A post-synaptic depressant modulatory action of 5-hydroxytryptamine on excitatory amino acid responses in rat entorhinal cortex in vitro

Suggestion of creatine as a new neurotransmitter by approaches ranging from chemical analysis and biochemistry to electrophysiology

The discovery of a new neurotransmitter, especially one in the central nervous system, is both important and difficult. We have been searching for new neurotransmitters for 12 y. We detected creatine (Cr) in synaptic vesicles (SVs) at a level lower than glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid but higher than acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine. SV Cr was reduced in mice lacking either arginine:glycine amidinotransferase (a Cr synthetase) or SLC6A8, a Cr transporter with mutations among the most common causes of intellectual disability in men. Calcium-dependent release of Cr was detected after stimulation in brain slices. Cr release was reduced in Slc6a8 and Agat mutants. Cr inhibited neocortical pyramidal neurons. SLC6A8 was necessary for Cr uptake into synaptosomes. Cr was found by us to be taken up into SVs in an ATP-dependent manner. Our biochemical, chemical, genetic, and electrophysiological results are consistent with the possibility of Cr as a neurotransmitter, though not yet reaching the level of proof for the now classic transmitters. Our novel approach to discover neurotransmitters is to begin with analysis of contents in SVs before defining their function and physiology.

Serotonin 5-HT1A Receptor-Mediated Reduction of Excitatory Synaptic Transmission in Layers II/III of the Parasubiculum

Serotonin (5-HT) has important effects on cognitive function within the hippocampal region where it modulates membrane potential and excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission. Here, we investigated how 5-HT modulates excitatory synaptic strength in layers II/III of the parasubiculum in rat brain slices. Bath-application of 1 or 10 μM 5-HT resulted in a strong, dose-dependent, and reversible reduction in the amplitude of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) recorded in the parasubiculum. The 5-HT reuptake blocker citalopram (10 μM) also reduced fEPSP amplitudes, indicating that 5-HT released within the slice inhibits synaptic transmission. The reduction of fEPSPs induced by 5-HT was blocked by the 5-HT_1A receptor blocker NAN-190 (10 μM), but not by the 5-HT₇ receptor blocker SB-269970 (10 μM). Moreover, the 5-HT_1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT induced a reduction of fEPSP amplitude similar to that induced by 5-HT. The reduction was prevented by the 5-HT_1A receptor blocker NAN-190. The reduction in fEPSPs induced by either 5-HT or by 8-OH-DPAT was accompanied by an increase in paired-pulse ratio, suggesting that it is due mainly to reduced glutamate release. Our data suggest that the effects of serotonin on cognitive function may depend in part upon a 5-HT_1A-mediated reduction of excitatory synaptic transmission in the parasubiculum. This may also affect synaptic processing in the entorhinal cortex, which receives the major output projection of the parasubiculum.

Pathologic role of nitrergic neurotransmission in mood disorders

Mood disorders are chronic, recurrent mental diseases that affect millions of individuals worldwide. Although over the past 40 years the biogenic amine models have provided meaningful links with the clinical phenomena of, and the pharmacological treatments currently employed in, mood disorders, there is still a need to examine the contribution of other systems to the neurobiology and treatment of mood disorders. This article reviews the current literature describing the potential role of nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the pathophysiology and thereby the treatment of mood disorders. The hypothesis has arisen from several observations including (i) altered NO levels in patients with mood disorders; (ii) antidepressant effects of NO signaling blockers in both clinical and pre-clinical studies; (iii) interaction between conventional antidepressants/mood stabilizers and NO signaling modulators in several biochemical and behavioral studies; (iv) biochemical and physiological evidence of interaction between monoaminergic (serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine) system and NO signaling; (v) interaction between neurotrophic factors and NO signaling in mood regulation and neuroprotection; and finally (vi) a crucial role for NO signaling in the inflammatory processes involved in pathophysiology of mood disorders. These accumulating lines of evidence have provided a new insight into novel approaches for the treatment of mood disorders.

Effects of serotonin on the intrinsic membrane properties of layer II medial entorhinal cortex neurons

Although serotonin (5-HT) is an important neuromodulator in the superficial layers of the medial entorhinal cortex (mEC), there is some disagreement concerning its influences upon the membrane properties of neurons within this region. We performed whole cell recordings of mEC Layer II projection neurons in rat brain slices in order to characterize the intrinsic influences of 5-HT. In current clamp, 5-HT evoked a biphasic response consisting of a moderately short latency and large amplitude hyperpolarization followed by a slowly developing, long lasting, and small amplitude depolarization. Correspondingly, in voltage clamp, 5-HT evoked a robust outward followed by a smaller inward shift of holding current. The outward current evoked by 5-HT showed a consistent current/voltage (I/V) relationship across cells with inward rectification, and demonstrating a reversal potential that was systematically dependent upon the extracellular concentration of K(+), suggesting that it was predominantly carried by potassium ions. However, the inward current showed a less consistent I/V relationship across different cells, suggesting multiple independent ionic mechanisms. The outward current was mediated through activation of 5-HT(1A) receptors via a G-protein dependent mechanism while inward currents were evoked in a 5-HT(1A)-independent fashion. A significant proportion of the inward current was blocked by the I(h) inhibitor ZD7288 and appeared to be due to 5-HT modulation of I(h) as 5-HT shifted the activation curve of I(h) in a depolarizing fashion. Serotonin is thus likely to influence, in a composite fashion, the information processing of Layer II neurons in the mEC and thus, the passage of neocortical information via the perforant pathway to the hippocampus.

Dopamine has bidirectional effects on synaptic responses to cortical inputs in layer II of the lateral entorhinal cortex

Dopaminergic modulation of neuronal function has been extensively studied in the prefrontal cortex, but much less is known about its effects on glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission in the entorhinal cortex. The mesocortical dopamine system innervates the superficial layers of the lateral entorhinal cortex and may therefore modulate sensory inputs to this area. In awake rats, systemic administration of the dopamine reuptake inhibitor GBR12909 (10 mg/kg, ip) enhanced extracellular dopamine levels in the entorhinal cortex and significantly facilitated field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in layer II evoked by piriform cortex stimulation. An analysis of the receptor subtypes involved in the facilitation of evoked fEPSPs was conducted using horizontal slices of lateral entorhinal cortex in vitro. The effects of 15-min bath application of dopamine on synaptic responses were bidirectional and concentration dependent. Synaptic responses were enhanced by 10 microM dopamine and suppressed by concentrations of 50 and 100 microM. The D(1)-receptor antagonist SCH23390 (50 microM) blocked the significant facilitation of synaptic responses induced by 10 microM dopamine and the D(2)-receptor antagonist sulpiride (50 microM) prevented the suppression of fEPSPs observed with higher concentrations of dopamine. We propose here that dopamine release in the lateral entorhinal cortex, acting through D(1) receptors, can lead to an enhancement of the salience of sensory representations carried to this region from adjacent sensory cortices.

Serotonergic modulation of the responses to excitatory amino acids of rat dorsal horn neurons in vitro: implications for somatosensory transmission

Serotonin (5-HT) is one of the major transmitters involved in supraspinal control of somatic sensation and nociception. The aim of the present study was to investigate if the 5-HT-induced modulation of sensory transmission in the dorsal horn could be due to regulation of neuronal responses to excitatory amino acids. Experiments were performed in an in vitro preparation of the young rat spinal cord. Responses to dorsal root stimulation (DR-EPSP) and to droplet application of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) and alpha-amino-2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-oxo-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid (AMPA) were obtained by means of intracellular recordings of dorsal horn neurons. Bath applications of 5-HT (50 microM) generally caused reductions in amplitude and integrated area of DR-EPSPs and of responses to NMDA but the responses to AMPA were unaltered. A linear correlation was found between the effects of 5-HT on the DR-EPSP and on the NMDA response measured as percentage change in amplitude (r2 = 0.45; P < or = 0.01) and integrated area (r2 = 0.77; P < or = 0.001). The NMDA receptor antagonist d-AP5 (50 microM) completely abolished NMDA responses and caused a depression of the DR-EPSP similar to that of 5-HT. The 5-HT1 receptor agonist 5-carboxamidotryptamine (5-CT; 1 microM) mimicked the depressant effects of 5-HT but had a stronger depressant action on the DR-EPSP than 5-HT. The depression of NMDA responses induced by 5-HT and 5-CT was tetrodotoxin (1 microM) resistant. It is concluded that 5-HT-induced depression of NMDA responses explains partially the depressant action of 5-HT on dorsal horn synaptic transmission activating a postsynaptic site sensitive to 5-CT. The possible activation of coadjuvant mechanisms is discussed.

Serotonin reduces synaptic excitation in the superficial medial entorhinal cortex of the rat via a presynaptic mechanism

1. The superficial layers II and III of the entorhinal cortex, which form the main cortical input to the hippocampus, receive a large serotonergic projection from the raphe nuclei and express 5-HT receptors at high density. Here, we studied the effects of serotonin on the intrinsic properties and excitatory synaptic transmission of the superficial medial entorhinal cortex. 2. Intracellular and patch clamp recordings revealed that serotonin hyperpolarized only one-third of the cells, approximately, through a potassium conductance via a GTP-dependent process. 3. Serotonin depressed mixed as well as isolated alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole- propionic acid receptor (AMPAR)- and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials/currents (EPSPs/EPSCsapproximately 40 % reduction with 1 microM serotonin). 4. The effect of serotonin on EPSPs/EPSCs was similar in whole-cell versus intracellular recordings; it did not require intracellular GTP and was not visible in glutamate applications to excised patches. Miniature EPSCs recorded in the presence of tetrodotoxin and bicuculline were reduced in frequency, but not altered in amplitude. 5. The effects of serotonin on intrinsic properties and EPSPs were partially mimicked by 5-HT1A receptor agonists (+/-)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT) and 5-carboxamido-tryptamine maleate (5-CT), and reduced by 5-HT1A receptor antagonists S-(-)-5-fluoro-8-hydroxy-DPAT hydrochloride (S-UH-301), 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-4-[4-(2-phthalimido)butyl]piperazine hydrobromide (NAN-190) and spiperone. 6. We conclude that serotonin potently suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission via 5-HT1A receptors in layers II and III of the medial entorhinal cortex by a presynaptic mechanism.

Glutamate release in human cerebral cortex and its modulation by 5-hydroxytryptamine acting at h 5-HT1D receptors

1. The release of glutamic acid and its modulation by 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the human brain has been investigated in synaptosomal preparations from fresh neocortical samples obtained from patients undergoing neurosurgery to reach deeply sited tumours. 2. The Ca2+-dependent K+ (15 mM)-evoked overflow of glutamate was inhibited by 5-HT in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 2.9 nM; maximal effect approximately 50%). The inhibition caused by 5-HT was antagonized by the 5-HT1/5-HT2 receptor antagonist methiothepin. The 5-HT1B/5-HT1D receptor agonist sumatriptan mimicked 5-HT (EC50 = 6.4 nM; maximal effect approximately 50%); the effect of sumatriptan was also methiothepin-sensitive. Selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonists could not prevent the inhibition of glutamate release by 5-HT. 3. The 5-HT1B/5-HT1D receptor ligand GR 127935 and the 5-HT2C/5-HT1B/5-HT1D receptor ligand metergoline were unable to prevent the 5-HT effect; instead they inhibited glutamate release, their effects being abolished by methiothepin. Some 5-HT1A receptor antagonists also displayed intrinsic agonist activity. 4. The effect of sumatriptan was prevented by ketanserin, a drug known to display much higher affinity for recombinant h 5-HT1D than for h 5-HT1B receptors. 5. We propose that neocortical glutamatergic nerve terminals in human brain cortex possess release-inhibiting presynaptic heteroreceptors that appear to belong to the h 5-HT1D subtype.

Comparison of the effects of serotonin in the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex

Among the molecular, cellular, and systemic events that have been proposed to modulate the function of the hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex (EC), one of the most frequently cited possibilities is the activation of the serotonergic system. Neurons in the hippocampus and in the EC receive a strong serotonergic projection from the raphe nuclei and express serotonin (5-HT) receptors at high density. Here we review the various effects of 5-HT on intrinsic and synaptic properties of neurons in the hippocampus and the EC. Although similar membrane-potential changes following 5-HT application have been reported for neurons of the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus, the effects of serotonin on synaptic transmission are contrary in both areas. Serotonin mainly depresses fast and slow inhibition of the principal output cells of the hippocampus, whereas it selectively suppresses the excitation in the entorhinal cortex. On the basis of these data, we discuss the possible role of serotonin under physiological and pathophysiological circumstances.

WAY 100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, prevents the impairment of spatial learning caused by intrahippocampal administration of scopolamine or 7-chloro-kynurenic acid

The effect of WAY 100635, a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, on the impairment of spatial learning caused by intrahippocampal administration of scopolamine, a cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist, or 7-chloro-kynurenic acid, an antagonist at the glycine site associated with the NMDA receptor complex, was studied in a two-platform spatial discrimination task. Scopolamine (4 microg/microl) or 7-chloro-kynurenic acid (3 microg/microl), administered bilaterally into the CA1 region of the dorsal hippocampus 10 min before each training session, impaired choice accuracy with no effect on choice latency and errors of omission. Administered subcutaneously at 1 (but not at 0.3) mg/kg 30 min before each training session, WAY 100635 did not modify the acquisition of spatial learning, but prevented the impairment of choice accuracy caused by intrahippocampal scopolamine or 7-chloro-kynurenic acid. These findings suggest that blockade of 5-HT1A receptors can compensate the loss of cholinergic or NMDA-mediated excitatory input to pyramidal cells in the hippocampus. The mechanisms involved and the importance of these findings for the symptomatic treatment of memory disorders in man are discussed.

5-HT inhibits lateral entorhinal cortical neurons of the rat in vitro by activation of potassium channel-coupled 5-HT1A receptors

Serotonin (1-40 microM) reduced input resistance by 20.6 +/- 6% and hyperpolarized stellate and pyramidal neurons of layers two and three of the lateral entorhinal cortex. 5-Carboxamidotryptamine, a 5-HT1 agonist, and the selective 5-HT1A agonist 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin mimicked the action of serotonin. The reversal potential of 5-HT-mediated hyperpolarizations was sensitive to the extracellular K+ concentration, indicating a potassium conductance change. Serotonin treatment suppressed excitatory amino acid-mediated synaptic potentials (by 48%, Kd = 6.9 microM) and responses to exogenously applied glutamate (70.1 +/- 17% of control, n = 7), but did not alter paired-pulse facilitation, indicating a postsynaptic site of action. Intracellular application of QX-314, a blocker of potassium conductance, significantly reduced depression of synaptic potentials by 5-HT agonists. In cells filled with QX-314, responses to exogenously applied glutamate were not reduced by serotonin or 5-carboxamidotryptamine application. These results indicate that the observed conductance increase associated with 5-HT application accounts for most if not all of the observed depressant effects of 5-HT1A agonists on excitatory amino acid-mediated neurotransmission.

Serotonin blocks different patterns of low Mg2+-induced epileptiform activity in rat entorhinal cortex, but not hippocampus

Low Mg2+-induced epileptiform activity in the entorhinal cortex is characterized by an initial expression of seizure-like events followed by late recurrent discharges. Both these forms of activity as well as the transition between them were blocked by serotonin. In contrast, serotonin had little effect upon the epileptiform activity in areas CA3 and CA1 of the hippocampus. Both forms of epileptiform activity in the entorhinal cortex are sensitive to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists and it is shown here that serotonin blocked both types of epileptiform activity through an effective concentration-dependent reduction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic potentials in deep layer entorhinal cortex cells. Serotonin also prolonged or even prevented the transition between the two types of epileptiform activity and we suggest that this may be through activation of the Na+/K+-ATPase. The resistance of epileptiform activity in CA1 and CA3 to serotonin was most likely related to the inability of serotonin to reduce Schaffer collateral-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials. Given the strong serotonergic inputs to both the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, the differential sensitivity of the two regions to serotonin suggests functional differences. In addition since the late recurrent discharges in the entorhinal cortex are resistant to all clinically used anticonvulsants, serotonin may open new avenues for the development of novel anticonvulsant compounds.

Stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors in the dorsal hippocampus and inhibition of limbic seizures induced by kainic acid in rats

1. We studied whether the stimulation of 5-HT1A receptors by 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a specific 5-HT1A receptor agonist, reduced electroencephalographic (EEG) seizures induced by intrahippocampal injection of 0.04 microgram in 0.5 microliter of the glutamate analogue kainic acid in freely-moving rats. 2. Pretreatment with 8-OH-DPAT 15 min earlier at the same site as kainic acid injection, caused a dose-dependent decrease of kainic acid-induced seizure activity. One and 10 micrograms significantly reduced the total time spent in seizures by 72% on average and the total number of seizures by 58% (P < 0.01) and 43% (P < 0.05) respectively. The latency to onset of the first seizure was increased 2.8 times (P < 0.01) only after 1 microgram 8-OH-DPAT; 0.1 microgram was ineffective on all seizure parameters. 3. Systemic administration of 25, 100 and 1000 micrograms kg-1 8-OH-DPAT significantly reduced the total number of seizures and the total time in seizures induced by intrahippocampal kainic acid by 52% and 74% on average. The latency to onset of the first seizure was delayed 1.8 times by 100 and 1000 micrograms kg-1 (P < 0.05). 4. The anticonvulsant action of 8-OH-DPAT given intrahippocampally or systemically was significantly blocked by 5 micrograms, but not 1 microgram WAY 100635, a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, administered in the hippocampus before the agonist. 5. These results indicate that postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors in the hippocampus mediate the anticonvulsant action of 8-OH-DPAT and that their stimulation has an inhibitory role in the generation of limbic seizures.

Serotonin reduces synaptic excitation of principal cells in the superficial layers of rat hippocampal-entorhinal cortex combined slices

The cells of the entorhinal cortex receive a dense innervation of serotonergic fibres from the Raphe nuclei and express a high density of 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) receptors. We investigated the effects of serotonin on excitatory synaptic transmission in principal cells from entorhinal cortex layers II and III within hippocampal-entorhinal cortex combined slices. Although serotonin had an effect upon the membrane conductance of some, but not all cells, its most pronounced action was to reduce stimulus evoked excitatory synaptic potentials and currents (EPSP/Cs). Both alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated EPSPs were reduced to similar extents over a range of concentrations. Since the principal cells in layer II and layer III are the main projection cells of the entorhinal cortex, these inhibitory effects of serotonin may have implications for the transfer of information to the hippocampus.

Effects of serotonergic drugs in experimental brain ischemia: evidence for a protective role of serotonin in cerebral ischemia

We have examined the significance of the serotonergic system in the pathophysiology of ischemic brain damage. Permanent occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) was performed in male NMRI mice. After 48 h, the animals received a transcardiac injection of carbon black. The area of ischemia was restricted to the neocortex and its size was determined planimetrically by means of an image analyzing system. In control experiments, the NMDA antagonist dizocilpine (MK-801), the AMPA/kainate antagonist NBQX (2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoylbenzo(F)-quinoxaline) and the L-type calcium channel blocker nimodipine all produced a significant reduction in ischemic injury of the mouse neocortex. Interestingly, all of the 5-HT1A agonists tested (ipsapirone, CM 57493 [4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-1-(2-cyanoethyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ] and urapidil) were equally efficacious in reducing ischemic injury. On the other hand, the 5-HT2 antagonist naftidrofuryl failed to protect the brain tissue significantly against ischemic brain damage. Roxindole, a 5-HT1A agonist and 5-HT uptake inhibitor, was the most potent serotonergic compound tested. In order to examine the effects of 5-HT1A receptor activation in a different context, 10 min of forebrain ischemia was induced in male Wistar rats by a bilateral occlusion of the common carotid arteries combined with systemic hypotension. Administration of the 5-HT1A agonist CM 57493 reduced the neuronal damage within the ventral hippocampus and the entorhinal cortex as assessed histologically 7 days after ischemia. Finally, we found that 5-HT1A agonists are capable of reducing neuronal damage of cultured neocortical and hippocampal neurons subjected to a chemical hypoxia or glutamate in a dose dependent manner. These data suggest that 5-HT, released during ischemia, may have protective effects in the pathophysiology of ischemic brain damage through a direct action on neurons mediated via the inhibitory 5-HT1A receptor subtype. The results obtained from different in vivo and in vitro models indicate that 5-HT1A agonists are promising agents for the treatment of ischemic brain disorders.