Charles R. Yang

Functional and Dysfunctional Synaptic Plasticity in Prefrontal Cortex: Roles in Psychiatric Disorders

Prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediates an assortment of cognitive functions including working memory, behavioral flexibility, attention, and future planning. Unlike the hippocampus, where induction of synaptic plasticity in the network is well-documented in relation to long-term memory, cognitive functions mediated by the PFC have been thought to be independent of long-lasting neuronal adaptation of the network. Nonetheless, accumulating evidence suggests that prefrontal cortical neurons possess the cellular machinery of synaptic plasticity and exhibit lasting changes of neural activity associated with various cognitive processes. Moreover, deficits in the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity induction in the PFC might be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric and neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, drug addiction, mood disorders, and Alzheimers disease.

Developing a Neuronal Model for the Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia Based on the Nature of Electrophysiological Actions of Dopamine in the Prefrontal Cortex

This review covers some recent findings of the electrophysiological mechanisms through which mesocortical dopamine modulates prefrontal cortical neurons. Dopamine has been shown to modulate several ionic conductances located along the soma-dendritic axis of prefrontal cortical pyramidal neurons. These ionic currents include high-voltage-activated calcium currents and slowly inactivating Na+ and K+ currents. They contribute actively in processing functionally segregated inputs during synaptic integration. In addition, dopamine mainly depolarizes the fast-spiking subtype of local GABAergic interneurons that connect the pyramidal neurons. This latter action can indirectly control pyramidal cell excitability. These electrophysiological data indicate that the actions of dopamine are neither “excitatory” nor “inhibitory” in pyramidal prefrontal cortex neurons. Rather, the actions of dopamine are dependent on soma-dendritic loci, timing of the arrival of synaptic inputs, strength of synaptic inputs, as well as the membrane potential range at which the PFC neuron is operating at a given moment. Based on available electrophysiological findings, a neuronal model of the pathophysiology of schizophrenia is presented. This model proposes that episodic hypo- and hyperactivity of the PFC and the associated dysfunctional mesocortical dopamine system (and their interconnected brain regions) may coexist in the same schizophrenic patient in the course of the illness. We hypothesize that the dysfunctional mesocortical dopamine input to the PFC may lead to abnormal modulation of ionic channels distributed in the dendritic–somatic compartments of PFC pyramidal neurons that project to the ventral tegmental area and/or nucleus accumbens. In some schizophrenics, a reduction of mesocortical dopamine to below optimal levels and/or a loss of local GABAergic inputs may result in a dysfunctional integration of extrinsic associative inputs by Ca2+ channel activity in the distal dendrites of PFC pyramidal neurons. This may account for the patients’ distractibility caused by their inability to focus only on relevant external inputs. In contrast, in acute stress or psychotic episodes, an associated abnormal elevation of mesocortical dopamine transmission may greatly influence distal dendritic Ca2+ channel-mediated signal-processing mechanisms. This can enhance possible reverberative activity between adjacent interconnected pyramidal neurons via the effects of dopamine on the slowly inactivating Na+, K+, and soma-dendritic Ca2+ currents. The effects of high levels of PFC dopamine in this case may contribute to behavioral perseveration and stereotypy so that the patients are unable to use new external cues to modify ongoing behaviors.

Allosteric modulation of NMDA receptor via elevation of brain glycine and d-serine: The therapeutic potentials for schizophrenia

Ionotropic AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast synaptic transmission in the brain and play a crucial role in learning and memory. Dysfunction of these receptors is believed to be associated with a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. As direct activation of these ionotropic receptors can lead to excitoxicity, allosteric modulation of these receptors could minimize side-effects to achieve better therapeutic efficacy. Our review here focuses on the allosteric modulation of the NMDA receptor. Endogenous glycine and D-serine both act as co-agonists on the strychnine-insensitive GlyB site on the NMDA receptor, and along with glutamate, co-activate the NMDA receptor. Forebrain synaptic glycine and d-serine levels are regulated by the Glycine Transporter-1 (GlyT1) and the arginine-serine-cysteine transporter-1 (Asc-1), respectively; in addition to D-serine metabolism by D-Amino Acid Oxidase (DAAO). Together, these processes prevent the GlyB site from being saturated by the high extracellular levels of brain glycine, and perhaps d-serine, in vivo. Blockade of NMDA receptors by phencyclidine induces schizophrenia-like symptoms with the associated cognitive deficits. It was proposed that: a) blockade of GlyT1 mediated reuptake of glycine, or b) inhibition of D-amino Acid Oxidase, or Asc-1 will elevate brain glycine, and D-serine to upregulate NMDA receptor functions via glycine and D-serine co-agonistic allosteric modulation of the GlyB sites on the NMDA receptor. These approaches may provide novel treatments to schizophrenia, provided that some of the known adverse effects associated with existing GlyT1 agents can be safely and adequately dealt with.

Medial prefrontal cortical output neurons to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and their responses to burst-patterned stimulation of the VTA: Neuroanatomical and in vivo electrophysiological analyses

During a delayed period in a delayed‐response task, prefrontal cortical neurons show a change in neuronal firing rate that is dependent on a functional mesocortical dopamine input. This change in firing rate has been attributed to be part of the cellular processes underlying working memory. However, it is unclear what neural mechanisms activate mesocortical dopamine neurons to provide an optimal level of dopamine to modulate the firing of the medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC) neurons. This study examined the possibility of whether mPFC neurons that project to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) might activate the ascending mesocortical dopamine neurons. To determine the locations of the mPFC→VTA neurons, cholera toxin subunit B was microinjected into the VTA. Retrogradely labeled mPFC neurons mainly reside in the deep lamina V and VI. In vivo single unit recording in urethane‐anesthetized rats were also used to determine the responses of some of these neurons to burst‐patterned stimulation of the VTA. Single‐pulse stimulation (1 Hz) of the VTA antidromically activated burst firing mPFC→VTA neurons. In response to burst‐patterned stimulation of the VTA, which mimicked burst firing of VTA dopamine neurons (4–10 pulses at 10–15 Hz cycled at 0.5–3 Hz), the temporal structure of spontaneous burst firing patterns of these neurons but not their mean firing rate were changed. However, the mean firing rate of the non‐VTA projecting neurons (i.e., no antidromic response to VTA stimulations) was either increased or decreased by similar burst‐patterned stimulation of the VTA. These data suggest that burst‐patterned stimulation of the ascending VTA→mPFC or putative mesocortical dopamine neurons might have released dopamine and/or other neuromodulators to modulate the temporal code, rather than the rate code, of mPFC→VTA neurons. Medial PFC neurons that project elsewhere (e.g., nucleus accumbens or mediodorsal thalamus) may mediate the sustained firing rate changes during, e.g., short‐term working memory. Synapse 34:245–255, 1999.

Dopamine D1-like receptor modulates layer- and frequency-specific short-term synaptic plasticity in rat prefrontal cortical neurons.

The mesocortical dopamine (DA) input to the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for processing short‐term working memory (STWM) to guide forthcoming behavior. Short‐term plasticity‐like post‐tetanic potentiation (PTP, < 3 min) and short‐term potentiation (STP, < 10 min) may underlie STWM. Using whole‐cell voltage‐clamp recordings, mixed glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked by layer III or layer V stimulation (0.5 or 0.067 Hz) were recorded from layer V pyramidal neurons. With 0.5 Hz basal stimulation of layer III, brief tetani (2 × 50 Hz) induced a homosynaptic PTP (decayed: ∼1 min). The D1‐like antagonist SCH23390 (1 µm) increased the PTP amplitude and decay time without inducing changes to the tetanic response. The tetani may evoke endogenous DA release, which activates a presynaptic D1‐like receptor to inhibit glutamate release to modulate PTP. With a slower (0.067 Hz) basal stimulation, the same tetani induced STP (lasting ∼4 min, but only at 2× intensity only) that was insignificantly suppressed by SCH23390. With stimulation of layer‐V→V inputs at 0.5 Hz, layer V tetani yielded inconsisitent responses. However, at 0.067 Hz, tetani at double the intensity resulted in an STP (lasting ∼6 min), but a long‐term depression after SCH23390 application. Endogenous DA released by tetanic stimulation can interact with a D1‐like receptor to induce STP in layer V→V synapses that receive slower (0.067 Hz) frequency inputs, but suppresses PTP at layer III→V synapses that receive higher (0.5 Hz) frequency inputs. This D1‐like modulation of layer‐ and frequency‐specific synaptic responses in the PFC may contribute to STWM processing.

LY392098, a novel AMPA receptor potentiator : electrophysiological studies in prefrontal cortical neurons

The present experiments investigated the ability of LY392098, a novel positive allosteric modulator of AMPA receptors, to potentiate AMPA receptor-mediated currents of neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Co-application of LY392098 (0.03-10 microM) with AMPA (5 microM) enhanced current through AMPA receptor/channels in acutely isolated PFC neurons in a concentration-dependent manner. Estimates of the potency (EC(50)) and efficacy for LY392098 yielded an EC(50) value of 1.7+/-0.5 microM and a maximal potentiation of a 31.0+/-4.1-fold increase relative to current evoked by AMPA alone. The potentiation was activity-dependent, becoming evident only in the presence of agonist, and time-dependent, continuously developing over prolonged application times. An extracellular site of action was inferred by the absence of potentiation when the compound was applied intracellularly. LY392098 also increased the potency of agonist for the receptor by approximately sevenfold. Selectivity assays showed that the effects of LY392098 were exclusive for AMPA receptors, having no activity at N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in PFC neurons. Extracellular recordings from single PFC neurons in vivo showed that administration of LY392098 (0.001-10 microg/kg, i.v.) enhanced the probability of evoked action potential discharge in response to stimulation of glutamatergic afferents from the ventral subiculum of the hippocampal formation. Spontaneous activity of PFC neurons was also increased. Collectively, these results demonstrate that LY392098 is a highly potent, selective and centrally active positive modulator of native AMPA receptors.

An Allosteric Potentiator of the Dopamine D1 Receptor Increases Locomotor Activity in Human D1 Knock-In Mice without Causing Stereotypy or Tachyphylaxis

Allosteric potentiators amplify the sensitivity of physiologic control circuits, a mode of action that could provide therapeutic advantages. This hypothesis was tested with the dopamine D1 receptor potentiator DETQ [2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-((1S,3R)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethan-1-one]. In human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells expressing the human D1 receptor, DETQ induced a 21-fold leftward shift in the cAMP response to dopamine, with a Kb of 26 nM. The maximum response to DETQ alone was ∼12% of the maximum response to dopamine, suggesting weak allosteric agonist activity. DETQ was ∼30-fold less potent at rat and mouse D1 receptors and was inactive at the human D5 receptor. To enable studies in rodents, an hD1 knock-in mouse was generated. DETQ (3–20 mg/kg orally) caused a robust (∼10-fold) increase in locomotor activity (LMA) in habituated hD1 mice but was inactive in wild-type mice. The LMA response to DETQ was blocked by the D1 antagonist SCH39166 and was dependent on endogenous dopamine. LMA reached a plateau at higher doses (30–240 mg/kg) even though free brain levels of DETQ continued to increase over the entire dose range. In contrast, the D1 agonists SKF 82958, A-77636, and dihydrexidine showed bell-shaped dose-response curves with a profound reduction in LMA at higher doses; video-tracking confirmed that the reduction in LMA caused by SKF 82958 was due to competing stereotyped behaviors. When dosed daily for 4 days, DETQ continued to elicit an increase in LMA, whereas the D1 agonist A-77636 showed complete tachyphylaxis by day 2. These results confirm that allosteric potentiators may have advantages compared with direct-acting agonists.

Preclinical profile of a dopamine D1 potentiator suggests therapeutic utility in neurological and psychiatric disorders

ABSTRACT DETQ, an allosteric potentiator of the dopamine D1 receptor, was tested in therapeutic models that were known to respond to D1 agonists. Because of a species difference in affinity for DETQ, all rodent experiments used transgenic mice expressing the human D1 receptor (hD1 mice). When given alone, DETQ reversed the locomotor depression caused by a low dose of reserpine. DETQ also acted synergistically with L‐DOPA to reverse the strong hypokinesia seen with a higher dose of reserpine. These results indicate potential as both monotherapy and adjunct treatment in Parkinsons disease. DETQ markedly increased release of both acetylcholine and histamine in the prefrontal cortex, and increased levels of histamine metabolites in the striatum. In the hippocampus, the combination of DETQ and the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine increased ACh to a greater degree than either agent alone. DETQ also increased phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor (GluR1) and the transcription factor CREB in the striatum, consistent with enhanced synaptic plasticity. In the Y‐maze, DETQ increased arm entries but (unlike a D1 agonist) did not reduce spontaneous alternation between arms at high doses. DETQ enhanced wakefulness in EEG studies in hD1 mice and decreased immobility in the forced‐swim test, a model for antidepressant‐like activity. In rhesus monkeys, DETQ increased spontaneous eye‐blink rate, a measure that is known to be depressed in Parkinsons disease. Together, these results provide support for potential utility of D1 potentiators in the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. HIGHLIGHTSThe dopamine D1 potentiator DETQ was tested in humanized D1 mice and rhesus monkeys.Actions of DETQ were dependent on endogenous dopaminergic tone.DETQ displayed a behavioral profile consistent with central D1 receptor activation.Neurochemical actions of DETQ support potential pro‐cognitive effects.D1 potentiators show promise for Parkinsons disease and other CNS disorders.

Site selective activation of lateral hypothalamic mGluR1 and R5 receptors elicits feeding in rats

Recent findings from our lab indicate that metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activation elicits eating, and the goal of the current study was to specify whether the lateral hypothalamus (LH) is the actual brain site mediating this effect. To examine this issue we injected the selective mGluR group I agonist (S)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) unilaterally into the LH and surrounding regions (n=5-8 subjects/brain site) of satiated adult male Sprague-Dawley rats and measured elicited feeding. We determined that 1.0 nmol elicited food intake only within the LH. Increasing the dose to 10 or 25 nmol produced a more sustained effect in the LH, and also elicited eating in several other brain sites. These results, demonstrating that the LH mediates the eating elicited by low doses of DHPG, suggest that the LH may contain mGluR whose activation can produce eating behavior.

Intracellular Binding Site for a Positive Allosteric Modulator of the Dopamine D1 Receptor

The binding site for DETQ [2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-((1S,3R)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethan-1-one], a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the dopamine D1 receptor, was identified and compared with the binding site for CID 2886111 [N-(6-tert-butyl-3-carbamoyl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-benzothiophen-2-yl)pyridine-4-carboxamide], a reference D1 PAM. From D1/D5 chimeras, the site responsible for potentiation by DETQ of the increase in cAMP in response to dopamine was narrowed down to the N-terminal intracellular quadrant of the receptor; arginine-130 in intracellular loop 2 (IC2) was then identified as a critical amino acid based on a human/rat species difference. Confirming the importance of IC2, a β2-adrenergic receptor construct in which the IC2 region was replaced with its D1 counterpart gained the ability to respond to DETQ. A homology model was built from the agonist-state β2-receptor structure, and DETQ was found to dock to a cleft created by IC2 and adjacent portions of transmembrane helices 3 and 4 (TM3 and TM4). When residues modeled as pointing into the cleft were mutated to alanine, large reductions in the potency of DETQ were found for Val119 and Trp123 (flanking the conserved DRY sequence in TM3), Arg130 (located in IC2), and Leu143 (TM4). The D1/D5 difference was found to reside in Ala139; changing this residue to methionine as in the D5 receptor reduced the potency of DETQ by approximately 1000-fold. None of these mutations affected the activity of CID 2886111, indicating that it binds to a different allosteric site. When combined, DETQ and CID 2886111 elicited a supra-additive response in the absence of dopamine, implying that both PAMs can bind to the D1 receptor simultaneously.