1. Academic Validation
  2. α4β2 Nicotinic receptors play a role in the nAChR-mediated decline in L-dopa-induced dyskinesias in parkinsonian rats

α4β2 Nicotinic receptors play a role in the nAChR-mediated decline in L-dopa-induced dyskinesias in parkinsonian rats

  • Neuropharmacology. 2013 Aug;71:191-203. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2013.03.038.
Maryka Quik 1 Carla Campos Tanuja Bordia Jon-Paul Strachan Jenny Zhang J Michael McIntosh Sharon Letchworth Kristen Jordan
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Center for Health Sciences, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025, USA. maryka.quik@sri.com
Abstract

L-Dopa-induced dyskinesias are a serious long-term side effect of dopamine replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease for which there are few treatment options. Our previous studies showed that nicotine decreased l-dopa-induced abnormal involuntary movements (AIMs). Subsequent work with knockout mice demonstrated that α6β2* nicotinic receptors (nAChRs) play a key role. The present experiments were done to determine if α4β2* nAChRs are also involved in l-dopa-induced dyskinesias. To approach this, we took advantage of the finding that α6β2* nAChRs are predominantly present on striatal dopaminergic nerve terminals, while a significant population of α4β2* nAChRs are located on other neurons. Thus, a severe dopaminergic lesion would cause a major loss in α6β2*, but not α4β2* nAChRs. Experiments were therefore done in which rats were unilaterally lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine, at a dose that led to severe nigrostriatal damage. The Dopamine Transporter, a dopamine nerve terminal marker, was decreased by >99%. This lesion also decreased striatal α6β2* nAChRs by 97%, while α4β2* nAChRs were reduced by only 12% compared to control. A series of β2* nAChR compounds, including TC-2696, TI-10165, TC-8831, TC-10600 and sazetidine reduced l-dopa-induced AIMs in these rats by 23-32%. TC-2696, TI-10165, TC-8831 were also tested for parkinsonism, with no effect on this behavior. Tolerance did not develop with up to 3 months of treatment. Since α4α5β2 nAChRs are also predominantly on striatal dopamine terminals, these data suggest that drugs targeting α4β2 nAChRs may reduce l-dopa-induced dyskinesias in late stage Parkinson's disease.

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