7 research outputs found
Results of a new cognitive method in rats on the Morris water maze used in modeling experimental Alzheimer's disease
Behavioural pharmacology of the α5-GABA<sub>A</sub> receptor antagonist S44819:Enhancement and remediation of cognitive performance in preclinical models
Selective inhibition of extra-synaptic α5-GABA<sub>A</sub> receptors by S44819, a new therapeutic agent
Loop-F of the α-subunit determines the pharmacologic profile of novel competitive inhibitors of GABAA receptors
Egis-11150 : A candidate antipsychotic compound with procognitive efficacy in rodents
Classical antipsychotics, e.g. haloperidol, chlorpromazine, are potent at controlling the positive symptoms of schizophrenia but frequently elicit extrapyramidal motor side-effects. The introduction of atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine and clozapine has obviated this problem, but none of the current drugs seem to improve the cognitive deficits accompanying schizophrenia. Thus there is an unmet need for agents that not only suppress the psychotic symptoms but also ameliorate the impairment of cognition. Here, we report the preclinical properties of a candidate antipsychotic, Egis-11150, that shows marked pro-cognitive efficacy. Egis-11150 displayed high affinity for adrenergic alpha(1), alpha(2c), 5-HT(2A) 5-HT(7), moderate affinity for adrenergic alpha(2a) and D(2) receptors. It was a functional antagonist on all of the above receptors, with the exception of 5-HT(7) receptors, where it was an inverse agonist. Phencyclidine-induced hypermotility in mice and inhibition of conditioned avoidance response in rats were assessed to estimate efficacy against the positive and social withdrawal test in rats was used to predict efficacy against the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Passive-avoidance learning, novel object recognition and radial maze tests in rats were used to assess pro-cognitive activity, while phencyclidine-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition in mice was examined to test for effects on attention. Egis-11150 (0.01-0.3 mg/kg, ip.) was effective in all of the preclinical models of schizophrenia examined. Moreover, a robust pro-cognitive profile was apparent. In summary, work in preclinical models indicates that Egis-11150 is a potential treatment for controlling the psychosis as well as the cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Cognitive Enhancers'