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Yang C, Meng Y, Wang X, Li X, Yu T, Liao W, Xie W, Jiang Q, Wang H, Shi C, Jiao W, Bian X, Hu F, Wang X, Liu Y, Zhang L, Wang K, Sun Q. Allosteric Activation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors by Novel 2-Arylamino-thiazole-5-carboxylic Acid Amide Derivatives for the Improvement of Cognitive Deficits in Mice. J Med Chem 2024; 67:6344-6364. [PMID: 38393821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Enhancing α7 nAChR function serves as a therapeutic strategy for cognitive disorders. Here, we report the synthesis and evaluation of 2-arylamino-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid amide derivatives 6-9 that as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) activate human α7 nAChR current expressed in Xenopus ooctyes. Among the 4-amino derivatives, a representative atypical type I PAM 6p exhibits potent activation of α7 current with an EC50 of 1.3 μM and the maximum activation effect on the current over 48-fold in the presence of acetylcholine (100 μM). The structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis reveals that the 4-amino group is crucial for the allosteric activation of α7 currents by compound 6p as the substitution of 4-methyl group results in its conversion to compound 7b (EC50 = 2.1 μM; max effect: 58-fold) characterized as a typical type I PAM. Furthermore, both 6p and 7b are able to rescue auditory gating deficits in mouse schizophrenia-like model of acoustic startle prepulse inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenxia Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Ying Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xintong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Tong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Weiming Liao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenjun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qianchen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Han Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Cheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenxuan Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiling Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yani Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Qi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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2
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Singh S, Agrawal N, Goyal A. Role of Alpha-7-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Alzheimer's Disease. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:384-394. [PMID: 37366362 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230627123426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide. One of the leading hypotheses for the underlying cause of AD is a reduction in nicotinic receptor levels in the brain. Among the nicotinic receptors, the alpha-7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) has received particular attention due to its involvement in cognitive function.α7nAChR is a ligand-gated ion channel that is primarily found in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, areas of the brain responsible for learning, memory, and attention. Studies have shown that α7nAChR dysfunction is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of AD. The receptor is involved in regulating amyloidbeta (Aβ) production, a hallmark of AD pathology. Many drugs have been investigated as α7nAChR agonists or allosteric modulators to improve cognitive deficits in AD. Clinical studies have shown promising results with α7nAChR agonists, including improved memory and cognitive function. Although several studies have shown the significance of the α7 nAChR in AD, little is known about its function in AD pathogenesis. As a result, in this review, we have outlined the basic information of the α7 nAChR's structure, functions, cellular responses to its activation, and its role in AD's pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushma Singh
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura 281406, UP, India
- Pharmacy College, Azamgarh- 276128, UP, India
| | - Neetu Agrawal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura 281406, UP, India
| | - Ahsas Goyal
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura 281406, UP, India
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Ledneczki I, Némethy Z, Molnár KD, Tapolcsányi P, Ilkei V, Vágó I, Kolok S, Thán M, Laszy J, Balázs O, Krámos B, Szigetvári Á, Bata I, Makó A, Visegrády A, Fodor L, Vastag M, Lévay G, Lendvai B, Greiner I, Éles J. Optimization of Novel α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators and the Discovery of a Preclinical Development Candidate Molecule (RGH-560). J Med Chem 2023; 66:16276-16302. [PMID: 37989278 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
During optimization of a previously identified lead compound, attempts were made to optimize the reactive indole structural element, the suboptimal metabolic stability, as well as the low kinetic solubility. It was concluded that the indole was important for in vitro activity. With the aim of further improvements, more thorough modifications were also carried out. As a result, a new chemotype (the azetidinespirochromone family) was identified, which proved to be 1 order of magnitude less lipophilic retaining the same high level of in vitro potency as the lead series itself, however, with improved metabolic stability and kinetic solubility. Compound 53 showed the most balanced physicochemical and pharmacological profile with significant in vivo efficacy in the scopolamine-induced amnesia test. Based on these promising results, cognitive enhancement through the positive modulation of α7 nAChRs appears to be a viable approach. Compound 53 was selected to be a preclinical development candidate (as RGH-560).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zsolt Némethy
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | | | - Pál Tapolcsányi
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Viktor Ilkei
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - István Vágó
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kolok
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Márta Thán
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Judit Laszy
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Ottilia Balázs
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Balázs Krámos
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Áron Szigetvári
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Imre Bata
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Attila Makó
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | | | - László Fodor
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Mónika Vastag
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - György Lévay
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - Balázs Lendvai
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - István Greiner
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
| | - János Éles
- Gedeon Richter Plc, 19-21 Gyömői útca, Budapest H-1103, Hungary
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Esaki H, Deyama S, Izumi S, Katsura A, Nishikawa K, Nishitani N, Kaneda K. Varenicline enhances recognition memory via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the medial prefrontal cortex in male mice. Neuropharmacology 2023; 239:109672. [PMID: 37506875 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies postulated that chronic administration of varenicline, a partial and full agonist at α4β2 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), respectively, enhances recognition memory. However, whether its acute administration is effective, on which brain region(s) it acts, and in what signaling it is involved, remain unknown. To address these issues, we conducted a novel object recognition test using male C57BL/6J mice, focusing on the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region associated with nicotine-induced enhancement of recognition memory. Systemic administration of varenicline before the training dose-dependently enhanced recognition memory. Intra-mPFC varenicline infusion also enhanced recognition memory, and this enhancement was blocked by intra-mPFC co-infusion of a selective α7, but not α4β2, nAChR antagonist. Consistent with this, intra-mPFC infusion of a selective α7 nAChR agonist augmented object recognition memory. Furthermore, intra-mPFC co-infusion of U-73122, a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, or 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborane (2-APB), an inositol trisphosphate (IP3) receptor inhibitor, suppressed the varenicline-induced memory enhancement, suggesting that α7 nAChRs may also act as Gq-coupled metabotropic receptors. Additionally, whole-cell recordings from mPFC layer V pyramidal neurons in vitro revealed that varenicline significantly increased the summation of evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials, and this effect was suppressed by U-73122 or 2-APB. These findings suggest that varenicline might acutely enhance recognition memory via mPFC α7 nAChR stimulation, followed by mPFC neuronal excitation, which is mediated by the activation of PLC and IP3 receptor signaling. Our study provides evidence supporting the potential repositioning of varenicline as a treatment for cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirohito Esaki
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Satoshi Deyama
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Shoma Izumi
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Ayano Katsura
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nishikawa
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Naoya Nishitani
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan
| | - Katsuyuki Kaneda
- Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, 920-1192, Japan.
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Seyedaghamiri F, Hosseini L, Kazmi S, Mahmoudi J, Shanehbandi D, Ebrahimi-Kalan A, Rahbarghazi R, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Farhoudi M. Varenicline improves cognitive impairment in a mouse model of mPFC ischemia: The possible roles of inflammation, apoptosis, and synaptic factors. Brain Res Bull 2022; 181:36-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2022.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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The α7 nAChR allosteric modulator PNU-120596 amends neuroinflammatory and motor consequences of parkinsonism in rats: Role of JAK2/NF-κB/GSk3β/ TNF-α pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112776. [PMID: 35272136 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and a leading cause of disability. The current gold standard for PD treatment, L-Dopa, has limited clinical efficacy and multiple side effects. Evidence suggests that activation of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7nAChRs) abrogates neuronal and inflammatory insults. Here we tested whether PNU-120596 (PNU), a type II positive allosteric modulator of α7 nAChR, has a critical role in regulating motor dysfunction and neuroinflammation correlated with the associated PD dysfunction. Neuroprotective mechanisms were investigated through neurobehavioral, molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies. PNU reversed motor incoordination and hypokinesia induced via the intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine and manifested by lower falling latency in the rotarod test, short ambulation time and low rearing incidence in open field test. Tyrosine hydroxylase immunostaining showed a significant restoration of dopaminergic neurons following PNU treatment, in addition to histopathological restoration in nigrostriatal tissues. PNU halted striatal neuroinflammation manifested as a suppressed expression of JAK2/NF-κB/GSk3β accompanied by a parallel decline in the protein expression of TNF-α in nigrostriatal tissue denoting the modulator anti-inflammatory capacity. Moreover, the protective effects of PNU were partially reversed by the α7 nAChR antagonist, methyllycaconitine, indicating the role of α7 nAChR modulation in the mechanism of action of PNU. This is the first study to reveal the positive effects of PNU-120596 on motor derangements of PD via JAK2/NF-κB/GSk3β/ TNF-α neuroinflammatory pathways, which could offer a potential therapeutic strategy for PD.
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7
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Cammarata C, De Rosa ED. Interaction of cholinergic disruption and age on cognitive flexibility in rats. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2989-2997. [PMID: 36198843 PMCID: PMC9587929 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06472-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Healthy aging is associated with a functional reduction of the basal forebrain (BF) system that supplies the neurochemical acetylcholine (ACh) to the cortex, and concomitant challenges to cognition. It remains unclear how aging and ACh loss interact to shape cognition in the aging brain. We used a proactive interference (PI) odor discrimination task, shown to depend on the BF in young adults, wherein rats acquired new associations that conflicted with past learning or associations that did not conflict. This manipulation allowed independent assessment of encoding alone vs. encoding in the face of interference. Adult (9.8 ± 1.3 months) or aged male Long-Evans rats (20.7 ± 0.5 months) completed the PI task with systemic administration of a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist, scopolamine, or a pharmacological control. Aged rats were less able to resolve PI than adult rats. Moreover, while scopolamine reduced efficient PI resolution in adult rats, this cholinergic antagonism had no additional effect on aged rat performance, counter to our expectation that scopolamine would further increase perseveration in the aged group. Scopolamine did not impair encoding of non-interfering associations regardless of age. These data suggest that natural aging changes the effect of cholinergic pharmacology on encoding efficiency when past learning interferes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine Cammarata
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA ,Human Neuroscience Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA ,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Eve D. De Rosa
- Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA ,Human Neuroscience Institute, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853 USA
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8
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Ponzoni L, Melzi G, Marabini L, Martini A, Petrillo G, Teh MT, Torres-Perez JV, Morara S, Gotti C, Braida D, Brennan CH, Sala M. Conservation of mechanisms regulating emotional-like responses on spontaneous nicotine withdrawal in zebrafish and mammals. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2021; 111:110334. [PMID: 33905756 PMCID: PMC8380689 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nicotine withdrawal syndrome is a major clinical problem. Animal models with sufficient predictive validity to support translation of pre-clinical findings to clinical research are lacking. AIMS We evaluated the behavioural and neurochemical alterations in zebrafish induced by short- and long-term nicotine withdrawal. METHODS Zebrafish were exposed to 1 mg/L nicotine for 2 weeks. Dependence was determined using behavioural analysis following mecamylamine-induced withdrawal, and brain nicotinic receptor binding studies. Separate groups of nicotine-exposed and control fish were assessed for anxiety-like behaviours, anhedonia and memory deficits following 2-60 days spontaneous withdrawal. Gene expression analysis using whole brain samples from nicotine-treated and control fish was performed at 7 and 60 days after the last drug exposure. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in pretectum was also analysed. RESULTS Mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal nicotine-exposed fish showed increased anxiety-like behaviour as evidenced by increased freezing and decreased exploration. 3H-Epibatidine labeled heteromeric nicotinic acethylcholine receptors (nAChR) significantly increased after 2 weeks of nicotine exposure while 125I-αBungarotoxin labeled homomeric nAChR remained unchanged. Spontaneous nicotine withdrawal elicited anxiety-like behaviour (increased bottom dwelling), reduced motivation in terms of no preference for the enriched side in a place preference test starting from Day 7 after withdrawal and a progressive decrease of memory attention (lowering discrimination index). Behavioural differences were associated with brain gene expression changes: nicotine withdrawn animals showed decreased expression of chrna 4 and chrna7 after 60 days, and of htr2a from 7 to 60 days.The expression of c-Fos was significantly increased at 7 days. Finally, Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity increased in dorsal parvocellular pretectal nucleus, but not in periventricular nucleus of posterior tuberculum nor in optic tectum, at 60 days after withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that nicotine withdrawal induced anxiety-like behaviour, cognitive alterations, gene expression changes and increase in pretectal TH expression, similar to those observed in humans and rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gloria Melzi
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Marabini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Muy-Teck Teh
- Centre for Oral Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Dentistry, Barts & The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, England, UK
| | - Jose V Torres-Perez
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Daniela Braida
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine
| | - Caroline H Brennan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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9
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Wang X, Xiao H, Wang J, Huang Z, Peng G, Xie W, Bian X, Liu H, Shi C, Yang T, Li X, Gao J, Meng Y, Jiang Q, Chen W, Hu F, Wei N, Wang X, Zhang L, Wang K, Sun Q. Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Triazine Derivatives as Positive Allosteric Modulators of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12379-12396. [PMID: 34374537 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing neuronal α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) function can alleviate cognitive deficits. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of N-(4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-amine derivatives 8-10 as a series of novel α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs). The representative compound 10e functions as a type I PAM with an EC50 of 3.0 μM and approximately 38-fold enhancement of α7 current in the presence of agonist acetylcholine (100 μM). It specifically enhances α7 current with high selectivity. Compound 10e shows good pharmacokinetic property in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of 10e (3 mg/kg) exhibits sufficient blood-brain barrier penetration in mice. Furthermore, 10e can also rescue the auditory gating deficit in mice with schizophrenia-like behavior. Molecular docking of 10e with homopentameric α7 nAChR reveals a new mode of action. These results support the potential of 10e for treatment for schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Haoran Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Zongze Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Geng Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wenjun Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiling Bian
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Huijie Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Cheng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Taoyi Yang
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Molecualr and Cellular Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Ying Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qianchen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Fang Hu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
| | - Ningning Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liangren Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - KeWei Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Qingdao University Medical College, #1 Ningde Road, Qingdao 266073, China
- Institute of Innovative Drugs, Qingdao University, 38 Dengzhou Road, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Qi Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
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10
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Ledneczki I, Horváth A, Tapolcsányi P, Éles J, Molnár KD, Vágó I, Visegrády A, Kiss L, Szigetvári Á, Kóti J, Krámos B, Mahó S, Holm P, Kolok S, Fodor L, Thán M, Kostyalik D, Balázs O, Vastag M, Greiner I, Lévay G, Lendvai B, Némethy Z. HTS-based discovery and optimization of novel positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 222:113560. [PMID: 34111828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113560] [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: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
HTS campaign of the corporate compound collection resulted in a novel, oxalic acid diamide scaffold of α7 nACh receptor positive allosteric modulators. During the hit expansion, several derivatives, such as 4, 11, 17 demonstrated not only high in vitro potency, but also in vivo efficacy in the mouse place recognition test. The advanced hit molecule 11 was further optimized by the elimination of the putatively mutagenic aromatic-amine building block that resulted in a novel, aminomethylindole compound family. The most balanced physico-chemical and pharmacological profile was found in case of compound 55. Docking study revealed an intersubunit binding site to be the most probable for our compounds. 55 demonstrated favorable cognitive enhancing profile not only in scopolamine-induced amnesia (place recognition test in mice) but also in natural forgetting (novel object recognition test in rats). Compound 55 was, furthermore, active in a cognitive paradigm of high translational value, namely in the rat touch screen visual discrimination test. Therefore, 55 was selected as a lead compound for further optimization. Based on the obtained favorable results, the invented aminomethylindole cluster may provide a viable approach for cognitive enhancement through positive allosteric modulation of α7 nAChRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Ledneczki
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Anita Horváth
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Pál Tapolcsányi
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Éles
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - István Vágó
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Visegrády
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Kiss
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Áron Szigetvári
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Kóti
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Krámos
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Mahó
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Sándor Kolok
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - László Fodor
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta Thán
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Diána Kostyalik
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ottilia Balázs
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mónika Vastag
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Greiner
- Research Management, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Lévay
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Lendvai
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Némethy
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
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11
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Potasiewicz A, Faron-Gorecka A, Popik P, Nikiforuk A. Repeated treatment with alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor ligands enhances cognitive processes and stimulates Erk1/2 and Arc genes in rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 409:113338. [PMID: 33940049 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is a potential target for the treatment of cognitive decline in patients with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Here we examined the promnesic activity of the α7 nAChR agonist (A582941), the type I (CCMI), and the type II (PNU120596) positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) in rats following single and repeated (once daily for seven days) treatment. To determine the neuronal mechanisms underlying the procognitive activity of the tested compounds, levels of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk1/2) and the activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) mRNAs were assessed in the frontal cortical and hippocampal brain regions. Using the novel object recognition test, we demonstrate that the lower doses of A582941 (0.1 mg/kg), CCMI (1 mg/kg), and PNU120596 (0.3 mg/kg) improved recognition memory after repeated but not single administration, suggesting a cumulative effect of repeated dosing. In contrast, the higher doses of A582941 (0.3 mg/kg), CCMI (3 mg/kg) and PNU120596 (1 mg/kg) demonstrated promnesic efficacy following both single and repeated administration. Subsequent in situ hybridization revealed that repeated treatment with A582941 and CCMI, but not PNU120596 enhanced mRNA expression of the Erk1/2 and Arc in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Present data suggest that both the α7 nAChR agonist and PAMs exhibit procognitive effects after single and repeated administration. The increased level of the Erk1/2 and Arc genes is likely to be at least partially involved in this effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Potasiewicz
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Agata Faron-Gorecka
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Krakow, Poland
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12
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Collin BG, Raju D, Altman J, Katsikas S. The effects of proton pump inhibitors on neuropsychological functioning. APPLIED NEUROPSYCHOLOGY-ADULT 2021; 29:1403-1412. [PMID: 33651951 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2021.1883019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The current study investigated the effects of proton pump inhibitor use and apolipoprotein ε4 carrier status on changes in neuropsychological functioning in healthy adults with familial risk factors for dementia. METHODS As part of the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer's Prevention study, 1,573 subjects were administered questionnaires on their medical history, gave blood samples, and were administered neuropsychological assessments during four visits over a 10-15 year period. Linear mixed models assessed if non-users, subjects who stopped, started, or consistently used proton pump inhibitors differed in changes in working memory, verbal memory, psychomotor speed, and cognitive flexibility. RESULTS The models did not yield significant main effects for proton pump inhibitor use or interaction effects between proton pump inhibitor use and apolipoprotein ε4 carrier status on a decline in memory or processing speed. An interaction effect suggested stopping a proton pump inhibitor may be protective against declines in cognitive flexibility among non-carriers. CONCLUSIONS Although stopping a proton pump inhibitor use may have mild protective effects on executive functioning for non-apolipoprotein ε4 carriers, proton pump inhibitor use was not associated with memory decline in a sample of subjects with familial risk factors for dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dheeraj Raju
- Cancer Treatment Centers of America Global Inc, Boca Raton, FL, USA
| | - Jennifer Altman
- Spalding University School of Professional Psychology, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Steve Katsikas
- Spalding University School of Professional Psychology, Louisville, KY, USA
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13
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Gaidhani N, Tucci FC, Kem WR, Beaton G, Uteshev VV. Therapeutic efficacy of α7 ligands after acute ischaemic stroke is linked to conductive states of α7 nicotinic ACh receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:1684-1704. [PMID: 33496352 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Targeting α7 nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) in neuroinflammatory disorders including acute ischaemic stroke holds significant therapeutic promise. However, therapeutically relevant signalling mechanisms remain unidentified. Activation of neuronal α7 nAChRs triggers ionotropic signalling, but there is limited evidence for it in immunoglial tissues. The α7 ligands which are effective in reducing acute ischaemic stroke damage promote α7 ionotropic activity, suggesting a link between their therapeutic effects for treating acute ischaemic stroke and activation of α7 conductive states. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH This hypothesis was tested using a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of acute ischaemic stroke, NS6740, a known selective non-ionotropic agonist of α7 nAChRs and 4OH-GTS-21, a partial α7 agonist. NS6740-like ligands exhibiting low efficacy/potency for ionotropic activity will be referred to as non-ionotropic agonists or "metagonists". KEY RESULTS 4OH-GTS-21, used as a positive control, significantly reduced neurological deficits and brain injury after MCAO as compared to vehicle and NS6740. By contrast, NS6740 was ineffective in identical assays and reversed the effects of 4OH-GTS-21 when these compounds were co-applied. Electrophysiological recordings from acute hippocampal slices obtained from NS6740-injected animals demonstrated its remarkable brain availability and protracted effects on α7 nAChRs as evidenced by sustained (>8 h) alterations in α7 ionotropic responsiveness. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These results suggest that α7 ionotropic activity may be obligatory for therapeutic efficacy of α7 ligands after acute ischaemic stroke yet, highlight the potential for selective application of α7 ligands to disease states based on their mode of receptor activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Gaidhani
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Fabio C Tucci
- Epigen Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - William R Kem
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Graham Beaton
- Epigen Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | - Victor V Uteshev
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
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14
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Ledneczki I, Tapolcsányi P, Gábor E, Visegrády A, Vass M, Éles J, Holm P, Horváth A, Pocsai A, Mahó S, Greiner I, Krámos B, Béni Z, Kóti J, Káncz AE, Thán M, Kolok S, Laszy J, Balázs O, Bugovits G, Nagy J, Vastag M, Szájli Á, Bozó É, Lévay G, Lendvai B, Némethy Z. Discovery of novel positive allosteric modulators of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor: Scaffold hopping approach. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 214:113189. [PMID: 33540354 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The paper focuses on the scaffold hopping-based discovery and characterization of novel nicotinic alpha 7 receptor positive modulator (α7 nAChR PAM) ligands around the reference molecule (A-867744). First, substantial efforts were carried out to assess the importance of the various pharmacophoric elements on the in vitro potency (SAR evaluation) by chemical modifications. Subsequently, several new derivatives with versatile, heteroaromatic central cores were synthesized and characterized. A promising, pyrazole-containing new chemotype with good physicochemical and in vitro parameters was identified. Retrospective analysis based on homology modeling was also carried out. Besides its favorable in vitro characteristics, the most advanced derivative 69 also showed in vivo efficacy in a rodent model of cognition (scopolamine-induced amnesia in the mouse place recognition test) and acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Based on the in vivo data, the resulting molecule with advanced drug-like characteristics has the possibility to improve cognitive performance in a biologically relevant dose range, further strengthening the view of the supportive role of α7 nACh receptors in the cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- István Ledneczki
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Pál Tapolcsányi
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Eszter Gábor
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Visegrády
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary; Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márton Vass
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Éles
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Anita Horváth
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anikó Pocsai
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Mahó
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - István Greiner
- Research Management, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Krámos
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Béni
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - János Kóti
- Spectroscopic Research Department, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anna E Káncz
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Márta Thán
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sándor Kolok
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Laszy
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ottilia Balázs
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gyula Bugovits
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - József Nagy
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mónika Vastag
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágota Szájli
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Éva Bozó
- Department of Chemistry, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - György Lévay
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Balázs Lendvai
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Némethy
- Pharmacological and Drug Safety Research, Gedeon Richter Plc., Budapest, Hungary
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15
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Unal G, Sirvanci S, Aricioglu F. α7 nicotinic receptor agonist and positive allosteric modulators differently improved schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits in male rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 397:112946. [PMID: 33011186 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The majority of schizophrenia patients have cognitive deficits as a separate symptom cluster independent of positive or negative symptoms. Current medicines, unfortunately, cannot provide clear benefits for cognitive symptoms in patients. Recent findings showed decreased α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expressions in subjects with schizophrenia. α7 nAChR full/partial agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) may be valuable drug candidates to treat cognitive deficits of disease. This study comparatively investigated the effect of α7 nAChR agonist (A-582941), type I PAM (CCMI), type II PAM (PNU-120596), and the antipsychotic drug (clozapine) on behavioral, molecular, and immunohistochemical parameters in a subchronic MK-801 model of schizophrenia in male rats. Novel object recognition (NOR) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests were performed to evaluate recognition and spatial memories, respectively. Gene and protein expressions of parvalbumin, glutamic acid decarboxylase-67 (GAD67), and α7 nAChR were examined in the rats' hippocampal tissue. The subchronic MK-801 administration produced cognitive deficits in the NOR and MWM tests. It also decreased the protein and gene expressions of parvalbumin, GAD67, and α7 nAChR in the hippocampus. Clozapine, A-582941, and PNU-120596 but not CCMI increased the parvalbumin and α7 nAChR expressions and provided benefits in recognition memory. Interestingly, clozapine and CCMI restored the MK-801 induced deficits on GAD1 expression and spatial memory while A-582941 and PNU-120596 were ineffective. These results indicated that α7 nAChR agonist, type I and type II PAMs may provide benefits in different types of cognitive deficits rather than a complete treatment in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Unal
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Serap Sirvanci
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Embryology and Histology, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Marmara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Istanbul, Turkey.
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16
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Gahring LC, Myers EJ, Rogers SW. Inhaled aerosolized nicotine suppresses the lung eosinophilic response to house dust mite allergen. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L683-L692. [PMID: 32726138 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00227.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotine of unprecedented concentrations and purity is being inhaled by those using commercially available electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). The consequences of this route of self-administration on the immunological response to inhaled allergens are not known. In mice, sensitization and inhalation challenge with the common environmental house dust mite (HDM) allergen is an experimental model of this response. When mice were exposed to aerosolized nicotine base (aeroNic) twice daily, 5 days/wk for 8 wk, the HDM-induced recruitment of eosinophils (EOS) was substantially reduced as measured in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Oral nicotine administration had no effect. HDM challenge in the presence of nicotinic receptor subtype α7 (α7)-specific type-1 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) was alone sufficient to suppress EOS. RNA analysis of alveolar macrophages (AM) collected from BALF after HDM challenge of aeroNic revealed that α7 activation strongly suppresses initiation of Ccl24 (eotaxin 2) transcription. To examine possible cellular signaling mechanisms coupling α7 to Ccl24 transcription, an AM culture model system was used. In AM cultures of freshly collected BALF, Ccl24 transcription was robustly activated by a mixture of IL-4 and IL-10, and this was suppressed by coapplication of type-1 PAMs through a pathway that requires p38MAPK but is independent of Jak2. These results suggest that the EOS response to HDM inhaled allergen is subject to modulation through activation of the α7 receptor and suggest that the allergic response may be substantially modified in ENDS users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorise C Gahring
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City Veterans Administration Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Elizabeth J Myers
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Scott W Rogers
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Salt Lake City Veterans Administration Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
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17
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Mamiya T, Tanase S, Takeuchi S, Kato S, Ito A, Hiramatsu M, Nabeshima T. Galantamine improves enhanced impulsivity, impairments of attention and long-term potentiation induced by prenatal nicotine exposure to mice. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 180:114139. [PMID: 32652142 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) causes behavioral abnormalities in offspring, such as an enhancement of impulsivity and decrease in attention at adolescence. Here we examined the effects of galantamine (GAL) on the behavioral and electrophysiological changes induced by PNE in mice. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were exposed to nicotine (0.2 mg/mL) dissolved in sweetened (2% saccharin) drinking water during gestational day 14 and perinatal day 0 (P0). At the ages of postnatal days 42-49 (P42-P49), female offspring displayed impulsivity in the cliff avoidance test and impairment of visual attention in the object-based attention test. Decrease of long-term potentiation (LTP) and extracellular glutamate levels were observed in the prefrontal cortex of PNE mice. Systemic treatment with GAL (1 mg/kg, s.c.), an allosteric potentiating ligand for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and a weak cholinesterase inhibitor, attenuated the enhancement of impulsivity and impairment of attention induced by PNE in mice. Further, GAL reversed the impairment of LTP induced by PNE in the prefrontal cortex of mice, although it failed to attenuate the decrease of extracellular glutamate levels. The effects of GAL were blocked by an α 7 nAChR antagonist, methyllycaconitine (1 mg/kg, i.p.). These results suggest that PNE during cortex development affects nicotinic cholinergic-dependent plasticity and formation of impulsivity and attention. Furthermore, GAL could be a useful drug for cognitive impairments-related to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayoshi Mamiya
- Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan; Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan.
| | - Shota Tanase
- Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shino Takeuchi
- Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kato
- Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ai Ito
- Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masayuki Hiramatsu
- Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Meijo University, Nagoya, Japan; Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Nabeshima
- Advanced Diagnostic System Research Laboratory, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Japan; Japanese Drug Organization of Appropriate Use and Research, Nagoya, Japan
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18
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Caton M, Ochoa ELM, Barrantes FJ. The role of nicotinic cholinergic neurotransmission in delusional thinking. NPJ SCHIZOPHRENIA 2020; 6:16. [PMID: 32532978 PMCID: PMC7293341 DOI: 10.1038/s41537-020-0105-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Delusions are a difficult-to-treat and intellectually fascinating aspect of many psychiatric illnesses. Although scientific progress on this complex topic has been challenging, some recent advances focus on dysfunction in neural circuits, specifically in those involving dopaminergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission. Here we review the role of cholinergic neurotransmission in delusions, with a focus on nicotinic receptors, which are known to play a part in some illnesses where these symptoms appear, including delirium, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, Parkinson, Huntington, and Alzheimer diseases. Beginning with what we know about the emergence of delusions in these illnesses, we advance a hypothesis of cholinergic disturbance in the dorsal striatum where nicotinic receptors are operative. Striosomes are proposed to play a central role in the formation of delusions. This hypothesis is consistent with our current knowledge about the mechanism of action of cholinergic drugs and with our abstract models of basic cognitive mechanisms at the molecular and circuit levels. We conclude by pointing out the need for further research both at the clinical and translational levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Caton
- The Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Santa Rosa Department of Psychiatry, 2235 Mercury Way, Santa Rosa, CA, 95047, USA
- Heritage Oaks Hospital, 4250 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95841, USA
| | - Enrique L M Ochoa
- Heritage Oaks Hospital, 4250 Auburn Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95841, USA
- Volunteer Clinical Faculty, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California at Davis, 2230 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
| | - Francisco J Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Biomedical Research (BIOMED), Faculty of Medical Sciences, UCA-CONICET, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, C1107AFF, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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19
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Potasiewicz A, Krawczyk M, Gzielo K, Popik P, Nikiforuk A. Positive allosteric modulators of alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors enhance procognitive effects of conventional anti-Alzheimer drugs in scopolamine-treated rats. Behav Brain Res 2020; 385:112547. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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20
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Targeting the cholinergic system in Parkinson's disease. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:453-463. [PMID: 32132659 PMCID: PMC7468250 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0380-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Motor control in the striatum is an orchestra played by various neuronal populations. Loss of harmony due to dopamine deficiency is considered the primary pathological cause of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recent progress in experimental approaches has enabled us to examine the striatal circuitry in a much more comprehensive manner, not only reshaping our understanding of striatal functions in movement regulation but also leading to new opportunities for the development of therapeutic strategies for treating PD. In addition to dopaminergic innervation, giant aspiny cholinergic interneurons (ChIs) within the striatum have long been recognized as a critical node for balancing dopamine signaling and regulating movement. With the roles of ChIs in motor control further uncovered and more specific manipulations available, striatal ChIs and their corresponding receptors are emerging as new promising therapeutic targets for PD. This review summarizes recent progress in functional studies of striatal circuitry and discusses the translational implications of these new findings for the treatment of PD.
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21
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Unal G, Bekci H, Cumaoglu A, Yerer MB, Aricioglu F. Alpha 7 nicotinic receptor agonist and positive allosteric modulators improved social and molecular deficits of MK-801 model of schizophrenia in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2020; 193:172916. [PMID: 32220620 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2020.172916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a common psychiatric disease that cannot be fully treated with current antipsychotic drugs. It has shown that glutamatergic NMDA receptor antagonists such as MK-801 cause schizophrenia-like phenotype in rodents. Recent studies indicated that α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) deficits contribute to schizophrenia. Enhancing its activity with agonist or positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) may be a valuable approach for treatment. The certain intracellular pathways such as Akt/Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) and phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4)/cAMP are associated with the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In this study, we examined the effect of α7 nAChR agonists and PAMs on the behavioral and molecular phenotype of schizophrenia in the subchronic MK-801 administered rats. Social interaction, the levels of α7 nAChR, and related intracellular pathways (cAMP, PDE4A, PDE4D, p-Akt/Akt, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β) were measured by behavioral or ELISA and western blot tests. Subchronic MK-801 administration decreased the following behaviors and increased the avoiding behaviors. However, only α7 nAChR agonist (A-582941) increased the following behavior while α7 nAChR agonist, PAMs (CCMI and PNU-120596), and clozapine decreased the avoiding behavior compared to MK-801. For molecular parameters, MK-801 administration decreased the α7 nAChR, p-Akt/Akt, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β expressions, and cAMP levels while it increased PDE4A, PDE4D expressions in the prefrontal cortex. Besides, MK-801 decreased the α7 nAChR, p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β expressions in the hippocampus. We found clozapine, α7 nAChR agonists, and PAMs reversed the molecular deficits induced by MK-801. Herein, we showed that prefrontal cortex is more sensitive to the devastating effects of subchronic MK-801 administration, especially for PDE4, in rats. In addition to clozapine, α7 nAChR agonists and PAMs found to be beneficial on both social and molecular deficits induced by MK-801 in rats. We suggested that α7 nAChR agonists and PAMs might be valuable approaches to treat negative symptoms of schizophrenia when unmet needs and current limitations considered in this pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Unal
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - H Bekci
- Kayseri University, Yahyalı Vocational School, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - A Cumaoglu
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Biochemistry, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - M B Yerer
- Erciyes University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - F Aricioglu
- Marmara University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Istanbul, Turkey.
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22
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Nikiforuk A, Litwa E, Krawczyk M, Popik P, Arias H. Desformylflustrabromine, a positive allosteric modulator of α4β2-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, enhances cognition in rats. Pharmacol Rep 2020; 72:589-599. [PMID: 32207091 PMCID: PMC7329799 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-020-00092-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Rationale The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α4β2-nAChRs) may represent useful targets for cognitive improvement. It has been recently proposed that a strategy based on positive allosteric modulation of α4β2-nAChRs reveals several advantages over the direct agonist approach. Nevertheless, the procognitive effects of α4β2-nAChR positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have not been extensively characterized. Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the procognitive efficacy of desformylflustrabromine (dFBr), a selective α4β2-nAChR PAM. Methods Cognitive effects were investigated in the novel object recognition task (NORT) and the attentional set-shifting task (ASST) in rats. Results The results demonstrate that dFBr attenuated the delay-induced impairment in NORT performance and facilitated cognitive flexibility in the ASST. The beneficial effects of dFBr were inhibited by dihydro-β-erythroidine, a relatively selective α4β2-nAChR antagonist, indicating the involvement of α4β2-nAChRs in cognitive processes. The tested α4β2-PAM was also effective against ketamine- and scopolamine-induced deficits of object recognition memory. Moreover, procognitive effects were also observed after combined treatment with inactive doses of dFBr and TC-2403, a selective α4β2-nAChR agonist. Conclusions These findings indicate that dFBr presents procognitive activity, supporting the strategy based on α4β2-nAChR potentiation as a plausible therapy for cognitive impairment. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s43440-020-00092-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland.
| | - Ewa Litwa
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Martyna Krawczyk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Hugo Arias
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Tahlequah, OK, USA
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23
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Terry AV, Callahan PM. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors as therapeutic targets in schizophrenia: Update on animal and clinical studies and strategies for the future. Neuropharmacology 2020; 170:108053. [PMID: 32188568 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental illness and its effective treatment is among the most challenging issues in psychiatry. The symptoms of schizophrenia are heterogeneous ranging from positive symptoms (e.g., delusions, hallucinations) to negative symptoms (e.g., anhedonia, social withdrawal) to cognitive dysfunction. Antipsychotics are effective at ameliorating positive symptoms in some patients; however, they are not reliably effective at improving the negative symptoms or cognitive impairments. The inability to address the cognitive impairments is a particular concern since they have the greatest long-term impact on functional outcomes. While decades of research have been devoted to the development of pro-cognitive agents for schizophrenia, to date, no drug has been approved for clinical use. Converging behavioral, neurobiological, and genetic evidence led to the identification of the α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR) as a therapeutic target several years ago and there is now extensive preclinical evidence that α7-nAChR ligands have pro-cognitive effects and other properties that should be beneficial to schizophrenia patients. However, like the other pro-cognitive strategies, no α7-nAChR ligand has been approved for clinical use in schizophrenia thus far. In this review, several topics are discussed that may impact the success of α7-nAChR ligands as pro-cognitive agents for schizophrenia including the translational value of the animal models used, clinical trial design limitations, confounding effects of polypharmacy, dose-effect relationships, and chronic versus intermittent dosing considerations. Determining the most optimal pharmacologic strategy at α7-nAChRs: agonist, positive allosteric modulator, or potentially even receptor antagonist is also discussed. article is part of the special issue on 'Contemporary Advances in Nicotine Neuropharmacology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia; Small Animal Behavior Core, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia.
| | - Patrick M Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia; Small Animal Behavior Core, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia
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24
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Lykhmus O, Kalashnyk O, Uspenska K, Horid’ko T, Kosyakova H, Komisarenko S, Skok M. Different Effects of Nicotine and N-Stearoyl-ethanolamine on Episodic Memory and Brain Mitochondria of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Knockout Mice. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020226. [PMID: 32028688 PMCID: PMC7072576 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors of α7 subtype (α7 nAChRs) are involved in regulating neuroinflammation and cognitive functions. Correspondingly, α7-/- mice demonstrate pro-inflammatory phenotype and impaired episodic memory. In addition, nAChRs expressed in mitochondria regulate the release of pro-apoptotic factors like cytochrome c. Here we studied whether the cognitive deficiency of α7-/- mice can be cured by oral consumption of either nicotine or N-stearoylethanolamine (NSE), a lipid possessing anti-inflammatory, cannabimimetic and membrane-stabilizing activity. Mice were examined in Novel Object Recognition behavioral test, their blood, brains and brain mitochondria were tested for the levels of interleukin-6, various nAChR subtypes and cytochrome c released by ELISA. The data presented demonstrate that both substances stimulated the raise of interleukin-6 in the blood and improved episodic memory of α7-/- mice. However, NSE improved, while nicotine worsened the brain mitochondria sustainability to apoptogenic stimuli, as shown by either decreased or increased amounts of cytochrome c released. Both nicotine and NSE up-regulated α4β2 nAChRs in the brain; NSE up-regulated, while nicotine down-regulated α9-containing nAChRs in the brain mitochondria. It is concluded that the level of alternative nAChR subtypes in the brain is critically important for memory and mitochondria sustainability in the absence of α7 nAChRs.
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25
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Al Rawashdah S, Hamrouni A, Sadek B, Amer R, Metwaly M, Atatreh N, Ghattas MA. Molecular modelling studies on ɑ7 nicotinic receptor allosteric modulators yields novel filter-based virtual screening protocol. J Mol Graph Model 2019; 92:44-54. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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26
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Neuromodulators and Long-Term Synaptic Plasticity in Learning and Memory: A Steered-Glutamatergic Perspective. Brain Sci 2019; 9:brainsci9110300. [PMID: 31683595 PMCID: PMC6896105 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci9110300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular pathways underlying the induction and maintenance of long-term synaptic plasticity have been extensively investigated revealing various mechanisms by which neurons control their synaptic strength. The dynamic nature of neuronal connections combined with plasticity-mediated long-lasting structural and functional alterations provide valuable insights into neuronal encoding processes as molecular substrates of not only learning and memory but potentially other sensory, motor and behavioural functions that reflect previous experience. However, one key element receiving little attention in the study of synaptic plasticity is the role of neuromodulators, which are known to orchestrate neuronal activity on brain-wide, network and synaptic scales. We aim to review current evidence on the mechanisms by which certain modulators, namely dopamine, acetylcholine, noradrenaline and serotonin, control synaptic plasticity induction through corresponding metabotropic receptors in a pathway-specific manner. Lastly, we propose that neuromodulators control plasticity outcomes through steering glutamatergic transmission, thereby gating its induction and maintenance.
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27
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Mantanona CP, Alsiö J, Elson JL, Fisher BM, Dalley JW, Bussey T, Pienaar IS. Altered motor, anxiety-related and attentional task performance at baseline associate with multiple gene copies of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter and related protein overexpression in ChAT::Cre+ rats. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:3095-3116. [PMID: 31506825 PMCID: PMC6875150 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01957-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transgenic rodents expressing Cre recombinase cell specifically are used for exploring mechanisms regulating behavior, including those mediated by cholinergic signaling. However, it was recently reported that transgenic mice overexpressing a bacterial artificial chromosome containing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene, for synthesizing the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, present with multiple vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) gene copies, resulting in altered cholinergic tone and accompanying behavioral abnormalities. Since ChAT::Cre+ rats, used increasingly for understanding the biological basis of CNS disorders, utilize the mouse ChAT promotor to control Cre recombinase expression, we assessed for similar genotypical and phenotypical differences in such rats compared to wild-type siblings. The rats were assessed for mouse VAChT copy number, VAChT protein expression levels and for sustained attention, response control and anxiety. Rats were also subjected to a contextual fear conditioning paradigm using an unconditional fear-inducing stimulus (electrical foot shocks), with blood samples taken at baseline, the fear acquisition phase and retention testing, for measuring blood plasma markers of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal gland (HPA)-axis activity. ChAT::Cre+ rats expressed multiple mouse VAChT gene copies, resulting in significantly higher VAChT protein expression, revealed anxiolytic behavior, hyperlocomotion and deficits in tasks requiring sustained attention. The HPA-axis was intact, with unaltered circulatory levels of acute stress-induced corticosterone, leptin and glucose. Our findings, therefore, reveal that in ChAT::Cre+ rats, VAChT overexpression associates with significant alterations of certain cognitive, motor and affective functions. Although highly useful as an experimental tool, it is essential to consider the potential effects of altered cholinergic transmission on baseline behavior in ChAT::Cre rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig P Mantanona
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Johan Alsiö
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joanna L Elson
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Beth M Fisher
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Jeffrey W Dalley
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK
| | - Timothy Bussey
- Department of Psychology, The Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Robarts Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ilse S Pienaar
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, BN1 9PH, UK.
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28
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Silva GM, Barcelos MP, Poiani JGC, Hage-Melim LIDS, da Silva CHTDP. Allosteric Modulators of Potential Targets Related to Alzheimer's Disease: a Review. ChemMedChem 2019; 14:1467-1483. [PMID: 31310701 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201900299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Among neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, and there is an urgent need to discover new and efficacious forms of treatment for it. Pathological patterns of AD include cholinergic dysfunction, increased β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide concentration, the appearance of neurofibrillary tangles, among others, all of which are strongly associated with specific biological targets. Interactions observed between these targets and potential drug candidates in AD most often occur by competitive mechanisms driven by orthosteric ligands that sometimes result in the production of side effects. In this context, the allosteric mechanism represents a key strategy; this can be regarded as the selective modulation of such targets by allosteric modulators in an advantageous manner, as this may decrease the likelihood of side effects. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of compounds that act as allosteric modulators of the main biological targets related to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Martins Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14090-901, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mariana Pegrucci Barcelos
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14090-901, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - João Gabriel Curtolo Poiani
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Lorane Izabel da Silva Hage-Melim
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Curso de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Amapá, Rod. Juscelino Kubitschek, KM-02, 68903-419, Macapá, Brazil
| | - Carlos Henrique Tomich de Paula da Silva
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. do Café, s/n, 14040-903, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.,Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, 14090-901, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
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29
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Bali ZK, Nagy LV, Budai D, Hernádi I. Facilitation and inhibition of firing activity and N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked responses of CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells by alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor selective compounds in vivo. Sci Rep 2019; 9:9324. [PMID: 31249369 PMCID: PMC6597544 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-45796-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are promising novel targets for the treatment of neurocognitive disorders. Although the cognitive enhancer potential of alpha7 nAChR agonists and positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) has been confirmed in several preclinical animal models, there are only sparse in vivo electrophysiological data on their effects on the firing activity and excitability of neurons. The present study investigated and compared local effects of alpha7 nAChR agonist PHA-543613 and PAMs PNU-120596 and NS-1738 on the spontaneous and N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked (NMDA-evoked) firing rate of rat CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells, in vivo. Furthermore, effects of alpha7 nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine (MLA) and GABA were also tested. Results showed substantially different effects of the alpha7 nAChR agonist and PAMs. While PNU-120596 and NS-1738 predominantly and significantly increased both spontaneous and NMDA-evoked firing rate of the neurons, application of PHA-543613 resulted in almost equal distribution of facilitatory and inhibitory effects. The increase of the NMDA-evoked firing rate exerted by NS-1738 was superadditive over the sum of the single effects of NMDA and NS-1738. The simultaneous application of alpha7 nAChR agonist PHA-543613 and PAM NS-1738 resulted in additive increase of both spontaneous and NMDA-evoked firing rate. However, NS-1738 counteracted inhibitory effects of PHA-543613 in 5 out of 6 neurons, resulting in a synergistic potentiation of their firing responses to NMDA. Our results suggest that alpha7 nAChR PAMs increase neuronal excitability more potently than agonists, while the remarkable occurrence of inhibitory effects of PHA-543613 (possibly originating from receptor desensitization) implies that agonists may exert neuroprotective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Kristóf Bali
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,Grastyán Endre Translational Research Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Lili Veronika Nagy
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Dénes Budai
- Kation Scientific LLC, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - István Hernádi
- Department of Experimental Zoology and Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. .,János Szentágothai Research Center, Center for Neuroscience, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. .,Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary. .,Grastyán Endre Translational Research Center, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
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30
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Pharmacological characterization of JWX-A0108 as a novel type I positive allosteric modulator of α7 nAChR that can reverse acoustic gating deficits in a mouse prepulse inhibition model. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2019; 40:737-745. [PMID: 30333556 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-018-0163-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) is a ligand-gated Ca2+-permeable homopentameric ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Pharmacological enhancement of α7 nAChR function has been suggested for improvement of cognitive deficits. In the present study, we characterized a thiazolyl heterocyclic derivative, 6-(2-chloro-6-methylphenyl)-2-((3-fluoro-4-methylphenyl)amino)thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7(6H)-one (JWX-A0108), as a novel type I α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulator (PAM), and evaluated its ability to reverse auditory gating and spatial working memory deficits in mice. In Xenopus oocytes expressing human nAChR channels, application of JWX-A0108 selectively enhanced α7 nAChR-mediated inward current in the presence of the agonist ACh (EC50 value = 4.35 ± 0.12 µM). In hippocampal slices, co-application of ACh and JWX-A0108 (10 µM for each) markedly increased both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) recorded in pyramidal neurons, but JWX-A0108 did not affect GABA-induced current in oocytes expressing human GABAA receptor α1β3γ2 and α5β3γ2 subtypes. In mice with MK-801-induced deficits in auditory gating, administration of JWX-A0108 (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) dose-dependently attenuates MK-801-induced auditory gating deficits in five prepulse intensities (72, 76, 80, 84, and 88 dB). Furthermore, administration of JWX-A0108 (0.03, 0.1, or 0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reversed MK-801-induced impaired spatial working memory in mice. Our results demonstrate that JWX-A0108 is a novel type I PAM of α7 nAChR, which may be beneficial for improvement of cognitive deficits commonly found in neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease.
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31
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Terry AV, Callahan PM. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands, Cognitive Function, and Preclinical Approaches to Drug Discovery. Nicotine Tob Res 2019; 21:383-394. [PMID: 30137518 PMCID: PMC6379039 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Interest in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligands as potential therapeutic agents for cognitive disorders began more than 30 years ago when it was first demonstrated that the tobacco alkaloid nicotine could improve cognitive function in nicotine-deprived smokers as well as nonsmokers. Numerous animal and human studies now indicate that nicotine and a variety of nAChR ligands have the potential to improve multiple domains of cognition including attention, spatial learning, working memory, recognition memory, and executive function. The purpose of this review is to (1) discuss several pharmacologic strategies that have been developed to enhance nAChR activity (eg, agonist, partial agonist, and positive allosteric modulator) and improve cognitive function, (2) provide a brief overview of some of the more common rodent behavioral tasks with established translational validity that have been used to evaluate nAChR ligands for effects on cognitive function, and (3) briefly discuss some of the topics of debate regarding the development of optimal therapeutic strategies using nAChR ligands. Because of their densities in the mammalian brain and the amount of literature available, the review primarily focuses on ligands of the high-affinity α4β2* nAChR ("*" indicates the possible presence of additional subunits in the complex) and the low-affinity α7 nAChR. The behavioral task discussion focuses on representative methods that have been designed to model specific domains of cognition that are relevant to human neuropsychiatric disorders and often evaluated in human clinical trials. IMPLICATIONS The preclinical literature continues to grow in support of the development of nAChR ligands for a variety of illnesses that affect humans. However, to date, no new nAChR ligand has been approved for any condition other than nicotine dependence. As discussed in this review, the studies conducted to date provide the impetus for continuing efforts to develop new nAChR strategies (ie, beyond simple agonist and partial agonist approaches) as well as to refine current behavioral strategies and create new animal models to address translational gaps in the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
- Small Animal Behavior Core Laboratory, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
| | - Patrick M Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
- Small Animal Behavior Core Laboratory, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
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32
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Chronic treatment with galantamine rescues reversal learning in an attentional set-shifting test after experimental brain trauma. Exp Neurol 2019; 315:32-41. [PMID: 30711647 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 10 million new cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are reported each year worldwide with many of these injuries resulting in higher order cognitive impairments. Galantamine (GAL), an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor (AChEI) and positive allosteric modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), has been reported to ameliorate cognitive deficits after clinical TBI. Previously, we demonstrated that controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury to rats resulted in significant executive function impairments as measured by the attentional set-shifting test (AST), a complex cognitive task analogous to the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). We hypothesized that chronic administration of GAL would normalize performance on the AST post-TBI. Isoflurane-anesthetized adult male rats were subjected to moderate CCI (2.8 mm tissue deformation at 4 m/s) or sham injury. Rats were then randomized into one of three treatment groups (i.e., 1 mg/kg GAL, 2 mg/kg GAL, or 1 mL/kg saline vehicle; VEH) or their respective sham controls. GAL or VEH was administered intraperitoneally daily commencing 24 hours post-surgery and until AST testing at 4 weeks post-injury. The AST data revealed significant impairments in the first reversal stage after TBI, seen as increased trials to reach criterion and elevated total errors (p < 0.05). These behavioral flexibility deficits were equally normalized by the administration of both doses of GAL (p < 0.05). Additionally, the higher dose of GAL (2 mg/kg) also significantly reduced cortical lesion volume compared to TBI + VEH controls (p < 0.05). In summary, daily GAL administration provides an efficacious treatment for cognitive deficits and histological recovery after experimental brain trauma. Clinically, these findings are promising considering robust results were attained using a pharmacotherapy already used in the clinic to treat mild dementia.
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D'Souza MS. Brain and Cognition for Addiction Medicine: From Prevention to Recovery Neural Substrates for Treatment of Psychostimulant-Induced Cognitive Deficits. Front Psychiatry 2019; 10:509. [PMID: 31396113 PMCID: PMC6667748 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Addiction to psychostimulants like cocaine, methamphetamine, and nicotine poses a continuing medical and social challenge both in the United States and all over the world. Despite a desire to quit drug use, return to drug use after a period of abstinence is a common problem among individuals dependent on psychostimulants. Recovery for psychostimulant drug-dependent individuals is particularly challenging because psychostimulant drugs induce significant changes in brain regions associated with cognitive functions leading to cognitive deficits. These cognitive deficits include impairments in learning/memory, poor decision making, and impaired control of behavioral output. Importantly, these drug-induced cognitive deficits often impact adherence to addiction treatment programs and predispose abstinent addicts to drug use relapse. Additionally, these cognitive deficits impact effective social and professional rehabilitation of abstinent addicts. The goal of this paper is to review neural substrates based on animal studies that could be pharmacologically targeted to reverse psychostimulant-induced cognitive deficits such as impulsivity and impairment in learning and memory. Further, the review will discuss neural substrates that could be used to facilitate extinction learning and thus reduce emotional and behavioral responses to drug-associated cues. Moreover, the review will discuss some non-pharmacological approaches that could be used either alone or in combination with pharmacological compounds to treat the above-mentioned cognitive deficits. Psychostimulant addiction treatment, which includes treatment for cognitive deficits, will help promote abstinence and allow for better rehabilitation and integration of abstinent individuals into society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoranjan S D'Souza
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, The Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH, United States
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Potasiewicz A, Golebiowska J, Popik P, Nikiforuk A. Procognitive effects of varenicline in the animal model of schizophrenia depend on α4β2- and α 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 33:269881118812097. [PMID: 30501536 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118812097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Varenicline, a partial agonist of the α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α4β2-nAChR), is currently used to facilitate smoking cessation. Preclinical and clinical studies have suggested that this compound may also be effective in treating cognitive impairments in schizophrenia. However, it is unclear which nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes may be involved because varenicline is not only a partial agonist for α4β2-nAChRs but also a full agonist for α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs). AIM We investigated the effects of varenicline, compared to the α4β2-nAChR partial agonist TC-2403 and the α7-nAChR full agonist PNU-282987, in a ketamine-based model of schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits on the attentional set-shifting task in rats. The second goal was to elucidate whether the procognitive efficacy of varenicline was due to the compound's action on α4β2-nAChRs or α7-nAChRs. METHODS Ketamine was administered to rats for 10 consecutive days and the test was performed 14 days following the last injection. The tested compounds were administered 30 min prior to the attentional set-shifting task. RESULTS Varenicline, TC-2403 and PNU-282987 ameliorated ketamine-evoked set-shifting deficits. While the α4β2-nAChR antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine and the α7-nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine completely prevented the procognitive actions of TC-2403 and PNU-282987, respectively, varenicline's effect was only partially blocked by any given antagonist. Moreover, the combined treatment with TC-2403 and PNU-282987 more effectively facilitated rats' set-shifting ability than activation of either type of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor alone. CONCLUSION The present findings demonstrated that varenicline's actions on both α7-nAChRs and α4β2-nAChRs may be necessary to produce its full procognitive effect in the present experimental setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Potasiewicz
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Golebiowska
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Kraków, Poland
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Milienne-Petiot M, Higa KK, Grim A, Deben D, Groenink L, Twamley EW, Geyer MA, Young JW. Nicotine improves probabilistic reward learning in wildtype but not alpha7 nAChR null mutants, yet alpha7 nAChR agonists do not improve probabilistic learning. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 28:1217-1231. [PMID: 30213668 PMCID: PMC6344043 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive impairments, e.g., reward learning, are present in various psychiatric disorders and warrant treatment. Improving reward-related learning could synergistically enhance psychosocial treatments and cognition generally. A critical first step is to understand the mechanisms underlying reward learning. The dopamine system has been implicated in such learning, but less known is how indirect activation of this system may affect reward learning. We determined the role of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) on a probabilistic reversal learning task (PRLT) in mice that includes reward and punishment. Male alpha7 knockout (KO), heterozygous (HT), and wildtype (WT) littermate mice (n = 84) were treated with vehicle, 0.03, or 0.3 mg/kg nicotine. Two cohorts of C57BL/6NJ male mice were treated with various alpha7 nAChR ligands, including the full agonists PNU282877 and AR-R-17779, the positive allosteric modulator CCMI, the partial agonist SSR180711, and the antagonist methyllycaconitine. All mice were then tested in the PRLT. Nicotine (0.3 mg/kg) significantly improved initial reward learning in alpha7 WT and HT mice but did not improve learning in KO mice, suggesting an involvement of the alpha7 nAChR in the pro-learning effects of nicotine. Neither alpha7 nAChR treatments (PNU282987, AR-R-17779, CCMI, SSR180711, nor methyllycaconitine) affected mouse PRLT performance however. Nicotine improved reward learning via a mechanism that may include alpha7 nAChRs. This improvement unlikely relied solely on alpha7 nAChRs however, since no alpha7 nAChR ligand improved reward learning in normal mice. Future assessments of the effects of other nAChR subtypes on reward learning are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Milienne-Petiot
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kerin K Higa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
| | - Andrea Grim
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
| | - Debbie Deben
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Lucianne Groenink
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States
| | - Elizabeth W Twamley
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health and Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, United States
| | - Mark A Geyer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Jared W Young
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0804, La Jolla, CA 92093-0804, United States; Research Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, United States.
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Ardic FC, Kose S, Solmaz M, Kulacaoglu F, Balcioglu YH, Yıldız E, Elboğa G, Altındağ A, Arslan M, Metehan Çalışkan A, Göktaş D, İnanlı İ, Çalışır S, Eren İ, Unal G, Aricioglu F, Yulaf Y, Gümştaş F, Gökçe S, Yazgan Y, Memiş ÇÖ, Sevincok D, Doğan B, Kutlu A, Çakaloz B, Sevinçok L, Mutu T, Yazici E, Guzel D, Erol A, Aydın N, Aytaç HM, Yılmaz D, Çetinay Aydın P, Yüksel Yalçın G, Canbay C, Terzioğlu M, Özer A. Outstanding Awards Brief Reports. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2018.1467612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ferhat Can Ardic
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Samet Kose
- University of Texas Medical School of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addictions, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mustafa Solmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Filiz Kulacaoglu
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasin Hasan Balcioglu
- Neurology and Neurosurgery, Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emrah Yıldız
- Department of Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Gülçin Elboğa
- Department of Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | | | - Mehmet Arslan
- Department of Psychiatry, Babaeski State Hospital, Kırklareli, Turkey
| | | | - Duygu Göktaş
- Department of Psychiatry, Yozgat City Hospital, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - İkbal İnanlı
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Saliha Çalışır
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Eren
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Unal
- Department pf Pharmacology, Erciyes University School of Pharmacy, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University School of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Yulaf
- Department of Psychology, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Funda Gümştaş
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Marmara University Education Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sebla Gökçe
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Maltepe University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yankı Yazgan
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Çağdaş Öykü Memiş
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Doğa Sevincok
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Bilge Doğan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Kutlu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Behcet Uz Child Diseases and Neurosurgery Research and Training Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Burcu Çakaloz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Levent Sevinçok
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Mutu
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Esra Yazici
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Derya Guzel
- Department of Physiology, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Atila Erol
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Nazan Aydın
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan Mervan Aytaç
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Doğan Yılmaz
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pınar Çetinay Aydın
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gökşen Yüksel Yalçın
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cana Canbay
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Terzioğlu
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysel Özer
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
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He Y, Shen J. Aminobenzisoxazole compounds as agonists of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: a patent evaluation (WO 2017027600). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2018; 28:429-436. [PMID: 29566578 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2018.1455827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION alpha 7 subtype nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) ligands, that is, ligands that interact with the orthosteric or allosteric binding sites of α7 nAChR, hold great potential for several therapeutic applications. Numerous compounds have been designed targeting α7 nAChR but most of them cannot be used therapeutically for various reasons. Areas covered: The patent application describes a series of germinal substituted aminobenzisoxazole compounds as α7 nAChR ligands. These compounds were claimed as potential therapeutics for treating and/or improving cognitive function. All of the (R)-stereoisomer presented high binding activities for α7 nAChR and several compounds displayed excellent selectivity over 5-HT3R. Expert opinion: The privileged structure-derived modification via bioisosterism and scaffold hopping is an important approach for seeking novel α7 nAChR ligands. The claimed germinal substituted aminobenzisoxazole derivatives with low tPSA values as well as low number of hydrogen bond donors and acceptors are supposed to have sufficient BBB penetration. Although there is a lack of essential biological data and the molecular mechanisms are not clear, these compounds stand for a new type of α7 nAChR ligands and deserve further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang He
- a CAS Key Laboratory for Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai , China
| | - Jingshan Shen
- a CAS Key Laboratory for Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shanghai , China
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Hussain G, Rasul A, Anwar H, Aziz N, Razzaq A, Wei W, Ali M, Li J, Li X. Role of Plant Derived Alkaloids and Their Mechanism in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:341-357. [PMID: 29559851 PMCID: PMC5859479 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.23247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are conventionally demarcated as disorders with selective loss of neurons. Conventional as well as newer molecules have been tested but they offer just symptomatic advantages along with abundant side effects. The discovery of more compelling molecules that can halt the pathology of these diseases will be considered as a miracle of present time. Several synthetic compounds are available but they may cause several other health issues. Therefore, natural molecules from the plants and other sources are being discovered to replace available medicines. In conventional medicational therapies, several plants have been reported to bestow remedial effects. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants can provide a better and safer alternative to synthetic molecules. Many phytochemicals have been identified that cure the human body from a number of diseases. The present article reviews the potential efficacy of plant-derived alkaloids, which possess potential therapeutic effects against several NDDs including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Huntington disease (HD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Epilepsy, Schizophrenia, and stroke. Alkaloids include isoquinoline, indole, pyrroloindole, oxindole, piperidine, pyridine, aporphine, vinca, β-carboline, methylxanthene, lycopodium, and erythrine byproducts. Alkaloids constitute positive roles in ameliorating pathophysiology of these illnesses by functioning as muscarinic and adenosine receptors agonists, anti-oxidant, anti-amyloid and MAO inhibitors, acetylcholinestrase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor, inhibitor of α-synuclein aggregation, dopaminergic and nicotine agonist, and NMDA antagonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ghulam Hussain
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
| | - Azhar Rasul
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
- Chemical Biology Research Group, RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science. 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198 Japan
| | - Haseeb Anwar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
| | - Nimra Aziz
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
| | - Aroona Razzaq
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
| | - Wei Wei
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
- Dental Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Muhammad Ali
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad, 38000 Pakistan
| | - Jiang Li
- Dental Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xiaomeng Li
- The Key Laboratory of Molecular Epigenetics of MOE, Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China
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Seyedabadi M, Rahimian R, Ghia JE. The role of alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in inflammatory bowel disease: involvement of different cellular pathways. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 22:161-176. [PMID: 29298542 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2018.1420166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Autonomic imbalance plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The central nervous system (CNS) cooperates dynamically with the immune system to regulate inflammation through humoral and neural pathways. In particular, acetylcholine (Ach), the main neurotransmitter in the vagus nerve, decreases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through a mechanism dependent on the α7 nicotinic Ach receptors (α7nAChRs). Areas covered: Here, we review the evidence for involvement of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAP) in IBD. We also elaborate the role of α7nAChRs and subsequent cellular pathways in CAP. Finally, we review potential therapeutic implications of modulators of these receptors. Expert opinion: Alpha7nAChR modulators possess both cognitive improving and anti-inflammatory properties. Although, these agents demonstrated therapeutic benefits in experimental models, their efficacy has not always been translated in clinical trials. Thus, development of more specific α7nAChR ligands as well as more experimental studies and better controlled trials, especially in the field of IBD, are encouraged for a progress in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Seyedabadi
- a Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine , Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Bushehr , Iran.,b The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute , Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Bushehr , Iran.,c Education Development Center , Bushehr University of Medical Sciences , Bushehr , Iran
| | - Reza Rahimian
- d Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine , CERVO Brain Research Center, Laval University , Quebec , Quebec , Canada
| | - Jean-Eric Ghia
- e Department of Immunology , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada.,f Department of Internal Medicine Section of Gastroenterology, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinical & Research Center , University of Manitoba , Winnipeg , Manitoba , Canada
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Nikiforuk A, Kalaba P, Ilic M, Korz V, Dragačević V, Wackerlig J, Langer T, Höger H, Golebiowska J, Popik P, Lubec G. A Novel Dopamine Transporter Inhibitor CE-123 Improves Cognitive Flexibility and Maintains Impulsivity in Healthy Male Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2017; 11:222. [PMID: 29230168 PMCID: PMC5711856 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2017.00222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Reduced cognitive abilities are often characterized by an impairment of flexibility, i.e., the ability to switch from learned rules or categories that were important in certain contexts to different new modalities that rule the task. Drugs targeting the dopamine transporter (DAT) are widely used for their potential to enhance cognitive abilities. However, commercially available drugs are of limited specificity for DAT, blocking also noradrenaline and serotonine transporters, that can lead to unwanted side effects in healthy subjects. Therefore, we tested a newly synthetized compound (CE-123) with higher specificity for DAT in male rats in an attentional set-shifting task (ASST), that proves for cognitive flexibility and a 5-choice serial-reaction time task (5-CSRTT) assessing visuospatial attention and impulsivity. Treated rats at a dose of 0.3 and 1.0 but not 0.1 mg/kg bodyweight showed reduced extra-dimensional shifts in the ASST compared to controls indicating increased cognitive flexibility. Rats treated with R-Modafinil, a commercially available DAT inhibitor at a dose of 10 mg/kg bodyweight showed increased premature responses, an indicator of increased impulsivity, during a 10 s but not a 2.5, 5, or 7.5 s intertrial interval when compared to vehicle-treated rats in the 5-CSRTT. This was not found in rats treated with CE-123 at the same dose as for R-Modafinil. Visuospatial attention, except premature responses, did not differ between R-Modafinil and CE-123-treated rats and their respective controls. Thus, CE-123 increased cognitive flexibility with diminished impulsivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Predrag Kalaba
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marija Ilic
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Volker Korz
- Center for Brain Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Vladimir Dragačević
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Judith Wackerlig
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Harald Höger
- Core Unit of Biomedical Research, Division of Laboratory Animal Science and Genetics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Joanna Golebiowska
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Gert Lubec
- Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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The current agonists and positive allosteric modulators of α7 nAChR for CNS indications in clinical trials. Acta Pharm Sin B 2017; 7:611-622. [PMID: 29159020 PMCID: PMC5687317 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR), consisting of homomeric α7 subunits, is a ligand-gated Ca2+-permeable ion channel implicated in cognition and neuropsychiatric disorders. Enhancement of α7 nAChR function is considered to be a potential therapeutic strategy aiming at ameliorating cognitive deficits of neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and schizophrenia. Currently, a number of α7 nAChR modulators have been reported and several of them have advanced into clinical trials. In this brief review, we outline recent progress made in understanding the role of the α7 nAChR in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders and the pharmacological effects of α7 nAChR modulators used in clinical trials.
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Key Words
- 5-CSRTT, five-choice serial reaction time task
- 5-HT, serotonin
- ACh, acetylcholine
- AD, Alzheimer's disease
- ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- Acetylcholine
- Alpha7
- Alzheimer's disease
- Aβ, amyloid-β peptide
- CNS, central nervous system
- DMTS, delayed matching-to-sample
- ECD, extracellular domain
- GABA, γ-aminobutyric acid
- Ion channel
- MLA, methyllycaconitine
- NOR, novel object recognition
- PAMs, positive allosteric modulators
- PCP, neonatal phencyclidine
- PD, Parkinson's disease
- PPI, prepulse inhibition
- Positive allosteric modulators
- SAR, structure–activity relationship
- Schizophrenia
- TMD, transmembrane domains
- nAChR
- nAChR, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
- α-Btx, α-bungarotoxin
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Adolescent binge ethanol exposure alters specific forebrain cholinergic cell populations and leads to selective functional deficits in the prefrontal cortex. Neuroscience 2017; 361:129-143. [PMID: 28807788 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Revised: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Adolescence has been identified as a vulnerable developmental time period during which exposure to drugs can have long-lasting, detrimental effects. Although adolescent binge-like ethanol (EtOH) exposure leads to a significant reduction in forebrain cholinergic neurons, EtOH's functional effect on acetylcholine (ACh) release during behavior has yet to be examined. Using an adolescent intermittent ethanol exposure model (AIE), rats were exposed to binge-like levels of EtOH from postnatal days (PD) 25 to 55. Three weeks following the final EtOH exposure, cholinergic functioning was assessed during a spontaneous alternation protocol. During maze testing, ACh levels increased in both the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. However, selectively in the prefrontal cortex, AIE rats displayed reduced levels of behaviorally relevant ACh efflux. We found no treatment differences in spatial exploration, spatial learning, spatial reversal, or novel object recognition. In contrast, AIE rats were impaired during the first attentional set shift on an operant set-shifting task, indicative of an EtOH-mediated deficit in cognitive flexibility. A unique pattern of cholinergic cell loss was observed in the basal forebrain following AIE: Within the medial septum/diagonal band there was a selective loss (30%) of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-positive neurons that were nestin negative (ChAT+/nestin-); whereas in the Nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM) there was a selective reduction (50%) in ChAT+/nestin+. These results indicate that early adolescent binge EtOH exposure leads to a long-lasting frontocortical functional cholinergic deficit, driven by a loss of ChAT+/nestin+ neurons in the NbM, which was associated with impaired cognitive flexibility during adulthood.
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Ning H, Cao D, Wang H, Kang B, Xie S, Meng Y. Effects of haloperidol, olanzapine, ziprasidone, and PHA-543613 on spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test in naïve and MK-801-treated mice. Brain Behav 2017; 7:e00764. [PMID: 28828223 PMCID: PMC5561323 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cognitive impairment is the core symptom of schizophrenia, significantly impacting the functional outcome. Improvement of cognitive function has been an important aspect of the treatment of schizophrenia. Therefore, this study is to demonstrate the effects of first-generation antipsychotic haloperidol, second-generation antipsychotic olanzapine and ziprasidone, and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist PHA-543613 on spatial learning and memory. MATERIAL AND METHODS C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of haloperidol (2 mg/kg), olanzapine (2.5 mg/kg), ziprasidone (2 mg/kg), and PHA-543613 (1 mg/kg), and cognitive dysfunctions were induced by MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg). Morris water maze was used for investigating the effects of all agents. RESULTS Mk-801 significantly increased the mean escape latency to the platform and decreased the number of platform area crossings. Ziprasidone had no effect on the mean escape latency to platform and the number of platform area crossings in naïve mice, but haloperidol, olanzapine, and PHA-543613 did not. Haloperidol and olanzapine significantly increased the mean escape latency to platform and decreased the number of platform area crossings, while ziprasidone and PHA-543613 did not. All the agents had no effect on swimming speed. CONCLUSIONS Ziprasidone and alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist PHA-543613 might be helpful in the treatment of CIAS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Houxu Ning
- Department of Psychiatry of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Dong Cao
- Department of Psychiatry Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Haidong Wang
- Department of Psychiatry of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Bing Kang
- Department of Psychiatry of Chinese Medicine Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Shiping Xie
- Department of Psychiatry Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Yujing Meng
- Department of Psychiatry Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
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Szlachta M, Pabian P, Kuśmider M, Solich J, Kolasa M, Żurawek D, Dziedzicka-Wasylewska M, Faron-Górecka A. Effect of clozapine on ketamine-induced deficits in attentional set shift task in mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:2103-2112. [PMID: 28405711 PMCID: PMC5486929 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4613-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Clozapine (CLZ) is an effective treatment for schizophrenia, producing improvements in both negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. Cognitive impairments can be modelled in animals by ketamine (KET) and assessed using the attentional set-shift task (ASST). OBJECTIVE Our first aim was to determine whether CLZ improves cognitive function and reverses KET-induced cognitive impairments using the ASST. Our second aim was to assess dose dependency of these effects. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate that acute as well as sub-chronic administration of KET cause cognitive deficits observed as increase in number of trails and errors to reach the criterion in the EDS phase. CLZ 0.3 mg/kg reversed the effects of both acute and sub-chronic KET, with no effects on locomotor activity. However, clozapine's effect after sub-chronic administration of dose 0.3 mg/kg was not as explicit as in the case of acute treatment. Moreover, administration of 1 mg/kg CLZ to KET-treated mice induced or enhanced deficits in the extra-dimensional shift phase compared to 1 mg/kg CLZ administration to mice not receiving KET. Locomotor activity test showed sedation effects of CLZ 1 mg/kg after acute treatment; therefore, effect of CLZ 1 mg/kg on KET-induced cognitive deficits was not evaluated in the attentional set-shift task (ASST) test. CONCLUSIONS The present findings support dose-dependent effects of CLZ to reverse KET-induced cognitive deficits. The observed dose dependency may be mediated by activation of different receptors, including monomers and/or heterodimers.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Szlachta
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - P Pabian
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - M Kuśmider
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - J Solich
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - M Kolasa
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - D Żurawek
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - M Dziedzicka-Wasylewska
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - A Faron-Górecka
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna Street 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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McGregor AL, D'Souza G, Kim D, Tingle MD. Varenicline improves motor and cognitive deficits and decreases depressive-like behaviour in late-stage YAC128 mice. Neuropharmacology 2017; 116:233-246. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.12.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Gee KW, Olincy A, Kanner R, Johnson L, Hogenkamp D, Harris J, Tran M, Edmonds SA, Yoshimura R, Johnstone T, Freedman R. First in human trial of a type I positive allosteric modulator of alpha7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors: Pharmacokinetics, safety, and evidence for neurocognitive effect of AVL-3288. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:434-441. [PMID: 28196430 PMCID: PMC11012235 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117691590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Type I positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the alpha7-nicotinic receptor enhance its cholinergic activation while preserving the spatiotemporal features of synaptic transmission and the receptor's characteristic rapid desensitization kinetics. Alpha7-nicotinic receptor agonists have shown promise for improving cognition in schizophrenia, but longer-term trials have been disappointing. Therefore, the type I PAM AVL-3288 was evaluated for safety and preliminary evidence of neurocognitive effect in healthy human subjects. Single-dose oral administration in ascending doses was conducted in a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I trial in non-smokers. The trial found indication of positive but non-significant effects on neurocognition at 10 and 30 mg, two doses that produced overlapping peak levels. There was also some evidence for effects on inhibition of the P50 auditory evoked potential to repeated stimuli, a biomarker that responds to alpha7-nicotinic receptor activation. The pharmacokinetic characteristics were consistent between subjects, and there were no safety concerns. The effects and safety profile were also assessed at 3 mg in a cohort of smokers, in whom concurrent nicotine administration did not alter either effects or safety. The trial demonstrates that a type I PAM can be safely administered to humans and that it has potential positive neurocognitive effects in central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin W. Gee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Ann Olincy
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO 80045
| | - Richard Kanner
- Anvyl LLC, 18092 Sky Park South, Suite F, Irvine, CA 92614
| | - Lynn Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO 80045
| | - Derk Hogenkamp
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Josette Harris
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO 80045
| | - Minhtam Tran
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Stephen A. Edmonds
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO 80045
| | - Ryan Yoshimura
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Timothy Johnstone
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697
| | - Robert Freedman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora CO 80045
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47
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Wang J, Lindstrom J. Orthosteric and allosteric potentiation of heteromeric neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 175:1805-1821. [PMID: 28199738 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Revised: 01/30/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Heteromeric nicotinic ACh receptors (nAChRs) were thought to have two orthodox agonist-binding sites at two α/β subunit interfaces. Highly selective ligands are hard to develop by targeting orthodox agonist sites because of high sequence similarity of this binding pocket among different subunits. Recently, unorthodox ACh-binding sites have been discovered at some α/α and β/α subunit interfaces, such as α4/α4, α5/α4 and β3/α4. Targeting unorthodox sites may yield subtype-selective ligands, such as those for (α4β2)2 α5, (α4β2)2 β3 and (α6β2)2 β3 nAChRs. The unorthodox sites have unique pharmacology. Agonist binding at one unorthodox site is not sufficient to activate nAChRs, but it increases activation from the orthodox sites. NS9283, a selective agonist for the unorthodox α4/α4 site, was initially thought to be a positive allosteric modulator (PAM). NS9283 activates nAChRs with three engineered α4/α4 sites. PAMs, on the other hand, act at allosteric sites where ACh cannot bind. Known PAM sites include the ACh-homologous non-canonical site (e.g. morantel at β/α), the C-terminus (e.g. Br-PBTC and 17β-estradiol), a transmembrane domain (e.g. LY2087101) or extracellular and transmembrane domain interfaces (e.g. NS206). Some of these PAMs, such as Br-PBTC and 17β-estradiol, require only one subunit to potentiate activation of nAChRs. In this review, we will discuss differences between activation from orthosteric and allosteric sites, their selective ligands and clinical implications. These studies have advanced understanding of the structure, assembly and pharmacology of heteromeric neuronal nAChRs. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v175.11/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Wang
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Jon Lindstrom
- Department of Neuroscience, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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48
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Cholinergic circuits in cognitive flexibility. Neuroscience 2017; 345:130-141. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Potasiewicz A, Nikiforuk A, Hołuj M, Popik P. Stimulation of nicotinic acetylcholine alpha7 receptors rescue schizophrenia-like cognitive impairments in rats. J Psychopharmacol 2017; 31:260-271. [PMID: 28168926 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116675509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) dysfunction plays an important role in schizophrenia. Positive allosteric modulators of α7 nAChR have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to manage cognitive deficits that are inadequately treated in schizophrenic patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of type I (CCMI) and type II (PNU120596) α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulators to counteract MK-801-induced cognitive and sensorimotor gating deficits. The activity of these compounds was compared with the action of the α7 nAChR agonist A582941. CCMI, PNU120596 and A582941 reversed the sensorimotor gating impairment evoked by MK-801 based on the prepulse inhibition of the startle response. Additionally, no MK-801-evoked working memory deficits were observed with α7 nAChR ligand pretreatment as assessed in a discrete paired-trial delayed alternation task. However, these compounds did not affect the rats' attentional performances in the five-choice serial reaction time test. The α7 nAChR agents demonstrated a beneficial effect on sensorimotor gating and some aspects of cognition tested in a rat model of schizophrenia. Therefore, these results support the use of α7 nAChR positive allosteric modulators as a potential treatment strategy in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Potasiewicz
- 1 Department of Behavioural Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Nikiforuk
- 1 Department of Behavioural Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Hołuj
- 1 Department of Behavioural Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland
| | - Piotr Popik
- 1 Department of Behavioural Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow, Poland.,2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
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Potasiewicz A, Hołuj M, Kos T, Popik P, Arias HR, Nikiforuk A. 3-Furan-2-yl-N-p-tolyl-acrylamide, a positive allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic receptor, reverses schizophrenia-like cognitive and social deficits in rats. Neuropharmacology 2017; 113:188-197. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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