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Tarif AMM, Huhe H, Ohno M. Combination strategy employing BACE1 inhibitor and memantine to boost cognitive benefits in Alzheimer's disease therapy. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024; 241:975-986. [PMID: 38197930 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06525-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE The β-secretase BACE1 initiates amyloid-β (Aβ) generation and represents a long-standing prime therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, BACE1 inhibitors tested to date in clinical trials have yielded no beneficial outcomes. In fact, prior BACE1 inhibitor trials targeted at ~ 50-90% Aβ reductions in symptomatic or prodromal AD stages have ended in the discontinuation due to futility and/or side effects, including cognitive worsening rather than expected improvement at the highest dose. OBJECTIVES We tested whether a combination strategy with the selective BACE1 inhibitor GRL-8234 and the FDA-approved symptomatic drug memantine may provide synergistic cognitive benefits within their safe dose range. METHODS The drug effects were evaluated in the advanced symptomatic stage of 5XFAD mice that developed extensive cerebral Aβ deposition. RESULTS Chronic combination treatment with 33.4-mg/kg GRL-8234 and 10-mg/kg memantine, but not either drug alone, rescued cognitive deficits in 5XFAD mice at 12 months of age (the endpoint after 60-day drug treatment), as assessed by the contextual fear conditioning, spontaneous alternation Y-maze and nest building tasks. Intact baseline performances of wild-type control mice on three cognitive paradigms demonstrated that combination treatment did not augment potential cognitive side effects of individual drugs. Biochemical and immunohistochemical examination showed that combination treatment did not synergistically reduce the β-amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein or Aβ levels in 5XFAD mouse brains. CONCLUSIONS A combination strategy with BACE1 inhibitors and memantine may be able to increase the effectiveness of individual drugs within their safe dose range in AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Md Mamun Tarif
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
| | - Hasi Huhe
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
| | - Masuo Ohno
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA.
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Ohno M. A Strategy for Allowing Earlier Diagnosis and Rigorous Evaluation of BACE1 Inhibitors in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:431-445. [PMID: 38701146 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231451] [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] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Given continued failure of BACE1 inhibitor programs at symptomatic and prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD), clinical trials need to target the earlier preclinical stage. However, trial design is complex in this population with negative diagnosis of classical hippocampal amnesia on standard memory tests. Besides recent advances in brain imaging, electroencephalogram, and fluid-based biomarkers, new cognitive markers should be established for earlier diagnosis that can optimize recruitment to BACE1 inhibitor trials in presymptomatic AD. Notably, accelerated long-term forgetting (ALF) is emerging as a sensitive cognitive measure that can discriminate between asymptomatic individuals with high risks for developing AD and healthy controls. ALF is a form of declarative memory impairment characterized by increased forgetting rates over longer delays (days to months) despite normal storage within the standard delays of testing (20-60 min). Therefore, ALF may represent a harbinger of preclinical dementia and the impairment of systems memory consolidation, during which memory traces temporarily stored in the hippocampus become gradually integrated into cortical networks. This review provides an overview of the utility of ALF in a rational design of next-generation BACE1 inhibitor trials in preclinical AD. I explore potential mechanisms underlying ALF and relevant early-stage biomarkers useful for BACE1 inhibitor evaluation, including synaptic protein alterations, astrocytic dysregulation and neuron hyperactivity in the hippocampal-cortical network. Furthermore, given the physiological role of the isoform BACE2 as an AD-suppressor gene, I also discuss the possible association between the poor selectivity of BACE1 inhibitors and their side effects (e.g., cognitive worsening) in prior clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masuo Ohno
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA
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Pratsch K, Unemura C, Ito M, Lichtenthaler SF, Horiguchi N, Herms J. New Highly Selective BACE1 Inhibitors and Their Effects on Dendritic Spine Density In Vivo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12283. [PMID: 37569661 PMCID: PMC10418759 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is considered a therapeutic target to combat Alzheimer's disease by reducing β-amyloid in the brain. To date, all clinical trials involving the inhibition of BACE1 have been discontinued due to a lack of efficacy or undesirable side effects such as cognitive worsening. The latter could have been the result of the inhibition of BACE at the synapse where it is expressed in high amounts. We have previously shown that prolonged inhibition of BACE interferes with structural synaptic plasticity, most likely due to the diminished processing of the physiological BACE substrate Seizure protein 6 (Sez6) which is exclusively processed by BACE1 and is required for dendritic spine plasticity. Given that BACE1 has significant amino acid similarity with its homolog BACE2, the inhibition of BACE2 may cause some of the side effects, as most BACE inhibitors do not discriminate between the two. In this study, we used newly developed BACE inhibitors that have a different chemotype from previously developed inhibitors and a high selectivity for BACE1 over BACE2. By using longitudinal in vivo two-photon microscopy, we investigated the effect on dendritic spine dynamics of pyramidal layer V neurons in the somatosensory cortex in mice treated with highly selective BACE1 inhibitors. Treatment with those inhibitors showed a reduction in soluble Sez6 (sSez6) levels to 27% (elenbecestat, Biogen, Eisai Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan), 17% (Shionogi compound 1) and 39% (Shionogi compound 2), compared to animals fed with vehicle pellets. We observed a significant decrease in the number of dendritic spines with Shionogi compound 1 after 21 days of treatment but not with Shionogi compound 2 or with elenbecestat, which did not show cognitive worsening in clinical trials. In conclusion, highly selective BACE1 inhibitors do alter dendritic spine density similar to non-selective inhibitors if soluble (sSez6) levels drop too much. Low-dose BACE1 inhibition might be reasonable if dosing is carefully adjusted to the amount of Sez6 cleavage, which can be easily monitored during the first week of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Pratsch
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany; (K.P.); (S.F.L.)
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research (ZNP), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Chie Unemura
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Osaka 561-0825, Japan; (C.U.); (M.I.); (N.H.)
| | - Mana Ito
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Osaka 561-0825, Japan; (C.U.); (M.I.); (N.H.)
| | - Stefan F. Lichtenthaler
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany; (K.P.); (S.F.L.)
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Neuroproteomics, School of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Naotaka Horiguchi
- Laboratory for Drug Discovery and Disease Research, Shionogi & Co., Ltd., Shionogi Pharmaceutical Research Center, Osaka 561-0825, Japan; (C.U.); (M.I.); (N.H.)
| | - Jochen Herms
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany; (K.P.); (S.F.L.)
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research (ZNP), Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
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4
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Feng H, Hu P, Chen Y, Sun H, Cai J, He X, Cao Q, Yin M, Zhang Y, Li Q, Gao J, Marshall C, Sheng C, Shi J, Xiao M. Decreased miR-451a in cerebrospinal fluid, a marker for both cognitive impairment and depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease. Theranostics 2023; 13:3021-3040. [PMID: 37284450 PMCID: PMC10240826 DOI: 10.7150/thno.81826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are often accompanied by depressive symptoms, but its underlying mechanism remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the potential role of microRNAs in the comorbidity of AD and depression. Methods: The miRNAs associated with AD and depression were screened from databases and literature and then confirmed in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of AD patients and different ages of transgenic APP/PS1 mice. AAV9-miR-451a-GFP was injected into the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of APP/PS1 mice at seven months, and four weeks later, a series of behavioral and pathological analyses were performed. Results: AD patients had low CSF levels of miR-451a, which was positively correlated with the cognitive assessment score, but negatively with their depression scale. In the mPFC of APP/PS1 transgenic mice, the miR-451a levels also decreased significantly in the neurons and microglia. Specific virus vector-induced overexpression of miR-451a in the mPFC of APP/PS1 mice ameliorated AD-related behavior deficits and pathologies, including long-term memory defects, depression-like phenotype, β-amyloid load, and neuroinflammation. Mechanistically, miR-451a decreased the expression of neuronal β-secretase 1 of neurons through inhibiting Toll-like receptor 4/Inhibitor of kappa B Kinase β/ Nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway and microglial activation by inhibiting activation of NOD-like receptor protein 3, respectively. Conclusion: This finding highlighted miR-451a as a potential target for diagnosing and treating AD, especially for those with coexisting symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Panpan Hu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Anesthetic Pharmacology, Faculty of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, 200082, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Huaiqing Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jiachen Cai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Xiaoxin He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Qiuchen Cao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Mengmei Yin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Qian Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Junying Gao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | | | - Chengyu Sheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Jingping Shi
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
- Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
- Brain Institute, Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
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Rajput S, Malviya R, Bahadur S, Puri D. Recent Updates on the Development of Therapeutics for the Targeted Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Pharm Des 2023; 29:2802-2813. [PMID: 38018199 DOI: 10.2174/0113816128274618231105173031] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complicated, multifaceted, irreversible, and incurable neurotoxic old age illness. Although NMDA (N-methyl D-aspartate)-receptor antagonists, cholinesterase repressors, and their pairings have been approved for the treatment, they are useful for short symptomatic relief. Researchers throughout the globe have been constantly working to uncover the therapy of Alzheimer's disease as new candidates must be determined, and newer treatment medicines must be developed. The aim of this review is to address recent advances in medication research along with new Alzheimer's disease therapy for diverse targets. Information was gathered utilizing a variety of internet resources as well as websites, such as ALZFORUM (alzforum.org) and clinicaltrials.gov. In contrast to other domains, the proposed medicines target amyloids (secretases, A42 generation, neuroinflammation, amyloid precipitation, and immunization), tau proteins (tau phosphorylation/aggregation and immunotherapy), and amyloid deposition. Despite tremendous advancement in our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) only approved aducanumab for diagnosis and treatment in 2003. Hence, novel treatment tactics are needed to find and develop therapeutic medicines to combat Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivam Rajput
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Shiv Bahadur
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, GLA University, Mathura, India
| | - Dinesh Puri
- School of Pharmacy, Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, India
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Mushroom Polysaccharides as Potential Candidates for Alleviating Neurodegenerative Diseases. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14224833. [PMID: 36432520 PMCID: PMC9696021 DOI: 10.3390/nu14224833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a widespread and serious global public health burden, particularly among the older population. At present, effective therapies do not exist, despite the increasing understanding of the different mechanisms of NDs. In recent years, some drugs, such as galantamine, entacapone, riluzole, and edaravone, have been proposed for the treatment of different NDs; however, they mainly concentrate on symptom management and confer undesirable side effects and adverse reactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find novel drugs with fewer disadvantages and higher efficacy for the treatment of NDs. Mushroom polysaccharides are macromolecular complexes with multi-targeting bioactivities, low toxicity, and high safety. Some have been demonstrated to exhibit neuroprotective effects via their antioxidant, anti-amyloidogenic, anti-neuroinflammatory, anticholinesterase, anti-apoptotic, and anti-neurotoxicity activities, which have potential in the treatment of NDs. This review focuses on the different processes involved in ND development and progression, highlighting the neuroprotective activities and potential role of mushroom polysaccharides and summarizing the limitations and future perspectives of mushroom polysaccharides in the prevention and treatment of NDs.
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7
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Blume T, Filser S, Sgobio C, Peters F, Neumann U, Shimshek D, Saito T, Saido TC, Brendel M, Herms J. β-secretase inhibition prevents structural spine plasticity deficits in AppNL-G-F mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:909586. [PMID: 35936777 PMCID: PMC9354544 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.909586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
All clinical BACE1-inhibitor trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) have failed due to insufficient efficacy or side effects like worsening of cognitive symptoms. However, the scientific evidence to date suggests that BACE1-inhibition could be an effective preventative measure if applied prior to the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ)-peptide and resultant impairment of synaptic function. Preclinical studies have associated BACE1-inhibition-induced cognitive deficits with decreased dendritic spine density. Therefore, we investigated dose-dependent effects of BACE1-inhibition on hippocampal dendritic spine dynamics in an APP knock-in mouse line for the first time. We conducted in vivo two-photon microscopy in the stratum oriens layer of hippocampal CA1 neurons in 3.5-month-old AppNL-G-FGFP-M mice over 6 weeks to monitor the effect of potential preventive treatment with a high and low dose of the BACE1-inhibitor NB-360 on dendritic spine dynamics. Structural spine plasticity was severely impaired in untreated AppNL-G-FGFP-M mice, although spines were not yet showing signs of degeneration. Prolonged high-dose BACE1-inhibition significantly enhanced spine formation, improving spine dynamics in the AD mouse model. We conclude that in an early AD stage characterized by low Aβ-accumulation and no irreversible spine loss, BACE1-inhibition could hold the progressive synapse loss and cognitive decline by improving structural spine dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Blume
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Severin Filser
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carmelo Sgobio
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Ulf Neumann
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Derya Shimshek
- Department of Neuroscience, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Herms
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
- *Correspondence: Jochen Herms
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Corbett BF, Luz S, Arner J, Vigderman A, Urban K, Bhatnagar S. Arc-Mediated Plasticity in the Paraventricular Thalamic Nucleus Promotes Habituation to Stress. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:116-126. [PMID: 35527070 PMCID: PMC9246972 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Habituation is defined as a progressive decline in response to repeated exposure to a familiar and predictable stimulus and is highly conserved across species. Disrupted habituation is a signature of posttraumatic stress disorder. In rodents, habituation is observed in neural, neuroendocrine, and behavioral responses to repeated exposure to predictable and moderately intense stress or restraint. We previously demonstrated that lesioning the posterior paraventricular thalamic nucleus (pPVT) impairs habituation. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and specific neural connections among the pPVT and other brain regions that underlie habituation are unknown. METHODS Behavioral and neuroendocrine habituation was assessed in adult male Sprague Dawley rats using the repeated restraint paradigm. Pan-neuronal and Cre-dependent DREADDs (designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs) were used to chemogenetically inhibit the pPVT and the subpopulation of pPVT neurons that project to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), respectively. Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (Arc) expression was knocked down in the pPVT using small interfering RNA. Structural plasticity of pPVT neurons was assessed using Golgi staining. Local field potential recordings were used to assess coherent neural activity between the pPVT and mPFC. The attentional set shifting task was used to assess mPFC-dependent behavior. RESULTS Here, we show that Arc promotes habituation by increasing stress-induced spinogenesis in the pPVT, increasing coherent neural activity with the mPFC, and improving mPFC-mediated cognitive flexibility. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate that Arc induction in the pPVT regulates habituation and mPFC function. Therapies that improve synaptic plasticity during posttraumatic stress disorder therapy may enhance habituation and the efficacy of posttraumatic stress disorder treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian F. Corbett
- Center for Stress Neurobiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sandra Luz
- Center for Stress Neurobiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jay Arner
- Center for Stress Neurobiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Abigail Vigderman
- Center for Stress Neurobiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kimberly Urban
- Center for Stress Neurobiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Seema Bhatnagar
- Center for Stress Neurobiology, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Wang Y, Chen R, Yang Z, Wen Q, Cao X, Zhao N, Yan J. Protective Effects of Polysaccharides in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:917629. [PMID: 35860666 PMCID: PMC9289469 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.917629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are characterized by progressive degeneration and necrosis of neurons, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease and others. There are no existing therapies that correct the progression of these diseases, and current therapies provide merely symptomatic relief. The use of polysaccharides has received significant attention due to extensive biological activities and application prospects. Previous studies suggest that the polysaccharides as a candidate participate in neuronal protection and protect against NDs. In this review, we demonstrate that various polysaccharides mediate NDs, and share several common mechanisms characterized by autophagy, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction in PD and AD. Furthermore, this review reveals potential role of polysaccharides in vitro and in vivo models of NDs, and highlights the contributions of polysaccharides and prospects of their mechanism studies for the treatment of NDs. Finally, we suggest some remaining questions for the field and areas for new development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinying Wang
- The Central Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Rongsha Chen
- The Central Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhongshan Yang
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Sino Medicine, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, China
| | - Qian Wen
- The Neurosurgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xia Cao
- The Central Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ninghui Zhao
- The Neurosurgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Jinyuan Yan
- The Central Laboratory of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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10
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Duan Y, Ye T, Qu Z, Chen Y, Miranda A, Zhou X, Lok KC, Chen Y, Fu AKY, Gradinaru V, Ip NY. Brain-wide Cas9-mediated cleavage of a gene causing familial Alzheimer's disease alleviates amyloid-related pathologies in mice. Nat Biomed Eng 2022; 6:168-180. [PMID: 34312508 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00759-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The pathology of familial Alzheimer's disease, which is caused by dominant mutations in the gene that encodes amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) and in those that encode presenilin 1 and presenilin 2, is characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles in multiple brain regions. Here we show that the brain-wide selective disruption of a mutated APP allele in transgenic mouse models carrying the human APP Swedish mutation alleviates amyloid-beta-associated pathologies for at least six months after a single intrahippocampal administration of an adeno-associated virus that encodes both Cas9 and a single-guide RNA that targets the mutation. We also show that the deposition of amyloid-beta, as well as microgliosis, neurite dystrophy and the impairment of cognitive performance, can all be ameliorated when the CRISPR-Cas9 construct is delivered intravenously via a modified adeno-associated virus that can cross the blood-brain barrier. Brain-wide disease-modifying genome editing could represent a viable strategy for the treatment of familial Alzheimer's disease and other monogenic diseases that affect multiple brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangyang Duan
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tao Ye
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhe Qu
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Yuewen Chen
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Abigail Miranda
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaopu Zhou
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ka-Chun Lok
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Brain Diseases, The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
| | - Amy K Y Fu
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China.,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China
| | - Viviana Gradinaru
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Nancy Y Ip
- Division of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Molecular Neuroscience Center, Center for Stem Cell Research, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China. .,Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Disease and Drug Development, HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science, Shenzhen, China.
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11
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BACE inhibitor treatment of mice induces hyperactivity in a Seizure-related gene 6 family dependent manner without altering learning and memory. Sci Rep 2021; 11:15084. [PMID: 34302009 PMCID: PMC8302682 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94369-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACE inhibitors, which decrease BACE1 (β-secretase 1) cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein, are a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials using BACE inhibitors have reported a lack of positive effect on patient symptoms and, in some cases, have led to increased adverse events, cognitive worsening and hippocampal atrophy. A potential drawback of this strategy is the effect of BACE inhibition on other BACE1 substrates such as Seizure-related gene 6 (Sez6) family proteins which are known to have a role in neuronal function. Mice were treated with an in-diet BACE inhibitor for 4–8 weeks to achieve a clinically-relevant level of amyloid-β40 reduction in the brain. Mice underwent behavioural testing and postmortem analysis of dendritic spine number and morphology with Golgi-Cox staining. Sez6 family triple knockout mice were tested alongside wild-type mice to identify whether any effects of the treatment were due to altered cleavage of Sez6 family proteins. Wild-type mice treated with BACE inhibitor displayed hyperactivity on the elevated open field, as indicated by greater distance travelled, but this effect was not observed in treated Sez6 triple knockout mice. BACE inhibitor treatment did not lead to significant changes in spatial or fear learning, reference memory, cognitive flexibility or anxiety in mice as assessed by the Morris water maze, context fear conditioning, or light–dark box tests. Chronic BACE inhibitor treatment reduced the density of mushroom-type spines in the somatosensory cortex, regardless of genotype, but did not affect steady-state dendritic spine density or morphology in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. Chronic BACE inhibition for 1–2 months in mice led to increased locomotor output but did not alter memory or cognitive flexibility. While the mechanism underlying the treatment-induced hyperactivity is unknown, the absence of this response in Sez6 triple knockout mice indicates that blocking ectodomain shedding of Sez6 family proteins is a contributing factor. In contrast, the decrease in mature spine density in cortical neurons was not attributable to lack of shed Sez6 family protein ectodomains. Therefore, other BACE1 substrates are implicated in this effect and, potentially, in the cognitive decline in longer-term chronically treated patients.
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12
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Lo AC, Evans CD, Mancini M, Wang H, Shcherbinin S, Lu M, Natanegara F, Willis BA. Phase II (NAVIGATE-AD study) Results of LY3202626 Effects on Patients with Mild Alzheimer's Disease Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:321-336. [PMID: 34113788 PMCID: PMC8150257 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: LY3202626 is a small molecule inhibitor of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE)1 shown to reduce amyloid-β (Aβ)1–40 and Aβ1–42 concentrations in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid developed for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: To assess the change from baseline in flortaucipir positron emission tomography (PET) after treatment with LY3202626 compared with placebo in patients with mild AD dementia. Methods: Patients received daily 3 mg or 12 mg doses of LY3202626 or placebo for 52 weeks. The primary outcome was assessment of cerebral neurofibrillary tangle load by flortaucipir PET. The study was terminated early following an interim analysis due to a low probability of identifying a statistically significant slowing of cognitive and/or functional decline. Results: A total of 316 patients were randomized and 47 completed the study. There was no statistically significant difference between placebo and either dose of LY3202626 from baseline to 52 weeks, or in annualized change for flortaucipir PET. There was no clinically meaningful difference between placebo and LY3202626 doses on efficacy measures of cognition and function. No deaths or serious adverse events considered related to LY3202626 were reported. A statistically significant increase in treatment-emergent adverse events in the psychiatric disorders system organ class was reported for both LY3202626 doses compared to placebo. Conclusion: LY3202626 tested at doses generating 70–90% BACE inhibition was generally well tolerated in this study. LY3202626 treatment did not result in a clinically significant change in cerebral tau burden as measured by flortaucipir nor in change of functional or cognitive decline compared to placebo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert C Lo
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Hong Wang
- Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Ming Lu
- Avid Radiopharmaceuticals, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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13
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Zimmer JA, Shcherbinin S, Devous MD, Bragg SM, Selzler KJ, Wessels AM, Shering C, Mullen J, Landry J, Andersen SW, Downing AM, Fleisher AS, Svaldi DO, Sims JR. Lanabecestat: Neuroimaging results in early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2021; 7:e12123. [PMID: 33614894 PMCID: PMC7882543 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Lanabecestat, a beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) inhibitor, was investigated as a potential Alzheimer's disease (AD)-modifying treatment. As previously reported, amyloid beta (Aβ) neuritic plaque burden reduction did not result in clinical benefit. Lanabecestat's effects on neuroimaging biomarkers and correlations between neuroimaging biomarkers and efficacy measures are reported. METHODS AMARANTH and DAYBREAK-ALZ were 104- and 78-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of lanabecestat in early symptomatic AD (AMARANTH) and mild AD dementia (DAYBREAK-ALZ). Patients randomly (1:1:1) received placebo, lanabecestat 20 mg, or lanabecestat 50 mg daily (AMARANTH, n = 2218; DAYBREAK-ALZ, n = 1722). Florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET), fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, flortaucipir PET, and volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to measure Aβ neuritic plaque burden, cerebral metabolism, aggregated tau neurofibrillary tangles, and brain volume, respectively. Additionally, florbetapir perfusion scans were performed in DAYBREAK-ALZ. Efficacy measures included 13-item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activities of Daily Living Inventory, Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes, Functional Activities Questionnaire, and Mini-Mental State Examination. These studies stopped early due to futility. RESULTS Despite previously observed annualized reduction in Aβ neuritic plaque burden, there were no treatment differences in annualized change of aggregated tau neurofibrillary tangle burden (AMARANTH, n = 284; DAYBREAK-ALZ, n = 70), cerebral metabolism (AMARANTH, n = 260; DAYBREAK-ALZ, n = 38) and perfusion (DAYBREAK-ALZ, n = 213). Greater brain volume reduction (AMARANTH, n = 1697 [whole brain]; DAYBREAK-ALZ, n = 650 [whole brain]) occurred on lanabecestat compared to placebo. Higher baseline aggregated tau neurofibrillary tangle burden, lower cerebral metabolism, and lower brain volumes correlated with poorer baseline efficacy scores and greater clinical worsening. Lower baseline cerebral perfusion correlated with poorer baseline efficacy scores. Reduction in cerebral metabolism or whole brain volume correlated with clinical worsening, regardless of treatment assignment. DISCUSSION Tau pathology and cerebral metabolism assessments showed no evidence of lanabecestat slowing pathophysiologic progression of AD. Lanabecestat exposure was associated with brain volume reductions. Correlations between imaging measures and cognitive assessments may aid future study design.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Craig Shering
- AstraZeneca, NeuroscienceBiopharmaceuticals R&DBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jamie Mullen
- AstraZeneca, NeuroscienceBiopharmaceuticals R&DBostonMassachusettsUSA
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14
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Zhu H, Dronamraju V, Xie W, More SS. Sulfur-containing therapeutics in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Med Chem Res 2021; 30:305-352. [PMID: 33613018 PMCID: PMC7889054 DOI: 10.1007/s00044-020-02687-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sulfur is widely existent in natural products and synthetic organic compounds as organosulfur, which are often associated with a multitude of biological activities. OBenzothiazole, in which benzene ring is fused to the 4,5-positions of the thiazolerganosulfur compounds continue to garner increasing amounts of attention in the field of medicinal chemistry, especially in the development of therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is a fatal neurodegenerative disease and the primary cause of age-related dementia posing severe societal and economic burdens. Unfortunately, there is no cure for AD. A lot of research has been conducted on sulfur-containing compounds in the context of AD due to their innate antioxidant potential and some are currently being evaluated in clinical trials. In this review, we have described emerging trends in the field, particularly the concept of multi-targeting and formulation of disease-modifying strategies. SAR, pharmacological targets, in vitro/vivo ADMET, efficacy in AD animal models, and applications in clinical trials of such sulfur compounds have also been discussed. This article provides a comprehensive review of organosulfur-based AD therapeutic agents and provides insights into their future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haizhou Zhu
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Venkateshwara Dronamraju
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Wei Xie
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Swati S. More
- Center for Drug Design, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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15
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Recent advances on drug development and emerging therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:5629-5645. [PMID: 34181171 PMCID: PMC8236749 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative old age disease that is complex, multifactorial, unalterable, and progressive in nature. The currently approved therapy includes cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA-receptor antagonists and their combination therapy provides only temporary symptomatic relief. Sincere efforts have been made by the researchers globally to identify new targets, discover, and develop novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of AD. This brief review article is intended to cover the recent advances in drug development and emerging therapeutic agents for AD acting at different targets. The article is compiled using various scientific online databases and by referring to clinicaltrials.gov and ALZFORUM (alzforum.org) websites. The upcoming therapies act on one or more targets including amyloids (secretases, Aβ42 production, amyloid deposition, and immunotherapy), tau proteins (tau phosphorylation/aggregation and immunotherapy) and neuroinflammation in addition to other miscellaneous targets. Despite the tremendous improvement in our understanding of the underlying pathophysiology of AD, only aducanumab was approved by FDA for the treatment of AD in 18 years i.e., since 2003. Hence, it is concluded that novel therapeutic strategies are required to discover and develop therapeutic agents to fight against the century old AD.
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16
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Lombardo S, Chiacchiaretta M, Tarr A, Kim W, Cao T, Sigal G, Rosahl TW, Xia W, Haydon PG, Kennedy ME, Tesco G. BACE1 partial deletion induces synaptic plasticity deficit in adult mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19877. [PMID: 31882662 PMCID: PMC6934620 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56329-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACE1 is the first enzyme involved in APP processing, thus it is a strong therapeutic target candidate for Alzheimer's disease. The observation of deleterious phenotypes in BACE1 Knock-out (KO) mouse models (germline and conditional) raised some concerns on the safety and tolerability of BACE1 inhibition. Here, we have employed a tamoxifen inducible BACE1 conditional Knock-out (cKO) mouse model to achieve a controlled partial depletion of BACE1 in adult mice. Biochemical and behavioural characterization was performed at two time points: 4-5 months (young mice) and 12-13 months (aged mice). A ~50% to ~70% BACE1 protein reduction in hippocampus and cortex, respectively, induced a significant reduction of BACE1 substrates processing and decrease of Aβx-40 levels at both ages. Hippocampal axonal guidance and peripheral nerve myelination were not affected. Aged mice displayed a CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP) deficit that was not associated with memory impairment. Our findings indicate that numerous phenotypes observed in germline BACE1 KO reflect a fundamental role of BACE1 during development while other phenotypes, observed in adult cKO, may be absent when partially rather than completely deleting BACE1. However, we demonstrated that partial depletion of BACE1 still induces CA1 LTP impairment, supporting a role of BACE1 in synaptic plasticity in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvia Lombardo
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | - Martina Chiacchiaretta
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | - Andrew Tarr
- Circuits and Behaviour Core, Center for Neuroscience Research, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | - WonHee Kim
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | - Tingyi Cao
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | - Griffin Sigal
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | - Thomas W Rosahl
- External In Vivo Pharmacology, Merck & Co. Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, 07033, USA
| | - Weiming Xia
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinic Center, Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Philip G Haydon
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA
| | | | - Giuseppina Tesco
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, USA.
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17
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaomin Li
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Lei Liu
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
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18
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Egan MF, Kost J, Voss T, Mukai Y, Aisen PS, Cummings JL, Tariot PN, Vellas B, van Dyck CH, Boada M, Zhang Y, Li W, Furtek C, Mahoney E, Harper Mozley L, Mo Y, Sur C, Michelson D. Randomized Trial of Verubecestat for Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease. N Engl J Med 2019; 380:1408-1420. [PMID: 30970186 PMCID: PMC6776078 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa1812840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 343] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prodromal Alzheimer's disease offers an opportunity to test the effect of drugs that modify the deposition of amyloid in the brain before the onset of dementia. Verubecestat is an orally administered β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) inhibitor that blocks production of amyloid-beta (Aβ). The drug did not prevent clinical progression in a trial involving patients with mild-to-moderate dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 104-week trial to evaluate verubecestat at doses of 12 mg and 40 mg per day, as compared with placebo, in patients who had memory impairment and elevated brain amyloid levels but whose condition did not meet the case definition of dementia. The primary outcome was the change from baseline to week 104 in the score on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB; scores range from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating worse cognition and daily function). Secondary outcomes included other assessments of cognition and daily function. RESULTS The trial was terminated for futility after 1454 patients had been enrolled; 485 had been assigned to receive verubecestat at a dose of 12 mg per day (the 12-mg group), 484 to receive verubecestat at a dose of 40 mg per day (the 40-mg group), and 485 to receive placebo. A total of 234 patients, 231 patients, and 239 patients per group, respectively, completed 104 weeks of the trial regimen. The estimated mean change from baseline to week 104 in the CDR-SB score was 1.65 in the 12-mg group, 2.02 in the 40-mg group, and 1.58 in the placebo group (P = 0.67 for the comparison between the 12-mg group and the placebo group and P = 0.01 for the comparison between the 40-mg group and the placebo group), suggesting a worse outcome in the higher-dose group than in the placebo group. The estimated rate of progression to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease was 24.5, 25.5, and 19.3 events per 100 patient-years in the 12-mg group, the 40-mg group, and the placebo group, respectively (hazard ratio for 40 mg vs. placebo, 1.38; 97.51% confidence interval, 1.07 to 1.79, not adjusted for multiple comparisons), favoring placebo. Adverse events were more common in the verubecestat groups than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS Verubecestat did not improve clinical ratings of dementia among patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease, and some measures suggested that cognition and daily function were worse among patients who received verubecestat than among those who received placebo. (Funded by Merck Sharp & Dohme; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01953601.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Egan
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - James Kost
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Tiffini Voss
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Yuki Mukai
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Paul S Aisen
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Jeffrey L Cummings
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Pierre N Tariot
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Bruno Vellas
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Christopher H van Dyck
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Merce Boada
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Ying Zhang
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Wen Li
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Christine Furtek
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Erin Mahoney
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Lyn Harper Mozley
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Yi Mo
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - Cyrille Sur
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
| | - David Michelson
- From Merck, Kenilworth, NJ (M.F.E., J.K., T.V., Y. Mukai, Y.Z., W.L., C.F., E.M., L.H.M., Y. Mo, C.S., D.M.); the University of Southern California, San Diego (P.S.A.); Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas (J.L.C.); Banner Alzheimer's Institute, Phoenix, AZ (P.N.T.); Gerontopole, INSERM Unité 1027, Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Center, Toulouse University Hospital, Toulouse, France (B.V.); Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.H.D.); and the Research Center and Memory Clínic, Fundació Alzheimer Centre Educacional, Institut Català de Neurociènces Aplicades-Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Barcelona, and the Network Center for Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid - both in Spain (M.B.)
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Yang Y, Lu J, Zuo Y. Changes of Synaptic Structures Associated with Learning, Memory and Diseases. BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019. [DOI: 10.26599/bsa.2018.2018.9050012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic plasticity is widely believed to be the cellular basis of learning and memory. It is influenced by various factors including development, sensory experiences, and brain disorders. Long-term synaptic plasticity is accompanied by protein synthesis and trafficking, leading to structural changes of the synapse. In this review, we focus on the synaptic structural plasticity, which has mainly been studied with in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy. We also discuss how a special type of synapses, the multi-contact synapses (including those formed by multi-synaptic boutons and multi-synaptic spines), are associated with experience and learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Ju Lu
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
| | - Yi Zuo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA
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20
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Evans CE, Thomas RS, Freeman TJ, Hvoslef-Eide M, Good MA, Kidd EJ. Selective reduction of APP-BACE1 activity improves memory via NMDA-NR2B receptor-mediated mechanisms in aged PDAPP mice. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 75:136-149. [PMID: 30572184 PMCID: PMC6357873 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 10/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
β-Amyloid (Aβ) accumulation is an early event of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Inhibition of Aβ production by β-secretase (BACE) has been proposed as a potential therapeutic strategy for AD. However, BACE inhibitors lack specificity and have had limited clinical benefit. To better study the consequences of reducing BACE metabolism, specifically of APP, we used an antibody, 2B3, that binds to APP at the BACE cleavage site, inhibiting Aβ production. 2B3 was administered either directly into the lateral ventricles or by intraperitoneal injection to (platelet-derived growth factor promoter hAPP717V (PDAPP) mice and WT mice. 2B3 reduced soluble Aβ40 and βCTF (β-amyloid derived C-terminal fragment) and improved memory for object-in-place associations and working memory in a foraging task in PDAPP mice. 2B3 also normalized the phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B subunit and subsequent extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling. The importance of this NR2B pathway for OiP memory was confirmed by administering the NR2B antagonist, Ro25-6981, to 18-month-old WT. In contrast, 2B3 impaired associative recognition memory in young WT mice. These data provide novel insights into the mechanism by which selective modulation of APP metabolism by BACE influences synaptic and cognitive processes in both normal mice and aged APP transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles E Evans
- School of Psychology Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Rhian S Thomas
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; Department of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK
| | - Thomas J Freeman
- School of Psychology Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | - Mark A Good
- School of Psychology Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
| | - Emma J Kidd
- School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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21
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Vnencak M, Schölvinck ML, Schwarzacher SW, Deller T, Willem M, Jedlicka P. Lack of β-amyloid cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) impairs long-term synaptic plasticity but enhances granule cell excitability and oscillatory activity in the dentate gyrus in vivo. Brain Struct Funct 2019; 224:1279-1290. [PMID: 30701309 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-019-01836-6] [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: 10/13/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACE1 is a β-secretase involved in the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The entorhinal cortex and the dentate gyrus are important for learning and memory, which are affected in the early stages of AD. Since BACE1 is a potential target for AD therapy, it is crucial to understand its physiological role in these brain regions. Here, we examined the function of BACE1 in the dentate gyrus. We show that loss of BACE1 in the dentate gyrus leads to increased granule cell excitability, indicated by enhanced efficiency of synaptic potentials to generate granule cell spikes. The increase in granule cell excitability was accompanied by prolonged paired-pulse inhibition, altered network gamma oscillations, and impaired synaptic plasticity at entorhinal-dentate synapses of the perforant path. In summary, this is the first detailed electrophysiological study of BACE1 deletion at the network level in vivo. The results suggest that BACE1 is important for normal dentate gyrus network function. This has implications for the use of BACE1 inhibitors as therapeutics for AD therapy, since BACE1 inhibition could similarly disrupt synaptic plasticity and excitability in the entorhinal-dentate circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Vnencak
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Turku University Hospital, University of Turku, PL 52, 20521, Turku, Finland.
| | - Marieke L Schölvinck
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Stephan W Schwarzacher
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Deller
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Michael Willem
- BioMedical Center, Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Jedlicka
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,ICAR3R-Interdisciplinary Centre for 3Rs in Animal Research, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Rudolf-Buchheim-Str. 6, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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22
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Drug Development for Alzheimer's Disease: Microglia Induced Neuroinflammation as a Target? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20030558. [PMID: 30696107 PMCID: PMC6386861 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20030558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Revised: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia. Its pathogenesis is characterized by the aggregation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) protein in senile plaques and the hyperphosphorylated tau protein in neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Current medications for AD can provide temporary help with the memory symptoms and other cognitive changes of patients, however, they are not able to stop or reverse the progression of AD. New medication discovery and the development of a cure for AD is urgently in need. In this review, we summarized drugs for AD treatments and their recent updates, and discussed the potential of microglia induced neuroinflammation as a target for anti-AD drug development.
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De Araujo Herculano B, Wang Z, Song W. A Novel Cell-based β-secretase Enzymatic Assay for Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2018; 16:128-134. [PMID: 30543168 DOI: 10.2174/1567205016666181212151540] [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: 08/09/2018] [Revised: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Deposition of the amyloid β protein (Aβ) into neuritic plaques is the neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Aβ is generated through the cleavage of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) by β-secretase and γ-secretase. Currently, the evaluation of APP cleavage by β-secretase in experimental settings has largely depended on models that do not replicate the physiological conditions of this process. OBJECTIVE To establish a novel live cell-based β-secretase enzymatic assay utilizing a novel chimeric protein that incorporates the natural sequence of APP and more closely replicates its cleavage by β-secretase under physiological conditions. METHODS We have developed a chimeric protein construct, ASGβ, incorporating the β-site cleavage sequence of APP targeted by β-secretase and its intracellular trafficking signal into a Phosphatase-eGFP secreted reporter system. Upon cleavage by β-secretase, ASGβ releases a phosphatase-containing portion that can be measured in the culture medium, and an intracellular fraction that can be detected through Western Blot. Subsequently, we have generated a cell line stably expressing ASGβ that can be utilized to assay β-secretase in real time. RESULTS ASGβ is specifically targeted by β-secretase, being cleaved exclusively at the site responsible for the generation of Aβ. Dosage response to β-secretase inhibitors shows that β-secretase activity can be positively correlated to phosphatase activity in culture media. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest this system could be a high-throughput tool to screen compounds that aim to modulate β-secretase activity and Aβ production under physiological conditions, as well as evaluating factors that regulate this cleavage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno De Araujo Herculano
- Department of Psychiatry, Townsend Family Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Townsend Family Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Weihong Song
- Department of Psychiatry, Townsend Family Laboratories, The University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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