Clozapine functions through the prefrontal cortex serotonin 1A receptor to heighten neuronal activity via calmodulin kinase II-NMDA receptor interactions

Aberrant dopamine release in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is believed to underlie schizophrenia, but the mechanistic pathway through which a widely used antipsychotic, clozapine (Clz), evokes neurotransmitter-releasing electrical stimulation is unclear. We analyzed Clz-evoked regulation of neuronal activity in the PFC by stimulating axons in layers IV and V and recording the electrical effect in the post-synaptic pyramidal cells of layers II and III. We observed a Clz-evoked increase in population spike (PS), which was mediated by serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT(1A)-R), phospholipase Cβ, and Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Immunoblotting demonstrated that the Clz-activation of CaMKII was 5-HT(1A)-R-mediated. Intriguingly, the NMDA receptor (NMDA-R) antagonist (±)2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (APV) eliminated the Clz-mediated increase in PS, suggesting that the 5-HT(1A)-R, NMDA-R and CaMKII form a synergistic triad, which boosts excitatory post-synaptic potential (EPSP), thereby enhancing PS. In corroboration, Clz as well as NMDA augmented field EPSP (fEPSP), and WAY100635 (a 5-HT(1A)-R antagonist), APV, and a CaMKII inhibitor eliminated this increase. As previously shown, CaMKII binds to the NMDA-R 2B (NR2B) subunit to become constitutively active, thereby inducing α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionate (AMPA) receptor recruitment to the post-synaptic membrane and an increase in fEPSP. Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated that Clz potentiates interactions among CaMKII, NR2B, and 5-HT(1A)-R, possibly in the membrane rafts of the post-synaptic density (PSD), because pretreatment with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD), an agent that disrupts rafts, inhibited both co-immunoprecipitation as well as fEPSP. In summary, Clz functions in the PFC by orchestrating a synergism among 5-HT(1A)-R, CaMKII, and NMDA-R, which augments excitability in the PFC neurons of layers II/III.     

Testosterone is positively associated with risk taking in the Iowa Gambling Task

The association between testosterone and economic risk is not well-understood and is understudied. The present study aimed to further characterize what if any relationship testosterone has with risky economic decisions. To do so, 154 participants (78 men) completed the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) (Bechara et al., 1994) and also provided saliva samples, which were assayed for endogenous testosterone levels using radioimmunoassay. High-levels of endogenous testosterone were associated with choosing less frequently from advantageous IGT decks of cards, indicating greater risk taking. The data showed that the effects of testosterone on IGT performance were similar for men and women. High-testosterone women and high-testosterone men made riskier choices than their low-testosterone counterparts of the same sex, and this effect was pronounced in women. Thus, high levels of testosterone are associated with willingness to incur greater risk in both sexes.     

Density and function of central serotonin (5-HT) transporters, 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, and effects of their targeting on BTBR T+tf/J mouse social behavior

BTBR mice are potentially useful tools for autism research because their behavior parallels core social interaction impairments and restricted-repetitive behaviors. Altered regulation of central serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission may underlie such behavioral deficits. To test this, we compared 5-HT transporter (SERT), 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptor densities among BTBR and C57 strains. Autoradiographic [(3) H] cyanoimipramine (1 nM) binding to SERT was 20-30% lower throughout the adult BTBR brain as compared to C57BL/10J mice. In hippocampal membrane homogenates, [(3) H] citalopram maximal binding (B(max) ) to SERT was 95 ± 13 fmol/mg protein in BTBR and 171 ± 20 fmol/mg protein in C57BL/6J mice, and the BTBR dissociation constant (K(D) ) was 2.0 ± 0.3 nM versus 1.1 ± 0.2 in C57BL/6J mice. Hippocampal 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) receptor binding was similar among strains. However, 8-OH-DPAT-stimulated [(35) S] GTPγS binding in the BTBR hippocampal CA(1) region was 28% higher, indicating elevated 5-HT(1A) capacity to activate G-proteins. In BTBR mice, the SERT blocker, fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) and the 5-HT(1A) receptor partial-agonist, buspirone (2 mg/kg) enhanced social interactions. The D(2) /5-HT(2) receptor antagonist, risperidone (0.1 mg/kg) reduced marble burying, but failed to improve sociability. Overall, altered SERT and/or 5-HT(1A) functionality in hippocampus could contribute to the relatively low sociability of BTBR mice.     

Chronic voluntary ethanol intake hypersensitizes 5‐HT1A autoreceptors in C57BL/6J mice

Alcoholism is a complex disorder involving, among others, the serotoninergic (5‐HT) system, mainly regulated by 5‐HT_1A autoreceptors in the dorsal raphe nucleus. 5‐HT_1A autoreceptor desensitization induced by chronic 5‐HT reuptake inactivation has been associated with a decrease in ethanol intake in mice. We investigated here whether, conversely, chronic ethanol intake could induce 5‐HT_1A autoreceptor supersensitivity, thereby contributing to the maintenance of high ethanol consumption. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to a progressive ethanol intake procedure in a free‐choice paradigm (3–10% ethanol versus tap water; 21 days) and 5‐HT_1A autoreceptor functional state was assessed using different approaches. Acute administration of the 5‐HT_1A receptor agonist ipsapirone decreased the rate of tryptophan hydroxylation in striatum, and this effect was significantly larger (+75%) in mice that drank ethanol than in those drinking water. Furthermore, ethanol intake produced both an increased potency (+45%) of ipsapirone to inhibit the firing of 5‐HT neurons, and a raise (+35%) in 5‐HT_1A autoreceptor‐mediated stimulation of [³⁵S]GTP‐γ‐S binding in the dorsal raphe nucleus. These data showed that chronic voluntary ethanol intake in C57BL/6J mice induced 5‐HT_1A autoreceptor supersensitivity, at the origin of a 5‐HT neurotransmission deficit, which might be causally related to the addictive effects of ethanol intake.     

Ⅱ型糖尿病患者APOA5-1131T/C基因多态性与血脂代谢和胰岛素抵抗的关系研究

为了探讨载脂蛋白A5基因(APOA5)-1131T/C多态性在中国镇江地区的频率分布及其与血浆脂质代谢和Ⅱ型糖尿病患者胰岛素抵抗的关系, 采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析(PCR-RFLP)结合琼脂糖凝胶电泳技术检测152例健康人及71例Ⅱ型糖尿病患者APOA5 -1131T/C基因型及等位基因频率分布, 同时采用生化方法测定所有研究对象的血脂、血糖和胰岛素水平。结果显示: 糖尿病组APOA5 -1131C等位基因频率显著高于对照组(0.430 vs 0.296, P = 0.006)。CC纯合子患糖尿病的风险是TT纯合子的3.75倍(OR = 3.75, 95% CI: 1.57~8.92), 且经Logistic回归分析, 校正年龄、BMI和血浆HDL-c、LDL-c及ApoB水平等其他混杂因素影响后, 这种差异仍具有显著性意义(OR = 2.70, 95%CI: 1.24 ~ 5.86)。糖尿病组C等位基因携带者TG水平显著高于非C等位基因携带者(P < 0.01), TC水平和LDL-c水平亦明显升高(P < 0.05)。但是在两组中, 不同基因型患者 胰岛素抵抗相关指标均无显示差异。提示APOA5-1131T/C单核苷酸多态性对人群血浆TG水平有影响, -1131C等位基因与血浆TG、TC和LDL-c水平增高有关, 但是与糖尿病患者胰岛素相关指标无关; APOA5 -1131C等位基因可能与人群糖尿病的发生相关联。     

5-羟色胺抑制谷氨酸对海马神经元的毒性作用

为探讨5-羟色胺（5-HT）对过量谷氨酸（glutamate,Glu)神经毒性的影响。观察了5-HT存在时,过量Glu对海马细胞存活率、海马脑片CA1区群锋电位（population spike,PS)及神经细胞膜Ga^2 电流的影响。结果发现：5-HT可明显提高过量Glu作用下海马神经细胞的存活率,减缓Glu对海马脑片CA1区PS的降低作用;在细胞膜上,5-HT可明显减弱Glu诱导的Ca^2 内向电流,推测,一定浓度的5-HT具有抑制过量Glu神经毒性的作用。在细胞膜上5-HT可明显减弱Glu诱导的Ca^2 内向电流,推测,一定浓度的5-HT具有抑制过量Glu神经毒性的作用,其机制可能在于5-HT与细胞膜上特定的受体结合,抑制了Glu诱导的Ca^2 内流。     

Chronic exercise improves repeated restraint stress-induced anxiety and depression through 5HT1A receptor and cAMP signaling in hippocampus

[Purpose]

Mood disorders such as anxiety and depression are prevalent psychiatric illness, but the role of 5HT1A in the anti-depressive effects of exercise has been rarely known yet. We investigated whether long-term exercise affected a depressive-like behavior and a hippocampal 5HT1A receptor-mediated cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in depression mice model.

[Methods]

To induce depressive behaviors, mice were subjected to 14 consecutive days of restraint stress (2 hours/day). Depression-like behaviors were measured by forced swimming test (TST), and anxiety-like behavior was assessed by elevated plus maze (EPM). Treadmill exercise was performed with 19 m/min for 60 min/day, 5 days/week from weeks 0 to 8. Restraint stress was started at week 6 week and ended at week 8. To elucidate the role of 5HT1A in depression, the immunoreactivities of 5HT1A were detected in hippocampus using immunohistochemical technique.

[Results]

Chronic/repeated restraint stress induced behavioral anxiety and depression, such as reduced time and entries in open arms in EPM and enhanced immobility time in FST. These anxiety and depressive behaviors were ameliorated by chronic exercise. Also, these behavioral changes were concurrent with the deficit of 5HT1A and cAMP/PKA/CREB cascade in hippocampus, which was coped with chronic exercise.

[Conclusion]

These results suggest that chronic exercise may improve the disturbance of hippocampal 5HT1A-regulated cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling in a depressed brain, thereby exerting an antidepressive action.