Kv4 channel blockade reduces motor and neuropsychiatric symptoms in rodent models of Parkinson's disease

Behav Pharmacol. 2015 Feb;26(1-2):91-100. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000107.

Abstract

The striatum, a major input structure of basal ganglia, integrates glutamatergic cortical and thalamic inputs to control psychomotor behaviors. Nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease causes a loss of spinal and glutamatergic synapses in the striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs). Adaptive responses, a form of homeostatic plasticity, to these changes are caused by a decrease in a potassium Kv4 channel-dependent inactivating A-type potassium (KIA) current that increases the intrinsic excitability of MSNs. Nevertheless, the functional outcome of these compensatory mechanisms does not allow adequate behavioral recovery in vivo. We thus addressed the question of whether further blockade of Kv4 activity could enhance the striatal responsiveness of MSNs to DA depletion and restore normal function in vivo. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of a selective blocker of Kv4 channels, AmmTX3, on the motor, cognitive, and emotional symptoms produced by 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the nigrostriatal DA pathway in rats. Striatal infusion of AmmTX3 (0.2-0.4 μg) reduced motor deficits, decreased anxiety, and restored short-term social and spatial memories. These results underlie the importance of Kv4 channels as players in the homeostatic responses, and, more importantly, provide a potential target for adjunctive therapies for Parkinson's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antiparkinson Agents / pharmacology
  • Cognition / drug effects
  • Corpus Striatum / drug effects
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Male
  • Oxidopamine / toxicity
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Parkinsonian Disorders / physiopathology
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / administration & dosage
  • Potassium Channel Blockers / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Scorpion Venoms / administration & dosage
  • Scorpion Venoms / pharmacology*
  • Shal Potassium Channels / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Shal Potassium Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • AmmTX3 protein, Androctonus mauretanicus
  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Potassium Channel Blockers
  • Scorpion Venoms
  • Shal Potassium Channels
  • Oxidopamine
  • Dopamine