Concentration of donepezil to the cognitive response in Alzheimer disease

Components in SLPE Alleviate AD Model Nematodes by Up-Regulating Gene gst-5

Salvia leucantha is a perennial herb of the genus Salvia in the family Labiatae, which has a wide range of biological activities, mainly including inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity. To explore the protective effects and mechanism of action of S. leucantha on Alzheimer's disease (AD), the anti-AD activity of SLE (extracts of S. leucantha) was determined by using a transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) model (CL4176). Analyses included paralysis assay, phenotypic experiments, transcriptome sequencing, RNA interference (RNAi), heat shock assays, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). SLPE (S. leucantha petroleum ether extract) could significantly delay CL4176 paralysis and extend the longevity of C. elegans N2 without harmful effects. A total of 927 genes were significantly changed by SLPE treatment in C. elegans, mainly involving longevity regulatory pathways-nematodes, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, and glutathione metabolic pathways. RNAi showed that SLPE exerted its anti-AD activity through up-regulation of the gene gst-5; the most abundant compound in SLPE analyzed by GC-MS was 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-DTBP), and the compound delayed nematode paralysis. The present study suggests that active components in S. leucantha may serve as new-type anti-AD candidates and provide some insights into their biological functions.

Predictors of response to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors in dementia: A systematic review

Background

The mainstay of therapy for many neurodegenerative dementias still relies on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI); however, there is debate on various aspects of such treatment. A huge body of literature exists on possible predictors of response, but a comprehensive review is lacking. Therefore, our aim is to perform a systematic review of the predictors of response to AChEI in neurodegenerative dementias, providing a categorization and interpretation of the results.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of the literature up to December 31st, 2021, searching five different databases and registers, including studies on rivastigmine, donepezil, and galantamine, with clearly defined criteria for the diagnosis of dementia and the response to AChEI therapy. Records were identified through the string: predict * AND respon * AND (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors OR donepezil OR rivastigmine OR galantamine). The results were presented narratively.

Results

We identified 1,994 records in five different databases; after exclusion of duplicates, title and abstract screening, and full-text retrieval, 122 studies were finally included.

Discussion

The studies show high heterogeneity in duration, response definition, drug dosage, and diagnostic criteria. Response to AChEI seems associated with correlates of cholinergic deficit (hallucinations, fluctuating cognition, substantia innominate atrophy) and preserved cholinergic neurons (faster alpha on REM sleep EEG, increased anterior frontal and parietal lobe perfusion after donepezil); white matter hyperintensities in the cholinergic pathways have shown inconsistent results. The K-variant of butyrylcholinesterase may correlate with better response in late stages of disease, while the role of polymorphisms in other genes involved in the cholinergic system is controversial. Factors related to drug availability may influence response; in particular, low serum albumin (for donepezil), CYP2D6 variants associated with reduced enzymatic activity and higher drug doses are the most consistent predictors, while AChEI concentration influence on clinical outcomes is debatable. Other predictors of response include faster disease progression, lower serum cholesterol, preserved medial temporal lobes, apathy, absence of concomitant diseases, and absence of antipsychotics. Short-term response may predict subsequent cognitive response, while higher education might correlate with short-term good response (months), and long-term poor response (years). Age, gender, baseline cognitive and functional levels, and APOE relationship with treatment outcome is controversial.

Application of virtual reality for dementia management

Age is recognized as the major factors of dementia, especially in for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Given to the aged population, the increased number of demented population has been receiving a great impact in our society. Unfortunately, so far, no cured medicines have been demonstrated to provide effective treatment in AD. The combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions has been proposed to manage dementia with potential benefits especially in decreasing caregiver’s burden and behavior, as well as psychological problems of demented patients. Recently, giving to the glorious development in digital technologies, the virtual reality, one of the non-pharmacological interventions has been used extensively in dementia managements for its strengths which can be adapted in accordance with the heterogeneous needs from demented patients and their caregivers. However, various study designs and other reasons made these results difficult to be interpreted. In this review our goal is to provide a better understanding for these points.

The Influence of Selected Antipsychotic Drugs on Biochemical Aspects of Alzheimer's Disease

The aim of this study was to assess the potency of selected antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol (HAL), bromperidol (BRMP), benperidol (BNP), penfluridol (PNF), pimozide (PIM), quetiapine (QUET) and promazine (PROM)) on the main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Binary mixtures of donepezil and antipsychotics produce an anti-BuChE effect, which was greater than either compound alone. The combination of rivastigmine and antipsychotic drugs (apart from PNF) enhanced AChE inhibition. The tested antipsychotics (excluding HAL and PNF) significantly reduce the early stage of Aβ aggregation. BRMP, PIM, QUET and PROM were found to substantially inhibit Aβ aggregation after a longer incubation time. A test of human erythrocytes hemolysis showed that short-term incubation of red blood cells (RBCs) with QUET resulted in decreased hemolysis. The antioxidative properties of antipsychotics were also proved in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC); all tested drugs were found to significantly increase cell viability. In the case of astrocytes, BNP, PNF, PIM and PROM showed antioxidant potential.

Long-acting injectable donepezil microspheres: Formulation development and evaluation

Novel formulations of donepezil (DNP)-loaded microspheres based on a bio-degradable polymer of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) with a one-month duration of effect were developed, aimed at reducing dosing frequency and adverse effects and improving patient adherence. The spherical and monodispersed DNP-loaded microspheres were precisely fabricated by the Inventage Lab Precision Particle Fabrication method (IVL-PPFM®) based on micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidic technology. The types of polymers and end-groups, the drug/polymer ratio (DPR), and the routes of administration for DNP were studied to ensure an effective concentration and desired duration. Laser-light particle size analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to characterization. Also, non-clinical animal models of beagle dogs are used to optimize DNP formulations and evaluate their pharmacokinetic properties. The PK results showed that the DPR was a critical factor in determining the exposure level and duration of DNR release. Furthermore, the lactide ratio, which varied depending upon the type of polymer, determined the hydrophobic interaction and was also an important factor affecting the desired DNP release. Since DNP shows a large inter-species variation between dogs and humans, PK modeling and simulation of the reference drug (i.e., Aricept®) and DNP-loaded microspheres were used for formulation development to overcome and interpret these variations. In addition, the developed PK model was extrapolated to humans using the estimated PK parameter and published clinical pharmacology data for DNP. The predicted PK profile of the DNP-loaded microsphere in humans showed that the formulation with PLGA 7525A and the DPR of 1/9 could maintain drug concentration for a month and could control initial burst release. The data obtained from the study could be used as scientific evidence for decision-making in future formulation development.

CYP2D6 Predicts Plasma Donepezil Concentrations in a Cohort of Thai Patients with Mild to Moderate Dementia

Purpose

Donepezil, a drug frequently used to treat dementia, is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). This study investigated the relationships between CYP2D6 genotype and activity scores as well as predicted phenotype of plasma donepezil concentrations in 86 Thai dementia participants.

Materials and Methods

CYP2D6 was genotyped using bead-chip technology (Luminex xTAG^® v.3). Steady-state trough plasma donepezil concentrations were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results

Sixteen genotypes were found but the most frequent genotypes detected among our participants were CYP2D6*10/*10 (27.9%) and *1/*10 (26.7%). One-third of the participants had an activity score of 1.25 which predicted that they were normal metabolizers. The overall median (interquartile range) of plasma donepezil concentration was 51.20 (32.59–87.24) ng/mL. Normal metabolizers (NMs) had lower plasma donepezil concentrations compared to intermediate metabolizers (IMs) (41.15 (28.44–67.65) ng/mL vs 61.95 (35.25–97.00) ng/mL). Multivariate analysis showed that CYP2D6 activity score (r² = 0.50) and the predicted phenotype (independent of dose) could predict the plasma donepezil concentration (r² = 0.49).

Conclusion

Plasma donepezil concentration in NMs was lower compared to IMs. Additional studies with larger sample size and use of next-generation sequencing as well as its outcomes are warranted to confirm the benefit of using pharmacogenetic-guided treatment for donepezil.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Rivastigmine and Donepezil Under Consideration of CYP2D6 Genotype-Dependent Metabolism of Donepezil

Background

The efficacy of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE-I) might depend on blood concentration. While rivastigmine metabolism is independent of the cytochrome P450 system, its isoenzymes, especially CYP2D6, metabolize donepezil. CYP2D6 polymorphisms can cause altered enzyme activity resulting in lower or higher than expected drug concentrations of donepezil.

Objective

We investigated correlations between clinical efficacy and serum concentrations of rivastigmine and donepezil under special consideration of CYP2D6 genotype or gene dose–dependent metabolism of donepezil.

Methods

Serum concentrations of donepezil and rivastigmine were measured by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and allele-specific PCR were performed to assess CYP2D6 genotype and gene dose.

Results

Patients treated with rivastigmine (n=28) or donepezil (n=48) were included in the study. Both gene dose and metabolism type significantly predicted the level of donepezil serum concentration (p=0.019 and p=0.013, respectively). In the rivastigmine group, changes of the word list delayed recall subtest before treatment and under stable medication were significantly associated with rivastigmine serum levels (β=0.465; p=0.018). Drug serum concentrations were outside the recommended range in a substantial percentage of participants, which might have contributed to poor correlations between changes in cognitive measures and drug concentrations. Donepezil serum concentrations significantly depended on CYP2D6 gene dose.

Conclusion

Testing AChE-I serum concentration should be considered in patients without clinical response to treatment or those with severe side effects. Patients with donepezil drug levels outside the recommended range might additionally profit from CYP2D6 genotyping or treatment with an AChE-I independent of CYP metabolism.

Serum Concentrations of Cholinesterase Inhibitors in Patients With Alzheimer's Dementia Are Frequently Below the Recommended Levels

Background

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE-I) are recommended for the treatment of cognitive symptoms but also of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia. They are widely used not only in Alzheimer's disease, but also in other forms of dementia. Efficacy of treatment might depend on serum concentration of the respective AChE-I.

Objective

In patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's dementia, we measured serum concentrations of hepatically metabolized donepezil and renally excreted rivastigmine and investigated possible modifiers. Additionally, we looked at correlations between serum concentrations and efficacy for both drugs.

Methods

Serum concentrations of donepezil and rivastigmine were measured by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Allele specific PCR were performed to determine CYP2D6 genotype and gene dose. Clinical efficacy was assessed by changes of the subtest wordlist delayed recall of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease-Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (CERAD-NAB).

Results

Sixty-seven patients treated with a stable dosage of donepezil 10 mg (n=41) or rivastigmine 9.5 mg (n=26) were included. Mean serum concentration of donepezil and rivastigmine were 41.2 and 6.5 ng/ml, respectively. Serum concentrations were below the recommended range in 73% of the subjects in the donepezil group and in 65% of the participants in the rivastigmine group. When applying a dose-related reference, ranges 63% of patients in the donepezil group and 32% in the rivastigmine group had concentrations below the expected range. Gene dose, sex, and duration of treatment significantly predicted donepezil serum concentration (p=0.046, p=0.001, p=0.030 respectively). Only for rivastigmine did the serum concentration significantly contribute to the regression model predicting changes on the subtest word list delayed recall (β=0.472; p=0.019).

Conclusions

Serum concentrations of about two thirds of the patients were below the recommended range. When not looking at absolute values but at the dose-related reference ranges, these numbers improved but still 32%, respectively 63% of patients had low serum concentrations. High serum concentrations of rivastigmine predicted clinical response to cognition. Therapeutic drug monitoring might help to identify the cause of poor clinical response to cognition and behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with AChE-I treatment.

Framework of treating Alzheimer’s dementia

Current treatment paradigm in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves multiple approaches combining pharmacological and nonpharmacological intervention to mitigate the clinical symptoms, slow the progressive loss of cognitive and functional abilities, or modify the disease course. So far, beyond anti-cholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, and antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor, there are no newly approved medicines to treat AD. Under pharmacological treatment, the personal characteristic and the intra-individual therapeutic evaluations to examine various cognitive domains, behavioral and psychological problems, and global function should be considered when choosing any of AChEIs. The use of optimal dosage referring to the expected clinical outcomes and currently reported deficits from patient with AD has become an important issue in clinical treatment. Establishing and maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance to physician, patient, and caregiver is crucial and central to the comprehensive care in AD.

Differential blockade by huperzine A and donepezil of sympathetic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-mediated nitrergic neurogenic dilations in porcine basilar arteries

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor activation on the perivascular sympathetic nerves via axo-axonal interaction mechanism causes norepinephrine release, which triggers the neurogenic nitrergic relaxation in basilar arteries to meet the need of a brain. Donepezil and huperzine A, which are the cholinesterase inhibitors used for Alzheimer's disease therapy, exert controversial effects on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Therefore, we investigated how donepezil and huperzine A via the axo-axonal interaction regulate the neurogenic vasodilation of isolated porcine basilar arteries and define their action on different subtypes of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by using blood vessel myography, calcium imaging, and electrophysiological techniques. Both nicotine (100 μM) and transmural nerve stimulation (TNS, 8 Hz) induce NO-mediated dilation in the arteries. Nicotine-induced vasodilations were concentration-dependently inhibited by huperzine A and donepezil, with the former being 30 fold less potent than the latter. Both cholinesterase inhibitors weakly and equally decreased TNS-elicited nitrergic vasodilations. Neither huperzine A nor donepezil affected isoproterenol (a β adrenoceptor-agonist)- or sodium nitroprusside (a NO donor)-induced vasodilation. Further, huperzine A was less potent than donepezil in inhibiting nicotine-elicited calcium influxes in rodent superior cervical ganglionic neurons and inward currents in α7- and α3β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-expressing Xenopus oocytes. In conclusion, huperzine A may exert less harmful effect over donepezil on maintaining brainstem circulation and on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor-associated cognition deficits during treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease: clinical management and prevention

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid β in the form of extracellular plaques and by intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, with eventual neurodegeneration and dementia. There is currently no disease-modifying treatment though several symptomatic medications exist with modest benefit on cognition. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors have a consistent benefit across all stages of dementia; their benefit in mild cognitive impairment and prodromal AD is unproven. Memantine has a smaller benefit on cognition overall which is limited to the moderate to severe stages, and the combination of a cholinesterase inhibitor and memantine may have additional efficacy. Evidence for the efficacy of vitamin E supplementation and medical foods is weak but might be considered in the context of cost, availability, and safety in individual patients. Apparently promising disease-modifying interventions, mostly addressing the amyloid cascade hypothesis of AD, have recently failed to demonstrate efficacy so novel approaches must be considered.

Galantamine plasma concentration and cognitive response in Alzheimer's disease

Background

Galantamine has been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, there are few studies which have reported the association between cognitive responses and galantamine plasma concentration. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between galantamine plasma concentration and the subsequent cognitive response following treatment in AD patients.

Methods

AD sufferers who continuously took 8 mg/d galantamine for at least 6 months without previous exposure to other kinds of AChEI such as donepezil, rivastigmine, or memantine were included in this cohort study. The assessments included the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) and the Cognitive Assessment Screening Instrument (CASI). Each subdomain of the CASI assessment was conducted at baseline and after 6 months of galantamine. The plasma concentrations of galantamine were measured by capillary electrophoresis after 6 months of the treatment. Logistic regression was performed to adjust for age, gender, apolipoprotein E ε4 genotype status, and baseline score to investigate the association between galantamine plasma concentrations and the cognitive response.

Results

The total sample consisted of 33 clinically diagnosed AD patients taking galantamine 8 mg/d for 6 months. There was no linear correlation between galantamine concentration and cognitive response in patients. However, 22 patients were responsive to the treatment in the long-term memory domain. In CASI subset domain, concentration improved during the 6 months follow up.

Conclusions

In the limited samples study, galantamine mostly benefitted the cognitive domain of long-term memory. The benefits were not related to the galantamine plasma concentration. Objective intra-individual evaluation of therapeutic response should be encouraged.

Clinical efficacy and safety of donepezil in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in Chinese patients

Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), has been widely used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) in China. However, there are few studies focusing on the efficacy and safety of donepezil in Chinese patients. In this review, we discuss 1) the efficacy of donepezil and its comparison with other AChEIs or memantine, 2) the therapeutic responses to donepezil and its influencing factors, and 3) the safety and tolerability of donepezil in Chinese patients with different stages of AD and amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and further compare the similarities and differences of the results between Chinese studies and previous Western studies that predominantly enrolled Caucasian subjects. We include Chinese clinical trials and other well-designed studies investigating donepezil or using donepezil as a positive control, in which the efficacy and/or safety of donepezil have been analyzed. Based on these studies, donepezil has been shown to be effective and safe in Chinese AD patients and may impact AD biomarkers, such as hippocampal atrophy, Aβ, and tau. In addition, the therapeutic response to donepezil may be influenced by apolipoprotein E or cytochrome P450 2D6 polymorphism.

Identifying hQC Inhibitors of Alzheimer's Disease by Effective Customized Pharmacophore-Based Virtual Screening, Molecular Dynamic Simulation, and Binding Free Energy Analysis

Human glutaminyl cyclase (hQC) appeared as a promising new target with its inhibitors attracted much attention for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in recent years. But so far, only a few compounds have been reported as hQC inhibitors. To find novel and potent hQC inhibitors, a high-specificity ZBG (zinc-binding groups)-based pharmacophore model comprising customized ZBG feature was first generated using HipHop algorithm in Discovery Studio software for screening out hQC inhibitors from the SPECS database. After purification by docking studies and drug-like ADMET properties filters, four potential hit compounds were retrieved. Subsequently, these hit compounds were subjected to 30-ns molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to explore their binding modes at the active side of hQC. MD simulations demonstrated that these hit compounds formed a chelating interaction with the zinc ion, which was consistent with the finding that the electrostatic interaction was the major driving force for binding to hQC confirmed with MMPBSA energy decomposition. Higher binding affinities of these compounds were also verified by the binding free energy calculations comparing with the references. Thus, these identified compounds might be potential hQC candidates and could be used for further investigation.

Schisandrin ameliorates cognitive impairment and attenuates Aβ deposition in APP/PS1 transgenic mice: involvement of adjusting neurotransmitters and their metabolite changes in the brain

Neurotransmitters (NTs) in the brain are involved in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Schisandrin is a major ingredient of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill and has been used for the treatment of AD. In this study we examined the therapeutic effects of schisandrin in APP/PS1 transgenic mice, and correlated the beneficial effects on cognitive impairment with the adjustments in NTs and their metabolites in the mouse brains. APP/PS1 mice were treated with schisandrin (2 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip) for 2 weeks. In Morris Water Maze test; untreated APP/PS1 mice displayed significant cognitive impairment compared with normal mice; schisandrin administration ameliorated the cognitive impairment and significantly decreased Aβ deposition in the hippocampus. In order to assess the effects of schisandrin on NTs and their metabolites, we developed a rapid and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method for simultaneous determination of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, dopamine, norepinephrine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, homovanillic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and acetylcholine in mouse brains. This method conformed to methodology validation requirements. We found that there were statistically significant differences in these NTs and their metabolites between untreated APP/PS1 mice and normal mice, whereas schisandrin administration restored the abnormal NTs and their metabolites levels. These results suggest that schisandrin could alter the levels of these NTs and their metabolites in the brain, thus ameliorating learning and memory impairments in APP/PS1 mice.

Donepezil Plus Solifenacin (CPC-201) Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease

Available cholinergic drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) provide modest symptomatic benefit. We hypothesized that co-administration of a peripheral anticholinergic to reduce dose-limiting adverse effects (AEs) would enable the safe/tolerable use of higher cholinesterase inhibitor doses and thus improve their antidementia efficacy. A modified single-blind, ascending-dose, phase IIa study of donepezil plus solifenacin (CPC-201) lasting 26 weeks was conducted in 41 patients with probable AD of moderate severity. Entry criteria included the use of donepezil at a dose of 10 mg/day during the preceding 3 months. The primary outcome measure was the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of donepezil achieved (to protocol limit of 40 mg/day) when administered with the anticholinergic solifenacin 15 mg/day. Secondary measures included assessments of cognitive and global function, as well as of AEs. The mean ± SD donepezil MTD increased to 38 ± 0.74 mg/day (median 40 mg/day; p < 0.001); 88% of the study population safely attained this dose at the end of titration. Markedly reduced donepezil AE frequency, especially gastrointestinal, allowed this dose increase. There were no drug-related serious AEs or clinically significant laboratory abnormalities. At 26 weeks, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale Cognitive Component scores in the efficacy evaluable population improved by 0.35 ± 0.85 points over baseline (p < 0.05), an estimated 2.5 ± 0.84 points above 10 mg/day donepezil and 5.4 ± 0.84 points above historic placebo (both p < 0.05). Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scores improved by 0.94 ± 0.20 to 3.1 ± 0.20 points (p < 0.001). The findings suggest that limiting donepezil AEs by co-administration of solifenacin allows the safe administration of substantially higher cholinesterase inhibitors doses that may augment cognitive and global benefits in patients with AD.

Alzheimer's Disease Risk and Progression: The Role of Nutritional Supplements and their Effect on Drug Therapy Outcome

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly population. Despite significant advancements in understanding the genetic and molecular basis of AD, the pathology still lacks treatments that can slow down or reverse the progression of cognitive deterioration. Recently, the relationship between nutrient deficiency and dementia onset has been highlighted. AD is in fact a multifactorial pathology, so that a multi-target approach using combinations of micronutrients and drugs could have beneficial effects on cognitive function in neurodegenerative brain disorders leading to synaptic degeneration. Primarily, this review examines the most recent literature regarding the effects of nutrition on the risk/progression of the disease, focusing attention mostly on antioxidants agents, polyunsaturated fatty acids and metals. Secondly, it aims to figure out if nutritional supplements might have beneficial effects on drug therapy outcome. Even if nutritional supplements showed contrasting evidence of a likely effect of decreasing the risk of AD onset that could be studied more deeply in other clinical trials, no convincing data are present about their usefulness in combination with drug therapies and their effectiveness in slowing down the disease progression.

α7-nAChR agonist enhances neural plasticity in the hippocampus via a GABAergic circuit

Agonists of the α₇-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α₇-nAChR) have entered clinical trials as procognitive agents for treating schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The most advanced compounds are orthosteric agonists, which occupy the ligand binding site. At the molecular level, agonist activation of α₇-nAChR is reasonably well understood. However, the consequences of activating α₇-nAChRs on neural circuits underlying cognition remain elusive. Here we report that an α₇-nAChR agonist (FRM-17848) enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) in rat septo-hippocampal slices far below the cellular EC₅₀ but at a concentration that coincides with multiple functional outcome measures as we reported in Stoiljkovic M, Leventhal L, Chen A, Chen T, Driscoll R, Flood D, Hodgdon H, Hurst R, Nagy D, Piser T, Tang C, Townsend M, Tu Z, Bertrand D, Koenig G, Hajós M. Biochem Pharmacol 97: 576-589, 2015. In this same concentration range, we observed a significant increase in spontaneous γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory postsynaptic currents and a moderate suppression of excitability in whole cell recordings from rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. This modulation of GABAergic activity is necessary for the LTP-enhancing effects of FRM-17848, since inhibiting GABA_A α₅-subunit-containing receptors fully reversed the effects of the α₇-nAChR agonist. These data suggest that α₇-nAChR agonists may increase synaptic plasticity in hippocampal slices, at least in part, through a circuit-level enhancement of a specific subtype of GABAergic receptor.

Therapeutic drug monitoring for patients with Alzheimer dementia to improve treatment with donepezil

BACKGROUND

Aiming to verify that therapeutic drug monitoring has the potential to optimize treatment with acetylcholine esterase inhibitors of patients with Alzheimer dementia, this study investigated whether serum concentrations of donepezil are associated with clinical improvement.

METHODS

Clinical improvement was measured using the clinical global impression (CGI) scale, and donepezil concentrations were measured in serum by a high-performance liquid chromatographic method with spectrophotometric detection.

RESULTS

In total, 206 serum samples from 106 patients (49.5% female) were retrospectively available for analysis. Patients included were treated under everyday conditions. Their mean ± SD age was 72 ± 9 years, daily doses of donepezil were 5 and 10 mg, and their mean ± SD serum concentrations were 23 ± 9 and 47 ± 18 ng/mL, respectively. Serum concentrations correlated significantly (P < 0.001) with CGI scores (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = 0.511, P < 0.01). In patients who were "very much improved," according to their CGI score, the mean serum concentration was 66 ± 20 ng/mL and thus significantly higher (P < 0.01) than in patients with "minimal improvement" (29 ± 12 ng/mL). Receiver operating characteristics analysis suggests that donepezil serum concentrations of at least 50 ng/mL may be recommended for maximal clinical benefit.

CONCLUSIONS

Because donepezil serum concentrations were highly variable between individual patients and the majority of patients exhibited concentrations that were below 50 ng/mL at therapeutic doses of 5 and 10 mg/d, it can be concluded that therapeutic drug monitoring may be used to enhance the effectiveness of donepezil treatment.

Donepezil plasma concentrations, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 phenotypes, and cognitive outcome in Alzheimer's disease

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to evaluate whether donepezil (D) plasma concentrations and activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 are associated with the therapeutic response of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

This study comprised 54 patients affected by probable AD in therapy with D 10 mg/daily for at least 3 months. Plasma concentrations of D and its three main metabolites (6DD, 5DD, DNox) were assayed with a novel high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Cognitive progression was assessed at baseline and at 9 months of follow-up with the mini mental state examination (MMSE). The activities of the two cytochromes involved in D metabolism-CYP2D6 and CYP3A4-were evaluated according to their metabolic ratios in plasma or urine, after test doses of probe drugs (dextromethorphan and omeprazole).

RESULTS

A significant correlation was found between plasma levels of D and variations in MMSE scores after 9 months of therapy (r (2) = 0.14; p = 0.006). Neither the concentrations of D metabolites nor the metabolic ratios of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 showed any correlations with cognitive variations. Low CYP2D6 activity and advanced age were associated with high D concentrations. Patients who were treated with CYP2D6 and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors also had higher D plasma levels (mean difference = 19.6 ng/mL; p = 0.01) than those who were not.

CONCLUSIONS

D plasma concentrations, but not cytochrome phenotyping, are associated with cognitive outcomes in AD patients.

Stereoselective metabolism of donepezil and steady-state plasma concentrations of S-donepezil based on CYP2D6 polymorphisms in the therapeutic responses of Han Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease

The therapeutic response rates of patients to donepezil vary from 20% to 60%, one of the reasons is their genetic differences in donepezil-metabolizing enzymes, which directly influence liver metabolism. However, the mechanism of donepezil metabolism and that of its enantiomers is unknown. This study evaluated CYP2D6 polymorphisms to elucidate the stereoselective metabolism of donepezil and to confirm the association between the steady-state plasma concentrations of the pharmaco-effective S-donepezil and the therapeutic responses of Han Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease. The in vitro study of the stereoselective metabolism demonstrated that CYP2D6 is the predominant P450 enzyme that metabolizes donepezil and that different CYP2D6 alleles differentially affect donepezil enantiomers metabolism. A total of 77 Han Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease were recruited to confirm these results, by measuring their steady-state plasma concentrations of S-donepezil. The related CYP2D6 genes were genotyped. Plasma concentrations of S-donepezil (based on CYP2D6 polymorphisms) were significantly associated with therapeutic responses. This finding suggests that plasma concentrations of S-donepezil influence therapeutic outcomes following treatment with donepezil in Han Chinese patients with Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, determining a patient's steady-state plasma concentration of S-donepezil in combination with their CYP2D6 genotype might be useful for clinically monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of donepezil.