1
|
Bali ZK, Nagy LV, Bruszt N, Bodó K, Engelmann P, Hernádi Z, Göntér K, Tadepalli SA, Hernádi I. Increased brain cytokine level associated impairment of vigilance and memory in aged rats can be alleviated by alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist treatment. GeroScience 2024; 46:645-664. [PMID: 37994990 PMCID: PMC10828177 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-01019-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Age-related neurocognitive disorders are common problems in developed societies. Aging not only affects memory processes, but may also disturb attention, vigilance, and other executive functions. In the present study, we aimed to investigate age-related cognitive deficits in rats and associated molecular alterations in the brain. We also aimed to test the effects of the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist PHA-543613 on memory as well as on the sustained attention and vigilance of aged rats. Short- and long-term spatial memories of the rats were tested using the Morris water maze (MWM) task. To measure attention and vigilance, we designed a rat version of the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) that is frequently used in human clinical examinations. At the end of the behavioral experiments, mRNA and protein expression of alpha7 nAChRs, cytokines, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were quantitatively measured in the hippocampus, frontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum. Aged rats showed marked cognitive deficits in both the MWM and the PVT. The deficit was accompanied by increased IL-1beta and TNFalpha mRNA expression and decreased BDNF protein expression in the hippocampus. PHA-543613 significantly improved the reaction time of aged rats in the PVT, especially for unexpectedly appearing stimuli, while only slightly (non-significantly) alleviating spatial memory deficits in the MWM. These results indicate that targeting alpha7 nAChRs may be an effective strategy for the amelioration of attention and vigilance deficits in age-related neurocognitive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zsolt Kristóf Bali
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Lili Veronika Nagy
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Nóra Bruszt
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kornélia Bodó
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Virology, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Engelmann
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Zsófia Hernádi
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kitti Göntér
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Sai Ambika Tadepalli
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - István Hernádi
- Grastyán Endre Translational Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Translational Neuroscience Research Group, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Neurobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Institute of Physiology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nakayama M, Nishimura O, Nishimura Y, Kitaichi M, Kuraku S, Sone M, Hama C. Control of Synaptic Levels of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor by the Sequestering Subunit Dα5 and Secreted Scaffold Protein Hig. J Neurosci 2023; 43:3989-4004. [PMID: 37117011 PMCID: PMC10255049 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2243-21.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The presentation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on synaptic membranes is crucial for generating cholinergic circuits, some of which are associated with memory function and neurodegenerative disorders. Although the physiology and structure of nAChR, a cation channel comprising five subunits, have been extensively studied, little is known about how the receptor levels in interneuronal synapses are determined and which nAChR subunits participate in the regulatory process in cooperation with synaptic cleft matrices and intracellular proteins. By a genetic screen of Drosophila, we identified mutations in the nAChR subunit Dα5 gene as suppressors that restored the mutant phenotypes of hig, which encodes a secretory matrix protein localized to cholinergic synaptic clefts in the brain. Only the loss of function of Dα5 among the 10 nAChR subunits suppressed hig mutant phenotypes in both male and female flies. Dα5 behaved as a lethal factor when Hig was defective; loss of Dα5 in hig mutants rescued lethality, upregulating Dα6 synaptic levels. By contrast, levels of Dα5, Dα6, and Dα7 subunits were all reduced in hig mutants. These three subunits have distinct properties for interaction with Hig or trafficking, as confirmed by chimeric subunit experiments. Notably, the chimeric Dα5 protein, which has the extracellular sequences that display no positive interaction with Hig, exhibited abnormal distribution and lethality even in the presence of Hig. We propose that the sequestering subunit Dα5 functions by reducing synaptic levels of nAChR through internalization, and this process is blocked by Hig, which tethers Dα5 to the synaptic cleft matrix.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Because the cholinergic synapse is one of the major synapses that generate various brain functions, numerous studies have sought to reveal the physiology and structure of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). However, little is known about how synaptic levels of nAChR are controlled and which nAChR subunits participate in the regulatory process in cooperation with synaptic cleft matrices. By a genetic screen of Drosophila, we identified mutations in the nAChR subunit Dα5 gene as suppressors that restored the mutant phenotypes of hig, which encodes a secretory matrix protein localized to cholinergic synaptic clefts. Our data indicate that Dα5 functions in reducing synaptic levels of nAChR, and this process is blocked by Hig, which tethers Dα5 to the synaptic cleft matrix.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Minoru Nakayama
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan
| | - Osamu Nishimura
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Yuhi Nishimura
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
| | - Miwa Kitaichi
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
| | - Shigehiro Kuraku
- Laboratory for Phyloinformatics, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, RIKEN, Kobe 650-0047, Japan
| | - Masaki Sone
- Faculty of Science, Toho University, Funabashi 274-8510, Japan
| | - Chihiro Hama
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University, Kyoto 603-8555, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Choueiry J, Blais CM, Shah D, Smith D, Fisher D, Labelle A, Knott V. An α7 nAChR approach for the baseline-dependent modulation of deviance detection in schizophrenia: A pilot study assessing the combined effect of CDP-choline and galantamine. J Psychopharmacol 2023; 37:381-395. [PMID: 36927273 PMCID: PMC10101183 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231158903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive operations including pre-attentive sensory processing are markedly impaired in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) but evidence significant interindividual heterogeneity, which moderates treatment response with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists. Previous studies in healthy volunteers have shown baseline-dependency effects of the α7 nAChR agonist cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline) administered alone and in combination with a nicotinic allosteric modulator (galantamine) on auditory deviance detection measured with the mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related potential (ERP). AIM The objective of this pilot study was to assess the acute effect of this combined α7 nAChR-targeted treatment (CDP-choline/galantamine) on speech MMN in patients with SCZ (N = 24) stratified by baseline MMN responses into low, medium, and high baseline auditory deviance detection subgroups. METHODS Patients with a stable diagnosis of SCZ attended two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and counter-balanced testing sessions where they received a placebo or a CDP-choline (500 mg) and galantamine (16 mg) treatment. MMN ERPs were recorded during the presentation of a fast multi-feature speech MMN paradigm including five speech deviants. Clinical measures were acquired before and after treatment administration. RESULTS While no main treatment effect was observed, CDP-choline/galantamine significantly increased MMN amplitudes to frequency, duration, and vowel speech deviants in low group individuals. Individuals with higher positive and negative symptom scale negative, general, and total scores expressed the greatest MMN amplitude improvement following CDP-choline/galantamine. CONCLUSIONS These baseline-dependent nicotinic effects on early auditory information processing warrant different dosage and repeated administration assessments in patients with low baseline deviance detection levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joëlle Choueiry
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Crystal M Blais
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dhrasti Shah
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Smith
- University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Alain Labelle
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Verner Knott
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Batista VS, Gonçalves AM, Nascimento-Júnior NM. Pharmacophore Mapping Combined with dbCICA Reveal New Structural Features for the Development of Novel Ligands Targeting α4β2 and α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27238236. [PMID: 36500328 PMCID: PMC9735964 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27238236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) belong to the ligand-gated ion channel (GLIC) group, presenting a crucial role in several biological processes and neuronal disorders. The α4β2 and α7 nAChRs are the most abundant in the central nervous system (CNS), being involved in challenging diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and anxiety disorder, as well as alcohol and nicotine dependencies. In addition, in silico-based strategies may contribute to revealing new insights into drug design and virtual screening to find new drug candidates to treat CNS disorders. In this context, the pharmacophore maps were constructed and validated for the orthosteric sites of α4β2 and α7 nAChRs, through a docking-based Comparative Intermolecular Contacts Analysis (dbCICA). In this sense, bioactive ligands were retrieved from the literature for each receptor. A molecular docking protocol was developed for all ligands in both receptors by using GOLD software, considering GoldScore, ChemScore, ASP, and ChemPLP scoring functions. Output GOLD results were post-processed through dbCICA to identify critical contacts involved in protein-ligand interactions. Moreover, Crossminer software was used to construct a pharmacophoric map based on the most well-behaved ligands and negative contacts from the dbCICA model for each receptor. Both pharmacophore maps were validated by using a ROC curve. The results revealed important features for the ligands, such as the presence of hydrophobic regions, a planar ring, and hydrogen bond donor and acceptor atoms for α4β2. Parallelly, a non-planar ring region was identified for α7. These results can enable fragment-based drug design (FBDD) strategies, such as fragment growing, linking, and merging, allowing an increase in the activity of known fragments. Thus, our results can contribute to a further understanding of structural subunits presenting the potential for key ligand-receptor interactions, favoring the search in molecular databases and the design of novel ligands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Victor S. Batista
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Molecular Modeling (LaQMedSOMM), Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Professor Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Marques Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Molecular Modeling (LaQMedSOMM), Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Professor Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Araraquara (Uniara), Rua Carlos Gomes, 1217, Centro, Araraquara 14801-340, SP, Brazil
| | - Nailton M. Nascimento-Júnior
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, Organic Synthesis and Molecular Modeling (LaQMedSOMM), Department of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Rua Professor Francisco Degni, 55, Jardim Quitandinha, Araraquara 14800-060, SP, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Peterson RE, Bigdeli TB, Ripke S, Bacanu SA, Gejman PV, Levinson DF, Li QS, Rujescu D, Rietschel M, Weinberger DR, Straub RE, Walters JTR, Owen MJ, O'Donovan MC, Mowry BJ, Ophoff RA, Andreassen OA, Esko T, Petryshen TL, Kendler KS, Fanous AH. Genome-wide analyses of smoking behaviors in schizophrenia: Findings from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 137:215-224. [PMID: 33691233 PMCID: PMC8096167 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
While 17% of US adults use tobacco regularly, smoking rates among persons with schizophrenia are upwards of 60%. Research supports a shared etiological basis for smoking and schizophrenia, including findings from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, few studies have directly tested whether the same or distinct genetic variants also influence smoking behavior among schizophrenia cases. Using data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) study of schizophrenia (35476 cases, 46839 controls), we estimated genetic correlations between these traits and tested whether polygenic risk scores (PRS) constructed from the results of smoking behaviors GWAS were associated with schizophrenia risk or smoking behaviors among schizophrenia cases. Results indicated significant genetic correlations of schizophrenia with smoking initiation (rg = 0.159; P = 5.05 × 10-10), cigarettes-smoked-per-day (rg = 0.094; P = 0.006), and age-of-onset of smoking (rg = 0.10; P = 0.009). Comparing smoking behaviors among schizophrenia cases to the general population, we observe positive genetic correlations for smoking initiation (rg = 0.624, P = 0.002) and cigarettes-smoked-per-day (rg = 0.689, P = 0.120). Similarly, TAG-based PRS for smoking initiation and cigarettes-smoked-per-day were significantly associated with smoking initiation (P = 3.49 × 10-5) and cigarettes-smoked-per-day (P = 0.007) among schizophrenia cases. We performed the first GWAS of smoking behavior among schizophrenia cases and identified a novel association with cigarettes-smoked-per-day upstream of the TMEM106B gene on chromosome 7p21.3 (rs148253479, P = 3.18 × 10-8, n = 3520). Results provide evidence of a partially shared genetic basis for schizophrenia and smoking behaviors. Additionally, genetic risk factors for smoking behaviors were largely shared across schizophrenia and non-schizophrenia populations. Future research should address mechanisms underlying these associations to aid both schizophrenia and smoking treatment and prevention efforts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roseann E Peterson
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA.
| | - Tim B Bigdeli
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Stephan Ripke
- Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Dept. of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Silviu-Alin Bacanu
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Pablo V Gejman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Douglas F Levinson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Qingqin S Li
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, Raritan, NJ, USA
| | - Dan Rujescu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Halle, Halle, Germany; Department of Psychiatry, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Marcella Rietschel
- Department of Genetic Epidemiology in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA; Departments of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neuroscience and Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - James T R Walters
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael J Owen
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Michael C O'Donovan
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Bryan J Mowry
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Roel A Ophoff
- Center for Neurobehavioral Genetics, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ole A Andreassen
- NORMENT Centre and KG Jebsen Centre for Neurodevelopmental disorders, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tõnu Esko
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia; Division of Endocrinology and Center for Basic and Translational Obesity Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Medical and Population Genetics Program, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tracey L Petryshen
- Center for Human Genetic Research and Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth S Kendler
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Ayman H Fanous
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA; VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Choueiry J, Blais CM, Shah D, Smith D, Fisher D, Illivitsky V, Knott V. CDP-choline and galantamine, a personalized α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor targeted treatment for the modulation of speech MMN indexed deviance detection in healthy volunteers: a pilot study. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:3665-3687. [PMID: 32851421 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-020-05646-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE The combination of CDP-choline, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) agonist, with galantamine, a positive allosteric modulator of nAChRs, is believed to counter the fast desensitization rate of the α7 nAChRs and may be of interest for schizophrenia (SCZ) patients. Beyond the positive and negative clinical symptoms, deficits in early auditory prediction-error processes are also observed in SCZ. Regularity violations activate these mechanisms that are indexed by electroencephalography-derived mismatch negativity (MMN) event-related potentials (ERPs) in response to auditory deviance. OBJECTIVES/METHODS This pilot study in thirty-three healthy humans assessed the effects of an optimized α7 nAChR strategy combining CDP-choline (500 mg) with galantamine (16 mg) on speech-elicited MMN amplitude and latency measures. The randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, and counterbalanced design with a baseline stratification method allowed for assessment of individual response differences. RESULTS Increases in MMN generation mediated by the acute CDP-choline/galantamine treatment in individuals with low baseline MMN amplitude for frequency, intensity, duration, and vowel deviants were revealed. CONCLUSIONS These results, observed primarily at temporal recording sites overlying the auditory cortex, implicate α7 nAChRs in the enhancement of speech deviance detection and warrant further examination with respect to dysfunctional auditory deviance processing in individuals with SCZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Choueiry
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1Z 7K4, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Crystal M Blais
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dhrasti Shah
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Smith
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Vadim Illivitsky
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Verner Knott
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, 1145 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON, K1Z 7K4, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Paramonov AS, Kocharovskaya MV, Tsarev AV, Kulbatskii DS, Loktyushov EV, Shulepko MA, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN, Shenkarev ZO. Structural Diversity and Dynamics of Human Three-Finger Proteins Acting on Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7280. [PMID: 33019770 PMCID: PMC7582953 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ly-6/uPAR or three-finger proteins (TFPs) contain a disulfide-stabilized β-structural core and three protruding loops (fingers). In mammals, TFPs have been found in epithelium and the nervous, endocrine, reproductive, and immune systems. Here, using heteronuclear NMR, we determined the three-dimensional (3D) structure and backbone dynamics of the epithelial secreted protein SLURP-1 and soluble domains of GPI-anchored TFPs from the brain (Lynx2, Lypd6, Lypd6b) acting on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Results were compared with the data about human TFPs Lynx1 and SLURP-2 and snake α-neurotoxins WTX and NTII. Two different topologies of the β-structure were revealed: one large antiparallel β-sheet in Lypd6 and Lypd6b, and two β-sheets in other proteins. α-Helical segments were found in the loops I/III of Lynx2, Lypd6, and Lypd6b. Differences in the surface distribution of charged and hydrophobic groups indicated significant differences in a mode of TFPs/nAChR interactions. TFPs showed significant conformational plasticity: the loops were highly mobile at picosecond-nanosecond timescale, while the β-structural regions demonstrated microsecond-millisecond motions. SLURP-1 had the largest plasticity and characterized by the unordered loops II/III and cis-trans isomerization of the Tyr39-Pro40 bond. In conclusion, plasticity could be an important feature of TFPs adapting their structures for optimal interaction with the different conformational states of nAChRs.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/chemistry
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antigens, Ly/chemistry
- Antigens, Ly/genetics
- Antigens, Ly/metabolism
- Binding Sites
- Cloning, Molecular
- Elapid Venoms/chemistry
- Elapid Venoms/metabolism
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- GPI-Linked Proteins/chemistry
- GPI-Linked Proteins/genetics
- GPI-Linked Proteins/metabolism
- Gene Expression
- Genetic Vectors/chemistry
- Genetic Vectors/metabolism
- Humans
- Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
- Models, Molecular
- Neuropeptides/chemistry
- Neuropeptides/genetics
- Neuropeptides/metabolism
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular
- Protein Binding
- Protein Conformation, alpha-Helical
- Protein Conformation, beta-Strand
- Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs
- Protein Isoforms/chemistry
- Protein Isoforms/genetics
- Protein Isoforms/metabolism
- Receptors, Nicotinic/chemistry
- Receptors, Nicotinic/genetics
- Receptors, Nicotinic/metabolism
- Recombinant Proteins/chemistry
- Recombinant Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Proteins/metabolism
- Sequence Alignment
- Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
- Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/chemistry
- Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/genetics
- Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander S. Paramonov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Milita V. Kocharovskaya
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Andrey V. Tsarev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Dmitrii S. Kulbatskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Eugene V. Loktyushov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Mikhail A. Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| | - Zakhar O. Shenkarev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (A.S.P.); (M.V.K.); (A.V.T.); (D.S.K.); (E.V.L.); (M.A.S.); (M.P.K.)
- Phystech School of Biological and Medical Physics, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), 141701 Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Shenkarev ZO, Shulepko MA, Bychkov ML, Kulbatskii DS, Shlepova OV, Vasilyeva NA, Andreev-Andrievskiy AA, Popova AS, Lagereva EA, Loktyushov EV, Koshelev SG, Thomsen MS, Dolgikh DA, Kozlov SA, Balaban PM, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN. Water-soluble variant of human Lynx1 positively modulates synaptic plasticity and ameliorates cognitive impairment associated with α7-nAChR dysfunction. J Neurochem 2020; 155:45-61. [PMID: 32222974 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lynx1 is a GPI-tethered protein colocalized with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain areas important for learning and memory. Previously, we demonstrated that at low micromolar concentrations the water-soluble Lynx1 variant lacking GPI-anchor (ws-Lynx1) acts on α7-nAChRs as a positive allosteric modulator. We hypothesized that ws-Lynx1 could be used for improvement of cognitive processes dependent on nAChRs. Here we showed that 2 µM ws-Lynx1 increased the acetylcholine-evoked current at α7-nAChRs in the rat primary visual cortex L1 interneurons. At higher concentrations ws-Lynx1 inhibits α7-nAChRs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes with IC50 ~ 50 µM. In mice, ws-Lynx1 penetrated the blood-brain barrier upon intranasal administration and accumulated in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Chronic ws-Lynx1 treatment prevented the olfactory memory and motor learning impairment induced by the α7-nAChRs inhibitor methyllycaconitine (MLA). Enhanced long-term potentiation and increased paired-pulse facilitation ratio were observed in the hippocampal slices incubated with ws-Lynx1 and in the slices from ws-Lynx1-treated mice. Long-term potentiation blockade observed in MLA-treated mice was abolished by ws-Lynx1 co-administration. To understand the mechanism of ws-Lynx1 action, we studied the interaction of ws-Lynx1 and MLA at α7-nAChRs, measured the basal concentrations of endogenous Lynx1 and the α7 nAChR subunit and their association in the mouse brain. Our findings suggest that endogenous Lynx1 limits α7-nAChRs activation in the adult brain. Ws-Lynx1 partially displaces Lynx1 causing positive modulation of α7-nAChRs and enhancement of synaptic plasticity. Ws-Lynx1 and similar compounds may constitute useful hits for treatment of cognitive deficits associated with the cholinergic system dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zakhar O Shenkarev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow region, Russia
| | - Mikhail A Shulepko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim L Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitrii S Kulbatskii
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V Shlepova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow region, Russia
| | - Nathalia A Vasilyeva
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander A Andreev-Andrievskiy
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anfisa S Popova
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Evgeniya A Lagereva
- Institute of Biomedical Problems, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Sergey G Koshelev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Dmitry A Dolgikh
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Sergey A Kozlov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Pavel M Balaban
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.,Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail P Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina N Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.,Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Moscow region, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Gao H, Wang S, Qiang B, Wang S, Zhang H. Radioiodinated 9-fluorenone derivatives for imaging α7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. MEDCHEMCOMM 2019; 10:2102-2110. [PMID: 32904124 DOI: 10.1039/c9md00415g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
A series of 9H-fluoren-9-one substituents were synthesized and evaluated for imaging cerebral α7-nAChRs. Meta-iodine substituted 9-fluorenone 5 with high binding affinity (K i = 9.3 nM) and selectivity was radiolabeled with 125I. Fully in vitro and in vivo studies of [125I]5 have been performed. [125I]5 exhibited well brain uptake with a peak concentration of 7.5 ± 0.9% ID/g in mice brains. Moreover, ex vivo autoradiography studies and micro single-photon emission computed tomography (micro-SPECT/CT) dynamic imaging in mice confirmed its in vivo imaging properties. Besides, molecular docking and MD studies were also performed to interpret the binding mechanisms of the two series of ligands towards α7-nAChRs. To conclude, the meta-iodine substituted 9-fluorenone [125I]5 could be a promising tracer for imaging α7-nAChRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education , College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , Beijing 100875 , China .
| | - Shuxia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education , College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , Beijing 100875 , China .
| | - Bingchao Qiang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education , College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , Beijing 100875 , China .
| | - Sixuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education , College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , Beijing 100875 , China .
| | - Huabei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals of Ministry of Education , College of Chemistry , Beijing Normal University , Beijing 100875 , China .
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Choueiry J, Blais CM, Shah D, Smith D, Fisher D, Illivitsky V, Knott V. Combining CDP-choline and galantamine: Effects of a selective α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist strategy on P50 sensory gating of speech sounds in healthy volunteers. J Psychopharmacol 2019; 33:688-699. [PMID: 30920339 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119836217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and relatives have deficits in early cortical sensory gating (SG) typically measured by suppression of electroencephalography-derived P50 event-related potentials (ERPs) in a conditioning-testing (S1-S2) paradigm. Associated with alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) dysfunction and shown to be improved with nicotine and α7 nAChR agonists, SG has recently been shown to be improved in low P50 suppressing SCZ patients following acute CDP-choline treatment. AIMS This pilot study in healthy humans assessed the SG effects of an α7 nAChR strategy combining CDP-choline with galantamine, a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of nAChRs, aimed at increasing and prolonging nicotinic receptor activity. METHODS The combined effect of CDP-choline (500 mg) and galantamine (16 mg) on speech P50 gating indices rP50 (S2/S1) and dP50 (S1-S2) was examined in 30 healthy participants stratified into low and high baseline P50 suppressors in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled and counterbalanced design. RESULTS In low suppressors, CDP-choline/galantamine (vs. placebo) improved rP50 and dP50 gating, and reduced S2P50 amplitudes. No P50 gating effects were observed in high suppressors; however, CDP-choline/galantamine (vs. placebo) increased their S2P50 amplitudes. CONCLUSION Findings from this pilot study with CDP-choline/galantamine in a healthy, SCZ-like surrogate deficient gating sample are consistent with the association of α7 nAChR mechanisms in SG impairment in SCZ and support further research trials with CDP-choline and galantamine targeting sensory processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Choueiry
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Crystal M Blais
- 2 Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dhrasti Shah
- 3 School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Smith
- 3 School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Fisher
- 4 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Verner Knott
- 1 Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,2 Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,3 School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,5 The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,6 University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Getachew B, Csoka AB, Aschner M, Tizabi Y. Nicotine protects against manganese and iron-induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells: Implication for Parkinson's disease. Neurochem Int 2019; 124:19-24. [PMID: 30557592 PMCID: PMC6369010 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2018.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) are trace elements that are essential for proper growth and physiological functions as both play critical role in a variety of enzymatic reactions. At high concentrations, however, they can be toxic and cause neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Parkinson-like syndromes. Nicotine, on the other hand, has been shown to have neuroprotective effects against various endogenous or exogenous toxins that selectively damage the dopaminergic cells. These cells include neuroblastoma-derived SH-SY5Y cells which express significant dopaminergic activity. However, practically no information on possible neuroprotective effects of nicotine against toxicity induced by trace elements is available. Therefore, in this study we investigated the effects of nicotine on toxicity induced by manganese or iron in these cells. Exposure of SH-SY5Y cells for 24 h to manganese (20 μM) or iron (20 μM) resulted in approximately 30% and 35% toxicity, respectively. Pretreatment with nicotine (1 μM) completely blocked the toxicities of Mn and Fe. The effects of nicotine, in turn, were blocked by selective nicotinic receptor antagonists. Thus, dihydro-beta erythroidine (DHBE), a selective alpha 4-beta 2 subtype antagonist and methyllycaconitine (MLA), a selective alpha7 antagonist, as well as mecamylamine, a non-selective nicotinic antagonist all dose-dependently blocked the protective effects of nicotine against both Mn and Fe. These findings provide further support for the potential utility of nicotine or nicotinic agonists in Parkinson's disease-like neurodegenerative disorders, including those that might be precipitated by trace elements, such as Fe and Mn. Moreover, both alpha4-beta2 and alpha7 nicotinic receptor subtypes appear to mediate the neuroprotective effects of nicotine against toxicity induced by these two trace metals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruk Getachew
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Antonei B Csoka
- Department of Anatomy, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yousef Tizabi
- Department of Pharmacology, Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Kulbatskii DS, Bychkov ML, Lyukmanova EN. Human Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Part I—Structure, Function, and Role in Neuromuscular Transmission and CNS Functioning. RUSSIAN JOURNAL OF BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s1068162018060043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
|
13
|
Choueiry J, Blais CM, Shah D, Smith D, Fisher D, Labelle A, Knott V. Combining CDP-choline and galantamine, an optimized α7 nicotinic strategy, to ameliorate sensory gating to speech stimuli in schizophrenia. Int J Psychophysiol 2019; 145:70-82. [PMID: 30790597 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2019.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Neural α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression and functioning deficits have been extensively associated with cognitive and early sensory gating (SG) impairments in schizophrenia (SCZ) patients and their relatives. SG, the suppression of irrelevant and redundant stimuli, is measured in a conditioning-testing (S1-S2) paradigm eliciting electroencephalography-derived P50 event-related potentials (ERPs), the S2 amplitudes of which are typically suppressed relative to S1. Despite extensive reports of nicotine-related improvements and several decades of research, an efficient nicotinic treatment has yet to be approved for SCZ. Following reports of SG improvements in low P50 suppressing SCZ patients and healthy participants with the α7 agonist, CDP-choline, this pilot study examined the combined modulatory effect of CDP-choline (500 mg) and galantamine (16 mg), a nAChR positive allosteric modulator and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on SG to speech stimuli in twenty-four SCZ patients in a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled design. As expected, in low P50 suppressors CDP-choline/galantamine (vs. Placebo) improved rP50 and dP50 scores by increasing inhibitory mechanisms as reflected by S2P50 amplitude reductions. Results also suggest a moderating role for auditory verbal hallucinations in treatment response. These preliminary findings provide supportive evidence for the involvement of α7 nAChR activity in speech gating in SCZ and support additional trials, examining different dose combinations and repeated doses of this optimized and personalized targeted α7 cholinergic treatment for SG dysfunction in subgroups of SCZ patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joelle Choueiry
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Crystal M Blais
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dhrasti Shah
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dylan Smith
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Derek Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Alain Labelle
- The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Verner Knott
- Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Institute of Cognitive Science, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada; School of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada; The Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Terry AV, Callahan PM. Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Ligands, Cognitive Function, and Preclinical Approaches to Drug Discovery. Nicotine Tob Res 2019; 21:383-394. [PMID: 30137518 PMCID: PMC6379039 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Interest in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) ligands as potential therapeutic agents for cognitive disorders began more than 30 years ago when it was first demonstrated that the tobacco alkaloid nicotine could improve cognitive function in nicotine-deprived smokers as well as nonsmokers. Numerous animal and human studies now indicate that nicotine and a variety of nAChR ligands have the potential to improve multiple domains of cognition including attention, spatial learning, working memory, recognition memory, and executive function. The purpose of this review is to (1) discuss several pharmacologic strategies that have been developed to enhance nAChR activity (eg, agonist, partial agonist, and positive allosteric modulator) and improve cognitive function, (2) provide a brief overview of some of the more common rodent behavioral tasks with established translational validity that have been used to evaluate nAChR ligands for effects on cognitive function, and (3) briefly discuss some of the topics of debate regarding the development of optimal therapeutic strategies using nAChR ligands. Because of their densities in the mammalian brain and the amount of literature available, the review primarily focuses on ligands of the high-affinity α4β2* nAChR ("*" indicates the possible presence of additional subunits in the complex) and the low-affinity α7 nAChR. The behavioral task discussion focuses on representative methods that have been designed to model specific domains of cognition that are relevant to human neuropsychiatric disorders and often evaluated in human clinical trials. IMPLICATIONS The preclinical literature continues to grow in support of the development of nAChR ligands for a variety of illnesses that affect humans. However, to date, no new nAChR ligand has been approved for any condition other than nicotine dependence. As discussed in this review, the studies conducted to date provide the impetus for continuing efforts to develop new nAChR strategies (ie, beyond simple agonist and partial agonist approaches) as well as to refine current behavioral strategies and create new animal models to address translational gaps in the drug discovery process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
- Small Animal Behavior Core Laboratory, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
| | - Patrick M Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
- Small Animal Behavior Core Laboratory, Augusta University, Augusta, GA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Selective adrenergic alpha2C receptor antagonist ameliorates acute phencyclidine-induced schizophrenia-like social interaction deficits in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2019; 236:1245-1253. [PMID: 30535904 PMCID: PMC6591184 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5130-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Social withdrawal is a core feature of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Currently available pharmacotherapies have only limited efficacy towards the negative symptoms, i.e., there is a significant unmet medical need in the treatment of these symptoms. OBJECTIVE We wanted to confirm whether selective adrenergic α2C receptor (AR) antagonist therapy could ameliorate acute phencyclidine (PCP)-induced schizophrenia-like social interaction deficits in rats, and to compare the effects of an α2C AR antagonist to another putative therapeutic alternative, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonist, as well against three commonly used atypical antipsychotics. METHODS Here, we used acute PCP administration and modified a protocol for testing social interaction deficits in male Wistar rats and then used this model to compare the effects of an α2C AR antagonist (ORM-13070 0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg s.c.) with an α7 nAChR partial agonist (EVP-6124 0.3 mg/kg s.c.) and three atypical antipsychotics (clozapine 2.5 mg/kg i.p., risperidone 0.04 and 0.08 mg/kg s.c., olanzapine 0.125 and 0.5 mg/kg s.c.) on social interaction behavior. RESULTS Acute PCP (1.5 mg/kg s.c.) produced robust and reproducible deficits in social interaction behavior without affecting locomotor activity. The selective α2C AR antagonist significantly ameliorated PCP-induced social interaction deficits. In contrast, neither the partial α7 nAChR agonist nor any of the three atypical antipsychotics were able to reverse the behavioral deficits at the selected doses. CONCLUSION Our findings confirm that α2C AR antagonism is a potential mechanism for the treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
Collapse
|
16
|
Pocivavsek A, Elmer GI, Schwarcz R. Inhibition of kynurenine aminotransferase II attenuates hippocampus-dependent memory deficit in adult rats treated prenatally with kynurenine. Hippocampus 2018; 29:73-77. [PMID: 30311334 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
A combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to schizophrenia (SZ), a catastrophic psychiatric disorder with a hypothesized neurodevelopmental origin. Increases in the brain levels of the tryptophan metabolite kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous antagonist of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptors, have been implicated specifically in the cognitive deficits seen in persons with SZ. Here we evaluated this role of KYNA by adding the KYNA precursor kynurenine (100 mg/day) to chow fed to pregnant rat dams from embryonic day (ED) 15 to ED 22 (control: ECon; kynurenine treated: EKyn). Upon termination of the treatment, all rats received normal rodent chow until the animals were evaluated in adulthood (postnatal days 56-85). EKyn treatment resulted in increased extracellular KYNA and reduced extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, measured by in vivo microdialysis, and caused impairments in hippocampus-dependent learning in adult rats. Acute administration of BFF816, a systemically active inhibitor of kynurenine aminotransferase II (KAT II), the major KYNA-synthesizing enzyme in the brain, normalized neurochemistry and prevented contextual memory deficits in adult EKyn animals. Collectively, these results demonstrate that acute inhibition of KYNA neosynthesis can overcome cognitive impairments that arise as a consequence of elevated brain KYNA in early brain development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pocivavsek
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Greg I Elmer
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert Schwarcz
- Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Strzelecki D, Urban-Kowalczyk M, Wysokiński A. Serum levels of TNF-alpha in patients with chronic schizophrenia during treatment augmentation with sarcosine (results of the PULSAR study). Psychiatry Res 2018; 268:447-453. [PMID: 30130712 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Sarcosine, glycine transporter inhibitor, increases glycine levels around NMDA receptor, improving primary negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The aim of our study was to find a potential relationship between initial TNF-alpha level, its changes and schizophrenia symptoms severity, resulting from adding sarcosine to a stable antipsychotic treatment. Sixty subjects with stable schizophrenia were randomized to receive either 2 g of sarcosine or placebo and completed a 6-month, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Three patients on sarcosine and one taking placebo did not complete TNF-alpha tests, planned at the beginning, after 6 weeks and after 6 months. For clinical assessments we used PANSS and CDSS scales. No changes in TNF-alpha serum concentrations in both groups at any time-points was noted. The sarcosine group achieved significant improvement in negative symptoms, general psychopathology and total PANSS score group, however without any significant correlations between TNF-alpha levels and PANSS scores in all assessments. Positive correlations between TNF-alpha levels and CDSS score were found in the placebo group and total study group. Initial TNF-alpha concentrations cannot be used as a predictor of the improvement resulting from adding sarcosine. Sarcosine does not significantly affect TNF-alpha levels. TNF-alpha may be involved in mechanisms related to depressive symptomatology in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Strzelecki
- Department of Affective and Psychotic Disorders, Central Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Łódź, ul. Czechosłowacka 8/10, 92-216, Łódź, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Urban-Kowalczyk
- Department of Affective and Psychotic Disorders, Central Clinical Hospital, Medical University of Łódź, ul. Czechosłowacka 8/10, 92-216, Łódź, Poland
| | - Adam Wysokiński
- Department of Old Age Psychiatry and Psychotic Disorders, Medical University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Stępnicki P, Kondej M, Kaczor AA. Current Concepts and Treatments of Schizophrenia. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23082087. [PMID: 30127324 PMCID: PMC6222385 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23082087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental illness which involves three groups of symptoms, i.e., positive, negative and cognitive, and has major public health implications. According to various sources, it affects up to 1% of the population. The pathomechanism of schizophrenia is not fully understood and current antipsychotics are characterized by severe limitations. Firstly, these treatments are efficient for about half of patients only. Secondly, they ameliorate mainly positive symptoms (e.g., hallucinations and thought disorders which are the core of the disease) but negative (e.g., flat affect and social withdrawal) and cognitive (e.g., learning and attention disorders) symptoms remain untreated. Thirdly, they involve severe neurological and metabolic side effects and may lead to sexual dysfunction or agranulocytosis (clozapine). It is generally agreed that the interactions of antipsychotics with various neurotransmitter receptors are responsible for their effects to treat schizophrenia symptoms. In particular, several G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), mainly dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline receptors, are traditional molecular targets for antipsychotics. Comprehensive research on GPCRs resulted in the exploration of novel important signaling mechanisms of GPCRs which are crucial for drug discovery: intentionally non-selective multi-target compounds, allosteric modulators, functionally selective compounds and receptor oligomerization. In this review, we cover current hypotheses of schizophrenia, involving different neurotransmitter systems, discuss available treatments and present novel concepts in schizophrenia and its treatment, involving mainly novel mechanisms of GPCRs signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Stępnicki
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division of Medical Analytics, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodzki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Magda Kondej
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division of Medical Analytics, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodzki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka A Kaczor
- Department of Synthesis and Chemical Technology of Pharmaceutical Substances, Faculty of Pharmacy with Division of Medical Analytics, Medical University of Lublin, 4A Chodzki St., PL-20093 Lublin, Poland.
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Yliopistonranta 1, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Elnagar MR, Walls AB, Helal GK, Hamada FM, Thomsen MS, Jensen AA. Functional characterization of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptor signaling in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in an ERK phosphorylation assay. Eur J Pharmacol 2018; 826:106-113. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2018.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 02/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
|
20
|
Ardic FC, Kose S, Solmaz M, Kulacaoglu F, Balcioglu YH, Yıldız E, Elboğa G, Altındağ A, Arslan M, Metehan Çalışkan A, Göktaş D, İnanlı İ, Çalışır S, Eren İ, Unal G, Aricioglu F, Yulaf Y, Gümştaş F, Gökçe S, Yazgan Y, Memiş ÇÖ, Sevincok D, Doğan B, Kutlu A, Çakaloz B, Sevinçok L, Mutu T, Yazici E, Guzel D, Erol A, Aydın N, Aytaç HM, Yılmaz D, Çetinay Aydın P, Yüksel Yalçın G, Canbay C, Terzioğlu M, Özer A. Outstanding Awards Brief Reports. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2018.1467612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ferhat Can Ardic
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Samet Kose
- University of Texas Medical School of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Neurobehavioral Research on Addictions, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Mustafa Solmaz
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Filiz Kulacaoglu
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Sciences University, Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasin Hasan Balcioglu
- Neurology and Neurosurgery, Forensic Psychiatry Unit, Bakirkoy Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Emrah Yıldız
- Department of Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | - Gülçin Elboğa
- Department of Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
| | | | - Mehmet Arslan
- Department of Psychiatry, Babaeski State Hospital, Kırklareli, Turkey
| | | | - Duygu Göktaş
- Department of Psychiatry, Yozgat City Hospital, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - İkbal İnanlı
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Saliha Çalışır
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Eren
- Department of Psychiatry, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Unal
- Department pf Pharmacology, Erciyes University School of Pharmacy, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University School of Pharmacy, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yasemin Yulaf
- Department of Psychology, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Funda Gümştaş
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Marmara University Education Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sebla Gökçe
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Maltepe University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Yankı Yazgan
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Çağdaş Öykü Memiş
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Doğa Sevincok
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Bilge Doğan
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Kutlu
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Behcet Uz Child Diseases and Neurosurgery Research and Training Hospital, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Burcu Çakaloz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Pamukkale University School of Medicine, Denizli, Turkey
| | - Levent Sevinçok
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Adnan Menderes, Aydın, Turkey
| | - Tuğba Mutu
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Esra Yazici
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Derya Guzel
- Department of Physiology, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Atila Erol
- Department of Psychiatry, Sakarya University School of Medicine, Sakarya, Turkey
| | - Nazan Aydın
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hasan Mervan Aytaç
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Doğan Yılmaz
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pınar Çetinay Aydın
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gökşen Yüksel Yalçın
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cana Canbay
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Terzioğlu
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aysel Özer
- Bakirkoy Prof. Dr. Mazhar Osman Research and Training Hospital for Psychiatry, Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wong DF, Kuwabara H, Horti AG, Roberts JM, Nandi A, Cascella N, Brasic J, Weerts EM, Kitzmiller K, Phan JA, Gapasin L, Sawa A, Valentine H, Wand G, Mishra C, George N, McDonald M, Lesniak W, Holt DP, Azad BB, Dannals RF, Kem W, Freedman R, Gjedde A. Brain PET Imaging of α7-nAChR with [18F]ASEM: Reproducibility, Occupancy, Receptor Density, and Changes in Schizophrenia. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2018; 21. [PMID: 29522184 PMCID: PMC6030963 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyy021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor increasingly has been implicated in normal brain physiology, as well as in neuropsychiatric disorders. The highly cortical distribution of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor suggests a role in cognition. METHODS We expanded the first-in-human PET imaging of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with [18F]ASEM from 5 to 21 healthy nonsmoking volunteers and added a feasibility study in 6 male patients with schizophrenia. Study aims included: (1) confirmation of test-retest reproducibility of [18F]ASEM binding, (2) demonstration of specificity by competition with DMXB-A, an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist, (3) estimation of [18F]ASEM binding potentials and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density in vivo in humans, and (4) demonstrating the feasibility of studying α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor as a target for schizophrenia. RESULTS Test-retest PET confirmed reproducibility (>90%) (variability ≤7%) of [18F]ASEM volume of distribution (VT) estimates in healthy volunteers. Repeated sessions of PET in 5 healthy subjects included baseline and effect of inhibition after oral administration of 150 mg DMXB-A. From reduction of binding potentials, we estimated the dose-dependent occupancy of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor by DMXB-A at 17% to 49% for plasma concentrations at 60 to 200 nM DMXB-A. In agreement with evidence postmortem, α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor density averaged 0.67 to 0.82 nM and inhibitor affinity constant averaged 170 to 385 nM. Median VT in a feasibility study of 6 patients with schizophrenia was lower than in healthy volunteers in cingulate cortex, frontal cortex, and hippocampus (P = 0.02, corrected for multiple comparions, Mann-Whitney test). CONCLUSIONS The current results confirm the reproducibility of [18F]ASEM VT estimates and the specificity of the tracer for α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Preliminary findings from our feasibility study of [18F]ASEM binding in patients with schizophrenia are suggestive and provide guidance for future studies with more subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dean F Wong
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Neurology, Baltimore, Maryland,Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Correspondence: Dean F. Wong, MD, PhD, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, JHOC Room 3244, Baltimore, MD ()
| | - Hiroto Kuwabara
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Andrew G Horti
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Joshua M Roberts
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ayon Nandi
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Nicola Cascella
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Sheppard-Pratt Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - James Brasic
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Elise M Weerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Kelly Kitzmiller
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jenny A Phan
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark,Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Centre, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Lorena Gapasin
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Akira Sawa
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Heather Valentine
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Gary Wand
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chakradhar Mishra
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Noble George
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Michael McDonald
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Wojtek Lesniak
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Daniel P Holt
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Babak B Azad
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Robert F Dannals
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - William Kem
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Robert Freedman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Albert Gjedde
- Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Baltimore, Maryland,Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bertrand D, Terry AV. The wonderland of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 151:214-225. [PMID: 29248596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nearly 30 years of experimental evidence supports the argument that ligands of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) have potential as therapeutic agents. However, as in the famous Lewis Carroll novel "Alice in Wonderland", there have been many unexpected adventures along the pathway of development, and few nAChR ligands have been approved for any clinical condition to date with the exception of nicotine dependence. The recent failures of nAChR ligands in AD and schizophrenia clinical trials have reduced enthusiasm for this therapeutic strategy and many pharmaceutical companies have now abandoned this field of research. As with other clinical failures, multiple questions arise as to the basis for the failure. More generic questions focus on a potential translational gap between the animal models used and the human clinical condition they are meant to simulate, or the clinical trial mindset that large Ns have to be achieved for statistical power (often requiring multiple trial sites) as opposed to smaller patient cohorts at limited sites where conditions can be better controlled and replicated. More specific to the nAChR field are questions about subtype selectivity, dose selection, whether an agonist, antagonist, or allosteric modulator strategy is best, etc. The purpose of this review is to discuss each of these questions, but also to provide a brief overview of the remarkable progress that has been made over the last three decades in our understanding of this unique ligand-gated ion channel and how this new knowledge may help us improve drug development successes in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bertrand
- HiQScreen Sàrl, 6, rte de Compois, 1222 Vésenaz, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - A V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta 30912, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Unal G, Aricioglu F. A-582941, cholinergic alpha 7 nicotinic receptor agonist, improved cognitive and negative symptoms of the sub-chronic MK-801 model of schizophrenia in rats. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/24750573.2017.1379716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gokhan Unal
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Feyza Aricioglu
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacology and Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Perkovic MN, Erjavec GN, Strac DS, Uzun S, Kozumplik O, Pivac N. Theranostic Biomarkers for Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E733. [PMID: 28358316 PMCID: PMC5412319 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18040733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a highly heritable, chronic, severe, disabling neurodevelopmental brain disorder with a heterogeneous genetic and neurobiological background, which is still poorly understood. To allow better diagnostic procedures and therapeutic strategies in schizophrenia patients, use of easy accessible biomarkers is suggested. The most frequently used biomarkers in schizophrenia are those associated with the neuroimmune and neuroendocrine system, metabolism, different neurotransmitter systems and neurotrophic factors. However, there are still no validated and reliable biomarkers in clinical use for schizophrenia. This review will address potential biomarkers in schizophrenia. It will discuss biomarkers in schizophrenia and propose the use of specific blood-based panels that will include a set of markers associated with immune processes, metabolic disorders, and neuroendocrine/neurotrophin/neurotransmitter alterations. The combination of different markers, or complex multi-marker panels, might help in the discrimination of patients with different underlying pathologies and in the better classification of the more homogenous groups. Therefore, the development of the diagnostic, prognostic and theranostic biomarkers is an urgent and an unmet need in psychiatry, with the aim of improving diagnosis, therapy monitoring, prediction of treatment outcome and focus on the personal medicine approach in order to improve the quality of life in patients with schizophrenia and decrease health costs worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Suzana Uzun
- Clinic for Psychiatry Vrapce, 10090 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | | | - Nela Pivac
- Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Division of Molecular Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abstract
Interest in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia has increased rapidly over the last several decades, paralleling a growing interest in functional, in addition to clinical, recovery, and evidence underscoring the importance negative symptoms play in the former. Efforts continue to better define and measure negative symptoms, distinguish their impact from that of other symptom domains, and establish effective treatments as well as trials to assess these. Multiple interventions have been the subject of investigation, to date, including numerous pharmacological strategies, brain stimulation, and non-somatic approaches. Level and quality of evidence vary considerably, but to this point, no specific treatment can be recommended. This is particularly problematic for individuals burdened with negative symptoms in the face of mild or absent positive symptoms. Presently, clinicians will sometimes turn to interventions that are seen as more “benign” and in line with routine clinical practice. Strategies include use of atypical antipsychotics, ensuring the lowest possible antipsychotic dose that maintains control of positive symptoms (this can involve a shift from antipsychotic polypharmacy to monotherapy), possibly an antidepressant trial (given diagnostic uncertainty and the frequent use of these drugs in schizophrenia), and non-somatic interventions (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT). The array and diversity of strategies currently under investigation highlight the lack of evidence-based treatments and our limited understanding regarding negative symptoms underlying etiology and pathophysiology. Their onset, which can precede the first psychotic break, also means that treatments are delayed. From this perspective, identification of biomarkers and/or endophenotypes permitting earlier diagnosis and intervention may serve to improve treatment efficacy as well as outcomes.
Collapse
|