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Effects of 3 R, 16 S-2-hydroxyethyl apovincaminate (HEAPO), donepezil and galantamine on learning and memory retention in naïve Wistar rats. ACTA PHARMACEUTICA (ZAGREB, CROATIA) 2023; 73:91-105. [PMID: 36692469 DOI: 10.2478/acph-2023-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The effects of 3R,16S-2-hydroxyethyl apovincaminate (HEAPO, RGH-10885) compared with those of two cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and galantamine, were examined in naïve Wistar rats using standard active and passive avoidance tests. The active avoidance test (shuttle box) and two passive avoidance tests (step-through and step-down) were performed according to the experimental design. There were 10 groups of rats (n = 8) and the substances studied were applied orally before each testing session. In the active avoidance test, the number of conditioned stimuli (avoidances), unconditioned stimuli (escapes) and intertrial crossings were observed. In step-down and step-through passive avoidance tests, the latencies of reactions were observed. All the studied compounds showed positive effects in the learning and memory tests, compared to the controls. It was concluded that HEAPO, donepezil and galantamine had a memory-enhancing effect in active and passive avoidance tests.
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Huang J, Wang X, Xie L, Wu M, Zhao W, Zhang Y, Wang Q, Yao L, Li W. Extract of Danggui-Shaoyao-San ameliorates cognition deficits by regulating DHA metabolism in APP/PS1 mice. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2020; 253:112673. [PMID: 32084555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The traditional Chinese medicine formula Danggui-Shaoyao-San (DSS) has been reported to show therapeutic effect on alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AIM OF THE STUDY The present study aims to investigate the relation between DSS treatment of AD and DHA metabolism and evaluates its neuroprotective effect on cognitive in APP/PS1 mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS DSS (1.6, 3.2, 6.4 g/kg/day) or Aricept (3 mg/kg/day) was orally administered (i.g.) to APP/PS1 mice, and saline was orally administered to Wild-type (WT) male mice as control group. Then, the Morris water maze (MWM) test, Y-maze spontaneous alternation test, open filed test and fear conditioning test were conducted for evaluation of learning and memory abilities. The DHA content was assessed by HPLC-MS/MS. Physiological indices were determined, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), ROS level, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), PEG2, TXB2 and LTB4. The expressions of COX-1, COX-2, cPLA2, iPLA2, 15-LOX, and were assessed by Western blot. RESULTS APP/PS1 mice showed serious cognitive impairment in behavioral tests. However, treatment of DSS extract significantly ameliorated the cognitive deficits of APP/PS1 mice. Biochemical measurements showed the increases in TG, TC, LDL-c and the decrease in HDL-c in APP/PS1 mice compared with WT mice, and DSS extract significantly retarded these changes. Low content of DHA, low expression of iPLA2 and 15-LOX were observed both in hippocampus and cortex of APP/PS1 mice, while DSS extract significantly restored these changes. Additionally, the abnormal activity of SOD and ROS level, the decreased levels of MDA and GSH were observed in APP/PS1 mice, while DSS extract prominently lessened these changes. Moreover, DSS extract decreased the level of PEG2, TXB2 and LTB4 and also attenuated the expression of cPLA2, COX-1 and COX-2 in hippocampus as well as cortex of APP/PS1 mice. CONCLUSIONS Based on these results, we suggest that DSS play a positive effective role in increasing DHA content by up-regulating iPLA2 and 15-LOX, resulting in ameliorating oxidative stress and inflammation and finally ameliorating cognition deficits in APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Huang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Liyuan Xie
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Mingan Wu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Wei Zhao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Yongbin Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
| | - Limei Yao
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine Healthcare, Guangdong Food and Drug Vocational College, 321 Longdong North Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Weirong Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 12 Jichang Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510405, China.
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Wong-Guerra M, Jiménez-Martin J, Fonseca-Fonseca LA, Ramírez-Sánchez J, Montano-Peguero Y, Rocha JB, D Avila F, de Assis AM, Souza DO, Pardo-Andreu GL, Del Valle RMS, Lopez GA, Martínez OV, García NM, Mondelo-Rodríguez A, Padrón-Yaquis AS, Nuñez-Figueredo Y. JM-20 protects memory acquisition and consolidation on scopolamine model of cognitive impairment. Neurol Res 2019; 41:385-398. [PMID: 30821663 DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2019.1573285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE JM-20, a novel hybrid synthetic molecule, has been reported to have antioxidant, mitoprotective, anti-excitotoxic, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the neuroprotective effect of JM-20 against memory impairment in preclinical AD-like models has not been analyzed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential neuroprotection of JM-20 that preserves essential memory process from cholinergic dysfunction and other molecular damages. METHODS The effects of JM-20 on scopolamine (1 mg/kg)-induced cognitive disorders were studied. Male Wistar rats (220-230 g) were treated with JM-20 and/or scopolamine, and behavioral tasks were performed. The AChE activity, superoxide dismutase activity, catalase activity, MDA and T-SH level on brain tissue were determined by spectrophotometric methods. Mitochondrial functionality parameters were measured after behavioral tests. Histological analyses on hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were processed with hematoxylin and eosin, and neuronal and axonal damage were determined. RESULTS The behavioral, biochemical and histopathological studies revealed that oral pre-treatment with JM-20 (8 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the scopolamine-induced memory deficits, mitochondrial malfunction, oxidative stress, and prevented AChE hyperactivity probably due to specific inhibition of AChE enzyme. It was also observed marked histological protection on hippocampal and prefrontal-cortex regions. CONCLUSIONS The multimodal action of this molecule could mediate the memory protection here observed and suggest that it may modulate different pathological aspects of memory deficits associated with AD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maylin Wong-Guerra
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Javier Jiménez-Martin
- b Department of Physiology, Otago School of Medical Sciences , University of Otago , Dunedin , New Zealand
| | - Luis Arturo Fonseca-Fonseca
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Jeney Ramírez-Sánchez
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Yanay Montano-Peguero
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Joao Batista Rocha
- c Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas , Universidad Federal de Santa Maria , Santa Maria , Brasil
| | - Fernanda D Avila
- c Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas , Universidad Federal de Santa Maria , Santa Maria , Brasil
| | - Adriano M de Assis
- d Departamento de Bioquímica, PPG em Ciencias Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Diogo Onofre Souza
- d Departamento de Bioquímica, PPG em Ciencias Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde , Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , Brasil
| | - Gilberto L Pardo-Andreu
- e Centro de Estudio para las Investigaciones y Evaluaciones Biológicas, Instituto de Farmacia y Alimentos , Universidad de La Habana , La Habana , Cuba
| | | | - Guillermo Aparicio Lopez
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Odalys Valdés Martínez
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Nelson Merino García
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Abel Mondelo-Rodríguez
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Alejandro Saúl Padrón-Yaquis
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
| | - Yanier Nuñez-Figueredo
- a Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología Molecular , Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo de Medicamentos , La Habana , Cuba
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Balmus IM, Ciobica A. Main Plant Extracts' Active Properties Effective on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Loss. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2017; 32:418-428. [PMID: 28643520 PMCID: PMC10852862 DOI: 10.1177/1533317517715906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease leads to progressive cognitive function loss, which may impair both intellectual capacities and psychosocial aspects. Although the current knowledge points to a multifactorial character of Alzheimer's disease, the most issued pathological hypothesis remains the cholinergic theory. The main animal model used in cholinergic theory research is the scopolamine-induced memory loss model. Although, in some cases, a temporary symptomatic relief can be obtained through targeting the cholinergic or glutamatergic neurotransmitter systems, no current treatment is able to stop or slow cognitive impairment. Many potentially successful therapies are often blocked by the blood-brain barrier since it exhibits permeability only for several classes of active molecules. However, the plant extracts' active molecules are extremely diverse and heterogeneous regarding the biochemical structure. In this way, many active compounds constituting the recently tested plant extracts may exhibit the same general effect on acetylcholine pathway, but on different molecular ground, which can be successfully used in Alzheimer's disease adjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioana-Miruna Balmus
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
| | - Alin Ciobica
- Department of Research, Faculty of Biology, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
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Lowrance SA, Fink KD, Crane A, Matyas J, Dey ND, Matchynski JJ, Thibo T, Reinke T, Kippe J, Hoffman C, Sandstrom M, Rossignol J, Dunbar GL. Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells attenuate cognitive deficits in an endothelin-1 rat model of stroke. Restor Neurol Neurosci 2016; 33:579-88. [PMID: 23902985 DOI: 10.3233/rnn-130329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Stroke is the third leading cause of death and permanent disability in the United States, often producing long-term cognitive impairments, which are not easily recapitulated in animal models. The goals of this study were to assess whether: (1) the endothelin-1 (ET-1) model of chronic stroke produced discernable cognitive deficits; (2) a spatial operant reversal task (SORT) would accurately measure memory deficits in this model; and (3) bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) could reduce any observed deficits. METHODS Rats were given unilateral intracerebral injections of vehicle or ET-1, a stroke-inducing agent, near the middle cerebral artery. Seven days later, they were given intrastriatal injections of BMMSCs or vehicle, near the ischemic penumbra. The cognitive abilities of the rats were assessed on a novel SORT, which was designed to efficiently distinguish cognitive deficits from potential motoric confounds. RESULTS Rats given ET-1 had significantly more cognitive errors at six weeks post-stroke on the SORT, and that these deficits were attenuated by BMMSC transplants. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that: (1) the ET-1 model produces chronic cognitive deficits; (2) the SORT efficiently measures cognitive deficits that are not confounded by motoric impairment; and (3) BMMSCs may be a viable treatment for stroke-induced cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Lowrance
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - K D Fink
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - A Crane
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - J Matyas
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - N D Dey
- Field Neurosciences Institute, Saginaw, MI, USA
| | - J J Matchynski
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - T Thibo
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - T Reinke
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - J Kippe
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - C Hoffman
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - M Sandstrom
- Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - J Rossignol
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA
| | - G L Dunbar
- Field Neurosciences Institute Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Central Michigan University Program in Neuroscience, Mount Pleasant, MI, USA.,Field Neurosciences Institute, Saginaw, MI, USA
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Newman LA, Gold PE. Attenuation in rats of impairments of memory by scopolamine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, by mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2016; 233:925-32. [PMID: 26660295 PMCID: PMC4752895 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-015-4174-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Scopolamine, a muscarinic antagonist, impairs learning and memory for many tasks, supporting an important role for the cholinergic system in these cognitive functions. The findings are most often interpreted to indicate that a decrease in postsynaptic muscarinic receptor activation mediates the memory impairments. However, scopolamine also results in increased release of acetylcholine in the brain as a result of blocking presynaptic muscarinic receptors. OBJECTIVES The present experiments assess whether scopolamine-induced increases in acetylcholine release may impair memory by overstimulating postsynaptic cholinergic nicotinic receptors, i.e., by reaching the high end of a nicotinic receptor activation inverted-U dose-response function. RESULTS Rats tested in a spontaneous alternation task showed dose-dependent working memory deficits with systemic injections of mecamylamine and scopolamine. When an amnestic dose of scopolamine (0.15 mg/kg) was co-administered with a subamnestic dose of mecamylamine (0.25 mg/kg), this dose of mecamylamine significantly attenuated the scopolamine-induced memory impairments. We next assessed the levels of acetylcholine release in the hippocampus in the presence of scopolamine and mecamylamine. Mecamylamine injections resulted in decreased release of acetylcholine, while scopolamine administration caused a large increase in acetylcholine release. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that a nicotinic antagonist can attenuate impairments in memory produced by a muscarinic antagonist. The nicotinic antagonist may block excessive activation of nicotinic receptors postsynaptically or attenuate increases in acetylcholine release presynaptically. Either effect of a nicotinic antagonist-to decrease scopolamine-induced increases in acetylcholine output or to decrease postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor activation-may mediate the negative effects on memory of muscarinic antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Newman
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 114 Life Sciences Complex, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA
| | - P E Gold
- Department of Biology, Syracuse University, 114 Life Sciences Complex, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
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Hou XQ, Wu DW, Zhang CX, Yan R, Yang C, Rong CP, Zhang L, Chang X, Su RY, Zhang SJ, He WQ, Qu Z, Li S, Su ZR, Chen YB, Wang Q, Fang SH. Bushen‑Yizhi formula ameliorates cognition deficits and attenuates oxidative stress‑related neuronal apoptosis in scopolamine‑induced senescence in mice. Int J Mol Med 2014; 34:429-39. [PMID: 24919922 PMCID: PMC4094586 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Bushen‑Yizhi formula (BSYZ), a traditional Chinese medicine formula consisting of six herbs has been reported to possess a neuroprotective effect. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of BSYZ on learning and memory abilities, as well as oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus of scopolamine (SCOP)‑induced senescence in mice, in order to reveal whether BSYZ is a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease (AD). A high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint was applied to provide a chemical profile of BSYZ. Extracts of BSYZ were orally administered to mice with SCOP‑induced memory impairment for two weeks. The learning and memory abilities were determined by the Morris water maze test. The oxidant stress‑related indices, such as activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and levels of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were examined in hippocampus of SCOP‑treated mice. The cell death ratio was assessed by TUNEL staining, while apoptotic‑related proteins including Bcl‑2 and Bax were determined by immuno-fluorescent staining and western blot analysis. Caspase‑3 was determined by western blot analysis. Consequently, a chromatographic condition, which was conducted at 35˚C with a flow rate of 0.8 ml/min on the Gemini C18 column with mobile phase of acetonitrile and water‑phosphoric acid (100:0.1, v/v), was established to yield common fingerprint chromatography under 203 nm with a similarity index of 0.986 within 10 batches of BSYZ samples. BSYZ at a dose of 2.92 g/kg significantly improved the cognitive ability, restored the abnormal activity of SOD and increased the levels of MDA and GSH induced by SCOP. Moreover, the neural apoptosis in the hippocampus of SCOP‑treated mice was reversed by BSYZ by regulating the expression of Bcl‑2, Bax and caspase‑3. The results demonstrated that BSYZ had neuroprotective effects in SCOP‑induced senescence in mice by ameliorating oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis in the brain, supporting its potential in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Qin Hou
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Dian-Wei Wu
- Shantou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 515031, P.R. China
| | - Chun-Xia Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Rong Yan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Cong Yang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Cui-Ping Rong
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Xiang Chang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Ru-Yu Su
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Jie Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Wen-Qing He
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Zhao Qu
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Shi Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Ren Su
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Yun-Bo Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
| | - Shu-Huan Fang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510405, P.R. China
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Galantamine reverses scopolamine-induced behavioral alterations in Dugesia tigrina. INVERTEBRATE NEUROSCIENCE 2014; 14:91-101. [PMID: 24402079 DOI: 10.1007/s10158-013-0167-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Accepted: 12/25/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
In planaria (Dugesia tigrina), scopolamine, a nonselective muscarinic receptor antagonist, induced distinct behaviors of attenuated motility and C-like hyperactivity. Planarian locomotor velocity (pLMV) displayed a dose-dependent negative correlation with scopolamine concentrations from 0.001 to 1.0 mM, and a further increase in scopolamine concentration to 2.25 mM did not further decrease pLMV. Planarian hyperactivity counts was dose-dependently increased following pretreatment with scopolamine concentrations from 0.001 to 0.5 mM and then decreased for scopolamine concentrations ≥ 1 mM. Planarian learning and memory investigated using classical Pavlovian conditioning experiments demonstrated that scopolamine (1 mM) negatively influenced associative learning indicated by a significant decrease in % positive behaviors from 86 % (control) to 14 % (1 mM scopolamine) and similarly altered memory retention, which is indicated by a decrease in % positive behaviors from 69 % (control) to 27 % (1 mM scopolamine). Galantamine demonstrated a complex behavior in planarian motility experiments since co-application of low concentrations of galantamine (0.001 and 0.01 mM) protected planaria against 1 mM scopolamine-induced motility impairments; however, pLMV was significantly decreased when planaria were tested in the presence of 0.1 mM galantamine alone. Effects of co-treatment of scopolamine and galantamine on memory retention in planaria via classical Pavlovian conditioning experiments showed that galantamine (0.01 mM) partially reversed scopolamine (1 mM)-induced memory deficits in planaria as the % positive behaviors increased from 27 to 63 %. The results demonstrate, for the first time in planaria, scopolamine's effects in causing learning and memory impairments and galantamine's ability in reversing scopolamine-induced memory impairments.
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Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an aspect of cognitive aging that is considered to be a transitional state between normal aging and the dementia into which it may convert. Appropriate animal models are necessary in order to understand the pathogenic mechanisms of MCI and develop drugs for its treatment. In this review, we identify the features that should characterize an animal model of MCI, namely old age, subtle memory impairment, mild neuropathological changes, and changes in the cholinergic system, and the age at which these features can be detected in laboratory animals. These features should occur in aging animals with normal motor activity and feeding behavior. The animal models may be middle-aged rats and mice, rats with brain ischemia, transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid precursor protein and presenilin 1 (tested at an early stage), or aging monkeys. Memory deficits can be detected by selecting appropriately difficult behavioral tasks, and the deficits can be associated with neuropathological alterations. The reviewed literature demonstrates that, under certain conditions, these animal species can be considered to be MCI models, and that cognitive impairment in these models responds to drug treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo Pepeu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Araujo JA, Greig NH, Ingram DK, Sandin J, de Rivera C, Milgram NW. Cholinesterase inhibitors improve both memory and complex learning in aged beagle dogs. J Alzheimers Dis 2012; 26:143-55. [PMID: 21593569 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2011-110005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Similar to patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), dogs exhibit age-dependent cognitive decline, amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, and evidence of cholinergic hypofunction. The present study sought to further investigate the role of cholinergic hypofunction in the canine model by examining the effect of the cholinesterase inhibitors phenserine and donepezil on performance of two tasks, a delayed non-matching-to-position task (DNMP) designed to assess working memory, and an oddity discrimination learning task designed to assess complex learning, in aged dogs. Phenserine (0.5 mg/kg; PO) significantly improved performance on the DNMP at the longest delay compared to wash-out and partially attenuated scopolamine-induced deficits (15 μg/kg; SC). Phenserine also improved learning on a difficult version of an oddity discrimination task compared to placebo, but had no effect on an easier version. We also examined the effects of three doses of donepezil (0.75, 1.5, and 6 mg/kg; PO) on performance of the DNMP. Similar to the results with phenserine, 1.5 mg/kg of donepezil improved performance at the longest delay compared to baseline and wash-out, indicative of memory enhancement. These results further extend the findings of cholinergic hypofunction in aged dogs and provide pharmacological validation of the canine model with a cholinesterase inhibitor approved for use in AD. Collectively, these studies support utilizing the aged dog in future screening of therapeutics for AD, as well as for investigating the links among cholinergic function, Aβ pathology, and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Araujo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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Barak S, Weiner I. Putative cognitive enhancers in preclinical models related to schizophrenia: The search for an elusive target. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2011; 99:164-89. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2011.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2010] [Revised: 02/27/2011] [Accepted: 03/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Kim YH, Lee Y, Kim D, Jung MW, Lee CJ. Scopolamine-induced learning impairment reversed by physostigmine in zebrafish. Neurosci Res 2010; 67:156-61. [PMID: 20298728 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2010.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2009] [Revised: 03/04/2010] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the effects of scopolamine, an acetylcholine muscarinic receptor antagonist, and physostigmine, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, on the learning ability and memory of zebrafish were evaluated using a passive avoidance response test. The zebrafish were trained to stay in a dark compartment to avoid a weight dropping into an acryl shuttle chamber with a central sliding door. The crossing time was increased significantly, from 30.7+/-40.8s to 179.3+/-27.3s in the training session and 179.9+/-28.0s in the test session carried out 2h later in the controls. When treatment with 200 microM scopolamine was administered for 1h prior to the training session, the crossing time did not increase. The scopolamine-induced learning deficit was ameliorated by pretreatment with 20 microM physostigmine for 1h prior to scopolamine treatment; the crossing time was similarly increased, as shown with the controls (60.9+/-11.5s, 130.9+/-27.5s, and 183.4+/-26.6s in the training session and 108.1+/-23.9s in the test session). When scopolamine treatment was administered after the training session, the crossing time in the test session was reduced significantly as compared to that noted in the third trial of the training session, which was also ameliorated by physostigmine pretreatment. These results show that scopolamine impairs both the acquisition of passive avoidance response and retention of the learned response, and that physostigmine rescues the amnesic effects of scopolamine in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Hwa Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Inha University, 253 Yong-Hyun Dong, Nam-Gu, Incheon 402-751, Republic of Korea
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14
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The discovery and unique pharmacological profile of RO4938581 and RO4882224 as potent and selective GABAA alpha5 inverse agonists for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2009; 19:5940-4. [PMID: 19762240 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.08.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2009] [Revised: 08/10/2009] [Accepted: 08/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Lead optimisation of the imidazo[1,5-a][1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-d][1,4]benzodiazepine class led to the identification of two clinical leads [RO4882224 (11) and RO4938581 (44)] functioning as novel potent and selective GABAA alpha5 inverse agonists. The unique pharmacological profiles and optimal pharmacokinetic profiles resulted in in vivo activity in selected cognition models.
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JNJ-10181457, a selective non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonist, normalizes acetylcholine neurotransmission and has efficacy in translational rat models of cognition. Neuropharmacology 2009; 56:1131-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2009.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2008] [Revised: 01/31/2009] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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RO4938581, a novel cognitive enhancer acting at GABAA alpha5 subunit-containing receptors. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2009; 202:207-23. [PMID: 18936916 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1357-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2008] [Accepted: 09/26/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE GABAA alpha5 subunit-containing receptors are primarily expressed in the hippocampus and their role in learning and memory has been demonstrated recently by both genetic and pharmacological approaches. OBJECTIVES The objective of the study is to evaluate the cognitive effects of a novel GABAA alpha5 receptor inverse agonist, RO4938581 in rats and monkeys. MATERIALS AND METHODS The in vitro profile was determined using radioligand binding and electrophysiological assays for the GABAA alpha1, alpha2, alpha3, and alpha5 receptors. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was performed in mouse hippocampal slices. Cognitive effects were assessed in rats in the delayed match to position (DMTP) task and the Morris water maze. In monkeys, the object retrieval task was used. Pro-convulsant and anxiogenic potentials were evaluated in mice and rats. In vivo receptor occupancy was determined using [3H]-RO0154513. RESULTS RO4938581 is a potent inverse agonist at the GABAA alpha5 receptor, with both binding and functional selectivity, enhancing hippocampal LTP. RO4938581 reversed scopolamine-induced working memory impairment in the DMTP task (0.3-1 mg/kg p.o.) and diazepam-induced spatial learning impairment (1-10 mg/kg p.o.). RO4938581 improved executive function in monkeys (3-10 mg/kg p.o.). Importantly, RO4938581 showed no anxiogenic and pro-convulsive potential. RO4938581 dose-dependently bound to GABAA alpha5 receptors and approximately 30% receptor occupancy was sufficient to produce enhanced cognition in the rat. CONCLUSIONS The data further support the potential of GABAA alpha5 receptors as a target for cognition-enhancing drugs. The dual binding and functional selectivity offers an ideal profile for cognition-enhancing effects without the unwanted side effects associated with activity at other GABAA receptor subtypes.
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Egashira N, Kurauchi K, Iwasaki K, Mishima K, Orito K, Oishi R, Fujiwara M. Schizandrin reverses memory impairment in rats. Phytother Res 2008; 22:49-52. [PMID: 17705144 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of schizandrin, a component of the fruit of Schizandra chinesis Baill (Fructus Schizandrae), on memory impairment in rats. Scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, markedly impaired spatial memory in an eight-arm radial maze. A higher dose of scopolamine (3 mg/kg, i.p.) also impaired the passive avoidance response. Schizandrin (1 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reversed the scopolamine-induced impairment of spatial memory. Similarly, schizandrin (1 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reversed the scopolamine-induced impairment of the passive avoidance response. Moreover, in mice, schizandrin (1 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced tremors induced by oxotremorine, a muscarinic M(1) receptor agonist. Taken together these findings suggest that schizandrin reverses scopolamine-induced memory impairment, in part, by enhancing cholinergic function, and that schizandrin might be useful for treating memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Egashira
- Department of Pharmacy, Kyushu University Hospital, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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18
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Cognitive performance of healthy young rats following chronic donepezil administration. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2008; 197:661-73. [PMID: 18309476 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-008-1084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2007] [Accepted: 01/18/2008] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Experimental studies have investigated the effects of chronic donepezil treatment on the behavioral deficits elicited by reduced activity or the loss of cholinergic neurons that occurs in aging or in models of dementia. However, few studies have analyzed the effects of chronic donepezil treatment on the cognitive functions of intact animals. OBJECTIVES The cognitive functions of healthy young rats treated chronically with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor donepezil were evaluated using a wide behavioral test battery. RESULTS Chronic treatment with donepezil ameliorated memory functions and explorative strategies, speeded up the acquisition of localizing knowledge, augmented responsiveness to the context, and reduced anxiety levels. However, it did not affect spatial span, modify motivational levels, or influence associative learning. CONCLUSIONS The present findings show the specific profile of donepezil action on cognitive functions in the presence of unaltered cholinergic neurotransmission systems.
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Dimitrova DS, Getova-Spassova DP. Effects of galantamine and donepezil on active and passive avoidance tests in rats with induced hypoxia. J Pharmacol Sci 2007; 101:199-204. [PMID: 16861821 DOI: 10.1254/jphs.fpe05006x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The cholinergic system undergoes changes with aging and in Alzheimer's disease. The effects of the anticholinesterase drugs galantamine and donepezil were studied in a model with sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia in rats. The animals were trained in the shuttle-box active avoidance test and in step-through and step-down passive avoidance tests. In the active avoidance test, hypoxic rats showed a decrease in the number of avoidances in the learning session and in retention. The hypoxic rats receiving galantamine showed an increase in the number of avoidances during the learning session. The groups in hypoxia treated with donepezil had an increased number of avoidances in the learning session. In memory retention tests, significant differences were not observed in the hypoxic animals treated with galantamine or donepezil. In the step-through passive avoidance test, rats treated with galantamine had no change in the latency of reactions during the learning session and memory retention tests. In the step-down passive avoidance test, the animals treated with galantamine had increase latency of reactions during the learning and short- or long-memory retention tests. The hypoxic rats receiving donepezil had increased latency of reactions in the step-down short memory retention test. Our results suggest that galantamine and donepezil improve cognitive functions in a model of hypoxia.
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Wise LE, Iredale PA, Stokes RJ, Lichtman AH. Combination of rimonabant and donepezil prolongs spatial memory duration. Neuropsychopharmacology 2007; 32:1805-12. [PMID: 17213845 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1301297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The observations that the cannabinoid(1)(CB(1)) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist, rimonabant, and the selective noncompetitive inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), donepezil, improve performance in a variety of animal memory models, suggest that these neurochemical systems play integral roles in cognition. The present study tested whether each of these agents administered alone or in combination will prolong the duration of spatial memory. Rats were trained in a two-phase radial-arm maze procedure, consisting of acquisition and retrieval tests, which were separated by an 18 h delay. Each drug was administered 30 min before the acquisition phase, immediately after the acquisition phase, or 30 min before the retrieval test to assess acquisition/consolidation, consolidation, and retrieval mnemonic processes, respectively. Rimonabant or donepezil administered before the acquisition phase, but not immediately after acquisition or before retrieval, led to a significant decrease in the number of errors committed during the retrieval test. Combined administration of subthreshold doses of rimonabant and donepezil that had no discernable effects on performance when given alone, enhanced memory. These results taken together demonstrate that the delay radial-arm maze task is sufficiently sensitive to detect memory enhancing effects of these drugs. Moreover, these findings suggest that combined administration of subthreshold doses of rimonabant and donepezil can improve memory and may represent a novel approach to treat cognitive deficits associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Wise
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
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Moreira T, Malec E, Ostenson CG, Efendic S, Liljequist S. Diabetic type II Goto-Kakizaki rats show progressively decreasing exploratory activity and learning impairments in fixed and progressive ratios of a lever-press task. Behav Brain Res 2007; 180:28-41. [PMID: 17408764 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2007.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2006] [Revised: 02/12/2007] [Accepted: 02/16/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Learning and memory impairments associated with diabetes have been reproduced in rodent models of diabetes type I, but few studies have been performed in spontaneously type II diabetic rodents. The study of type II diabetic rats such as the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is of advantage when characterizing the development of cognitive impairments specifically caused by the progression of the disease and not by its treatment. We thus hypothesized that GK rats might display learning impairments when compared to non-diabetic Wistar rats. In the present study, we employed a lever-press task, a behavioural paradigm which allows the study of response-reinforcement learning, discrimination of a rewarding lever (using a two-choice positional discrimination task), and the ability to increase operant behaviour when requirements for reward increase (using a progressive ratio [PR]). In parallel, locomotor activity was compared between strains to assess exploratory activity and behavioural habituation to a novel environment. Diabetic GK rats made significantly less lever-presses with increasing fixed ratios and, throughout the sessions, a trend for increased selection errors was observed in these animals. In addition, a significant reduction in the maximum number of lever-presses made by GK rats was observed during the PR sessions. Locomotor activity of GK rats was higher on the first day of exploration but significantly decreased with familiarization to the environment. The present results suggest that the diabetic-like symptomatology in GK rats led to a reduction of exploratory activity and of lever-pressing during fixed and progressive ratio schedules, likely caused by learning impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Moreira
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Drug Dependence Research, Building L4a:00, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Irving EA, Upton N. Symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: identification of biomarkers to aid translation from bench to bedside. Biomark Med 2007; 1:93-110. [DOI: 10.2217/17520363.1.1.93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In the absence of robust pharmacodynamic markers, the potential success of novel therapeutic agents for the symptomatic relief of Alzheimer’s disease is largely unknown until the drugs enter relatively large studies, assessing clinical outcome over a 6-month period. In order to increase the efficiency of future clinical development there is, therefore, a need to identify pharmacodynamic markers of drug response, pharmacodynamic models that allow early prediction of efficacy and markers to aid the stratification of the patient population. Using literature available from cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine and Ginkgo biloba, this review focuses on the identification of potential pharmacodynamic markers/models and highlights the utility of these end points throughout the drug discovery process, from preclinical to clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine A Irving
- GlaxoSmithKline, Neurology and GI CEDD, New Frontiers Science Park North, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, UK
| | - Neil Upton
- GlaxoSmithKline, Neurology and GI CEDD, New Frontiers Science Park North, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex, CM19 5AW, UK
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Egashira N, Manome N, Kurauchi K, Matsumoto Y, Iwasaki K, Mishima K, Shoyama Y, Fujiwara M. Kamikihi-to, a Kampo medicine, ameliorates impairment of spatial memory in rats. Phytother Res 2007; 21:126-9. [PMID: 17117451 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of Kamikihi-to (KKT), a Kampo medicine, on impairment of spatial memory in rats using an eight-arm radial maze task. Scopolamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist, and Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC; 6 mg/kg, i.p.), a principal psychoactive component of marihuana, each markedly impaired the spatial memory. KKT (1 and 3 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly improved the scopolamine-induced impairment of spatial memory. KKT (30 mg/kg, p.o.) also improved significantly the THC-induced impairment of spatial memory. Moreover, KKT (3 and 30 mg/kg, p.o.) enhanced tremors induced by oxotremorine, a muscarinic M(1) receptor agonist. Taken together these findings suggest that KKT is a useful drug for treating memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Egashira
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
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24
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Lindner MD, Hogan JB, Hodges DB, Orie AF, Chen P, Corsa JA, Leet JE, Gillman KW, Rose GM, Jones KM, Gribkoff VK. Donepezil primarily attenuates scopolamine-induced deficits in psychomotor function, with moderate effects on simple conditioning and attention, and small effects on working memory and spatial mapping. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2006; 188:629-40. [PMID: 17004085 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-006-0556-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2006] [Accepted: 07/29/2006] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Alzheimer's dementia (AD) patients have profound deficits in cognitive and social functions, mediated in part by a decline in cholinergic function. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) are the most commonly prescribed treatment for the cognitive deficits in AD patients, but their therapeutic effects are small, and it is still not clear if they primarily affect attention, memory, or some other cognitive/behavioral functions. OBJECTIVES The objective of the present experiments was to explore the effects of donepezil (Aricepttrade mark), an AChEI, on behavioral deficits related exclusively to cholinergic dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The effects of donepezil were assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats with scopolamine-induced deficits in a battery of cognitive/behavioral tests. RESULTS Scopolamine produced deficits in contextual and cued fear conditioning, the 5-choice serial reaction time test, delayed nonmatching to position, the radial arm maze, and the Morris water maze. Analyses of the pattern and size of the effects revealed that donepezil produced very large effects on scopolamine-induced deficits in psychomotor function (approximately 20-50% of the variance), moderate-sized effects on scopolamine-induced deficits in simple conditioning and attention (approximately 3-10% of the variance), but only small effects on scopolamine-induced deficits in higher cognitive functions of working memory and spatial mapping (approximately 1% of the variance). CONCLUSIONS These results are consistent with the limited efficacy of donepezil on higher cognitive function in AD patients, and suggest that preclinical behavioral models could be used not only to determine if novel treatments have some therapeutic potential, but also to predict more precisely what the pattern and size of the effects might be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Lindner
- Department 401, Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Wallingford, CT 06492, USA.
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Murai T, Okuda S, Tanaka T, Ohta H. Characteristics of object location memory in mice: Behavioral and pharmacological studies. Physiol Behav 2006; 90:116-24. [PMID: 17049363 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2006] [Revised: 09/01/2006] [Accepted: 09/08/2006] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
An object location test (OLT) has been developed to test spatial memory in rats. The test is based on the spontaneous tendency of rodents, previously exposed to two identical objects, to later explore one of the objects--replaced in a novel location--for a longer time than they explore the non-displaced object. In this study, we established the OLT in mice and investigated its characteristics with behavioral and pharmacological analysis. Mice discriminated the object in the novel location when the test trial was conducted < or =2 h after the acquisition trial. The cognitive ability was influenced neither by a change in the arrangement of the objects in the experimental apparatus, nor by change in the entry position of the mice. Object location memory was disrupted with change in the relative position of the objects to extra-field cues, or under conditions of deprivation of extra-field cues, suggesting that discrimination of the displaced object reflects spatial memory. A muscarinic cholinergic receptor antagonist (scopolamine, 1 mg/kg) impaired object location memory, while an acetylcholine esterase inhibitor (donepezil, 3 mg/kg) increased ability to maintain object location memory. In addition, aged mice showed poorer cognitive performance than young mice on the OLT. These findings indicate that the OLT can be used to assess spatial memory in mice, as well as in rats. The object location memory in mice was sensitive to pharmacological manipulation with cholinergic agents and to aging and could be used to identify agents affecting spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Murai
- Pharmacology, Tsukuba Research Institute, Banyu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 3 Okubo, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 300-2611, Japan.
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Abstract
Of all the therapeutic areas, diseases of the CNS provide the biggest challenges to translational research in this era of increased productivity and novel targets. Risk reduction by translational research incorporates the "learn" phase of the "learn and confirm" paradigm proposed over a decade ago. Like traditional drug discovery in vitro and in laboratory animals, it precedes the traditional phase 1-3 studies of drug development. The focus is on ameliorating the current failure rate in phase 2 and the delays resulting from suboptimal choices in four key areas: initial test subjects, dosing, sensitive and early detection of therapeutic effect, and recognition of differences between animal models and human disease. Implementation of new technologies is the key to success in this emerging endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orest Hurko
- Translational Research, Wyeth, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, USA.
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27
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Jia F, Kato M, Dai H, Xu A, Okuda T, Sakurai E, Okamura N, Lovenberg TW, Barbier A, Carruthers NI, Iinuma K, Yanai K. Effects of histamine H3 antagonists and donepezil on learning and mnemonic deficits induced by pentylenetetrazol kindling in weanling mice. Neuropharmacology 2006; 50:404-11. [PMID: 16310812 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2005.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2005] [Revised: 09/09/2005] [Accepted: 09/28/2005] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Childhood epilepsy is one of the main risk factors for a variety of problems involving cognition and behavior. Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling is currently an acceptable model for epilepsy research. The objectives of this study are to clarify the learning and mnemonic characteristics of PTZ kindling in developing mice, and to examine the effects of thioperamide and JNJ-5207852, two histamine H(3) receptor antagonists and donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, on learning and memory deficits induced by PTZ kindling in the brains of developing mice. PTZ kindling led to learning and mnemonic deficits as assessed by social discrimination, acoustic fear conditioning, water maze and passive avoidance tests. Thioperamide and JNJ-5207852, ameliorated PTZ kindling-induced learning and mnemonic deficits in all tests except for the water maze test. In addition, the learning and mnemonic impairments induced by PTZ kindling were significantly improved by donepezil in all tests. These findings suggest that histamine and acetylcholine are involved in the different processes of learning and memory in the brain and that histamine H(3) receptor antagonists might be useful in the treatment of cognitive impairment in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyong Jia
- Department of Pharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan
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28
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Egashira N, Matsumoto Y, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Fujioka M, Matsushita M, Shoyama Y, Nishimura R, Fujiwara M. Low dose citalopram reverses memory impairment and electroconvulsive shock-induced immobilization. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2006; 83:161-7. [PMID: 16492387 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2006.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2005] [Revised: 01/13/2006] [Accepted: 01/17/2006] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is one of the most widely used antidepressants. Recently, citalopram has been reported to improve working memory in patients with depression, and psychotic symptoms and behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia. However, the possibility of using citalopram in the treatment of cognitive disorders has not received much attention. The present study investigated the effects of citalopram on scopolamine- and Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced impairment of spatial memory using an eight-arm radial maze and electroconvulsive shock (ECS)-induced immobilization (a behavioral model for the disturbance of consciousness). Low dose citalopram reversed both scopolamine- and THC-induced impairment of spatial memory, suppressed ECS-induced immobilization reversed the THC-induced decrease of acetylcholine (ACh) release in the dorsal hippocampus in vivo microdialysis, and enhanced tremors induced by oxotremorine, a muscarinic M1 receptor agonist. Taken together these findings suggest that low dose citalopram is useful for the treatment of memory deficits and consciousness disturbance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuaki Egashira
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Fukuoka University, Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan
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Csernansky JG, Martin M, Shah R, Bertchume A, Colvin J, Dong H. Cholinesterase inhibitors ameliorate behavioral deficits induced by MK-801 in mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2005; 30:2135-43. [PMID: 15956997 PMCID: PMC1361686 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Enhancing cholinergic function has been suggested as a possible strategy for ameliorating the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors in mice treated with the noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801, which has been suggested as an animal model of the cognitive deficits of schizophrenia. Three separate experiments were conducted to test the effects of physostigmine, donepezil, or galantamine on deficits in learning and memory induced by MK-801. In each experiment, MK-801 (0.05 or 0.10 mg/kg) or saline was administered i.p. 20 min prior to behavioral testing over a total of 12 days. At 30 min prior to administration of MK-801 or saline, one of three doses of the AChE inhibitor (ie physostigmine-0.03, 0.10, or 0.30 mg/kg; donepezil-0.10, 0.30, or 1.00 mg/kg; or galantamine-0.25, 0.50, or 1.00 mg/kg) or saline was administered s.c. Behavioral testing was performed in all experimental animals using the following sequence: (1) spatial reversal learning, (2) locomotion, (3) fear conditioning, and (4) shock sensitivity. Both doses of MK-801 produced impairments in spatial reversal learning and in contextual and cued memory, as well as hyperlocomotion. Physostigmine and donepezil, but not galantamine, ameliorated MK-801-induced deficits in spatial reversal learning and in contextual and cued memory in a dose-dependent manner. Also, physostigmine, but not donepezil or galantamine, reversed MK-801-induced hyperlocomotion. Galantamine, but not physostigmine or donepezil, altered shock sensitivity. These results suggest that AChE inhibitors may differ in their capacity to ameliorate learning and memory deficits produced by MK-801 in mice, which may have relevance for the cognitive effects of cholinomimetic drugs in patients with schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G Csernansky
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 S. Euclid, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Moreira T, Cebers G, Cebere A, Wägner A, Liljequist S. Extradural compression of the sensorimotor cortex delays the acquisition but not the recalling of a lever-pressing task in Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2005; 164:250-65. [PMID: 16157396 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2005] [Revised: 06/01/2005] [Accepted: 06/02/2005] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The learning and recalling of a lever-press task (LPT) after brief unilateral extradural compression (EC) of the right sensorimotor cortex was studied in Wistar rats. All rats, regardless of the time-point for EC, were trained to lever press for food from D(day)1 to D6. On D8, the position of the active lever was changed to the right side of the operant box and performance was tested until D14. Total and active lever presses, as well as % errors were used to analyse the performance. Rats submitted to EC 24 h before initiating the LPT schedule (naïve-compressed group) showed delayed task acquisition and impaired performance until D10. No significant impairments were detected by D3 on a beam-walking test, excluding paresis as the cause to the delay. Rats submitted to EC after they learned the LPT (trained-compressed group) showed only mildly impaired post-compression performance with no effects on the recalling of the task. Using a progressive ratio LPT, the maximum number of presses to obtain a food-pellet (breaking point) was significantly reduced 24h after EC suggesting reduced motivation for the task early after brain injury. The delayed acquisition of the LPT in naïve-compressed rats was accompanied by consistent cortical, striatal and thalamic degeneration detected by Fluoro-Jade and anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining, whereas the improvement in the performance of this group was accompanied by a reduction of the cortical damage on D10. Recall of the LPT in trained-compressed rats was not altered by EC, suggesting the contribution of compensatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Moreira
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Drug Dependence Research, Karolinska University Hospital, Bldg. L4:00, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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Woolley ML, Ballard TM. Age-related impairments in operant DMTP performance in the PS2APP mouse, a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 2005; 161:220-8. [PMID: 15922048 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2005.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2004] [Revised: 02/03/2005] [Accepted: 02/10/2005] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
One of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is loss of memory for recent events. This deficit in short term memory has been characterised in mild/moderate AD patients as a delay-dependent deficit in a delayed matching to sample (DMTS) task. PS2APP mice co-expressing hPS2mut and hAPPswe exhibit a spatial-temporal elevation in brain amyloid deposition and inflammation associated with temporal cognitive decline. The aim of the current study was to train PS2APP mice (C57BL/6JxDBA/2 mixed background) and appropriate control mice (B6D2F1 background) in a rodent delayed response task, the delayed matching to position (DMTP) task, prior to the onset of plaque formation and subsequently at 2-4 monthly intervals to investigate the effect of aging and increasing plaque load on DMTP performance. At 5 months of age (baseline) DMTP performance was equivalent with both PS2APP and control mice demonstrating a working memory curve across increasing delay intervals of 1-24s. A comparison of PS2APP and control mice across ages revealed a selective age-related, delay-dependent, impairment on choice accuracy in PS2APP mice, consistent with the cognitive decline and temporal amyloidosis previously described for this mouse model. These data are also relevant for other conditional transgenic mouse models which allow time-sensitive induction or inhibition of gene expression such that mice can be trained to perform the task prior to activation or inactivation of the gene and tested thereafter.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Woolley
- PRBD-N, F. Hoffmann-La Roche, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland.
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Higgins GA, Ballard TM, Kew JNC, Richards JG, Kemp JA, Adam G, Woltering T, Nakanishi S, Mutel V. Pharmacological manipulation of mGlu2 receptors influences cognitive performance in the rodent. Neuropharmacology 2004; 46:907-17. [PMID: 15081787 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2004.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2003] [Revised: 01/05/2004] [Accepted: 01/19/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Atrophy of the medial temporal lobes, including the glutamatergic cortical-hippocampal circuitry, is an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and probably contributes to the characteristic short-term mnemonic decline. Pharmacological strategies directly targeted to ameliorating this functional decline may represent a novel approach for the symptomatic treatment of AD. Presynaptic group II metabotropic glutamate receptors (i.e. mGlu2 and mGlu3) exert a powerful modulatory influence on the function of these pathways, in particular the perforant pathway. Using a combination of mGlu2 receptor knockout mice and the group II agonist LY354740, we show that activation of mGlu2 receptors produces a cognitive impairment, i.e. a delay-dependent deficit in delayed matching and non-matching to position, and impaired spatial learning in a Morris water maze. Conversely, a group II antagonist, LY341495, improved acquisition of spatial learning. LY354740 potently reduced field excitatory postsynaptic potentials in hippocampal slices from wild type but not mGlu2 receptor knockout mice. Taken together, these results suggest that activation of mGlu2 receptors evokes a powerful inhibitory effect on hippocampal synaptic transmission and mGlu2 agonists produce a cognitive deficit consistent with this change. Conversely, mGlu2 receptor antagonists may improve certain aspects of cognition and thus represent a novel approach for the symptomatic treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy A Higgins
- Preclinical CNS Research, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., PRBD-N, 72/150, Grenzacherstrasse, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
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Spinelli S, Pennanen L, Dettling AC, Feldon J, Higgins GA, Pryce CR. Performance of the marmoset monkey on computerized tasks of attention and working memory. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 19:123-37. [PMID: 15019709 DOI: 10.1016/j.cogbrainres.2003.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/21/2003] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The CAmbridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) is a computerised battery of neuropsychological tests presented as stimuli on a touch-sensitive computer screen that has been used to assess a wide range of cognitive functions in neuropsychiatric patients, healthy volunteers, and species of non-human primate, primarily the rhesus macaque. The common marmoset is a small-bodied, tractable simian primate that breeds well under laboratory conditions. This primate has been quite extensively studied in terms of its abilities and limitations with respect to appetitive cognitive conditioning. However, the CANTAB versions of sustained/divided attention and working memory tasks have to-date not been studied in the marmoset. Here we describe adult marmoset performance on the CANTAB five-choice serial reaction time task, a delayed match-to-position task, and a task derived from the CANTAB visuo-spatial paired associates learning task that constituted two, concurrent delayed match-to-position tasks. The acquisition and stable longitudinal performance of these tasks provide strong evidence that the marmoset, in addition to the macaque, can be the species of choice for CANTAB-based drug and lesion studies of cognitive function, using tasks similar to those deployed in the study of human cognition and diagnosis of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Spinelli
- Behavioural Neurobiology Laboratory, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Schorenstrasse 16, CH-8603 Schwerzenbach, Switzerland
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