Cholecystokinin B receptor agonists alleviates anterograde amnesia in cholecystokinin-deficient and aged Alzheimer's disease mice

Nan Zhang, Yixuan Sui, Peter Jendrichovsky, Hemin Feng, Heng Shi, Xu Zhang, Shenghui Xu, Wenjian Sun, Huatang Zhang, Xi Chen, Micky D. Tortorella* (Co-last Author), Jufang He* (Co-last Author)

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background As one major symptom of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), anterograde amnesia describes patients with an inability in new memory formation. The crucial role of the entorhinal cortex in forming new memories has been well established, and the neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is reported to be released from the entorhinal cortex to enable neocortical associated memory and long-term potentiation. Though several studies reveal that the entorhinal cortex and CCK are related to AD, it is less well studied. It is unclear whether CCK is a good biomarker or further a great drug candidate for AD.

Methods mRNA expressions of CCK and CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) were examined in two mouse models, 3xTg AD and CCK knock-out (CCK−/−) mice. Animals’ cognition was investigated with Morris water maze, novel object recognition test and neuroplasticity with in-vitro electrophysiological recording. Drugs were given intraperitoneally to animals to investigate the rescue effects on cognitive deficits, or applied to brain slices directly to explore the influence in inducement of long-term potentiation.

Results Aged 3xTg AD mice exhibited reduced CCK mRNA expression in the entorhinal cortex but reduced CCKBR expression in the neocortex and hippocampus, and impaired cognition and neuroplasticity comparable with CCK−/− mice. Importantly, the animals displayed improved performance and enhanced long-term potentiation after the treatment of CCKBR agonists.

Conclusions Here we provide more evidence to support the role of CCK in learning and memory and its potential to treat AD. We elaborated on the rescue effect of a promising novel drug, HT-267, on aged 3xTg AD mice. Although the physiological etiology of CCK in AD still needs to be further investigated, this study sheds light on a potential pharmaceutical candidate for AD and dementia.

© The Author(s) 2024.
Original languageEnglish
Article number109
JournalAlzheimer's Research & Therapy
Volume16
Online published15 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Funding

This work was supported by funding from the following: Hong Kong Research Grants Council, General Research Fund: 11101521, 11103922, 11104923; Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Collaborative Research Fund: C1043-21G; Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Theme-Based Research Scheme: T13-605/18-W; Innovation and Technology Fund of the Hong Kong SAR, China: GHP_075_19GD; Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Senior Research Fellow Scheme: SRFS2324-1S02; Hong Kong Health Bureau, Health and Medical Research Fund: 08194106, 09203656; Innovation Technology Commission of the Hong Kong SAR, China: Health@InnoHK program. We also thank the following charitable foundations for their generous support to J.H: Wong Chun Hong Endowed Chair Professorship, Charlie Lee Charitable Foundation, and Fong Shu Fook Tong Foundation.

Research Keywords

  • Cholecystokinin
  • Cholecystokinin B receptor agonist
  • Anterograde amnesia
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • HT-267

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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