ly-392098 and Depressive-Disorder

Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole-propionic acid (AMPA) receptors mediate most of the excitatory neurotransmission and play a key role in synaptic plasticity in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS). In recent years several classes of AMPA receptor potentiators have been reported in the literature, including pyrrolidones (piracetam, aniracetam), benzothiazides (cyclothiazide), benzylpiperidines (CX-516, CX-546) and biarylpropylsulfonamides (LY392098, LY404187, LY450108, LY451395 and LY503430). Clinical and preclinical data have suggested that positive modulation of AMPA receptors may be therapeutically effective in the treatment of cognitive deficits. However, recent evidence has shown that in addition to modulating fast synaptic plasticity and memory processes, AMPA receptor potentiators alter downstream signalling pathways and may thereby have utility in other CNS disorders. The present review summarises studies into the effects of AMPA receptor potentiators (with a focus on the biarylpropylsulfonamides) in rodent models of depression and Parkinson's disease.

Topics: Animals; Depressive Disorder; Drug Synergism; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Receptors, AMPA; Sulfonamides; Thiophenes

Enhancement of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) function has emerged as a novel strategy for treatment of depression. Nevertheless, studies on AMPAR function in chronic animal models used to predict antidepressant efficacy are surprisingly lacking. We investigated the role of AMPARs in antidepressant action in an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) model in BALB/c mice. After 3 wk of UCMS, BALB/c mice developed a number of depressive-like behaviours that were successfully prevented by fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) administration. The AMPAR potentiator LY392098 [N-2-(4-(3-thienyl)phenyl)propyl 2-propanesulfonamide] (5 mg/kg), when administered alone, functioned like classic antidepressants by reducing weight loss, fur deterioration and immobility in the tail suspension test. However, LY392098 did not restore sucrose preference and did not reduce anxiety (marble-burying) in stressed mice. In the same protocol, the AMPAR antagonist GYKI (10 mg/kg) reversed most, but not all, of the antidepressant-like actions of fluoxetine. Thus, the antidepressant-like effects of LY392098 were fully predicted by the AMPAR dependence of effects demonstrated for fluoxetine. Our results demonstrate that, in the UCMS paradigm, AMPAR activation exhibits antidepressant-like activity that relates preferentially to specific depressive-like responses and that those specific responses can be defined by their regulation by AMPAR modulation under conditions of stress.

Topics: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Behavior, Animal; Benzodiazepines; Chronic Disease; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Disease Models, Animal; Emotions; Fluoxetine; Hindlimb Suspension; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Motor Activity; Receptors, AMPA; Stress, Psychological; Sulfonamides; Thiophenes

1. AMPA receptor potentiators (ARPs) exhibit antidepressant-like activity in preclinical tests (for example, the forced swim test) that are highly predictive of efficacy in humans. Unlike most currently used antidepressants, ARPs do not elevate extracellular levels of biogenic amines (e.g., 5HT, NE) in prefrontal cortex at doses that are active in the forced swim test. 2. The present series of experiments examined the effects of combining the ARP, LY 392098, with biogenic amine-based antidepressants in the forced swim test. Male, NIH Swiss mice were placed in a cylinder of water and observed for attempted escape behaviors and immobility. 3. LY 392098 dose-dependently decreased immobility as did a range of classical antidepressants. At doses of LY 392098 below those that decreased immobility, this compound significantly increased the potency with which fluoxetine and citalopram (SSRI antidepressants), imipramine (tricyclic antidepressant), duoxetine (norepinephrine/serotonin uptake blocker), nisoxetine (norepinephrine uptake inhibitor), and rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor) decreased immobility in the forced swim test with potency shifts upward of 5-fold (fluoxetine, imipramine, and rolipram). Likewise, ineffective doses of the traditional antidepressants potentiated the effects LY 392098 with shifts in the dose-effect functions that were 10-fold or more for citalopram, fluoxetine, imipramine, and duloxetine. 4. Combined with other evidence for a role of AMPA receptors in the efficacy of antidepressants, the current data suggest that the addition of an ARP may augment the activity and perhaps the onset of the therapeutic effects of biogenic amine and second messenger-based antidepressants.

Topics: Animals; Antidepressive Agents; Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; Biogenic Monoamines; Brain; Depressive Disorder; Disease Models, Animal; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination; Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists; Male; Mice; Neurons; Receptors, AMPA; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; Sulfonamides; Thiophenes