Role of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on learning and memory in zebrafish

Braida, Daniela; Ponzoni, Luisa; Martucci, Roberta; Sparatore, Fabio; Gotti, Cecilia; Sala, Mariaelvina

doi:10.1007/s00213-013-3340-1

Cited by 68 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 57 publications

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“…Zebrafish shows genetic and anatomic conservation with both mice and humans and a high degree of genetic homology [2,3]. In addition, the role of different excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter systems in the zebrafish has been reviewed by Rico et al [4,5] showing that all human neurotransmitters are preserved in zebrafish with similar biological roles [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of 17 neurotransmitters, metabolites and precursors in zebrafish through the life cycle using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Santos-Fandila

Vázquez

Barranco

et al. 2015

Journal of Chromatography B

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of 17 neurotransmitters, metabolites and precursors in zebrafish through the life cycle using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Santos-Fandila

Vázquez

Barranco

et al. 2015

Journal of Chromatography B

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“…Acetylcholine is synthesized from choline and acetyl CoA by the transferase enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), a specific marker commonly used as a reliable indicator of cholinergic neurons (Kimura et al, 1981;Eckenstein and Thoenen, 1983). In the brain, cholinergic neurons are implicated in diverse functions such as learning and memory (Gold, 2003;Braida et al, 2014) and control of hormone release (Richardson et al, 1980;Egozi et al, 1986), and ACh is also thought to function as a neuromodulator that can alter the excitability state of entire neuronal networks (Picciotto et al, 2012).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Localization of glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic neurons in the brain of the African cichlid fish,Astatotilapia burtoni

Maruska

Butler

Field

et al. 2016

J of Comparative Neurology

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Neural communication depends on release and reception of different neurotransmitters within complex circuits that ultimately mediate basic biological functions. We mapped the distribution of glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic neurons in the brain of the African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni using in situ hybridization to label vesicular glutamate transporters (vglut1, vglut2.1, vglut3), glutamate decarboxylases (gad1, gad2), and choline acetyltransferase (chat). Cells expressing the glutamatergic markers vgluts 1-3 show primarily nonoverlapping distribution patterns, with the most widespread expression observed for vglut2.1, and more restricted expression of vglut1 and vglut3. vglut1 is prominent in granular layers of the cerebellum, habenula, preglomerular nuclei, and several other diencephalic, mesencephalic, and rhombencephalic regions. vglut2.1 is widely expressed in many nuclei from the olfactory bulbs to the hindbrain, while vglut3 is restricted to the hypothalamus and hindbrain. GABAergic cells show largely overlapping gad1 and gad2 expression in most brain regions. GABAergic expression dominates nuclei of the subpallial ventral telencephalon, while glutamatergic expression dominates nuclei of the pallial dorsal telencephalon. chat-expressing cells are prominent in motor cranial nerve nuclei, and some scattered cells lie in the preoptic area and ventral part of the ventral telencephalon. A localization summary of these markers within regions of the conserved social decision-making network reveals a predominance of either GABAergic or glutamatergic cells within individual nuclei. The neurotransmitter distributions described here in the brain of a single fish species provide an important resource for identification of brain nuclei in other fishes, as well as future comparative studies on circuit organization and function. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:610-638, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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“…Interestingly, in WT mice, all α7nAChR targeting drugs used presented an inverted ‘U’‐shaped behavioural response. This is not uncommon with nicotinic signalling with similar responses observed across cognitive domains and even species (Picciotto, ; Olincy et al ., ; Wallace et al ., ; Braida et al ., ). Desensitization of the receptor is often suggested as a potential mechanism underlying this U‐shaped behavioural response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

α7 nicotinic ACh receptor‐deficient mice exhibit sustained attention impairments that are reversed by β2 nicotinic ACh receptor activation

Kolisnyk

Al‐Onaizi

Prado

2015

British J Pharmacology

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSEDisruptions of executive function, including attentional deficits, are a hallmark of a number of diseases. ACh in the prefrontal cortex regulates attentive behaviour; however, the role of α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (α7nAChR) in attention is contentious. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACHIn order to probe attention, we trained both wild-type and α7nAChR knockout mice on a touch screen-based five-choice serial reaction time task (5-CSRT). Following training procedures, we then tested sustained attention using a probe trial experiment. To further differentiate the role of specific nicotinic receptors in attention, we then tested the effects of both α7nAChR and β2nAChR agonists on the performance of both wild-type and knockout mice on the 5-CSRT task. KEY RESULTSAt low doses, α7nAChR agonists improved attentional performance of wild-type mice, while high doses had deleterious effects on attention. α7nAChR knockout mice displayed deficits in sustained attention that were not ameliorated by α7nAChR agonists. However, these deficits were completely reversed by the administration of a β2nAChR agonist. Furthermore, administration of a β2nAChR agonist in α7nAChR knockout mice elicited similar biochemical response in the prefrontal cortex as the administration of α7nAChR agonists in wild-type mice. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONSOur experiments reveal an intricate relationship between distinct nicotinic receptors to regulate attentional performance and provide the basis for targeting β2nAChRs pharmacologically to decrease attentional deficits due to a dysfunction in α7nAChRs.

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Role of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on learning and memory in zebrafish

Abstract: Our findings demonstrate that zebrafish make a useful model for the rapid screening of the effect of new α4β2 nAChR compounds on spatial memory.

Cited by 68 publications

References 57 publications

Analysis of 17 neurotransmitters, metabolites and precursors in zebrafish through the life cycle using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Analysis of 17 neurotransmitters, metabolites and precursors in zebrafish through the life cycle using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

Localization of glutamatergic, GABAergic, and cholinergic neurons in the brain of the African cichlid fish,Astatotilapia burtoni

α7 nicotinic ACh receptor‐deficient mice exhibit sustained attention impairments that are reversed by β2 nicotinic ACh receptor activation

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