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Moccia L, Bardi F, Anesini MB, Barbonetti S, Kotzalidis GD, Rossi S, Caso R, Grisoni F, Mandracchia G, Margoni S, Callovini T, Janiri D, Mazza M, Simonetti A, Montanari S, Autullo G, Camardese G, Pepe M, Di Nicola M, Di Giorgio V, Conti F, Sani G. Pharmacological Interventions for Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review of Randomised Control Trials. Biomedicines 2025; 13:540. [PMID: 40149518 PMCID: PMC11940281 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines13030540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2025] [Revised: 02/11/2025] [Accepted: 02/13/2025] [Indexed: 03/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: While positive symptoms of schizophrenia are often satisfactorily controlled, negative symptoms are difficult to treat, persisting despite treatment. Different strategies have been devised to deal with this problem. We aimed to review drug treatment for negative symptoms of schizophrenia in controlled trials of marketed drugs. Methods: We searched the PubMed database and the resulting records' reference lists to identify eligible trials using schizophrenia[ti] AND "negative symptom*"[ti] as a search strategy. We determined eligibility through Delphi rounds among all authors. Results: On 11 February 2025, we identified 1485 records on PubMed and 3 more from reference lists. Eligible were 95 records. Most studies were double-blind, randomized controlled trials, carried-out in add-on in patients stabilized with antipsychotics. Other antipsychotics were the most frequent comparators, followed by antidepressants, and recently, antioxidants are gaining importance in trials. Many trials, especially those conducted in the Western world, found no significant effects compared to placebo, while most Iranian studies were positive, although not with a strong effect size. Conclusions: Current research has contributed little to progress in the treatment of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. The reason might reside in the absence of knowledge of the mechanisms whereby these symptoms are generated, which prevents us from designing possibly effective treatment strategies, and/or to the chronicity of negative symptoms, as they are the first to be established even when they do not become fully apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Moccia
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Bardi
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Benedetta Anesini
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Barbonetti
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Georgios D. Kotzalidis
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Rossi
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Romina Caso
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Grisoni
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Mandracchia
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Stella Margoni
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Tommaso Callovini
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Delfina Janiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marianna Mazza
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Simonetti
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Silvia Montanari
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gianna Autullo
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Camardese
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Life Science, Health, and Health Professions, Link Campus University, Via del Casale di S. Pio V, 44, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Pepe
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Di Nicola
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Vassilij Di Giorgio
- Istituto di Neuroscienze, Neomesia Kos Group, Via Nomentana 1362, 00137 Rome, Italy; (V.D.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Fabio Conti
- Istituto di Neuroscienze, Neomesia Kos Group, Via Nomentana 1362, 00137 Rome, Italy; (V.D.G.); (F.C.)
| | - Gabriele Sani
- Department of Psychiatry, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (F.B.); (M.B.A.); (S.B.); (S.R.); (R.C.); (F.G.); (G.M.); (S.M.); (T.C.); (D.J.); (M.M.); (A.S.); (S.M.); (G.A.); (M.P.); (M.D.N.); (G.S.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Psychiatry, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Azargoonjahromi A. Serotonin enhances neurogenesis biomarkers, hippocampal volumes, and cognitive functions in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Brain 2024; 17:93. [PMID: 39696587 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-024-01169-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2024] [Accepted: 11/30/2024] [Indexed: 12/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on serotonin reveals a lack of consensus regarding its role in brain volume, especially concerning biomarkers linked to neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, such as ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF-4), bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6), and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the influence of serotonin on brain structure and hippocampal volumes in relation to cognitive functions in AD, as well as its link with biomarkers like CNTF, FGF-4, BMP-6, and MMP-1. Data from 133 ADNI participants with AD included cognitive assessments (CDR-SB), serotonin measurements (Biocrates AbsoluteIDQ p180 kit, UPLC-MS/MS), and neurotrophic factors quantified via multiplex proteomics. Gray matter volume changes were analyzed using Voxel-Based Morphometry (VBM) with MRI. Statistical analyses employed Pearson correlation, bootstrap methods, and FDR-adjusted p-values (< 0.05 or < 0.01) via the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure, alongside nonparametric methods. The analysis found a positive correlation between serotonin levels and total brain (r = 0.229, p = 0.023) and hippocampal volumes (right: r = 0.186, p = 0.032; left: r = 0.210, p = 0.023), even after FDR adjustment. Higher serotonin levels were linked to better cognitive function (negative correlation with CDR-SB, r = -0.230, p = 0.024). Notably, serotonin levels were positively correlated with BMP-6 (r = 0.173, p = 0.047), CNTF (r = 0.216, p = 0.013), FGF-4 (r = 0.176, p = 0.043), and MMP-1 (r = 0.202, p = 0.019), suggesting a link between serotonin and neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. However, after adjusting for multiple comparisons and controlling for confounding factors such as age, gender, education, and APOE genotypes (APOE3 and APOE4), none of the correlations of biomarkers remained statistically significant. In conclusion, increased serotonin levels are associated with improved cognitive function and increased brain volume. However, associations with CNTF, FGF-4, BMP-6, and MMP-1 were not statistically significant after adjustments, highlighting the complexity of serotonin's role in AD and the need for further research.
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Tsapakis EM, Treiber M, Mitkani C, Drakaki Z, Cholevas A, Spanaki C, Fountoulakis KN. Pharmacological Treatments of Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia-An Update. J Clin Med 2024; 13:5637. [PMID: 39337126 PMCID: PMC11432821 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13185637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychotic disorder comprising positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive deficits. Negative symptoms are associated with stigma, worse functional outcomes, and a significant deterioration in quality of life. Clinical diagnosis is challenging despite its significance, and current treatments offer little improvement in the burden of negative symptoms. This article reviews current pharmacological strategies for treating negative symptoms. Dopaminergic, glutamatergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, cholinergic, anti-inflammatory compounds, hormones, and psychostimulants are explored. Finally, we review pharmacological global treatment guidelines for negative symptoms. In general, switching to a second-generation antipsychotic seems to be most often recommended for patients with schizophrenia on first-generation antipsychotics, and an add-on antidepressant is considered when depression is also present. However, the treatment of negative symptoms remains an unmet need. Future, larger clinical studies and meta-analyses are needed to establish effective pharmacological agents for the effective treatment of negative symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Maria Tsapakis
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Michael Treiber
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Comprehensive Center for Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health (C3NMH), Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Calypso Mitkani
- 3rd Department of Psychiatry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Agios Pavlos General Hospital of Thessaloniki, 55134 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Zoe Drakaki
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anastasios Cholevas
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Cleanthe Spanaki
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Voutes, 71110 Crete, Greece
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Baker CE, Marta AG, Zimmerman ND, Korade Z, Mathy NW, Wilton D, Simeone T, Kochvar A, Kramer KL, Stessman HAF, Shibata A. CPT2 Deficiency Modeled in Zebrafish: Abnormal Neural Development, Electrical Activity, Behavior, and Schizophrenia-Related Gene Expression. Biomolecules 2024; 14:914. [PMID: 39199302 PMCID: PMC11353230 DOI: 10.3390/biom14080914] [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: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2) is an inner mitochondrial membrane protein of the carnitine shuttle and is involved in the beta-oxidation of long chain fatty acids. Beta-oxidation provides an alternative pathway of energy production during early development and starvation. CPT2 deficiency is a genetic disorder that we recently showed can be associated with schizophrenia. We hypothesize that CPT2 deficiency during early brain development causes transcriptional, structural, and functional abnormalities that may contribute to a CNS environment that is susceptible to the emergence of schizophrenia. To investigate the effect of CPT2 deficiency on early vertebrate development and brain function, CPT2 was knocked down in a zebrafish model system. CPT2 knockdown resulted in abnormal lipid utilization and deposition, reduction in body size, and abnormal brain development. Axonal projections, neurotransmitter synthesis, electrical hyperactivity, and swimming behavior were disrupted in CPT2 knockdown zebrafish. RT-qPCR analyses showed significant increases in the expression of schizophrenia-associated genes in CPT2 knockdown compared to control zebrafish. Taken together, these data demonstrate that zebrafish are a useful model for studying the importance of beta-oxidation for early vertebrate development and brain function. This study also presents novel findings linking CPT2 deficiency to the regulation of schizophrenia and neurodegenerative disease-associated genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly E. Baker
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.E.B.); (K.L.K.)
| | - Aaron G. Marta
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Nathan D. Zimmerman
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Zeljka Korade
- Department of Pediatrics, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68178, USA;
| | - Nicholas W. Mathy
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Delaney Wilton
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Timothy Simeone
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (T.S.); (H.A.F.S.)
| | - Andrew Kochvar
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
| | - Kenneth L. Kramer
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (C.E.B.); (K.L.K.)
| | - Holly A. F. Stessman
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (T.S.); (H.A.F.S.)
| | - Annemarie Shibata
- Department of Biology, Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178, USA; (A.G.M.); (N.D.Z.); (N.W.M.); (D.W.); (A.K.)
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Adraoui FW, Hettak K, Viardot G, Alix M, Guiffard S, Meot B, L’Hostis P, Maurin A, Delpy E, Drieu La Rochelle C, Carvalho K. Differential Effects of Aripiprazole on Electroencephalography-Recorded Gamma-Band Auditory Steady-State Response, Spontaneous Gamma Oscillations and Behavior in a Schizophrenia Rat Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1035. [PMID: 38256109 PMCID: PMC10815955 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The available antipsychotics for schizophrenia (SZ) only reduce positive symptoms and do not significantly modify SZ neurobiology. This has raised the question of the robustness and translational value of methods employed during drug development. Electroencephalography (EEG)-based measures like evoked and spontaneous gamma oscillations are considered robust translational biomarkers as they can be recorded in both patients and animal models to probe a key mechanism underlying all SZ symptoms: the excitation/inhibition imbalance mediated by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAr) hypofunction. Understanding the effects of commercialized atypical antipsychotics on such measures could therefore contribute to developing better therapies for SZ. Yet, the effects of such drugs on these EEG readouts are unknown. Here, we studied the effect of the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole on the gamma-band auditory steady-state response (ASSR), spontaneous gamma oscillations and behavioral features in a SZ rat model induced by the NMDAr antagonist MK-801. Interestingly, we found that aripiprazole could not normalize MK-801-induced abnormalities in ASSR, spontaneous gamma oscillations or social interaction while it still improved MK-801-induced hyperactivity. Suggesting that aripiprazole is unable to normalize electrophysiological features underlying SZ symptoms, our results might explain aripiprazole's inefficacy towards the social interaction deficit in our model but also its limited efficacy against social symptoms in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian W. Adraoui
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | - Kenza Hettak
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | - Geoffrey Viardot
- Biotrial, Neuroscience Department, 6 Avenue de Bruxelles, 68350 Brunstatt-Didenheim, France
| | - Magali Alix
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | - Sabrina Guiffard
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | - Benoît Meot
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | - Philippe L’Hostis
- Biotrial, Neuroscience Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Anne Maurin
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | - Eric Delpy
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
| | | | - Kevin Carvalho
- Biotrial, Non-Clinical Pharmacology Department, 7-9 Rue Jean-Louis Bertrand, 35000 Rennes, France; (F.W.A.)
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Kuvarzin SR, Sukhanov I, Onokhin K, Zakharov K, Gainetdinov RR. Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Ulotaront as a Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 Agonist for Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1977. [PMID: 37509616 PMCID: PMC10377193 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
All antipsychotics currently used in clinic block D2 dopamine receptors. Trace amine-associated receptor 1 is emerging as a new therapeutic target for schizophrenia and several other neuropsychiatric disorders. SEP-363856 (International Nonproprietary Name: Ulotaront) is an investigational antipsychotic drug with a novel mechanism of action that does not involve antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Ulotaront is an agonist of trace amine-associated receptor 1 and serotonin 5-HT1A receptors, but can modulate dopamine neurotransmission indirectly. In 2019, the United States Food and Drug Administration granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation for ulotaront for the treatment of schizophrenia. Phase 2 clinical studies indicated that ulotaront can reduce both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia without causing the extrapyramidal or metabolic side effects that are inherent to most currently used antipsychotics. At present, it is in phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of schizophrenia and is expected to be introduced into clinical practice in 2023-2024. Clinical studies evaluating the potential efficacy of ulotaront in Parkinson's disease psychosis, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depressive disorder have also been started. The aim of this scoping review is to summarize all currently available preclinical and clinical evidence on the utility of ulotaront in the treatment of schizophrenia. Here, we show the main characteristics and distinctive features of this drug. Perspectives and limitations on the potential use of ulotaront in the pharmacotherapy of several other neuropsychiatric disorders are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savelii R Kuvarzin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya Sukhanov
- Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University, 197022 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Kirill Onokhin
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Accellena Research and Development Inc., 199106 Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Raul R Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Saint Petersburg University Hospital, Saint Petersburg State University, 199034 Saint Petersburg, Russia
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