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Okkels N, Horsager J, Fedorova TD, Knudsen K, Skjærbæk C, Andersen KB, Labrador-Espinosa M, Vestergaard K, Mortensen JK, Klit H, Møller M, Danielsen EH, Johnsen EL, Bekan G, Hansen KV, Munk OL, Damholdt MF, Kjeldsen PL, Hansen AK, Gottrup H, Grothe MJ, Borghammer P. Impaired cholinergic integrity of the colon and pancreas in dementia with Lewy bodies. Brain 2024; 147:255-266. [PMID: 37975822 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dementia with Lewy bodies is characterized by a high burden of autonomic dysfunction and Lewy pathology in peripheral organs and components of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. Parasympathetic terminals may be quantified with 18F-fluoroetoxybenzovesamicol, a PET tracer that binds to the vesicular acetylcholine transporter in cholinergic presynaptic terminals. Parasympathetic imaging may be useful for diagnostics, improving our understanding of autonomic dysfunction and for clarifying the spatiotemporal relationship of neuronal degeneration in prodromal disease. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the cholinergic parasympathetic integrity in peripheral organs and central autonomic regions of subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies and its association with subjective and objective measures of autonomic dysfunction. We hypothesized that organs with known parasympathetic innervation, especially the pancreas and colon, would have impaired cholinergic integrity. To achieve these aims, we conducted a cross-sectional comparison study including 23 newly diagnosed non-diabetic subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies (74 ± 6 years, 83% male) and 21 elderly control subjects (74 ± 6 years, 67% male). We obtained whole-body images to quantify PET uptake in peripheral organs and brain images to quantify PET uptake in regions of the brainstem and hypothalamus. Autonomic dysfunction was assessed with questionnaires and measurements of orthostatic blood pressure. Subjects with dementia with Lewy bodies displayed reduced cholinergic tracer uptake in the pancreas (32% reduction, P = 0.0003) and colon (19% reduction, P = 0.0048), but not in organs with little or no parasympathetic innervation. Tracer uptake in a region of the medulla oblongata overlapping the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus correlated with autonomic symptoms (rs = -0.54, P = 0.0077) and changes in orthostatic blood pressure (rs = 0.76, P < 0.0001). Tracer uptake in the pedunculopontine region correlated with autonomic symptoms (rs = -0.52, P = 0.0104) and a measure of non-motor symptoms (rs = -0.47, P = 0.0230). In conclusion, our findings provide the first imaging-based evidence of impaired cholinergic integrity of the pancreas and colon in dementia with Lewy bodies. The observed changes may reflect parasympathetic denervation, implying that this process is initiated well before the point of diagnosis. The findings also support that cholinergic denervation in the brainstem contributes to dysautonomia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels Okkels
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Jacob Horsager
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Tatyana D Fedorova
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Karoline Knudsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Casper Skjærbæk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Katrine B Andersen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Miguel Labrador-Espinosa
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Janne K Mortensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Henriette Klit
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Mette Møller
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Erik H Danielsen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Erik L Johnsen
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Goran Bekan
- Department of Neurology, Regionshospitalet Gødstrup, 7400 Herning, Denmark
| | - Kim V Hansen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Ole L Munk
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Malene F Damholdt
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Pernille L Kjeldsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Department of Neurology, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Allan K Hansen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hanne Gottrup
- Department of Neurology, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
| | - Michel J Grothe
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013 Seville, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Per Borghammer
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET, Aarhus University Hospital, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Berthier ML, Edelkraut L, López-González FJ, López-Barroso D, Mohr B, Pulvermüller F, Starkstein SE, Jorge RE, Torres-Prioris MJ, Dávila G. Donepezil alone and combined with intensive language-action therapy on depression and apathy in chronic post-stroke aphasia: A feasibility study. BRAIN AND LANGUAGE 2023; 236:105205. [PMID: 36495749 DOI: 10.1016/j.bandl.2022.105205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the feasibility and effectiveness of a short-term (10-week) intervention trial using Donepezil administered alone and combined with intensive language action therapy (ILAT) for the treatment of apathy and depression in ten people with chronic post-stroke aphasia. Outcome measures were the Western Aphasia Battery and the Stroke Aphasia Depression Questionnaire-21. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography were acquired at baseline and after two endpoints (Donepezil alone and Donepezil-ILAT). The intervention was found to be feasible to implement. Large treatment effects were found. Donepezil alone and combined with ILAT reduced aphasia severity, while apathy and depression only improved with Donepezil-ILAT. Structural and functional neuroimaging data did not show conclusive results but provide hints for future research. Given these overall positive findings on feasibility, language and behavioral benefits, further studies in larger sample sizes and including a placebo-control group are indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo L Berthier
- Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga - IBIMA, Malaga, Spain
| | - Lisa Edelkraut
- Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga - IBIMA, Malaga, Spain; Area of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Francisco J López-González
- Molecular Imaging Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, General Foundation of the University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Molecular Imaging Group, Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Diana López-Barroso
- Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga - IBIMA, Malaga, Spain; Area of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Bettina Mohr
- Zentrum für Neuropsychologie und Intensive Sprachtherapie - ZeNIS, Berlin, Germany
| | - Friedemann Pulvermüller
- Brain Language Laboratory, Department of Philosophy and Humanities, WE4, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany; Berlin School of Mind and Brain, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany
| | - Sergio E Starkstein
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia (M704), Perth, Australia
| | - Ricardo E Jorge
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - María José Torres-Prioris
- Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga - IBIMA, Malaga, Spain; Area of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Dávila
- Cognitive Neurology and Aphasia Unit, Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Sanitarias, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga - IBIMA, Malaga, Spain; Area of Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology and Speech Therapy, University of Malaga, Malaga, Spain.
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Bleuzé L, Triaca V, Borreca A. FMRP-Driven Neuropathology in Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Alzheimer's disease: A Losing Game. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:699613. [PMID: 34760921 PMCID: PMC8573832 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.699613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA binding protein (RBP) whose absence is essentially associated to Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). As an RNA Binding Protein (RBP), FMRP is able to bind and recognize different RNA structures and the control of specific mRNAs is important for neuronal synaptic plasticity. Perturbations of this pathway have been associated with the autistic spectrum. One of the FMRP partners is the APP mRNA, the main protagonist of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), thereby regulating its protein level and metabolism. Therefore FMRP is associated to two neurodevelopmental and age-related degenerative conditions, respectively FXS and AD. Although these pathologies are characterized by different features, they have been reported to share a number of common molecular and cellular players. The aim of this review is to describe the double-edged sword of FMRP in autism and AD, possibly allowing the elucidation of key shared underlying mechanisms and neuronal circuits. As an RBP, FMRP is able to regulate APP expression promoting the production of amyloid β fragments. Indeed, FXS patients show an increase of amyloid β load, typical of other neurological disorders, such as AD, Down syndrome, Parkinson’s Disease, etc. Beyond APP dysmetabolism, the two neurodegenerative conditions share molecular targets, brain circuits and related cognitive deficits. In this review, we will point out the potential common neuropathological pattern which needs to be addressed and we will hopefully contribute to clarifying the complex phenotype of these two neurorological disorders, in order to pave the way for a novel, common disease-modifying therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Bleuzé
- University de Rennes 1, Rennes, France.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano (Mi), Italy
| | - Viviana Triaca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, National Research Council (CNR-IBBC), International Campus A. Buzzati Traverso, Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Antonella Borreca
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, Rozzano (Mi), Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience-National Research Council (CNR-IN), Milan, Italy
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Molecular Factors Mediating Neural Cell Plasticity Changes in Dementia Brain Diseases. Neural Plast 2021; 2021:8834645. [PMID: 33854544 PMCID: PMC8021472 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8834645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural plasticity-the ability to alter a neuronal response to environmental stimuli-is an important factor in learning and memory. Short-term synaptic plasticity and long-term synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation and long-term depression, are the most-characterized models of learning and memory at the molecular and cellular level. These processes are often disrupted by neurodegeneration-induced dementias. Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for 50% of cases of dementia. Vascular dementia (VaD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) constitute much of the remaining cases. While vascular lesions are the principal cause of VaD, neurodegenerative processes have been established as etiological agents of many dementia diseases. Chief among such processes is the deposition of pathological protein aggregates in vivo including β-amyloid deposition in AD, the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in AD and FTD, and the accumulation of Lewy bodies composed of α-synuclein aggregates in DLB and PDD. The main symptoms of dementia are cognitive decline and memory and learning impairment. Nonetheless, accurate diagnoses of neurodegenerative diseases can be difficult due to overlapping clinical symptoms and the diverse locations of cortical lesions. Still, new neuroimaging and molecular biomarkers have improved clinicians' diagnostic capabilities in the context of dementia and may lead to the development of more effective treatments. Both genetic and environmental factors may lead to the aggregation of pathological proteins and altered levels of cytokines, such that can trigger the formation of proinflammatory immunological phenotypes. This cascade of pathological changes provides fertile ground for the development of neural plasticity disorders and dementias. Available pharmacotherapy and disease-modifying therapies currently in clinical trials may modulate synaptic plasticity to mitigate the effects neuropathological changes have on cognitive function, memory, and learning. In this article, we review the neural plasticity changes seen in common neurodegenerative diseases from pathophysiological and clinical points of view and highlight potential molecular targets of disease-modifying therapies.
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Cacabelos R. Pharmacogenetic considerations when prescribing cholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2020; 16:673-701. [PMID: 32520597 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2020.1779700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cholinergic dysfunction, demonstrated in the late 1970s and early 1980s, led to the introduction of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) in 1993 (Tacrine) to enhance cholinergic neurotransmission as the first line of treatment against Alzheimer's disease (AD). The new generation of AChEIs, represented by Donepezil (1996), Galantamine (2001) and Rivastigmine (2002), is the only treatment for AD to date, together with Memantine (2003). AChEIs are not devoid of side-effects and their cost-effectiveness is limited. An option to optimize the correct use of AChEIs is the implementation of pharmacogenetics (PGx) in the clinical practice. AREAS COVERED (i) The cholinergic system in AD, (ii) principles of AD PGx, (iii) PGx of Donepezil, Galantamine, Rivastigmine, Huperzine and other treatments, and (iv) practical recommendations. EXPERT OPINION The most relevant genes influencing AChEI efficacy and safety are APOE and CYPs. APOE-4 carriers are the worst responders to AChEIs. With the exception of Rivastigmine (UGT2B7, BCHE-K), the other AChEIs are primarily metabolized via CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and UGT enzymes, with involvement of ABC transporters and cholinergic genes (CHAT, ACHE, BCHE, SLC5A7, SLC18A3, CHRNA7) in most ethnic groups. Defective variants may affect the clinical response to AChEIs. PGx geno-phenotyping is highly recommended prior to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Cacabelos
- Department of Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine , Bergondo, Corunna, Spain
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Li HC, Luo KX, Wang JS, Wang QX. Extrapyramidal side effect of donepezil hydrochloride in an elderly patient: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e19443. [PMID: 32176074 PMCID: PMC7220218 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000019443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction, which is mainly manifested as memory impairment and a reduced ability to self-care, often accompanied by neuropsychiatric and behavioral disorders. Donepezil is the second drug to be approved by the US FDA for the treatment of AD. Of the five FDA-approved drugs for AD treatment, donepezil is currently the most widely used. Here, we report an extrapyramidal adverse reaction to donepezil in an elderly patient with AD. PATIENT CONCERNS An 87-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of forgetfulness that was aggravated since the past 2 months. She had a long-term history of multiple major conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and arterial plaques. Brain imaging showed age-related changes, and her Mini Mental State Examination score was 20. Other tests revealed no abnormalities apart from multiple thyroid nodules on ultrasonography. DIAGNOSIS She was diagnosed with AD, hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, osteoporosis, carotid and lower-extremity arterial plaques, thyroid nodules. INTERVENTIONS She was treated with donepezil (5 mg/day), amlodipine besylate (5 mg/day), glimepiride (4 mg/day), methylcobalamin (1.5 mg/day), calcium carbonate D3 (600 mg/day), simvastatin (20 mg/day) and enteric-coated aspirin (100 mg/day). OUTCOMES Four days later, she experienced fatigue, panic, sweating, and one episode of vomiting. On the 5th day, she developed increased muscle tension, speech difficulty, and involuntary tremors. Imaging and blood tests revealed no obvious abnormality, and the patient was not receiving psychotropic drugs. An extrapyramidal adverse reaction to donepezil was considered, and the drug was discontinued, after which the symptoms gradually disappeared. CONCLUSION Serious adverse reactions to donepezil can occur in elderly patients, who typically require multiple medications for a variety of comorbidities. In particular, extrapyramidal reactions have occurred when donepezil is administered in combination with psychotropic drugs. However, in our patient, an extrapyramidal adverse reaction occurred in the absence of psychotropic drugs. Thus, clinicians must be aware of inter-individual differences in drug actions and possible serious adverse reactions, and carefully monitor these patients to ensure the timely detection of adverse events and their safe treatment.
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Mulholland PJ, Teppen TL, Miller KM, Sexton HG, Pandey SC, Swartzwelder HS. Donepezil Reverses Dendritic Spine Morphology Adaptations and Fmr1 Epigenetic Modifications in Hippocampus of Adult Rats After Adolescent Alcohol Exposure. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2018; 42:706-717. [PMID: 29336496 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) exposure produces persistent impairments in cholinergic and epigenetic signaling and alters markers of synapses in the hippocampal formation, effects that are thought to drive hippocampal dysfunction in adult rodents. Donepezil (Aricept), a cholinesterase inhibitor, is used clinically to ameliorate memory-related cognitive deficits. Given that donepezil also prevents morphological impairment in preclinical models of neuropsychiatric disorders, we investigated the ability of donepezil to reverse morphological and epigenetic adaptations in the hippocampus of adult rats exposed to AIE. Because of the known relationship between dendritic spine density and morphology with the fragile X mental retardation 1 (Fmr1) gene, we also assessed Fmr1 expression and its epigenetic regulation in hippocampus after AIE and donepezil pretreatment. METHODS Adolescent rats were administered intermittent ethanol for 16 days starting on postnatal day 30. Rats were treated with donepezil (2.5 mg/kg) once a day for 4 days starting 20 days after the completion of AIE exposure. Brains were dissected out after the fourth donepezil dose, and spine analysis was completed in dentate gyrus granule neurons. A separate cohort of rats, treated identically, was used for molecular studies. RESULTS AIE exposure significantly reduced dendritic spine density and altered morphological characteristics of subclasses of dendritic spines. AIE exposure also increased mRNA levels and H3-K27 acetylation occupancy of the Fmr1 gene in hippocampus. Treatment of AIE-exposed adult rats with donepezil reversed both the dendritic spine adaptations and epigenetic modifications and expression of Fmr1. CONCLUSIONS These findings indicate that AIE produces long-lasting decreases in dendritic spine density and changes in Fmr1 gene expression in the hippocampal formation, suggesting morphological and epigenetic mechanisms underlying previously reported behavioral deficits after AIE. The reversal of these effects by subchronic, post-AIE donepezil treatment indicates that these AIE effects can be reversed by up-regulating cholinergic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick J Mulholland
- Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Charleston Alcohol Research Center, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Tara L Teppen
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Kelsey M Miller
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center and Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Hannah G Sexton
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center and Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago and Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - H Scott Swartzwelder
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University Medical Center and Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Koshibu
- Neuroscience Therapeutic Area, UCB Pharma SA, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
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Page M, Pacico N, Ourtioualous S, Deprez T, Koshibu K. Procognitive Compounds Promote Neurite Outgrowth. Pharmacology 2015; 96:131-6. [PMID: 26228694 DOI: 10.1159/000436974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS To this date, the only available drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease are cognitive enhancers, which may improve the cognitive function of patients for a few years while the disease continues to progress. As such, there are intense investigations to develop disease-modifying drugs to suppress progressive neurodegeneration. METHODS In this study, a range of procognitive compounds are tested in a primary neuronal culture to determine their relative potential for promoting neuritogenesis. RESULTS We report that donepezil, memantine, dimebon, Pre-084 and 4-IBP are neuritogenic while tacrine, rosemarinic acid, memoquin and a BACE1 inhibitor suppress neurite outgrowth of neurons. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that some procognitive compounds may possess a disease-modifying potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Page
- Translational Bioinformatics, UCB Pharma SA, Slough, UK
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Mohamed LA, Qosa H, Kaddoumi A. Age-Related Decline in Brain and Hepatic Clearance of Amyloid-Beta is Rectified by the Cholinesterase Inhibitors Donepezil and Rivastigmine in Rats. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:725-36. [PMID: 25782004 PMCID: PMC5248655 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), accumulation of brain amyloid-β (Aβ) depends on imbalance between production and clearance of Aβ. Several pathways for Aβ clearance have been reported including transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and hepatic clearance. The incidence of AD increases with age and failure of Aβ clearance correlates with AD. The cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) donepezil and rivastigmine are used to ease the symptoms of dementia associated with AD. Besides, both drugs have been reported to provide neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects. Here, we investigated the effect of ChEIs on age-related reduced Aβ clearance. Findings from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated donepezil and rivastigmine to enhance (125)I-Aβ40 clearance. Also, the increase in brain and hepatic clearance of (125)I-Aβ40 was more pronounced in aged compared to young rats, and was associated with significant reduction in brain Aβ endogenous levels determined by ELISA. Furthermore, the enhanced clearance was concomitant with up-regulation in the expression of Aβ major transport proteins P-glycoprotein and LRP1. Collectively, our findings that donepezil and rivastigmine enhance Aβ clearance across the BBB and liver are novel and introduce an additional mechanism by which both drugs could affect AD pathology. Thus, optimizing their clinical use could help future drug development by providing new drug targets and possible mechanisms involved in AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loqman A. Mohamed
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville Dr., Monroe, Louisiana 71201, United States
| | - Hisham Qosa
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville Dr., Monroe, Louisiana 71201, United States
| | - Amal Kaddoumi
- Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Science, School of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana at Monroe, 1800 Bienville Dr., Monroe, Louisiana 71201, United States
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Bozzali M, Parker GJM, Spanò B, Serra L, Giulietti G, Perri R, Magnani G, Marra C, G Vita M, Caltagirone C, Cercignani M. Brain tissue modifications induced by cholinergic therapy in Alzheimer's disease. Hum Brain Mapp 2012; 34:3158-67. [PMID: 22711258 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.22130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/27/2012] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
A previous preliminary investigation based on a novel MRI approach to map anatomical connectivity revealed areas of increased connectivity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but not in mild cognitive impairment patients. This prompted the hypothesis tested here, that these areas might reflect phenomena of brain plasticity driven by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs). Thirty-eight patients with probable AD (19 under medication with AChEIs and 19 drug-naïve) were recruited together with 11 healthy controls. All subjects had MRI scanning at 3T, including volumetric and diffusion-weighted scans. Probabilistic tractography was used to initiate streamlines from all parenchymal voxels, and anatomical connectivity maps (ACMs) were obtained by counting, among the total number of streamlines initiated, the fraction passing through each brain voxel. After normalization into standard space, ACMs were used to test for between-group comparisons, and for interactions between the exposure to AChEIs and global level of cognition. Patients with AD had reduced ACM values in the fornix, cingulum, and supramarginal gyri. The ACM value was strongly associated with the AChEI dosage-x-duration product in the anterior limb (non-motor pathway) of the internal capsule. Tractography from this region identified the anterior thalamic radiation as the main white matter (WM) tract passing through it. The reduced connectivity in WM bundles connecting the hippocampi with the rest of the brain (fornix/cingulum) suggests a possible mechanism for the spread of AD pathology. An intriguing explanation for the interaction between AChEIs and ACM is related to the mechanisms of brain plasticity, partially driven by neurotrophic properties of acetylcholine replacement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bozzali
- Neuorimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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Broader considerations of higher doses of donepezil in the treatment of mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2011; 2012:707468. [PMID: 22191061 PMCID: PMC3235571 DOI: 10.1155/2012/707468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Accepted: 10/29/2011] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Donepezil, a highly selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI), is approved as a symptomatic treatment mild, moderate, and severe Alzheimer's disease (AD). Donepezil exerts its treatment effect through multiple mechanisms of action including nicotinic receptor stimulation, mitigation of excitotoxicity, and influencing APP processing. The use of donepezil at higher doses is justified given the worsening cholinergic deficit as the disease advances. Donepezil has been investigated in several clinical trials of subjects with moderate-to-severe AD. While the side effects are class specific (cholinergically driven), demonstrable benefit has been shown at the 10 mg dose and the 23 mg doses. Here, we review the clinical justification, efficacy, safety, and tolerability of use of donepezil in the treatment of moderate-to-severe AD.
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Alcantara-Gonzalez F, Juarez I, Solis O, Martinez-Tellez I, Camacho-Abrego I, Masliah E, Mena R, Flores G. Enhanced dendritic spine number of neurons of the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and nucleus accumbens in old rats after chronic donepezil administration. Synapse 2010; 64:786-93. [PMID: 20336627 PMCID: PMC2948955 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease brains, morphological changes in the dendrites of pyramidal neurons of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus have been observed. These changes are particularly reflected in the decrement of both the dendritic tree and spine number. Donepezil is a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We have studied the effect of oral administration of this drug on the morphology of neuronal cells from the brain of aged rats. We examined dendrites of pyramidal neurons of the PFC, dorsal or ventral hippocampus (VH), and medium spiny neurons of the nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Donepezil (1 mg/kg, vo) was administrated every day for 60 days to rats aged 10 and 18 months. Dendritic morphology was studied by the Golgi-Cox stain procedure followed by Sholl analysis at 12 and 20 months ages, respectively. In all Donepezil-treated rats, a significant increment of the dendritic spines number in pyramidal neurons of the PFC and dorsal hippocampus was observed. However, pyramidal neurons of the VH and medium spiny cells of the NAcc only showed an increase in the number of their spines in 12-month-old rats. Our results suggest that Donepezil prevents the alterations of the neuronal dendrite morphology caused by aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faviola Alcantara-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, México
| | - Ismael Juarez
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, México
| | - Oscar Solis
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, México
| | - Isaura Martinez-Tellez
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, México
| | - Israel Camacho-Abrego
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, México
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Raul Mena
- Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, CINVESTAV-IPN, México D.F., México
| | - Gonzalo Flores
- Laboratorio de Neuropsiquiatría, Instituto de Fisiología, Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. 14 Sur 6301, CP: 72570, Puebla, México
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Bozzali M, Parker GJM, Serra L, Embleton K, Gili T, Perri R, Caltagirone C, Cercignani M. Anatomical connectivity mapping: a new tool to assess brain disconnection in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroimage 2010; 54:2045-51. [PMID: 20828625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.08.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2010] [Revised: 08/18/2010] [Accepted: 08/31/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are not only associated with regional gray matter damage but also with abnormal functional integration of different brain regions by disconnection mechanisms. A measure of anatomical connectivity (anatomical connectivity mapping or ACM) can be obtained by initiating diffusion tractography streamlines from all parenchymal voxels and then counting the number of streamlines passing through each voxel of the brain. In order to assess the potential of this parameter for the study of disconnection in AD, we computed it in a group of patients with AD (N=9), in 16 patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI, which is considered the prodromal stage of AD) and in 12 healthy volunteers. All subjects had an MRI scan at 3T, and diffusion MRI data were analyzed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) and ACM. Two types of ACM maps, absolute count (ac-ACM) and normalized by brain size count (nc-ACM), were obtained. No between group differences in FA surviving correction for multiple comparison were found, while areas of both decreased (in the supramarginal gyrus) and increased (in the putamen) ACM were found in patients with AD. Similar results were obtained with ac-ACM and nc-ACM. ACM of the supramarginal gyrus was strongly associated with measures of short-term memory in healthy subjects. This study shows that ACM provides information that is complementary to that offered by FA and appears to be more sensitive than FA to brain changes in patients with AD. The increased ACM in the putamen was unexpected. Given the nature of ACM, an increase of this parameter may reflect a change in any of the areas connected to it. One intriguing possibility is that this increase of ACM in AD patients might reflect processes of brain plasticity driven by cholinesterase inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Bozzali
- Neuroimaging Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Altered expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in weaver mutant mice. Brain Res 2010; 1326:40-50. [PMID: 20219442 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.02.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 02/08/2010] [Accepted: 02/19/2010] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The weaver mouse represents the only genetic animal model of gradual nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurodegeneration which is proposed as a pathophysiological phenotype of Parkinson's disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the nitric oxide and dopaminergic systems in selected brain regions of homozygous weaver mice at different postnatal ages corresponding to specific stages of the dopamine loss. Structural deficits were evaluated by quantification of tyrosine hydroxylase and neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunostaining in the cortex, striatum, accumbens nuclei, subthalamic nuclei, ventral tegmental area, and substantia nigra compacta of 10-day, 1- and 2-month-old wild-type and weaver mutant mice. The results confirmed the progressive loss of dopamine during the postnatal development in the adult weaver mainly affecting the substantia nigra pars compacta, striatum, and subthalamic nucleus and slightly affecting the accumbens nuclei and ventral tegmental area. A general decrease in neuronal nitric oxide synthase-immunostaining with age was revealed in both the weaver and wild-type mice, with the decrease being most pronounced in the weaver. In contrast, there was an increase in the substantia nigra pars compacta nitric oxide synthase-immunostaining and a decrease mainly in the subthalamic and accumbens nuclei of the 2-month-old weaver mutant. The decrease in the expression of nNOS may bear functional significance related to the process of aging. DA neurons from the substantia nigra directly modulate the activity of subthalamic nucleus neurons, and their loss may contribute to the abnormal activity of subthalamic nucleus neurons. Although the functional significance of these changes is not clear, it may represent plastic compensating adjustments resulting from the loss of dopamine innervation, highlighting a possible role of nitric oxide in this process.
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Kakinuma Y, Furihata M, Akiyama T, Arikawa M, Handa T, Katare RG, Sato T. Donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor against Alzheimer's dementia, promotes angiogenesis in an ischemic hindlimb model. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2009; 48:680-93. [PMID: 19962381 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2009.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2009] [Revised: 11/07/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Our recent studies have indicated that acetylcholine (ACh) protects cardiomyocytes from prolonged hypoxia through activation of the PI3K/Akt/HIF-1alpha/VEGF pathway and that cardiomyocyte-derived VEGF promotes angiogenesis in a paracrine fashion. These results suggest that a cholinergic system plays a role in modulating angiogenesis. Therefore, we assessed the hypothesis that the cholinergic modulator donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor utilized in Alzheimer's disease, exhibits beneficial effects, especially on the acceleration of angiogenesis. We evaluated the effects of donepezil on angiogenic properties in vitro and in vivo, using an ischemic hindlimb model of alpha7 nicotinic receptor-deleted mice (alpha7 KO) and wild-type mice (WT). Donepezil activated angiogenic signals, i.e., HIF-1alpha and VEGF expression, and accelerated tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). ACh and nicotine upregulated signal transduction with acceleration of tube formation, suggesting that donepezil promotes a common angiogenesis pathway. Moreover, donepezil-treated WT exhibited rich capillaries with enhanced VEGF and PCNA endothelial expression, recovery from impaired tissue perfusion, prevention of ischemia-induced muscular atrophy with sustained surface skin temperature in the limb, and inhibition of apoptosis independent of the alpha7 receptor. Donepezil exerted comparably more effects in alpha7 KO in terms of angiogenesis, tissue perfusion, biochemical markers, and surface skin temperature. Donepezil concomitantly elevated VEGF expression in intracardiac endothelial cells of WT and alpha7 KO and further increased choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) protein expression, which is critical for ACh synthesis in endothelial cells. The present study concludes that donepezil can act as a therapeutic tool to accelerate angiogenesis in cardiovascular disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihiko Kakinuma
- Department of Cardiovascular Control, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8505, Japan.
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Kesler SR, Lightbody AA, Reiss AL. Cholinergic dysfunction in fragile X syndrome and potential intervention: a preliminary 1H MRS study. Am J Med Genet A 2009; 149A:403-7. [PMID: 19215057 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.32697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Males with fragile X syndrome (FRAX) are at risk for significant cognitive and behavioral deficits, particularly those involving executive prefrontal systems. Disruption of the cholinergic system secondary to fragile X mental retardation protein deficiency may contribute to the cognitive-behavioral impairments associated with fragile X. We measured choline in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of nine males with FRAX and 9 age-matched typically developing controls using (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Right choline/creatine was significantly reduced in the fragile X group compared to controls. In controls, both left and right choline was significantly positively correlated with intelligence and age was significantly negatively correlated with left choline. There were no correlations in the fragile X group. Subjects with FRAX participating in a pilot open-label trial of donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, demonstrated significantly improved cognitive-behavioral function. Studies utilizing biochemical neuroimaging techniques such as these have the potential to significantly impact the design of treatment strategies for FRAX and other genetic disorders by helping identify neurochemical targets for intervention as well as serving as metrics for treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelli R Kesler
- Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences Research, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5795, USA.
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Jacobson SA, Sabbagh MN. Donepezil: potential neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2008; 4:1363-9. [DOI: 10.1517/17425255.4.10.1363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Lee JH, Park SY, Shin YW, Kim CD, Lee WS, Hong KW. Concurrent administration of cilostazol with donepezil effectively improves cognitive dysfunction with increased neuroprotection after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Brain Res 2007; 1185:246-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2007.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2007] [Revised: 09/05/2007] [Accepted: 09/05/2007] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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