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Alzheimer's Disease Pharmacotherapy in Relation to Cholinergic System Involvement. Biomolecules 2019; 10:biom10010040. [PMID: 31888102 PMCID: PMC7022522 DOI: 10.3390/biom10010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease, a major and increasing global health challenge, is an irreversible, progressive form of dementia, associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. The etiology of this disease is not completely understood, and no safe and effective anti-Alzheimer’s disease drug to prevent, stop, or reverse its evolution is currently available. Current pharmacotherapy concentrated on drugs that aimed to improve the cerebral acetylcholine levels by facilitating cholinergic neurotransmission through inhibiting cholinesterase. These compounds, recognized as cholinesterase inhibitors, offer a viable target across key sign domains of Alzheimer’s disease, but have a modest influence on improving the progression of this condition. In this paper, we sought to highlight the current understanding of the cholinergic system involvement in Alzheimer’s disease progression in relation to the recent status of the available cholinesterase inhibitors as effective therapeutics.
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Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an aspect of cognitive aging that is considered to be a transitional state between normal aging and the dementia into which it may convert. Appropriate animal models are necessary in order to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of MCI and develop drugs for its treatment. In this review, we identify the features that should characterize an animal model of MCI, namely old age, subtle memory impairment, mild neuropathological changes, and changes in the cholinergic system, and the age at which these features can be detected in laboratory animals. These features should occur in aging animals with normal motor activity and feeding behavior. The animal models may be middle-aged rats and mice, rats with brain ischemia, transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 (tested at an early stage), or aging monkeys. Memory deficits can be detected by selecting appropriately difficult behavioral tasks, and the deficits can be associated with neuropathological alterations. The reviewed literature demonstrates that, under certain conditions, these animal species can be considered to be MCI models, and that cognitive impairment in these models responds to drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Pepeu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Mille C, Debarnot D, Zorzi W, El Moualij B, Coudreuse A, Legeay G, Quadrio I, Perret-Liaudet A, Poncin-Epaillard F. Improvement of the Detection of Neurodegenerative Alzheimer's Disease through a Specific Surface Chemistry Applied onto the Inner Surface of the Titration Well. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE-POLYMER EDITION 2012; 23:1951-61. [DOI: 10.1163/092050611x600712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Mille
- a LUNAM Universite, Laboratoire Polymeres, Colloides et Interfaces, UMR CNRS 6120 — Universite du Maine , Avenue O. Messiaen, 72085 , Le Mans , France
| | - D. Debarnot
- a LUNAM Universite, Laboratoire Polymeres, Colloides et Interfaces, UMR CNRS 6120 — Universite du Maine , Avenue O. Messiaen, 72085 , Le Mans , France
| | - W. Zorzi
- b Centre de Recherche sur les Proteines Prion, Institut de Pharmacie , B36, 1 Avenue de l'Hopital, 4000 , Liege , Belgium
| | - B. El Moualij
- b Centre de Recherche sur les Proteines Prion, Institut de Pharmacie , B36, 1 Avenue de l'Hopital, 4000 , Liege , Belgium
| | - A. Coudreuse
- c CTTM , 20 rue Thales de Milet, 72000 , Le Mans , France
| | - G. Legeay
- c CTTM , 20 rue Thales de Milet, 72000 , Le Mans , France
| | - I. Quadrio
- d Centre Memoire de Ressources et Recherche, Service de Neuro iologie, Groupement Hospitalier Est du CHU , 56 Boulevard Pinel, 69677 , Bron cedex , France
| | - A. Perret-Liaudet
- d Centre Memoire de Ressources et Recherche, Service de Neuro iologie, Groupement Hospitalier Est du CHU , 56 Boulevard Pinel, 69677 , Bron cedex , France
| | - F. Poncin-Epaillard
- a LUNAM Universite, Laboratoire Polymeres, Colloides et Interfaces, UMR CNRS 6120 — Universite du Maine , Avenue O. Messiaen, 72085 , Le Mans , France
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Zhou Y, Li W, Xu L, Chen L. In Salvia miltiorrhiza, phenolic acids possess protective properties against amyloid β-induced cytotoxicity, and tanshinones act as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2011; 31:443-452. [PMID: 21787715 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2011.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2010] [Revised: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza (RSM), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been alleged to possess therapeutic effects against senile dementia, also known as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effects of the major components in RSM on cytotoxicity induced by amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and on acetylcholinesterase activity have not been studied in depth to date. In this report, the effects of RSM aqueous/ethanol extracts, total polyphenols, total tanshinones and 3 phenolic compounds against toxicity mediated by Aβ(25-35) were tested with PC-12 cells. The results showed that Aβ(25-35)-induced cytotoxicity was revised by RSM aqueous/ethanol extracts and total polyphenols and that danshensu and salvianolic acid B could protect PC-12 cells by blocking Aβ(25-35)-induced Ca(2+)-intake, lactate dehydrogenase release, cell viability decrease and apoptosis. In addition, the activities of RSM extracts and relevant constituents in their inhibition of acetylcholinesterase were investigated using rat brain homogenates as an enzyme resource. Galanthamine hydrobromide, an accepted acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, was employed as a positive control agent. Our preliminary studies demonstrated that RSM ethanol extract, total tanshinones, tanshinone I and dihydrotanshinone I had remarkable inhibition effects on acetylcholinesterase in vitro. These findings suggest that both tanshinones and polyphenols in RSM are the active constituents responsible for the beneficial effects of this herb in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongqiang Zhou
- New Medicine R&D Center, Disha Pharmaceutical Group, Weihai 264205, PR China.
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Goh DPQ, Neo AH, Goh CW, Aw CC, New LS, Chen WS, Atcha Z, Browne ER, Chan ECY. Metabolic Profiling of Rat Brain and Cognitive Behavioral Tasks: Potential Complementary Strategies in Preclinical Cognition Enhancement Research. J Proteome Res 2009; 8:5679-90. [DOI: 10.1021/pr900795g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dilys P. Q. Goh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Aveline H. Neo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Catherine W. Goh
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Chiu Cheong Aw
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Lee Sun New
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Woei Shin Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Zeenat Atcha
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Edward R. Browne
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
| | - Eric C. Y. Chan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, and GlaxoSmithKline R&D China, Centre for Cognition and Neurodegeneration Research, Biopolis at One-North, 11 Biopolis Way, The Helios Building #03-01/02, Singapore 138667
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Bartus RT, Dean RL. Pharmaceutical treatment for cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions: exploring new territory using traditional tools and established maps. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2009; 202:15-36. [PMID: 19011839 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1365-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Over 30 years ago, we began to develop a nonhuman primate model to study cognitive deficits of age-related neurodegenerative diseases and their neuroanatomical-neurochemical underpinnings for purposes of translating this work toward first pharmacotherapies. This effort produced several notable findings that eventually received consensus support, which we have been asked to review. OBJECTIVES A discussion of these findings, in the context of issues and obstacles confronted and principles applied, might facilitate the development of even more effective models and treatments, not only for Alzheimer's disease (AD) but for many other disorders involving cognitive deficits. RESULTS Collectively, our research provided first evidence of the following: aged primates can be used as 'models' for human age-related neurodegenerative diseases; key cognitive deficits in early AD share important conceptual similarities to deficits in both aged monkeys as well as non-demented humans (e.g., age-associated memory impairment and mild cognitive impairment); pharmacological intervention can reduce age-related cognitive impairments in animals that are conceptually similar to those seen in human diseases, including AD; cholinergics would likely be the first approved therapeutics for AD; and that many other classes of drugs would not likely succeed. CONCLUSIONS Despite the early promise shown by behavioral/functional approaches to develop treatment strategies, the dramatic shift in focus away from behavioral outcomes in animal neurodegenerative research that began 20 years ago has compromised further progress and continues to impede our ability to understand how these diseases impair human cognition and what pathways might lead to effective therapies. Principles applied successfully in the past should provide guidance for facilitating efforts in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond T Bartus
- Ceregene, Inc., 9381 Judicial Dr., Suite 130, San Diego, CA 92121, USA.
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Machová E, Jakubík J, Michal P, Oksman M, Iivonen H, Tanila H, Dolezal V. Impairment of muscarinic transmission in transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2006; 29:368-78. [PMID: 17140703 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2006.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2006] [Revised: 09/20/2006] [Accepted: 10/30/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We assessed the integrity of cholinergic neurotransmission in parietal cortex of young adult (7 months) and aged (17 months) transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 female mice compared to littermate controls. Choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activity declined age-dependently in both genotypes, whereas both age- and genotype-dependent decline was found in butyrylcholinesterase activity, vesicular acetylcholine transporter density, muscarinic receptors and carbachol stimulated binding of GTP gamma S in membranes as a functional indicator of muscarinic receptor coupling to G-proteins. Notably, vesicular acetylcholine transporter levels and muscarinic receptor-G-protein coupling were impaired in transgenic mice already at the age of 7 months compared to wild type littermates. Thus, brain amyloid accumulation in this mouse model is accompanied by a serious deterioration of muscarinic transmission already before the mice manifest significant cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Machová
- Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Physiology CAS, Vídenská 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
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Popović M, Caballero-Bleda M, Popović N, Puelles L, van Groen T, Witter MP. Verapamil prevents, in a dose-dependent way, the loss of ChAT-immunoreactive neurons in the cerebral cortex following lesions of the rat nucleus basalis magnocellularis. Exp Brain Res 2005; 170:368-75. [PMID: 16328269 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-005-0219-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2005] [Accepted: 09/01/2005] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the present study we analysed the neuroprotective effect of the L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel antagonist verapamil on cholineacetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunoreactive neurons in the cerebral cortex of rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). Treatment with verapamil (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg/12 h i.p.) started 24 h after NBM lesions and lasted 8 days. Animals were sacrificed on day 21 after NBM-lesions. The bilateral NBM-lesions produced significant loss of ChAT-immunoreactive neurons in frontal, parietal and temporal cortex. Although the number of ChAT-positive neurons was significantly higher in NBM-lesioned animals treated with verapamil at a dose of 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg than in saline treated ones, the most significant effect was obtained at a dose of 5 mg/kg. This is, to our knowledge, the first report showing an inverted U-shape mode of neuroprotective action of the calcium antagonist verapamil, at morphological level in this particular model of brain damage. The demonstrated beneficial effect of verapamil treatment suggests that the regulation of calcium homeostasis during the early period after NBM lesions might be a possible treatment to prevent neurodegenerative processes in the rat cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroljub Popović
- Departamento de Anatomía Humana y Psicobiología, Facultad de Medicina, Campus Universitario de Espinardo, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
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Reddy PH, McWeeney S. Mapping cellular transcriptosomes in autopsied Alzheimer's disease subjects and relevant animal models. Neurobiol Aging 2005; 27:1060-77. [PMID: 16157420 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2005.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2005] [Revised: 03/21/2005] [Accepted: 04/02/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a late-onset and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by memory loss, impairment of other cognitive functions, and changes in behavior and personality. The overall aim of this review is to summarize recent advances in studies of AD progression and the use of animal models in gene expression studies of AD progression. Genetic causes of AD are known only for early-onset AD patients. For a majority of late-onset AD patients, causal factors are still unknown. Currently, there are no early detectable biomarkers for late-onset AD, and there is a lack of understanding of AD pathophysiology, particularly at the early stages of disease progression, before pathology develops. Human histopathological and biochemical studies provide valuable information regarding the last stages of AD pathogenesis. However, to understand early cellular changes in AD progression before symptoms develop, animal models are still our only alternative. Several research groups have created genetically engineered animal models, particularly models of the mouse, rat, fly, and worm, which have allowed us to better, understand the initiating events of AD progression. Recently, state-of-the-art methods have helped elucidate gene expression changes in affected and unaffected tissues from postmortem AD brains and from animal models developed for AD studies. These methods allow the investigation of mRNA-based transcriptosomal profiles of brain specimens from AD humans and transgenic animals. The major finding from these studies is that AD progression and pathogenesis involve multiple cellular pathways, which suggests that AD is a complex and heterogeneous disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hemachandra Reddy
- Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neurological Sciences Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
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Tao G, Irie Y, Li DJ, Keung WM. Eugenol and its structural analogs inhibit monoamine oxidase A and exhibit antidepressant-like activity. Bioorg Med Chem 2005; 13:4777-88. [PMID: 15936201 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2005.04.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2004] [Accepted: 04/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Eugenol (1) is an active principle of Rhizoma acori graminei, a medicinal herb used in Asia for the treatment of symptoms reminiscent of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been shown to protect neuronal cells from the cytotoxic effect of amyloid beta peptides (Abetas) in cell cultures and exhibit antidepressant-like activity in mice. Results from this study show that eugenol inhibits monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) preferentially with a K(i)=26 microM. It also inhibits MAOB but at much higher concentrations (K(i)=211 microM). In both cases, inhibition is competitive with respect to the monoamine substrate. Survey of compounds structurally related to eugenol has identified a few that inhibit MAOs more potently. Structure activity relationship reveals structural features important for MAOA and MAOB inhibition. Molecular docking experiments were performed to help explain the SAR outcomes. Four of these compounds, two (1, 24) inhibiting MAOA selectively and the other two (19, 21) inhibiting neither MAOA nor MAOB, were tested for antidepressant-like activity using the forced swim test in mice. Results suggest a potential link between the antidepressant activity of eugenol and its MAOA inhibitory activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoxin Tao
- Department of Pathology and Center for Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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Zhong CB, Pan YP, Tong XY, Xu XH, Wang XL. Delayed rectifier potassium currents and Kv2.1 mRNA increase in hippocampal neurons of scopolamine-induced memory-deficient rats. Neurosci Lett 2005; 373:99-104. [PMID: 15567561 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.09.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2004] [Revised: 09/25/2004] [Accepted: 09/28/2004] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To explore the ionic mechanisms of memory deficits induced by cholinergic lesion, whole-cell patch clamp recording techniques in combination with single-cell RT-PCR were used to characterize delayed rectifier potassium currents (IK) in acutely isolated hippocampal pyramidal neurons of scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment rats. Scopolamine could induce deficits in spatial memory of rats. The peak amplitude and current density of IK measured in hippocampal pyramidal neurons were increased from 1.2+/-0.6 nA and 38+/-19 pA/pF of the control group (n=12) to 1.8+/-0.5 nA and 62+/-24 pA/pF (n=48, P<0.01) of the scopolamine-treated group. The steady-state activation curve of IK was shifted about 8 mV (P<0.01) in the direction of hyperpolarization in scopolamine-treated rats. The mRNA level of Kv2.1 was increased (P<0.01) in the scopolamine-treated group, but there was no significant change of Kv1.5 mRNA level. The present study demonstrated for the first time that IK was enhanced significantly in hippocampal pyramidal neurons of scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment rats. The increase of Kv2.1 mRNA expression in hippocampal pyramidal cells might be responsible for the enhancement of IK and could be the ionic basis of the memory deficits induced by scopolamine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong-Bo Zhong
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, 1 Xian Nong Tan Street, Beijing 100050, China
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Pickering G, Chapuy E, Eschalier A, Dubray C. Memory Impairment Means Less Pain for Mice. Gerontology 2004; 50:152-6. [PMID: 15114036 DOI: 10.1159/000076772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2003] [Accepted: 07/11/2003] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical observations have reported that individuals with memory deterioration, like in Alzheimer's disease, display a lesser pain sensibility than patients with no cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE To clarify the link between pain and loss of memory, we studied how memory-impaired mice behave when submitted to hotplate nociceptive tests. METHODS For 5 days (D1-D5), male CD1 mice were injected daily intraperitonealy with saline or scopolamine (s, an anticholinergic drug, 0.2 mg/kg) or ketamine (k, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist (NMDAr), 2.5 mg/kg), at doses leading to memory impairment with no analgesic effect. From D6 to D9, all received saline only. They were placed on the hotplate and removed at the first sign of discomfort, response time being recorded. RESULTS From D1 to D5, reaction time decreased significantly in controls only and did not change in mice with scopolamine or ketamine. From D6 to D9, response times decreased (p < 0.05 (s) and p < 0.0001 (k)) to reach the steady state of control animals. At D5, response time was significantly prolonged for scopolamine (p < 0.01) and ketamine (p < 0.05), compared to controls. CONCLUSION These results show that pain sensibility needs the integrity of the central cholinergic and of the NMDA systems, and that mice with memory impairment display a lesser pain sensibility than normal mice. Further research on the complex interactions of receptors and neurotransmitters involved in pain and cognition could assist in gaining a better understanding of pain and analgesia in patients with memory impairment and in demented individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisèle Pickering
- INSERM EMI 9904, Clinical Pharmacology Department, University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
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Sharma M, Gupta YK. Effect of alpha lipoic acid on intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of cognitive impairment in rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2003; 13:241-7. [PMID: 12888183 DOI: 10.1016/s0924-977x(03)00008-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, the effect of alpha lipoic acid, a potent free radical scavenger, was investigated against the intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of cognitive impairment in rats, which is characterized by a progressive deterioration of memory, cerebral glucose and energy metabolism, and oxidative stress. Wistar rats were injected with intracerebroventricular streptozotocin bilaterally. The rats were treated chronically with alpha lipoic acid (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) orally for 21 days starting from day 1 of streptozotocin injection in separate groups. The learning and memory behavior was evaluated and the rats were sacrificed for estimation of oxidative stress. The intracerebroventricular streptozotocin rats treated with alpha lipoic acid (200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significantly less cognitive impairment as compared to the vehicle treated rats. There was also an insignificant increase in oxidative stress in the alpha lipoic acid treated groups. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid in preventing cognitive impairment and oxidative stress induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin and its potential in dementia associated with age and age related neurodegenerative disorders where oxidative stress is involved such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monisha Sharma
- Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India
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Allain H, Bentué-Ferrer D, Tribut O, Gauthier S, Michel BF, Drieu-La Rochelle C. Alzheimer's disease: the pharmacological pathway. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2003; 17:419-28. [PMID: 12914543 DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-8206.2003.00153.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The current pharmacological treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) comes down to four marketed drugs (tacrine, donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine) all of which are cholinesterase inhibitors, conforming to the cholinergic hypothesis. The future is clearly directed at new biological targets closely linked to the pathophysiology of the disease and more precisely, the pathological hallmark of AD which includes widespread neuronal degeneration, neuritic plaques containing beta-amyloid and tau-rich neurofibrillary tangles. For clinicians, this means that new curative drugs will have to be prescribed early in the course of the disease. This review describes the main entry pathways for drug discovery in AD: (1) supplementation therapy, (2) anti-apoptotic compounds, (3) substances with a mitochondrial impact, (4) anti-amyloid substances, (5) anti-protein aggregation and (6) lipid-lowering drugs. The rapidity at which these compounds will be at our disposal is highly dependent on the policy of the pharmaceutical companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hervé Allain
- Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes I, CS 34317, 35043 Rennes cedex, France.
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Törnell J, Snaith M. Transgenic systems in drug discovery: from target identification to humanized mice. Drug Discov Today 2002; 7:461-70. [PMID: 11965395 DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6446(02)02234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical companies are faced with the challenge that only approximately 10% of compounds tested in costly clinical trials eventually become a new drug. Investment in early discovery research can decrease this attrition in late-stage R&D and focus resources on the best targets. Transgenic technology influences decision-making in target identification, target validation, and can also provide better models for human diseases, as well as models designed to alert researchers early about potential issues with drug metabolism and toxicity. Here we review how transgenic technology can reduce the late-stage attrition by increasing the quality of both the target and the compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Törnell
- AstraZeneca Transgenics and Comparative Genomics, AstraZeneca R&D, S-431 83 Mölndal, Sweden.
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Morley JE, Farr SA, Kumar VB, Banks WA. Alzheimer's disease through the eye of a mouse. Acceptance lecture for the 2001 Gayle A. Olson and Richard D. Olson prize. Peptides 2002; 23:589-99. [PMID: 11836012 DOI: 10.1016/s0196-9781(01)00630-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There is now ample evidence that beta-amyloid proteins decrease memory. The SAMP8 mouse (P8) develops an early decline in the ability to learn and to retain new information. The studies reviewed here suggest that this is due to overproduction of beta-amyloid. Both antibodies to beta-amyloid and specific antisense to the amyloid precursor protein reverse these deficits in the P8 mouse. This antisense can cross the blood brain barrier. It is hypothesized that the overproduction of beta-amyloid leads to a decline in Delta(9) desaturase activity with an alteration in membrane fatty acids. This results in altered membrane mobility leading to a decline in neurotransmitter activity and a decreased release of acetylcholine. This decreased cholinergic activity results in a decreased ability of the P8 mouse to learn and retain new information.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Morley
- Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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