology, Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar-Langendorff-Institut für Physiologie, Universitätsmedizin Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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14
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Ogbeide-Latario OE, Ferrari LL, Gompf HS, Anaclet C. Two novel mouse models of slow-wave-sleep enhancement in aging and Alzheimer's disease. SLEEP ADVANCES : A JOURNAL OF THE SLEEP RESEARCH SOCIETY 2022; 3:zpac022. [PMID: 37193408 PMCID: PMC10104383 DOI: 10.1093/sleepadvances/zpac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are both associated with reduced quantity and quality of the deepest stage of sleep, called slow-wave-sleep (SWS). Slow-wave-sleep deficits have been shown to worsen AD symptoms and prevent healthy aging. However, the mechanism remains poorly understood due to the lack of animal models in which SWS can be specifically manipulated. Notably, a mouse model of SWS enhancement has been recently developed in adult mice. As a prelude to studies assessing the impact of SWS enhancement on aging and neurodegeneration, we first asked whether SWS can be enhanced in animal models of aging and AD. The chemogenetic receptor hM3Dq was conditionally expressed in GABAergic neurons of the parafacial zone of aged mice and AD (APP/PS1) mouse model. Sleep-wake phenotypes were analyzed in baseline condition and following clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) and vehicle injections. Both aged and AD mice display deficits in sleep quality, characterized by decreased slow wave activity. Both aged and AD mice show SWS enhancement following CNO injection, characterized by a shorter SWS latency, increased SWS amount and consolidation, and enhanced slow wave activity, compared with vehicle injection. Importantly, the SWS enhancement phenotypes in aged and APP/PS1 model mice are comparable to those seen in adult and littermate wild-type mice, respectively. These mouse models will allow investigation of the role of SWS in aging and AD, using, for the first time, gain-of SWS experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oghomwen E Ogbeide-Latario
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Morningside Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Loris L Ferrari
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Heinrich S Gompf
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis CA, USA
| | - Christelle Anaclet
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Davis CA, USA
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15
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Harutyunyan A, Jones NC, Kwan P, Anderson A. Network Preservation Analysis Reveals Dysregulated Synaptic Modules and Regulatory Hubs Shared Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Front Genet 2022; 13:821343. [PMID: 35309145 PMCID: PMC8926077 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.821343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: There is increased prevalence of epilepsy in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although shared pathological and clinical features have been identified, the underlying pathophysiology and cause-effect relationships are poorly understood. We aimed to identify commonly dysregulated groups of genes between these two disorders. Methods: Using publicly available transcriptomic data from hippocampal tissue of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), late onset AD and non-AD controls, we constructed gene coexpression networks representing all three states. We then employed network preservation statistics to compare the density and connectivity-based preservation of functional gene modules between TLE, AD and controls and used the difference in significance scores as a surrogate quantifier of module preservation. Results: The majority (>90%) of functional gene modules were highly preserved between all coexpression networks, however several modules identified in the TLE network showed various degrees of preservation in the AD network compared to that of control. Of note, two synaptic signalling-associated modules and two metabolic modules showed substantial gain of preservation, while myelination and immune system-associated modules showed significant loss of preservation. The genes SCN3B and EPHA4 were identified as central regulatory hubs of the highly preserved synaptic signalling-associated module. GABRB3 and SCN2A were identified as central regulatory hubs of a smaller neurogenesis-associated module, which was enriched for multiple epileptic activity and seizure-related human phenotype ontologies. Conclusion: We conclude that these hubs and their downstream signalling pathways are common modulators of synaptic activity in the setting of AD and TLE, and may play a critical role in epileptogenesis in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Harutyunyan
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nigel C. Jones
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alison Anderson
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Alison Anderson,
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16
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Lanzetti S, Di Biase V. Small Molecules as Modulators of Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels in Neurological Disorders: State of the Art and Perspectives. Molecules 2022; 27:1312. [PMID: 35209100 PMCID: PMC8879281 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27041312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) are widely expressed in the brain, heart and vessels, smooth and skeletal muscle, as well as in endocrine cells. VGCCs mediate gene transcription, synaptic and neuronal structural plasticity, muscle contraction, the release of hormones and neurotransmitters, and membrane excitability. Therefore, it is not surprising that VGCC dysfunction results in severe pathologies, such as cardiovascular conditions, neurological and psychiatric disorders, altered glycemic levels, and abnormal smooth muscle tone. The latest research findings and clinical evidence increasingly show the critical role played by VGCCs in autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, pain, and epilepsy. These findings outline the importance of developing selective calcium channel inhibitors and modulators to treat such prevailing conditions of the central nervous system. Several small molecules inhibiting calcium channels are currently used in clinical practice to successfully treat pain and cardiovascular conditions. However, the limited palette of molecules available and the emerging extent of VGCC pathophysiology require the development of additional drugs targeting these channels. Here, we provide an overview of the role of calcium channels in neurological disorders and discuss possible strategies to generate novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Di Biase
- Institute of Pharmacology, Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr Strasse 1, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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17
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Wang XD, Liu S, Lu H, Guan Y, Wu H, Ji Y. Analysis of Shared Genetic Regulatory Networks for Alzheimer's Disease and Epilepsy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:6692974. [PMID: 34697589 PMCID: PMC8538392 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6692974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and epilepsy are neurological disorders that affect a large cohort of people worldwide. Although both of the two diseases could be influenced by genetic factors, the shared genetic mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of them is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the shared genetic networks and corresponding hub genes for AD and epilepsy. Firstly, the gene coexpression modules (GCMs) were constructed by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and 16 GCMs were identified. Through further integration of GCMs, genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs), 4 shared GCMs of AD and epilepsy were identified. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to analyze the shared biological processes of these GCMs and explore the functional overlaps between these two diseases. The results showed that the genes in shared GCMs were significantly enriched in nervous system-related pathways, such as Alzheimer's disease and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways. Furthermore, the hub genes of AD- and epilepsy-associated GCMs were captured by weighted key driver analysis (wKDA), including TRPC1, C2ORF40, NR3C1, KIAA0368, MMT00043109, STEAP1, MSX1, KL, and CLIC6. The shared GCMs and hub genes might provide novel therapeutic targets for AD and epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Dan Wang
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hui Lu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yalin Guan
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yong Ji
- Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin 300350, China
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18
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Hawkins NA, Jurado M, Thaxton TT, Duarte SE, Barse L, Tatsukawa T, Yamakawa K, Nishi T, Kondo S, Miyamoto M, Abrahams BS, During MJ, Kearney JA. Soticlestat, a novel cholesterol 24-hydroxylase inhibitor, reduces seizures and premature death in Dravet syndrome mice. Epilepsia 2021; 62:2845-2857. [PMID: 34510432 PMCID: PMC9291096 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dravet syndrome is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) most often caused by de novo pathogenic variants in SCN1A. Individuals with Dravet syndrome rarely achieve seizure control and have significantly elevated risk for sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Heterozygous deletion of Scn1a in mice (Scn1a+/- ) recapitulates several core phenotypes, including temperature-dependent and spontaneous seizures, SUDEP, and behavioral abnormalities. Furthermore, Scn1a+/- mice exhibit a similar clinical response to standard anticonvulsants. Cholesterol 24-hydroxlase (CH24H) is a brain-specific enzyme responsible for cholesterol catabolism. Recent research has indicated the therapeutic potential of CH24H inhibition for diseases associated with neural excitation, including seizures. METHODS In this study, the novel compound soticlestat, a CH24H inhibitor, was administered to Scn1a+/- mice to investigate its ability to improve Dravet-like phenotypes in this preclinical model. RESULTS Soticlestat treatment reduced seizure burden, protected against hyperthermia-induced seizures, and completely prevented SUDEP in Scn1a+/- mice. Video-electroencephalography (EEG) analysis confirmed the ability of soticlestat to reduce occurrence of electroclinical seizures. SIGNIFICANCE This study demonstrates that soticlestat-mediated inhibition of CH24H provides therapeutic benefit for the treatment of Dravet syndrome in mice and has the potential for treatment of DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Hawkins
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Manuel Jurado
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tyler T Thaxton
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Samantha E Duarte
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Levi Barse
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Tetsuya Tatsukawa
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Yamakawa
- Laboratory for Neurogenetics, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako, Japan
| | - Toshiya Nishi
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Ltd, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Shinichi Kondo
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Ltd, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Maki Miyamoto
- Neuroscience Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceutical Ltd, Fujisawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Jennifer A Kearney
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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19
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Wirt RA, Crew LA, Ortiz AA, McNeela AM, Flores E, Kinney JW, Hyman JM. Altered theta rhythm and hippocampal-cortical interactions underlie working memory deficits in a hyperglycemia risk factor model of Alzheimer's disease. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1036. [PMID: 34480097 PMCID: PMC8417282 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02558-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease associated with dysregulated glucose and insulin levels and an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) later in life. It is thought that chronic hyperglycemia leads to neuroinflammation and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus leading to cognitive decline, but effects on hippocampal network activity are unknown. A sustained hyperglycemic state was induced in otherwise healthy animals and subjects were then tested on a spatial delayed alternation task while recording from the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Hyperglycemic animals performed worse on long delay trials and had multiple electrophysiological differences throughout the task. We found increased delta power and decreased theta power in the hippocampus, which led to altered theta/delta ratios at the end of the delay period. Cross frequency coupling was significantly higher in multiple bands and delay period hippocampus-ACC theta coherence was elevated, revealing hypersynchrony. The highest coherence values appeared long delays on error trials for STZ animals, the opposite of what was observed in controls, where lower delay period coherence was associated with errors. Consistent with previous investigations, we found increases in phosphorylated tau in STZ animals' hippocampus and cortex, which might account for the observed oscillatory and cognitive changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Wirt
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Lauren A Crew
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Andrew A Ortiz
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Adam M McNeela
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Emmanuel Flores
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Jefferson W Kinney
- Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - James M Hyman
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA.
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20
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Romoli M, Sen A, Parnetti L, Calabresi P, Costa C. Amyloid-β: a potential link between epilepsy and cognitive decline. Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:469-485. [PMID: 34117482 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00505-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
People with epilepsy - in particular, late-onset epilepsy of unknown aetiology - have an elevated risk of dementia, and seizures have been detected in the early stages of Alzheimer disease (AD), supporting the concept of an epileptic AD prodrome. However, the relationship between epilepsy and cognitive decline remains controversial, with substantial uncertainties about whether epilepsy drives cognitive decline or vice versa, and whether shared pathways underlie both conditions. Here, we review evidence that amyloid-β (Aβ) forms part of a shared pathway between epilepsy and cognitive decline, particularly in the context of AD. People with epilepsy show an increased burden of Aβ pathology in the brain, and Aβ-mediated epileptogenic alterations have been demonstrated in experimental studies, with evidence suggesting that Aβ pathology might already be pro-epileptogenic at the soluble stage, long before plaque deposition. We discuss the hypothesis that Aβ mediates - or is at least a major determinant of - a continuum spanning epilepsy and cognitive decline. Serial cognitive testing and assessment of Aβ levels might be worthwhile to stratify the risk of developing dementia in people with late-onset epilepsy. If seizures are a clinical harbinger of dementia, people with late-onset epilepsy could be an ideal group in which to implement preventive or therapeutic strategies to slow cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Romoli
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.,Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.,Neurology and Stroke Unit, "Maurizio Bufalini" Hospital, Cesena, Italy.,IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Neurologia e Rete Stroke Metropolitana, Ospedale Maggiore, Bologna, Italy
| | - Arjune Sen
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.,Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.
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21
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Müller L, Kirschstein T, Köhling R, Kuhla A, Teipel S. Neuronal Hyperexcitability in APPSWE/PS1dE9 Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 81:855-869. [PMID: 33843674 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic mouse models serve a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and its consequences on neuronal function. Well-known and broadly used AD models are APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, which are able to reproduce features of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque formations as well as neuronal dysfunction as reflected in electrophysiological recordings of neuronal hyperexcitability. The most prominent findings include abnormal synaptic function and synaptic reorganization as well as changes in membrane threshold and spontaneous neuronal firing activities leading to generalized excitation-inhibition imbalances in larger neuronal circuits and networks. Importantly, these findings in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice are at least partly consistent with results of electrophysiological studies in humans with sporadic AD. This underscores the potential to transfer mechanistic insights into amyloid related neuronal dysfunction from animal models to humans. This is of high relevance for targeted downstream interventions into neuronal hyperexcitability, for example based on repurposing of existing antiepileptic drugs, as well as the use of combinations of imaging and electrophysiological readouts to monitor effects of upstream interventions into amyloid build-up and processing on neuronal function in animal models and human studies. This article gives an overview on the pathogenic and methodological basis for recording of neuronal hyperexcitability in AD mouse models and on key findings in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. We point at several instances to the translational perspective into clinical intervention and observation studies in humans. We particularly focus on bi-directional relations between hyperexcitability and cerebral amyloidosis, including build-up as well as clearance of amyloid, possibly related to sleep and so called glymphatic system function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Müller
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Rudolf Zenker Institute for Experimental Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Timo Kirschstein
- Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Köhling
- Oscar Langendorff Institute of Physiology, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Angela Kuhla
- Rudolf Zenker Institute for Experimental Surgery, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Stefan Teipel
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock and Greifswald, Germany.,Centre for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock (CTNR), University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
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22
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Jin N, Babiloni C, Drinkenburg WH, Hajós M, Nygaard HB, Tanila H. Recommendations for Preclinical Testing of Treatments Against Alzheimer's Disease-Related Epileptiform Spikes in Transgenic Rodent Models. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 88:849-865. [PMID: 34092642 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that about 30%of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) without a known diagnosis of epilepsy may display epileptiform spikes during electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. These abnormal discharges occur predominantly during sleep and may be associated with accelerated disease progression. Subclinical spikes may represent a relevant target for clinical drug interventions, and there is a clear unmet need for preclinical testing of novel disease modifying agents in suitable animal models. Transgenic rodent models of AD pathology exhibit various forms of epileptiform EEG activity related to the abnormal levels of amyloid species in the brain. Among them, large-amplitude cortical and hippocampal EEG spikes in mouse and rat AD models may be reminiscent of the subclinical epileptiform EEG spikes recorded in some AD patients. This article reports the recommendations of a multidisciplinary panel of experts on optimal EEG markers and experimental designs to measure and report epileptiform activities and their response to symptomatic and disease-modifying drugs in transgenic AD model rodents. These recommendations may harmonize future preclinical EEG studies in the drug discovery research and may increase the comparability of experimental outcomes and their translational clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nanxiang Jin
- A. I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "Vittorio Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Hospital San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino (FR), Italy
| | - Wilhelmus H Drinkenburg
- Janssen Research & Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Cognito Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, USA.,Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Haakon B Nygaard
- Division of Neurology and Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Heikki Tanila
- A. I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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23
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Isla AG, Balleza-Tapia H, Fisahn A. Efficacy of preclinical pharmacological interventions against alterations of neuronal network oscillations in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review. Exp Neurol 2021; 343:113743. [PMID: 34000250 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Despite the development of multiple pharmacological approaches over the years aimed at treating Alzheimer's Disease (AD) only very few have been approved for clinical use in patients. To date there still exists no disease-modifying treatment that could prevent or rescue the cognitive impairment, particularly of memory aquisition, that is characteristic of AD. One of the possibilities for this state of affairs might be that the majority of drug discovery efforts focuses on outcome measures of decreased neuropathological biomarkers characteristic of AD, without taking into acount neuronal processes essential to the generation and maintenance of memory processes. Particularly, the capacity of the brain to generate theta (θ) and gamma (γ) oscillatory activity has been strongly correlated to memory performance. Using a systematic review approach, we synthesize the existing evidence in the literature on pharmacological interventions that enhance neuronal theta (θ) and/or gamma (γ) oscillations in non-pathological animal models and in AD animal models. Additionally, we synthesize the main outcomes and neurochemical systems targeted. We propose that functional biomarkers such as cognition-relevant neuronal network oscillations should be used as outcome measures during the process of research and development of novel drugs against cognitive impairment in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arturo G Isla
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Akademiska Stråket 1, J10:30, 17164 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Balleza-Tapia
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Akademiska Stråket 1, J10:30, 17164 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - André Fisahn
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Akademiska Stråket 1, J10:30, 17164 Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
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24
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Lehmann L, Lo A, Knox KM, Barker-Haliski M. Alzheimer's Disease and Epilepsy: A Perspective on the Opportunities for Overlapping Therapeutic Innovation. Neurochem Res 2021; 46:1895-1912. [PMID: 33929683 PMCID: PMC8254705 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-021-03332-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with variants in amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin (PSEN) 1 and 2. It is increasingly recognized that patients with AD experience undiagnosed focal seizures. These AD patients with reported seizures may have worsened disease trajectory. Seizures in epilepsy can also lead to cognitive deficits, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Epilepsy is roughly three times more common in individuals aged 65 and older. Due to the numerous available antiseizure drugs (ASDs), treatment of seizures has been proposed to reduce the burden of AD. More work is needed to establish the functional impact of seizures in AD to determine whether ASDs could be a rational therapeutic strategy. The efficacy of ASDs in aged animals is not routinely studied, despite the fact that the elderly represents the fastest growing demographic with epilepsy. This leaves a particular gap in understanding the discrete pathophysiological overlap between hyperexcitability and aging, and AD more specifically. Most of our preclinical knowledge of hyperexcitability in AD has come from mouse models that overexpress APP. While these studies have been invaluable, other drivers underlie AD, e.g. PSEN2. A diversity of animal models should be more frequently integrated into the study of hyperexcitability in AD, which could be particularly beneficial to identify novel therapies. Specifically, AD-associated risk genes, in particular PSENs, altogether represent underexplored contributors to hyperexcitability. This review assesses the available studies of ASDs administration in clinical AD populations and preclinical studies with AD-associated models and offers a perspective on the opportunities for further therapeutic innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leanne Lehmann
- Undergraduate Neuroscience Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Alexandria Lo
- Department of Public Health-Global Health, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kevin M Knox
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Melissa Barker-Haliski
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
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25
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Neuronal Network Excitability in Alzheimer's Disease: The Puzzle of Similar versus Divergent Roles of Amyloid β and Tau. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0418-20.2020. [PMID: 33741601 PMCID: PMC8174042 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0418-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disorder that commonly causes dementia in the elderly. Recent evidence indicates that network abnormalities, including hypersynchrony, altered oscillatory rhythmic activity, interneuron dysfunction, and synaptic depression, may be key mediators of cognitive decline in AD. In this review, we discuss characteristics of neuronal network excitability in AD, and the role of Aβ and tau in the induction of network hyperexcitability. Many patients harboring genetic mutations that lead to increased Aβ production suffer from seizures and epilepsy before the development of plaques. Similarly, pathologic accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau has been associated with hyperexcitability in the hippocampus. We present common and divergent roles of tau and Aβ on neuronal hyperexcitability in AD, and hypotheses that could serve as a template for future experiments.
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26
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Molecular Factors Mediating Neural Cell Plasticity Changes in Dementia Brain Diseases. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:8834645. [PMID: 33854544 PMCID: PMC8021472 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8834645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural plasticity-the ability to alter a neuronal response to environmental stimuli-is an important factor in learning and memory. Short-term synaptic plasticity and long-term synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation and long-term depression, are the most-characterized models of learning and memory at the molecular and cellular level. These processes are often disrupted by neurodegeneration-induced dementias. Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for 50% of cases of dementia. Vascular dementia (VaD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) constitute much of the remaining cases. While vascular lesions are the principal cause of VaD, neurodegenerative processes have been established as etiological agents of many dementia diseases. Chief among such processes is the deposition of pathological protein aggregates in vivo including β-amyloid deposition in AD, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in AD and FTD, and the accumulation of Lewy bodies composed of α-synuclein aggregates in DLB and PDD. The main symptoms of dementia are cognitive decline and memory and learning impairment. Nonetheless, accurate diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases can be difficult due to overlapping clinical symptoms and the diverse locations of cortical lesions. Still, new neuroimaging and molecular biomarkers have improved clinicians' diagnostic capabilities in the context of dementia and may lead to the development of more effective treatments. Both genetic and environmental factors may lead to the aggregation of pathological proteins and altered levels of cytokines, such that can trigger the formation of proinflammatory immunological phenotypes. This cascade of pathological changes provides fertile ground for the development of neural plasticity disorders and dementias. Available pharmacotherapy and disease-modifying therapies currently in clinical trials may modulate synaptic plasticity to mitigate the effects neuropathological changes have on cognitive function, memory, and learning. In this article, we review the neural plasticity changes seen in common neurodegenerative diseases from pathophysiological and clinical points of view and highlight potential molecular targets of disease-modifying therapies.
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27
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Lam J, Lee J, Liu CY, Lozano AM, Lee DJ. Deep Brain Stimulation for Alzheimer's Disease: Tackling Circuit Dysfunction. Neuromodulation 2020; 24:171-186. [PMID: 33377280 DOI: 10.1111/ner.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Treatments for Alzheimer's disease are urgently needed given its enormous human and economic costs and disappointing results of clinical trials targeting the primary amyloid and tau pathology. On the other hand, deep brain stimulation (DBS) has demonstrated success in other neurological and psychiatric disorders leading to great interest in DBS as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS We review the literature on 1) circuit dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and 2) DBS for Alzheimer's disease. Human and animal studies are reviewed individually. RESULTS There is accumulating evidence of neural circuit dysfunction at the structural, functional, electrophysiological, and neurotransmitter level. Recent evidence from humans and animals indicate that DBS has the potential to restore circuit dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, similarly to other movement and psychiatric disorders, and may even slow or reverse the underlying disease pathophysiology. CONCLUSIONS DBS is an intriguing potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease, targeting circuit dysfunction as a novel therapeutic target. However, further exploration of the basic disease pathology and underlying mechanisms of DBS is necessary to better understand how circuit dysfunction can be restored. Additionally, robust clinical data in the form of ongoing phase III clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy of DBS as a viable treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan Lam
- USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Justin Lee
- USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Charles Y Liu
- USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Andres M Lozano
- Division of Neurological Surgery, Department of Surgery, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 2S8, Canada
| | - Darrin J Lee
- USC Neurorestoration Center, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.,Department of Neurological Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
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28
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Toniolo S, Sen A, Husain M. Modulation of Brain Hyperexcitability: Potential New Therapeutic Approaches in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9318. [PMID: 33297460 PMCID: PMC7730926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
People with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have significantly higher rates of subclinical and overt epileptiform activity. In animal models, oligomeric Aβ amyloid is able to induce neuronal hyperexcitability even in the early phases of the disease. Such aberrant activity subsequently leads to downstream accumulation of toxic proteins, and ultimately to further neurodegeneration and neuronal silencing mediated by concomitant tau accumulation. Several neurotransmitters participate in the initial hyperexcitable state, with increased synaptic glutamatergic tone and decreased GABAergic inhibition. These changes appear to activate excitotoxic pathways and, ultimately, cause reduced long-term potentiation, increased long-term depression, and increased GABAergic inhibitory remodelling at the network level. Brain hyperexcitability has therefore been identified as a potential target for therapeutic interventions aimed at enhancing cognition, and, possibly, disease modification in the longer term. Clinical trials are ongoing to evaluate the potential efficacy in targeting hyperexcitability in AD, with levetiracetam showing some encouraging effects. Newer compounds and techniques, such as gene editing via viral vectors or brain stimulation, also show promise. Diagnostic challenges include identifying best biomarkers for measuring sub-clinical epileptiform discharges. Determining the timing of any intervention is critical and future trials will need to carefully stratify participants with respect to the phase of disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Toniolo
- Cognitive Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6AE, UK
| | - Arjune Sen
- Oxford Epilepsy Research Group, Nuffield Department Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
| | - Masud Husain
- Cognitive Neurology Group, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6AE, UK
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29
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Ghoweri AO, Ouillette L, Frazier HN, Anderson KL, Lin RL, Gant JC, Parent R, Moore S, Murphy GG, Thibault O. Electrophysiological and Imaging Calcium Biomarkers of Aging in Male and Female 5×FAD Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 78:1419-1438. [PMID: 33164928 PMCID: PMC7836067 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In animal models and tissue preparations, calcium dyshomeostasis is a biomarker of aging and Alzheimer's disease that is associated with synaptic dysfunction, neuritic pruning, and dysregulated cellular processes. It is unclear, however, whether the onset of calcium dysregulation precedes, is concurrent with, or is the product of pathological cellular events (e.g., oxidation, amyloid-β production, and neuroinflammation). Further, neuronal calcium dysregulation is not always present in animal models of amyloidogenesis, questioning its reliability as a disease biomarker. OBJECTIVE Here, we directly tested for the presence of calcium dysregulation in dorsal hippocampal neurons in male and female 5×FAD mice on a C57BL/6 genetic background using sharp electrodes coupled with Oregon-green Bapta-1 imaging. We focused on three ages that coincide with the course of amyloid deposition: 1.5, 4, and 10 months old. METHODS Outcome variables included measures of the afterhyperpolarization, short-term synaptic plasticity, and calcium kinetics during synaptic activation. Quantitative analyses of spatial learning and memory were also conducted using the Morris water maze. Main effects of sex, age, and genotype were identified on measures of electrophysiology and calcium imaging. RESULTS Measures of resting Oregon-green Bapta-1 fluorescence showed significant reductions in the 5×FAD group compared to controls. Deficits in spatial memory, along with increases in Aβ load, were detectable at older ages, allowing us to test for temporal associations with the onset of calcium dysregulation. CONCLUSION Our results provide evidence that reduced, rather than elevated, neuronal calcium is identified in this 5×FAD model and suggests that this surprising result may be a novel biomarker of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam O Ghoweri
- UKMC MS313, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lara Ouillette
- 5037 BSRB, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Hilaree N Frazier
- UKMC MS313, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Katie L Anderson
- UKMC MS313, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Ruei-Lung Lin
- UKMC MS313, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - John C Gant
- UKMC MS313, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Rachel Parent
- 5037 BSRB, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shannon Moore
- 5037 BSRB, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,5037 BSRB, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Geoffrey G Murphy
- 5037 BSRB, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,5037 BSRB, Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Michigan Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Olivier Thibault
- UKMC MS313, Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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30
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Del Percio C, Drinkenburg W, Lopez S, Pascarelli MT, Lizio R, Noce G, Ferri R, Bastlund JF, Laursen B, Christensen DZ, Pedersen JT, Forloni G, Frasca A, Noè FM, Fabene PF, Bertini G, Colavito V, Bentivoglio M, Kelley J, Dix S, Infarinato F, Soricelli A, Stocchi F, Richardson JC, Babiloni C. Ongoing Electroencephalographic Rhythms Related to Exploratory Movements in Transgenic TASTPM Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 78:291-308. [PMID: 32955458 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The European PharmaCog study (http://www.pharmacog.org) has reported a reduction in delta (1-6 Hz) electroencephalographic (EEG) power (density) during cage exploration (active condition) compared with quiet wakefulness (passive condition) in PDAPP mice (hAPP Indiana V717F mutation) modeling Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloidosis and cognitive deficits. OBJECTIVE Here, we tested the reproducibility of that evidence in TASTPM mice (double mutation in APP KM670/671NL and PSEN1 M146V), which develop brain amyloidosis and cognitive deficits over aging. The reliability of that evidence was examined in four research centers of the PharmaCog study. METHODS Ongoing EEG rhythms were recorded from a frontoparietal bipolar channel in 29 TASTPM and 58 matched "wild type" C57 mice (range of age: 12-24 months). Normalized EEG power was calculated. Frequency and amplitude of individual delta and theta frequency (IDF and ITF) peaks were considered during the passive and active conditions. RESULTS Compared with the "wild type" group, the TASTPM group showed a significantly lower reduction in IDF power during the active over the passive condition (p < 0.05). This effect was observed in 3 out of 4 EEG recording units. CONCLUSION TASTPM mice were characterized by "poor reactivity" of delta EEG rhythms during the cage exploration in line with previous evidence in PDAPP mice. The reliability of that result across the centers was moderate, thus unveiling pros and cons of multicenter preclinical EEG trials in TASTPM mice useful for planning future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Del Percio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Susanna Lopez
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation - Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation Unit, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Angelisa Frasca
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco M Noè
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Francesco Fabene
- Department of Neurological Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bertini
- Department of Neurological Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Valeria Colavito
- Department of Neurological Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Marina Bentivoglio
- Department of Neurological Biomedical and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Jonathan Kelley
- Janssen Research and Development, Pharmaceutical Companies of J&J, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Sophie Dix
- Eli Lilly, Erl Wood Manor, Windlesham, Surrey, UK
| | | | - Andrea Soricelli
- IRCCS SDN, Naples, Italy.,Department of Motor Sciences and Healthiness, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Stocchi
- Institute for Research and Medical Care, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, Roma, Italy
| | - Jill C Richardson
- GlaxoSmithKline R&D Neurotherapeutics Area UK, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,San Raffaele Cassino, Cassino (FR), Italy
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31
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Klee JL, Kiliaan AJ, Lipponen A, Battaglia FP. Reduced firing rates of pyramidal cells in the frontal cortex of APP/PS1 can be restored by acute treatment with levetiracetam. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 96:79-86. [PMID: 32950781 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, aberrant neural oscillations in various cortical areas have emerged as a common physiological hallmark across mouse models of amyloid pathology and patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, much less is known about the underlying effect of amyloid pathology on single cell activity. Here, we used high-density silicon probe recordings from frontal cortex area of 9-month-old APP/PS1 mice to show that local field potential power in the theta and beta band is increased in transgenic animals, whereas single-cell firing rates, specifically of putative pyramidal cells, are significantly reduced. At the same time, these sparsely firing pyramidal cells phase-lock their spiking activity more strongly to the ongoing theta and beta rhythms. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the antiepileptic drug, levetiracetam, counteracts these effects by increasing pyramidal cell firing rates in APP/PS1 mice and uncoupling pyramidal cells and interneurons. Overall, our results highlight reduced firing rates of cortical pyramidal cells as a pathophysiological phenotype in APP/PS1 mice and indicate a potentially beneficial effect of acute levetiracetam treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan L Klee
- Department of Neuroinformatics, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Amanda J Kiliaan
- Department of Anatomy, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Arto Lipponen
- Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland.
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32
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Gourmaud S, Shou H, Irwin DJ, Sansalone K, Jacobs LM, Lucas TH, Marsh ED, Davis KA, Jensen FE, Talos DM. Alzheimer-like amyloid and tau alterations associated with cognitive deficit in temporal lobe epilepsy. Brain 2020; 143:191-209. [PMID: 31834353 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awz381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy represents a major cause of drug-resistant epilepsy. Cognitive impairment is a frequent comorbidity, but the mechanisms are not fully elucidated. We hypothesized that the cognitive impairment in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy could be due to perturbations of amyloid and tau signalling pathways related to activation of stress kinases, similar to those observed in Alzheimer's disease. We examined these pathways, as well as amyloid-β and tau pathologies in the hippocampus and temporal lobe cortex of drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy patients who underwent temporal lobe resection (n = 19), in comparison with age- and region-matched samples from neurologically normal autopsy cases (n = 22). Post-mortem temporal cortex samples from Alzheimer's disease patients (n = 9) were used as positive controls to validate many of the neurodegeneration-related antibodies. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis of tissue from temporal lobe epilepsy cases revealed increased phosphorylation of full-length amyloid precursor protein and its associated neurotoxic cleavage product amyloid-β*56. Pathological phosphorylation of two distinct tau species was also increased in both regions, but increases in amyloid-β1-42 peptide, the main component of amyloid plaques, were restricted to the hippocampus. Furthermore, several major stress kinases involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease pathology were significantly activated in temporal lobe epilepsy brain samples, including the c-Jun N-terminal kinase and the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase. In temporal lobe epilepsy cases, hippocampal levels of phosphorylated amyloid precursor protein, its pro-amyloidogenic processing enzyme beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1, and both total and hyperphosphorylated tau expression, correlated with impaired preoperative executive function. Our study suggests that neurodegenerative and stress-related processes common to those observed in Alzheimer's disease may contribute to cognitive impairment in drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. In particular, we identified several stress pathways that may represent potential novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gourmaud
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Haochang Shou
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Penn Frontotemporal Degeneration Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kimberly Sansalone
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leah M Jacobs
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Timothy H Lucas
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Frances E Jensen
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Delia M Talos
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Casillas‐Espinosa PM, Ali I, O'Brien TJ. Neurodegenerative pathways as targets for acquired epilepsy therapy development. Epilepsia Open 2020; 5:138-154. [PMID: 32524040 PMCID: PMC7278567 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a growing body of clinical and experimental evidence that neurodegenerative diseases and epileptogenesis after an acquired brain insult may share common etiological mechanisms. Acquired epilepsy commonly develops as a comorbid condition in patients with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, although it is likely much under diagnosed in practice. Progressive neurodegeneration has also been described after traumatic brain injury, stroke, and other forms of brain insults. Moreover, recent evidence has shown that acquired epilepsy is often a progressive disorder that is associated with the development of drug resistance, cognitive decline, and worsening of other neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Therefore, new pharmacological therapies that target neurobiological pathways that underpin neurodegenerative diseases have potential to have both an anti-epileptogenic and disease-modifying effect on the seizures in patients with acquired epilepsy, and also mitigate the progressive neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Here, we review the neurodegenerative pathways that are plausible targets for the development of novel therapies that could prevent the development or modify the progression of acquired epilepsy, and the supporting published experimental and clinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo M. Casillas‐Espinosa
- Departments of Neuroscience and MedicineCentral Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
- Department of MedicineThe Royal Melbourne HospitalThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Idrish Ali
- Departments of Neuroscience and MedicineCentral Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
- Department of MedicineThe Royal Melbourne HospitalThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
| | - Terence J. O'Brien
- Departments of Neuroscience and MedicineCentral Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVic.Australia
- Department of MedicineThe Royal Melbourne HospitalThe University of MelbourneMelbourneVic.Australia
- Department of NeurologyThe Alfred HospitalMelbourneVic.Australia
- Department of NeurologyThe Royal Melbourne HospitalParkvilleVic.Australia
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative devastating disorder affecting a high percentage of the population over 65 years of age and causing a relevant emotional, social, and economic burden. Clinically, it is characterized by a prominent cognitive deficit associated with language and behavioral impairments. The molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is multifaceted and involves changes in neurotransmitter levels together with alterations of inflammatory, oxidative, hormonal, and synaptic pathways, which may represent a drug target for both prevention and treatment; however, an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease still represents an unmet goal. As neurotrophic factors participate in the modulation of the above-mentioned pathways, they have been highlighted as critical contributors of Alzheimer's disease etiology, whose modulation might be beneficial for Alzheimer's disease. We focused on the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor, providing several lines of evidence pointing to brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a plausible endophenotype of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease, illustrating some of the most recent possibilities to modulate the expression of this neurotrophin in the brain in an attempt to ameliorate cognition and delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This review shows that otherwise disparate pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic approaches converge on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, providing a means whereby apparently unrelated medical approaches may nevertheless produce similar synaptic and cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, suggesting that brain-derived neurotrophic factor-based synaptic repair may represent a modifying strategy to ameliorate cognition in Alzheimer's disease.
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Peña-Ortega F. Brain Arrhythmias Induced by Amyloid Beta and Inflammation: Involvement in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Inflammation-related Pathologies. Curr Alzheimer Res 2020; 16:1108-1131. [DOI: 10.2174/1567205017666191213162233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A variety of neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), involve amyloid beta (Aβ) accumulation and/or neuroinflammation, which can alter synaptic and neural circuit functions. Consequently, these pathological conditions induce changes in neural network rhythmic activity (brain arrhythmias), which affects many brain functions. Neural network rhythms are involved in information processing, storage and retrieval, which are essential for memory consolidation, executive functioning and sensory processing. Therefore, brain arrhythmias could have catastrophic effects on circuit function, underlying the symptoms of various neurological diseases. Moreover, brain arrhythmias can serve as biomarkers for a variety of brain diseases. The aim of this review is to provide evidence linking Aβ and inflammation to neural network dysfunction, focusing on alterations in brain rhythms and their impact on cognition and sensory processing. I reviewed the most common brain arrhythmias characterized in AD, in AD transgenic models and those induced by Aβ. In addition, I reviewed the modulations of brain rhythms in neuroinflammatory diseases and those induced by immunogens, interleukins and microglia. This review reveals that Aβ and inflammation produce a complex set of effects on neural network function, which are related to the induction of brain arrhythmias and hyperexcitability, both closely related to behavioral alterations. Understanding these brain arrhythmias can help to develop therapeutic strategies to halt or prevent these neural network alterations and treat not only the arrhythmias but also the symptoms of AD and other inflammation-related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Peña-Ortega
- Departamento de Neurobiologia del Desarrollo y Neurofisiologia, Instituto de Neurobiologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Queretaro, Qro., 76230, Mexico
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What electrophysiology tells us about Alzheimer's disease: a window into the synchronization and connectivity of brain neurons. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 85:58-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Beckman M, Knox K, Koneval Z, Smith C, Jayadev S, Barker-Haliski M. Loss of presenilin 2 age-dependently alters susceptibility to acute seizures and kindling acquisition. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 136:104719. [PMID: 31862541 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) experience seizures at higher rates than the general population of that age, suggesting an underexplored role of hyperexcitability in AD. Genetic variants in presenilin (PSEN) 1 and 2 genes lead to autosomal dominant early-onset AD (ADAD); patients with PSEN gene variants also report seizures. Pharmacological control of seizures in AD may be disease-modifying. Preclinical efficacy of FDA-approved antiseizure drugs (ASDs) is well defined in young adult rodents; however, the efficacy of ASDs in aged rodents with chronic seizures is less clear. The mechanism by which ADAD genes lead to AD remains unclear, and even less studied is the pathogenesis of epilepsy in AD. PSEN variants generally all result in a biochemical loss of function (De Strooper, 2007). We herein determined whether well-established models of acute and chronic seizure could be used to explore the relationship between AD genes and seizures through investigating whether loss of normal PSEN2 function age-dependently influenced susceptibility to seizures and/or corneal kindling acquisition. PSEN2 knockout (KO) and age-matched wild-type (WT) mice were screened from 2- to 10-months-old to establish age-dependent focal seizure threshold. Additionally, PSEN2 KO and WT mice aged 2- and 8-months-old underwent corneal kindling such that mice were aged 3- and 9-months old at the beginning of ASD efficacy testing. We then defined the dose-dependent efficacy of mechanistically distinct ASDs on kindled seizures of young versus aged mice to better understand the applicability of corneal kindling to real-world use for geriatric patients. PSEN2 KO mice demonstrated early-life reductions in seizure threshold. However, kindling acquisition was delayed in 2-month-old PSEN2 KO versus WT mice. Young male WT mice took 24.3 ± 1.3 (S.E.M.) stimulations to achieve kindling criterion, whereas age-matched PSEN2 KO male mice took 41.2 ± 1.1 stimulations (p < .0001). The rate of kindling acquisition of 8-month-old mice was no longer different from WT. This study demonstrates that loss of normal PSEN2 function is associated with age-dependent changes in the in vivo susceptibility to acute seizures and kindling. Loss of normal PSEN2 function may be an underexplored molecular contributor to seizures. The use of validated models of chronic seizures in aged rodents may uncover age-related changes in susceptibility to epileptogenesis and/or ASD efficacy in mice with AD-associated genotypes, which may benefit the management of seizures in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Beckman
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, United States of America
| | - Kevin Knox
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, United States of America
| | - Zachery Koneval
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, United States of America
| | - Carole Smith
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, United States of America
| | - Suman Jayadev
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, United States of America
| | - Melissa Barker-Haliski
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, United States of America.
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Gureviciene I, Ishchenko I, Ziyatdinova S, Jin N, Lipponen A, Gurevicius K, Tanila H. Characterization of Epileptic Spiking Associated With Brain Amyloidosis in APP/PS1 Mice. Front Neurol 2019; 10:1151. [PMID: 31781019 PMCID: PMC6861424 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.01151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epileptic activity without visible convulsions is common in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may contribute adversely to the disease progress and symptoms. Transgenic mice with amyloid plaque pathology also display epileptic seizures, but those are too infrequent to assess the effect of anti-epileptic treatments. Besides spontaneous seizures, these mice also display frequent epileptic spiking in epidural EEG recordings, and these have provided a means to test potential drug treatment to AD-related epilepsy. However, the origin of EEG spikes in transgenic AD model mice has remained elusive, which makes it difficult to relate electrophysiology with underlying pathology at the cellular and molecular level. Using multiple cortical and subcortical electrodes in freely moving APP/PS1 transgenic mice and their wild-type littermates, we identified several types of epileptic spikes among over 15 800 spikes visible with cortical screw electrodes based on their source localization. Cortical spikes associated with muscle twitches, cortico-hippocampal spikes, and spindle and fast-spindle associated spikes were present equally often in both APP/PS1 and wild-type mice, whereas pure cortical spikes were slightly more common in APP/PS1 mice. In contrast, spike-wave discharges, cortico-hippocampal spikes with after hyperpolarization and giant spikes were seen almost exclusively in APP/PS1 mice but only in a subset of them. Interestingly, different subtypes of spikes responded differently to anti-epileptic drugs ethosuximide and levetiracetam. From the translational point most relevant may be the giant spikes generated in the hippocampus that reached an amplitude up to ± 5 mV in the hippocampal channel. As in AD patients, they occurred exclusively during sleep. Further, we could demonstrate that a high number of giant spikes in APP/PS1 mice predicts seizures. These data show that by only adding a pair of hippocampal deep electrodes and EMG to routine cortical epidural screw electrodes and by taking into account underlying cortical oscillations, one can drastically refine the analysis of cortical spike data. This new approach provides a powerful tool to preclinical testing of potential new treatment options for AD related epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Gureviciene
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Irina Ishchenko
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-on-Don, Russia
| | - Sofya Ziyatdinova
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Nanxiang Jin
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Arto Lipponen
- Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
| | | | - Heikki Tanila
- A.I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Alcantara-Gonzalez D, Villasana-Salazar B, Peña-Ortega F. Single amyloid-beta injection exacerbates 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures and changes synaptic coupling in the hippocampus. Hippocampus 2019; 29:1150-1164. [PMID: 31381216 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in temporal lobe structures, including the hippocampus, is related to a variety of Alzheimer's disease symptoms and seems to be involved in the induction of neural network hyperexcitability and even seizures. Still, a direct evaluation of the pro-epileptogenic effects of Aβ in vivo, and of the underlying mechanisms, is missing. Thus, we tested whether the intracisternal injection of Aβ modulates 4-aminopyridine (4AP)-induced epileptiform activity, hippocampal network function, and its synaptic coupling. When tested 3 weeks after its administration, Aβ (but not its vehicle) reduces the latency for 4AP-induced seizures, increases the number of generalized seizures, exacerbates the time to fully recover from seizures, and favors seizure-induced death. These pro-epileptogenic effects of Aβ correlate with a reduction in the power of the spontaneous hippocampal network activity, involving all frequency bands in vivo and only the theta band (4-10 Hz) in vitro. The pro-epileptogenic effects of Aβ also correlate with a reduction of the Schaffer-collateral CA1 synaptic coupling in vitro, which is exacerbated by the sequential bath application of 4-AP and Aβ. In summary, Aβ produces long-lasting pro-epileptic effects that can be due to alterations in the hippocampal circuit, impacting its coordinated network activity and its synaptic efficiency. It is likely that normalizing synaptic coupling and/or coordinated neural network activity (i.e., theta activity) may contribute not only to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease but also to avoid hyperexcitation in conditions of amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Alcantara-Gonzalez
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro, Mexico
| | - Benjamín Villasana-Salazar
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro, Mexico
| | - Fernando Peña-Ortega
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Querétaro, Qro, Mexico
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40
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Frere S, Slutsky I. Alzheimer's Disease: From Firing Instability to Homeostasis Network Collapse. Neuron 2019; 97:32-58. [PMID: 29301104 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2017.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) starts from pure cognitive impairments and gradually progresses into degeneration of specific brain circuits. Although numerous factors initiating AD have been extensively studied, the common principles underlying the transition from cognitive deficits to neuronal loss remain unknown. Here we describe an evolutionarily conserved, integrated homeostatic network (IHN) that enables functional stability of central neural circuits and safeguards from neurodegeneration. We identify the critical modules comprising the IHN and propose a central role of neural firing in controlling the complex homeostatic network at different spatial scales. We hypothesize that firing instability and impaired synaptic plasticity at early AD stages trigger a vicious cycle, leading to dysregulation of the whole IHN. According to this hypothesis, the IHN collapse represents the major driving force of the transition from early memory impairments to neurodegeneration. Understanding the core elements of homeostatic control machinery, the reciprocal connections between distinct IHN modules, and the role of firing homeostasis in this hierarchy has important implications for physiology and should offer novel conceptual approaches for AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Frere
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inna Slutsky
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel; Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Tel Aviv, Israel.
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41
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Powell G, Ziso B, Larner AJ. The overlap between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease and the consequences for treatment. Expert Rev Neurother 2019; 19:653-661. [PMID: 31238746 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1629289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease may be associated with both clinical and subclinical epileptic seizure activity. Once regarded as an epiphenomenon, epileptiform activity may, in fact, be an integral part of the Alzheimer's phenotype, and may be not only a symptomatic therapeutic target but also a possible mechanism to retard or prevent disease progression. Areas covered: The authors review clinical research articles with a focus on the semiology, epidemiology, and treatment of seizures in Alzheimer's disease, and also look at some experimental animal model studies which have informed clinical thinking on seizure aetiopathogenesis. The evidence base for treatment decisions is sparse. A brief overview of the clinical assessment of Alzheimer's disease patients considering relevant differential diagnoses and diagnostic pitfalls is presented. Expert opinion: Studies of epileptic seizures in Alzheimer's disease have become more frequent over the last 5-10 years. Understanding of seizure semiology, epidemiology, and possible pathogenesis has increased. However, the optimal management of seizures in this context remains unknown, largely due to the paucity of studies sufficient to examine this question. Clearly, such studies will be required, not only to inform clinicians about symptomatic control of seizures in Alzheimer's disease but also to investigate whether this might impact on disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Powell
- a Mersey Regional Epilepsy Clinic , Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery , Liverpool , UK
| | - Besa Ziso
- a Mersey Regional Epilepsy Clinic , Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery , Liverpool , UK
| | - A J Larner
- b Cognitive Function Clinic , Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery , Liverpool , UK
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Therapeutic Effect of Agmatine on Neurological Disease: Focus on Ion Channels and Receptors. Neurochem Res 2019; 44:735-750. [PMID: 30610652 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-018-02712-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is the most injury-prone part of the mammalian body. Any acute or chronic, central or peripheral neurological disorder is related to abnormal biochemical and electrical signals in the brain cells. As a result, ion channels and receptors that are abundant in the nervous system and control the electrical and biochemical environment of the CNS play a vital role in neurological disease. The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-oxo-1,2-oxazol-4-yl) propanoic acid receptor, kainate receptor, acetylcholine receptor, serotonin receptor, α2-adrenoreceptor, and acid-sensing ion channels are among the major channels and receptors known to be key components of pathophysiological events in the CNS. The primary amine agmatine, a neuromodulator synthesized in the brain by decarboxylation of L-arginine, can regulate ion channel cascades and receptors that are related to the major CNS disorders. In our previous studies, we established that agmatine was related to the regulation of cell differentiation, nitric oxide synthesis, and murine brain endothelial cell migration, relief of chronic pain, cerebral edema, and apoptotic cell death in experimental CNS disorders. In this review, we will focus on the pathophysiological aspects of the neurological disorders regulated by these ion channels and receptors, and their interaction with agmatine in CNS injury.
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Burla R, La Torre M, Zanetti G, Bastianelli A, Merigliano C, Del Giudice S, Vercelli A, Di Cunto F, Boido M, Vernì F, Saggio I. p53-Sensitive Epileptic Behavior and Inflammation in Ft1 Hypomorphic Mice. Front Genet 2018; 9:581. [PMID: 30546381 PMCID: PMC6278696 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a complex clinical condition characterized by repeated spontaneous seizures. Seizures have been linked to multiple drivers including DNA damage accumulation. Investigation of epilepsy physiopathology in humans imposes ethical and practical limitations, for this reason model systems are mostly preferred. Among animal models, mouse mutants are particularly valuable since they allow conjoint behavioral, organismal, and genetic analyses. Along with this, since aging has been associated with higher frequency of seizures, prematurely aging mice, simulating human progeroid diseases, offer a further useful modeling element as they recapitulate aging over a short time-window. Here we report on a mouse mutant with progeroid traits that displays repeated spontaneous seizures. Mutant mice were produced by reducing the expression of the gene Ft1 (AKTIP in humans). In vitro, AKTIP/Ft1 depletion causes telomere aberrations, DNA damage, and cell senescence. AKTIP/Ft1 interacts with lamins, which control nuclear architecture and DNA function. Premature aging defects of Ft1 mutant mice include skeletal alterations and lipodystrophy. The epileptic behavior of Ft1 mutant animals was age and sex linked. Seizures were observed in 18 mutant mice (23.6% of aged ≥ 21 weeks), at an average frequency of 2.33 events/mouse. Time distribution of seizures indicated non-random enrichment of seizures over the follow-up period, with 75% of seizures happening in consecutive weeks. The analysis of epileptic brains did not reveal overt brain morphological alterations or severe neurodegeneration, however, Ft1 reduction induced expression of the inflammatory markers IL-6 and TGF-β. Importantly, Ft1 mutant mice with concomitant genetic reduction of the guardian of the genome, p53, showed no seizures or inflammatory marker activation, implicating the DNA damage response into these phenotypes. This work adds insights into the connection among DNA damage, brain function, and aging. In addition, it further underscores the importance of model organisms for studying specific phenotypes, along with permitting the analysis of genetic interactions at the organismal level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romina Burla
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Mattia La Torre
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Zanetti
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alex Bastianelli
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Merigliano
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Simona Del Giudice
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Torino, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Piedmont, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Di Cunto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Torino, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Piedmont, Italy
| | - Marina Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Torino, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Piedmont, Italy
| | - Fiammetta Vernì
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Isabella Saggio
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.,Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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Garg N, Joshi R, Medhi B. Cracking novel shared targets between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease: need of the hour. Rev Neurosci 2018; 29:425-442. [PMID: 29329108 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2017-0064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are interconnected. It is well known that seizures are linked with cognitive impairment, and there are various shared etiologies between epilepsy and AD. The connection between hyperexcitability of neurons and cognitive dysfunction in the progression of AD or epileptogenesis plays a vital role for improving selection of treatment for both diseases. Traditionally, seizures occur less frequently and in later stages of age in patients with AD which in turn implies that neurodegeneration causes seizures. The role of seizures in early stages of pathogenesis of AD is still an issue to be resolved. So, it is well timed to analyze the common pathways involved in pathophysiology of AD and epilepsy. The present review focuses on similar potential underlying mechanisms which may be related to the causes of seizures in epilepsy and cognitive impairment in AD. The proposed review will focus on many possible newer targets like abnormal expression of various enzymes like GSK-3β, PP2A, PKC, tau hyperphosphorylation, MMPs, caspases, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with number of neurodegenerative diseases linked with epilepsy. The brief about the prospective line of treatment of both diseases will also be discussed in the present review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitika Garg
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 1600142, Punjab, India
| | - Rupa Joshi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 1600142, Punjab, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Department of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 1600142, Punjab, India, e-mail:
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Severino M, Sivasaravanaparan M, Olesen LØ, von Linstow CU, Metaxas A, Bouzinova EV, Khan AM, Lambertsen KL, Babcock AA, Gramsbergen JB, Wiborg O, Finsen B. Established amyloid-β pathology is unaffected by chronic treatment with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor paroxetine. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2018; 4:215-223. [PMID: 29955664 PMCID: PMC6021554 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2018.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has been suggested to mitigate amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in Alzheimer's disease, in addition to an antidepressant mechanism of action. METHODS We investigated whether chronic treatment with paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, mitigates Aβ pathology in plaque-bearing double-transgenic amyloid precursor protein (APP)swe/presenilin 1 (PS1)ΔE9 mutants. In addition, we addressed whether serotonin depletion affects Aβ pathology. Treatments were assessed by measurement of serotonin transporter occupancy and high-performance liquid chromatography. The effect of paroxetine on Aβ pathology was evaluated by stereological plaque load estimation and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Contrary to our hypothesis, paroxetine therapy did not mitigate Aβ pathology, and depletion of brain serotonin did not exacerbate Aβ pathology. However, chronic paroxetine therapy increased mortality in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice. DISCUSSION Our results question the ability of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy to ameliorate established Aβ pathology. The severe adverse effect of paroxetine may discourage its use for disease-modifying purposes in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Severino
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mithula Sivasaravanaparan
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Louise Ø. Olesen
- Center of Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Christian U. von Linstow
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Athanasios Metaxas
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Elena V. Bouzinova
- Center of Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark
| | - Asif Manzoor Khan
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Kate L. Lambertsen
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- BRIDGE – Brain Research -Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Alicia A. Babcock
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Jan Bert Gramsbergen
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- BRIDGE – Brain Research -Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Ove Wiborg
- Center of Psychiatric Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Risskov, Denmark
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Bente Finsen
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- BRIDGE – Brain Research -Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Lai MC, Hung TY, Lin KM, Sung PS, Wu SJ, Yang CS, Wu YJ, Tsai JJ, Wu SN, Huang CW. Sodium Metabisulfite: Effects on Ionic Currents and Excitotoxicity. Neurotox Res 2017; 34:1-15. [PMID: 29188487 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9844-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 11/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
How sodium metabisulfite (SMB; Na2S2O5), a popular food preservative and antioxidant, interacts with excitable membrane and induces excitotoxicity is incompletely understood. In this study, the patch-clamp technique was used to investigate and record the electrophysiological effect of SMB on electrically excitable HL-1 cardiomyocytes and NSC-34 neurons, as well as its relationship to pilocarpine-induced seizures and neuronal excitotoxicity in rats. We used Western blotting, to analyze sodium channel expression on hippocampi after chronic SMB treatment. It was found that voltage-gated Na+ current (I Na) was stimulated, and current inactivation and deactivation were slowed in SMB-treated (30 μM) HL-1 cardiomyocytes. SMB-induced increases of I Na were attenuated in cells treated with ranolazine (10 μM) or eugenol (30 μM). The current-voltage relationship of I Na shifted to slightly more negative potentials in SMB-treated cells, the peak I Na with an EC50 value of 18 μM increased, and the steady-state inactivation curve of I Na shifted to a more positive potential. However, the tail component of the rapidly activating delayed-rectifier K+ current (I Kr) was dose-dependently inhibited. Cell-attached voltage-clamp recordings in SMB-treated cells showed that the frequency of action currents and prolonged action potential were higher. In SMB-treated NSC-34 neurons, the peak I Na was higher; however, neither the time to peak nor the inactivation time constant (I Na) changed. Pilocarpine-induced seizures were exacerbated, and acute neuronal damage and chronic mossy fiber sprouting increased in SMB-treated rats. Western blotting showed higher expression of the sodium channel in cells after chronic SMB treatment. We conclude that SMB contributes to the sodium channel-activating mechanism through which it alters cellular excitability and excitotoxicity in wide-spectrum excitable cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chi Lai
- Department of Pediatrics, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Te-Yu Hung
- Department of Pediatrics, Chi-Mei Medical Center, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Kao-Min Lin
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Shan Sung
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shyh-Jong Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sheng Yang
- Department of Neurology, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Jen Wu
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Jane Tsai
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Nan Wu
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
| | - Chin-Wei Huang
- Department of Neurology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.
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Reyes-Marin KE, Nuñez A. Seizure susceptibility in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and relationship with amyloid β plaques. Brain Res 2017; 1677:93-100. [PMID: 28963050 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Revised: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a common age associated neurodegenerative disorder associated with an elevated risk of seizures that may be fundamentally connected to cognitive dysfunction. We used 4-9month-old mice of the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease to study the presence of epileptiform-like discharges and to establish if the amyloid-β plaques affect their generation. The EEG of the APP/PS1 transgenic mice revealed a higher incidence of epileptiform-like discharges i.e. seizure events (interictal spikes, sharp waves, or polyspikes) than in the controls. Also, APP/PS1 mice showed a lower latency to evoke seizure events than in the control animals when pentylenetetrazole (60mg/kg; i.p.) was injected. Moreover, physostigmine injection (1mg/kg; i.p.) also increased the frequency of spontaneous epileptiform-like discharges in the APP/PS1 mice. We also found a correlation between the frequency of epileptiform-like discharges and the number of amyloid-β plaques. Application of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-bromobenzylamine (50mg/kg) generated amyloid-β plaques in the cortex and seizure activity appeared. Taken together, these data indicate that deposits of amyloid-β plaques may be responsible for the epileptiform-like discharges recorded in the APP/PS1 mice and could be responsible for the elevated risk for seizures of Alzheimer's patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen E Reyes-Marin
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Angel Nuñez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
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48
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Interleukin-1 Receptor in Seizure Susceptibility after Traumatic Injury to the Pediatric Brain. J Neurosci 2017; 37:7864-7877. [PMID: 28724747 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0982-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy after pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with poor quality of life. This study aimed to characterize post-traumatic epilepsy in a mouse model of pediatric brain injury, and to evaluate the role of interleukin-1 (IL-1) signaling as a target for pharmacological intervention. Male mice received a controlled cortical impact or sham surgery at postnatal day 21, approximating a toddler-aged child. Mice were treated acutely with an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra; 100 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle. Spontaneous and evoked seizures were evaluated from video-EEG recordings. Behavioral assays tested for functional outcomes, postmortem analyses assessed neuropathology, and brain atrophy was detected by ex vivo magnetic resonance imaging. At 2 weeks and 3 months post-injury, TBI mice showed an elevated seizure response to the convulsant pentylenetetrazol compared with sham mice, associated with abnormal hippocampal mossy fiber sprouting. A robust increase in IL-1β and IL-1 receptor were detected after TBI. IL-1Ra treatment reduced seizure susceptibility 2 weeks after TBI compared with vehicle, and a reduction in hippocampal astrogliosis. In a chronic study, IL-1Ra-TBI mice showed improved spatial memory at 4 months post-injury. At 5 months, most TBI mice exhibited spontaneous seizures during a 7 d video-EEG recording period. At 6 months, IL-1Ra-TBI mice had fewer evoked seizures compared with vehicle controls, coinciding with greater preservation of cortical tissue. Findings demonstrate this model's utility to delineate mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis after pediatric brain injury, and provide evidence of IL-1 signaling as a mediator of post-traumatic astrogliosis and seizure susceptibility.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Epilepsy is a common cause of morbidity after traumatic brain injury in early childhood. However, a limited understanding of how epilepsy develops, particularly in the immature brain, likely contributes to the lack of efficacious treatments. In this preclinical study, we first demonstrate that a mouse model of traumatic injury to the pediatric brain reproduces many neuropathological and seizure-like hallmarks characteristic of epilepsy. Second, we demonstrate that targeting the acute inflammatory response reduces cognitive impairments, the degree of neuropathology, and seizure susceptibility, after pediatric brain injury in mice. These findings provide evidence that inflammatory cytokine signaling is a key process underlying epilepsy development after an acquired brain insult, which represents a feasible therapeutic target to improve quality of life for survivors.
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49
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Vossel KA, Tartaglia MC, Nygaard HB, Zeman AZ, Miller BL. Epileptic activity in Alzheimer's disease: causes and clinical relevance. Lancet Neurol 2017; 16:311-322. [PMID: 28327340 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(17)30044-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 355] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Epileptic activity is frequently associated with Alzheimer's disease; this association has therapeutic implications, because epileptic activity can occur at early disease stages and might contribute to pathogenesis. In clinical practice, seizures in patients with Alzheimer's disease can easily go unrecognised because they usually present as non-motor seizures, and can overlap with other symptoms of the disease. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, seizures can hasten cognitive decline, highlighting the clinical relevance of early recognition and treatment. Some evidence indicates that subclinical epileptiform activity in patients with Alzheimer's disease, detected by extended neurophysiological monitoring, can also lead to accelerated cognitive decline. Treatment of clinical seizures in patients with Alzheimer's disease with select antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), in low doses, is usually well tolerated and efficacious. Moreover, studies in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease suggest that certain classes of AEDs that reduce network hyperexcitability have disease-modifying properties. These AEDs target mechanisms of epileptogenesis involving amyloid β and tau. Clinical trials targeting network hyperexcitability in patients with Alzheimer's disease will identify whether AEDs or related strategies could improve their cognitive symptoms or slow decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith A Vossel
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | | | - Haakon B Nygaard
- Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Adam Z Zeman
- Cognitive Neurology Research Group, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Bruce L Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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50
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Perez C, Ziburkus J, Ullah G. Analyzing and Modeling the Dysfunction of Inhibitory Neurons in Alzheimer's Disease. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168800. [PMID: 28036398 PMCID: PMC5201300 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the abnormal proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein, resulting in increased production of a self-aggregating form of beta amyloid (Aβ). Several lines of work on AD patients and transgenic mice with high Aβ levels exhibit altered rhythmicity, aberrant neuronal network activity and hyperexcitability reflected in clusters of hyperactive neurons, and spontaneous epileptic activity. Recent studies highlight that abnormal accumulation of Aβ changes intrinsic properties of inhibitory neurons, which is one of the main reasons underlying the impaired network activity. However, specific cellular mechanisms leading to interneuronal dysfunction are not completely understood. Using extended Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) formalism in conjunction with patch-clamp experiments, we investigate the mechanisms leading to the impaired activity of interneurons. Our detailed analysis indicates that increased Na+ leak explains several observations in inhibitory neurons, including their failure to reliably produce action potentials, smaller action potential amplitude, increased resting membrane potential, and higher membrane depolarization in response to a range of stimuli in a model of APPSWE/PSEN1DeltaE9 (APdE9) AD mice as compared to age-matched control mice. While increasing the conductance of hyperpolarization activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channel could account for most of the observations, the extent of increase required to reproduce these observations render such changes unrealistic. Furthermore, increasing the conductance of HCN does not account for the observed changes in depolarizability of interneurons from APdE9 mice as compared to those from NTG mice. None of the other pathways tested could lead to all observations about interneuronal dysfunction. Thus we conclude that upregulated sodium leak is the most likely source of impaired interneuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Perez
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States of America
| | - Jokubas Ziburkus
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, United States of America
| | - Ghanim Ullah
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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