Adaptations in 5-HT receptor expression and function: implications for treatment of cognitive impairment in aging

J Neurosci Res. 2009 Sep;87(12):2803-11. doi: 10.1002/jnr.22100.

Abstract

Malfunction of the serotonin system may contribute to memory deficits during aging. We evaluated the 5-HT(6) antagonist RO4368554 in two models of learning and memory in aged rats. Male rats (18 months) were assigned to two groups of equal cognitive performance. After 2 weeks of 5-HT(6) antagonist RO4368554 (5 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment, rats showed significant improvement in object recognition and social discrimination compared with rats given chronic vehicle. Brains from these animals were examined for changes in plasticity-associated proteins Ki-67 and PCNA. No differences were seen between groups in any of these markers. We also measured mRNA expression of 5-HT(6), along with 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), and tryptophan hydroxylase-2 mRNAs in 4-month-old and 24-month-old F344 rats. Decreases in 5-HT(1B) expression were observed in several forebrain regions in the old rats. These results demonstrate that 5-HT(6) and 5-HT(1B) receptors are potential targets for treatment of age-related memory disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aging / genetics
  • Aging / metabolism
  • Aging / pathology
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects*
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Cognition Disorders / metabolism
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Indoles / therapeutic use
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Memory Disorders / metabolism
  • Memory Disorders / physiopathology
  • Neuronal Plasticity / drug effects
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Piperazines / pharmacology
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred F344
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / drug effects
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / genetics
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A / metabolism
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / drug effects
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / genetics
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / metabolism
  • Receptors, Serotonin / drug effects*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / genetics
  • Receptors, Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin / metabolism*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / drug effects
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / genetics
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase / metabolism

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Piperazines
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • Ro4368554
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • serotonin 6 receptor
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A
  • Serotonin
  • Tryptophan Hydroxylase
  • tph2 protein, rat