1
|
Wang H, Zhang H. Reconsideration of Anticholinesterase Therapeutic Strategies against Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:852-862. [PMID: 30521323 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is well-known as a severe neurodegeneration disease involving complicated etiologies, and cholinesterase inhibition remain the prevailing mode of clinical intervention in AD management. Although most clinically applied cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) achieve limited clinical outcomes, research on the central cholinergic system is still thriving. Recently, an impressive amount of knowledge regarding novel acetylcholinesterase functions, as well as the close association between the central cholinergic system and other key elements for AD pathogenesis, has accumulated, highlighting that this field still has great potential for future drug development. In contrast to the overwhelmingly disappointing clinical therapeutic effects of various disease-modifying drug candidates, interesting evidence has continued to emerge over the past 20 years from the wealth of preclinical and clinical data on the usage of ChEIs, indicating underestimated clinical benefits due to physician ambivalence, a lack of persistent treatment, and inappropriate medication times or doses. Here we pinpoint several topics fit for future attention, focusing on the updated cholinergic hypothesis, especially the pleiotropic relationships with key pathogenetic signaling pathways and functions in AD, as well as possible novel therapeutic strategies, including novel ChEIs and cholinesterase inhibition-based innovative multifunctional therapeutic candidates. We intend to strengthen the future value of the precise application of cholinergic drugs, especially novel ChEIs, as a cornerstone pharmacological approach to AD treatment, either alone or in combination with other targets, to relieve symptoms and to modify disease progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Haiyan Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zu Chong Zhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
The fractal organization of ultradian rhythms in avian behavior. Sci Rep 2017; 7:684. [PMID: 28386121 PMCID: PMC5429634 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-00743-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Living systems exhibit non-randomly organized biochemical, physiological, and behavioral processes that follow distinctive patterns. In particular, animal behavior displays both fractal dynamics and periodic rhythms yet the relationship between these two dynamic regimens remain unexplored. Herein we studied locomotor time series of visually isolated Japanese quails sampled every 0.5 s during 6.5 days (>106 data points). These high-resolution, week-long, time series enabled simultaneous evaluation of ultradian rhythms as well as fractal organization according to six different analytical methods that included Power Spectrum, Enright, Empirical Mode Decomposition, Wavelet, and Detrended Fluctuation analyses. Time series analyses showed that all birds exhibit circadian rhythms. Although interindividual differences were detected, animals presented ultradian behavioral rhythms of 12, 8, 6, 4.8, 4 h and/or lower and, irrespective of visual isolation, synchronization between these ultradian rhythms was observed. Moreover, all birds presented similar overall fractal dynamics (for scales ∼30 s to >4.4 h). This is the first demonstration that avian behavior presents fractal organization that predominates at shorter time scales and coexists with synchronized ultradian rhythms. This chronobiological pattern is advantageous for keeping the organism’s endogenous rhythms in phase with internal and environmental periodicities, notably the feeding, light-dark and sleep-wake cycles.
Collapse
|
3
|
Bellanti F, Iannelli G, Blonda M, Tamborra R, Villani R, Romano A, Calcagnini S, Mazzoccoli G, Vinciguerra M, Gaetani S, Giudetti AM, Vendemiale G, Cassano T, Serviddio G. Alterations of Clock Gene RNA Expression in Brain Regions of a Triple Transgenic Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 59:615-631. [PMID: 28671110 PMCID: PMC5523844 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A disruption to circadian rhythmicity and the sleep/wake cycle constitutes a major feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The maintenance of circadian rhythmicity is regulated by endogenous clock genes and a number of external Zeitgebers, including light. This study investigated the light induced changes in the expression of clock genes in a triple transgenic model of AD (3×Tg-AD) and their wild type littermates (Non-Tg). Changes in gene expression were evaluated in four brain areas¾suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), hippocampus, frontal cortex and brainstem¾of 6- and 18-month-old Non-Tg and 3×Tg-AD mice after 12 h exposure to light or darkness. Light exposure exerted significant effects on clock gene expression in the SCN, the site of the major circadian pacemaker. These patterns of expression were disrupted in 3×Tg-AD and in 18-month-old compared with 6-month-old Non-Tg mice. In other brain areas, age rather than genotype affected gene expression; the effect of genotype was observed on hippocampal Sirt1 expression, while it modified the expression of genes regulating the negative feedback loop as well as Rorα, Csnk1ɛ and Sirt1 in the brainstem. In conclusion, during the early development of AD, there is a disruption to the normal expression of genes regulating circadian function after exposure to light, particularly in the SCN but also in extra-hypothalamic brain areas supporting circadian regulation, suggesting a severe impairment of functioning of the clock gene pathway. Even though this study did not demonstrate a direct association between these alterations in clock gene expression among brain areas with the cognitive impairments and chrono-disruption that characterize the early onset of AD, our novel results encourage further investigation aimed at testing this hypothesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Bellanti
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Iannelli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Blonda
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Tamborra
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Villani
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Adele Romano
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvio Calcagnini
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Mazzoccoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Unit, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine and Chronobiology Unit, IRCCS “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy
| | - Silvana Gaetani
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “V. Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Giudetti
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies, Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Vendemiale
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Tommaso Cassano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Italy
| | - Gaetano Serviddio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mulder CK, Gerkema MP, Van der Zee EA. Role of Aging and Hippocampus in Time-Place Learning: Link to Episodic-Like Memory? Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 9:362. [PMID: 26834595 PMCID: PMC4717310 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION With time-place learning (TPL), animals link an event with the spatial location and the time of day (TOD). The what-where-when TPL components make the task putatively episodic-like in nature. Animals use an internal sense of time to master TPL, which is circadian system based. Finding indications for a role of the hippocampus and (early) aging-sensitivity in TPL would strengthen the episodic-like memory nature of the paradigm. METHODS Previously, we used C57Bl/6 mice for our TPL research. Here, we used CD1 mice which are less hippocampal-driven and age faster compared to C57Bl/6 mice. To demonstrate the low degree of hippocampal-driven performance in CD1 mice, a cross maze was used. The spontaneous alternation test was used to score spatial working memory in CD1 mice at four different age categories (young (3-6 months), middle-aged (7-11 months), aged (12-18 months) and old (>19 months). TPL performance of middle-aged and aged CD1 mice was tested in a setup with either two or three time points per day (2-arm or 3-arm TPL task). Immunostainings were applied on brains of young and middle-aged C57Bl/6 mice that had successfully mastered the 3-arm TPL task. RESULTS In contrast to C57Bl/6 mice, middle-aged and aged CD1 mice were less hippocampus-driven and failed to master the 3-arm TPL task. They could, however, master the 2-arm TPL task primarily via an ordinal (non-circadian) timing system. c-Fos, CRY2, vasopressin (AVP), and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) were investigated. We found no differences at the level of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN; circadian master clock), whereas CRY2 expression was increased in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). The most pronounced difference between TPL trained and control mice was found in c-Fos expression in the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, a circadian system relay station. CONCLUSIONS These results further indicate a key role of CRY proteins in TPL and confirm the limited role of the SCN in TPL. Based on the poor TPL performance of CD1 mice, the results suggest age-sensitivity and hippocampal involvement in TPL. We suspect that TPL reflects an episodic-like memory task, but due to its functional nature, also entail the translation of experienced episodes into semantic rules acquired by training.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C K Mulder
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands; Department of Chronobiology, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - M P Gerkema
- Department of Chronobiology, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| | - E A Van der Zee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mulder CK, Reckman GAR, Gerkema MP, Van der Zee EA. Time-place learning over a lifetime: absence of memory loss in trained old mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 22:278-88. [PMID: 25903452 PMCID: PMC4408771 DOI: 10.1101/lm.037440.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 03/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Time–place learning (TPL) offers the possibility to study the functional interaction between cognition and the circadian system with aging. With TPL, animals link biological significant events with the location and the time of day. This what–where–when type of memory provides animals with an experience-based daily schedule. Mice were tested for TPL five times throughout their lifespan and showed (re)learning from below chance level at the age of 4, 7, 12, and 18 mo. In contrast, at the age of 22 mo these mice showed preservation of TPL memory (absence of memory loss), together with deficiencies in the ability to update time-of-day information. Conversely, the majority of untrained (naïve) mice at 17 mo of age were unable to acquire TPL, indicating that training had delayed TPL deficiencies in the mice trained over lifespan. Two out of seven naïve mice, however, compensated for correct performance loss by adapting an alternative learning strategy that is independent of the age-deteriorating circadian system and presumably less cognitively demanding. Together, these data show the age-sensitivity of TPL, and the positive effects of repeated training over a lifetime. In addition, these data shed new light on aging-related loss of behavioral flexibility to update time-of-day information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelis K Mulder
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands Department of Chronobiology, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Gerlof A R Reckman
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Menno P Gerkema
- Department of Chronobiology, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eddy A Van der Zee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Mulder C, Van Der Zee EA, Hut RA, Gerkema MP. Time-place learning and memory persist in mice lacking functional Per1 and Per2 clock genes. J Biol Rhythms 2014; 28:367-79. [PMID: 24336415 DOI: 10.1177/0748730413512958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
With time-place learning, animals link a stimulus with the location and the time of day. This ability may optimize resource localization and predator avoidance in daily changing environments. Time-place learning is a suitable task to study the interaction of the circadian system and memory. Previously, we showed that time-place learning in mice depends on the circadian system and Cry1 and/or Cry2 clock genes. We questioned whether time-place learning is Cry specific or also depends on other core molecular clock genes. Here, we show that Per1/Per2 double mutant mice, despite their arrhythmic phenotype, acquire time-place learning similar to wild-type mice. As well as an established role in circadian rhythms, Per genes have also been implicated in the formation and storage of memory. We found no deficiencies in short-term spatial working memory in Per mutant mice compared to wild-type mice. Moreover, both Per mutant and wild-type mice showed similar long-term memory for contextual features of a paradigm (a mild foot shock), measured in trained mice after a 2-month nontesting interval. In contrast, time-place associations were lost in both wild-type and mutant mice after these 2 months, suggesting a lack of maintained long-term memory storage for this type of information. Taken together, Cry-dependent time-place learning does not require Per genes, and Per mutant mice showed no PER-specific short-term or long-term memory deficiencies. These results limit the functional role of Per clock genes in the circadian regulation of time-place learning and memory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Mulder
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mulder CK, Papantoniou C, Gerkema MP, Van Der Zee EA. Neither the SCN nor the adrenals are required for circadian time-place learning in mice. Chronobiol Int 2014; 31:1075-92. [PMID: 25083974 PMCID: PMC4219850 DOI: 10.3109/07420528.2014.944975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
During Time-Place Learning (TPL), animals link biological significant events (e.g. encountering predators, food, mates) with the location and time of occurrence in the environment. This allows animals to anticipate which locations to visit or avoid based on previous experience and knowledge of the current time of day. The TPL task applied in this study consists of three daily sessions in a three-arm maze, with a food reward at the end of each arm. During each session, mice should avoid one specific arm to avoid a foot-shock. We previously demonstrated that, rather than using external cue-based strategies, mice use an internal clock (circadian strategy) for TPL, referred to as circadian TPL (cTPL). It is unknown in which brain region(s) or peripheral organ(s) the consulted clock underlying cTPL resides. Three candidates were examined in this study: (a) the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), a light entrainable oscillator (LEO) and considered the master circadian clock in the brain, (b) the food entrainable oscillator (FEO), entrained by restricted food availability, and (c) the adrenal glands, harboring an important peripheral oscillator. cTPL performance should be affected if the underlying oscillator system is abruptly phase-shifted. Therefore, we first investigated cTPL sensitivity to abrupt light and food shifts. Next we investigated cTPL in SCN-lesioned- and adrenalectomized mice. Abrupt FEO phase-shifts (induced by advancing and delaying feeding time) affected TPL performance in specific test sessions while a LEO phase-shift (induced by a light pulse) more severely affected TPL performance in all three daily test sessions. SCN-lesioned mice showed no TPL deficiencies compared to SHAM-lesioned mice. Moreover, both SHAM- and SCN-lesioned mice showed unaffected cTPL performance when re-tested after bilateral adrenalectomy. We conclude that, although cTPL is sensitive to timing manipulations with light as well as food, neither the SCN nor the adrenals are required for cTPL in mice.
Collapse
|
8
|
van der Zee EA. Synapses, spines and kinases in mammalian learning and memory, and the impact of aging. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2014; 50:77-85. [PMID: 24998408 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2014] [Revised: 06/21/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Synapses are the building blocks of neuronal networks. Spines, the postsynaptic elements, are morphologically the most plastic part of the synapse. It is thought that spine plasticity underlies learning and memory processes, driven by kinases and cytoskeleton protein reorganization. Spine strength depends primarily on the number of incorporated glutamatergic receptors, which are more numerous in larger spines. Intrinsic and circadian fluctuations, occurring independently of presynaptic stimulation, demonstrate the native instability of spines. Despite innate spine instability some spines remain intact lifelong. Threats to spine survival are reduced by physical and mental activity, and declining sensory input, conditions characteristic for aging. Large spines are considered less vulnerable than thin spines, and in the older brain large spines are more abundant, whereas the thin spines are functionally weaker. It can be speculated that this shift towards memory spines contributes to enhanced retention of remote memories typically seen in the elderly. Gaining further insight in spine plasticity regulation, its homeostatic nature and how to maintain spine health will be important future research topics in Neuroscience.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eddy A van der Zee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Centre for Behaviour and Neurosciences, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Mulder CK, Gerkema MP, Van der Zee EA. Circadian clocks and memory: time-place learning. Front Mol Neurosci 2013; 6:8. [PMID: 23596390 PMCID: PMC3622895 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2013.00008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2011] [Accepted: 03/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Time-Place learning (TPL) refers to the ability of animals to remember important events that vary in both time and place. This ability is thought to be functional to optimize resource localization and predator avoidance in a circadian changing environment. Various studies have indicated that animals use their circadian system for TPL. However, not much is known about this specific role of the circadian system in cognition. This review aims to put TPL in a broader context and to provide an overview of historical background, functional aspects, and future perspectives of TPL. Recent advances have increased our knowledge on establishing TPL in a laboratory setting, leading to the development of a behavioral paradigm demonstrating the circadian nature of TPL in mice. This has enabled the investigation of circadian clock components on a functional behavioral level. Circadian TPL (cTPL) was found to be Cry clock gene dependent, confirming the essential role of Cry genes in circadian rhythms. In contrast, preliminary results have shown that cTPL is independent of Per genes. Circadian system decline with aging predicts that cTPL is age sensitive, potentially qualifying TPL as a functional model for episodic memory and aging. The underlying neurobiological mechanism of TPL awaits further examination. Here we discuss some putative mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. K. Mulder
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
- Department of Chronobiology, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - M. P. Gerkema
- Department of Chronobiology, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| | - E. A. Van der Zee
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, University of GroningenGroningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Shechter A, O'Keeffe M, Roberts AL, Zammit GK, RoyChoudhury A, St-Onge MP. Alterations in sleep architecture in response to experimental sleep curtailment are associated with signs of positive energy balance. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2012; 303:R883-9. [PMID: 22972835 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00222.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sleep reduction is associated with increased energy intake and weight gain, though few studies have explored the relationship between sleep architecture and energy balance measures in the context of experimental sleep restriction. Fourteen males and 13 females (body mass index: 22-26 kg/m(2)) participated in a crossover sleep curtailment study. Participants were studied under two sleep conditions: short (4 h/night; 0100-0500 h) and habitual (9 h/night; 2200-0700 h), for 5 nights each. Sleep was polysomnographically recorded nightly. Outcome measures included resting metabolic rate (RMR), feelings of appetite-satiety, and ad libitum food intake. Short sleep resulted in reductions in stage 2 sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep duration (P < 0.001), as well as decreased percentage of stage 2 sleep and REM sleep and increased slow wave sleep (SWS) percentage (P < 0.05). Linear mixed model analysis demonstrated a positive association between stage 2 sleep duration and RMR (P = 0.051). Inverse associations were observed between REM sleep duration and hunger (P = 0.031) and between stage 2 sleep duration and appetite for sweet (P = 0.015) and salty (P = 0.046) foods. Stage 2 sleep percentage was inversely related to energy consumed (P = 0.024). Stage 2 sleep (P = 0.005), SWS (P = 0.008), and REM sleep (P = 0.048) percentages were inversely related to fat intake, and SWS (P = 0.040) and REM sleep (P = 0.050) were inversely related to carbohydrate intake. This study demonstrates that changes in sleep architecture are associated with markers of positive energy balance and indicate a means by which exposure to short sleep duration and/or an altered sleep architecture profile may lead to excess weight gain over time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ari Shechter
- 1New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, New York, New York 10025, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Racagni G, Riva MA, Molteni R, Musazzi L, Calabrese F, Popoli M, Tardito D. Mode of action of agomelatine: synergy between melatonergic and 5-HT2C receptors. World J Biol Psychiatry 2011; 12:574-87. [PMID: 21999473 DOI: 10.3109/15622975.2011.595823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The association between depression and circadian rhythm disturbances is well established and successful treatment of depressed patients is accompanied by restoration of circadian rhythms. The new antidepressant agomelatine is an agonist of melatonergic MT₁/MT₂ receptors as well as an antagonist of serotonergic 5-HT2C receptors. Animal studies showed that agomelatine resynchronizes disturbed circadian rhythms and reduces depression-like behaviour. METHODS This review analyzes results from different experimental studies. RESULTS Recent data on the effects of agomelatine on cellular processes involved in antidepressant mechanisms have shown that the drug is able to increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, as well as the expression of activity-regulated cytoskeleton associated protein (Arc) in the prefrontal cortex. In line with this, prolonged treatment with agomelatine increases neurogenesis within the hippocampus, particularly via enhancement of neuronal cell survival. Agomelatine attenuates stress-induced glutamate release in the prefrontal/frontal cortex. Treatment with 5-HT2C antagonists or melatonin alone failed to reproduce these effects. CONCLUSIONS The unique mode of action of agomelatine may improve the management of major depression by counteracting the pathogenesis of depression at cellular level, thereby relieving the symptoms of depression. These effects are suggested to be due to a synergistic action on MT₁/MT₂ and 5-HT2C receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Racagni
- Center of Neuropharmacology, Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
The cholinergic system, circadian rhythmicity, and time memory. Behav Brain Res 2011; 221:466-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2010] [Revised: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 11/22/2010] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
|
13
|
Van der Zee EA, Platt B, Riedel G. Acetylcholine: future research and perspectives. Behav Brain Res 2011; 221:583-6. [PMID: 21295616 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.01.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Ever since the initial description of chemical transmission in the early part of the 20th century and the identification of acetylcholine (ACh) as the first such transmitter, interests grew to define the multiple facets of its functions. This multitude is only partially covered here, but even in the areas preselected for this special issue, research on the cholinergic system is still thriving. Notwithstanding an impressive amount of knowledge that has been accumulated, partly triggered by the cholinergic hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD [1]), the different reviews in this issue not only summarise our current state of the art, they also highlight that this field has still large potential for future development. Taken from these reviews, we here pinpoint several topics fit for future attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E A Van der Zee
- University of Groningen, Biological Center, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Kerklaan 30, 9751 NN Haren, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Localization of pre- and postsynaptic cholinergic markers in rodent forebrain: a brief history and comparison of rat and mouse. Behav Brain Res 2010; 221:356-66. [PMID: 21129407 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2010.11.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2010] [Accepted: 11/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Rat and mouse models are widely used for studies in cognition and pathophysiology, among others. Here, we sought to determine to what extent these two model species differ for cholinergic and cholinoceptive features. For this purpose, we focused on cholinergic innervation patterns based on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunostaining, and the expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) detected immunocytochemically. In this brief review we first place cholinergic and cholinoceptive markers in a historic perspective, and then provide an overview of recent publications on cholinergic studies and techniques to provide a literature survey of current research. Next, we compare mouse (C57Bl/J6) and rat (Wistar) cholinergic and cholinoceptive systems simultaneously stained, respectively, for ChAT (analyzed qualitatively) and mAChRs (analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively). In general, the topographic cholinergic innervation patterns of both rodent species are highly comparable, with only considerable (but region specific) differences in number of detectable cholinergic interneurons, which are more numerous in rat. In contrast, immunolabeling for mAChRs, detected by the monoclonal antibody M35, differs markedly in the forebrain between the two species. In mouse brain, basal levels of activated and/or internalized mAChRs (as a consequence of cholinergic neurotransmission) are significantly higher. This suggests a higher cholinergic tone in mouse than rat, and hence the animal model of choice may have consequences for cholinergic drug testing experiments.
Collapse
|