1
|
Yu XD, Mo YX, He Z, Reilly J, Tian SW, Shu X. Urocanic acid enhances memory consolidation and reconsolidation in novel object recognition task. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 579:62-68. [PMID: 34587556 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Urocanic acid (UCA) is an endogenous small molecule that is elevated in skin, blood and brain after sunlight exposure, mainly playing roles in the periphery systems. Few studies have investigated the role of UCA in the central nervous system. In particular, its role in memory consolidation and reconsolidation is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal injection of UCA on memory consolidation and reconsolidation in a novel object recognition memory (ORM) task. In the consolidation version of the ORM task, the protocol involved three phases: habituation, sampling and test. UCA injection immediately after the sampling period enhanced ORM memory performance; UCA injection 6 h after sampling did not affect ORM memory performance. In the reconsolidation version of the ORM task, the protocol involved three phases: sampling, reactivation and test. UCA injection immediately after reactivation enhanced ORM memory performance; UCA injection 6 h after reactivation did not affect ORM memory performance; UCA injection 24 h after sampling without reactivation did not affect ORM memory performance. This UCA-enhanced memory performance was not due to its effects on nonspecific responses such as locomotor activity and exploratory behavior. The results suggest that UCA injection enhances consolidation and reconsolidation of an ORM task, which further extends previous research on UCA effects on learning and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Dong Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Development and Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Southwest Hunan, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China; Department of Physiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China
| | - Yan-Xin Mo
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Development and Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Southwest Hunan, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China
| | - Zhiming He
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China; Hunan Engineering Research Center of Development and Utilization of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Southwest Hunan, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China
| | - James Reilly
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK
| | - Shao-Wen Tian
- Department of Physiology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, PR China; Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi, 541199, PR China.
| | - Xinhua Shu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shaoyang University, Shaoyang, 422000, PR China; Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK; Department of Vision Science, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, G4 0BA, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Marazziti D, Avella MT, Ivaldi T, Palermo S, Massa L, Vecchia AD, Basile L, Mucci F. Neuroenhancement: State of the Art and Future Perspectives. CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHIATRY 2021; 18:137-169. [PMID: 34909030 PMCID: PMC8629054 DOI: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20210303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological neuroenhancement refers to the non-medical use of prescription drugs, alcohol, illegal drugs, or the so-called soft enhancers for the purpose of improving cognition, mood, pro-social behavior, or work and academic performance. This phenomenon is undoubtedly more frequent than previously supposed especially amongst university students. The aim of the present paper was to carefully review and comment on the available literature on neuroenhancement, according to Prisma guidelines. The results showed a great use of all prescribed drugs (benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, nootropic compounds, and especially stimulants) as neuroenhancers amongst healthy subjects, although probably the real prevalence is underestimated. The use of illicit drugs and soft enhancers is similarly quite common. Data on the improvement of cognition by other compounds, such as oxytocin and pheromones, or non-pharmacological techniques, specifically deep brain stimulation and transcranial magnetic stimulation, are still limited. In any case, if it is true that human beings are embedded by the desire to overcome the limits of their intrinsic nature, neuroenhancement practices put into question the concept of authenticity. Therefore, the problem appears quite complex and requires to be deepened and analyzed with no prejudice, although within an ethical conceptual frame.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Donatella Marazziti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
- Unicamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Teresa Avella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Tea Ivaldi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Palermo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Massa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Della Vecchia
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Lucia Basile
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Psychiatry, University of Pisa, Italy
| | - Federico Mucci
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Radin DP, Tsirka SE. Interactions between Tumor Cells, Neurons, and Microglia in the Glioma Microenvironment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E8476. [PMID: 33187183 PMCID: PMC7698134 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite significant strides made in understanding the pathophysiology of high-grade gliomas over the past two decades, most patients succumb to these neoplasias within two years of diagnosis. Furthermore, there are various co-morbidities associated with glioma and standard of care treatments. Emerging evidence suggests that aberrant glutamate secretion in the glioma microenvironment promotes tumor progression and contributes to the development of co-morbidities, such as cognitive defects, epilepsy, and widespread neurodegeneration. Recent data clearly illustrate that neurons directly synapse onto glioma cells and drive their proliferation and spread via glutamatergic action. Microglia are central nervous system-resident myeloid cells, modulate glioma growth, and possess the capacity to prune synapses and encourage synapse formation. However, current literature has yet to investigate the potential role of microglia in shaping synapse formation between neurons and glioma cells. Herein, we present the literature concerning glutamate's role in glioma progression, involving hyperexcitability and excitotoxic cell death of peritumoral neurons and stimulation of glioma proliferation and invasion. Furthermore, we discuss instances in which microglia are more likely to sculpt or encourage synapse formation during glioma treatment and propose studies to delineate the role of microglia in synapse formation between neurons and glioma cells. The sex-dependent oncogenic or oncolytic actions of microglia and myeloid cells, in general, are considered in addition to the functional differences between microglia and macrophages in tumor progression. We also put forth tractable methods to safely perturb aberrant glutamatergic action in the tumor microenvironment without significantly increasing the toxicities of the standard of care therapies for glioma therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stella E. Tsirka
- Stony Brook Medical Scientist Training Program, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology Graduate Program, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, NY 11794-8651, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Phillips H, McDowell A, Mielby BS, Tucker IG, Colombo M. Aniracetam does not improve working memory in neurologically healthy pigeons. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0215612. [PMID: 31002681 PMCID: PMC6474613 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0215612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the effects of cognitive enhancing drugs is an important area of research. Much of the research, however, has focused on restoring memory following some sort of disruption to the brain, such as damage or injections of scopolamine. Aniracetam is a positive AMPA-receptor modulator that has shown promise for improving memory under conditions when the brain has been damaged, but its effectiveness in improving memory in neurologically healthy subjects is unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of aniracetam (100mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) on short-term memory in "neurologically healthy" pigeons. Pigeons were administered aniracetam via either intramuscular injection or orally, either 30 or 60 minutes prior to testing on a delayed matching-to-sample task. Aniracetam had no effect on the pigeons' memory performance, nor did it affect response latency. These findings add to the growing evidence that, while effective at improving memory function in models of impaired memory, aniracetam has no effect in improving memory in healthy organisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Phillips
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
- * E-mail: (HP); (MC)
| | - Arlene McDowell
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | | | - Ian G. Tucker
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Michael Colombo
- Department of Psychology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
- * E-mail: (HP); (MC)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang Y, Feng J, Xu F, Wang J. Piracetam inhibits ethanol (EtOH)-induced memory deficit by mediating multiple pathways. Brain Res 2017; 1676:83-90. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 08/22/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
|
6
|
Fond G, Micoulaud-Franchi JA, Brunel L, Macgregor A, Miot S, Lopez R, Richieri R, Abbar M, Lancon C, Repantis D. Innovative mechanisms of action for pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement: A systematic review. Psychiatry Res 2015; 229:12-20. [PMID: 26187342 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2014] [Revised: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological cognitive enhancement refers to improvement in cognitive functions after drug use in healthy individuals. This popular topic attracts attention both from the general public and the scientific community. The objective was to explore innovative mechanisms of psychostimulant's action, whose potential effectiveness was assessed in randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic review was carried out, using the words "attention", "memory", "learning", "executive functions", and "vigilance/wakefulness" combined to "cognitive enhancer" or "smart drug". Methylphenidate, amphetamines, modafinil, nicotine, acetylcholine esterase inhibitors and antidepressants were extensively studied in previous meta-analyses and were not included in the present work. Drugs were classified according to their primary mode of action, namely catecholaminergic drugs (tolcapone, pramipexole, guanfacine), cholinergic drugs (anticholinergics), glutamatergic drugs (ampakines), histaminergic drugs, and non-specified (glucocorticoids). Overall, 50 RCTs were included in the present review. In conclusion, a number of new active drugs were found to improve some cognitive functions, in particular verbal episodic memory. However the number of RCTs was limited, and most of the studies found negative results. Future studies should assess both effectiveness and tolerance of repeated doses administration, and individual variability in dose response (including baseline characteristics and potential genetic polymorphisms). One explanation for the limited number of recent RCTs with new psychostimulants seems to be the ethical debate surrounding pharmaceutical cognitive enhancement in healthy subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Fond
- Université Paris EST-Créteil, AP-HP, Pôle de Psychiatrie ET d'addictologie des Hopitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, INSERM U955, Eq 15 Psychiatrie Génétique, DHU PE-psy, Fondation Fondamental Fondation de Coopération Scientifique en Santé Mentale, F-94000 France.
| | | | - Lore Brunel
- Université Paris EST-Créteil, AP-HP, Pôle de Psychiatrie ET d'addictologie des Hopitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor, INSERM U955, Eq 15 Psychiatrie Génétique, DHU PE-psy, Fondation Fondamental Fondation de Coopération Scientifique en Santé Mentale, F-94000 France
| | - Alexandra Macgregor
- Université Montpellier 1, INSERM 1061, Service Universitaire de Psychiatrie, CHU Montpellier F-34000, France
| | - Stéphanie Miot
- INSERM U952, CNRS UMR 7224, UMPC Univ Paris 06, F-75000 Paris, France
| | - Régis Lopez
- Université Montpellier 1, INSERM 1061, Centre de Référence National Narcolepsie Hypersomnie Idiopathique, Unité des Troubles du Sommeil, CHU Montpellier F-34000, France
| | - Raphaëlle Richieri
- Pôle Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-marguerite, F-13274 Marseille Cedex 09, France; Faculté de Médecine, EA 3279, Laboratoire de Santé Publique, F-13385 Marseille Cedex 05, France
| | - Mocrane Abbar
- CHU Carémeau, Université de Nîmes, Nîmes F-31000, France
| | - Christophe Lancon
- Pôle Psychiatrie Universitaire, CHU Sainte-marguerite, F-13274 Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Dimitris Repantis
- Department of Psychiatry, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin franklin, Eschenallee 3, 14050 Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Xu P, Li M, Bai Y, Lu W, Ling X, Li W. The effects of piracetam on heroin-induced CPP and neuronal apoptosis in rats. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 150:141-6. [PMID: 25801591 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2014] [Revised: 01/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Piracetam is a positive allosteric modulator of the AMPA receptor that has been used in the treatment of cognitive disorders for decades. Recent surveys and drug analyses have demonstrated that a heroin mixture adulterated with piracetam has spread rapidly in heroin addicts in China, but its addictive properties and the damage it causes to the central neural system are currently unknown. METHODS The effect of piracetam on the reward properties of heroin was assessed by conditioned place preference (CPP). Electron microscopy and radioimmunoassay were used to compare the effects of heroin mixed with equivalent piracetam (HP) and heroin alone on neuronal apoptosis and the levels of beta-endorphin (β-EP) in different brain subregions within the corticolimbic system, respectively. RESULTS Piracetam significantly enhanced heroin-induced CPP expression while piracetam itself didn't induce CPP. Morphological observations showed that HP-treated rats had less neuronal apoptosis than heroin-treated group. Interestingly, HP normalized the levels of β-EP in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and core of the nucleus accumbens (AcbC) subregions, in where heroin-treated rats showed decreased levels of β-EP. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that piracetam potentiate the heroin-induced CPP and protect neurons from heroin-induced apoptosis. The protective role of HP might be related to the restoration of β-EP levels by piracetam. Our findings may provide a potential interpretation for the growing trend of HP abuse in addicts in China.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Peng Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China; Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Min Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Yanping Bai
- Drug Intelligence and Forensic Center, Ministry of Public Security, Beijing 100193, PR China
| | - Wei Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China
| | - Xiaomei Ling
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| | - Weidong Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Luo HM, Jiang RZ, Yang XH, Chen YH, Hong T, Wang Y. Purification and characterization of a novel tetradecapeptide from ginseng polypeptides with enhancing memory activity for mice. Chem Res Chin Univ 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s40242-013-3012-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|