1
|
Santos-Silva T, Colodete DAE, Lisboa JRF, Silva Freitas Í, Lopes CFB, Hadera V, Lima TSA, Souza AJ, Gomes FV. Perineuronal nets as regulators of parvalbumin interneuron function: Factors implicated in their formation and degradation. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 134:614-628. [PMID: 38426366 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
The brain extracellular matrix (ECM) has garnered increasing attention as a fundamental component of brain function in a predominantly "neuron-centric" paradigm. Particularly, the perineuronal nets (PNNs), a specialized net-like structure formed by ECM aggregates, play significant roles in brain development and physiology. PNNs enwrap synaptic junctions in various brain regions, precisely balancing new synaptic formation and long-term stabilization, and are highly dynamic entities that change in response to environmental stimuli, especially during the neurodevelopmental period. They are found mainly surrounding parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic interneurons, being proposed to promote PV interneuron maturation and protect them against oxidative stress and neurotoxic agents. This structural and functional proximity underscores the crucial role of PNNs in modulating PV interneuron function, which is critical for the excitatory/inhibitory balance and, consequently, higher-level behaviours. This review delves into the molecular underpinnings governing PNNs formation and degradation, elucidating their functional interactions with PV interneurons. In the broader physiological context and brain-related disorders, we also explore their intricate relationship with other molecules, such as reactive oxygen species and metalloproteinases, as well as glial cells. Additionally, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies for modulating PNNs in brain disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thamyris Santos-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Debora A E Colodete
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Ícaro Silva Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Caio Fábio Baeta Lopes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Victor Hadera
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Thaís Santos Almeida Lima
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Adriana Jesus Souza
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pagliusi M, Amorim-Marques AP, Lobo MK, Guimarães FS, Lisboa SF, Gomes FV. The rostral ventromedial medulla modulates pain and depression-related behaviors caused by social stress. Pain 2024:00006396-990000000-00582. [PMID: 38661577 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000003257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT The rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a crucial structure in the descending pain modulatory system, playing a key role as a relay for both the facilitation and inhibition of pain. The chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model has been widely used to study stress-induced behavioral impairments associated with depression in rodents. Several studies suggest that CSDS also causes changes related to chronic pain. In this study, we aimed to investigate the involvement of the RVM in CSDS-induced behavioral impairments, including those associated with chronic pain. We used chemogenetics to activate or inhibit the RVM during stress. The results indicated that the RVM is a vital hub influencing stress outcomes. Rostral ventromedial medulla activation during CSDS ameliorates all the stress outcomes, including social avoidance, allodynia, hyperalgesia, anhedonia, and behavioral despair. In addition, RVM inhibition in animals exposed to a subthreshold social defeat stress protocol induces a susceptible phenotype, facilitating all stress outcomes. Finally, chronic RVM inhibition-without any social stress stimulus-induces chronic pain but not depressive-like behaviors. Our findings provide insights into the comorbidity between chronic pain and depression by indicating the involvement of the RVM in establishing social stress-induced behavioral responses associated with both chronic pain and depression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pagliusi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Anna P Amorim-Marques
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Pharmaceutical Sciences School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Mary Kay Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Sabrina F Lisboa
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Pharmaceutical Sciences School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Santos-Silva T, Lopes CFB, Hazar Ülgen D, Guimarães DA, Guimarães FS, Alberici LC, Sandi C, Gomes FV. Adolescent Stress-Induced Ventral Hippocampus Redox Dysregulation Underlies Behavioral Deficits and Excitatory/Inhibitory Imbalance Related to Schizophrenia. Schizophr Bull 2024:sbae033. [PMID: 38525594 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Redox dysregulation has been proposed as a convergent point of childhood trauma and the emergence of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia (SCZ). A critical region particularly vulnerable to environmental insults during adolescence is the ventral hippocampus (vHip). However, the impact of severe stress on vHip redox states and their functional consequences, including behavioral and electrophysiological changes related to SCZ, are not entirely understood. STUDY DESIGN After exposing adolescent animals to physical stress (postnatal day, PND31-40), we explored social and cognitive behaviors (PND47-49), the basal activity of pyramidal glutamate neurons, the number of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons, and the transcriptomic signature of the vHip (PND51). We also evaluated the impact of stress on the redox system, including mitochondrial respiratory function, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and glutathione (GSH) levels in the vHip and serum. STUDY RESULTS Adolescent-stressed animals exhibited loss of sociability, cognitive impairment, and vHip excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalance. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling unveiled the impact of stress on redox system- and synaptic-related genes. Stress impacted mitochondrial respiratory function and changes in ROS levels in the vHip. GSH and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) levels were elevated in the serum of stressed animals, while GSSG was also increased in the vHip and negatively correlated with sociability. Additionally, PV interneuron deficits in the vHip caused by adolescent stress were associated with oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the negative impact of adolescent stress on vHip redox regulation and mitochondrial function, which are partially associated with E/I imbalance and behavioral abnormalities related to SCZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thamyris Santos-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Caio Fábio Baeta Lopes
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Pharmaceutical Sciences School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Doğukan Hazar Ülgen
- Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Danielle A Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luciane Carla Alberici
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Pharmaceutical Sciences School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sales AJ, Gobira PH, Pedrazzi JFC, Silveira JR, Del Bel E, Gomes FV, Guimarães FS. Doxycycline diminishes the rewarding and psychomotor effects induced by morphine and cocaine. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 128:110870. [PMID: 37793480 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2023.110870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Few pharmacological treatments are available for substance use disorders (SUDs). Neuroplastic changes induced by increased activity of metalloproteinase (MMP) enzymes in the brain are among the several molecular processes that may play a role in drug addiction. Doxycycline, a widely used tetracycline that crosses the blood-brain barrier, inhibits MMPs and has been investigated as a potential treatment for brain disorders. However, the effects of doxycycline on rewarding properties of drugs of abuse remain not investigated. Here, we tested the effects of low doses of doxycycline on the rewarding effects of morphine and cocaine in conditioned place preference (CPP) and locomotor sensitization in mice. Acute doxycycline (10 mg/kg) attenuated the cocaine-induced CPP and hyperlocomotion. Repeated doxycycline (10 mg/kg) blocked hyperlocomotion and attenuated the locomotor sensitization induced by cocaine. It also decreased the rewarding effects in the CPP induced by morphine and cocaine. Our results suggest that doxycycline could be repurposed for treating SUDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Sales
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Gobira
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - João F C Pedrazzi
- Departament of Neuroscience, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - João R Silveira
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Elaine Del Bel
- Departament of Phisiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Santos-Silva T, dos Santos Fabris D, de Oliveira CL, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. Prefrontal and Hippocampal Parvalbumin Interneurons in Animal Models for Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Schizophr Bull 2024; 50:210-223. [PMID: 37584417 PMCID: PMC10754178 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbad123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consistent with postmortem findings in patients, most animal models for schizophrenia (SCZ) present abnormal levels of parvalbumin (PV), a marker of fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons, in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (HIP). However, there are discrepancies in the literature. PV reductions lead to a functional loss of PV interneurons, which is proposed to underly SCZ symptoms. Given its complex etiology, different categories of animal models have been developed to study SCZ, which may distinctly impact PV levels in rodent brain areas. STUDY DESIGN We performed a quantitative meta-analysis on PV-positive cell number/density and expression levels in the PFC and HIP of animal models for SCZ based on pharmacological, neurodevelopmental, and genetic manipulations. RESULTS Our results confirmed that PV levels are significantly reduced in the PFC and HIP regardless of the animal model. By categorizing into subgroups, we found that all pharmacological models based on NMDA receptor antagonism decreased PV-positive cell number/density or PV expression levels in both brain areas examined. In neurodevelopmental models, abnormal PV levels were confirmed in both brain areas in maternal immune activation models and HIP of the methylazoxymethanol acetate model. In genetic models, negative effects were found in neuregulin 1 and ERBB4 mutant mice in both brain regions and the PFC of dysbindin mutant mice. Regarding sex differences, male rodents exhibited PV reductions in both brain regions only in pharmacological models, while few studies have been conducted in females. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings support deficits in prefrontal and hippocampal PV interneurons in animal models for SCZ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thamyris Santos-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Débora dos Santos Fabris
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Cilene Lino de Oliveira
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center of Biological Sciences, University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis,Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Santos-Silva T, Hazar Ülgen D, Lopes CFB, Guimarães FS, Alberici LC, Sandi C, Gomes FV. Transcriptomic analysis reveals mitochondrial pathways associated with distinct adolescent behavioral phenotypes and stress response. Transl Psychiatry 2023; 13:351. [PMID: 37978166 PMCID: PMC10656500 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-023-02648-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Adolescent individuals exhibit great variability in cortical dynamics and behavioral outcomes. The developing adolescent brain is highly sensitive to social experiences and environmental insults, influencing how personality traits emerge. A distinct pattern of mitochondrial gene expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during adolescence underscores the essential role of mitochondria in brain maturation and the development of mental illnesses. Mitochondrial features in certain brain regions account for behavioral differences in adulthood. However, it remains unclear whether distinct adolescent behavioral phenotypes and the behavioral consequences of early adolescent stress exposure in rats are accompanied by changes in PFC mitochondria-related genes and mitochondria respiratory chain capacity. We performed a behavioral characterization during late adolescence (postnatal day, PND 47-50), including naïve animals and a group exposed to stress from PND 31-40 (10 days of footshock and 3 restraint sessions) by z-normalized data from three behavioral domains: anxiety (light-dark box tests), sociability (social interaction test) and cognition (novel-object recognition test). Employing principal component analysis, we identified three clusters: naïve with higher-behavioral z-score (HBZ), naïve with lower-behavioral z-score (LBZ), and stressed animals. Genome-wide transcriptional profiling unveiled differences in the expression of mitochondria-related genes in both naïve LBZ and stressed animals compared to naïve HBZ. Genes encoding subunits of oxidative phosphorylation complexes were significantly down-regulated in both naïve LBZ and stressed animals and positively correlated with behavioral z-score of phenotypes. Our network topology analysis of mitochondria-associated genes found Ndufa10 and Cox6a1 genes as central identifiers for naïve LBZ and stressed animals, respectively. Through high-resolution respirometry analysis, we found that both naïve LBZ and stressed animals exhibited a reduced prefrontal phosphorylation capacity and redox dysregulation. Our findings identify an association between mitochondrial features and distinct adolescent behavioral phenotypes while also underscoring the detrimental functional consequences of adolescent stress on the PFC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thamyris Santos-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Doğukan Hazar Ülgen
- Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Caio Fábio Baeta Lopes
- Ribeirão Preto Pharmaceutical Sciences School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Luciane Carla Alberici
- Ribeirão Preto Pharmaceutical Sciences School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Carmen Sandi
- Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Souza AJ, Sharmin D, Cook JM, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. An alpha 5-GABAa receptor positive allosteric modulator attenuates social and cognitive deficits without changing dopamine system hyperactivity in an animal model for autism. bioRxiv 2023:2023.08.24.554679. [PMID: 37662217 PMCID: PMC10473734 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.24.554679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are characterized by core behavioral symptoms in the domains of sociability, language/communication, and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. Deficits in the prefrontal and hippocampal excitatory/inhibitory balance due to a functional loss of GABAergic interneurons are proposed to underlie these symptoms. Increasing the postsynaptic effects of GABA with compounds that selectively modulate GABAergic receptors could be a potential target for treating ASD symptoms. In addition, deficits in GABAergic interneurons have been linked to dopamine (DA) system dysregulation, and, despite conflicting evidence, abnormalities in the DA system activity may underly some ASD symptoms. Here, we investigated whether the positive allosteric modulator of α5-containing GABA A receptors (α5-GABA A Rs) SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 (10 mg/kg) attenuates behavioral abnormalities in a rat model for autism based on in utero VPA exposure. We also evaluated if animals exposed to VPA in utero present changes in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA system activity using in vivo electrophysiology and if SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 could attenuate these changes. In utero VPA exposure caused male and female rats to present increased repetitive behavior (self-grooming) in early adolescence and deficits in social interaction in adulthood. Male, but not female VPA rats, also presented deficits in recognition memory as adults. SH-053-2'F-R-CH3 attenuated the impairments in sociability and cognitive function in male VPA-exposed rats without attenuating the decreased social interaction in females. Male and female adult VPA-exposed rats also showed an increased VTA DA neuron population activity, which was not changed by SH-053-2'F-R-CH3. Despite sex differences, our findings indicate α5-GABA A Rs positive allosteric modulators may effectively attenuate some core ASD symptoms.
Collapse
|
8
|
Colodete DAE, Silva NR, Pedrazzi JFC, Fogaça MV, Cortez I, Del-Bel EA, Breuer A, Mechoulam R, Gomes FV, Guimarães FS. Behavioral effects induced by the cannabidiol analogs HU-502 and HU-556. Behav Pharmacol 2023; 34:213-224. [PMID: 37171460 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol is a phytocannabinoid that lacks the psychotomimetic properties of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive Cannabis sativa component. Cannabidiol has several potential therapeutic properties, including anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic; however, cannabidiol has low oral bioavailability, which can limit its clinical use. Here, we investigated if two cannabidiol analogs, HU-502 and HU-556, would be more potent than cannabidiol in behavioral tests predictive of anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic effects. Different doses (0.01-3 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) of HU-556 and HU-502 were tested in male Swiss mice submitted to the elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swimming test (FST), and amphetamine-induced-prepulse inhibition (PPI) disruption and hyperlocomotion. Cannabidiol is effective in these tests at a dose range of 15-60 mg/kg in mice. We also investigated if higher doses of HU-556 (3 and 10 mg/kg) and HU-502 (10 mg/kg) produced the cannabinoid tetrad (hypolocomotion, catalepsy, hypothermia, and analgesia), which is induced by THC-like compounds. HU-556 (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) increased the percentage of open arm entries (but not time) in the EPM, decreased immobility time in the FST, and attenuated amphetamine-induced PPI disruption. HU-502 (1 and 3 mg/kg) decreased amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion and PPI impairment. HU-556, at high doses, caused catalepsy and hypolocomotion, while HU-502 did not. These findings suggest that similar to cannabidiol, HU-556 could induce anxiolytic, antidepressant, and antipsychotic-like effects and that HU-502 has antipsychotic properties. These effects were found at a dose range devoid of cannabinoid tetrad effects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Débora A E Colodete
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Nicole R Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - João Francisco C Pedrazzi
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Manoela V Fogaça
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Isadora Cortez
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Elaine A Del-Bel
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Dentistry School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Aviva Breuer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Hebrew University Medical Faculty, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Hebrew University Medical Faculty, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Souza AJ, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. Cannabidiol attenuates the expression of conditioned place aversion induced by naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal through the activation of 5-HT1A receptors. Behav Brain Res 2023; 450:114504. [PMID: 37209879 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2023.114504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The misuse of and addiction to opioids are serious public health problems in some countries, such as the USA. Drug addiction is a chronic and relapsing medical condition that involves motivational and memory-related processes due to the strong associations between drugs and consuming-related stimuli. These stimuli usually trigger continuous and compulsive use and are associated with relapses after periods of withdrawal. Several factors contribute to relapse, including withdrawal-induced mood changes. Therefore, drugs attenuating withdrawal-induced affective alterations could be useful alternative treatments for relapse prevention. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotomimetic component from the Cannabis sativa plant, has anti-anxiety and anti-stress properties and has been investigated as an alternative for the treatment of several mental disorders, including drug addiction. Here, we evaluated if CBD administered 30min prior to test for a conditioned place aversion (CPA) would attenuate the aversion induced by morphine withdrawal precipitated by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone in male C57BL/6 mice. We also investigated if this effect involves the activation of 5-HT1A receptors, a mechanism previously associated with CBD anti-aversive effects. As expected, morphine-treated mice spent less time exploring the compartment paired with the naloxone-induced withdrawal, indicating a CPA induced by naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. This effect was not observed in animals treated with CBD, at 30 and 60mg/kg, prior to the CPA test, indicating that CBD attenuated the expression of CPA induced by naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal. Pretreatment with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (0.3mg/kg) blocked CBD effects. Our findings suggest that CBD may reduce the expression of a previously established conditioned aversion induced by morphine withdrawal by a mechanism involving the activation of 5-HT1A receptors. Thus, CBD may be a therapeutic alternative for preventing relapse to opioid addiction by decreasing withdrawal-induced negative affective changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Jesus Souza
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Pagliusi M, Gomes FV. The Role of The Rostral Ventromedial Medulla in Stress Responses. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050776. [PMID: 37239248 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is a brainstem structure critical for the descending pain modulation system involved in both pain facilitation and inhibition through its projection to the spinal cord. Since the RVM is well connected with pain- and stress-engaged brain structures, such as the anterior cingulate cortex, nucleus accumbens, and amygdala, its involvement in stress responses has become a matter of great interest. While chronic stress has been proposed as a trigger of pain chronification and related psychiatric comorbidities due to maladaptive stress responses, acute stress triggers analgesia and other adaptative responses. Here we reviewed and highlighted the critical role of the RVM in stress responses, mainly in acute stress-induced analgesia (SIA) and chronic stress-induced hyperalgesia (SIH), providing insights into pain chronification processes and comorbidity between chronic pain and psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pagliusi
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14015-069, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14015-069, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that has a significant socioeconomic impact worldwide. Antipsychotic drugs targeting dopamine transmission alleviate psychotic symptoms but with limited efficacy and tolerability. Animal models have long proven useful for drug discovery. The continued need for new treatment highlights the importance of animal models to study schizophrenia. The lack of new therapeutic compounds combined with the shortcomings of clinical design studies potentially decreased the enthusiasm for animal model use. RECENT FINDINGS In the current review, we discuss the central role of animal models for schizophrenia in providing new insights into neurobiological features and therapeutic development. The US National Institute of Mental Health released the Research Domain Criteria to guide preclinical model studies. Here, we point out the advances of this approach and debate its potential limitations when using animal models to study schizophrenia from the drug discovery perspective. SUMMARY Cross-validated animal models for schizophrenia are crucial to comprehend the cause, pathophysiology, and behavioral and biological features of the disease, to advance prevention and treatment, and the need to carefully evaluate and select appropriate paradigms when investigating novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela L Uliana
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Costa TJ, Barros PR, Duarte DA, Silva-Neto JA, Hott SC, Santos-Silva T, Costa-Neto CM, Gomes FV, Akamine EH, McCarthy CG, Jimenez-Altayó F, Dantas AP, Tostes RC. Carotid dysfunction in senescent female mice is mediated by increased α 1A-adrenoceptor activity and COX-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2023; 324:H417-H429. [PMID: 36705993 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00495.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
α-Adrenergic receptors are crucial regulators of vascular hemodynamics and essential pharmacological targets for cardiovascular diseases. With aging, there is an increase in sympathetic activation, which could contribute to the progression of aging-associated cardiovascular dysfunction, including stroke. Nevertheless, there is little information directly associating adrenergic receptor dysfunction in the blood vessels of aged females. This study determined the role of a-adrenergic receptors in carotid dysfunction of senescent female mice (accelerated-senescence prone, SAMP8), compared with a nonsenescent (accelerated-senescence prone, SAMR1). Vasoconstriction to phenylephrine (Phe) was markedly increased in common carotid artery of SAMP8 [area under the curve (AUC), 527 ± 53] compared with SAMR1 (AUC, 334 ± 30, P = 0.006). There were no changes in vascular responses to the vasoconstrictor agent U46619 or the vasodilators acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (NPS). Hyperactivity to Phe in female SAMP8 was reduced by cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition and associated with augmented ratio of TXA2/PGI2 release (SAMR1, 1.1 ± 0.1 vs. SAMP8, 2.1 ± 0.3, P = 0.007). However, no changes in cyclooxygenase expression were seen in SAMP8 carotids. Selective α1A-receptor antagonism markedly reduced maximal contraction, whereas α1D antagonism induced a minor shift in Phe contraction in SAMP8 carotids. Ligand binding analysis revealed a threefold increase of α-adrenergic receptor density in smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of SAMP8 vs. SAMR1. Phe rapidly increased intracellular calcium (Cai2+) in VSMCs via the α1A-receptor, with a higher peak in VSMCs from SAMP8. In conclusion, senescence intensifies vasoconstriction mediated by α1A-adrenergic signaling in the carotid of female mice by mechanisms involving increased Cai2+ and release of cyclooxygenase-derived prostanoids.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present study provides evidence that senescence induces hyperreactivity of α1-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of the common carotid. Impairment of α1-adrenoceptor responses is linked to increased Ca2+ influx and release of COX-derived vasoconstrictor prostanoids, contributing to carotid dysfunction in the murine model of female senescence (SAMP8). Increased reactivity of the common carotid artery during senescence may lead to morphological and functional changes in arteries of the cerebral microcirculation and contribute to cognitive decline in females. Because the elderly population is growing, elucidating the mechanisms of aging- and sex-associated vascular dysfunction is critical to better direct pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to prevent cardiovascular risk in both sexes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiago J Costa
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States
| | - Paula R Barros
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Diego A Duarte
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Júlio A Silva-Neto
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara Cristina Hott
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thamyris Santos-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudio M Costa-Neto
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eliana H Akamine
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cameron G McCarthy
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Cardiovascular Translational Research Center, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States
| | - Francesc Jimenez-Altayó
- Department of Pharmacology, Therapeutic, and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Neuroscience Institute, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Ana Paula Dantas
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer, Hospital Clinic Cardiovascular Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rita C Tostes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Cavichioli AM, Santos-Silva T, Grace AA, Guimarães FS, Gomes FV. Levetiracetam Attenuates Adolescent Stress-induced Behavioral and Electrophysiological Changes Associated With Schizophrenia in Adult Rats. Schizophr Bull 2023; 49:68-77. [PMID: 35988039 PMCID: PMC9810001 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbac106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS Stress during adolescence is a major risk factor for schizophrenia. We have found previously in rats that adolescent stress caused, in adulthood, behavioral changes and enhanced ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine system activity, which were associated with dysregulation of the excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) balance in the ventral hippocampus (vHip). Levetiracetam, an anticonvulsant drug, regulates the release of neurotransmitters, including glutamate, via SV2A inhibition. It also modulates parvalbumin interneuron activity via Kv3.1 channels. Therefore, levetiracetam could ameliorate deficits in the E/I balance. We tested whether levetiracetam attenuate the adolescent stress-induced behavioral changes, vHip hyperactivity, and enhanced VTA dopamine system activity in adult rats. STUDY DESIGN Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a combination of daily footshock (postnatal day [PD] 31-40), and three 1 h-restraint stress sessions (at PD31, 32, and 40). In adulthood (PD62), animals were tested for anxiety responses (elevated plus-maze and light-dark box), social interaction, and cognitive function (novel object recognition test). The activity of vHip pyramidal neurons and VTA dopamine neurons was also recorded. STUDY RESULTS Adolescent stress produced anxiety-like responses and impaired sociability and cognitive function. Levetiracetam (10 mg/kg) reversed these changes. Levetiracetam also reversed the increased VTA dopamine neuron population activity and the enhanced firing rate of vHip pyramidal neurons induced by adolescent stress. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that levetiracetam attenuates the adverse outcomes associated with schizophrenia caused by stress during adolescence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreza M Cavichioli
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thamyris Santos-Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry, and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Uliana DL, Zhu X, Gomes FV, Grace AA. Using animal models for the studies of schizophrenia and depression: The value of translational models for treatment and prevention. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:935320. [PMID: 36090659 PMCID: PMC9449416 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.935320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of psychiatric disorders have been highly effective in advancing the field, identifying circuits related to pathophysiology, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. In this review, we show how animal models, particularly those based on development, have provided essential information regarding circuits involved in disorders, disease progression, and novel targets for intervention and potentially prevention. Nonetheless, in recent years there has been a pushback, largely driven by the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), to shift away from animal models and instead focus on circuits in normal subjects. This has been driven primarily from a lack of discovery of new effective therapeutic targets, and the failure of targets based on preclinical research to show efficacy. We discuss why animal models of complex disorders, when strongly cross-validated by clinical research, are essential to understand disease etiology as well as pathophysiology, and direct new drug discovery. Issues related to shortcomings in clinical trial design that confound translation from animal models as well as the failure to take patient pharmacological history into account are proposed to be a source of the failure of what are likely effective compounds from showing promise in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela L. Uliana
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Felipe V. Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Anthony A. Grace,
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Cortez IL, Silva NR, Rodrigues NS, Pedrazzi JFC, Del Bel EA, Mechoulam R, Gomes FV, Guimarães FS. HU-910, a CB2 receptor agonist, reverses behavioral changes in pharmacological rodent models for schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 117:110553. [PMID: 35341823 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite attenuating the positive symptoms, drugs currently used to treat schizophrenia frequently do not improve the negative symptoms and cognitive impairments. In addition, they show low tolerability, which has been associated with high rates of treatment discontinuation. Recent evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system may be a target for schizophrenia treatment. The CB2 receptor modulates dopaminergic neurotransmission, which is abnormally enhanced in schizophrenia patients. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether HU-910, a selective CB2 receptor agonist, would reverse schizophrenia-related behavioral changes observed after the acute injections of amphetamine or the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist MK-801. We also investigated the effects of HU-910 in the memory impairment caused by repeated MK-801 administration. Finally, we tested whether HU-910 would produce the cannabinoid tetrad (catalepsy, hypolocomotion, hypothermia, and antinociception). In male C57BL/6 mice, the acute treatment with HU-910 (30 mg/kg) prevented the hyperlocomotion induced by acute MK-801. This effect was blocked by the CB2 receptor antagonist AM630 (1 mg/kg). On the contrary, HU-910 did not prevent the increased locomotor activity caused by acute amphetamine. The acute treatment with HU-910 (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg) also attenuated the impairments in the prepulse inhibition test induced by acute MK-801 and amphetamine. The repeated treatment with HU-910 attenuated the cognitive impairment caused by chronic administration of MK-801 in the novel object recognition test. Furthermore, HU-910 did not produce the cannabinoid tetrad. These results indicate that HU-910 produced antipsychotic-like effects and support further research on the potential therapeutic properties of this compound to treat schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isadora Lopes Cortez
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
| | - Nicole R Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Naielly S Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Elaine A Del Bel
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirão Preto Dentistry School, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Hebrew University Medical Faculty, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Uliana DL, Gomes FV, Grace AA. Nucleus reuniens inactivation reverses stress-induced hypodopaminergic state and altered hippocampal-accumbens synaptic plasticity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1513-1522. [PMID: 35488085 PMCID: PMC9205859 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-022-01333-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The nucleus reuniens of the thalamus (RE) is a pivotal area responsible for the connectivity of the prefrontal-hippocampus pathway that regulates cognitive, executive, and fear learning processes. Recently, it was proposed that the RE participates in the pathophysiological states related to affective dysregulation. We investigated the role of RE in motivational behavioral and electrophysiological dysregulation induced by stress. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a combination of stressors (restraint stress+footshock) for 10 days and tested one to two weeks later in the forced swim test (FST), ventral tegmental area (VTA)dopamine (DA) neuron electrophysiological activity, and hippocampal-nucleus accumbens plasticity. The RE was inactivated by injecting TTX prior to the procedures. The stress exposure increased the immobility in the FST and decreased VTA DA neuron population activity. Whereas an early long-term potentiation (e-LTP) in the ventral hippocampus-nucleus accumbens pathway was found after fimbria high-frequency stimulation in naïve animals, stressed animals showed an early long-term depression (e-LTD). Inactivation of the RE reversed the stress-induced changes in the FST and restored dopaminergic activity. RE inactivation partially recovered the stress-induced abnormal hippocampal-accumbens plasticity observed in controls. Our findings support the role of the RE in regulating affective dysregulation and blunted VTA DA system function induced by stress. Also, it points to the hippocampal-accumbens pathway as a potential neural circuit through which RE could modulate activity. Therefore, RE may represent a key brain region involved in the neurobiology of amotivational states and may provide insights into circuit dysfunction and markers of the maladaptive stress response.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela L. Uliana
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Felipe V. Gomes
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA ,grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Present Address: Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Kiemes A, Gomes FV, Cash D, Uliana DL, Simmons C, Singh N, Vernon AC, Turkheimer F, Davies C, Stone JM, Grace AA, Modinos G. GABA A and NMDA receptor density alterations and their behavioral correlates in the gestational methylazoxymethanol acetate model for schizophrenia. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:687-695. [PMID: 34743200 PMCID: PMC8782908 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01213-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Hippocampal hyperactivity driven by GABAergic interneuron deficits and NMDA receptor hypofunction is associated with the hyperdopaminergic state often observed in schizophrenia. Furthermore, previous research in the methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rat model has demonstrated that repeated peripubertal diazepam administration can prevent the emergence of adult hippocampal hyperactivity, dopamine-system hyperactivity, and associated psychosis-relevant behaviors. Here, we sought to characterize hippocampal GABAA and NMDA receptors in MAM-treated rats and to elucidate the receptor mechanisms underlying the promising effects of peripubertal diazepam exposure. Quantitative receptor autoradiography was used to measure receptor density in the dorsal hippocampus CA1, ventral hippocampus CA1, and ventral subiculum. Specifically, [3H]-Ro15-4513 was used to quantify the density of α5GABAA receptors (α5GABAAR), [3H]-flumazenil to quantify α1-3;5GABAAR, and [3H]-MK801 to quantify NMDA receptors. MAM rats exhibited anxiety and schizophrenia-relevant behaviors as measured by elevated plus maze and amphetamine-induced hyperlocomotion (AIH), although diazepam only partially rescued these behaviors. α5GABAAR density was reduced in MAM-treated rats in all hippocampal sub-regions, and negatively correlated with AIH. Ventral hippocampus CA1 α5GABAAR density was positively correlated with anxiety-like behavior. Dorsal hippocampus CA1 NMDA receptor density was increased in MAM-treated rats, and positively correlated with AIH. [3H]-flumazenil revealed no significant effects. Finally, we found no significant effect of diazepam treatment on receptor densities, potentially related to the only partial rescue of schizophrenia-relevant phenotypes. Overall, our findings provide first evidence of α5GABAAR and NMDA receptor abnormalities in the MAM model, suggesting that more selective pharmacological agents may become a novel therapeutic mechanism in schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Kiemes
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Diana Cash
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Daniela L Uliana
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Camilla Simmons
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nisha Singh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Federico Turkheimer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cathy Davies
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - James M Stone
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gemma Modinos
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Gomes FV. Altered Ventral Striatum-Hippocampus Connectivity During Reward Processing as an Endophenotype for Psychosis. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:e7-e9. [PMID: 34916030 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Gomes FV, Grace AA. Beyond Dopamine Receptor Antagonism: New Targets for Schizophrenia Treatment and Prevention. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:4467. [PMID: 33922888 PMCID: PMC8123139 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Treatment of schizophrenia (SCZ) historically relies on the use of antipsychotic drugs to treat psychosis, with all of the currently available antipsychotics acting through the antagonism of dopamine D2 receptors. Although antipsychotics reduce psychotic symptoms in many patients, they induce numerous undesirable effects and are not effective against negative and cognitive symptoms. These highlight the need to develop new drugs to treat SCZ. An advanced understanding of the circuitry of SCZ has pointed to pathological origins in the excitation/inhibition balance in regions such as the hippocampus, and restoring function in this region, particularly as a means to compensate for parvalbumin (PV) interneuron loss and resultant hippocampal hyperactivity, may be a more efficacious approach to relieve a broad range of SCZ symptoms. Other targets, such as cholinergic receptors and the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), have also shown some promise for the treatment of SCZ. Importantly, assessing efficacy of novel compounds must take into consideration treatment history of the patient, as preclinical studies suggest prior antipsychotic treatment may interfere with the efficacy of these novel agents. However, while novel therapeutic targets may be more effective in treating SCZ, a more effective approach would be to prevent the transition to SCZ in susceptible individuals. A focus on stress, which has been shown to be a predisposing factor in risk for SCZ, is a possible avenue that has shown promise in preclinical studies. Therefore, therapeutic approaches based on our current understanding of the circuitry of SCZ and its etiology are likely to enable development of more effective therapeutic interventions for this complex disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V. Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 01000-000, Brazil;
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Uliana DL, Gomes FV, Grace AA. Stress impacts corticoamygdalar connectivity in an age-dependent manner. Neuropsychopharmacology 2021; 46:731-740. [PMID: 33096542 PMCID: PMC8027626 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-00886-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Stress is a socio-environmental risk factor for the development of psychiatric disorders, with the age of exposure potentially determining the outcome. Several brain regions mediate stress responsivity, with a prominent role of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and basolateral amygdala (BLA) and their reciprocal inhibitory connectivity. Here we investigated the impact of stress exposure during adolescence and adulthood on the activity of putative pyramidal neurons in the BLA and corticoamygdalar plasticity using in vivo electrophysiology. 155 male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a combination of footshock/restraint stress in either adolescence (postnatal day 31-40) or adulthood (postnatal day 65-74). Both adolescent and adult stress increased the number of spontaneously active putative BLA pyramidal neurons 1-2 weeks, but not 5-6 weeks post stress. High-frequency stimulation (HFS) of BLA and mPFC depressed evoked spike probability in the mPFC and BLA, respectively, in adult but not adolescent rats. In contrast, an adult-like BLA HFS-induced decrease in spike probability of mPFC neurons was found 1-2 weeks post-adolescent stress. Changes in mPFC and BLA neuron discharge were found 1-2 weeks post-adult stress after BLA and mPFC HFS, respectively. All these changes were transient since they were not found 5-6 weeks post adolescent or adult stress. Our findings indicate that stress during adolescence may accelerate the development of BLA-PFC plasticity, probably due to BLA hyperactivity, which can also disrupt the reciprocal communication of BLA-mPFC after adult stress. Therefore, precocious BLA-mPFC connectivity alterations may represent an early adaptive stress response that ultimately may contribute to vulnerability to adult psychiatric disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela L. Uliana
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| | - Felipe V. Gomes
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA ,grid.11899.380000 0004 1937 0722Present Address: Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP Brazil
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Gomes FV, Zhu X, Grace AA. The pathophysiological impact of stress on the dopamine system is dependent on the state of the critical period of vulnerability. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:3278-3291. [PMID: 31488866 PMCID: PMC7056584 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0514-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Unregulated stress during critical periods of development is proposed to drive deficits consistent with schizophrenia in adults. If accurate, reopening the critical period could make the adult susceptible to pathology. We evaluated the impact of early adolescent and adult stress exposure (combination of daily footshock for 10 days and 3 restraint sessions) on (1) midbrain dopamine (DA) neuron activity, (2) ventral hippocampal (vHipp) pyramidal neuron activity, and (3) the number of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons in the vHipp and their associated perineuronal nets (PNNs). Ventral tegmental area (VTA) DA neuron population activity and vHipp activity was increased 1-2 and 5-6 weeks post-adolescent stress, along with a decrease in the number of PV+, PNN+, PV + /PNN + cells in the vHipp, which are consistent with the MAM model of schizophrenia. In contrast, adult stress decreased VTA DA neuron population activity only at 1-2 weeks post stress, which is consistent with what has been observed in animal models of depression, without impacting vHipp activity and PV/PNN expression. Administration of valproate (VPA), which can re-instate the critical period of plasticity via histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition, caused adult stress to produce changes similar to those induced by adolescent stress, presumably by increasing stress vulnerability to early adolescent levels. Our findings indicate that timing of stress is a critical determinant of the pathology produced in the adult: adolescent stress led to circuit deficits that recapitulates schizophrenia, whereas adult stress induced a depression-like hypodopaminergic state. Reopening the critical period in the adult restores vulnerability to stress-induced pathology resembling schizophrenia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V. Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Corresponding authors: Dr. Felipe Gomes - Department of Neuroscience, A210 Langley Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. Phone: +1 412 624 4609. Fax: +1 412 624 9198.
| | - Xiyu Zhu
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA,Corresponding authors: Dr. Felipe Gomes - Department of Neuroscience, A210 Langley Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. Phone: +1 412 624 4609. Fax: +1 412 624 9198.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Abstract
Dysregulation of the dopamine system is central to many models of the pathophysiology of psychosis in schizophrenia. However, emerging evidence suggests that this dysregulation is driven by the disruption of upstream circuits that provide afferent control of midbrain dopamine neurons. Furthermore, stress can profoundly disrupt this regulatory circuit, particularly when it is presented at critical vulnerable prepubertal time points. This review will discuss the dopamine system and the circuits that regulate it, focusing on the hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex, thalamic nuclei, and medial septum, and the impact of stress. A greater understanding of the regulation of the dopamine system and its disruption in schizophrenia may provide a more complete neurobiological framework to interpret clinical findings and develop novel treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan F Sonnenschein
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Uliana DL, Gomes FV, Grace AA. Prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex disruption during adolescence increases susceptibility to helpless behavior in adult rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2020; 35:111-125. [PMID: 32402649 PMCID: PMC7269819 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a disabling mental disorder worldwide. Several animal models have been used to study the neurobiology of this disorder, including the learned helplessness (LH) paradigm, in which susceptible animals show helpless behavior indicated by fails to escape a controllable footshock. This behavior has been associated with a downregulation of ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) system activity. The prelimbic portion of the prefrontal cortex (plPFC) plays an important role in the modulation of helpless behavior, but so far there is no evidence indicating that its developmental disruption alters susceptibility to helpless behavior. We investigated the impact of plPFC lesion performed at adolescence (postnatal day 31-33) or adulthood (postnatal day 70-72) on anxiety responses (elevated plus-maze), susceptibility to helpless behavior, and the VTA DA system activity in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Whereas adult plPFC lesions induced neither anxiety responses nor increased susceptibility to helpless behavior (plPFC lesion: 33.3% of helplessness; controls: 30.8% of helplessness rats), adolescent plPFC lesions induced anxiety responses and increased the proportion of rats showing helpless at adulthood (plPFC lesion: 92.3% helplessness; controls: 42.1% helplessness rats). Moreover, only helpless rats in the groups showed a decreased VTA DA system population activity that was confined to the medial portion of the VTA. These findings suggest that the impairment of plPFC activity during adolescence occurs during a critical window for the development of helpless behavior in adult rats, indicating that predisposition or early life adverse events that impair plPFC activity may enhance susceptibility to depression in adulthood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela L Uliana
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that involves several neurotransmitters such as dopamine, glutamate, and GABA. More recently, the endocannabinoid system has also been associated with this disorder. Although initially described as present mostly in the periphery, cannabinoid type-2 (CB2) receptors are now proposed to play a role in several brain processes related to schizophrenia, such as modulation of dopaminergic neurotransmission, microglial activation, and neuroplastic changes induced by stress. Here, we reviewed studies describing the involvement of the CB2 receptor in these processes and their association with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Taken together, these pieces of evidence indicate that CB2 receptor may emerge as a new target for the development of antipsychotic drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Isadora L Cortez
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Naielly Rodrigues da Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Gomes FV, Zhu X, Grace AA. Stress during critical periods of development and risk for schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2019; 213:107-113. [PMID: 30711313 PMCID: PMC6667322 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2019.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder with genetic predisposition, and stress has long been linked to its etiology. While stress affects all stages of the illness, increasing evidence suggests that stress during critical periods of development may be particularly detrimental, increasing individual's vulnerability to psychosis. To thoroughly understand the potential causative role of stress, our group has been focusing on the prenatal methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rodent model, and discovered that MAM offspring display abnormal stress reactivity and heightened anxiety prepubertally, prior to the manifestation of a hyperdopaminergic state. Furthermore, pharmacologically treating anxiety during prepuberty prevented the emergence of the dopamine dysfunction in adulthood. Interestingly, sufficiently strong stressors applied to normal rats selectively during early development can recapitulate multiple schizophrenia-related phenotypes of MAM rats, whereas the same stress paradigm during adulthood only produced short-term depression-related deficits. Altogether, the evidence is thus converging: developmental disruption (genetic or environmental) might render animals more susceptible to the deleterious effects of stress during critical time windows, during which unregulated stress can lead to the emergence of psychosis later in life. As an important region regulating the midbrain dopamine system, the ventral hippocampus is particularly vulnerable to stress, and the distinct maturational profile of its fast-spiking parvalbumin interneurons may largely underlie such vulnerability. In this review, by discussing emerging evidence spanning clinical and basic science studies, we propose developmental stress vulnerability as a novel link between early predispositions and environmental triggering events in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This promising line of research can potentially provide not only insights into the etiology, but also a "roadmap" for disease prevention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anthony A. Grace
- Corresponding author: Dr. Anthony A. Grace - Department of Neuroscience, A210 Langley Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA. Phone: +1 412 624 4609.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Klinger K, Gomes FV, Rincón-Cortés M, Grace AA. Female rats are resistant to the long-lasting neurobehavioral changes induced by adolescent stress exposure. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:1127-1137. [PMID: 31371105 PMCID: PMC6773464 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2019.07.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Stress during adolescence is a risk factor for neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia. We recently observed that peripubertal male rats exposed to a combination of daily footshock plus restraint stress exhibited schizophrenia-like changes. However, numerous studies have shown sex differences in neuropsychiatric diseases as well as on the impact of coping with stress. Thus, we decided to evaluate, in adolescent female rats, the impact of different stressors (restraint stress [RS], footshock [FS], or the combination of FS and RS [FS+RS]) on social interaction (3-chamber social approach test/SAT), anxiety responses (elevated plus-maze/EPM), cognitive function (novel object recognition test/NOR), and dopamine (DA) system responsivity by evaluating locomotor response to amphetamine and in vivo extracellular single unit recordings of DA neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in adulthood. The impact of FS+RS during early adulthood was also investigated. Adolescent stress had no impact on social behavior, anxiety, cognition and locomotor response to amphetamine. In addition, adolescent stress did not induce long-lasting changes in VTA DA system activity. However, a decrease in the firing rate of VTA DA neurons was found 1-2 weeks post-adolescent stress. Similar to adolescent stress, adult stress did not induce long-lasting behavioral deficits and changes in VTA DA system activity, but FS+RS decreased VTA DA neuron population activity 1-2 weeks post-adult stress. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing that female rodents appear to be more resilient to developmental stress-induced persistent changes than males and may contribute to the delayed onset and lesser severity of schizophrenia in females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Klinger
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Institute of Genetic and Molecular Neurobiology, Otto-von-Guericke University, University of Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Ave, Ribeirao Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Millie Rincón-Cortés
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
Despite evidence for a role of the dopamine system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, there has not been substantial evidence that this disorder originates from a pathological change within the dopamine system itself. Current data from human imaging studies and preclinical investigations instead point to a disruption in afferent regulation of the dopamine system, with a focus on the hippocampus. We found that the hippocampus in the methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rodent developmental disruption model of schizophrenia is hyperactive and dysrhythmic, possibly due to loss of parvalbumin interneurons, leading to a hyperresponsive dopamine system. Whereas current therapeutic approaches target dopamine receptor blockade, treatment at the site of pathology may be a more effective therapeutic avenue. This model also provided insights into potential means for prevention of schizophrenia. Specifically, given that stress is a risk factor in schizophrenia, and that stress can damage hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons, we tested whether alleviating stress early in life can effectively circumvent transition to schizophrenia-like states. Administering diazepam prepubertally at an antianxiety dose in MAM rats was effective at preventing the emergence of the hyperdopaminergic state in the adult. Moreover, multiple stressors applied to normal rats at the same time point resulted in pathology similar to the MAM rat. These data suggest that a genetic predisposition leading to stress hyper-responsivity, or exposure to substantial stressors, could be a primary factor leading to the emergence of schizophrenia later in life, and furthermore treating stress at a critical period may be effective in circumventing this transition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, A210 Langley Hall, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, US; tel: 412-624-4609, fax: 412-624-9198, e-mail:
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Gomes FV, Edelson JR, Volk DW, Grace AA. Altered brain cannabinoid 1 receptor mRNA expression across postnatal development in the MAM model of schizophrenia. Schizophr Res 2018; 201:254-260. [PMID: 29705007 PMCID: PMC6203675 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2018.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Altered cannabinoid 1 receptor (CB1R) expression has been reported in the brain of subjects with schizophrenia, a developmental mental illness that usually emerges in late adolescence/early adulthood. However, the developmental period at which changes in the CB1R expression appear in schizophrenia is unknown. To gain insight into this factor, we assessed the postnatal developmental trajectory of CB1R expression in the methylazoxymethanol (MAM) model of schizophrenia. Using in situ hybridization with film and grain analyses, CB1R messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were quantified in multiple brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), secondary motor cortex, dorsomedial and dorsolateral striatum, dorsal subregions and ventral subiculum of the hippocampus, of MAM-treated rats and normal controls at three developmental periods [juvenile - postnatal day (PD) 30; adolescence - PD45; and adulthood - PD85]. In all brain regions studied, CB1R mRNA levels were highest in juveniles and then decreased progressively toward adolescent and adult levels in control and MAM-treated rats. However, in MAM-treated rats, CB1R mRNA levels were lower in the mPFC at PD85 and higher in the dorsolateral striatum at PD45 and PD85 relative to controls. Cellular analyses confirmed the changes in CB1R mRNA expression in MAM-treated rats. These findings are in accordance with previous studies showing a decrease in the CB1R mRNA expression from juvenile period to adolescence to adulthood in cortical, striatal, and hippocampal regions. Additionally, similar to most of the schizophrenia-like signs observed in the MAM model, embryonic exposure to MAM leads to schizophrenia-related changes in CB1R mRNA expression that only emerge later in development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | | | - David W Volk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Silva NR, Gomes FV, Fonseca MD, Mechoulam R, Breuer A, Cunha TM, Guimarães FS. Antinociceptive effects of HUF-101, a fluorinated cannabidiol derivative. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2017; 79:369-377. [PMID: 28720466 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a phytocannabinoid with multiple pharmacological effects and several potential therapeutic properties. Its low oral bioavailability, however, can limit its clinical use. Preliminary results indicate that fluorination of the CBD molecule increases its pharmacological potency. Here, we investigated whether HUF-101 (3, 10, and 30mg/kg), a fluorinated CBD analogue, would induce antinociceptive effects. HUF-101 effects were compared to those induced by CBD (10, 30, and 90mg/kg) and the cannabinoid CB1/2 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (1, 3, and 5mg/kg). These drugs were tested in male Swiss mice submitted to the following models predictive to antinociceptive drugs: hot plate, acetic acid-induced writhing, and carrageenan-induced inflammatory hyperalgesia. To evaluate the involvement of CB1 and CB2 receptors in HUF-101 and CBD effects, mice received the CB1 receptor antagonist AM251 (1 or 3mg/kg) or the CB2 receptor antagonist AM630 (1 or 3mg/kg) 30min before HUF-101, CBD, or WIN55,212-2. In the hot plate test, HUF-101 (30mg/kg) and WIN55,212-2 (5mg/kg) induced antinociceptive effects, which were attenuated by the pretreatment with AM251 and AM630. In the abdominal writhing test, CBD (30 and 90mg/kg), HUF-101 (30mg/kg), and WIN55,212-2 (3 and 5mg/kg) induced antinociceptive effects indicated by a reduction in the number of writhing. Whereas the pretreatment with AM630 did not mitigate the effects induced by any drug in this test, the pretreatment with AM251 attenuated the effect caused by WIN55,212-2. In the carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia test, CBD (30 and 90mg/kg), HUF-101 (3, 10 and 30mg/kg) and WIN55,212-2 (1mg/kg) decreased the intensity of mechanical hyperalgesia measured by the electronic von Frey method. The effects of all compounds were attenuated by the pretreatment with AM251 and AM630. Additionally, we evaluated whether HUF-101 would induce the classic cannabinoid CB1 receptor-mediated tetrad (hypolocomotion, catalepsy, hypothermia, and antinociception). Unlike WIN55,212-2, CBD and HUF-101 did not induce the cannabinoid tetrad. These findings show that HUF-101 produced antinociceptive effects at lower doses than CBD, indicating that the addition of fluoride improved its pharmacological profile. Furthermore, some of the antinociceptive effects of CBD and HUF-101 effects seem to involve the activation of CB1 and CB2 receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole R Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Miriam D Fonseca
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Aviva Breuer
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Thiago M Cunha
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Zhu X, Gomes FV, Grace AA. The methylazoxymethanol acetate rat model: molecular and epigenetic effect in the developing prefrontal cortex: An Editorial Highlight for 'Epigenetic mechanisms underlying NMDA receptor hypofunction in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile animals in the MAM model for schizophrenia' on page 320. J Neurochem 2017; 143:264-267. [PMID: 28872674 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
This Editorial highlights an article by Gulchina and colleagues in the current issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry, in which the authors describe molecular and epigenetic changes in the developing prefrontal cortex of the rats exposed to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM). They found an NMDAR hypofunction present in the prefrontal cortex of juvenile MAM rats which was associated with abnormal epigenetic regulation of the Grin2b gene. These changes may be related to early cognitive impairments observed in MAM rats and schizophrenia patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiyu Zhu
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Campos AC, Fogaça MV, Scarante FF, Joca SRL, Sales AJ, Gomes FV, Sonego AB, Rodrigues NS, Galve-Roperh I, Guimarães FS. Plastic and Neuroprotective Mechanisms Involved in the Therapeutic Effects of Cannabidiol in Psychiatric Disorders. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:269. [PMID: 28588483 PMCID: PMC5441138 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Beneficial effects of cannabidiol (CBD) have been described for a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, psychosis, and depression. The mechanisms responsible for these effects, however, are still poorly understood. Similar to clinical antidepressant or atypical antipsychotic drugs, recent findings clearly indicate that CBD, either acutely or repeatedly administered, induces plastic changes. For example, CBD attenuates the decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis and dendrite spines density induced by chronic stress and prevents microglia activation and the decrease in the number of parvalbumin-positive GABA neurons in a pharmacological model of schizophrenia. More recently, it was found that CBD modulates cell fate regulatory pathways such as autophagy and others critical pathways for neuronal survival in neurodegenerative experimental models, suggesting the potential benefit of CBD treatment for psychiatric/cognitive symptoms associated with neurodegeneration. These changes and their possible association with CBD beneficial effects in psychiatric disorders are reviewed here.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alline C Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Manoela V Fogaça
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Franciele F Scarante
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Sâmia R L Joca
- Department of Physical and Chemical, School of Pharmaceutical Science of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Amanda J Sales
- Department of Physical and Chemical, School of Pharmaceutical Science of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Neuroscience, University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andreza B Sonego
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Naielly S Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Ismael Galve-Roperh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, School of Biology, Complutense UniversityMadrid, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas, Instituto de Universitario de Investigación en Neuroquímica and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación SanitariaMadrid, Spain
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São PauloRibeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Abstract
Stress during adolescence is a risk factor for schizophrenia, and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) dysfunction is proposed to interfere with stress control, increasing the susceptibility to stress. We evaluated the impact of different stressful events during adolescence (restraint stress [RS], footshock [FS], or the combination of FS and RS) on behaviors correlated with schizophrenia in rats as adults. At adulthood, animals were tested for anxiety responses (elevated plus-maze), cognitive function (novel-object recognition test) and dopamine (DA) system responsivity (locomotor response to amphetamine and DA neuron activity in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) using in vivo electrophysiology). All adolescent stressors impaired weight gain and induced anxiety-like responses in adults. FS and FS + RS also disrupted cognitive function. Interestingly, only the combination of FS and RS induced a DA hyper-responsivity as indicated by augmented locomotor response to amphetamine and increased number of spontaneously active DA neurons which was confined to the lateral VTA. Additionally, prelimbic (pl) mPFC lesions triggered a DA hyper-responsivity in animals exposed to FS alone during adolescence. Our results are consistent with previous studies showing long-lasting changes induced by stressful events during adolescence. The impact on DA system activity, however, seems to depend on intense multiple stressors. Our data also suggest that plPFC dysfunction increases the vulnerability to stress in terms of changes in the DA system. Hence, stress during adolescence could be a precipitating factor for the transition to schizophrenia, and stress control at this vulnerable period may circumvent these changes to prevent the emergence of psychosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V. Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Abstract
Schizophrenia has been associated with heightened stress responsivity in adolescence that precedes onset of psychosis. We now report that multiple stressors during adolescence in normal rats leads to deficits in adults analogous to that seen in schizophrenia patients. Moreover, impairment of stress control by lesion of the prelimbic prefontal cortex in adolescence caused previously subthreshold levels of stress to induce these deficit states when tested as adults. Thus, predisposition to stress hyper-responsivity, or exposure to substantial stressors, during adolescence can trigger a cascade of events that result in a schizophrenia-like profile in adults. This data can provide crucial information with respect to identifying markers for schizophrenia vulnerability early in life and, by mitigating the impact of stressors, prevent the transition to psychosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V. Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Anthony A. Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hott SC, Gomes FV, Uliana DL, Vale GT, Tirapelli CR, Resstel LB. Bed nucleus of the stria terminalis NMDA receptors and nitric oxide modulate contextual fear conditioning in rats. Neuropharmacology 2017; 112:135-143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 05/22/2016] [Accepted: 05/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
|
36
|
Gomes FV, Rincón-Cortés M, Grace AA. Adolescence as a period of vulnerability and intervention in schizophrenia: Insights from the MAM model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2016; 70:260-270. [PMID: 27235082 PMCID: PMC5074867 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Revised: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Adolescence is a time of extensive neuroanatomical, functional and chemical reorganization of the brain, which parallels substantial maturational changes in behavior and cognition. Environmental factors that impinge on the timing of these developmental factors, including stress and drug exposure, increase the risk for psychiatric disorders. Indeed, antecedents to affective and psychotic disorders, which have clinical and pathophysiological overlap, are commonly associated with risk factors during adolescence that predispose to these disorders. In the context of schizophrenia, psychosis typically begins in late adolescence/early adulthood, which has been replicated by animal models. Rats exposed during gestational day (GD) 17 to the mitotoxin methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) exhibit behavioral, pharmacological, and anatomical characteristics consistent with an animal model of schizophrenia. Here we provide an overview of adolescent changes within the dopamine system and the PFC and review recent findings regarding the effects of stress and cannabis exposure during the peripubertal period as risk factors for the emergence of schizophrenia-like deficits. Finally, we discuss peripubertal interventions appearing to circumvent the emergence of adult schizophrenia-like deficits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, United States
| | | | - Anthony A Grace
- Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Breuer A, Haj CG, Fogaça MV, Gomes FV, Silva NR, Pedrazzi JF, Del Bel EA, Hallak JC, Crippa JA, Zuardi AW, Mechoulam R, Guimarães FS. Correction: Fluorinated Cannabidiol Derivatives: Enhancement of Activity in Mice Models Predictive of Anxiolytic, Antidepressant and Antipsychotic Effects. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162087. [PMID: 27560809 PMCID: PMC4999303 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
38
|
Sonego AB, Gomes FV, Del Bel EA, Guimaraes FS. Cannabidiol attenuates haloperidol-induced catalepsy and c-Fos protein expression in the dorsolateral striatum via 5-HT1A receptors in mice. Behav Brain Res 2016; 309:22-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2016] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
|
39
|
Breuer A, Haj CG, Fogaça MV, Gomes FV, Silva NR, Pedrazzi JF, Del Bel EA, Hallak JC, Crippa JA, Zuardi AW, Mechoulam R, Guimarães FS. Fluorinated Cannabidiol Derivatives: Enhancement of Activity in Mice Models Predictive of Anxiolytic, Antidepressant and Antipsychotic Effects. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0158779. [PMID: 27416026 PMCID: PMC4945002 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0158779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a major Cannabis sativa constituent, which does not cause the typical marijuana psychoactivity. However, it has been shown to be active in a numerous pharmacological assays, including mice tests for anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression and schizophrenia. In human trials the doses of CBD needed to achieve effects in anxiety and schizophrenia are high. We report now the synthesis of 3 fluorinated CBD derivatives, one of which, 4'-F-CBD (HUF-101) (1), is considerably more potent than CBD in behavioral assays in mice predictive of anxiolytic, antidepressant, antipsychotic and anti-compulsive activity. Similar to CBD, the anti-compulsive effects of HUF-101 depend on cannabinoid receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aviva Breuer
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Christeene G. Haj
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Manoela V. Fogaça
- Departments of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Felipe V. Gomes
- Departments of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nicole Rodrigues Silva
- Departments of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - João Francisco Pedrazzi
- Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Elaine A. Del Bel
- Department of Morphology, Physiology and Pathology, School of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaime C. Hallak
- Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José A. Crippa
- Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Antonio W. Zuardi
- Neuroscience and Behavior, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Raphael Mechoulam
- Institute for Drug Research, Medical Faculty, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
- * E-mail: (RM); (FSG)
| | - Francisco S. Guimarães
- Departments of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RM); (FSG)
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Lisboa SF, Gomes FV, Guimaraes FS, Campos AC. Microglial Cells as a Link between Cannabinoids and the Immune Hypothesis of Psychiatric Disorders. Front Neurol 2016; 7:5. [PMID: 26858686 PMCID: PMC4729885 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Although several therapeutic options are available, the exact mechanisms responsible for the genesis of these disorders remain to be fully elucidated. In the last decade, a body of evidence has supported the involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of these conditions. Microglial cells play a significant role in maintaining brain homeostasis and surveillance. Dysregulation of microglial functions has been associated with several psychiatric conditions. Cannabinoids regulate the brain–immune axis and inhibit microglial cell activation. Here, we summarized evidence supporting the hypothesis that microglial cells could be a target for cannabinoid influence on psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and stress-related disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Center of Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, PA , USA
| | - Francisco S Guimaraes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Center of Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Alline C Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil; Center of Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Martin S, Lazzarini M, Dullin C, Balakrishnan S, Gomes FV, Ninkovic M, El Hady A, Pardo LA, Stühmer W, Del-Bel E. SK3 Channel Overexpression in Mice Causes Hippocampal Shrinkage Associated with Cognitive Impairments. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:1078-1091. [PMID: 26803493 PMCID: PMC5310555 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-015-9680-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The dysfunction of the small-conductance calcium-activated K+ channel SK3 has been described as one of the factors responsible for the progress of psychoneurological diseases, but the molecular basis of this is largely unknown. This report reveals through use of immunohistochemistry and computational tomography that long-term increased expression of the SK3 small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (SK3-T/T) in mice induces a notable bilateral reduction of the hippocampal area (more than 50 %). Histological analysis showed that SK3-T/T mice have cellular disarrangements and neuron discontinuities in the hippocampal formation CA1 and CA3 neuronal layer. SK3 overexpression resulted in cognitive loss as determined by the object recognition test. Electrophysiological examination of hippocampal slices revealed that SK3 channel overexpression induced deficiency of long-term potentiation in hippocampal microcircuits. In association with these results, there were changes at the mRNA levels of some genes involved in Alzheimer’s disease and/or linked to schizophrenia, epilepsy, and autism. Taken together, these features suggest that augmenting the function of SK3 ion channel in mice may present a unique opportunity to investigate the neural basis of central nervous system dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, or other neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative disorders in this model system. As a more detailed understanding of the role of the SK3 channel in brain disorders is limited by the lack of specific SK3 antagonists and agonists, the results observed in this study are of significant interest; they suggest a new approach for the development of neuroprotective strategies in neuropsychiatric/neurodegenerative diseases with SK3 representing a potential drug target.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Martin
- Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marcio Lazzarini
- Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian Dullin
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Georg-August University Medical Center, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Saju Balakrishnan
- Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Georg-August University Medical Center, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, 14040-900, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Milena Ninkovic
- Department of Neurosurgery, Georg-August University Medical Center, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ahmed El Hady
- Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Bernstein Focus for Neurotechnology and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany
- Theoretical Neurophysics, Department of Non-linear Dynamics, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
- The Interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Center 889 "Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing", Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luis A Pardo
- Oncophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Walter Stühmer
- Department of Molecular Biology of Neuronal Signals, Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine, Hermann-Rein-Strasse 3, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), Göttingen, Germany.
- Bernstein Focus for Neurotechnology and Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Elaine Del-Bel
- Department of Morphology, Physiology and Pathology, CNPQ Research 1B (Biophysics, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Neuroscience), University of São Paulo Dental School of Ribeirão Preto, Avenida do Café 3400, 14040-904, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Gomes FV, Llorente R, Del Bel EA, Viveros MP, López-Gallardo M, Guimarães FS. Decreased glial reactivity could be involved in the antipsychotic-like effect of cannabidiol. Schizophr Res 2015; 164:155-63. [PMID: 25680767 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 01/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
NMDA receptor hypofunction could be involved, in addition to the positive, also to the negative symptoms and cognitive deficits found in schizophrenia patients. An increasing number of data has linked schizophrenia with neuroinflammatory conditions and glial cells, such as microglia and astrocytes, have been related to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotomimetic constituent of Cannabis sativa with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties induces antipsychotic-like effects. The present study evaluated if repeated treatment with CBD (30 and 60 mg/kg) would attenuate the behavioral and glial changes observed in an animal model of schizophrenia based on the NMDA receptor hypofunction (chronic administration of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, for 28 days). The behavioral alterations were evaluated in the social interaction and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. These tests have been widely used to study changes related to negative symptoms and cognitive deficits of schizophrenia, respectively. We also evaluated changes in NeuN (a neuronal marker), Iba-1 (a microglia marker) and GFAP (an astrocyte marker) expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens core and shell, and dorsal hippocampus by immunohistochemistry. CBD effects were compared to those induced by the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. Repeated MK-801 administration impaired performance in the social interaction and NOR tests. It also increased the number of GFAP-positive astrocytes in the mPFC and the percentage of Iba-1-positive microglia cells with a reactive phenotype in the mPFC and dorsal hippocampus without changing the number of Iba-1-positive cells. No change in the number of NeuN-positive cells was observed. Both the behavioral disruptions and the changes in expression of glial markers induced by MK-801 treatment were attenuated by repeated treatment with CBD or clozapine. These data reinforces the proposal that CBD may induce antipsychotic-like effects. Although the possible mechanism of action of these effects is still unknown, it may involve CBD anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Furthermore, our data support the view that inhibition of microglial activation may improve schizophrenia symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Ricardo Llorente
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | - Elaine A Del Bel
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria-Paz Viveros
- Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Lisboa SF, Gomes FV, Silva AL, Uliana DL, Camargo LHA, Guimarães FS, Cunha FQ, Joca SRL, Resstel LBM. Increased Contextual Fear Conditioning in iNOS Knockout Mice: Additional Evidence for the Involvement of Nitric Oxide in Stress-Related Disorders and Contribution of the Endocannabinoid System. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyv005. [PMID: 25618404 PMCID: PMC4571624 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyv005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inducible or neuronal nitric oxide synthase gene deletion increases or decreases anxiety-like behavior in mice, respectively. Since nitric oxide and endocannabinoids interact to modulate defensive behavior, the former effect could involve a compensatory increase in basal brain nitric oxide synthase activity and/or changes in the endocannabinoid system. Thus, we investigated the expression and extinction of contextual fear conditioning of inducible nitric oxide knockout mice and possible involvement of endocannabinoids in these responses. METHODS We evaluated the effects of a preferential neuronal nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, 7-nitroindazol, nitric oxide synthase activity, and mRNA changes of nitrergic and endocannabinoid systems components in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of wild-type and knockout mice. The effects of URB597, an inhibitor of the fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme, which metabolizes the endocannabinoid anandamide, WIN55,212-2, a nonselective cannabinoid agonist, and AM281, a selective CB1 antagonist, on contextual fear conditioning were also evaluated. RESULTS Contextual fear conditioning expression was similar in wild-type and knockout mice, but the latter presented extinction deficits and increased basal nitric oxide synthase activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. 7-Nitroindazol decreased fear expression and facilitated extinction in wild-type and knockout mice. URB597 decreased fear expression in wild-type and facilitated extinction in knockout mice, whereas WIN55,212-2 and AM281 increased it in wild-type mice. Nonconditioned knockout mice showed changes in the mRNA expression of nitrergic and endocannabinoid system components in the medial prefrontal cortex and hippocampus that were modified by fear conditioning. CONCLUSION These data reinforce the involvement of the nitric oxide and endocannabinoids (anandamide) in stress-related disorders and point to a deregulation of the endocannabinoid system in situations where nitric oxide signaling is increased.
Collapse
MESH Headings
- Animals
- Arachidonic Acids/metabolism
- Benzamides/pharmacology
- Benzoxazines/pharmacology
- Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/pharmacology
- Cannabinoid Receptor Antagonists/pharmacology
- Carbamates/pharmacology
- Conditioning, Psychological/drug effects
- Conditioning, Psychological/physiology
- Endocannabinoids/metabolism
- Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
- Extinction, Psychological/drug effects
- Extinction, Psychological/physiology
- Fear/drug effects
- Fear/physiology
- Freezing Reaction, Cataleptic/drug effects
- Freezing Reaction, Cataleptic/physiology
- Hippocampus/drug effects
- Hippocampus/metabolism
- Indazoles/pharmacology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Morpholines/pharmacology
- Naphthalenes/pharmacology
- Nitric Oxide/metabolism
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/antagonists & inhibitors
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics
- Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism
- Polyunsaturated Alkamides/metabolism
- Prefrontal Cortex/drug effects
- Prefrontal Cortex/metabolism
- Pyrazoles/pharmacology
- RNA, Messenger/metabolism
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/antagonists & inhibitors
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Stress, Psychological/metabolism
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina F Lisboa
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel).
| | - Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Andréia L Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Daniela L Uliana
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Laura H A Camargo
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Fernando Q Cunha
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Sâmia R L Joca
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| | - Leonardo B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Silva, Cunha, and Resstel, Ms Uliana and Ms Camargo), Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (Dr Joca), and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Lisboa, Gomes, Guimarães, Joca, and Resstel)
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Gomes FV, Issy AC, Ferreira FR, Viveros MP, Del Bel EA, Guimarães FS. Cannabidiol attenuates sensorimotor gating disruption and molecular changes induced by chronic antagonism of NMDA receptors in mice. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu041. [PMID: 25618402 PMCID: PMC4376539 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preclinical and clinical data suggest that cannabidiol (CBD), a major non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa, induces antipsychotic-like effects. However, the antipsychotic properties of repeated CBD treatment have been poorly investigated. Behavioral changes induced by repeated treatment with glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists have been proposed as an animal model of schizophrenia-like signs. In the present study, we evaluated if repeated treatment with CBD would attenuate the behavioral and molecular modifications induced by chronic administration of one of these antagonists, MK-801. METHODS Male C57BL/6J mice received daily i.p. injections of MK-801 (0.1, 0.5, or 1mg/kg) for 14, 21, or 28 days. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, animals were submitted to the prepulse inhibition (PPI) test. After that, we investigated if repeated treatment with CBD (15, 30, and 60mg/kg) would attenuate the PPI impairment induced by chronic treatment with MK-801 (1mg/kg; 28 days). CBD treatment began on the 6th day after the start of MK-801 administration and continued until the end of the treatment. Immediately after the PPI, the mice brains were removed and processed to evaluate the molecular changes. We measured changes in FosB/ΔFosB and parvalbumin (PV) expression, a marker of neuronal activity and a calcium-binding protein expressed in a subclass of GABAergic interneurons, respectively. Changes in mRNA expression of the NMDAR GluN1 subunit gene (GRN1) were also evaluated. CBD effects were compared to those induced by the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. RESULTS MK-801 administration at the dose of 1mg/kg for 28 days impaired PPI responses. Chronic treatment with CBD (30 and 60mg/kg) attenuated PPI impairment. MK-801 treatment increased FosB/ΔFosB expression and decreased PV expression in the medial prefrontal cortex. A decreased mRNA level of GRN1 in the hippocampus was also observed. All the molecular changes were attenuated by CBD. CBD by itself did not induce any effect. Moreover, CBD effects were similar to those induced by repeated clozapine treatment. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that repeated treatment with CBD, similar to clozapine, reverses the psychotomimetic-like effects and attenuates molecular changes observed after chronic administration of an NMDAR antagonist. These data support the view that CBD may have antipsychotic properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes and Guimarães); Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Issy and Del Bel); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes, Issy, Del Bel, and Guimarães); Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ferreira); Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (Viveros).
| | - Ana Carolina Issy
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes and Guimarães); Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Issy and Del Bel); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes, Issy, Del Bel, and Guimarães); Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ferreira); Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (Viveros)
| | - Frederico R Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes and Guimarães); Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Issy and Del Bel); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes, Issy, Del Bel, and Guimarães); Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ferreira); Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (Viveros)
| | - Maria-Paz Viveros
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes and Guimarães); Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Issy and Del Bel); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes, Issy, Del Bel, and Guimarães); Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ferreira); Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (Viveros)
| | - Elaine A Del Bel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes and Guimarães); Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Issy and Del Bel); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes, Issy, Del Bel, and Guimarães); Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ferreira); Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (Viveros)
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes and Guimarães); Department of Physiology, Faculty of Odontology of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Issy and Del Bel); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Gomes, Issy, Del Bel, and Guimarães); Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Ferreira); Department of Physiology (Animal Physiology II), Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain (Viveros)
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Gomes FV, Guimarães FS, Grace AA. Effects of pubertal cannabinoid administration on attentional set-shifting and dopaminergic hyper-responsivity in a developmental disruption model of schizophrenia. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2015; 18:pyu018. [PMID: 25522381 PMCID: PMC4368886 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyu018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescent exposure to cannabinoids in vulnerable individuals is proposed to be a risk factor for psychiatric conditions later in life, particularly schizophrenia. Evidence from studies in animals has indicated that a combination of repeated pubertal cannabinoid administration with either neonatal prefrontocortical lesion, isolation rearing, or chronic NMDA receptor antagonism administration induces enhanced schizophrenia-like behavioral disruptions. The effects of adolescent exposure to CB1 receptor agonists, however, have not been tested in a developmental disruption model of schizophrenia. METHODS This was tested in the methylazoxymethanol (MAM) model, in which repeated treatment with the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 (WIN; 1.2mg/kg) was extended over 25 days throughout puberty (postnatal days 40-65) in control and MAM rats. The rats received 20 injections, which were delivered irregularly to mimic the human condition. Adult rats were tested for attentional set-shifting task and locomotor response to amphetamine, which was compared with in vivo recording from ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine (DA) neurons. RESULTS MAM-treated rats showed impairment in the attentional set-shifting task, augmented locomotor response to amphetamine administration, and an increased number of spontaneously active DA neurons in the VTA. Interestingly, pubertal WIN treatment in normal animals induced similar changes at adulthood as those observed in MAM-treated rats, supporting the notion that adolescence exposure to cannabinoids may represent a risk factor for developing schizophrenia-like signs at adulthood. However, contrary to expectations, pubertal WIN administration did not exacerbate the behavioral and electrophysiological changes in MAM-treated rats beyond that observed in WIN-treated saline rats (Sal). Indeed, WIN treatment actually attenuated the locomotor response to amphetamine in MAM rats without impacting DA neuron activity states. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, the present results indicate that the impact of cannabinoids during puberty/adolescence on schizophrenia models is more complex than may be predicted.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gomes and Guimarães); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gomes and Guimarães); Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (Dr Grace).
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gomes and Guimarães); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gomes and Guimarães); Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (Dr Grace)
| | - Anthony A Grace
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gomes and Guimarães); Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil (Drs Gomes and Guimarães); Departments of Neuroscience, Psychiatry and Psychology, University of Pittsburgh, A210 Langley Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (Dr Grace)
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Gomes FV, Kakihata AM, Semedo ACG, Hott SC, Uliana DL, Guimarães FS, Resstel LBM. D-cycloserine injected into the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray induces anxiolytic-like effects in rats. Behav Brain Res 2014; 271:374-9. [PMID: 24931794 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2014] [Revised: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
D-cycloserine (DCS) is a partial agonist of the glycine site coupled to the NMDA receptor (NMDAR). As a consequence, depending on the doses used it can function as an agonist or antagonist at this site. In rodents, anxiolytic-like effects have been observed after the systemic administration of high doses of DCS. The brain sites of these effects have not been investigated. Direct brain injection of glycine site antagonists or agonists into the dorsolateral periaqueductal gray (dlPAG), a brain structure involved in the modulation of defensive-related behaviors, produces anxiolytic- or anxiogenic-like effects, respectively. The present study investigated if the dlPAG could be a brain site of the anxiolytic effects observed after DCS systemic administration. Male Wistar rats received intra-dlPAG injections of DCS (25, 50, 100 or 200 nmol) and were exposed to the elevated plus-maze (EPM) or to the light-dark box. DCS, at the dose of 200 nmol, increased open arm exploration and the time spent in the light compartment, respectively. Based on this result we tested the effects of intra-dlPAG DCS (200 nmol) administration in animals submitted to the Vogel conflict tests. Anxiolytic-like effect was also observed in this test indicated by the increase of punished responses. The drug did not change locomotor activity, discarding potential confounding factors. These results indicated that administration of DCS, a partial agonist of the NMDAR-associated glycine site, into the dlPAG induces anxiolytic-like effects in different models, pointing to a possible site of action of this compound.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Alessandra M Kakihata
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina G Semedo
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sara C Hott
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniela L Uliana
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Francisco S Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo B M Resstel
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Nardo M, Casarotto PC, Gomes FV, Guimarães FS. Cannabidiol reverses the mCPP-induced increase in marble-burying behavior. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2013; 28:544-50. [DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Revised: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/27/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Mirella Nardo
- Department of Pharmacology; University of Sao Paulo; Bandeirantes Av. 3900 Ribeirao Preto 140490-900 Brazil
| | - Plinio C. Casarotto
- Department of Pharmacology; University of Sao Paulo; Bandeirantes Av. 3900 Ribeirao Preto 140490-900 Brazil
| | - Felipe V. Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology; University of Sao Paulo; Bandeirantes Av. 3900 Ribeirao Preto 140490-900 Brazil
| | - Francisco S. Guimarães
- Department of Pharmacology; University of Sao Paulo; Bandeirantes Av. 3900 Ribeirao Preto 140490-900 Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Gomes FV, Del Bel EA, Guimarães FS. Cannabidiol attenuates catalepsy induced by distinct pharmacological mechanisms via 5-HT1A receptor activation in mice. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2013; 46:43-7. [PMID: 23791616 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2013] [Revised: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychotomimetic compound from Cannabis sativa plant that produces antipsychotic effects in rodents and humans. It also reverses L-dopa-induced psychotic symptoms and improves motor function in Parkinson's patients. This latter effect raised the possibility that CBD could have beneficial effects on motor related striatal disorders. To investigate this possibility we evaluated if CBD would prevent catalepsy induced by drugs with distinct pharmacological mechanisms. The catalepsy test is largely used to investigate impairments of motor function caused by interference on striatal function. Male Swiss mice received acute pretreatment with CBD (5, 15, 30 or 60mg/kg, ip) 30min prior to the D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol (0.6mg/kg), the non-selective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor L-nitro-N-arginine (L-NOARG, 80mg/kg) or the CB1 receptor agonist WIN55,212-2 (5mg/kg). The mice were tested 1, 2 or 4h after haloperidol, L-NOARG or WIN55,212-2 injection. These drugs significantly increased catalepsy time and this effect was attenuated dose-dependently by CBD. CBD, by itself, did not induce catalepsy. In a second set of experiments the mechanism of CBD effects was investigated. Thirty minutes before CBD (30mg/kg) the animals received the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 (0.1mg/kg). The anticataleptic effect of CBD was prevented by WAY100635. These findings indicate that CBD can attenuate catalepsy caused by different mechanisms (D2 blockade, NOS inhibition and CB1 agonism) via 5-HT1A receptor activation, suggesting that it could be useful in the treatment of striatal disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, SP, 14049-900, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
49
|
Crestani CC, Alves FH, Gomes FV, Resstel LB, Correa FM, Herman JP. Mechanisms in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis involved in control of autonomic and neuroendocrine functions: a review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2013; 11:141-59. [PMID: 23997750 PMCID: PMC3637669 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x11311020002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2012] [Revised: 11/21/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a heterogeneous and complex limbic forebrain structure, which plays an important role in controlling autonomic, neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. The BNST is thought to serve as a key relay connecting limbic forebrain structures to hypothalamic and brainstem regions associated with autonomic and neuroendocrine functions. Its control of physiological and behavioral activity is mediated by local action of numerous neurotransmitters. In the present review we discuss the role of the BNST in control of both autonomic and neuroendocrine function. A description of BNST control of cardiovascular and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axisactivity at rest and during physiological challenges (stress and physical exercise) is presented. Moreover, evidence for modulation of hypothalamic magnocellular neurons activity is also discussed. We attempt to focus on the discussion of BNST neurochemical mechanisms. Therefore, the source and targets of neurochemical inputs to BNST subregions and their role in control of autonomic and neuroendocrine function is discussed in details.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Department of Natural Active Principles and Toxicology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Araraquara, SP, 14801-902, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Gomes FV, Alves FHF, Guimarães FS, Correa FMA, Resstel LBM, Crestani CC. Cannabidiol administration into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis alters cardiovascular responses induced by acute restraint stress through 5-HT₁A receptor. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2013; 23:1096-104. [PMID: 23041353 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2012.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2012] [Revised: 08/06/2012] [Accepted: 09/15/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Systemic administration of cannabidiol (CBD) is able to attenuate cardiovascular responses to acute restraint stress through activation of 5-HT1A receptors. Previous results from our group suggest that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is involved in the antiaversive effects of the CBD. Moreover, it has been proposed that synapses within the BNST influence restraint-evoked cardiovascular changes, in particular by an inhibitory influence on the tachycardiac response associated to restraint stress. Thus, the present work investigated the effects of CBD injected into the BNST on cardiovascular changes induced by acute restraint stress and if these effects would involve the local activation of 5-HT1A receptors. The exposition to restraint stress increased both blood pressure and heart rate (HR). The microinjection of CBD (30 and 60 nmol) into the BNST enhanced the restraint-evoked HR increase, in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting the pressor response. The selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY100635 by itself did not change the cardiovascular responses to restraint stress, but blocked the effects of CBD. These results showed that CBD microinjected into the BNST enhanced the HR increase associated with acute restraint stress without affecting the blood pressure response. Although these results are not in agreement with those observed after systemic administration of CBD, they are similar to effects observed after reversible inactivation of the BNST. Moreover, similar to the effects observed after systemic administration, CBD effects in the BNST seem to depend on activation of 5-HT1A receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe V Gomes
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14090-090, Brazil; Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Applied Neurosciences (NAPNA), University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|