cgp-46381 and Seizures

Mice lacking the gene encoding fragile X mental retardation protein (FMR1) are susceptible to audiogenic seizures, and antagonists of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have been shown to block seizures in FMR1 knockout mice. We investigated whether the G-protein-inhibitory activity of the regulator of G-protein signaling protein, RGS4, could also alter the susceptibility to audiogenic seizures in FMR1 mice. We were surprised to find that male FMR1/RGS4 double-knockout mice showed reduced susceptibility to audiogenic seizures compared with age-matched FMR1 mice. These data raised the intriguing possibility that loss of RGS4 increased signaling through another G-protein pathway that reduces seizure susceptibility in FMR1 mice. Indeed, administration of the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen to FMR1 mice inhibited seizures, whereas the GABA(B) receptor antagonist (3-aminopropyl)(cyclohexylmethyl)phosphinic acid (CGP 46381) increased seizure incidence in double-knockout mice but not in wild-type mice. Finally, audiogenic seizures could be induced in wild-type mice by coadministering CGP 46381 and the mGluR5-positive allosteric modulator 3-cyano-N-(1,2 diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl) benzamide. These data show for the first time that GABA(B) receptor-mediated signaling antagonizes the seizure-promoting effects of the mGluRs in FMR1 knockout mice and point to the potential therapeutic benefit of GABA(B) agonists for the treatment of fragile X syndrome.

Topics: Animals; Baclofen; Disease Susceptibility; Female; Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Phosphinic Acids; Receptor, Metabotropic Glutamate 5; Receptors, GABA-B; Receptors, Metabotropic Glutamate; RGS Proteins; Seizures; Signal Transduction