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Xiang Y, Naik S, Zhao L, Shi J, Ke H. Emerging phosphodiesterase inhibitors for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Med Res Rev 2024; 44:1404-1445. [PMID: 38279990 DOI: 10.1002/med.22017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) cause progressive loss of neuron structure and ultimately lead to neuronal cell death. Since the available drugs show only limited symptomatic relief, NDs are currently considered as incurable. This review will illustrate the principal roles of the signaling systems of cyclic adenosine and guanosine 3',5'-monophosphates (cAMP and cGMP) in the neuronal functions, and summarize expression/activity changes of the associated enzymes in the ND patients, including cyclases, protein kinases, and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). As the sole enzymes hydrolyzing cAMP and cGMP, PDEs are logical targets for modification of neurodegeneration. We will focus on PDE inhibitors and their potentials as disease-modifying therapeutics for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. For the overlapped but distinct contributions of cAMP and cGMP to NDs, we hypothesize that dual PDE inhibitors, which simultaneously regulate both cAMP and cGMP signaling pathways, may have complementary and synergistic effects on modifying neurodegeneration and thus represent a new direction on the discovery of ND drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Swapna Naik
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale Cancer Biology Institute, Yale University, West Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Liyun Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Hengming Ke
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Li Q, Liao Q, Qi S, Huang H, He S, Lyu W, Liang J, Qin H, Cheng Z, Yu F, Dong X, Wang Z, Han L, Han Y. Opportunities and perspectives of small molecular phosphodiesterase inhibitors in neurodegenerative diseases. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 271:116386. [PMID: 38614063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) is a superfamily of enzymes that are responsible for the hydrolysis of two second messengers: cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). PDE inhibition promotes the gene transcription by activating cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), initiating gene transcription of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The procedure exerts neuroprotective profile, and motor and cognitive improving efficacy. From this point of view, PDE inhibition will provide a promising therapeutic strategy for treating neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we summarized the PDE inhibitors that have entered the clinical trials or been discovered in recent five years. Well-designed clinical or preclinical investigations have confirmed the effectiveness of PDE inhibitors, such as decreasing Aβ oligomerization and tau phosphorylation, alleviating neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress, modulating neuronal plasticity and improving long-term cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
| | - Qinghong Liao
- Shandong Kangqiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Qingdao, 266033, Shandong, PR China
| | - Shulei Qi
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - He Huang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Siyu He
- Guizhou Province Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550004, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Weiping Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100191, PR China
| | - Jinxin Liang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Huan Qin
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zimeng Cheng
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Fan Yu
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xue Dong
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China; School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 256699, Shandong, PR China
| | - Lingfei Han
- School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, Jiangsu, PR China
| | - Yantao Han
- Department of Medical Pharmacy, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, Shandong, PR China.
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Huo D, Liang W, Wang D, Liu Q, Wang H, Wang Y, Zhang C, Cong C, Su X, Tan X, Zhang W, Han L, Zhang D, Wang M, Feng H. Roflupram alleviates autophagy defects and reduces mutant hSOD1-induced motor neuron damage in cell and mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 2024; 247:109812. [PMID: 38218579 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2023.109812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable disease involving motor neuron (MN) degeneration and is characterized by ongoing myasthenia and amyotrophia in adults. Most ALS patients die of respiratory muscle paralysis after an average of 3-5 years. Defective autophagy in MNs is considered an important trigger of ALS pathogenesis. Roflupram (ROF) was demonstrated to activate autophagy in microglial cells and exert protective effects against Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, our research aimed to investigate the efficacy and mechanism of ROF in treating ALS both in vivo and in vitro. We found that ROF could delay disease onset and prolong the survival of hSOD1-G93A transgenic mice. Moreover, ROF protected MNs in the anterior horn of the spinal cord, activated the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway, increased autophagic flow, and reduced SOD1 aggregation. In an NSC34 cell line stably transfected with hSOD1-G93A, ROF protected against cellular damage caused by hSOD1-G93A. Moreover, we have demonstrated that ROF inhibited gliosis in ALS model mice. Collectively, our study suggested that ROF is neuroprotective in ALS models and the AMPK/ULK1 signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target in ALS, which increases autophagic flow and reduces SOD1 aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Huo
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Weiwei Liang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Di Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Qiaochu Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Hongyong Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Chunting Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei City, Anhui Province, PR China
| | - Chaohua Cong
- Department of Neurology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai No. 9 People's Hospital, Shanghai, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Su
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Xingli Tan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Wenmo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Ling Han
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Ming Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China
| | - Honglin Feng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, PR China.
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Possemis N, Verhey F, Prickaerts J, Blokland A, Ramakers I. A proof of concept phase II study with the PDE-4 inhibitor roflumilast in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease dementia (ROMEMA): study protocol of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, between-subjects trial. Trials 2024; 25:162. [PMID: 38438923 PMCID: PMC10910786 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-024-08001-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research into the neurobiological underpinnings of learning and memory has demonstrated the cognitive-enhancing effects associated with diverse classes of phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors. Specific PDE inhibitors have been identified to improve neuronal communication through selective inhibition of PDE activity. Roflumilast, a PDE4 inhibitor, has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing episodic memory in healthy adults and elderly participants with pronounced memory impairment, indicative of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). In alignment with these findings, the present protocol aims to provide a proof of concept phase II of the potential of roflumilast to aid patients diagnosed with (a)MCI or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia. METHODS The study will be conducted according to a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled, between-subjects design. Participants with (a)MCI and mild AD dementia will be recruited through the Memory Clinic at the Maastricht University Medical Centre + (MUMC +) in Maastricht, the Netherlands, alongside outreach through regional hospitals, and social media. The study will have three arms: placebo, 50 μg roflumilast, and 100 μg roflumilast, with a treatment duration of 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure will focus on the assessment of episodic memory, as evaluated through participants' performance on the 15-word Verbal Learning Task (VLT). Our secondary objectives are multifaceted, including an exploration of various cognitive domains. In addition, insights into the well-being and daily functioning of participants will be investigated through interviews with both the participants and their (informal) caregivers, we are interested in the well-being and daily functioning of the participants. DISCUSSION The outcomes of the present study aim to elucidate the significance of the PDE4 inhibition mechanism as a prospective therapeutic target for enhancing cognitive function in individuals with (a)MCI and mild AD dementia. Identifying positive effects within these patient cohorts could extend the relevance of this treatment to encompass a broader spectrum of neurological disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION The Medical Ethics Committee of MUMC + granted ethics approval for the 4th version of the protocol on September 10th, 2020. The trial was registered at the European Drug Regulatory Affairs Clinical Trials (EudraCT) registered on the 19th of December 2019 ( https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2019-004959-36/NL ) and ClinicalTrial.gov (NCT04658654, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04658654?intr=roflumilast&cond=mci&rank=1 ) on the 8th of December 2020. The Central Committee on Research Involving Human Subjects (CCMO) granted approval on the 30th of September 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Possemis
- Dept. of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental, Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frans Verhey
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Department of Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, EURON, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Inez Ramakers
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Rajkumar M, Navaneethakrishnan S, Muthukumar S, Thangaraj R, Sivanandam M, Vimala K, Kannan S. Gelatin/polyethylene glycol-loaded magnesium hydroxide nanocomposite to attenuate acetylcholinesterase, neurotoxicity, and activation of GPR55 protein in rat models of Alzheimer's disease. J Chem Neuroanat 2023; 133:102337. [PMID: 37708946 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2023.102337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease marked by mitochondrial dysfunction, amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation, and neuronal cell loss. G-protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) has been used as a promising target for insulin receptors in diabetes therapy, but GPR55's role in AD is still unidentified. Gelatin (GE) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymeric hydrogels are commonly used in the drug delivery system. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the preparation of magnesium hydroxide nanocomposite using Clitoria ternatea (CT) flower extract, GE, and PEG (GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs) by the green precipitation method. The synthesized GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs were used to determine the effect of GPR55 activation of intracerebroventricular administration on streptozotocin (ICV-STC)-induced cholinergic dysfunction, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cognitive deficits. The GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs were administered following bilateral ICV-STC administration (3 mg/kg) in experimental rats. Neurobehavioral assessments were performed using a Morris water maze (MWM) and a passive avoidance test (PA). Cholinergic and antioxidant activity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial complex activity were estimated in the cortex and hippocampus through biochemical analysis. Inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) were determined using the ELISA method. Our study results demonstrated that the GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs treatment significantly improved spatial and non-spatial memory functions in behavioral studies. Moreover, the treatment with GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs group significantly attenuated cholinergic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers, and also highly improved anti-oxidant activity (GSH, SOD, CAT, and GPx) in the cortex and hippocampus regions. The western blot results suggest the activation of the GPR55 protein expression through GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs. The histopathological studies showed clear cytoplasm and healthy neurons, effectively promoting neuronal activity. Furthermore, the molecular docking results demonstrated the binding affinity and potential interactions of the compounds with the AChE enzyme. In conclusion, the GE/PEG/Mg(OH)2NCs treated groups showed reduced neurotoxicity and have the potential as a therapeutic agent to effectively target AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manickam Rajkumar
- Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sundarraj Navaneethakrishnan
- Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sundarapandian Muthukumar
- Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramasundaram Thangaraj
- Vermitechnology and Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Magudeeswaran Sivanandam
- Department of Physics, Center for Research and Development, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, 641 407, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Karuppaiya Vimala
- Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Soundarapandian Kannan
- Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Zoology, School of Life Sciences, Periyar University, Salem 636 011, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Handels R, Grimm S, Blokland A, Possemis N, Ramakers I, Sambeth A, Verhey F, Vos S, Joore M, Prickaerts J, Jönsson L. The value of maintaining cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment: The innovation headroom and potential cost-effectiveness of roflumilast. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:3458-3471. [PMID: 36808801 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early health-technology assessment can support discussing scarce resource allocation among stakeholders. We explored the value of maintaining cognition in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) by estimating: (1) the innovation headroom and (2) the potential cost effectiveness of roflumilast treatment in this population. METHODS The innovation headroom was operationalized by a fictive 100% efficacious treatment effect, and the roflumilast effect on memory word learning test was assumed to be associated with 7% relative risk reduction of dementia onset. Both were compared to Dutch setting usual care using the adapted International Pharmaco-Economic Collaboration on Alzheimer's Disease (IPECAD) open-source model. RESULTS The total innovation headroom expressed as net health benefit was 4.2 (95% bootstrap interval: 2.9-5.7) quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The potential cost effectiveness of roflumilast was k€34 per QALY. DISCUSSION The innovation headroom in MCI is substantial. Although the potential cost effectiveness of roflumilast treatment is uncertain, further research on its effect on dementia onset is likely valuable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Handels
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
| | - Sabine Grimm
- KEMTA, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, EURON, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Nina Possemis
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Inez Ramakers
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Sambeth
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, EURON, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Verhey
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Stephanie Vos
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Manuela Joore
- KEMTA, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, EURON, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Linus Jönsson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
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Paes D, Schepers M, Willems E, Rombaut B, Tiane A, Solomina Y, Tibbo A, Blair C, Kyurkchieva E, Baillie GS, Ricciarelli R, Brullo C, Fedele E, Bruno O, van den Hove D, Vanmierlo T, Prickaerts J. Ablation of specific long PDE4D isoforms increases neurite elongation and conveys protection against amyloid-β pathology. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:178. [PMID: 37306762 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04804-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) enzymes has been investigated as therapeutic strategy to treat memory problems in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although PDE4D inhibitors are effective in enhancing memory processes in rodents and humans, severe side effects may hamper their clinical use. PDE4D enzymes comprise different isoforms, which, when targeted specifically, can increase treatment efficacy and safety. The function of PDE4D isoforms in AD and in molecular memory processes per se has remained unresolved. Here, we report the upregulation of specific PDE4D isoforms in transgenic AD mice and hippocampal neurons exposed to amyloid-β. Furthermore, by means of pharmacological inhibition and CRISPR-Cas9 knockdown, we show that the long-form PDE4D3, -D5, -D7, and -D9 isoforms regulate neuronal plasticity and convey resilience against amyloid-β in vitro. These results indicate that isoform-specific, next to non-selective, PDE4D inhibition is efficient in promoting neuroplasticity in an AD context. Therapeutic effects of non-selective PDE4D inhibitors are likely achieved through actions on long isoforms. Future research should identify which long PDE4D isoforms should be specifically targeted in vivo to both improve treatment efficacy and reduce side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Paes
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Emily Willems
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ben Rombaut
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Yevgeniya Solomina
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Amy Tibbo
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Connor Blair
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Elka Kyurkchieva
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - George S Baillie
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Roberta Ricciarelli
- Section of General Pathology, Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
- Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Olga Bruno
- Section of Medicinal Chemistry, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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8
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Gomaa AA, Farghaly HSM, Ahmed AM, Hemida FK. Intermittent treatment with Apremilast, a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, ameliorates Alzheimer's-like pathology and symptoms through multiple targeting actions in aged T2D rats. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 117:109927. [PMID: 36848793 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Apremilast (Apre), a novel phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulator, neuroprotective and senolytic properties, therefore, Apre like other PDE4 inhibitors may be a promising candidate for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of Apre on Alzheimer's like pathology and symptoms in an animal model. METHODS The effects of Apre and cilostazol, a reference drug, on the behavioral, biochemical, and pathological features of Alzheimer's disease induced by a high-fat/high-fructose diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin (HF/HFr/l-STZ) were investigated. RESULT Apre 5 mg/kg IP/day for 3 consecutive days per week for 8 weeks attenuated memory and learning deficits tested by novel object recognition, Morris water maze and passive avoidance tests. Apre treatment significantly decreased the number of degenerating cells, and abnormal suppression of gene expression of AMPA and NMDA receptor subunits in the cortex and hippocampus of the AD rat model compared to rats that received vehicle. A significant decrease in elevated levels of hippocampal amyloid beta, tau-positive cell count, cholinesterase activity, and hippocampal caspase-3, a biomarker of neurodegeneration, was also observed after treatment with Apre in AD rats compared to rats that received placebo. Furthermore, a significant decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and GSK-3 was demonstrated in AD aged rats treated by Apre. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that intermittent treatment with Apre can enhance cognitive function in HF/HFr/l-STZ rats which may be related to decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and GSK-3β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel A Gomaa
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
| | - Hanan S M Farghaly
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Asmaa M Ahmed
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Fahmy K Hemida
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
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Waltrick APF, da Silva ACF, de Mattos BA, Chaves YC, de Oliveira RMW, Prickaerts J, Zanoveli JM. Long-term treatment with roflumilast improves learning of fear extinction memory and anxiety-like response in a type-1 diabetes mellitus animal model. Behav Brain Res 2023; 439:114217. [PMID: 36400237 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic encephalopathy is related to serious damage to the Central Nervous System leading to several disturbances in memory processing and emotions. It is known that the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element-binding protein (CREB) pathway participates in neuronal plasticity and prevention of neuroinflammation, as well as the mediation of learning/memory processes and emotions in brain areas such as the hippocampus (HIP) and prefrontal cortex (PFC). We aimed to investigate the effect of acute (one injection) and long-term treatment (21 days) with roflumilast (ROF; i.p.; 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.1 mg/kg), a drug able to inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) responsible for cAMP hydrolysis, on parameters related to the acquisition of fear extinction memory and anxiety-like responses in animals with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) induced through one injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg; ip; STZ animals). When we performed acute treatment, no difference was observed between all the groups when resubmitted to the same context paired with an aversive stimulus (footshock) or to a neutral context. In contrast, long-term treatment was able to improve learning of extinction fear memory and discriminating between a conditioned and neutral context. Moreover, this treatment decreased the pronounced anxiety-like response of STZ animals. In addition, there was an increase in the product of the CREB signaling pathway, the pro brain-derived neurotrophic factor, in the HIP and PFC of these animals. The treatment did not impair glycemic control, whereas it decreased the animal's blood glucose levels. To conclude, these findings suggest that ROF treatment repositioning has potential for future translational investigations involving diabetic patients considering its beneficial effects on emotional processes related to fear memory and anxiety, in addition to improvement of glycemic control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Farias Waltrick
- Department of Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Building, Federal University of Paraná, Street Coronel Francisco H dos Santos S/N, P.O. Box 19031, Curitiba, PR 81540-990, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Felipe da Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Building, Federal University of Paraná, Street Coronel Francisco H dos Santos S/N, P.O. Box 19031, Curitiba, PR 81540-990, Brazil
| | | | - Yane Costa Chaves
- Department of Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Building, Federal University of Paraná, Street Coronel Francisco H dos Santos S/N, P.O. Box 19031, Curitiba, PR 81540-990, Brazil
| | | | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Janaína Menezes Zanoveli
- Department of Pharmacology, Biological Sciences Building, Federal University of Paraná, Street Coronel Francisco H dos Santos S/N, P.O. Box 19031, Curitiba, PR 81540-990, Brazil.
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10
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Bolsius YG, Heckman PRA, Paraciani C, Wilhelm S, Raven F, Meijer EL, Kas MJH, Ramirez S, Meerlo P, Havekes R. Recovering object-location memories after sleep deprivation-induced amnesia. Curr Biol 2023; 33:298-308.e5. [PMID: 36577400 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that sleep deprivation after learning impairs hippocampal memory processes and can cause amnesia. It is unknown, however, whether sleep deprivation leads to the loss of information or merely the suboptimal storage of information that is difficult to retrieve. Here, we show that hippocampal object-location memories formed under sleep deprivation conditions can be successfully retrieved multiple days following training, using optogenetic dentate gyrus (DG) memory engram activation or treatment with the clinically approved phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor roflumilast. Moreover, the combination of optogenetic DG memory engram activation and roflumilast treatment, 2 days following training and sleep deprivation, made the memory more persistently accessible for retrieval even several days later (i.e., without further optogenetic or pharmacological manipulation). Altogether, our studies in mice demonstrate that sleep deprivation does not necessarily cause memory loss but instead leads to the suboptimal storage of information that cannot be retrieved without drug treatment or optogenetic stimulation. Furthermore, our findings suggest that object-location memories, consolidated under sleep deprivation conditions and thought to be lost, can be made accessible again several days after the learning and sleep deprivation episode, using the clinically approved PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youri G Bolsius
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Pim R A Heckman
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Camilla Paraciani
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sophia Wilhelm
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Raven
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Elroy L Meijer
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martien J H Kas
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Steve Ramirez
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, The Center for Systems Neuroscience, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Peter Meerlo
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Neurobiology Expertise Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, the Netherlands.
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11
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Chen L, Jiao J, Zhang Y. Therapeutic approaches for improving cognitive function in the aging brain. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1060556. [PMID: 36570840 PMCID: PMC9773601 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1060556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid aging of populations around the world has become an unprecedented challenge. Aging is associated with cognitive impairment, including dementia and mild cognitive impairment. Successful drug development for improving or maintaining cognition in the elderly is critically important. Although 4 drugs for improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease have been approved, a variety of potential drugs targeting age-related cognitive impairment are still in development. In addition, non-pharmacological interventions, including cognition-oriented treatments, non-invasive brain stimulation physical exercise, and lifestyle-related interventions, have also been suggested as cognitive enhancers in the last decade. In this paper, we reviewed the recent evidence of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aimed at improving or maintaining cognition in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingmin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiao Jiao
- Department of Anesthesiology and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University and The Research Units of West China (2018RU012), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Yonggang Zhang
- Department of Periodical Press and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Yonggang Zhang,
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12
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Targeting phosphodiesterase 4 as a therapeutic strategy for cognitive improvement. Bioorg Chem 2022; 130:106278. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.106278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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13
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Hasan N, Zameer S, Najmi AK, Parvez S, Akhtar M. Roflumilast Reduces Pathological Symptoms of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease in Rats Produced by Intracerebroventricular Streptozotocin by Inhibiting NF-κB/BACE-1 Mediated Aβ Production in the Hippocampus and Activating the cAMP/BDNF Signalling Pathway. Neurotox Res 2022; 40:432-448. [PMID: 35192144 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-022-00482-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurological disease that gradually causes memory loss and cognitive impairment. The intracellular secondary messenger cyclic nucleotide cAMP helps in memory acquisition and consolidation. In several models of AD, increasing their levels using phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors improved cognitive performance and prevent memory loss. Thus, the current investigation was undertaken to investigate the therapeutic potential of the PDE-4 inhibitor roflumilast (RFM) against intracerebroventricular (ICV) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced sporadic AD in rats. STZ (3 mg/kg) was given to rats via the ICV route on the stereotaxic apparatus, followed by RFM (0.51 mg/kg/oral) treatment for 15 days, and donepezil (5 mg/kg/oral) was employed as a reference standard drug. Subsequently, we observed that RFM dramatically increased rats learning and memory capacities as measured by the Morris water maze and a novel object recognition task. RFM enhanced the levels of cAMP and brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNFs) while decreasing the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the hippocampus of ICV-STZ-infused rats. RFM was found to significantly reduce ICV-STZ-induced neuroinflammation, amyloidogenesis, oxidative stress cholinergic impairments, GSK-3β, and phosphorylated tau levels in the rat hippocampus. Supporting these, histopathological study using Cresyl violet and Congo red demonstrated that RFM reduced neuronal alterations and Aβ deposition in the hippocampus of AD rats. These findings suggest that RFM could be a promising candidate for the management of AD by inhibiting NF-κB/BACE-1 mediated Aβ production in the hippocampus and activating the cAMP/BDNF signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noorul Hasan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Saima Zameer
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Abul Kalam Najmi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India
| | - Suhel Parvez
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, School of Chemical and Life Sciences, Jamia Hamdard, New DelhI, 110062, India
| | - Mohd Akhtar
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
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14
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Livingston NR, Hawkins PCT, Gilleen J, Ye R, Valdearenas L, Shergill SS, Mehta MA. Preliminary evidence for the phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitor, roflumilast, in ameliorating cognitive flexibility deficits in patients with schizophrenia. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:1099-1110. [PMID: 33908296 PMCID: PMC8435828 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211000778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive flexibility deficits are present in patients with schizophrenia and are strong predictors of functional outcome but, as yet, have no pharmacological treatments. AIMS The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitor, roflumilast, can improve cognitive flexibility performance and functional brain activity in patients with schizophrenia. METHODS This was a within-subject, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-period crossover study using a version of the Intradimensional/Extradimensional (ID/ED) task, optimised for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), in 10 patients with schizophrenia who were scanned after receiving placebo, 100 µg or 250 µg roflumilast for 8 consecutive days. Data from an additional fMRI ID/ED study of 18 healthy participants on placebo was included to contextualise the schizophrenia-related performance and activations. The fMRI analyses included a priori driven region of interest (ROI) analysis of the dorsal frontoparietal attention network. RESULTS Patients on placebo demonstrated broad deficits in task performance compared to the healthy comparison group, accompanied by preserved network activity for solution search, but reduced activity in left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (VLPFC) and posterior parietal cortex for attentional set-shifting and reduced activity in left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) for reversal learning. These ROI deficits were ameliorated by 250 µg roflumilast, whereas during solution search 100 µg roflumilast reduced activity in the left orbitofrontal cortex, right DLPFC and bilateral PPC, which was associated with an improvement in formation of attentional sets. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest roflumilast has dose-dependent cognitive enhancing effects on the ID/ED task in patients with schizophrenia, and provides sufficient support for larger studies to test roflumilast's role in improving cognitive flexibility deficits in this clinical population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James Gilleen
- Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, London, UK,Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Rong Ye
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lorena Valdearenas
- North Middlesex University Hospital, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Sukhi S Shergill
- Department of Psychosis Studies, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Mitul A Mehta
- Department of Neuroimaging, King’s College London, London, UK,Mitul A Mehta, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK.
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15
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Al-Nema MY, Gaurav A. Phosphodiesterase as a Target for Cognition Enhancement in Schizophrenia. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:2404-2421. [PMID: 32533817 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200613202641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that affects more than 1% of the population worldwide. Dopamine system dysfunction and alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission are strongly implicated in the aetiology of schizophrenia. To date, antipsychotic drugs are the only available treatment for the symptoms of schizophrenia. These medications, which act as D2-receptor antagonist, adequately address the positive symptoms of the disease, but they fail to improve the negative symptoms and cognitive impairment. In schizophrenia, cognitive impairment is a core feature of the disorder. Therefore, the treatment of cognitive impairment and the other symptoms related to schizophrenia remains a significant unmet medical need. Currently, phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are considered the best drug target for the treatment of schizophrenia since many PDE subfamilies are abundant in the brain regions that are relevant to cognition. Thus, this review aims to illustrate the mechanism of PDEs in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia and summarises the encouraging results of PDE inhibitors as anti-schizophrenic drugs in preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayasah Y Al-Nema
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Anand Gaurav
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, UCSI University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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16
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Paes D, Xie K, Wheeler DG, Zook D, Prickaerts J, Peters M. Inhibition of PDE2 and PDE4 synergistically improves memory consolidation processes. Neuropharmacology 2021; 184:108414. [PMID: 33249120 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are the only enzymes that degrade cAMP and cGMP which are second messengers crucial to memory consolidation. Different PDE inhibitors have been developed and tested for their memory-enhancing potential, but the occurrence of side effects has hampered clinical progression. As separate inhibition of the PDE2 and PDE4 enzyme family has been shown to enhance memory, we investigated whether concurrent treatment with a PDE2 and PDE4 inhibitor can have synergistic effects on memory consolidation processes. We found that combined administration of PF-999 (PDE2 inhibitor) and roflumilast (PDE4 inhibitor) increases the phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 and induces CRE-mediated gene expression. Moreover, when combined sub-effective and effective doses of PF-999 and roflumilast were administered after learning, time-dependent forgetting was abolished in an object location memory task. Pharmacokinetic assessment indicated that combined treatment does not alter exposure of the individual compounds. Taken together, these findings suggest that combined PDE2 and PDE4 inhibition has synergistic effects on memory consolidation processes at sub-effective doses, which could therefore provide a therapeutic strategy with an improved safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dean Paes
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229, ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Keqiang Xie
- In Vitro Pharmacology, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA
| | - Damian G Wheeler
- Target Discovery & Behavioral Pharmacology, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA
| | - Douglas Zook
- DMPK, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229, ER Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Peters
- Target Discovery & Behavioral Pharmacology, Dart Neuroscience, LLC, 12278 Scripps Summit Drive, San Diego, CA, 92131, USA; Neurobiology and Behavior & Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California Irvine, 213 Qureshey Research Lab, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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17
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S SLJ, V R. Scope of adjuvant therapy using roflumilast, a PDE-4 inhibitor against COVID-19. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2021; 66:101978. [PMID: 33259924 PMCID: PMC7833560 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2020.101978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The recent pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) presents an extraordinary challenge to identify effective drugs for prevention and treatment. The pathogenesis implicate acute respiratory disorder (ARD) which is attributed to significantly triggered "cytokine storm" and compromised immune system. This article summarizes the likely benefits of roflumilast, a Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor as a comprehensive support COVID-19 pathogenesis. Roflumilast, a well-known anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory drug, is protective against respiratory models of chemical and smoke induced lung damage. There is significant data which demonstrate the protective effect of PDE-4 inhibitor in respiratory viral models and is likely to be beneficial in combating COVID-19 pathogenesis. Roflumilast is effective in patients with severe COPD by reducing the rate of exacerbations with the improvement of the lung function, which might further be beneficial for better clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. However, further clinical trials are warranted to examine this conjecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugin Lal Jabaris S
- Department of Pharmacology, Siddha Central Research Institute, Central Council for Research in Siddha, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, Anna Hospital Campus, Arumbakkam, Chennai-106, India.
| | - Ranju V
- Department of Genetic Toxicology, Microbiology and In Vitro Toxicology, Eurofins Advinus, Phase 21 & 22, Bangalore-560 058, India
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18
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Bonato JM, Meyer E, de Mendonça PSB, Milani H, Prickaerts J, Weffort de Oliveira RM. Roflumilast protects against spatial memory impairments and exerts anti-inflammatory effects after transient global cerebral ischemia. Eur J Neurosci 2021; 53:1171-1188. [PMID: 33340424 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15089] [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: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors have been shown to present beneficial effects in cerebral ischemic injury because of their ability to improve cognition and target different phases and mechanisms of cerebral ischemia, including apoptosis, neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. The present study investigated whether repeated treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast rescued memory loss and attenuated neuroinflammation in rats following transient global cerebral ischemia (TGCI). TGCI caused memory impairments, neuronal loss (reflected by Neuronal nuclei (NeuN) immunoreactivity), and compensatory neurogenesis (reflected by doublecortin (DCX) immunoreactivity) in the hippocampus. Also, increases in the protein expression of the phosphorylated response element-binding protein (pCREB) and inflammatory markers such as the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1), were detected in the hippocampus in TGCI rats. Repeated treatment with roflumilast (0.003 and 0.01 mg/kg) prevented spatial memory deficits without promoting hippocampal protection in ischemic animals. Roflumilast increased the levels of pCREB, arginase-1, interleukin (IL) 4, and IL-10 in the hippocampus 21 days after TGCI. These data suggest a protective effect of roflumilast against functional sequelae of cerebral ischemia, which might be related to its anti-inflammatory properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica M Bonato
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Erika Meyer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | | | - Humberto Milani
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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19
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Gilleen J, Nottage J, Yakub F, Kerins S, Valdearenas L, Uz T, Lahu G, Tsai M, Ogrinc F, Williams SC, Ffytche D, Mehta MA, Shergill SS. The effects of roflumilast, a phosphodiesterase type-4 inhibitor, on EEG biomarkers in schizophrenia: A randomised controlled trial. J Psychopharmacol 2021; 35:15-22. [PMID: 32854568 DOI: 10.1177/0269881120946300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with schizophrenia have significant cognitive deficits, which may profoundly impair quality of life. These deficits are also evident at the neurophysiological level with patients demonstrating altered event-related potential in several stages of cognitive processing compared to healthy controls; within the auditory domain, for example, there are replicated alterations in Mismatch Negativity, P300 and Auditory Steady State Response. However, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. AIMS Here we examine whether the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, roflumilast, can improve neurophysiological deficits in schizophrenia. METHODS Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design study in 18 patients with schizophrenia, the effect of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, roflumilast (100 µg and 250 µg) on auditory steady state response (early stage), mismatch negativity and theta (intermediate stage) and P300 (late stage) was examined using electroencephalogram. A total of 18 subjects were randomised and included in the analysis. RESULTS Roflumilast 250 µg significantly enhanced the amplitude of both the mismatch negativity (p=0.04) and working memory-related theta oscillations (p=0.02) compared to placebo but not in the other (early- or late-stage) cognitive markers. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that phosphodiesterase-4 inhibition, with roflumilast, can improve electroencephalogram cognitive markers, which are impaired in schizophrenia, and that phosphodiesterase-4 inhibition acts at an intermediate rather than early or late cognitive processing stage. This study also underlines the use of neurophysiological measures as cognitive biomarkers in experimental medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Gilleen
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Roehampton, London, UK
| | - Judith Nottage
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Farah Yakub
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Sarah Kerins
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Lorena Valdearenas
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK.,South London and Maudsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.,North Middlesex University Hospital, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Tolga Uz
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Deerfield, USA
| | - Gez Lahu
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Deerfield, USA
| | - Max Tsai
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Frank Ogrinc
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Deerfield, USA
| | - Steve C Williams
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Dominic Ffytche
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Mitul A Mehta
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Sukhi S Shergill
- Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
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20
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An experimental medicine study of the phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor, roflumilast, on working memory-related brain activity and episodic memory in schizophrenia patients. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1279-1289. [PMID: 30536081 PMCID: PMC8062361 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5134-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Schizophrenia is associated with impairments in cognitive functioning yet there are no approved drugs to treat these deficits. OBJECTIVES Based on animal models, we investigated the potential for roflumilast, a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4), to improve cognition, which may act by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate in brain regions underlying cognitive deficits in schizophrenia. METHODS This study consisted of a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design involving 15 schizophrenia patients. In 3 treatment periods, patients were given 8 days of placebo or one of the two doses of roflumilast (100 and 250 μg daily) with 14 days of washout between treatments. The primary endpoints were dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activation during a visuospatial working memory task measured with fMRI on dosing day 8 and verbal memory and working memory performance change from baseline to day 8. Least square mean change scores were calculated for behavioural outcomes; fMRI data were analysed in SPM12 with bilateral DLPFC as regions of interest. RESULTS Verbal memory was significantly improved under 250 μg roflumilast (effect size (ES) = 0.77) compared to placebo. fMRI analyses revealed that increasing dose of roflumilast was associated with reduction of bilateral DLPFC activation during working memory compared to placebo, although this was not statistically significant (ES = 0.31 for the higher dose). Working memory was not improved (ES = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Results support the mechanistic validation of potential novel strategies for improving cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia and suggest that PDE4 inhibition may be beneficial for cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02079844 .
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Schreiber R, Hollands R, Blokland A. A Mechanistic Rationale for PDE-4 Inhibitors to Treat Residual Cognitive Deficits in Acquired Brain Injury. Curr Neuropharmacol 2020; 18:188-201. [PMID: 31660837 PMCID: PMC7327948 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x17666191010103044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) suffer from cognitive deficits that interfere significantly with their daily lives. These deficits are long-lasting and no treatment options are available. A better understanding of the mechanistic basis for these cognitive deficits is needed to develop novel treatments. Intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels are decreased in ABI. Herein, we focus on augmentation of cAMP by PDE4 inhibitors and the potentially synergistic mechanisms in traumatic brain injury. A major acute pathophysiological event in ABI is the breakdown of the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Intracellular cAMP pathways are involved in the subsequent emergence of edema, inflammation and hyperexcitability. We propose that PDE4 inhibitors such as roflumilast can improve cognition by modulation of the activity in the cAMP-Phosphokinase A-Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (RAC1) inflammation pathway. In addition, PDE4 inhibitors can also directly enhance network plasticity and attenuate degenerative processes and cognitive dysfunction by increasing activity of the canonical cAMP/phosphokinase-A/cAMP Responsive Element Binding protein (cAMP/PKA/CREB) plasticity pathway. Doublecourtin and microtubule-associated protein 2 are generated following activation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway and are decreased or even absent after injury. Both proteins are involved in neuronal plasticity and may consist of viable markers to track these processes. It is concluded that PDE4 inhibitors may consist of a novel class of drugs for the treatment of residual symptoms in ABI attenuating the pathophysiological consequences of a BBB breakdown by their anti-inflammatory actions via the cAMP/PKA/RAC1 pathway and by increasing synaptic plasticity via the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway. Roflumilast improves cognition in young and elderly humans and would be an excellent candidate for a proof of concept study in ABI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudy Schreiber
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Section Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO BOX 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Romain Hollands
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Section Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO BOX 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Section Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, PO BOX 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, Netherlands
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Increased isoform-specific phosphodiesterase 4D expression is associated with pathology and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2020; 97:56-64. [PMID: 33157432 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2020.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pharmacological phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) inhibition shows therapeutic potential to restore memory function in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but will likely evoke adverse side effects. As PDE4D encodes multiple isoforms, targeting specific isoforms may improve treatment efficacy and safety. Here, we investigated whether PDE4D isoform expression and PDE4D DNA methylation is affected in AD and whether expression changes are associated with severity of pathology and cognitive impairment. In post-mortem temporal lobe brain material from AD patients (n = 42) and age-matched controls (n = 40), we measured PDE4D isoform expression and PDE4D DNA (hydroxy)methylation using quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Illumina 450k Beadarrays, respectively. Linear regression revealed increased PDE4D1, -D3, -D5, and -D8 expression in AD with concurrent (hydroxy)methylation changes in associated promoter regions. Moreover, increased PDE4D1 and -D3 expression was associated with higherplaque and tau pathology levels, higher Braak stages, and progressed cognitive impairment. Future studies should indicate functional roles of specific PDE4D isoforms and the efficacy and safety of their selective inhibition to restore memory function in AD.
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Roflumilast: A potential drug for the treatment of cognitive impairment? Neurosci Lett 2020; 736:135281. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Dominant-Negative Attenuation of cAMP-Selective Phosphodiesterase PDE4D Action Affects Learning and Behavior. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165704. [PMID: 32784895 PMCID: PMC7460819 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PDE4 cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases reduce 3′, 5′ cAMP levels in the CNS and thereby regulate PKA activity and the phosphorylation of CREB, fundamental to depression, cognition, and learning and memory. The PDE4 isoform PDE4D5 interacts with the signaling proteins β-arrestin2 and RACK1, regulators of β2-adrenergic and other signal transduction pathways. Mutations in PDE4D in humans predispose to acrodysostosis, associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits. To target PDE4D5, we developed mice that express a PDE4D5-D556A dominant-negative transgene in the brain. Male transgenic mice demonstrated significant deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning, as assayed in the Morris water maze. In contrast, associative learning, as assayed in a fear conditioning assay, appeared to be unaffected. Male transgenic mice showed augmented activity in prolonged (2 h) open field testing, while female transgenic mice showed reduced activity in the same assay. Transgenic mice showed no demonstrable abnormalities in prepulse inhibition. There was also no detectable difference in anxiety-like behavior, as measured in the elevated plus-maze. These data support the use of a dominant-negative approach to the study of PDE4D5 function in the CNS and specifically in learning and memory.
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Bhat A, Ray B, Mahalakshmi AM, Tuladhar S, Nandakumar DN, Srinivasan M, Essa MM, Chidambaram SB, Guillemin GJ, Sakharkar MK. Phosphodiesterase-4 enzyme as a therapeutic target in neurological disorders. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105078. [PMID: 32673703 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are a diverse family of enzymes (11 isoforms so far identified) responsible for the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) which are involved in several cellular and biochemical functions. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is the major isoform within this group and is highly expressed in the mammalian brain. An inverse association between PDE4 and cAMP levels is the key mechanism in various pathophysiological conditions like airway inflammatory diseases-chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurological disorders etc. In 2011, roflumilast, a PDE4 inhibitor (PDE4I) was approved for the treatment of COPD. Subsequently, other PDE4 inhibitors (PDE4Is) like apremilast and crisaborole were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for psoriasis, atopic dermatitis etc. Due to the adverse effects like unbearable nausea and vomiting, dose intolerance and diarrhoea, PDE4 inhibitors have very less clinical compliance. Efforts are being made to develop allosteric modulation with high specificity to PDE4 isoforms having better efficacy and lesser adverse effects. Interestingly, repositioning PDE4Is towards neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), multiple sclerosis (MS) and sleep disorders, is gaining attention. This review is an attempt to summarize the data on the effects of PDE4 overexpression in neurological disorders and the use of PDE4Is and newer allosteric modulators as therapeutic options. We have also compiled a list of on-going clinical trials on PDE4 inhibitors in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Bhat
- Dept. of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - Bipul Ray
- Dept. of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | | | - Sunanda Tuladhar
- Dept. of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India
| | - D N Nandakumar
- Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, 560029, India
| | - Malathi Srinivasan
- Department of Lipid Science, CSIR - Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), CFTRI Campus, Mysuru, 570020, India
| | - Musthafa Mohamed Essa
- Ageing and Dementia Research Group, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman; Department of Food Science and Nutrition, CAMS, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
| | - Saravana Babu Chidambaram
- Dept. of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India; Centre for Experimental Pharmacology and Toxicology, Central Animal Facility, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, India.
| | - Gilles J Guillemin
- Neuroinflammation group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia.
| | - Meena Kishore Sakharkar
- College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 107, Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 5C9, Canada
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Wang H, Zhang FF, Xu Y, Fu HR, Wang XD, Wang L, Chen W, Xu XY, Gao YF, Zhang JG, Zhang HT. The Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitor Roflumilast, a Potential Treatment for the Comorbidity of Memory Loss and Depression in Alzheimer's Disease: A Preclinical Study in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 23:700-711. [PMID: 32645141 PMCID: PMC7727475 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyaa048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is highly related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet no effective treatment is available. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) has been considered a promising target for treatment of AD and depression. Roflumilast, the first PDE4 inhibitor approved for clinical use, improves cognition at doses that do not cause side effects such as emesis. METHODS Here we examined the effects of roflumilast on behavioral dysfunction and the related mechanisms in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice, a widely used model of AD. Mice at 10 months of age were examined for memory in the novel object recognition and Morris water-maze tests and depression-like behavior in the tail-suspension test and forced swimming test before killing for neurochemical assays. RESULTS In the novel object recognition and Morris water-maze, APPswe/PS1dE9 mice showed significant cognitive declines, which were reversed by roflumilast at 5 and 10 mg/kg orally once per day. In the tail-suspension test and forced swimming test, the AD mice showed prolonged immobility time, which was also reversed by roflumilast. In addition, the staining of hematoxylin-eosin and Nissl showed that roflumilast relieved the neuronal cell injuries, while terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling analysis indicated that roflumilast ameliorated cell apoptosis in AD mice. Further, roflumilast reversed the decreased ratio of B-cell lymphoma-2/Bcl-2-associated X protein and the increased expression of PDE4B and PDE4D in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of AD mice. Finally, roflumilast reversed the decreased levels of cyclic AMP (cAMP) and expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein and brain derived neurotrophic factor in AD mice. CONCLUSIONS Together, these results suggest that roflumilast not only improves learning and memory but also attenuates depression-like behavior in AD mice, likely via PDE4B/PDE4D-mediated cAMP/cAMP response element-binding protein/brain derived neurotrophic factor signaling. Roflumilast can be a therapeutic agent for AD, in particular the comorbidity of memory loss and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Fang-fang Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Hua-rong Fu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Xiao-dan Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Xiao-yan Xu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Yong-feng Gao
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Ji-guo Zhang
- Institute of Pharmacology, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai’an, China
| | - Han-Ting Zhang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Behavioral Medicine & Psychiatry, the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, West Virginia,Correspondence: Han-Ting Zhang, MD, PhD, Department of Neuroscience, the Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute, West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV 26506 ()
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Ribaudo G, Ongaro A, Zagotto G, Memo M, Gianoncelli A. Therapeutic Potential of Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors against Neurodegeneration: The Perspective of the Medicinal Chemist. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1726-1739. [PMID: 32401481 PMCID: PMC8007108 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
![]()
Increasing human
life expectancy prompts the development of novel
remedies for cognitive decline: 44 million people worldwide are affected
by dementia, and this number is predicted to triple by 2050. Acetylcholinesterase
and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors represent
the targets of currently available drugs for Alzheimer’s disease,
which are characterized by limited efficacy. Thus, the search for
therapeutic agents with alternative or combined mechanisms of action
is wide open. Since variations in 3′,5′-cyclic adenosine
monophosphate, 3′,5′-cyclic guanosine monophosphate,
and/or nitric oxide levels interfere with downstream pathways involved
in memory processes, evidence supporting the potential of phosphodiesterase
(PDE) inhibitors in contrasting neurodegeneration should be
critically considered. For the preparation of this Review, more than
140 scientific papers were retrieved by searching PubMed and Scopus
databases. A systematic approach was adopted when overviewing the
different PDE isoforms, taking into account details on brain localization,
downstream molecular mechanisms, and inhibitors currently under study,
according to available in vitro and in vivo data. In the context of drug repurposing, a section focusing on
PDE5 was introduced. Original computational studies were performed
to rationalize the emerging evidence that suggests the role of PDE5
inhibitors as multi-target agents against neurodegeneration.
Moreover, since such compounds must cross the blood–brain barrier
and reach inhibitory concentrations in the central nervous system
to exert their therapeutic activity, physicochemical parameters
were analyzed and discussed. Taken together, literature and computational
data suggest that some PDE5 inhibitors, such as tadalafil, represent
promising candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ribaudo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alberto Ongaro
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Zagotto
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 5, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Maurizio Memo
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
| | - Alessandra Gianoncelli
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
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Sohn JMB, de Souza STF, Raymundi AM, Bonato J, de Oliveira RMW, Prickaerts J, Stern CA. Persistence of the extinction of fear memory requires late-phase cAMP/PKA signaling in the infralimbic cortex. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 172:107244. [PMID: 32376452 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fear extinction is a form of new learning that inhibits expression of the original fear memory without erasing the conditioned stimulus-unconditioned stimulus association. Much is known about the mechanisms that underlie the acquisition of extinction, but the way in which fear extinction is maintained has been scarcely explored. Evidence suggests that protein kinase A (PKA) in the frontal cortex might be related to the persistence of extinction. Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) specifically hydrolyzes cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The present study evaluated the effect of the selective PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast (ROF; 0.01, 0.03, and 0.1 mg/kg given i.p.) on acquisition and consolidation of the extinction of fear memory in male Wistar rats in a contextual fear conditioning paradigm. When administered before acquisition, 0.1 mg/kg ROF disrupted short-term (1 day) extinction recall. In contrast, 0.03 mg/kg ROF administration in the late consolidation phase (3 h after extinction learning) but not in the early phase immediately after learning improved long-term extinction recall at 11 days, suggesting potentiation of the persistence of extinction. This effect of ROF requires the first (day 1) exposure to the context. A similar effect was observed when 9 ng ROF or 30 µM 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cAMP (PKA activator) was directly infused in the infralimbic cortex (IL), a brain region necessary for memory extinction. The PKA activity-dependent ROF-induced effect in the IL was correlated with an increase in its brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein expression, while blockade of PKA with 10 µM H89 in the IL abolished the ROF-induced increase in BDNF expression and prevented the effect of ROF on extinction recall. These effects were not associated with changes in anxiety-like behavior or general exploratory behavior. Altogether, these findings suggest that cAMP-PKA activity in the IL during the late consolidation phase after extinction learning underlies the persistence of extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ana Maria Raymundi
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Bonato
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Maringá, Maringá, PR, Brazil
| | | | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School of Mental Health and Neuroscience, University of Maastricht, the Netherlands
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Heckman PRA, Roig Kuhn F, Raven F, Bolsius YG, Prickaerts J, Meerlo P, Havekes R. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors roflumilast and vardenafil prevent sleep deprivation-induced deficits in spatial pattern separation. Synapse 2020; 74:e22150. [PMID: 32056276 PMCID: PMC9285343 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22150] [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: 10/26/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Sleep deprivation (SD) is known to impair hippocampus‐dependent memory processes, in part by stimulating the phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity. In the present study, we assessed in mice whether SD also affects spatial pattern separation, a cognitive process that specifically requires the dentate gyrus (DG) subregion of the hippocampus. Adult male mice were trained in an object pattern separation (OPS) task in the middle of the light phase and then tested 24 hr thereafter. In total, we conducted three studies using the OPS task. In the first study, we validated the occurrence of pattern separation and tested the effects of SD. We found that 6 hr of SD during the first half of the light phase directly preceding the test trial impaired the spatial pattern separation performance. As a next step, we assessed in two consecutive studies whether the observed SD‐induced performance deficits could be prevented by the systemic application of two different PDE inhibitors that are approved for human use. Both the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast and PDE5 inhibitor vardenafil successfully prevented SD‐induced deficits in spatial pattern separation. As a result, these PDE inhibitors have clinical potential for the prevention of memory deficits associated with loss of sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim R A Heckman
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Femke Roig Kuhn
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Raven
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Youri G Bolsius
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNs), European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Meerlo
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Neurobiology Expert Group, Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Argyrousi EK, Heckman PRA, Prickaerts J. Role of cyclic nucleotides and their downstream signaling cascades in memory function: Being at the right time at the right spot. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 113:12-38. [PMID: 32044374 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A plethora of studies indicate the important role of cAMP and cGMP cascades in neuronal plasticity and memory function. As a result, altered cyclic nucleotide signaling has been implicated in the pathophysiology of mnemonic dysfunction encountered in several diseases. In the present review we provide a wide overview of studies regarding the involvement of cyclic nucleotides, as well as their upstream and downstream molecules, in physiological and pathological mnemonic processes. Next, we discuss the regulation of the intracellular concentration of cyclic nucleotides via phosphodiesterases, the enzymes that degrade cAMP and/or cGMP, and via A-kinase-anchoring proteins that refine signal compartmentalization of cAMP signaling. We also provide an overview of the available data pointing to the existence of specific time windows in cyclic nucleotide signaling during neuroplasticity and memory formation and the significance to target these specific time phases for improving memory formation. Finally, we highlight the importance of emerging imaging tools like Förster resonance energy transfer imaging and optogenetics in detecting, measuring and manipulating the action of cyclic nucleotide signaling cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elentina K Argyrousi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, the Netherlands
| | - Pim R A Heckman
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, the Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, 6200 MD, the Netherlands.
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Baillie GS, Tejeda GS, Kelly MP. Therapeutic targeting of 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: inhibition and beyond. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2019; 18:770-796. [PMID: 31388135 PMCID: PMC6773486 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0033-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 181] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that degrade 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides, are being pursued as therapeutic targets for several diseases, including those affecting the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, fertility, immunity, cancer and metabolism. Clinical development programmes have focused exclusively on catalytic inhibition, which continues to be a strong focus of ongoing drug discovery efforts. However, emerging evidence supports novel strategies to therapeutically target PDE function, including enhancing catalytic activity, normalizing altered compartmentalization and modulating post-translational modifications, as well as the potential use of PDEs as disease biomarkers. Importantly, a more refined appreciation of the intramolecular mechanisms regulating PDE function and trafficking is emerging, making these pioneering drug discovery efforts tractable.
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Affiliation(s)
- George S Baillie
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Gonzalo S Tejeda
- Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Science, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michy P Kelly
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, University of South Carolina School of Medicine, Columbia, SC, USA.
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32
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Kaar SJ, Natesan S, McCutcheon R, Howes OD. Antipsychotics: Mechanisms underlying clinical response and side-effects and novel treatment approaches based on pathophysiology. Neuropharmacology 2019; 172:107704. [PMID: 31299229 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Antipsychotic drugs are central to the treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders but are ineffective for some patients and associated with side-effects and nonadherence in others. We review the in vitro, pre-clinical, clinical and molecular imaging evidence on the mode of action of antipsychotics and their side-effects. This identifies the key role of striatal dopamine D2 receptor blockade for clinical response, but also for endocrine and motor side-effects, indicating a therapeutic window for D2 blockade. We consider how partial D2/3 receptor agonists fit within this framework, and the role of off-target effects of antipsychotics, particularly at serotonergic, histaminergic, cholinergic, and adrenergic receptors for efficacy and side-effects such as weight gain, sedation and dysphoria. We review the neurobiology of schizophrenia relevant to the mode of action of antipsychotics, and for the identification of new treatment targets. This shows elevated striatal dopamine synthesis and release capacity in dorsal regions of the striatum underlies the positive symptoms of psychosis and suggests reduced dopamine release in cortical regions contributes to cognitive and negative symptoms. Current drugs act downstream of the major dopamine abnormalities in schizophrenia, and potentially worsen cortical dopamine function. We consider new approaches including targeting dopamine synthesis and storage, autoreceptors, and trace amine receptors, and the cannabinoid, muscarinic, GABAergic and glutamatergic regulation of dopamine neurons, as well as post-synaptic modulation through phosphodiesterase inhibitors. Finally, we consider treatments for cognitive and negative symptoms such dopamine agonists, nicotinic agents and AMPA modulators before discussing immunological approaches which may be disease modifying. This article is part of the issue entitled 'Special Issue on Antipsychotics'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Kaar
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
| | - Sridhar Natesan
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Robert McCutcheon
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver D Howes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, 5th Floor, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King's College London, PO63 De Crespigny Park, London, SE5 8AF, United Kingdom.
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Feng H, Wang C, He W, Wu X, Li S, Zeng Z, Wei M, He B. Roflumilast ameliorates cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice via cAMP/CREB/BDNF signaling and anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Metab Brain Dis 2019; 34:583-591. [PMID: 30610438 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-018-0374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors can prevent the breakdown of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and improve cognitive performances in several animal models of cognition. However, the clinical development of PDE4 inhibitors has been seriously hampered by severe side effects, such as vomiting and nausea. In this study, we investigated the effect and mechanism of roflumilast, an FDA-approved PDE4 inhibitor for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), on learning and memory abilities in the APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). APP/PS1 transgenic mice received 3 intragastric doses of roflumilast (0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg) daily for 3 weeks followed by behavioral tests. Chronic administration of roflumilast significantly improved the learning and memory abilities of APP/PS1 transgenic mice in the novel object recognition task, Morris water maze, and the step-down passive avoidance task. In addition, roflumilast increased the cAMP, phosphorylated cAMP response-element binding protein (p-CREB) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and reduced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, and proinflammatory cytokine (IL-6, TNF-a and IL-1β) levels in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 transgenic mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that roflumilast can enhance cognitive function in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, which may be related to its stimulation of the cAMP/CREB/BDNF pathway and anti-neuroinflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huancun Feng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Canmao Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinjun Wu
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Shujie Li
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhenkun Zeng
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Meidan Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China
| | - Binghong He
- Department of Pharmacy, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000, Guangdong, China.
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Heckman P, Blokland A, Sambeth A. No interaction between rivastigmine and citalopram on memory and novelty processing in healthy human volunteers. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:210-218. [PMID: 30226087 PMCID: PMC6381448 DOI: 10.1177/0269881118796816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal literature suggests an interaction between acetylcholine and serotonin on cognitive functions. AIMS The aim of the current study was to assess whether both neurotransmitters interact during memory and novelty processing in humans. METHODS We tested the interaction between acetylcholine and serotonin on cognitive functions in healthy volunteers by means of treatment with rivastigmine and citalopram, respectively. RESULTS The main result of the study showed that during the verbal learning task participants significantly recalled fewer words after citalopram treatment than after rivastigmine or placebo during both the immediate and delayed recall tasks. Rivastigmine was not able to reverse the impairing effect of citalopram. CONCLUSIONS This finding is in line with previous studies in which we manipulated acetylcholine and serotonin in different manners. Taken together, these studies in humans do not support the notion from animal studies that these two neurotransmitters interact on cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pra Heckman
- 1 Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands.,2 Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - A Blokland
- 1 Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
| | - A Sambeth
- 1 Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, The Netherlands
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Blokland A, Van Duinen MA, Sambeth A, Heckman PRA, Tsai M, Lahu G, Uz T, Prickaerts J. Acute treatment with the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast improves verbal word memory in healthy old individuals: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 77:37-43. [PMID: 30776650 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
There is ample evidence that phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibition can improve memory performance in animal studies. In the present study, we examined the acute effects of the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast on memory performance in healthy individuals (60-80 years of age). We tested the effects of acute roflumilast administration (100, 250, 1000 μg) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-way crossover design. Participants were first screened for their verbal word memory performance to ensure normal memory performance (within 0.5 standard deviation from norm score; n = 20) Drug effects on memory performance were tested in a verbal memory test and a spatial memory test. Reported side effects of drug treatment were registered. Roflumilast (100 μg) improved the delayed recall performance of the participants (Cohen's d, 0.69). No effects were observed in the spatial memory task. Roflumilast was well tolerated at this low dose. Although no clear adverse side effects were reported at the low dose, mild adverse events (including headache, dizziness, insomnia, and diarrhea) were reported after the 1000 μg dose. The present study provides first evidence that the PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast improves verbal memory performance in old participants. The current data encourage further development of PDE4 inhibitors for improving memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Marlies A Van Duinen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Anke Sambeth
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Pim R A Heckman
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Max Tsai
- Department of Clinical Development, Takeda Development Center Americas, Deerfield, IL, USA
| | - Gezim Lahu
- Department of Clinical Development, Takeda Development Center Americas, Deerfield, IL, USA
| | - Tolga Uz
- Department of Clinical Development, Takeda Development Center Americas, Deerfield, IL, USA
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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Pelgrim CE, Peterson JD, Gosker HR, Schols AMWJ, van Helvoort A, Garssen J, Folkerts G, Kraneveld AD. Psychological co-morbidities in COPD: Targeting systemic inflammation, a benefit for both? Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 842:99-110. [PMID: 30336140 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2018] [Revised: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
COPD is a chronic lung disease characterized by persistent respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation due to airway and/or alveolar abnormalities. Furthermore, COPD is often characterized by extrapulmonary manifestations and comorbidities worsening COPD progression and quality of life. A neglected comorbidity in COPD management is mental health impairment defined by anxiety, depression and cognitive problems. This paper summarizes the evidence for impaired mental health in COPD and focuses on current pharmacological intervention strategies. In addition, possible mechanisms in impaired mental health in COPD are discussed with a central role for inflammation. Many comorbidities are associated with multi-organ-associated systemic inflammation in COPD. Considering the accumulative evidence for a major role of systemic inflammation in the development of neurological disorders, it can be hypothesized that COPD-associated systemic inflammation also affects the function of the brain and is an interesting therapeutic target for nutra- and pharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte E Pelgrim
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Julia D Peterson
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Harry R Gosker
- NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Annemie M W J Schols
- NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Ardy van Helvoort
- NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Nutrition, Metabolism and Muscle Sciences, Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Platform Immunology, Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gert Folkerts
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Aletta D Kraneveld
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Veterinary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Institute of Risk Assessment Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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37
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Borghans LGJM, Sambeth A, Prickaerts J, Ramaekers JG, Blokland A. The effects of the soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator riociguat on memory performance in healthy volunteers with a biperiden-induced memory impairment. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2018; 235:2407-2416. [PMID: 29882087 PMCID: PMC6061766 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-4938-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE After stimulation with nitric oxide, soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) produces cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which stimulates an important signalling pathway for long-term potentiation (LTP). By upregulating cGMP, LTP could be stimulated and thereby enhancing memory processes. The present study investigated the effects of the sGC stimulator riociguat on cognition in healthy volunteers. Participants were pre-treated with and without biperiden, which impairs memory performance, to investigate the memory-enhancing effects of riociguat. METHODS Twenty volunteers participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled six-way crossover design with a cognitive test battery including the verbal learning task (VLT), n-back task, spatial memory test, the attention network test, and a reaction time task. Treatments were placebo and riociguat 0.5 mg, placebo and riociguat 1.0 mg, biperiden 2.0 mg and placebo, biperiden 2.0 mg and riociguat 0.5 mg and biperiden 2.0 mg and riociguat 1.0 mg. RESULTS Blood pressure was found to be decreased and heart rate to be increased after administration of riociguat. Cognitive performance was not enhanced after administration of riociguat. Biperiden decreased episodic memory on the VLT, yet this deficit was not reversed by riociguat. CONCLUSION This supports the notion that biperiden might be a valuable pharmacological model to induce episodic memory impairments as observed in AD/MCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura G. J. M. Borghans
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anke Sambeth
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Science, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes G. Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Santiago A, Soares LM, Schepers M, Milani H, Vanmierlo T, Prickaerts J, Weffort de Oliveira RM. Roflumilast promotes memory recovery and attenuates white matter injury in aged rats subjected to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:360-370. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Gulisano W, Tropea MR, Arancio O, Palmeri A, Puzzo D. Sub-efficacious doses of phosphodiesterase 4 and 5 inhibitors improve memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:151-159. [PMID: 29885420 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP cooperate to ensure memory acquisition and consolidation. Increasing their levels by phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-Is) enhanced cognitive functions and rescued memory loss in different models of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, side effects due to the high doses used limited their application in humans. Based on previous studies suggesting that combinations of sub-efficacious doses of cAMP- and cGMP-specific PDE-Is improved synaptic plasticity and memory in physiological conditions, here we aimed to study whether this treatment was effective to counteract the AD phenotype in APPswe mice. We found that a 3-week chronic treatment with a combination of sub-efficacious doses of the cAMP-specific PDE4-I roflumilast (0.01 mg/kg) and the cGMP-specific PDE5-I vardenafil (0.1 mg/kg) improved recognition, spatial and contextual fear memory. Importantly, the cognitive enhancement persisted for 2 months beyond administration. This long-lasting action, and the possibility to minimize side effects due to the low doses used, might open feasible therapeutic strategies against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Dept. of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Heckman PRA, Blokland A, Bollen EPP, Prickaerts J. Phosphodiesterase inhibition and modulation of corticostriatal and hippocampal circuits: Clinical overview and translational considerations. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2018; 87:233-254. [PMID: 29454746 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The corticostriatal and hippocampal circuits contribute to the neurobiological underpinnings of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. Based on biological function, these circuits can be clustered into motor circuits, associative/cognitive circuits and limbic circuits. Together, dysfunctions in these circuits produce the wide range of symptoms observed in related neuropsychiatric disorders. Intracellular signaling in these circuits is largely mediated through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway with an additional role for the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/ protein kinase G (PKG) pathway, both of which can be regulated by phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE inhibitors). Through their effects on cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Dopamine- and cAMP-Regulated PhosphoProtein MR 32 kDa (DARPP-32), cyclic nucleotide pathways are involved in synaptic transmission, neuron excitability, neuroplasticity and neuroprotection. In this clinical review, we provide an overview of the current clinical status, discuss the general mechanism of action of PDE inhibitors in relation to the corticostriatal and hippocampal circuits and consider several translational challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R A Heckman
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - A Blokland
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - E P P Bollen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - J Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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