Effects of St-587 and prazosin on water maze and passive avoidance performance of scopolamine-treated rats

Noradrenergic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease

The brain noradrenergic system supplies the neurotransmitter norepinephrine throughout the brain via widespread efferent projections, and plays a pivotal role in modulating cognitive activities in the cortex. Profound noradrenergic degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients has been observed for decades, with recent research suggesting that the locus coeruleus (where noradrenergic neurons are mainly located) is a predominant site where AD-related pathology begins. Mounting evidence indicates that the loss of noradrenergic innervation greatly exacerbates AD pathogenesis and progression, although the precise roles of noradrenergic components in AD pathogenesis remain unclear. The aim of this review is to summarize current findings on noradrenergic dysfunction in AD, as well as to point out deficiencies in our knowledge where more research is needed.

Effect of Codonopsis lanceolata with Steamed and Fermented Process on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice

Codonopsis lanceolata (Campanulaceae) traditionally have been used as a tonic and to treat patients with lung abscesses. Recently, it was proposed that the extract and some compounds isolated from C. lanceolata reversed scopolamine-induced memory and learning deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the improvement of cognitive enhancing effect of C. lanceolata by steam and fermentation process in scopolamine-induced memory impairment mice models by passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. The extract of C. lanceolata or the extract of steamed and fermented C. lanceolata (SFCE) was orally administered to male mice at the doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg body weight. As a result, mice treated with steamed and fermented C. lanceolata extract (SFCE) (300 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) showed shorter escape latencies than those with C. lanceolata extract or the scopolamine-administered group in Morris water maze test. Also, it exerted longer step-through latency time than scopolamine treated group in passive avoidance test. Furthermore, neuroprotective effect of SFCE on glutamate-induced cytotoxicity was assessed in HT22 cells. Only SFCE-treated cells showed significant protection at 500 μg/ml. Interestingly, steamed C. lanceolata with fermentation contained more phenolic acid including gallic acid and vanillic acid than original C. lanceolata. Collectively, these results suggest that steam and fermentation process of C. lanceolata increased cognitive enhancing activity related to the memory processes and neuroprotective effect than original C. lanceolata.

Differential effects of 5-HT(2A) and 5-HT(2C) receptor blockade on strategy-switching

Recent experiments indicate that blockade of serotonin (5-HT) 2A and 2C receptors have differential effects on reversal learning. The present experiments investigated the effects of the 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist, ketanserin and 5-HT(2C) receptor antagonist, SB242084 on acquisition and strategy-switching in a visual cue-response paradigm. Long-Evans rats were trained in a cross-maze to enter an arm based on color (visual cue version) or a specific turn response (response version). Systemic treatment with ketanserin did not affect initial learning of a visual cue or response discrimination, but ketanserin at 0.5 mg/kg significantly enhanced a switch between visual cue and response strategies. Ketanserin facilitated strategy-switching by inhibiting responses to a previously relevant strategy without affecting choices to never-reinforced strategies. Treatment with SB242084 (0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg) did not affect acquisition of a visual cue or response discrimination. SB242084 treatment also did not affect strategy-switching. The present findings suggest that blockade of 5-HT(2A), but not 5-HT(2C), receptors enhance strategy switching.

A behavioral study of alpha-1b adrenergic receptor knockout mice: increased reaction to novelty and selectively reduced learning capacities

Knockout mice lacking the alpha-1b adrenergic receptor were tested in behavioral experiments. Reaction to novelty was first assessed in a simple test in which the time taken by the knockout mice and their littermate controls to enter a second compartment was compared. Then the mice were tested in an open field to which unknown objects were subsequently added. Special novelty was introduced by moving one of the familiar objects to another location in the open field. Spatial behavior and memory were further studied in a homing board test, and in the water maze. The alpha-1b knockout mice showed an enhanced reactivity to new situations. They were faster to enter the new environment, covered longer paths in the open field, and spent more time exploring the new objects. They reacted like controls to modification inducing spatial novelty. In the homing board test, both the knockout mice and the control mice seemed to use a combination of distant visual and proximal olfactory cues, showing place preference only if the two types of cues were redundant. In the water maze the alpha-1b knockout mice were unable to learn the task, which was confirmed in a probe trial without platform. They were perfectly able, however, to escape in a visible platform procedure. These results confirm previous findings showing that the noradrenergic pathway is important for the modulation of behaviors such as reaction to novelty and exploration, and suggest that this is mediated, at least partly, through the alpha-1b adrenergic receptors. The lack of alpha-1b adrenergic receptors in spatial orientation does not seem important in cue-rich tasks but may interfere with orientation in situations providing distant cues only.

Effects of D-cycloserine, a positive modulator of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, and ST 587, a putative alpha-1 adrenergic agonist, individually and in combination, on the non-delayed and delayed foraging behaviour of rats assessed in the radial arm maze

The present study investigated whether alpha-1 adrenergic and glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated mechanisms interact in memory processes, by examining the effects of individual and combined systemic administration of ST 587, a putative alpha-1 agonist, and D-cycloserine (DCS), a partial agonist at the glycine-B binding site of the NMDA receptor, on the performance of rats in non-delayed and delayed (4-6 h) foraging behaviour in the radial arm maze task, using the delayed non-matching to sample (DNMTS) version. The results indicated that DCS (5.0 mg/kg) decreased working memory errors, i.e. the number of re-entries into the previously visited arms during the sampling phase. In addition, both ST 587 (100 microg/kg) and DCS (10 mg/kg), when administered alone 30 min before a sampling phase, improved retention of this task as reflected by the increased number of correct choices before the first error during the retention phase. The combined administration of ST 587 and DCS, however, did not lead to better retention in the DNMTS task compared with the administration of each of the drugs alone. Combinations of sub-threshold doses of ST 587 (50 or 75 microg/kg) and DCS (5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg) also did not improve retention in this task. DCS (5.0 or 7.5 mg/kg) increased activity as indicated by the increased number of arm entries in a given time during the sampling phase. These findings suggest that the systemic administration of a positive modulator of the NMDA receptor facilitates hippocampal-dependent memory functions, but that these effects are not enhanced by combined administration with an alpha-1 agonist, even though the alpha-1 agonist is effective when given alone. The results support the idea that NMDA receptors modulate both mnemonic and non-mnemonic functions in the brain.

Central alpha1-adrenoceptors: their role in the modulation of attention and memory formation

Adrenoceptors presently are classified into three main subclasses: alpha1-, alpha2-, and beta-receptors, each with three (perhaps more) subtypes. All three alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes are present in rat brain. The purpose of this review is to assess the role of alpha1-adrenoceptors in the modulation of synaptic transmission and plasticity, as well as their ability to modulate higher cerebral functions, such as attentional and memory processes. However, since there are no truly subtype-specific agonists or antagonists available at present, it is virtually impossible to allocate a particular central effect to one or other of the subtypes. The activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors reduces the firing probability and glutamate release in the cornu ammonis of the hippocampus. Alpha1-Adrenoceptors may flexibly modulate weak and strong activation of the pyramidal neurones in the neocortex. Alpha1-Adrenoceptors play only a minor role in the modulation of long-term potentiation in the hippocampus, and may influence many brain functions also via non-neuronal mechanisms. since glial cells can express alpha1-adrenoceptors. At the behavioural level, the activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors promotes vigilance and influences working memory and behavioural activation, while having only a minor role in the modulation of long-term memory.

Norepinephrine promotes long-term potentiation in the adult rat hippocampus in vitro

We previously found a reduction in the ability of a single 100 Hz x 1 sec tetanus to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices prepared from adult animals. To determine whether this reduction in LTP generation results from changes in neuromodulator function, we examined the ability of several neuromodulators to promote LTP in slices prepared from mature rats. Although acetylcholine, N-methyl-D-aspartate, and an agonist at metabotropic glutamate receptors failed to promote LTP, administration of norepinephrine allowed robust LTP. The effects of norepinephrine were mimicked by an alpha1-adrenergic agonist and were blocked by an alpha1-receptor antagonist. Beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists were ineffective. These results suggest that norepinephrine acting via alpha1-adrenoceptors may be an important cofactor in promoting lasting synaptic plasticity in the adult central nervous system and that changes in adrenergic function may contribute to maturation- or aging-associated changes in memory function.

Systemic administration of atipamezole, a selective antagonist of alpha-2 adrenoceptors, facilitates behavioural activity but does not influence short-term or long-term memory in trimethyltin-intoxicated and control rats

The present study used trimethyltin (TMT)-intoxicated rats as a model for the behavioural syndrome seen after neuronal damage to the limbic system. Behavioural assessments indicated increased locomotor activity and reduced number of groomings in an open-arena task in TMT-intoxicated (6.6 mg/kg as a free base) rats, as has been found previously. A novel finding was the severe deficit in swimming to a visible platform in the water maze task, with reduced swimming speed at the beginning of the training period. During the reacquisition phase of a radial arm maze task, TMT-intoxicated rats made more short-term and long-term memory errors, and their behavioural activity was increased in comparison with controls. The administration of atipamezole (300 micrograms/kg), a selective antagonist of alpha 2-adrenoceptors, enhanced locomotor activity compared to saline-treated rats, but these effects did not differ between the TMT group and their controls. Atipamezole did not enhance short-term or long-term memory in either TMT or control groups. Taken together, the present data indicate that TMT intoxication is a model for global dementia rather than for a specific loss of relational memory. Previous studies on the neurochemical effects of TMT and the alleviation or prevention of neurotoxicity of TMT are reviewed.

Minor role for alpha1-adrenoceptors in the facilitation of induction and early maintenance of long-term potentiation in the CA1 field of the hippocampus

The influences of noradrenaline on the modulation of learning and memory functions, as well as synaptic plasticity, e.g., long-term potentiation (LTP), via beta-adrenoceptors are well documented, whereas the role of alpha1-adrenoceptors has not been studied extensively. Therefore, the effects of alpha1-agonists (ST 587 and methoxamine) on the induction of LTP were examined in the CA1 area of the hippocampus in vitro. Submaximal LTP in extracellular excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) was induced with theta burst stimulation using 4 bursts. The effects of a beta-agonist, isoproterenol, on synaptic potentiation were studied as a comparison in this preparation. At a concentration of 1 microM, ST 587 slightly increased the magnitude of potentiation in EPSPs (measured 30 min after stimulation) compared to a control pathway potentiated 30 min before drug infusion, whereas a lower concentration (0.3 microM) was not effective. Methoxamine did not induce any increase in the amount of submaximal LTP at concentrations of 0.3, 1.0, or 3.0 microM. Isoproterenol (1.5 microM) increased the amount of LTP when measured 30 min after stimulation, and also transiently increased synaptic transmission, measured both in the slope and amplitude of the field EPSP in the prepotentiated control pathway. Thus, the present results indicate that (1) alpha1-adrenoceptors have only a minor role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the CA1 area, but (2) the synaptic plasticity in the CA1 area of the hippocampus assessed by induction and early maintenance of LTP in vitro can be modulated through beta-adrenoceptors.

Stimulation and blockade of alpha1 adrenoceptors affect behavioural activity, but not spatial working memory assessed by delayed non-matching to position task in rats

The present study investigated the role of alpha1 adrenergic receptors in the modulation of working memory and behavioural activity by assessing the effects of alpha1 adrenergic receptor stimulation or blockade on the performance of rats in a delayed non-matching to position task. St-587 (a putative agonist of alpha1 adrenoceptors) at a dose of 100 microg/kg slightly increased choice accuracy (per cent correct responses) of rats, but the effect was delay-independent which is interpreted as an improvement in choice accuracy and non-mnemonic (non-working memory) in character. Neither St-587 (300 or 1000 microg/kg) nor prazosin (a prototype antagonist of alpha1 adrenoceptors) (100 or 300 microg/kg) significantly affected the choice accuracy of rats in this task. Prazosin 300 microg/kg lengthened the latency for correct responses in the working memory task but did not affect food collection latencies. This combination of effects may reflect decreased motor output. St-587 300 and 1000 microg/kg, but not prazosin, increased food collection latencies in the working memory task. Thus, the present results suggest that alpha1 adrenergic receptors do not play any important role in spatial working memory as assessed using the delayed non-matching to position task, but that modulation of alpha1 adrenoceptors may affect motor activity and motivation in rats.