The role of the AMPA receptor and 5-HT(3) receptor on aggressive behavior and depressive-like symptoms in chronic social isolation-reared mice.

Chronic social isolation (SI)-reared mice exhibit aggressive and depressive-like behaviors. However, the pathophysiological changes caused by chronic SI remain unclear. The hypothalamus and amygdala have been suggested to be associated with the stress of SI. In addition to serotonin 3 (5-HT3) receptors, AMPA receptors have also been suggested to be involved in aggressive behavior and depressive-like symptoms in animals. Therefore, we examined whether chronic SI affects AMPA and 5-HT3 receptor expression levels in these regions. A Western blot analysis revealed that after four weeks of SI, mice exhibited up-regulated AMPA receptor subunit (GluR1, GluR2) protein levels in the amygdala and down-regulated hypothalamic 5-HT3 receptor protein levels. The AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist NBQX (10 mg/kg; i.p.) attenuated SI-induced depressive-like symptoms but not aggressive behavior. Intra-amygdalar infusions of the selective AMPA receptor agonist (S)-AMPA (10 µM) induced despair-like behavior, but not sucrose preference or aggressive behavior, in mice not reared in SI (naïve mice). Alternatively, treatment with the 5-HT3 receptor agonist SR57227A (3.0 mg/kg; i.p.) decreased aggression levels. In addition, intra-hypothalamic infusions of the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron (3 µM) did not trigger aggressive behavior in naïve mice; however, the administration of ondansetron (0.3 mg/kg; i.p.) increased aggression levels in two-week SI mice, which rarely exhibited the aggressive behavior. Moreover, ondansetron did not affect the depressive-like symptoms of the SI mice. These results suggest that SI-induced up-regulation of GluR1 and GluR2 subunits protein levels in the amygdalar region and down-regulation of 5-HT3 receptor proteins level in the hypothalamic region are associated with the effect of AMPA receptor agonist and 5-HT3 receptor antagonist -induced aggressive behavior and depressive-like symptoms.

Glutamatergic input to the lateral hypothalamus stimulates ethanol intake: role of orexin and melanin-concentrating hormone.

BACKGROUND: Glutamate (GLUT) in the lateral hypothalamus (LH) has been suggested to mediate reward behaviors and may promote the ingestion of drugs of abuse. This study tested the hypothesis that GLUT in the LH stimulates consumption of ethanol ( EtOH ) and that this effect occurs, in part, via its interaction with local peptides, hypocretin/orexin (OX), and melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH). METHODS: In Experiments 1 and 2, male Sprague-Dawley rats, after being trained to drink 9% EtOH , were microinjected in the LH with N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) or its antagonist, D-AP5, or with alpha-amino-5-methyl-3-hydroxy-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) or its antagonist, CNQX-ds. Consumption of EtOH , chow, and water was then measured. To provide an anatomical control, a separate set of rats was injected 2 mm dorsal to the LH. In Experiment 3, the effect of LH injection of NMDA and AMPA on the expression of OX and MCH was measured using radiolabeled in situ hybridization (ISH) and also using digoxigenin-labeled ISH, to distinguish effects on OX and MCH cells in the LH and the nearby perifornical area (PF) and zona incerta (ZI). RESULTS: When injected into the LH, NMDA and AMPA both significantly increased EtOH intake while having no effect on chow or water intake. The GLUT receptor antagonists had the opposite effect, significantly reducing EtOH consumption. No effects were observed with injections 2 mm dorsal to the LH. In addition to these behavioral effects, LH injection of NMDA significantly stimulated expression of OX in both the LH and PF while reducing MCH in the ZI, whereas AMPA increased OX only in the LH and had no effect on MCH. CONCLUSIONS: Glutamatergic inputs to the LH, acting through NMDA and AMPA receptors, appear to have a stimulatory effect on EtOH consumption, mediated in part by increased OX in LH and PF and reduced MCH in ZI.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) augments AMPA-induced Purkinje neuron toxicity.

It is well recognized that exposure of neurons to excessive levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, termed glutamate excitotoxicity, contributes to the damage and degeneration seen in many acute and chronic neurological diseases. However, it is becoming increasingly evident that inflammation also can play a role in certain neurodegenerative diseases and inflammatory mediators, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), may directly interact with excitotoxic processes. In a postnatal rat cerebellar slice model, we found that TNF-α exacerbated AMPA-induced excitotoxicity in Purkinje neurons in a dose-dependent manner beyond the toxicity caused by AMPA alone. It also was shown that combinations of TNF-α and AMPA increased the mean intracellular activity of calpains, calcium-activated cysteine proteases that are known to contribute to cell death in Purkinje neurons. Additionally, these combinations augmented colbalt influx, a marker for calcium entry that selectively occurs through calcium permeable AMPA receptors only. Pharmacologic blockade of calcium permeable AMPA receptors with a specific antagonist, 1-naphthyl acetyl spermine (NASPM), reversed the apparent increase in AMPA receptor calcium permeability caused by TNF-α as measured by cobalt influx; caused a reduction in the Purkinje neuron calpain activity; and reversed the enhanced neurodegeneration induced by the combination of TNF-α and AMPA. From these studies we concluded that TNF-α augmented AMPA-induced toxicity in Purkinje neurons by increasing intracellular calcium flux through calcium permeable AMPA receptors, and this increase in calcium was directly involved in enhanced activation of calpains and a greater percentage of Purkinje neuron loss.

Furthering pharmacological and physiological assessment of the glutamatergic receptors at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) serve as a model for synaptic physiology. The molecular sequences of the postsynaptic glutamate receptors have been described; however, the pharmacological profile has not been fully elucidated. The postsynaptic molecular sequence suggests a novel glutamate receptor subtype. Kainate does not depolarize the muscle, but dampens evoked EPSP amplitudes. Quantal responses show a decreased amplitude and area under the voltage curve indicative of reduced postsynaptic receptor sensitivity to glutamate transmission. ATPA, a kainate receptor agonist, did not mimic kainate's action. The metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist t-ACPD had no effect. Domoic acid, a kainate/AMPA receptor agonist, blocks the postsynaptic receptors without depolarizing the muscle. However, SYM 2081, a kainate receptor agonist, did depolarize the muscle and reduce the EPSP amplitude at 1 mM but not at 0.1 mM. This supports the notion that these are generally a quisqualate subtype receptors with some oddities in the pharmacological profile. The results suggest a direct postsynaptic action of kainate due to partial antagonist action on the quisqualate receptors. There does not appear to be presynaptic auto-regulation via a kainate receptor subtype or a metabotropic auto-receptor. This study aids in furthering the pharmokinetic profiling and specificity of the receptor subtypes.

Mouse models of Rett syndrome: from behavioural phenotyping to preclinical evaluation of new therapeutic approaches.

Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, primarily affecting girls. RTT causes severe cognitive, social, motor and physiological impairments and no cure currently exists. The discovery of a monogenic origin for RTT and the subsequent generation of RTT mouse models provided a major breakthrough for RTT research. Although the characterization of these mutant mice is far from complete, they recapitulate several RTT symptoms. This review provides an overview of the behavioural domains so far investigated in these models, including the very few mouse data concerning the developmental course of RTT. Both clinical and animal studies support the presence of early defects and highlight the importance of probing the presymptomatic phase for both the precocious identification of biomarkers and the early assessment of potential therapies. Preclinical evaluations of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions so far carried out are also illustrated. In addition, genetic manipulations are reported that demonstrate rescue from the damage caused by the absence of the methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) gene even at a mature stage. Given the rare occurrence of RTT cases, transnational collaborative networks are expected to provide a deeper understanding of aetiopathology and the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Contribution of AMPA and NMDA receptors to early and late phases of LTP in hippocampal slices.

Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor mediated responses were investigated in rat hippocampal slices under 4h of long-term potentiation (LTP) expression. A modified medium containing the NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 and low concentration of Mg(2+) was used to monitor isolated AMPA responses. NMDA components were determined from composite excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) under brief (15-20 min) wash-out of AP5. LTP was induced in a medium with low concentration of AP5, resulting in an about two-fold larger increase of the AMPA component than of the NMDA component at both 1h and 4h after induction. Similar results were obtained if LTP was induced in "normal Mg(2+)" and the NMDA components were assessed at the end of experiment, from either composite or isolated NMDA EPSPs, with or without blockade of GABAergic inhibition. It is generally believed that LTP undergoes biochemical and/or structural conversions during the first few hours. Our study, however, shows constant expression of LTP, at least in terms of AMPA versus NMDA components, during this time. The data support the notion that LTP initiates as a predominant amplification of AMPA receptors and remains so for at least 4h.

Topiramate for smoking cessation.

Due to its AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)/kainate antagonism, topiramate would be particularly interesting in addiction treatment. Flexible-dose topiramate was prescribed to 13 smokers (10 smokers who wanted to stop smoking, and three who received topiramate for other reasons). Six out of 13 smokers were abstinent at 2 months and two more subjects had reduced their cigarette consumption by >50%. With one exception, temporary reduction of the number of smoked cigarettes preceded definitive abstinence at month 2. Three more subjects who achieved a momentary reduction had, however, to interrupt the treatment due to intolerable side-effects. Controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary observations.

Regionally selective and dose-dependent effects of the ampakines Org 26576 and Org 24448 on local cerebral glucose utilisation in the mouse as assessed by 14C-2-deoxyglucose autoradiography.

AMPA receptor potentiating drugs (e.g. ampakines) enhance glutamatergic neurotransmission, and may have potential therapeutic consequences in CNS disorders. The neuroanatomical basis of action for these compounds is at present unclear. This study aimed to identify the effects of two novel ampakines, Org 26576 and Org 24448, on local cerebral glucose use (LCGU) in the mouse. C57BL/6J mice received Org 26576 (0.1, 1, 10 mg/kg i.p.) or Org 24448 (3, 10, 30 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle and LCGU was assessed using 14C-2-deoxyglucose autoradiography. Both compounds produced dose-dependent increases in LCGU with specific regional activation at low doses. Org 26576 (1 mg/kg) produced significant increases in 9 of the 43 areas examined, including the anteroventral and laterodorsal thalamus, cingulate cortex, dentate gyrus and CA3 subfield of the hippocampus. Org 24448 (3 mg/kg) produced significant increases in LCGU in 4 of the 43 regions examined, including the dorsal raphe nucleus, medial lateral habenula, CA1 subfield of the hippocampus and median forebrain bundle. Furthermore, the increases in LCGU observed with both Org 26576 (10 mg/kg) and Org 24448 (10 mg/kg) were blocked by pre-treatment with the AMPA receptor antagonist NBQX (10 mg/kg). These data demonstrate that both Org 26576 and Org 24448 produce dose-dependent AMPA receptor mediated increases in LCGU and provide an anatomical basis suggestive that these drugs may be of use in the treatment of conditions such as depression or schizophrenia.

Aryl and cycloalkyl analogues of AMPA: synthetic, pharmacological and stereochemical aspects.

We have previously shown that (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (APPA, 2) is a functional partial agonist at the (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (AMPA) subtype of excitatory amino acid receptors, reflecting that (S)-APPA is a full agonist and (R)-APPA a competitive antagonist at AMPA receptors. We have now synthesized and pharmacologically characterized (RS)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-5-(2-fluorophenyl)isoxazol-4-yl]propioni c acid (2-F-APPA, 5a), 3-F-APPA (5b), 4-F-APPA (5c), (S)-4-F-APPA (6), (R)-4-F-APPA (7), and the fully and partially, respectively, saturated APPA (2) analogues, (RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-cyclohexylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid (5d) and compound 5e containing a 1-cyclohexenyl ring. The absolute stereochemistry of 6 and 7 was established on the basis of comparative circular dichroism studies on 6, 7, and (S)- and (R)-APPA. 4-F-APPA (5c), (S)-4-F-APPA (6), 5d, and 5e were shown to selectively inhibit [3H]AMPA binding and to activate AMPA receptors. Whereas (S)-4-F-APPA (6) showed full AMPA receptor agonism, (R)-4-F-APPA (7) was an AMPA receptor antagonist. Co-administration of (S)- and (R)-4-F-APPA to the rat cortical wedge preparation produced functional partial AMPA receptor agonism. Semi empirical calculations showed that the magnitude of the torsional angle of the bond connecting the two rings in the series of nonannulated bicyclic AMPA analogues appears to be of importance for the potency and efficacy of these compounds.

Excitatory amino acid receptor ligands: asymmetric synthesis, absolute stereochemistry and pharmacology of (R)- and (S)-homoibotenic acid.

The (R)- and (S)-forms of 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)propionic acid (homoibotenic acid, HIBO) were synthesized, using (S)-BOC-phenylalanine as a chiral auxiliary and their absolute stereochemistry correlated with that of (R)-Br-HIBO. The enantiomeric excesses for (R)-HIBO (1) (> 99.5%) and (S)-HIBO (2) (99.5%) were determined using chiral HPLC. Whereas compounds 1 and 2 were equipotent inhibitors of the binding of [3H]glutamic acid in the presence of calcium chloride, 2 showed AMPA agonist activity and 1 very weak NMDA agonist activity.

Presynaptic ionotropic glutamate receptors modulate in vivo release and metabolism of striatal dopamine, noradrenaline, and 5-hydroxytryptamine: involvement of both NMDA and AMPA/kainate subtypes.

In order to explore further the presynaptic modulation of monoamine release by glutamatergic nerve fibers, we investigated the effects of selective agonists for ionotropic glutamate (GLU) receptors on striatal release of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). In the striatum of anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats, in vivo microdialysis was performed to measure the release of monoamines and metabolities, and also to administer GLU agonists locally in the tissue. L-GLU and its selective agonists (N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) and kainate (KA)) evoked simultaneous release of striatal DA, NA and 5-HT in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with MK-801 (5 mg/kg i.p.), a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, selectively suppressed NMDA-evoked monoamine release. The rank order of GLU agonist efficacy in releasing monoamines was different among DA, NA, and 5-HTergic terminals: AMPA = KA > NMDA for DA release, AMPA > NMDA = KA for NA release, and NMDA = AMPA = KA for 5-HT release. In conclusion, presynaptic ionotropic GLU receptors exist extensively on monoaminergic terminals including not only catecholaminergic (DA and NA) but also indoleaminergic (5-HT) terminals in the rat striatum. Their subtypes include both NMDA subtype and AMPA/KA subtype, and show a differential distribution among these three monoaminergic terminals and a differential contribution to facilitating monoamine release.