Differential involvement of 5-HT(1B/1D) and 5-HT6 receptors in cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease

Neuropsychopharmacology. 2004 Feb;29(2):410-6. doi: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300330.

Abstract

Growing evidence suggests that a compromised serotonergic system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We assessed the expression of 5-HT(1B/1D) and 5-HT(6) receptors and cholinacetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in post-mortem frontal and temporal cortex from AD patients who had been prospectively assessed for cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and behavioral changes using the Present Behavioral Examination (PBE). 5-HT(1B/1D) and 5-HT(6) receptor densities were significantly reduced in both cortical areas. 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor density was correlated to MMSE decline in the frontal cortex, supporting its implication in memory impairment. The best predictor for lowered 5-HT(6) receptor density in the temporal cortex was the PBE measure of overactivity. The 5-HT(6)/ChAT ratio was related to aggression both in the frontal and temporal cortex. Therefore, antagonists acting at 5-HT(6) receptors could be useful in the treatment of non-cognitive symptoms associated to AD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Benzamides / pharmacokinetics
  • Benzamides / therapeutic use
  • Binding Sites
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase / metabolism
  • Cognition Disorders / etiology
  • Cognition Disorders / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Frontal Lobe / drug effects
  • Frontal Lobe / pathology
  • Frontal Lobe / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Isotopes / pharmacokinetics
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / etiology
  • Memory Disorders / metabolism
  • Mental Status Schedule
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Piperazines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridines / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B / physiology*
  • Receptors, Serotonin / physiology*
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Serotonin Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists / pharmacokinetics
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacokinetics
  • Temporal Lobe / drug effects
  • Temporal Lobe / pathology
  • Temporal Lobe / physiopathology

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Isotopes
  • N-(4-methoxy-3-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)phenyl)-3-methyl-4-(4-pyridyl)benzamide
  • Piperazines
  • Pyridines
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B
  • Receptors, Serotonin
  • SB 258585
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Serotonin Receptor Agonists
  • Sulfonamides
  • serotonin 6 receptor
  • Choline O-Acetyltransferase