9-Methyl-[beta]-carboline-induced cognitive enhancement is associated with elevated hippocampal dopamine levels and dendritic and synaptic proliferation
J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 924-931. [beta]-Carbolines (BCs) belong to the heterogenous family of carbolines, which have been found exogenously, that is, in various fruits, meats, tobacco smoke, alcohol and coffee, but also endogenously, that is, blood, brain and CSF. These exogenous and endogenous BC...
Gespeichert in:
Veröffentlicht in: | Journal of neurochemistry 2012-06, Vol.121 (6), p.924 |
---|---|
Hauptverfasser: | , , , , , , , |
Format: | Artikel |
Sprache: | eng |
Schlagworte: | |
Online-Zugang: | Volltext |
Tags: |
Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
|
Zusammenfassung: | J. Neurochem. (2012) 121, 924-931. [beta]-Carbolines (BCs) belong to the heterogenous family of carbolines, which have been found exogenously, that is, in various fruits, meats, tobacco smoke, alcohol and coffee, but also endogenously, that is, blood, brain and CSF. These exogenous and endogenous BCs and some of their metabolites can exert neurotoxic effects, however, an unexpected stimulatory effect of 9-methyl-[beta]-carboline (9-me-BC) on dopaminergic neurons in primary mesencephalic cultures was recently discovered. The aim of the present study was to extend our knowledge on the stimulatory effects of 9-me-BC and to test the hypothesis that 9-me-BC may act as a cognitive enhancer. We found that 10days (but not 5days) of pharmacological treatment with 9-me-BC (i) improves spatial learning in the radial maze, (ii) elevates dopamine levels in the hippocampal formation, and (iii) results after 10days of treatment in elongated, more complex dendritic trees and higher spine numbers on granule neurons in the dentate gyrus of 9-me-BC-treated rats. Our results demonstrate that beyond its neuroprotective/neurorestorative and anti-inflammatory effects, 9-me-BC acts as a cognitive enhancer in a hippocampus-dependent task, and that the behavioral effects may be associated with a stimulatory impact on hippocampal dopamine levels and dendritic and synaptic proliferation. Cognitive enhancement induced by 9-methyl-[beta]-carboline The aim was to unveil a possible neurostimulatory effect of 9-me-BC within meso-limbo-cortical pathways. We found that 9-me-BC acts as cognitive enhancer and (i) improves spatial learning, (ii) elevates hippocampal dopamine levels and (iii) stimulates hippocampal dendritic and synaptic growth. This novel mechanism of 9-me-BC bears the potential for being applied to treat cognitive dysfunctions and neurodegenerative disorders. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT] |
---|---|
ISSN: | 0022-3042 1471-4159 |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07713.x |