cl-316243 and Memory-Disorders

Normally noradrenaline release ~30 min after training in the day-old chick is essential for memory consolidation by simultaneously increasing both glycogenolysis, by its stimulation of β2-adrenergic (AR) receptors, and glycogen synthesis, by its stimulation of α2-AR receptors in astrocytes. At the same time noradrenaline stimulation of β3-AR receptors increases glucose uptake solely in astrocytes. Intracerebral injection of small oligomeric β-amyloid protein (Aβ1-42) (Aβ) 45 min before one-trial bead discrimination learning in day-old chicks abolishes consolidation of memory 30 min post-learning. The ensuing memory loss can be rescued by injection of selective β3- and β(2-AR agonists (CL316243 and zinterol), which also have the ability to consolidate weakly-reinforced learning into long-term memory. However, although CL316243 rescues Aβ-induced memory loss over a similar time period to when it consolidates weak learning (up to 25 min post training), zinterol is effective over a more limited time period and unexpectedly it does not rescue at the time it promotes glycogenolysis. Injection of Aβ into the hippocampus and the locus coeruleus (LoC) also produces similar memory deficits and injection of both AR agonists into a cortical area can rescue memory from LoC Aβ. We have previously shown that β3-AR stimulation increases astrocytic glucose uptake and have suggested there may be sensitization or upregulation of the receptor. Since β2-AR stimulation does not rescue memory at the time it promotes glycogenolysis, but the receptor does not appear to be impaired, it is suggested that Aβ may be causing an impairment in the synthesis of readily available glycogen.

Topics: Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists; Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists; Alzheimer Disease; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Animals; Astrocytes; Chickens; Dioxoles; Ethanolamines; Glucose; Glycogen; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; Glycogenolysis; Hippocampus; Locus Coeruleus; Memory Disorders; Memory, Long-Term; Models, Neurological; Peptide Fragments; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2; Time Factors

Accumulation of the neurotoxic beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) in the brain is a key step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although transgenic mouse models of AD have been developed, there is a clear need for a validated animal model of Abeta-induced amnesia which can be used for toxicity testing and drug development. Intracranial injections of Abeta(1-42) impaired memory in a single trial discriminative avoidance learning task in chicks. Memory inhibition was closely associated with the state of aggregation of the Abeta peptide, and a scrambled-sequence of Abeta(1-42) peptide failed to impair memory. Abeta had little effect on labile (short-term and intermediate) memory, but blocked consolidation of memory into long-term storage mimicking the type of anterograde amnesia that occurs in early AD. Since noradrenaline exerts a modulatory influence on labile memory in the chick, we examined the effects of two beta-adrenoceptor (AR) agonists on Abeta-induced amnesia. A beta(3)-AR agonist (CL316243), but not a beta(2)-AR agonist, rescued Abeta-induced memory loss, suggesting the need for further studies on the role of beta(3)-ARs in AD.

Topics: Adrenergic Agonists; Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists; Alzheimer Disease; Amnesia, Anterograde; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Animals; Avoidance Learning; Brain; Brain Chemistry; Chickens; Dioxoles; Disease Models, Animal; Memory Disorders; Neuropsychological Tests; Peptide Fragments; Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3; Treatment Outcome