Plasticity of cholinoreceptors of neurons of the common snail after effects on inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate- and CA(2+)-dependant mobilization of stored CA2+ and the level of phosphatidic acid

Unlocking choline's potential in Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review exploring the neuroprotective and neurotrophic role of phosphatidylcholine and assessing its impact on memory and learning

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Growing evidence suggests nutritional intervention may influence the development and progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Choline, an essential dietary nutrient plays a critical role in neurological development and brain function, however, its effects on AD in humans is unclear. The research aims to investigate mechanistic links between dietary choline intake and cognitive functioning, focusing on the role of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in neuroplasticity and its interaction with amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in neuron membranes. Additionally, human evidence on the potential benefits of PC interventions on AD, cognition, and proposed mechanisms are evaluated.

METHODS

A reproducible systematic literature search was performed using a three-tranche strategy, consisting of a review, mechanism, and intervention search. Using PubMed as the main database, 1254 titles and abstracts were screened, 149 papers were read in full and 65 peer-reviewed papers were accepted, critically appraised, and analysed in a narrative review.

RESULTS

Predominantly preclinical evidence demonstrated that PC enhances neuroplasticity, a key biological substrate for cognition, by activating intracellular neuronal signalling pathways or through neuron membrane function. Molecular dynamic simulation methods provided a mechanistic understanding of the interconnection between neuronal PC content and the potential behaviour and trajectory of Aβ peptide aggregation. The results indicate that the neuronal membrane composition of PC is critical to inhibiting Aβ aggregation and neuronal damage, protecting the neuron from Aβ toxicity. This might provide a foundation for optimising cellular PC which may prove beneficial in the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative disease. Altered PC metabolism in AD was evidenced in observational studies; however, whether this relationship represents a cause or consequence of AD remains to be determined. Human intervention studies did not produce conclusive evidence supporting its effectiveness in enhancing cognitive function. This lack of consistency primarily stems from methodological constraints within the conducted studies. Human observational research provided the most compelling evidence linking a higher dietary PC intake to a reduced risk of dementia and significant improvements in cognitive testing.

CONCLUSION

Despite the lack of randomised control trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of lecithin/PC to improve cognition in AD patients, there exists promising evidence supporting its neuroprotective and neurotrophic role. This review establishes an evidence-based framework through chains of mechanistic evidence, that may provide potential strategies for enhanced neuroprotection and reduced neurodegeneration caused by AD. Considering the escalating global burden of AD and the current shortcomings in effective treatments, this review together with the limitations and gaps identified in the existing research presents valuable insights that emphasise the urgency of more comprehensive research into the relationship between PC and AD.

Activators of G-proteins increase the plasticity of cholinoreceptors of common snail neurons

The influences of depth of damping of the inward current evoked by acetylcholine (the ACh-current), of two nonhydrolyzable analogs of GTP, which irreversibly activate G-proteins, namely 5'-guanylylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) and guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTP-g-S), were investigated in identified RPa3 and LPa3 neurons of the common snail using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. An irreversible deepening of the damping of the ACh-current following intracellular iontophoretic injections (-2 nA, 10 min) of Gpp(NH)p and GTP-g-S was demonstrated. A conclusion was reached regarding the participation of G-proteins in the molecular mechanism of the positive regulation of plasticity of cholinoreceptor neurons. Both of the G-protein activators used demonstrated a new atypical influence on the damping of the ACh-current, a disruption of its monotonic character. The hypothesis is advanced that the cause of such an influence lies in the oscillations of the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ induced by G-protein activators.