scholarly journals Mecamylamine inhibits seizure-like activity in CA1-CA3 hippocampus through antagonism to nicotinic receptors

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Zapukhliak ◽  
Olga Netsyk ◽  
Artur Romanov ◽  
Oleksandr Maximyuk ◽  
Murat Oz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Hippocampal Network ◽  
Gaba Transmission

AbstractCholinergic modulation of hippocampal network function is implicated in multiple behavioral and cognitive states. Activation of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors affects neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission and rhythmic oscillations in the hippocampus. In this work, we study the ability of the cholinergic system to sustain hippocampal epileptiform activity independently from glutamate and GABA transmission. Simultaneous CA3 and CA1 field potential recordings were obtained during the perfusion of hippocampal slices with the aCSF containing AMPA, NMDA and GABA receptor antagonists. Under these conditions, recurrent field discharges synchronous between CA3 and CA1 were recorded. Field discharges were blocked by addition of calcium-channel blocker Cd2+ and disappeared in CA1 after a surgical cut between CA3 and CA1. Cholinergic antagonist mecamylamine abolished CA3-CA1 synchronous field discharges, while antagonists of α7 and α4β2 nAChRs – MLA and DhβE had no effect. Our results suggest that activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors is able to sustain CA3-CA1 synchronous epileptiform activity independently from AMPA NMDA and GABA transmission. In addition, mecamylamine but not α7 and α4β2 nAChRs antagonists reduce bicuculline-induced seizure-like activity. The ability of mecamylamine to decrease hippocampal network synchronization might be associated with its therapeutic effects in a wide variety of CNS disorders including addiction, depression and anxiety.

scholarly journals Mecamylamine inhibits seizure-like activity in CA1-CA3 hippocampus through antagonism to nicotinic receptors

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0240074
Author(s):  
Olha Zapukhliak ◽  
Olga Netsyk ◽  
Artur Romanov ◽  
Oleksandr Maximyuk ◽  
Murat Oz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Epileptiform Discharges ◽  
Hippocampal Network ◽  
Gaba Transmission

Cholinergic modulation of hippocampal network function is implicated in multiple behavioral and cognitive states. Activation of nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors affects neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission and rhythmic oscillations in the hippocampus. In this work, we studied the ability of the cholinergic system to sustain hippocampal epileptiform activity independently from glutamate and GABA transmission. Simultaneous CA3 and CA1 field potential recordings were obtained during the perfusion of hippocampal slices with the aCSF containing AMPA, NMDA and GABA receptor antagonists. Under these conditions, spontaneous epileptiform discharges synchronous between CA3 and CA1 were recorded. Epileptiform discharges were blocked by addition of the calcium-channel blocker Cd2+ and disappeared in CA1 after a surgical cut between CA3 and CA1. Cholinergic antagonist mecamylamine abolished CA3-CA1 synchronous epileptiform discharges, while antagonists of α7 and α4β2 nAChRs, MLA and DhβE, had no effect. Our results suggest that activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can sustain CA3-CA1 synchronous epileptiform activity independently from AMPA, NMDA and GABA transmission. In addition, mecamylamine, but not α7 and α4β2 nAChRs antagonists, reduced bicuculline-induced seizure-like activity. The ability of mecamylamine to decrease hippocampal network synchronization might be associated with its therapeutic effects in a wide variety of CNS disorders including addiction, depression and anxiety.

scholarly journals Mecamylamine modulates epileptiform discharges in low-Mg2+ model of epilepsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15
Author(s):  
O.S. Zapukhliak ◽  
◽  
D.S. Isaev ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Brain Slices ◽  
Network Activity ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Epileptiform Discharges

Mecamylamine is a nonselective antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that was developed as an antihypertensive medication and is now being studied for its beneficial effects in several pathological conditions, such as substance abuse, depression, anxiety and epilepsy. In this work, we investigate the effect of mecamylamine on the manifestations of seizure-like activity evoked by perfusion of hippocampal slices with low-Mg2+ solution of artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Reducing Mg2+ concentration in extracellular solution induced two distinct types of epileptiform activity: recurring seizure-like activity and continuous discharges. Application of mecamylamine significantly increased internal frequency of recurring seizurelike activity and significantly decreased inter-event intervals between continuous discharges. We also show that mecamylamine significantly decreased internal frequency of continuous epileptiform discharges. The results of our work show that mecamylamine exerts modulatory effect on the low-Mg2+ epileptiform activity induced in hippocampal acute rat brain slices. Additionally, obtained results indicate the role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the modulation of hippocampal network activity, which might explain some of the therapeutic effects of mecamylamine in CNS.

Aluminum Suppresses Effect of Nicotine on Gamma Oscillations (20-40 Hz) in Mouse Hippocampal Slices

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 404-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syeda Mehpara Farhat ◽  
Touqeer Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Cholinergic System ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Peak Power ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Gamma Oscillations ◽  
Gamma Oscillation ◽  
Facilitatory Effect

Background: Aluminum (Al) causes neurodegeneration and its toxic effects on cholinergic system in the brain is well documented. However, it is unknown whether and how Al changes oscillation patterns, driven by the cholinergic system, in the hippocampus. Objective: We studied acute effects of Al on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs)-mediated modulation of persistent gamma oscillations in the hippocampus. Method: The field potential recording was done in CA3 area of acute hippocampal slices. Results: Carbachol-induced gamma oscillation peak power increased (1.32±0.09mV2/Hz, P<0.01) in control conditions (without Al) by application of 10µM nicotine as compared to baseline value normalized to 1. This nicotine-induced facilitation of gamma oscillation peak power was found to depend on non-α7 nAChRs. In slices with Al pre-incubation for three to four hours, gamma oscillation peak power was reduced (5.4±1.8mV2/Hz, P<0.05) and facilitatory effect of nicotine on gamma oscillation peak power was blocked as compared to the control (18.06±2.1mV2/Hz) or one hour Al pre-incubated slices (11.3±2.5mV2/Hz). Intriguingly wash-out, after three to four hours of Al incubation, failed to restore baseline oscillation power and its facilitation by nicotine as no difference was observed in gamma oscillation peak power between Al wash-out slices (3.4±1.1mV2/Hz) and slices without washout (3.6±0.9mV2/Hz). Conclusion: This study shows that at cellular level, exposure of hippocampal tissue to Al compromised nAChR-mediated facilitation of cholinergic hippocampal gamma oscillations. Longer in vitro Al exposure caused permanent changes in hippocampal oscillogenic circuitry and changed its sensitivity to nAChR-modulation. This study will help to understand the possible mechanism of cognitive decline induced by Al.

Modulation of Burst Frequency, Duration, and Amplitude in the Zero-Ca2+ Model of Epileptiform Activity

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (5) ◽  
pp. 2262-2270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marom Bikson ◽  
Rahul S. Ghai ◽  
Scott C. Baraban ◽  
Dominique M. Durand
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Burst Frequency ◽  
Pharmacological Agents ◽  
Low Concentration ◽  
Burst Amplitude

Incubation of hippocampal slices in zero-Ca2+ medium blocks synaptic transmission and results in spontaneous burst discharges. This seizure-like activity is characterized by negative shifts (bursts) in the extracellular field potential and a K+ wave that propagates across the hippocampus. To isolate factors related to seizure initiation, propagation, and termination, a number of pharmacological agents were tested. K+ influx and efflux mechanisms where blocked with cesium, barium, tetraethylammonium (TEA), and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). The effect of the gap junction blockers, heptanol and octanol, on zero-Ca2+ bursting was evaluated. Neuronal excitability was modulated with tetrodotoxin (TTX), charge screening, and applied electric fields. Glial cell function was examined with a metabolism antagonist (fluroacetate). Neuronal hyperpolarization by cation screening or applied fields decreased burst frequency but did not affect burst amplitude or duration. Heptanol attenuated burst amplitude and duration at low concentration (0.2 mM), and blocked bursting at higher concentration (0.5 mM). CsCl2 (1 mM) had no effect, whereas high concentrations (1 mM) of BaCl2 blocked bursting. TEA (25 mM) and low concentration of BaCl2 (300 μM) resulted in a two- to sixfold increase in burst duration. Fluroacetate also blocked burst activity but only during prolonged application (>3 h). Our results demonstrate that burst frequency, amplitude, and duration can be independently modulated and suggest that neuronal excitability plays a central role in burst initiation, whereas potassium dynamics establish burst amplitude and duration.

Nonsynaptic epileptogenesis in the mammalian hippocampus in vitro. I. Development of seizurelike activity in low extracellular calcium

1986 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Konnerth ◽  
U. Heinemann ◽  
Y. Yaari
Keyword(s):  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Field Potential ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Discharge Zone ◽  
Critical Threshold ◽  
Mean Velocity ◽  
Stratum Pyramidale ◽  
Ca1 Area

Epileptiform activity induced in rat hippocampal slices by lowering extracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]o) was studied with extracellular and intracellular recordings. Perfusing the slices with low Ca2+ (less than or equal to 0.2 mM) or EGTA-containing solutions blocked the synaptic responses of hippocampal pyramidal cells (HPCs). Despite the block, spontaneous paroxysms, termed seizurelike events (SLEs), appeared in the CA1 area and then recurred regularly at a stable frequency. Transient hypoxia accelerated their development and increased their frequency. When [Ca2+]o was raised in a stepwise manner, the SLEs disappeared at 0.3 mM. With extracellular recording from the CA1 stratum pyramidale, a SLE was characterized by a large negative shift in the field potential, which lasted for several seconds. During this period a large population of CA1 neurons discharged intensely and often in synchrony, as concluded from the frequent appearance of population spikes. Synchronization, however, was not a necessary precursor for the development of paroxysmal activity, but seemed to be the end result of massive neuronal excitation. The cellular counterpart of a SLE, as revealed by intracellular recording from HPCs in the discharge zone of the paroxysms, was a long-lasting depolarization shift (LDS) of up to 20 mV. This was accompanied by accelerated firing of the neuron. A prolonged after-hyperpolarization succeeded each LDS and arrested cell firing. Brief (approximately 50 ms) bursts were commonly observed before LDS onset. Single electrical stimuli applied focally to the stratum pyramidale or alveus evoked paroxysms identical to the spontaneous SLEs, provided they surpassed a critical threshold intensity. Subthreshold stimuli elicited only small local responses, whereas stimuli of varied suprathreshold intensities evoked the same maximal SLEs. Thus the buildup of a SLE is an all or nothing or a regenerative process, which mobilizes the majority, if not all, of the local neuronal population. Each SLE was followed by absolute and relative refractory periods during which focal stimulation was, respectively, ineffective and less effective in evoking a maximal SLE. In most slices the spontaneous SLEs commenced at a "focus" located in the CA1a subarea (near the subiculum). SLEs evoked by focal stimulation arose near the stimulating electrode. From their site of origin the paroxysmal discharges spread transversely through the entire CA1 area at a mean velocity of 1.74 mm/s. Consequently, the discharge zone of a SLE could encompass for several seconds the entire CA1 area.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Conditions Sufficient for Nonsynaptic Epileptogenesis in the CA1 Region of Hippocampal Slices

2002 ◽  
Vol 87 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marom Bikson ◽  
Scott C. Baraban ◽  
Dominique M. Durand
Keyword(s):  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Epileptiform Activity ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Seizure Threshold ◽  
Ion Selective Electrodes ◽  
Receptor Antagonists ◽  
Sodium Conductance ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Persistent Sodium Conductance

Nonsynaptic mechanisms exert a powerful influence on seizure threshold. It is well-established that nonsynaptic epileptiform activity can be induced in hippocampal slices by reducing extracellular Ca2+ concentration. We show here that nonsynaptic epileptiform activity can be readily induced in vitro in normal (2 mM) Ca2+ levels. Those conditions sufficient for nonsynaptic epileptogenesis in the CA1 region were determined by pharmacologically mimicking the effects of Ca2+ reduction in normal Ca2+ levels. Increasing neuronal excitability, by removing extracellular Mg2+ and increasing extracellular K+ (6–15 mM), induced epileptiform activity that was suppressed by postsynaptic receptor antagonists [d-(−)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid, picrotoxin, and 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione] and was therefore synaptic in nature. Similarly, epileptiform activity induced when neuronal excitability was increased in the presence of KCaantagonists (verruculogen, charybdotoxin, norepinephrine, tetraethylammonium salt, and Ba2+) was found to be synaptic in nature. Decreases in osmolarity also failed to induce nonsynaptic epileptiform activity in the CA1 region. However, increasing neuronal excitability (by removing extracellular Mg2+ and increasing extracellular K+) in the presence of Cd2+, a nonselective Ca2+channel antagonist, or veratridine, a persistent sodium conductance enhancer, induced spontaneous nonsynaptic epileptiform activity in vitro. Both novel models were characterized using intracellular and ion-selective electrodes. The results of this study suggest that reducing extracellular Ca2+ facilitates bursting by increasing neuronal excitability and inhibiting Ca2+ influx, which might, in turn, enhance a persistent sodium conductance. Furthermore, these data show that nonsynaptic mechanisms can contribute to epileptiform activity in normal Ca2+ levels.

scholarly journals Presynaptic cholinergic neuromodulation alters the temporal dynamics of short-term depression at parvalbumin-positive basket cell synapses from juvenile CA1 mouse hippocampus

2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 2408-2419 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Josh Lawrence ◽  
Heikki Haario ◽  
Emily F. Stone
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Cell ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Calcium Transient ◽  
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Presynaptic Calcium

Parvalbumin-positive basket cells (PV BCs) of the CA1 hippocampus are active participants in theta (5–12 Hz) and gamma (20–80 Hz) oscillations in vivo. When PV BCs are driven at these frequencies in vitro, inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in synaptically connected CA1 pyramidal cells exhibit paired-pulse depression (PPD) and multiple-pulse depression (MPD). Moreover, PV BCs express presynaptic muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) that may be activated by synaptically released acetylcholine during learning behaviors in vivo. Using acute hippocampal slices from the CA1 hippocampus of juvenile PV-GFP mice, we performed whole cell recordings from synaptically connected PV BC-CA1 pyramidal cell pairs to investigate how bath application of 10 μM muscarine impacts PPD and MPD at CA1 PV BC-pyramidal cell synapses. In accordance with previous studies, PPD and MPD magnitude increased with stimulation frequency. mAChR activation reduced IPSC amplitude and transiently reduced PPD, but MPD was largely maintained. Consistent with a reduction in release probability ( pr), MPD and mAChR activation increased both the coefficient of variation of IPSC amplitudes and the fraction of failures. Using variance-mean analysis, we converted MPD trains to pr functions and developed a kinetic model that optimally fit six distinct pr conditions. The model revealed that vesicular depletion caused MPD and that recovery from depression was dependent on calcium. mAChR activation reduced the presynaptic calcium transient fourfold and initial pr twofold, thereby reducing PPD. However, mAChR activation slowed calcium-dependent recovery from depression during sustained repetitive activity, thereby preserving MPD. Thus the activation of presynaptic mAChRs optimally protects PV BCs from vesicular depletion during short bursts of high-frequency activity.

scholarly journals Revisiting nicotine’s role in the ageing brain and cognitive impairment

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 767-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Majdi ◽  
Farzin Kamari ◽  
Manouchehr Seyedi Vafaee ◽  
Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Molecular Pathways ◽  
Pharmacological Chaperone ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Brain Ageing

AbstractBrain ageing is a complex process which in its pathologic form is associated with learning and memory dysfunction or cognitive impairment. During ageing, changes in cholinergic innervations and reduced acetylcholinergic tonus may trigger a series of molecular pathways participating in oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, amyloid-β toxicity, apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and perturb neurotrophic factors in the brain. Nicotine is an exogenous agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and acts as a pharmacological chaperone in the regulation of nAChR expression, potentially intervening in age-related changes in diverse molecular pathways leading to pathology. Although nicotine has therapeutic potential, paradoxical effects have been reported, possibly due to its inverted U-shape dose-response effects or pharmacokinetic factors. Additionally, nicotine administration should result in optimum therapeutic effects without imparting abuse potential or toxicity. Overall, this review aims to compile the previous and most recent data on nicotine and its effects on cognition-related mechanisms and age-related cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial antagonist polyamides from tunicates and their predatory sea slugs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noemi D. Paguigan ◽  
Jortan O. Tun ◽  
Lee S. Leavitt ◽  
Zhenjian Lin ◽  
Kevin Chase ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
Partial Agonist ◽  
Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptors ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Calcium Flux ◽  
Nicotinic Acetylcholine ◽  
Chemical Structures ◽  
Α7 Nachr

In our efforts to discover new drugs to treat pain, we identified molleamines A-E (1-5) as major neuroactive components of the sea slug, Pleurobranchus forskalii and their prey, Didemnum molle tunicates. The chemical structures of molleamines were elucidated by spectroscopy and confirmed by the total synthesis of molleamines A (1) and C (3). Synthetic 3 completely blocked acetylcholine-induced calcium flux in peptidergic nociceptors (PNs) in the somatosensory nervous system. Compound 3 affected neither the α7 nAChR nor the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in calcium flux assays. In addition to nociceptors, 3 partially blocked the acetylcholine-induced calcium flux in the sympathetic nervous system, including neurons from the superior cervical ganglion. Electrophysiology revealed a block of α3β4 (mouse) and α6/α3β4 (rat) nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), with IC50 values of 1.4 and 3.1 μM, respectively. Molleamine C (3) is a partial antagonist, reaching a maximum block of 76-82% of the acetylcholine signal and showing no partial agonist response. Molleamine C (3) may thus provide a lead compound for the development of neuroactive compounds with unique biological properties.

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