Study pharmacologic of the GABAergic and glutamatergic drugs on seizures and status epilepticus induced by pilocarpine in adult Wistar rats

This work was designed to study the influence of drugs during seizures and status epilepticus (SE) induced by pilocarpine and mortality in adult rats. Glutamate (10 and 20 mg/kg), N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA, 5 and 10 mg/kg), ketamine (1.5 and 2.0 mg/kg), gabapentin (200 and 250 mg/kg), phenobarbital (50 and 100 mg/kg) and vigabatrin (250 and 500 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally, 30 min prior to pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.). The animals were observed (24 h) to determine: number of peripheral cholinergic signs, tremors, stereotyped movements, seizures, SE, latency to first seizure and number of deaths after pilocarpine treatment. NMDA and glutamate had pro-convulsive effects in both doses tested. Smaller and higher doses of these drugs no protected and increased pilocarpine-induced seizures and/or mortality. Gabapentin, vigabatrin, phenobarbital and ketamine protected against seizures and increased the latency to first seizure. Thus, these results suggest that caution should be taken in the selection of pharmacotherapy and dosages for patients with seizures and SE because of the possibility of facility the convulsive process toxicity, SE and the mortality of adult animals in this seizures model that is similar temporal lobo epilepsy in humans.     

Preconditioning ischemia attenuates increased neurexin-neuroligin1-PSD-95 interaction after transient cerebral ischemia in rat hippocampus

In this study, we investigated the interactions between synapse adhesion molecules neurexin, neuroligin1, neuroligin2 and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) in transient cerebral ischemia and possible regulatory mechanism of these interactions. Our data show that preconditioning ischemia can down-regulate the increased neurexin-neuroligin1-PSD-95 interaction induced by ischemia injury and exerts a neuroprotective effect. Pre-treatment of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine can demolish this neuroprotective effect of preconditioning by increasing neurexin-neuroligin1-PSD-95 interaction. These results indicate that the neurexin-neuroligin1-PSD-95 is an important signalling module in ischemic injury and a novel possible target in therapeutics of brain ischemia.     

Characterization of the anticonvulsant profile of isonicotinic acid benzylamide in various experimental seizure models in mice

This study focused on the evaluation of anticonvulsant properties of isonicotinic acid benzylamide (iso-Nic-BZA) in numerous experimental seizure models (maximal electroshock [MES]-, bicuculline [BIC]-, pentylenetetrazole [PTZ]-, pilocarpine [PILO]-, alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid [AMPA]-, kainic acid [KA]- and N-methyl-d-aspartic acid [NMDA]-induced seizures). Moreover, acute adverse-effect profile of the agent with respect to impairment of motor coordination was assessed in animals subjected to the chimney test. The evaluation of time-course and dose-response relationships for iso-Nic-BZA provided evidence that the compound produced the peak to maximum antielectroshock action and acute adverse effects at 5min after its systemic (i.p.) administration. Iso-Nic-BZA exerted a clear-cut anticonvulsant action against maximal electroshock-induced seizures in mice and its ED(50) value was 70.6 (56.4-88.4)mg/kg. The assessment of acute adverse effects in the chimney test revealed that the agent produced acute neurotoxic effects and its TD(50) value was 135.6 (108.8-169.0)mg/kg. Additionally, iso-Nic-BZA showed the anticonvulsant activity in numerous chemically-induced seizures (AMPA-, BIC-, KA-, and PTZ-evoked clonic convulsions), remaining virtually ineffective (at doses up to 200mg/kg) in PILO- and NMDA-induced seizures in mice. Based on this study, one can conclude that iso-Nic-BZA due to the short time to peak of its maximum anticonvulsant effects (5min after its i.p. administration), deserves more attention as a potential antiepileptic drug for patients in status epilepticus.     

Potassium 2-（1-hydroxypentyl）-benzoate promotes long-term potentiation in Aβ1-42-injected rats and APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Aim： Potassium 2-（1-hydroxypentyl）-benzoate （d/-PHPB） is a new drug candidate for ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dI-PHPB on memory deficits and long-term potentiation （LTP） impairment in animal models of Alzheimer＇s disease. Methods： The expression of NMDA receptor subunits GluN1 and GluN2B in the hippocampus and cortex of APP/PS1 transgenic mice were detected using Western blot analysis. Memory deficits of the mice were evaluated with the passive avoidance test. LTP impairment was studied in the dentate region of Aβ1-42-injected rats and APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Results： APP/PS1 transgenic mice showed significantly lower levels of GluN1 and p-GluN2B in hippocampus, and chronic administration of dI-PHPB （100 mg·kg-1·d1, po） reversed the downregulation of p-GluN2B, but did not change GluN1 level in the hippocampus. Furthermore, chronic administration of d/-PHPB reversed the memory deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. In the dentate region of normal rats, injection of dI-PHPB （100 μmol/L, icv） did not change the basal synaptic transmission, but significantly enhanced the high-frequency stimulation （HFS）-induced LTP, which was completely prevented by pre-injection of APV （150 μmol/L, icv）. Chronic administration of dI-PHPB （100 mg·kg-1·d-1, po） reversed LTP impairment in Aβ1-42 -injected normal rats and APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Conclusion： Chronic administration of d/-PHPB improves learning and memory and promotes LTP in the animal models of Alzheimer＇s disease, possibly via increasing p-GluN2B expression in the hippocampus.     

Two Patients With a GRIN2A Mutation and Childhood-onset Epilepsy

BackgroundN-methyl-d-aspartate is a key neurotransmitter within the central nervous system and its dysfunction can play an important role in epilepsy. Mutations of genes involving the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor have been implicated in a wide variety of neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, specifically, within the glutamate receptor ionotropic N-methyl-d-aspartate 2A (GRIN2A).PatientsWe report two patients with a glutamate receptor ionotropic N-methyl-d-aspartate 2A mutation who presented with epilepsy.ConclusionsIndividuals with a glutamate receptor ionotropic N-methyl-d-aspartate 2A mutation exhibit a broad clinical spectrum.     

Review of Dextromethorphan Administration in 18 Patients With Subacute Methotrexate Central Nervous System Toxicity

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of methotrexate central nervous system toxicity is multifactorial, but it is likely related to central nervous system folate homeostasis. The use of folinate rescue has been described to decrease toxicity in patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. It has also been described in previous studies that there is an elevated level of homocysteine in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients who had received intrathecal methotrexate. Homocysteine is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor agonist. The use of dextromethorphan, noncompetitive N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor receptor antagonist, has been used in the treatment of sudden onset of neurological dysfunction associated with methotrexate toxicity. It remains unclear whether the dextromethorphan impacted the speed of recovery, and its use remains controversial. This study reviews the use of dextromethorphan in the setting of subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity.MethodsCharts of 18 patients who had sudden onset of neurological impairments after receiving methotrexate and were treated with dextromethorphan were reviewed.ResultThe use of dextromethorphan in most of our patients resulted in symptomatic improvement. In this patient population, earlier administration of dextromethorphan resulted in faster improvement of impairments and led to prevention of recurrence of seizure activity induced by methotrexate central nervous system toxicity.ConclusionsOur study provides support for the use of dextromethorphan in patients with subacute methotrexate central nervous system toxicity.     

White Matter Injuries Induced by MK‐801 in a Mouse Model of Schizophrenia Based on NMDA Antagonism

The etiology of schizophrenia (SZ) is complex and largely unknown. Neuroimaging and postmortem studies have suggested white matter disturbances in SZ. In the present study, we tested the white matter deficits hypothesis of SZ using a mouse model of SZ induced by NMDA receptor antagonist MK‐801. We found that mice with repeated chronic MK‐801 administration showed increased locomotor activity in the open field test, less exploration of a novel environment in the hole‐board test, and increased anxiety in the elevated plus maze but no impairments were observed in coordination or motor function on accelerating rota‐rod. The total white matter volume and corpus callosum volume in mice treated with MK‐801 were significantly decreased compared to control mice treated with saline. Myelin basic protein and 2′, 3′‐cyclic nucleotide 3′‐phosphodiesterase were also significantly decreased in the mouse model of SZ. Furthermore, we observed degenerative changes of myelin sheaths in the mouse model of SZ. These results provide further evidence of white matter deficits in SZ and indicate that the animal model of SZ induced by MK‐801 is a useful model to investigate mechanisms underlying white matter abnormalities in SZ. Anat Rec, 297:1498–1507, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

NMDA-NR1 receptor subunit mRNA expression in rat brain after 6-OH-dopamine induced lesions: A non-isotopic in situ hybridization study

Antisense digoxigenin-labeled deoxyoligonucleotides probes and non-isotopic in situ hybridization (HIS) techniques have been used to explore the NMDA-NR1 receptor subunit mRNA distribution in different brain areas of rats which had their dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway previously lesioned with intracerebral administration of 6-OH-dopamine (6-OH-DA). Intense and significant hybridization signals for NR1 mRNA were found in dentate gyrus and regions CA₁-CA₂-CA₃ of the hippocampus, in layers II-III and V-VI of the cerebral cortex, and in the cerebellum of sham-treated rats. Basal ganglia structures such as the striatum exhibited few NR1 mRNA hybridization signals as compared to the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. In contrast, both zona compacta and reticulata of substantia nigra (SN) showed a reduced number of cells with nevertheless intense NR1 mRNA HIS signals. The NR1 mRNA distribution in the brain was affected in a brain regional selective manner by 6-OH-DA induced lesions of DA neuronal systems. A striking increase in NR1 mRNA HIS signals was observed in both striata after unilateral lesioning with 6-OH-DA. Instead, in SN compacta but not in reticulata, a moderate but significant bilateral reduction of NR1 mRNA was observed after unilateral 6-OH-DA injection. No significant changes in NR1 mRNA were detected in cerebral cortex and other brain regions after 6-OH-DA treatment. These studies, and others reported in the literature, support the view that extensive lesions of nigrostriatal DA-containing neurons in the brain may trigger compensatory or adaptative responses in basal ganglia structures such as striatum and substantia nigra which involve glutamatergic neurons and the genic expression of NMDA receptors. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

NMDA受体NR2B基因对海马成年新生神经元生存的影响

目的:研究NMDA受体NR2B基因对海马成年新生神经元生存的影响。方法:通过Cre-loxp重组酶系统构建NMDA受体NR2B亚型基因单细胞敲除模型。观察NR2B基因敲除神经元的存活情况及其形态发生。结果:在逆转录病毒注射后7、17、28、56 d,NR2Bfl/fl小鼠中,成年海马新生神经元生存比例在各观察时间点一致,与同组野生型神经元无显著性差异。NR2B基因敲除神经元神经元大体形态分化发育与野生型神经元类似,但在17、28 d时顶端树突上的棘突发生显著减少(P<0.01)。结论:NMDA受体NR2B亚型基因敲除对海马成年新生神经元生存无显著性影响,但可影响突触发生。