Formoterol, a long-acting β2 adrenergic agonist, improves cognitive function and promotes dendritic complexity in a mouse model of Down syndrome

Biol Psychiatry. 2014 Feb 1;75(3):179-88. doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2013.05.024. Epub 2013 Jul 1.

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome is associated with significant failure in cognitive function. Our previous investigation revealed age-dependent degeneration of locus coeruleus, a major player in contextual learning, in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome. We studied whether drugs already available for use in humans can be used to improve cognitive function in these mice.

Methods: We studied the status of β adrenergic signaling in the dentate gyrus of the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome. Furthermore, we used fear conditioning to study learning and memory in these mice. Postmortem analyses included the analysis of synaptic density, dendritic arborization, and neurogenesis.

Results: We found significant atrophy of dentate gyrus and failure of β adrenergic signaling in the hippocampus of Ts65Dn mice. Our behavioral analyses revealed that formoterol, a long-acting β2 adrenergic receptor agonist, caused significant improvement in the cognitive function in Ts65Dn mice. Postmortem analyses revealed that the use of formoterol was associated with a significant improvement in the synaptic density and increased complexity of newly born dentate granule neurons in the hippocampus of Ts65Dn mice.

Conclusions: Our data suggest that targeting β2 adrenergic receptors is an effective strategy for restoring synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in these mice. Considering its widespread use in humans and positive effects on cognition in Ts65Dn mice, formoterol or similar β2 adrenergic receptor agonists with ability to cross the blood brain barrier might be attractive candidates for clinical trials to improve cognitive function in individuals with Down syndrome.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Down syndrome; Ts65Dn; formoterol; locus coeruleus; norepinephrine; β2 adrenergic receptors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dendrites / drug effects*
  • Dendrites / metabolism
  • Dendrites / ultrastructure
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Doublecortin Domain Proteins
  • Down Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Down Syndrome / pathology
  • Ethanolamines / pharmacology*
  • Ethanolamines / therapeutic use*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / metabolism
  • Formoterol Fumarate
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Hippocampus / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Nadolol / pharmacology
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / metabolism
  • Synaptophysin / metabolism

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-2 Receptor Agonists
  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Doublecortin Domain Proteins
  • Ethanolamines
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2
  • Synaptophysin
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Nadolol
  • Formoterol Fumarate