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Chakraborty P, Dey A, Gopalakrishnan AV, Swati K, Ojha S, Prakash A, Kumar D, Ambasta RK, Jha NK, Jha SK, Dewanjee S. Glutamatergic neurotransmission: A potential pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of cognitive disorders. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 85:101838. [PMID: 36610558 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101838] [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: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
In the mammalian brain, glutamate is regarded to be the primary excitatory neurotransmitter due to its widespread distribution and wide range of metabolic functions. Glutamate plays key roles in regulating neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, neurite outgrowth, and neuron survival in the brain. Ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors, neurotransmitters, neurotensin, neurosteroids, and others co-ordinately formulate a complex glutamatergic network in the brain that maintains optimal excitatory neurotransmission. Cognitive activities are potentially synchronized by the glutamatergic activities in the brain via restoring synaptic plasticity. Dysfunctional glutamate receptors and other glutamatergic components are responsible for the aberrant glutamatergic activity in the brain that cause cognitive impairments, loss of synaptic plasticity, and neuronal damage. Thus, controlling the brain's glutamatergic transmission and modifying glutamate receptor function could be a potential therapeutic strategy for cognitive disorders. Certain drugs that regulate glutamate receptor activities have shown therapeutic promise in improving cognitive functions in preclinical and clinical studies. However, several issues regarding precise functional information of glutamatergic activity are yet to be comprehensively understood. The present article discusses the scope of developing glutamatergic systems as prospective pharmacotherapeutic targets to treat cognitive disorders. Special attention has been given to recent developments, challenges, and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Chakraborty
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India
| | - Abhijit Dey
- Department of Life Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata 700073, West Bengal, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India
| | - Kumari Swati
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Anand Prakash
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, India
| | - Dhruv Kumar
- School of Health Sciences & Technology, UPES University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Rashmi K Ambasta
- Molecular Neuroscience and Functional Genomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University (Formerly DCE), Delhi 110042, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, UP, India; School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab 144411, India.
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, UP, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali 140413, India; Department of Biotechnology, School of Applied & Life Sciences (SALS), Uttaranchal University, Dehradun 248007, India.
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700032, India.
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2
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Pharmacological modulation of phosphodiesterase-7 as a novel strategy for neurodegenerative disorders. Inflammopharmacology 2022; 30:2051-2061. [PMID: 36272040 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-022-01072-1] [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: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative illness develops as a result of genetic defects that cause changes at numerous levels, including genomic products and biological processes. It entails the degradation of cyclic nucleotides, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). PDE7 modulates intracellular cAMP signalling, which is involved in numerous essential physiological and pathological processes. For the therapy of neurodegenerative illnesses, the normalization of cyclic nucleotide signalling through PDE inhibition remains intriguing. In this article, we shall examine the role of PDEs in neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Stroke, and Epilepsy are related to alterations in PDE7 expression in the brain. Earlier, animal models of neurological illnesses including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis have had significant results to PDE7 inhibitors, i.e., VP3.15; VP1.14. In addition, modulation of CAMP/CREB/GSK/PKA signalling pathways involving PDE7 in neurodegenerative diseases has been addressed. To understand the etiology, treatment options of these disorders mediated by PDE7 and its subtypes can be the focus of future research.
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Hoffmann C, Evcüman S, Neumaier F, Zlatopolskiy BD, Humpert S, Bier D, Holschbach M, Schulze A, Endepols H, Neumaier B. [ 18F]ALX5406: A Brain-Penetrating Prodrug for GlyT1-Specific PET Imaging. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:3335-3346. [PMID: 34449193 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Selective inhibition of glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) has emerged as a potential approach to alleviate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction in patients with schizophrenia and cognitive decline. ALX5407 is a potent and selective inhibitor of GlyT1 derived from the metabolic intermediate sarcosine (N-methylglycine) that showed antipsychotic potential in a number of animal models. Whereas clinical application of ALX5407 is limited by adverse effects on motor performance and respiratory function, a suitably radiolabeled drug could represent a promising PET tracer for the visualization of GlyT1 in the brain. Herein, [18F]ALX5407 and the corresponding methyl ester, [18F]ALX5406, were prepared by alcohol-enhanced copper mediated radiofluorination and studied in vitro in rat brain slices and in vivo in normal rats. [18F]ALX5407 demonstrated accumulation consistent with the distribution of GlyT1 in in vitro autoradiographic studies but no brain uptake in μPET experiments in naı̈ve rats. In contrast, the methyl ester [18F]ALX5406 rapidly entered the brain and was enzymatically transformed into [18F]ALX5407, resulting in a regional accumulation pattern consistent with GlyT1 specific binding. We conclude that [18F]ALX5406 is a promising and easily accessible PET probe for preclinical in vivo imaging of GlyT1 in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Hoffmann
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sibel Evcüman
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Felix Neumaier
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Boris D. Zlatopolskiy
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Swen Humpert
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Dirk Bier
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Marcus Holschbach
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Annette Schulze
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Heike Endepols
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Nuclear Medicine Department, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, 52425 Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Max Planck Institute of Metabolism Research, 50931 Cologne, Germany
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Jankowska A, Satała G, Partyka A, Wesołowska A, Bojarski AJ, Pawłowski M, Chłoń-Rzepa G. Discovery and Development of Non-Dopaminergic Agents for the Treatment of Schizophrenia: Overview of the Preclinical and Early Clinical Studies. Curr Med Chem 2019; 26:4885-4913. [PMID: 31291870 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190710172002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects about 1 in 100 people around the world and results in persistent emotional and cognitive impairments. Untreated schizophrenia leads to deterioration in quality of life and premature death. Although the clinical efficacy of dopamine D2 receptor antagonists against positive symptoms of schizophrenia supports the dopamine hypothesis of the disease, the resistance of negative and cognitive symptoms to these drugs implicates other systems in its pathophysiology. Many studies suggest that abnormalities in glutamate homeostasis may contribute to all three groups of schizophrenia symptoms. Scientific considerations also include disorders of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic and serotonergic neurotransmissions as well as the role of the immune system. The purpose of this review is to update the most recent reports on the discovery and development of non-dopaminergic agents that may reduce positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, and may be alternative to currently used antipsychotics. This review collects the chemical structures of representative compounds targeting metabotropic glutamate receptor, gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor, alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, glycine transporter type 1 and glycogen synthase kinase 3 as well as results of in vitro and in vivo studies indicating their efficacy in schizophrenia. Results of clinical trials assessing the safety and efficacy of the tested compounds have also been presented. Finally, attention has been paid to multifunctional ligands with serotonin receptor affinity or phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity as novel strategies in the search for dedicated medicines for patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Jankowska
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Satała
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Partyka
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Wesołowska
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrzej J Bojarski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smetna Street, 31-343 Krakow, Poland
| | - Maciej Pawłowski
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Grażyna Chłoń-Rzepa
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 9 Medyczna Street, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
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Saleem S, Shaukat F, Gul A, Arooj M, Malik A. Potential role of amino acids in pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Int J Health Sci (Qassim) 2017; 11:63-68. [PMID: 28936154 PMCID: PMC5604273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a syndrome of inconclusive etiopathogenesis with a prevalence of about 1% in general population. Underlying factors include genetic predisposition and defected neurodevelopment in early stages of life. The role of amino acids has been indicated in some reports. However, very few workers have detailed the effect of each amino acid in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Thus, in the present review, we aimed to provide an insight into the potential role of amino acids levels during schizophrenia. Any single amino acid defect cannot lead to the development of the disease. Higher concentration of glycine, serine, glutamate, homocysteine, and arginine are reported by many scientists in blood samples of patients of schizophrenia. Levels of rest of the amino acids show inconsistent results. Involvement of glutamate in pathophysiology of schizophrenia was hypothesized as early as the 1980s. It was demonstrated that dissociative anesthetics which are N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists can produce all negative, psychotic, cognitive, and physiological features of schizophrenia in healthy controls. This led to the development of hypothesis of NMDA receptor hypofunctioning in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Later on, it was also found that agents enhancing functioning of NMDA receptor at glycine modulatory site, improved symptoms in patients of schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic medications. Thus, the relationship of perturb amino acid levels with the biological basis and pathophysiology of schizophrenia is an important area to be further explored for effective management of schizophrenic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamaila Saleem
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,Address for correspondence: Dr. Shamaila Saleem, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Phone: 0552669180. E-mail:
| | - Faiza Shaukat
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Anjuman Gul
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahwish Arooj
- University College of Medicine and Dentistry (UCMD), University of Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Arif Malik
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) (CRiMM), The University of Lahore, Pakistan
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Griebel G, Pichat P, Boulay D, Naimoli V, Potestio L, Featherstone R, Sahni S, Defex H, Desvignes C, Slowinski F, Vigé X, Bergis OE, Sher R, Kosley R, Kongsamut S, Black MD, Varty GB. The mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator, SAR218645, improves memory and attention deficits in translational models of cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35320. [PMID: 27734956 PMCID: PMC5062470 DOI: 10.1038/srep35320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Normalization of altered glutamate neurotransmission through activation of the mGluR2 has emerged as a new approach to treat schizophrenia. These studies describe a potent brain penetrant mGluR2 positive allosteric modulator (PAM), SAR218645. The compound behaves as a selective PAM of mGluR2 in recombinant and native receptor expression systems, increasing the affinity of glutamate at mGluR2 as inferred by competition and GTPγ35S binding assays. SAR218645 augmented the mGluR2-mediated response to glutamate in a rat recombinant mGluR2 forced-coupled Ca2+ mobilization assay. SAR218645 potentiated mGluR2 agonist-induced contralateral turning. When SAR218645 was tested in models of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, it reduced head twitch behavior induced by DOI, but it failed to inhibit conditioned avoidance and hyperactivity using pharmacological and transgenic models. Results from experiments in models of the cognitive symptoms associated with schizophrenia showed that SAR218645 improved MK-801-induced episodic memory deficits in rats and attenuated working memory impairment in NMDA Nr1neo-/- mice. The drug reversed disrupted latent inhibition and auditory-evoked potential in mice and rats, respectively, two endophenotypes of schizophrenia. This profile positions SAR218645 as a promising candidate for the treatment of cognitive symptoms of patients with schizophrenia, in particular those with abnormal attention and sensory gating abilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Griebel
- Sanofi R&D, Strategy, Science Policy &External Innovation, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Philippe Pichat
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Sciences Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Denis Boulay
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Sciences Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Lisa Potestio
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Henry Defex
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Xavier Vigé
- Sanofi R&D, Translational Sciences Unit, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | | | - Rosy Sher
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Mark D Black
- Sanofi R&D, 1041 Route 202/206, Bridgewater, NJ, USA
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Kolomeets NS. [Role of astrocytes in alterations of glutamatergic neurotransmission in schizophrenia]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2015; 115:110-117. [PMID: 25945378 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro201511511110-117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia based on the hypofunction of the N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDA-R) is one of the most widely implicated hypothesis that explains the origin of positive and negative symptoms of illness as well as cognitive deficits. The author considered a neuromorphological aspect of this hypothesis related to the glial astrocytes function. The literature on the astrocyte ability to regulate glutamate neurotransmission is reviewed. Astrocyte abnormalities in schizophrenia include the disturbances of glutamate reuptake, recycling and turnover of endogenous NMDA-R ligands. The results of the experimental and clinical studies that target levels of endogenous NMDA-R ligands, their enzymes and transporters for treatment of schizophrenia symptoms are discussed. Further studies studies are needed to develop this strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Kolomeets
- Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Moscow
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Temporal and spatial transcriptional fingerprints by antipsychotic or propsychotic drugs in mouse brain. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118510. [PMID: 25693194 PMCID: PMC4334909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Various types of antipsychotics have been developed for the treatment of schizophrenia since the accidental discovery of the antipsychotic activity of chlorpromazine. Although all clinically effective antipsychotic agents have common properties to interact with the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) activation, their precise mechanisms of action remain elusive. Antipsychotics are well known to induce transcriptional changes of immediate early genes (IEGs), raising the possibility that gene expressions play an essential role to improve psychiatric symptoms. Here, we report that while different classes of antipsychotics have complex pharmacological profiles against D2R, they share common transcriptome fingerprint (TFP) profile of IEGs in the murine brain in vivo by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Our data showed that various types of antipsychotics with a profound interaction of D2R including haloperidol (antagonist), olanzapine (antagonist), and aripiprazole (partial agonist) all share common spatial TFPs closely homologous to those of D2R antagonist sulpiride, and elicited greater transcriptional responses in the striatum than in the nucleus accumbens. Meanwhile, D2R agonist quinpirole and propsychotic NMDA antagonists such as MK-801 and phencyclidine (PCP) exhibited the contrasting TFP profiles. Clozapine and propsychotic drug methamphetamine (MAP) displayed peculiar TFPs that reflect their unique pharmacological property. Our results suggest that transcriptional responses are conserved across various types of antipsychotics clinically effective in positive symptoms of schizophrenia and also show that temporal and spatial TFPs may reflect the pharmacological features of the drugs. Thus, we propose that a TFP approach is beneficial to evaluate novel drug candidates for antipsychotic development.
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Castner SA, Murthy NV, Ridler K, Herdon H, Roberts BM, Weinzimmer DP, Huang Y, Zheng MQ, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, Carson RE, Williams GV, Laruelle M. Relationship between glycine transporter 1 inhibition as measured with positron emission tomography and changes in cognitive performances in nonhuman primates. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:2742-9. [PMID: 24487737 PMCID: PMC4200505 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2014.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/13/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Several lines of evidence suggest that schizophrenia is associated with deficits in glutamatergic transmission at the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Glycine is a NMDA receptor co-agonist, and extracellular levels of glycine are regulated in the forebrain by the glycine type-1 transporters (GlyT-1). GlyT-1 inhibitors elevate extracellular glycine and thus potentiate NMDA transmission. This mechanism represents a promising new avenue for the treatment of schizophrenia. Here, the recently introduced positron emission tomography radiotracer [11C]GSK931145 was used to quantify the relationship between occupancy of GlyT-1 by a GlyT-1 inhibitor, Org 25935, and its impact on spatial working memory performances in rhesus monkeys. The effect of Org 25935 on working memory was assessed both in control conditions and during a state of relative NMDA hypofunction induced by ketamine administration, at a dose selected for each animal to reduce task performance by about 50%. Under control conditions, Org 25935 had no effect on working memory at GlyT-1 occupancies lower than 75% and significantly impaired working memory at occupancies higher than 75%. Under ketamine conditions, Org 25935 reversed the deficit in working memory induced by ketamine and did so optimally in the 40-70% GlyT-1 occupancy range. The results confirm the efficacy of this mechanism to correct working memory deficits associated with NMDA hypofunction. These data also suggest the existence of an inverted-U dose-response curve in the potential therapeutic effect of this class of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Castner
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - N V Murthy
- Neurosciences Centre for Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow, UK
| | - K Ridler
- Clinical Imaging Centre, GlaxoSmithKline, Hammersmith Hospital–Imperial College, London, UK
| | - H Herdon
- Neurosciences Centre for Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow, UK
| | - B M Roberts
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - D P Weinzimmer
- Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Y Huang
- Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - M Q Zheng
- Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - E A Rabiner
- Clinical Imaging Centre, GlaxoSmithKline, Hammersmith Hospital–Imperial College, London, UK
| | - R N Gunn
- Clinical Imaging Centre, GlaxoSmithKline, Hammersmith Hospital–Imperial College, London, UK
| | - R E Carson
- Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - G V Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - M Laruelle
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,Neurosciences Centre for Excellence in Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline, Harlow, UK,Department of Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA,UCB Pharma, Braine-l'Alleud, Brussels, Belgium,UCB Pharma, Chemin du Foriest, Braine-l'Alleud 1420, Belgium, Tel: +1 914 316 0923, Fax: +322 386 2550, E-mail:
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Dubroqua S, Singer P, Yee BK. Deletion of forebrain glycine transporter 1 enhances conditioned freezing to a reliable, but not an ambiguous, cue for threat in a conditioned freezing paradigm. Behav Brain Res 2014; 273:1-7. [PMID: 25043729 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced expression of Pavlovian aversive conditioning but not appetitive conditioning may indicate a bias in the processing of threatening or fearful events. Mice with disruption of glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) in forebrain neurons exhibit such a bias, but they are at the same time highly sensitive to manipulations that hinder the development of the conditioned response (CR) suggesting that the mutation may modify higher cognitive processes that extract predictive information between environmental cues. Here, we further investigated the development of fear conditioning in forebrain neuronal GlyT1 knockout mice when the predictiveness of a tone stimulus for foot-shock was rendered ambiguous by interspersing [tone→no shock] trials in-between [tone→shock] trials during acquisition. The CR to the ambiguous tone CS (conditioned stimulus) was compared with that generated by an unambiguous CS that was always followed by the shock US (unconditioned stimulus) during acquisition. We showed that rendering the CS ambiguous as described significantly attenuated the CR in the mutants, but it was not sufficient to modify the CR in the control mice. It is concluded that disruption of GlyT1 in forebrain neurons does not increase the risk of forming spurious and potentially maladaptive fear associations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Dubroqua
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neurobiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Schorenstrasse 16, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Legacy Research Institute, 1225 NE Second Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, United States
| | - Philipp Singer
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neurobiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Schorenstrasse 16, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Legacy Research Institute, 1225 NE Second Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, United States
| | - Benjamin K Yee
- Laboratory of Behavioural Neurobiology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Schorenstrasse 16, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland; Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Legacy Research Institute, 1225 NE Second Avenue, Portland, OR 97232, United States.
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The relationship between glycine transporter 1 occupancy and the effects of the glycine transporter 1 inhibitor RG1678 or ORG25935 on object retrieval performance in scopolamine impaired rhesus monkey. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:511-9. [PMID: 24051602 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3260-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Reduced NMDA receptor functioning is hypothesized to underlie the cognitive and negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia. However, because direct activation of the NMDA receptor is accompanied by neurotoxicity, mechanisms that activate the glycine co-agonist site on the NMDA receptor could carry greater therapeutic potential. In the current study, the effects of two glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) inhibitors, RG1678 and ORG25935, were characterized in the object-retrieval detour (ORD) task in scopolamine-impaired rhesus monkeys and, using positron emission tomography (PET), the GlyT1 occupancy to efficacy relationship of each compound was established. Scopolamine exerted a significant decrease in accuracy in the ORD task. Lower doses of RG1678 (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly attenuated the impact of scopolamine, whereas the highest dose tested (1.8 mg/kg) did not. The predicted GlyT1 occupancies of RG1678 at the effective doses were ~10 and 30 %. ORG25935 (0.1, 0.3, and 1 mg/kg, p.o.) also significantly attenuated the impact of scopolamine on the ORD task, whereas 3 mg/kg did not. The predicted GlyT1 occupancies of ORG25935 at the effective doses ranged from 16 to 80 %. These data suggest that GlyT1 inhibitors have the potential to improve performance on prefrontal cortex-dependent tests such as the ORD task, but that efficacy is lost when higher occupancies are achieved. Importantly, recent Ph2B data published by Roche suggests that low but not high doses of RG1678 improved negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia, highlighting the potential translational nature of the current preclinical findings.
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Glycine transporters as novel therapeutic targets in schizophrenia, alcohol dependence and pain. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2014; 12:866-85. [PMID: 24172334 DOI: 10.1038/nrd3893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glycine transporters are endogenous regulators of the dual functions of glycine, which acts as a classical inhibitory neurotransmitter at glycinergic synapses and as a modulator of neuronal excitation mediated by NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors at glutamatergic synapses. The two major subtypes of glycine transporters, GlyT1 and GlyT2, have been linked to the pathogenesis and/or treatment of central and peripheral nervous system disorders, including schizophrenia and related affective and cognitive disturbances, alcohol dependence, pain, epilepsy, breathing disorders and startle disease (also known as hyperekplexia). This Review examines the rationale for the therapeutic potential of GlyT1 and GlyT2 inhibition, and surveys the latest advances in the biology of glycine reuptake and transport as well as the drug discovery and clinical development of compounds that block glycine transporters.
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13
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GlyT-1 Inhibitors: From Hits to Clinical Candidates. SMALL MOLECULE THERAPEUTICS FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/7355_2014_53] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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14
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Quinoline- and isoquinoline-sulfonamide analogs of aripiprazole: novel antipsychotic agents? Future Med Chem 2014; 6:57-75. [DOI: 10.4155/fmc.13.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The introduction of typical antipsychotics over six decades ago signaled an important milestone in psychiatry. However, second-generation antipsychotics ameliorated the positive symptoms of schizophrenia but displayed limited effectiveness for the negative and cognitive symptoms. In addition, while the newer antipsychotics produced fewer motor side effects, the atypical antipsychotics still induced weight gain and endocrinopathies. In recent years, a third generation of antipsychotics was identified. Aripiprazole was the first approved drug acting as a D2 partial agonist/functionally selective ligand. This review presents the state of the development of novel antipsychotic dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic agents, supported by an overview of the compounds evaluated under advanced preclinical and clinical development (e.g., cariprazine and brexpiprazole). In line with the recent trends in the development of modern atypical antipsychotics, we present our strategic development of long-chain arylpiperazine-derived quinoline- and isoquinoline-sulfonamide displaying a multireceptor binding profile and partial D2 receptor agonism.
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Phencyclidine decreases tickling-induced 50-kHz ultrasound vocalizations in juvenile rats. Behav Pharmacol 2013; 24:543-51. [DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0b013e3283654044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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16
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Kiss T, Feng J, Hoffmann W, Shaffer C, Hajós M. Rhythmic theta and delta activity of cortical and hippocampal neuronal networks in genetically or pharmacologically induced N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor hypofunction under urethane anesthesia. Neuroscience 2013; 237:255-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2013.01.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2012] [Revised: 01/19/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2013] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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17
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Lakhan SE, Caro M, Hadzimichalis N. NMDA Receptor Activity in Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Front Psychiatry 2013; 4:52. [PMID: 23772215 PMCID: PMC3677126 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2013] [Accepted: 05/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
N-Methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors play a variety of physiologic roles and their proper signaling is essential for cellular homeostasis. Any disruption in this pathway, leading to either enhanced or decreased activity, may result in the manifestation of neuropsychiatric pathologies such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, substance induced psychosis, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus. Here, we explore the notion that the overlap in activity of at least one biochemical pathway, the NMDA receptor pathway, may be the link to understanding the overlap in psychotic symptoms between diseases. This review intends to present a broad overview of those neuropsychiatric disorders for which alternations in NMDA receptor activity is prominent thus suggesting that continued direction of pharmaceutical intervention to this pathway may present a viable option for managing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheen E Lakhan
- Biosciences Department, Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation , Beverly Hills, CA , USA ; Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic , Cleveland, OH , USA
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18
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Revel FG, Moreau JL, Gainetdinov RR, Ferragud A, Velázquez-Sánchez C, Sotnikova TD, Morairty SR, Harmeier A, Groebke Zbinden K, Norcross RD, Bradaia A, Kilduff TS, Biemans B, Pouzet B, Caron MG, Canales JJ, Wallace TL, Wettstein JG, Hoener MC. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 partial agonism reveals novel paradigm for neuropsychiatric therapeutics. Biol Psychiatry 2012; 72:934-42. [PMID: 22705041 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2012.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2012] [Revised: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 05/19/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Trace amines, compounds structurally related to classical biogenic amines, represent endogenous ligands of the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). Because trace amines also influence the activity of other targets, selective ligands are needed for the elucidation of TAAR1 function. Here we report on the identification and characterization of the first selective and potent TAAR1 partial agonist. METHODS The TAAR1 partial agonist RO5203648 was evaluated for its binding affinity and functional activity at rodent and primate TAAR1 receptors stably expressed in HEK293 cells, for its physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties, for its effects on the firing frequency of monoaminergic neurons ex vivo, and for its properties in vivo with genetic and pharmacological models of central nervous system disorders. RESULTS RO5203648 showed high affinity and potency at TAAR1, high selectivity versus other targets, and favorable pharmacokinetic properties. In mouse brain slices, RO5203648 increased the firing frequency of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area and the dorsal raphe nucleus, respectively. In various behavioral paradigms in rodents and monkeys, RO5203648 demonstrated clear antipsychotic- and antidepressant-like activities as well as potential anxiolytic-like properties. Furthermore, it attenuated drug-taking behavior and was highly effective in promoting attention, cognitive performance, and wakefulness. CONCLUSIONS With the first potent and selective TAAR1 partial agonist, RO5203648, we show that TAAR1 is implicated in a broad range of relevant physiological, behavioral, and cognitive neuropsychiatric dimensions. Collectively, these data uncover important neuromodulatory roles for TAAR1 and suggest that agonists at this receptor might have therapeutic potential in one or more neuropsychiatric domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent G Revel
- Neuroscience Research, Pharmaceuticals Division, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
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Balla A, Schneider S, Sershen H, Javitt DC. Effects of novel, high affinity glycine transport inhibitors on frontostriatal dopamine release in a rodent model of schizophrenia. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2012; 22:902-10. [PMID: 22561005 PMCID: PMC3882073 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2011] [Revised: 03/11/2012] [Accepted: 03/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic hyperactivity within frontostriatal brain systems is a key feature of schizophrenia, and an objective neural correlate of positive schizophrenia symptoms. N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are known to play a prominent role in regulation of frontostriatal dopamine release. Furthermore, disturbances in glutamatergic function are increasingly being linked to pathophysiology of both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Prior studies have demonstrated that subchronic continuous administration of the NMDA antagonist phencyclidine (PCP) induces schizophrenia-like hyper-reactivity of frontostriatal dopamine release to amphetamine (AMPH) in rodents, and that effects were reversed by glycine and the prototypic glycine transport inhibitor (GTI) NFPS. The present study investigates effectiveness of the novel, high affinity and well tolerated GTIs, R231857, R231860 and Org29335, to reverse schizophrenia-like enhancement of AMPH-induced DA release, along with effects of the partial glycine-site agonist d-cycloserine. As previously, PCP had no significant effect on basal DA levels, but significantly enhanced AMPH-induced DA release in prefrontal cortex. All GTIs tested, as well as d-cycloserine, significantly reduced PCP-induced enhancement of DA release in prefrontal cortex. Neither PCP nor GTIs significantly affected striatal DA release. Overall, these findings suggest that treatments which target the glycine modulatory site of the NMDA receptor may significantly reverse NMDA receptor antagonist-induced dysregulation of frontal DA systems, consistent with potential beneficial effects on positive-, in addition to negative-, symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Balla
- Translational Schizophrenia Research Center, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
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20
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Morrow JA, Gilfillan R, Neale SA. Glutamatergic Approaches for the Treatment of Schizophrenia. DRUG DISCOVERY FOR PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS 2012. [DOI: 10.1039/9781849734943-00056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system and plays a key role in most aspects of normal brain function including cognition, learning and memory. Dysfunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission has been implicated in a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders with a growing body of evidence suggesting that hypofunction of glutamatergic neurotransmission via the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor plays an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. It thus follows that potentiation of NMDA receptor function via pharmacological manipulation may provide therapeutic utility for the treatment of schizophrenia and a number of different approaches are currently being pursued by the pharmaceutical industry with this aim in mind. These include strategies that target the glycine/d-serine site of the NMDA receptor (glycine transporter GlyT1, d-serine transporter ASC-1 and d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) inhibitors) together with those aimed at enhancing glutamatergic neurotransmission via modulation of AMPA receptor and metabotropic glutamate receptor function. Such efforts are now beginning to bear fruit with compounds such as the GlyT1 inhibitor RG1678 and mGlu2 agonist LY2140023 proving to have clinical meaningful effects in phase II clinical trials. While more studies are required to confirm long-term efficacy, functional outcome and safety in schizophrenic agents, these agents hold real promise for addressing unmet medical needs, in particular refractory negative and cognitive symptoms, not currently addressed by existing antipsychotic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A. Morrow
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology, Merck Research Laboratories 2015 Galloping Hill Road, Kenilworth, New Jersey 07033 USA
| | - Robert Gilfillan
- Discovery Chemistry, Merck Research Laboratories 770 Sumneytown Pike, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486 USA
| | - Stuart A. Neale
- Neurexpert Ltd Ground Floor, 2 Woodberry Grove, North Finchley, London, N12 0DR UK
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21
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Imidazopyridazinones as novel PDE7 inhibitors: SAR and in vivo studies in Parkinson’s disease model. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2012; 22:6286-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2012.07.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2012] [Revised: 07/02/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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22
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Characterization of the neuropsychological phenotype of glycine N-methyltransferase-/- mice and evaluation of its responses to clozapine and sarcosine treatments. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2012; 22:596-606. [PMID: 22264868 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2011] [Revised: 11/29/2011] [Accepted: 12/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Glycine N-methyltransferase (GNMT) affects cellular methylation capacity through regulating the ratio between S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH). The product of its enzymatic reaction-sarcosine has antipsychotic effect in patients with schizophrenia. In this study, through RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining, we demonstrated that GNMT expressed in various neurons located in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra and cerebellum. Compared to the wild-type mice, Gnmt-/- mice had significantly lower level of sarcosine in the cerebral cortex. Real-time PCR identified genes involved in the methionine metabolism (Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a), ErbB (Nrg1 and ErbB4) and mTOR (Akt2, S6, S6k1 and S6k2) signaling pathways were dysregulated significantly in the cortex of Gnmt-/- mice. Acoustic startle reflex test demonstrated that Gnmt-/- mice had significantly lower level of prepulse inhibition and the deficit was ameliorated through clozapine or sarcosine treatment. Furthermore, liver-specific-human-GNMT transgenic with Gnmt-/- (Tg-GNMT/Gnmt-/-) mice were used to rule out that the phenotype was due to abnormal liver function. In summary, the neuropsychological abnormalities found in Gnmt-/- mice may represent an endophenotype of schizophrenia. GNMT plays an important role in maintaining normal physiological function of brain and Tg-GNMT/Gnmt-/- mice are useful models for development of therapeutics for patients with schizophrenia.
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23
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Targeting glutamate system for novel antipsychotic approaches: Relevance for residual psychotic symptoms and treatment resistant schizophrenia. Eur J Pharmacol 2012; 682:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.02.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2011] [Revised: 02/08/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2012] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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O'Tuathaigh CMP, Desbonnet L, Waddington JL. Mutant mouse models in evaluating novel approaches to antipsychotic treatment. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2012:113-45. [PMID: 23027414 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-25758-2_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
In this review we consider the application of mutant mouse phenotypes to the study of psychotic illness in general and schizophrenia in particular, as they relate to behavioral, psychopharmacological, and cellular phenotypes of putative import for antipsychotic drug development. Mutant models appear to be heuristic at two main levels; firstly, by indicating the functional roles of neuronal components thought to be of relevance to the putative pathobiology of psychotic illness, they help resolve overt behavioral and underlying cellular processes regulated by those neuronal components; secondly, by indicating the functional roles of genes associated with risk for psychotic illness, they help resolve overt behavioral and underlying cellular processes regulated by those risk genes. We focus initially on models of dopaminergic and glutamatergic dysfunction. Then, we consider advances in the genetics of schizophrenia and mutant models relating to replicable risk genes. Lastly, we extend this discussion by exemplifying two new variant approaches in mutant mice that may serve as prototypes for advancing antipsychotic drug development. There is continuing need not only to address numerous technical challenges but also to develop more "real-world" paradigms that reflect the milieu of gene × environment and gene × gene interactions that characterize psychotic illness and its response to antipsychotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colm M P O'Tuathaigh
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland.
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Glycine reuptake inhibitor RG1678: a pharmacologic characterization of an investigational agent for the treatment of schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:1152-61. [PMID: 22138164 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2011] [Revised: 11/02/2011] [Accepted: 11/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Dysfunctional N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. It is thought that this abnormal functioning can be corrected by increasing availability of the NMDA co-agonist glycine through inhibition of glycine transporter type 1 (GlyT1). Herein is described the pharmacologic profile of RG1678, a potent and noncompetitive glycine reuptake inhibitor. In vitro, RG1678 noncompetitively inhibited glycine uptake at human GlyT1 with a concentration exhibiting half-maximal inhibition (IC(50)) of 25 nM and competitively blocked [(3)H]ORG24598 binding sites at human GlyT1b in membranes from Chinese hamster ovary cells. In hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells, RG1678 enhanced NMDA-dependent long-term potentiation at 100 nM but not at 300 nM. In vivo, RG1678 dose-dependently increased cerebrospinal fluid and striatal levels of glycine measured by microdialysis in rats. Additionally RG1678 attenuated hyperlocomotion induced by the psychostimulant d-amphetamine or the NMDA receptor glycine site antagonist L-687,414 in mice. RG1678 also prevented the hyper-response to d-amphetamine challenge in rats treated chronically with phencyclidine, an NMDA receptor open-channel blocker. In the latter experiment, a decrease in ex vivo striatal [(3)H]raclopride binding was also measured. These data demonstrate that RG1678 is a potent, noncompetitive glycine reuptake inhibitor that can modulate both glutamatergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission in animal experiments that model aspects of schizophrenia. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder'.
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26
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Field JR, Walker AG, Conn PJ. Targeting glutamate synapses in schizophrenia. Trends Mol Med 2011; 17:689-98. [PMID: 21955406 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2011.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2011] [Revised: 08/12/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Although early clinical observations implicated dopamine dysfunction in the neuropathology of schizophrenia, accumulating evidence suggests that multiple neurotransmitter pathways are dysregulated. The psychotomimetic actions of NMDA receptor antagonists point to an imbalance of glutamatergic signaling. Encouragingly, numerous preclinical and clinical studies have elucidated several potential targets for increasing NMDA receptor function and equilibrating glutamatergic tone, including the metabotropic glutamate receptors 2, 3 and 5, the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M(1) and M(4), and the glycine transporter GlyT1. Highly specific allosteric and orthosteric ligands have been developed that modify the activity of these novel target proteins, and in this review we summarize both the glutamatergic mechanisms and the novel compounds that are increasing the promise for a multifaceted pharmacological approach to treat schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie R Field
- Department of Pharmacology and Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
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Comparative pharmacology of antipsychotics possessing combined dopamine D2 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptor properties. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 216:451-73. [PMID: 21394633 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-011-2247-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2010] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE There is increasing interest in antipsychotics intended to manage positive symptoms via D(2) receptor blockade and improve negative symptoms and cognitive deficits via 5-HT(1A) activation. Such a strategy reduces side-effects such as the extrapyramidal syndrome (EPS), weight gain, and autonomic disturbance liability. OBJECTIVE This study aims to review pharmacological literature on compounds interacting at both 5-HT(1A) and D(2) receptors (as well as at other receptors), including aripiprazole, perospirone, ziprasidone, bifeprunox, lurasidone and cariprazine, PF-217830, adoprazine, SSR181507, and F15063. METHODS We examine data on in vitro binding and agonism and in vivo tests related to (1) positive symptoms (e.g., psychostimulant-induced hyperactivity or prepulse inhibition deficit), (2) negative symptoms (e.g., phencyclidine-induced social interaction deficits and cortical dopamine release), and (3) cognitive deficits (e.g., phencyclidine or scopolamine-induced memory deficits). EPS liability is assessed by measuring catalepsy and neuroendocrine impact by determining plasma prolactin, glucose, and corticosterone levels. RESULTS Compounds possessing "balanced" 5-HT(1A) receptor agonism and D(2) antagonism (or weak partial agonism) and, in some cases, combined with other beneficial properties, such as 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonism, are efficacious in a broad range of rodent pharmacological models yet have a lower propensity to elicit EPS or metabolic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Recent compounds exhibiting combined 5-HT(1A)/D(2) properties may be effective in treating a broader range of symptoms of schizophrenia and be better tolerated than existing antipsychotics. Nevertheless, further investigations are necessary to evaluate recent compounds, notably in view of their differing levels of 5-HT(1A) affinity and efficacy, which can markedly influence activity and side-effect profiles.
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TAAR1 activation modulates monoaminergic neurotransmission, preventing hyperdopaminergic and hypoglutamatergic activity. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 108:8485-90. [PMID: 21525407 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1103029108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 238] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), activated by endogenous metabolites of amino acids like the trace amines p-tyramine and β-phenylethylamine, has proven to be an important modulator of the dopaminergic system and is considered a promising target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders. To decipher the brain functions of TAAR1, a selective TAAR1 agonist, RO5166017, was engineered. RO5166017 showed high affinity and potent functional activity at mouse, rat, cynomolgus monkey, and human TAAR1 stably expressed in HEK293 cells as well as high selectivity vs. other targets. In mouse brain slices, RO5166017 inhibited the firing frequency of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons in regions where Taar1 is expressed (i.e., the ventral tegmental area and dorsal raphe nucleus, respectively). In contrast, RO5166017 did not change the firing frequency of noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus, an area devoid of Taar1 expression. Furthermore, modulation of TAAR1 activity altered the desensitization rate and agonist potency at 5-HT(1A) receptors in the dorsal raphe, suggesting that TAAR1 modulates not only dopaminergic but also serotonergic neurotransmission. In WT but not Taar1(-/-) mice, RO5166017 prevented stress-induced hyperthermia and blocked dopamine-dependent hyperlocomotion in cocaine-treated and dopamine transporter knockout mice as well as hyperactivity induced by an NMDA antagonist. These results tie TAAR1 to the control of monoamine-driven behaviors and suggest anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like properties for agonists such as RO5166017, opening treatment opportunities for psychiatric disorders.
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Möhler H, Boison D, Singer P, Feldon J, Pauly-Evers M, Yee BK. Glycine transporter 1 as a potential therapeutic target for schizophrenia-related symptoms: evidence from genetically modified mouse models and pharmacological inhibition. Biochem Pharmacol 2011; 81:1065-77. [PMID: 21333635 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2011.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/09/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is characterized by positive symptoms such as hallucinations, negative symptoms such as blunted affect, and symptoms of cognitive deficiency such as deficits in working memory and selective attention. N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction has been implicated in all three pathophysiological aspects of the disease. Due to the severe side effects of direct NMDAR agonists, targeting the modulatory co-agonist glycine-B site of the NMDAR is considered to be a promising strategy to ameliorate NMDAR hypofunction. To assess the antipsychotic and pro-cognitive potential of this approach, we examine the strategies designed to enhance glycine-B site occupancy through glycine transporter 1 (GlyT1) blockade. Among the existing transgenic mouse models with GlyT1 deficits, the one specifically targeting forebrain neuronal GlyT1 has yielded the most promising data on cognitive enhancement. Parallel advances in the pharmacology of GlyT1 inhibition point not only to an enhancement of attention, learning and memory but also include suggestions of mood enhancing effects that might be valuable for treating negative symptoms. Thus, interventions at GlyT1 are highly effective in modifying multiple brain functions, and dissection of their respective mechanisms is expected to further maximize their therapeutic potential for human mental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanns Möhler
- Institute of Pharmacology, University and ETH Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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Labrie V, Wong AHC, Roder JC. Contributions of the D-serine pathway to schizophrenia. Neuropharmacology 2011; 62:1484-503. [PMID: 21295046 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2010] [Revised: 01/16/2011] [Accepted: 01/19/2011] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
The glutamate neurotransmitter system is one of the major candidate pathways for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and increased understanding of the pharmacology, molecular biology and biochemistry of this system may lead to novel treatments. Glutamatergic hypofunction, particularly at the NMDA receptor, has been hypothesized to underlie many of the symptoms of schizophrenia, including psychosis, negative symptoms and cognitive impairment. This review will focus on D-serine, a co-agonist at the NMDA receptor that in combination with glutamate, is required for full activation of this ion channel receptor. Evidence implicating D-serine, NMDA receptors and related molecules, such as D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), G72 and serine racemase (SRR), in the etiology or pathophysiology of schizophrenia is discussed, including knowledge gained from mouse models with altered D-serine pathway genes and from preliminary clinical trials with D-serine itself or compounds modulating the D-serine pathway. Abnormalities in D-serine availability may underlie glutamatergic dysfunction in schizophrenia, and the development of new treatments acting through the D-serine pathway may significantly improve outcomes for many schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviane Labrie
- Krembil Family Epigenetics Laboratory, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College St, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada.
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Discordant behavioral effects of psychotomimetic drugs in mice with altered NMDA receptor function. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2011; 213:143-53. [PMID: 20865248 PMCID: PMC4818544 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-2023-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2010] [Accepted: 09/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Enhancement of N-methyl-D: -aspartate receptor (NMDAR) activity through its glycine modulatory site (GMS) is a novel therapeutic approach in schizophrenia. Brain concentrations of endogenous GMS agonist D: -serine and antagonist N-acetyl-aspartylglutamate are regulated by serine racemase (SR) and glutamic acid decarboxylase 2 (GCP2), respectively. Using mice genetically, under-expressing these enzymes may clarify the role of NMDAR-mediated neurotransmission in schizophrenia. OBJECTIVES We investigated the behavioral effects of two psychotomimetic drugs, the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist, phencyclidine (PCP; 0, 1.0, 3.0, or 6.0 mg/kg), and the indirect dopamine receptor agonist, amphetamine (AMPH; 0, 1.0, 2.0, or 4.0 mg/kg), in SR -/- and GCP2 -/+ mice. Outcome measures were locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex. Acute effects of an exogenous GMS antagonist, gavestinel (0, 3.0, or 10.0 mg/kg), on PCP-induced behaviors were examined in wild-type mice for comparison to the mutants with reduced GMS activity. RESULTS PCP-induced hyperactivity was increased in GCP2 -/+ mice, and PCP-enhanced startle reactivity was increased in SR -/- mice. PCP disruption of PPI was unaffected in either mutant. In contrast, gavestinel attenuated PCP-induced PPI disruption without effect on baseline PPI or locomotor activity. AMPH effects were similar to controls in both mutant strains. CONCLUSIONS The results of the PCP experiments demonstrate that convergence of pharmacological and genetic manipulations at NMDARs may confound the predictive validity of these preclinical assays for the effects of GMS activation in schizophrenia. The AMPH data provide additional evidence that hyperdopaminergia in schizophrenia may be distinct from NMDAR hypofunction.
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Bradford AM, Savage KM, Jones DNC, Kalinichev M. Validation and pharmacological characterisation of MK-801-induced locomotor hyperactivity in BALB/C mice as an assay for detection of novel antipsychotics. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2010; 212:155-70. [PMID: 20676613 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-010-1938-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE We evaluated locomotor hyperactivity induced in BALB/C mice by an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK-801 as an assay for the detection of antipsychotic drugs. OBJECTIVES We assessed the effects of antipsychotic drugs to validate the assay (study 1), selective dopamine and serotonin ligands for pharmacological characterisation of the model (study 2) and a number of compounds with efficacy in models of schizophrenia to understand the predictive validity of the model (study 3). METHODS Adult males (n = 9/group) were pretreated with a test compound, habituated to locomotor activity cages before receiving MK-801 (0.32 mg/kg) and activity recorded for a further 75 or 120 min. In study 1, we tested haloperidol, clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, ziprasidone, aripiprazole, sertindole and quetiapine. In study 2, we tested SCH23390 (D(1) antagonist), sulpiride (D(2)/D(3) antagonist), raclopride (D(2)/D(3) antagonist), SB-277011 (D(3) antagonist), L-745,870 (D(4) antagonist), WAY100635 (5-HT(1A) antagonist), 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT(1A) agonist), ketanserin (5-HT(2A)/5-HT(2C) antagonist) and SB-242084 (5-HT(2C) antagonist). In study 3, we tested xanomeline (M(1)/M(4) receptor agonist), LY379268 (mGluR2/3 receptor agonist), diazepam (GABA(A) modulator) and thioperamide (H(3) receptor antagonist). RESULTS All antipsychotics suppressed MK-801-induced hyperactivity in a dose-dependent and specific manner. The effects of antipsychotics appear to be mediated via dopamine D(1), D(2) and 5-HT(2) receptors. Xanomeline, LY379268 and diazepam were active in this assay while thioperamide was not. CONCLUSIONS MK-801-induced hyperactivity in BALB/C mice model of positive symptoms has shown predictive validity with novel compounds acing at M(1)/M(4), mGluR2/3 and GABA(A) receptors and can be used as a screening assay for detection of novel pharmacotherapies targeting those receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Bradford
- Biology Department, Neurosciences Centre of Excellence for Drug Discovery, GlaxoSmithKline plc, New Frontiers Science Park, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AW, UK
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Cioffi CL, Liu S, Wolf MA. Recent Developments in Glycine Transporter-1 Inhibitors. ANNUAL REPORTS IN MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0065-7743(10)45002-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
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