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Horak M, Holubova K, Nepovimova E, Krusek J, Kaniakova M, Korabecny J, Vyklicky L, Kuca K, Stuchlik A, Ricny J, Vales K, Soukup O. The pharmacology of tacrine at N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 75:54-62. [PMID: 28089695 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism of tacrine as a precognitive drug has been considered to be complex and not fully understood. It has been reported to involve a wide spectrum of targets involving cholinergic, gabaergic, nitrinergic and glutamatergic pathways. Here, we review the effect of tacrine and its derivatives on the NMDA receptors (NMDAR) with a focus on the mechanism of action and biological consequences related to the Alzheimer's disease treatment. Our findings indicate that effect of tacrine on glutamatergic neurons is both direct and indirect. Direct NMDAR antagonistic effect is often reported by in vitro studies; however, it is achieved by high tacrine concentrations which are not likely to occur under clinical conditions. The impact on memory and behavioral testing can be ascribed to indirect effects of tacrine caused by influencing the NMDAR-mediated currents via M1 receptor activation, which leads to inhibition of Ca2+-activated potassium channels. Such inhibition prevents membrane repolarization leading to prolonged NMDAR activation and subsequently to long term potentiation. Considering these findings, we can conclude that tacrine-derivatives with dual cholinesterase and NMDARs modulating activity may represent a promising approach in the drug development for diseases associated with cognitive dysfunction, such as the Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Horak
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Holubova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Eugenie Nepovimova
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Krusek
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Kaniakova
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Korabecny
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ladislav Vyklicky
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Kamil Kuca
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
| | - Ales Stuchlik
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic v.v.i., Videnska 1083, 14220 Prague 4, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Ricny
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Karel Vales
- National Institute of Mental Health, Topolova 748, 250 67 Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Soukup
- Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Hradec Kralove, Sokolska 581, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic.
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Schäble S, Huston JP, Barros M, Tomaz C, de Souza Silva MA. The NK3 receptor agonist senktide ameliorates scopolamine-induced deficits in memory for object, place and temporal order. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2012; 97:235-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2011.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Revised: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 12/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Bubser M, Byun N, Wood MR, Jones CK. Muscarinic receptor pharmacology and circuitry for the modulation of cognition. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2012:121-66. [PMID: 22222698 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-23274-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The muscarinic cholinergic system constitutes an important part of the neuronal circuitry that modulates normal cognition. Muscarinic receptor antagonists are well known to produce or exacerbate impairments in attention, learning, and memory. Conversely, both direct-acting muscarinic receptor agonists and indirect-acting muscarinic cholinergic agonists, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, have shown cognition-enhancing properties, including improvements in normal cognitive function, reversal of cognitive deficits induced by muscarinic receptor antagonists, and attenuation of cognitive deficits in psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. However, until recently, the lack of small molecule ligands that antagonize or activate specific muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) subtypes with high selectivity has been a major obstacle in defining the relative contributions of individual mAChRs to different aspects of cognitive function and for the development of novel therapeutic agents. These limitations may be potentially overcome by the recent discovery of novel mAChR subtype-selective compounds, notably allosteric agonists and positive allosteric modulators, which exhibit greater selectivity for individual mAChR subtypes than previous mAChR orthosteric agonists. In preclinical studies, these novel ligands have shown promising efficacy in several models for the enhancement of cognition. In this chapter, we will review the muscarinic cholinergic circuitry and pharmacology of mAChR agonists and antagonists relevant to the modulation of different aspects of cognition in animals and clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bubser
- Vanderbilt Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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Saxena G, Singh SP, Agrawal R, Nath C. Effect of donepezil and tacrine on oxidative stress in intracerebral streptozotocin-induced model of dementia in mice. Eur J Pharmacol 2007; 581:283-9. [PMID: 18234183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2007.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2007] [Revised: 11/27/2007] [Accepted: 12/13/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a major factor implicated in the degeneration of cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer's disease. Presently, cholinesterase inhibitors are the mainstay of therapy for Alzheimer's disease. However, the potential of cholinesterase inhibitors as antioxidants, an important aspect for neuroprotection, has not been properly investigated. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the influence of antidementia drugs, tacrine and donepezil, on biochemical markers of oxidative stress, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain in a streptozotocin-induced experimental model of dementia in mice. Intracerebral (i.c.) injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg on 1st and 3rd days caused significant deficits in memory function, as evaluated in a passive avoidance test and Morris Water Maze (spatial memory) test 14 days after the 1st dose. Mice were treated with tacrine and donepezil at a dose of 5 mg/kg orally in separate groups. Both tacrine- and donepezil-treated mice showed a significant improvement of the streptozotocin (i.c.)-induced memory impairment. Streptozotocin (i.c.) administration caused a significant decrease in GSH and increase in MDA as compared to control, indicating a state of oxidative stress in the brain of streptozotocin (i.c.) amnesic mice. Treatment of streptozotocin (i.c.) amnesic mice with tacrine or donepezil did not cause significant changes in GSH and MDA levels in the brain as compared to control. Streptozotocin amnesic mice had raised acetylcholinesterase activity in the brain while there was a significant decrease in brain acetylcholinesterase activity in tacrine- and donepezil-treated streptozotocin (i.c.) mice. Thus, results indicate that tacrine and donepezil, beside inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, may also suppress oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunjan Saxena
- Division of Pharmacology, Central Drug Research Institute, PO Box 173, Lucknow UP 226001, India
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Trollor JN, Sachdev PS, Haindl W, Brodaty H, Wen W, Walker BM. Combined cerebral blood flow effects of a cholinergic agonist (milameline) and a verbal recognition task in early Alzheimer's disease. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2006; 60:616-25. [PMID: 16958947 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2006.01567.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
RU 35926/CI-979 (milameline) is a partial muscarinic agonist with promnestic effects in animal models. Preliminary animal studies suggest that this agent has the capacity to reverse cholinergic dysfunction and that it may impact on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF). A total of 10 subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) of mild severity underwent high resolution split-dose single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) during performance of a verbal recognition and control task, both before and after 18 weeks treatment with melameline or placebo. SPECT images were coregistered with individual's magnetic resonance imaging scans allowing extraction of rCBF values from multiple anatomical regions of interest (ROI). The effect of milameline was examined in eight individuals who were found after unblinding to be taking active drug. Effects of milameline were most apparent in the frontal regions, basal ganglia and thalamus. In the group as a whole, the greatest increase in rCBF due to milameline treatment was observed in the left globus pallidus. Response to milameline treatment was associated with increases in rCBF in the cingulate gyrus bilaterally, and less so for the left thalamus. Milameline-related increases in rCBF values were exaggerated by the verbal recognition task. Milameline has a demonstrable effect on cerebral blood flow in mild AD. Consistent with emerging animal data, the effects on rCBF appear most prominent in frontal and subcortical regions in AD subjects. The effects on rCBF appear to be augmented by the performance of a cognitively demanding task, raising the possibility that such tasks could assist in building an awareness of the functional neuropsychopharmacology of drugs designed for cognitive enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian N Trollor
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
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Heidrich A, Rösler M. Milameline: Nonselective, Partial Muscarinic Receptor Agonist for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease? CNS DRUG REVIEWS 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1527-3458.1999.tb00092.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Liston DR, Nielsen JA, Villalobos A, Chapin D, Jones SB, Hubbard ST, Shalaby IA, Ramirez A, Nason D, White WF. Pharmacology of selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: implications for use in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Pharmacol 2004; 486:9-17. [PMID: 14751402 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2003.11.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Cholinesterase inhibitors vary in their selectivity for acetylcholinesterase versus butyrylcholinesterase. We examined several cholinesterase inhibitors and assessed the relative role of acetylcholinesterase versus butyrylcholinesterase inhibition in central and peripheral responses to these medications. Donepezil and icopezil are highly selective for acetylcholinesterase, whereas tacrine and heptylphysostigmine demonstrated greater potency for butyrylcholinesterase over acetylcholinesterase. All four compounds increased acetylcholine levels in mouse brains. Dose-response curves for tremor (central effect) and salivation (peripheral effect) showed that donepezil and icopezil possess a more favourable therapeutic index than the nonselective inhibitors, tacrine and heptylphysostigmine. Co-administration of the selective butyrylcholinesterase inhibitor tetraisopropylpyrophosphoramide (iso-OMPA) potentiated peripheral, but not central, effects of the selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor icopezil. The improved therapeutic index observed in mice with icopezil is due to a high degree of selectivity for acetylcholinesterase versus butyrylcholinesterase, suggesting that high selectivity for acetylcholinesterase may contribute to the clinically favourable tolerability profile of agents such as donepezil in Alzheimer's disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dane R Liston
- CNS Discovery, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Eastern Point Road, Mailstop 8220-4016, Groton, CT 06340, USA.
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Harries MH, Samson NA, Cilia J, Hunter AJ. The profile of sabcomeline (SB-202026), a functionally selective M1 receptor partial agonist, in the marmoset. Br J Pharmacol 1998; 124:409-15. [PMID: 9641560 PMCID: PMC1565397 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjp.0701844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
1. Sabcomeline (SB-202026, 0.03 mg kg(-1), p.o.), a potent and functionally selective M1 receptor partial agonist, caused a statistically significant improvement in the performance of a visual object discrimination task by marmosets. No such improvement was seen after RS86 (0.1 mg kg(-1), p.o.). 2. Initial learning, which only required an association of object with reward and an appropriate response to be made, was not significantly affected. Reversal learning, which required both the extinction of the previously learned response and the acquisition of a new response strategy, was significantly improved after administration of sabcomeline (0.03 mg kg(-1), p.o.). 3. Sabcomeline (0.03 and 0.1 mg kg(-1), p.o.) had no significant effect on mean blood pressure measured for 2 h after administration in the conscious marmoset. 4. Sabcomeline (0.03 mg kg(-1), p.o.) caused none of the overt effects such as emesis or behaviours often seen after the administration of muscarinic agonists, e.g. face rubbing and licking. 5. This is the first study to demonstrate cognitive enhancement by a functionally selective M1 receptor partial agonist in a normal (i.e. non-cognitively impaired) non-human primate and this effect was seen at a dose which did not cause side effects. 6. Perseverative behaviour and deficient acquisition of new information are seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore the data suggest that sabcomeline might be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Harries
- Neurosciences Research, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, New Frontiers Science Park, Harlow, Essex
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M'Harzi M, Willig F, Gieules C, Palou AM, Oberlander C, Barzaghi F. Ameliorating effects of RU 47213, a novel oral and long-lasting cholinomimetic agent, on working memory impairments in rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1997; 56:663-8. [PMID: 9130292 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-3057(96)00423-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The anti-amnesic effects of RU 47213 [1-(4-chlorophenoxycarbonyl)-1,2,5, 6-tetrahydropyridine-3-carboxaldehyde-O-methyloxime], a prodrug with oral and long-lasting cholinergic activity, were evaluated on working memory impairments, using tasks of unequal levels of difficulty involving the same reinforcement and motivation in rats: a spatial-based task in a radial maze and a delayed reinforced alternation task in a T-maze. Tetrahydroaminoacridine (THA; tacrine), a cholinesterase inhibitor was used as a reference. Groups of rats were trained in an automated radial maze or T-maze until they had attained an asymptotic level of performance. On test days, memory impairment was produced by administration of scopolamine (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) 15 min prior to testing. Both THA (1.3, and 5 mg/kg) and RU 47213 (0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/kg) given prior to testing markedly reduced or suppressed the scopolamine induced working memory deficits in both tasks. This activity was evidenced by either a significant decrease in the number of errors or an increase in the number of correct responses. These results show that RU 47213 possesses the capacity to reduce memory deficits induced by an impairment of cholinergic transmission in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M'Harzi
- Centre de Recherches Roussel UCLAF, Romainville, France.
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Smythe JW, Murphy D, Bhatnagar S, Timothy C, Costall B. Muscarinic antagonists are anxiogenic in rats tested in the black-white box. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1996; 54:57-63. [PMID: 8728539 DOI: 10.1016/0091-3057(95)02130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Central cholinergic (ACh) projections have been shown to modulate stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and are integral to the expression of electrophysiological correlates of arousal, namely hippocampal theta rhythm. The degree to which these actions of ACh are behaviorally relevant has received comparatively less attention, and we sought to investigate if manipulations of ACh systems might also affect behaviors related to stress and arousal. We chose to examine indices of anxiety as revealed by changes in behavior elicited by the black-white box test, a relatively novel and recently validated model of rodent anxiety. Groups of rats were injected with either scopolamine hydrobromide (SCOP; 0, 0.05, and 0.10 mg/kg i.p.) or the peripherally acting scopolamine methyl bromide (methyl-SCOP; 0, 0.05, and 0.10 mg/kg i.p.) to compare and contrast the effects of central and peripheral ACh blockade on measures of anxiety. SCOP pretreatment significantly lowered latencies for rats to escape from the white to black compartment, while methyl-SCOP elevated latencies to reenter the white chamber from the black. Both drugs increased the amount of time rats spent in the black compartment and also suppressed exploration as revealed by decreased episodes of intercompartmental locomotion. Neither drug deleteriously affected locomotor activity, however; in fact, SCOP significantly increased locomotion in the white chamber. In the absence of motor disturbances to account for any group differences, we contend that both central and peripheral ACh blockade may affect measures of anxiety, perhaps by directly or indirectly affecting HPA activity. Central ACh systems may underlie sensory filtering whereby irrelevant stimuli are excluded from sensory processing. Antagonism of ACh transmission may render an animal incapable of correctly processing sensory information leading to hyperresponsiveness, which can manifest itself as enhanced anxiety and fear.
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Affiliation(s)
- J W Smythe
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Bradford, UK
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Braida D, Paladini E, Griffini P, Lamperti M, Maggi A, Sala M. An inverted U-shaped curve for heptylphysostigmine on radial maze performance in rats: comparison with other cholinesterase inhibitors. Eur J Pharmacol 1996; 302:13-20. [PMID: 8790986 DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(96)00072-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The potential of heptylphysostigmine tartrate (pyrrolo [2,3b] indol-5-ol, 3,3a,8,8a-hexahydro-1,3a,8-trimethylheptylcarbamate [ester, (3aS-cis)]) (MF201), a new second-generation cholinesterase inhibitor, to antagonize scopolamine-induced amnesia in rats was assessed in an 8-arm radial maze. Upon completing the training session, the rats were orally administered increasing doses of MF201 (2, 3, 4, 6 and 8 mg/kg) 60 min prior to a s.c. injection of scopolamine (0.25 mg/kg). 9-Amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroamino-acridine hydrochloride hydrate (tacrine) (0.25, 0.37, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg), 1-benzil-4-[(5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanon)-2-yl]-methyl piperidine (E2020) (0.125, 0.18, 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) and physostigmine (0.15, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg) were orally administered and rats were tested in the same task. As previously described, scopolamine induced an impairment in radial maze performance, measured in terms of total number of errors, total time taken to complete the task and the percentage of amnesic animals. The reversal of scopolamine-induced impairment was characterized by the presence of an inverted U-shaped dose-response curve. A significant antagonistic effect was achieved with a dose (mg/kg) of 0.25 for E2020, 0.5 for tacrine and physostigmine and 3, 4 and 6 for MF201, the latter manifesting a broader spectrum of activity (3-6 mg/kg). While the maximal active doses restored the scopolamine-induced modified pattern of arm entry, they were ineffective in reducing hypermotility, suggesting the drugs have a specific effect on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Braida
- Institute of Pharmacology, Faculty of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences, University of Milan, Italy
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