LP-211, a selective 5-HT7 receptor agonist, increases novelty-preference and promotes risk-prone behavior in rats.

Gambling disorder is associated to an increased impulsivity, a high level of novelty-seeking and a dysregulation of the forebrain neurotransmission systems. However, the neurobiological mechanisms of this addictive disorder are not fully understood and no valid pharmacological approach has yet been approved. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of 5-HT7 receptor (5-HT7 R) stimulation with a brain penetrant and selective agonist, LP-211 (0.25 and 0.50 mg kg-1 i.p.) during post-experience consolidation, (i) acutely in a novelty-preference test (Exp. 1) or (ii) sub-chronically in the Probabilistic-Delivery Task (rPDT, commonly used to measure individual differences in risk proneness of rats; Exp. 2). Results of Exp. 1 showed that 5-HT7 R activation improves consolidation of chamber-shape memory in the novelty-preference test, leading to significant novelty-induced hyperactivity and recognition, in conditions where controls displayed a null-preference. These results suggest that 5-HT7 Rs may be involved in the consolidation of information inherent to spatial environments, facilitating the recognition of novelty. Furthermore, in the operant rPDT (Exp. 2), 5-HT7 R activation shifts the choice towards a larger yet unlikely reward and turns the propensity of rats towards risk-prone behavior. Thus, 5-HT7 Rs stimulation apparently strengthens the consideration of future, bigger rewards, also enhancing the seeking of it by operant pokes. These effects may well be explained by LP-211 actions on hippocampal versus prefrontal cortex-mediated regulations, leading to improved (though suboptimal) strategy formation. However, further experiments are necessary to determine more in depth the serotonergic pathways involved.

Influence of vestibular input on spatial and nonspatial memory and on hippocampal NMDA receptors.

It has recently been shown that a lack of vestibular sensory information decreases spatial memory performance and induces biochemical changes in the hippocampus in rodents. After vestibular neurectomy, patients display spatial memory deficit and hippocampal atrophy. Our objectives were to explore: (a) spatial (Y maze, radial-arm maze), and non-spatial (object recognition) memory performance, (b) modulation of NMDA receptors within the hippocampus using radioligand binding, and (c) hippocampal atrophy, using MRI, in a rat model of bilateral labyrinthectomy realized in two operations. Chemical vestibular lesions (VLs) were induced in 24 animals by transtympanic injections of sodium arsanilate (30 mg/0.1 ml/ear), one side being lesioned 3 weeks after the other. The control group received transtympanic saline solution (0.1 ml/ear) (n = 24). Spatial memory performance (Y maze and radial maze) decreased after VL. Conversely, non-spatial memory performance (object recognition) was not affected by VL. No hippocampal atrophy was observed with MRI, but density of NMDA receptors were increased in the hippocampus after VL. These findings show that the lack of vestibular information induced specific deficits in spatial memory. Additionally, quantitative autoradiographic data suggest the involvement of the glutamatergic system in spatial memory processes related to vestibular information. When studying spatial memory performances in the presence of vestibular syndrome, two-step labyrinthectomy is a suitable procedure for distinguishing between the roles of the specific components of vestibular input loss and those of impaired locomotor activity.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of UFP-512, a novel selective delta-opioid receptor agonist; correlations between desensitization and tolerance.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delta-opioid receptors (DOP receptors) could represent a novel target in the treatment of depressive disorders. To explore this new field of interest, the development of highly selective DOP receptor agonists is essential. UFP-512 [H-Dmt-Tic-NH-CH(CH2-COOH)-Bid], was recently shown to behave in vitro as a selective and potent DOP receptor agonist and to promote antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like effects in vivo (Vergura et al., 2007). Here, we have characterized the pharmacological properties of UFP-512 and established a link between desensitization and tolerance. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Studies were performed in the human neuroblastoma SK-N-BE cells to establish i) binding parameters for UFP-512 ii) signalling pathways activated after acute and chronic treatment iii) regulation (phosphorylation and trafficking) of human DOP (hDOP) receptors after sustained activation by UFP-512. In vivo, we studied UFP-512-induced antidepressant-like effects after acute or chronic treatment in the mouse forced swimming test. KEY RESULTS: In vitro, UFP-512 was a high affinity agonist for DOP receptors. While UFP-512 induced marked phosphorylation of DOP receptors on Ser363, we observed a low desensitization of the cAMP pathway, associated with receptor endocytosis and recycling without any reduction on extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 activation. In vivo, acute administration of UFP-512 produced an antidepressant-like effect, without any sign of tolerance after chronic administration. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: There was a correlation between weak desensitization, significant internalization and recycling of the human DOP receptors and lack of tolerance to UFP-512. This suggests that this compound would be a promising drug prototype for exploring innovative treatments for mood disorders.

Effects of long-term methylphenidate treatment in adolescent and adult rats on hippocampal shape, functional connectivity and adult neurogenesis.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a widely prescribed stimulant drug for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Its use in this age group raises concerns regarding the potential interference with ongoing neurodevelopmental processes. Particularly the hippocampus is a highly plastic brain region that continues to develop postnatally and is involved in cognition and emotional behavior, functions known to be affected by MPH. In this study, we assessed whether hippocampal structure and function were affected by chronic oral MPH treatment and whether its effects were different in adolescent or adult rats. Using behavioral testing, resting-state functional MRI, post-mortem structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and immunohistochemistry, we assessed MPH's effects on recognition memory, depressive-like behavior, topological features of functional connectivity networks, hippocampal shape and markers for hippocampal neurogenesis and proliferation. Object recognition memory was transiently impaired in adolescent treated rats, while in animals treated during adulthood, increased depressive-like behavior was observed. Neurogenesis was increased in adolescent treated rats, whereas cell proliferation was decreased following adult treatment. Adolescent treated rats showed inward shape deformations adjacent to ventral parahippocampal regions known to be involved in recognition memory, whereas such deformations were not observed in adult treated animals. Irrespective of the age of treatment, MPH affected topological features of ventral hippocampal functional networks. Thus, chronic oral treatment with a therapeutically relevant dose of MPH preferentially affected the ventral part of the hippocampus and induced contrasting effects in adolescent and adult rats. The differences in behavior were paralleled by opposite effects on adult neurogenesis and granule cell proliferation.

RS 67333 and D-cycloserine accelerate learning acquisition in the rat.

Various 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) central receptor subtypes have been implicated in cognitive performances. In the present investigation, we studied the effects of the selective 5-HT(4) receptor agonist RS 67333 (1-(4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-3-(1-n-butyl-4-piperidinyl)-1-propanone; 1 mg/kg, i.p.) on spatial learning in the rat, and compared them to those of a reference drug, the partial NMDA receptor agonist D-cycloserine (10 mg/kg, i.p.). The effects of these two drugs were evaluated in four protocols which employed the Morris water maze task with various numbers of daily trials and inter-trial intervals (ITI; 4 trials with 30 s ITI; 2 trials with 2 h or 12 h ITI; or one daily trial). In the 2 trial-2 h ITI protocol, rats treated with RS 67333 or D-cycloserine exhibit a reduced mean swim distance during the first days of training when compared to controls. Neither RS 67333 nor D-cycloserine modified the acquisition performances in the 2 trial-12 h ITI or the one daily trial tests or the retention score measured in each protocol. These data suggest that RS 67333 and D-cycloserine can improve the learning rate in a high demand memory task and confirm that selective 5-HT(4) receptor ligands may provide novel approaches for the development of cognitive enhancers.

Synthesis of new 2-(aminomethyl)-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]-quinoxalines and their preliminary in-vivo central dopamine antagonist activity evaluation in mice.

In the search for antipsychotic agents that are not associated with extrapyramidal side effects, efforts have been focused on finding selective D4-receptor antagonists and investigating their pharmacology. Our laboratory has developed a synthesis program for new pyrroloquinoxalines with therapeutic potential. We have described the synthesis of some new pyrroloquinoxalines with substituted arylpiperazino or aryltetrahydropyrido chain at position 3 of the quinoxaline ring (2-(4-phenylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinium oxalate (3a), 2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinium oxalate (3b), 2-[4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinium oxalate (3c), 2-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazin-1-ylmethyl]-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinium oxalate (3d), 2-(4-pyridin-2-ylpiperazin-1-ylmethyl)-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinium oxalate (3e), and 2-(4-phenyl1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-1-ylmethyl)-4-phenylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxalinium oxalate (3f)). A preliminary pharmacological study of these products was conducted using climbing behaviour induced by apomorphine (2.5 mg kg(-1), s.c.) in mice. The derivatives were administered intraperitoneally 30 min before apomorphine. Haloperidol, chlorpromazine and clozapine were used as references. Among this series, 3b, 3c and 3f revealed a central dopamine antagonist activity. The most active derivative was 3b, which exhibited a profile relatively close to clozapine.

Synthesis and preliminary behavioural evaluation in mice of new 3-aryl-3-pyrrol-1-ylpropanamides, analogues of FGIN-1-27 and FGIN-1-43.

The 2-aryl-3-indoleacetamides FGIN-1-27 and FGIN-1-43 have already been characterized in-vitro as potent and specific ligands for the mitochondrial DBI receptor. This affinity was associated with psychotropic properties in several rodent behavioural tasks (in particular anxiolytic action) via enhancement of GABA transmission through neurosteroid production. The synthesis of new 3-aryl-3-pyrrol-1-ylpropanamides 1a-i, analogues of FGIN-1-27 and FGIN-1-43, is described in four steps starting from the corresponding arylaldehydes. Preliminary evaluation of these compounds in behavioural studies (spontaneous locomotor activity and anxiolytic activity) in mice was also undertaken.

Rescue of cognitive aging by long-lasting environmental enrichment exposure initiated before median lifespan.

The rescue of cognitive function through environmental enrichment (EE) during aging has been extensively documented. However, the age at onset, the duration of EE, and the cerebral mechanisms required to obtain the greatest benefits still remain to be determined. We have recently shown that EE applied for 3 mo after the median lifespan, i.e., the age at which 50% of the population is still alive (from 17 to 20 mo in NMRI mice), failed to prevent cognitive deficits in senescent animals. In the present study, mice were exposed to EE prior to the median lifespan, and for a longer total duration (from 14 to 20 mo), before the assessment of memory performance and the electrophysiological properties of hippocampal neuronal networks. The EE prevented memory deficits and reduced anxiety as the animal aged. Moreover, EE attenuated the age-related impairment of basal glutamatergic neurotransmission in CA1 hippocampal slices, and reversed the decrease in isolated N-methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDA-R)-dependent synaptic potentials. Surprisingly, EE did not prevent the age-related alteration of theta-burst-induced long-term potentiation (LTP). This study therefore suggests that EE needs to be initiated before the age corresponding to the median lifespan and/or required long duration (> 3 mo) to have an effect on cognitive aging. In addition, we show that EE probably acts through theta-burst-independent mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.

Synthesis and evaluation of the CNS activity of new 4-alkoxyphenylimidazolidin-2-ones.

Various 4-alkoxyphenylimidazolidin-2-ones were prepared from benzaldehydes via a Curtius rearrangement and were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activities.

Inhibition of neuronal nitric oxide synthase by 7-methoxyindazole and related substituted indazoles.

The synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of methoxyindazoles as new inhibitors of neuronal nitric oxide synthase are presented. The 7-methoxyindazole, although less potent than 7-NI, is the most active compound of the series in an in vitro enzymatic assay of neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity. This result shows that the nitro-substitution is not indispensable to the biological activity of the indazole ring. 7-Methoxyindazole possesses in vivo NOS inhibitory as well and related antinociceptive properties.