Positive allosteric modulation of nicotinic receptors: a new hope to treat cognitive deficits?

• Autorzy: Potasiewicz A. , Nikiforuk A. , Popik P.
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α7-nAChRs) represent the promising target for the development of new therapies of cognitive dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. Activation of these receptors produces procognitive effects. Recent data suggest that the positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of α7-nAChRs may demonstrate a more favorable pharmacological profile than the orthosteric agonists. However, little is known about the potential efficacy of α7-nAChRs PAMs on cognitive processes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the PNU 120596, an α7-nAChRs PAM (1 and 3 mg/kg, ip), on cognitive processes in rats. We used odor span test (OST), novel object recognition (NOR) task and 5-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRTT) to assess the working memory capacity, episodic memory and attention, respectively. The compound enhanced episodic memory tested 24 h following its administration, however, PNU-120596 did not affect rat’s performance in OST and 5-CSRTT. The present study demonstrates the beneficial effects of PNU 120596 on some aspects of cognition in rats tested in cognition-unimpaired conditions. Further studies are now ongoing to evaluate the efficacy of this compound in cognition-deficit based models. Supported by the Polish National Science Centre grant NCN 2012/07/B/NZ/01150.

• Wydawca: -
• Czasopismo: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis
• Rocznik: 2014
• Tom: 74
• Numer: 3
• Opis fizyczny: p.362-363

Twórcy

autor

Potasiewicz A.

• Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland

autor

Nikiforuk A.

• Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland

autor

Popik P.

• Department of Behavioral Neuroscience and Drug Development, Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland