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Kanwal H, Sangineto M, Ciarnelli M, Castaldo P, Villani R, Romano AD, Serviddio G, Cassano T. Potential Therapeutic Targets to Modulate the Endocannabinoid System in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4050. [PMID: 38612861 PMCID: PMC11012768 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disease (NDD), is characterized by chronic neuronal cell death through progressive loss of cognitive function. Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are considered the hallmarks of AD pathology. Different therapeutic approaches approved by the Food and Drug Administration can only target a single altered pathway instead of various mechanisms that are involved in AD pathology, resulting in limited symptomatic relief and almost no effect in slowing down the disease progression. Growing evidence on modulating the components of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) proclaimed their neuroprotective effects by reducing neurochemical alterations and preventing cellular dysfunction. Recent studies on AD mouse models have reported that the inhibitors of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and monoacylglycerol (MAGL), hydrolytic enzymes for N-arachidonoyl ethanolamine (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), respectively, might be promising candidates as therapeutical intervention. The FAAH and MAGL inhibitors alone or in combination seem to produce neuroprotection by reversing cognitive deficits along with Aβ-induced neuroinflammation, oxidative responses, and neuronal death, delaying AD progression. Their exact signaling mechanisms need to be elucidated for understanding the brain intrinsic repair mechanism. The aim of this review was to shed light on physiology and pathophysiology of AD and to summarize the experimental data on neuroprotective roles of FAAH and MAGL inhibitors. In this review, we have also included CB1R and CB2R modulators with their diverse roles to modulate ECS mediated responses such as anti-nociceptive, anxiolytic, and anti-inflammatory actions in AD. Future research would provide the directions in understanding the molecular mechanisms and development of new therapeutic interventions for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina Kanwal
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Moris Sangineto
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Martina Ciarnelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Pasqualina Castaldo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, School of Medicine, University “Politecnica delle Marche”, 60126 Ancona, Italy;
| | - Rosanna Villani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Antonino Davide Romano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Gaetano Serviddio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
| | - Tommaso Cassano
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy; (M.S.); (M.C.); (R.V.); (A.D.R.); (G.S.); (T.C.)
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Reich N, Hölscher C. Cholecystokinin (CCK): a neuromodulator with therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Front Neuroendocrinol 2024; 73:101122. [PMID: 38346453 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2024.101122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a neuropeptide modulating digestion, glucose levels, neurotransmitters and memory. Recent studies suggest that CCK exhibits neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, we review the physiological function and therapeutic potential of CCK. The neuropeptide facilitates hippocampal glutamate release and gates GABAergic basket cell activity, which improves declarative memory acquisition, but inhibits consolidation. Cortical CCK alters recognition memory and enhances audio-visual processing. By stimulating CCK-1 receptors (CCK-1Rs), sulphated CCK-8 elicits dopamine release in the substantia nigra and striatum. In the mesolimbic pathway, CCK release is triggered by dopamine and terminates reward responses via CCK-2Rs. Importantly, activation of hippocampal and nigral CCK-2Rs is neuroprotective by evoking AMPK activation, expression of mitochondrial fusion modulators and autophagy. Other benefits include vagus nerve/CCK-1R-mediated expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, intestinal protection and suppression of inflammation. We also discuss caveats and the therapeutic combination of CCK with other peptide hormones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Reich
- The ALBORADA Drug Discovery Institute, University of Cambridge, Island Research Building, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK; Faculty of Health and Medicine, Biomedical & Life Sciences Division, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.
| | - Christian Hölscher
- Second associated Hospital, Neurology Department, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Neurodegeneration research group, Xinzhen, Henan province, China
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Chen KS, Noureldein MH, Rigan DM, Hayes JM, Savelieff MG, Feldman EL. Regional interneuron transcriptional changes reveal pathologic markers of disease progression in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.11.01.565165. [PMID: 37961679 PMCID: PMC10635060 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.01.565165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and leading cause of dementia, characterized by neuronal and synapse loss, amyloid-β and tau protein aggregates, and a multifactorial pathology involving neuroinflammation, vascular dysfunction, and disrupted metabolism. Additionally, there is growing evidence of imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition in the AD brain secondary to dysfunction of parvalbumin (PV)- and somatostatin (SST)-positive interneurons, which differentially modulate neuronal activity. Importantly, impaired interneuron activity in AD may occur upstream of amyloid-β pathology rendering it a potential therapeutic target. To determine the underlying pathologic processes involved in interneuron dysfunction, we spatially profiled the brain transcriptome of the 5XFAD AD mouse model versus controls, across four brain regions, dentate gyrus, hippocampal CA1 and CA3, and cortex, at early-stage (12 weeks-of-age) and late-stage (30 weeks-of-age) disease. Global comparison of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) followed by enrichment analysis of 5XFAD versus control highlighted various biological pathways related to RNA and protein processing, transport, and clearance in early-stage disease and neurodegeneration pathways at late-stage disease. Early-stage DEGs examination found shared, e.g ., RNA and protein biology, and distinct, e.g ., N-glycan biosynthesis, pathways enriched in PV-versus somatostatin SST-positive interneurons and in excitatory neurons, which expressed neurodegenerative and axon- and synapse-related pathways. At late-stage disease, PV-positive interneurons featured cancer and cancer signaling pathways along with neuronal and synapse pathways, whereas SST-positive interneurons showcased glycan biosynthesis and various infection pathways. Late-state excitatory neurons were primarily characterized by neurodegenerative pathways. These fine-grained transcriptomic profiles for PV- and SST-positive interneurons in a time- and spatial-dependent manner offer new insight into potential AD pathophysiology and therapeutic targets.
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Melgosa-Ecenarro L, Doostdar N, Radulescu CI, Jackson JS, Barnes SJ. Pinpointing the locus of GABAergic vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:35-54. [PMID: 35963663 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been linked to microcircuit dysfunction and pathophysiological neuronal firing in several brain regions. Inhibitory GABAergic microcircuitry is a critical feature of stable neural-circuit function in the healthy brain, and its dysregulation has therefore been proposed as contributing to AD-related pathophysiology. However, exactly how the critical balance between excitatory and inhibitory microcircuitry is modified by AD pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we set the current evidence implicating dysfunctional GABAergic microcircuitry as a driver of early AD pathophysiology in a simple conceptual framework. Our framework is based on a generalised reductionist model of firing-rate control by local feedback inhibition. We use this framework to consider multiple loci that may be vulnerable to disruption by AD pathogenesis. We first start with evidence investigating how AD-related processes may impact the gross number of inhibitory neurons in the network. We then move to discuss how pathology may impact intrinsic cellular properties and firing thresholds of GABAergic neurons. Finally, we cover how AD-related pathogenesis may disrupt synaptic connectivity between excitatory and inhibitory neurons. We use the feedback inhibition framework to discuss and organise the available evidence from both preclinical rodent work and human studies in AD patients and conclude by identifying key questions and understudied areas for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leire Melgosa-Ecenarro
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nazanin Doostdar
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Carola I Radulescu
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Johanna S Jackson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Samuel J Barnes
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
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Zhang Q, Liu J, Chen L, Zhang M. Promoting Endogenous Neurogenesis as a Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:1353-1368. [PMID: 36445633 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03145-2] [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: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most universal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by memory loss and cognitive impairment. AD is biologically defined by production and aggregation of misfolded protein including extracellular amyloid β (Aβ) peptide and intracellular microtubule-associated protein tau tangles in neurons, leading to irreversible neuronal loss. At present, regulation of endogenous neurogenesis to supplement lost neurons has been proposed as a promising strategy for treatment of AD. However, the exact underlying mechanisms of impaired neurogenesis in AD have not been fully explained and effective treatments targeting neurogenesis for AD are limited. In this review, we mainly focus on the latest research of impaired neurogenesis in AD. Then we discuss the factors affecting stages of neurogenesis and the interplay between neural stem cells (NSCs) and neurogenic niche under AD pathological conditions. This review aims to explore potential therapeutic strategies that promote endogenous neurogenesis for AD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Jingyue Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China. .,School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China.
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Jeong N, Singer AC. Learning from inhibition: Functional roles of hippocampal CA1 inhibition in spatial learning and memory. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102604. [PMID: 35810533 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampal inhibitory interneurons exert a powerful influence on learning and memory. Inhibitory interneurons are known to play a major role in many diseases that affect memory, and to strongly influence brain functions required for memory-related tasks. While previous studies involving genetic, optogenetic, and pharmacological manipulations have shown that hippocampal interneurons play essential roles in spatial and episodic learning and memory, exactly how interneurons affect local circuit computations during spatial navigation is not well understood. Given the significant anatomical, morphological, and functional heterogeneity in hippocampal interneurons, one may suspect cell-type specific roles in circuit computations. Here, we review emerging evidence of CA1 hippocampal interneurons' role in local circuit computations that support spatial learning and memory and discuss open questions about CA1 interneurons in spatial learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuri Jeong
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, Graduate Division of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. https://twitter.com/nuriscientist
| | - Annabelle C Singer
- Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology & Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Aldabbagh Y, Islam A, Zhang W, Whiting P, Ali AB. Alzheimer’s Disease Enhanced Tonic Inhibition is Correlated With Upregulated Astrocyte GABA Transporter-3/4 in a Knock-In APP Mouse Model. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:822499. [PMID: 35185574 PMCID: PMC8850407 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.822499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline is a major symptom in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is strongly associated with synaptic excitatory-inhibitory imbalance. Here, we investigated whether astrocyte-specific GABA transporter 3/4 (GAT3/4) is altered in APP knock-in mouse model of AD and whether this is correlated with changes in principal cell excitability. Using the APPNL-F/NL-F knock-in mouse model of AD, aged-matched to wild-type mice, we performed in vitro electrophysiological whole-cell recordings combined with immunohistochemistry in the CA1 and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus. We observed a higher expression of GAD67, an enzyme that catalyses GABA production, and GAT3/4 in reactive astrocytes labelled with GFAP, which correlated with an enhanced tonic inhibition in the CA1 and DG of 12–16 month-old APPNL-F/NL-F mice compared to the age-matched wild-type animals. Comparative neuroanatomy experiments performed using post-mortem brain tissue from human AD patients, age-matched to healthy controls, mirrored the results obtained using mice tissue. Blocking GAT3/4 associated tonic inhibition recorded in CA1 and DG principal cells resulted in an increased membrane input resistance, enhanced firing frequency and synaptic excitation in both wild-type and APPNL-F/NL-F mice. These effects exacerbated synaptic hyperactivity reported previously in the APPNL-F/NL-F mice model. Our data suggest that an alteration in astrocyte GABA homeostasis is correlated with increased tonic inhibition in the hippocampus, which probably plays an important compensatory role in restoring AD-associated synaptic hyperactivity. Therefore, reducing tonic inhibition through GAT3/4 may not be a good therapeutic strategy for AD
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anam Islam
- UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paul Whiting
- Alzheimer’s Research UK Drug Discovery Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Afia B. Ali
- UCL School of Pharmacy, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Afia B. Ali,
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Raven F, Aton SJ. The Engram's Dark Horse: How Interneurons Regulate State-Dependent Memory Processing and Plasticity. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:750541. [PMID: 34588960 PMCID: PMC8473837 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.750541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain states such as arousal and sleep play critical roles in memory encoding, storage, and recall. Recent studies have highlighted the role of engram neurons-populations of neurons activated during learning-in subsequent memory consolidation and recall. These engram populations are generally assumed to be glutamatergic, and the vast majority of data regarding the function of engram neurons have focused on glutamatergic pyramidal or granule cell populations in either the hippocampus, amygdala, or neocortex. Recent data suggest that sleep and wake states differentially regulate the activity and temporal dynamics of engram neurons. Two potential mechanisms for this regulation are either via direct regulation of glutamatergic engram neuron excitability and firing, or via state-dependent effects on interneuron populations-which in turn modulate the activity of glutamatergic engram neurons. Here, we will discuss recent findings related to the roles of interneurons in state-regulated memory processes and synaptic plasticity, and the potential therapeutic implications of understanding these mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara J. Aton
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, College of Literature, Sciences, and the Arts, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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