AZD5438 a GSK-3a/b and CDK inhibitor is antiapoptotic modulates mitochondrial activity and protects human neurons from mitochondrial toxins

We previously reported that kenpaullone, which inhibits GSK-3a/b and CDKs inhibited CCCP mediated mitochondrial depolarisation and augments the mitochondrial network. To investigate the actions of this class of drug further, we compared the ability of kenpaullone, alsterpaullone, 1-azakenapaullone, AZD5438, AT7519 (CDK and GSK-3a/b inhibitors) and dexpramipexole and olesoxime (mitochondrial permeability transition pore inhibitors) to prevent CCCP mediated mitochondrial depolarisation and found that AZD5438 and AT7519, were the most effective. Furthermore, treatment with AZD5438 alone increased the complexity of the mitochondrial network. We also found that AZD5438 prevented the rotenone induced decrease in PGC-1alpha and TOM20 levels and that it mediated powerful anti-apoptotic effects and promoted glycolytic respiration. Importantly, experiments in human iPSC derived cortical and midbrain neurons showed AZD5438 mediated significant protective effects, preventing the neuronal cell death, and collapse in the neurite and mitochondrial network associated with rotenone treatment. These results suggest drugs that target GSK-3a/b and CDKs should be developed and assessed further as they may have significant therapeutic potential.

Ultrasound modulates neuronal potassium currents via ionotropic glutamate receptors

BACKGROUND

Focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) has the potential to provide non-invasive neuromodulation of deep brain regions with unparalleled spatial precision. However, the cellular and molecular consequences of ultrasound stimulation on neurons remains poorly understood. We previously reported that ultrasound stimulation induces increases in neuronal excitability that persist for hours following stimulation in vitro. In the present study we sought to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ultrasound regulates neuronal excitability and synaptic function.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effect of ultrasound stimulation on voltage-gated ion channel function and synaptic plasticity.

METHODS

Primary rat cortical neurons were exposed to a 40 s, 200 kHz pulsed ultrasound stimulus or sham-stimulus. Whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology, quantitative proteomics and high-resolution confocal microscopy were employed to determine the effects of ultrasound stimulation on molecular regulators of neuronal excitability and synaptic function.

RESULTS

We find that ultrasound exposure elicits sustained but reversible increases in whole-cell potassium currents. In addition, we find that ultrasound exposure activates synaptic signalling cascades that result in marked increases in excitatory synaptic transmission. Finally, we demonstrate the requirement of ionotropic glutamate receptor (AMPAR/NMDAR) activation for ultrasound-induced modulation of neuronal potassium currents.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest specific patterns of pulsed ultrasound can induce contemporaneous enhancement of both neuronal excitability and synaptic function, with implications for the application of FUS in experimental and therapeutic settings. Further study is now required to deduce the precise molecular mechanisms through which these changes occur.

Focused Ultrasound Stimulation as a Neuromodulatory Tool for Parkinson's Disease: A Scoping Review

Non-invasive focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS) is a non-ionising neuromodulatory technique that employs acoustic energy to acutely and reversibly modulate brain activity of deep-brain structures. It is currently being investigated as a potential novel treatment for Parkinson’s disease (PD). This scoping review was carried out to map available evidence pertaining to the provision of FUS as a PD neuromodulatory tool. In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews, a search was applied to Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials on 13 January 2022, with no limits applied. In total, 11 studies were included: 8 were from China and 1 each from Belgium, South Korea and Taiwan. All 11 studies were preclinical (6 in vivo, 2 in vitro, 2 mix of in vivo and in vitro and 1 in silico). The preclinical evidence indicates that FUS is safe and has beneficial neuromodulatory effects on motor behaviour in PD. FUS appears to have a therapeutic role in influencing the disease processes of PD, and therefore holds great promise as an attractive and powerful neuromodulatory tool for PD. Though these initial studies are encouraging, further study to understand the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms is required before FUS can be routinely used in PD.

Transient ultrasound stimulation has lasting effects on neuronal excitability

Background

Transcranial ultrasound stimulation can acutely modulate brain activity, but the lasting effects on neurons are unknown.

Objective

To assess the excitability profile of neurons in the hours following transient ultrasound stimulation.

Methods

Primary rat cortical neurons were stimulated with a 40 s, 200 kHz pulsed ultrasound stimulation or sham-stimulation. Intrinsic firing properties were investigated through whole-cell patch-clamp recording by evoking action potentials in response to somatic current injection. Recordings were taken at set timepoints following ultrasound stimulation: 0–2 h, 6–8 h, 12–14 h and 24–26 h. Transmission electron microscopy was used to assess synaptic ultrastructure at the same timepoints.

Results

In the 0–2 h window, neurons stimulated with ultrasound displayed an increase in the mean frequency of evoked action potentials of 32% above control cell levels (p = 0.023). After 4–6 h this increase was measured as 44% (p = 0.0043). By 12–14 h this effect was eliminated and remained absent 24–26 h post-stimulation. These changes to action potential firing occurred in conjunction with statistically significant differences between control and ultrasound-stimulated neurons in action potential half-width, depolarisation rate, and repolarisation rate, that were similarly eliminated by 24 h following stimulation. These effects occurred in the absence of alterations to intrinsic membrane properties or synaptic ultrastructure.

Conclusion

We report that stimulating neurons with 40 s of ultrasound enhances their excitability for up to 8 h in conjunction with modifications to action potential kinetics. This occurs in the absence of major ultrastructural change or modification of intrinsic membrane properties. These results can inform the application of transcranial ultrasound in experimental and therapeutic settings.

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40 s of ultrasound stimulation enhances intrinsic excitability of cultured rat neurons.

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Enhanced excitability lasts for up to 8 h.

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Ultrasound has no effects on neuronal ultrastructure.