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 ◽  
...  

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.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olha Zapukhliak ◽  
Olga Netsyk ◽  
Artur Romanov ◽  
Oleksandr Maximyuk ◽  
Murat Oz ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-15
Author(s):  
O.S. Zapukhliak ◽  
◽  
D.S. Isaev ◽  

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 404-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syeda Mehpara Farhat ◽  
Touqeer Ahmed

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.


1986 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 409-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Konnerth ◽  
U. Heinemann ◽  
Y. Yaari

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)


1996 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 4185-4189 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Hirsch ◽  
O. Quesada ◽  
M. Esclapez ◽  
H. Gozlan ◽  
Y. Ben-Ari ◽  
...  

1. Graded N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent epileptiform discharges were recorded from ex vivo hippocampal slices obtained from rats injected a week earlier with an intracerebroventricular dose of kainic acid. Intracellular recordings from pyramidal cells of the CA1 area showed that glutamate NMDAR actively participated in synaptic transmission, even at resting membrane potential. When NMDAR were pharmacologically isolated, graded burst discharges could still be evoked. 2. The oxidizing reagent 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB, 200 microM, 15 min) suppressed the late part of the epileptiform burst that did not recover after wash but could be reinstated by the reducing agent tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine (TCEP, 200 microM, 15 min) and again abolished with the NMDA antagonist D-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-APV). 3. Pharmacologically isolated NMDAR-mediated responses were decreased by DTNB (56 +/- 10%, mean +/- SD, n = 6), an effect reversed by TCEP. 4. When only the fast glutamateric synaptic component was blocked, NMDA-dependent excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) could be evoked despite the presence of underlying fast and slow inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). DTNB decreased EPSPs to 48 +/- 12% (n = 5) of control. 5. Since a decrease of the NMDAR-mediated response by +/- 50% is sufficient to suppress the late part of the burst, we suggest that epileptiform activity can be controlled by manipulation of the redox sites of NMDAR. Our observations raise the possibility of developing new anticonvulsant drugs that would spare alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-R (AMPAR)-mediated synaptic responses and decrease NMDAR-mediated synaptic transmission without blocking it completely.


1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 1574-1585 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. V. Colom ◽  
P. Saggau

1. The sites of origin of spontaneous interictal-like epileptiform activity in hippocampal slices from guinea pig, mouse, and rat were determined. A multisite fast optical recording technique using voltage-sensitive dyes and an array of 100 photodiodes was employed. The use of a low-magnification objective lens allowed the visualization of almost the entire transverse hippocampal slice. Three in vitro models of epilepsy were employed, utilizing different manipulations of the bath perfusion medium to induce epileptiform activity: 1) raising the external potassium (K+) concentration, 2) adding the potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), and 3) adding antagonists of gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors (bicuculline and picrotoxin, BIC-PTX). 2. Spontaneous epileptiform discharges were detected in each subfield of cornu ammonis (CA) but not in the dentate gyrus (DG) of each studied species. Preliminary experiments confirmed that interictal-like epileptiform activity originated in the CA2-CA3 region. Ictal-like activity was never observed in our experiments. 3. In the guinea pig, when GABAA antagonists were employed, the site of origin of spontaneous epileptiform discharges was consistently located in the CA2-CA3a region. When high K+ or 4-AP was used, this region was the most frequent site of origin. Subsequent epileptiform discharges with similar sites of origin occasionally invaded different areas of the CA2-CA3 region, revealing a variable area of occupance of epileptiform discharges. 4. In the mouse and rat, the site of origin of spontaneous discharges was invariably located in the CA3b-CA3c region independent of the epilepsy model. 5. In both the guinea pig and rat, when the CA2-CA3a region was surgically separated from the CA3b-CA3c region, independent discharges were observed in both regions. Areas that could generate discharges only under certain epileptogenic conditions were found in these species (potential sites of origin). Two independent sites of origin with different propagation patterns and area of occupance were occasionally observed within the CA2-CA3a region. 6. In the guinea pig, such lesions demonstrated that both regions can independently generate epileptiform discharges at different frequencies. When high K+ or 4-AP was employed, epileptiform activity was observed in both regions. Although BIC-PTX only generated discharges in the CA2-CA3a region, a subsequent increase in K+ induced additional discharges in the CA3b-CA3c region, revealing a potential site of origin. 7. In rat hippocampal slices with such lesions, spontaneous epileptiform discharges were observed in both CA2-CA3a and CA3b-CA3c region when 4-AP was employed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


2015 ◽  
Vol 113 (7) ◽  
pp. 2408-2419 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Josh Lawrence ◽  
Heikki Haario ◽  
Emily F. Stone

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 172-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agustin Liotta ◽  
Gürsel Çalışkan ◽  
Rizwan ul Haq ◽  
Jan O. Hollnagel ◽  
Anton Rösler ◽  
...  

Sharp wave–ripple complexes (SPW-Rs) in the intact rodent hippocampus are characterized by slow field potential transients superimposed by close to 200-Hz ripple oscillations. Similar events have been recorded in hippocampal slices where SPW-Rs occur spontaneously or can be induced by repeated application of high-frequency stimulation, a standard protocol for induction of long-lasting long-term potentiation. Such stimulation is reminiscent of protocols used to induce kindling epilepsy and ripple oscillations may be predictive of the epileptogenic zone in temporal lobe epilepsy. In the present study, we investigated the relation between recurrent epileptiform discharges (REDs) and SPW-Rs by studying effects of partial removal of inhibition. In particular, we compared the effects of nicotine, low-dose bicuculline methiodide (BMI), and elevated extracellular potassium concentration ([K+]o) on induced SPW-Rs. We show that nicotine dose-dependently transformed SPW-Rs into REDs. This transition was associated with reduced inhibitory conductance in CA3 pyramidal cells. Similar results were obtained from slices where the GABAergic conductance was reduced by application of low concentrations of BMI (1–2 μM). In contrast, sharp waves were diminished by phenobarbital. Elevating [K+]o from 3 to 8.5 mM did not transform SPW-Rs into REDs but significantly increased their incidence and amplitude. Under these conditions, the equilibrium potential for inhibition was shifted in depolarizing direction, whereas inhibitory conductance was significantly increased. Interestingly, the propensity of elevated [K+]o to induce seizure-like events was reduced in slices where SPW-Rs had been induced. In conclusion, recruitment of inhibitory cells during SPW-Rs may serve as a mechanism by which hyperexcitation and eventually seizure generation might be prevented.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 767-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Majdi ◽  
Farzin Kamari ◽  
Manouchehr Seyedi Vafaee ◽  
Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad

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.


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