AMPA Receptor Antagonists as Potential Anticonvulsant Drugs (original) (raw)

Neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of EGIS-8332, a non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist, in a range of animal models

British Journal of Pharmacology, 2007

Background and purpose: Blockade of AMPA (a-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid) receptors is a good treatment option for a variety of central nervous system disorders. The present study evaluated the neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of EGIS-8332, a non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonist, as a potential drug candidate. Experimental approach: AMPA antagonist effects of EGIS-8332 were measured using patch-clamp techniques. Neuroprotective and anticonvulsant effects of EGIS-8332 were evaluated in various experimental models, relative to those of GYKI 53405. Key results: EGIS-8332 inhibited AMPA currents in rat cerebellar Purkinje cells and inhibited the AMPA-and quisqualateinduced excitotoxicity in primary cultures of telencephalon neurons (IC 50 ¼ 5.1-9.0 mM), in vitro. Good anticonvulsant actions were obtained in maximal electroshock-, sound-and chemically-induced seizures (range of ED 50 ¼ 1.4-14.0 mg kg À1 i.p.) in mice. Four days after transient global cerebral ischaemia, EGIS-8332 decreased neuronal loss in the hippocampal CA1 area in gerbils and rats. EGIS-8332 dose-dependently reduced cerebral infarct size after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice and rats (minimum effective dose ¼ 3 mg kg À1 i.p.). Side effects of EGIS-8332 emerged much above its pharmacologically active doses. A tendency for better efficacy of GYKI 53405 than that of EGIS-8332 was observed in anticonvulsant tests that reached statistical significance in few cases, while the contrary was perceived in cerebral ischaemia tests. Conclusions and implications: EGIS-8332 seems suitable for further development for the treatment of epilepsy, ischaemia and stroke based on its efficacy in a variety of experimental disease models, and on its low side effect potential.

New AMPA antagonists in epilepsy

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 2012

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder; however, its therapy is not satisfactory because a large number of patients suffer from refractory seizures and/or has a low quality of life due to antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects. Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, AMPA receptors (AMPARs) represent a validated target for AEDs' development. Evidences support their role during seizures and neurodegeneration. Development of AMPAR ligands has led to two different branches of research, with the identification of competitive and noncompetitive antagonists. We herein describe the architecture of AMPAR and the main structure-activity relationships of antagonists. Finally, we report the effects of AMPAR antagonists in preclinical models and clinical trials in epileptic patients. We reviewed the most relevant research in the field, focusing on research advances for the oldest AMPA antagonists and the new most promising molecules identified. Overall, the development of AMPAR antagonists confirms their great clinical potential; their arrival to clinical practice has been slowed down by their unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile and tolerability; however, their clinical use might be justified by their efficacy and the new drugs developed such as perampanel have been greatly ameliorated from both points of view.

Phenylalanine-Based AMPA Receptor Antagonist as the Anticonvulsant Agent with Neuroprotective Activity—In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Molecules, 2022

Trying to meet the multitarget-directed ligands strategy, a series of previously described aryl-substituted phenylalanine derivatives, reported as competitive antagonists of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors, were screened in vitro for their free-radical scavenging and antioxidant capacity in two different assays: ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity fluorescent (ORAC-FL) assays. The most active antioxidants 1 and 8 were further examined to evaluate their neuroprotective properties in vitro. In this study, compound 1 showed a significant neuroprotective effect against the neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y and IMR-32 cell lines. Both compounds also showed prevention from high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, the desired monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibition effect (IC50 = 278 ± 29 nM) for 1 was determined. No toxic effects up to 100 µM of 1 and 8 a...

Group III mGlu receptor agonists potentiate the anticonvulsant effect of AMPA and NMDA receptor block

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2002

We report the anticonvulsant action in DBA/2 mice of two mGlu Group III receptor agonists: (R,S)-4-phosphonophenylglycine, (R,S)-PPG, a compound with moderate mGlu8 selectivity, and of (1S,3R,4S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid, ACPT-1, a selective agonist for mGlu4a receptors. Both compounds, given intracerebroventricularly at doses which did not show marked anticonvulsant activity, produced a consistent shift to the left of the dose -response curves (i.e. enhanced the anticonvulsant properties) of 1-(4V-aminophenyl)-3,5dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-2,3-benzodiazepin-4-one hydrochloride, CFM-2, a noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist, and 3-(( F )-2carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-1-phosphonic acid, CPPene, a competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, in DBA/2 mice. In addition, (R,S)-PPG and ACPT-1 administered intracerebroventricularly prolonged the time course of the anticonvulsant properties of CFM-2 (33 Amol/kg, i.p.) and CPPene (3.3 Amol/kg, i.p.) administered intraperitoneally. We conclude that modest reduction of synaptic glutamate release by activation of Group III metabotropic receptors potentiates the anticonvulsant effect of AMPA and NMDA receptor blockade. D

The non-competitive AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, GYKI 52466, potentiates the anticonvulsant activity of conventional antiepileptics

European Journal of Pharmacology, 1995

1-(4-Aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine hydrochloride (GYKI 52466), up to 5 mg/kg, did not influence the electroconvulsive threshold but potentiated the anticonvulsant activity of valproate, carbamazepine and diphenylhydantoin against maximal electroshock-induced convulsions in mice. No potentiation was observed in the case of phenobarbital. Moreover, this non-NMDA receptor antagonist did not influence the plasma levels of the antiepileptic drugs studied, so a pharmacokinetic interaction, in terms of total and free plasma levels, is not probable. The combined treatment of GYKI 52466 with either carbamazepine or diphenylhydantoin (providing a 50% protection against maximal electroshock) was devoid of significant side effects (motor and long-term memory impairment). Valproate applied at a dose equal to its EDs0 caused serious worsening of motor coordination and long-term memory. It is noteworthy that the combined treatment of GYKI 52466 with valproate was superior to valproate alone, as regards adverse effects. The results suggest that concomitant administration of GYKI 52466 with some conventional antiepileptic drugs may offer a novel approach in the treatment of epilepsy.

Differentiation of in vivo effects of AMPA and NMDA receptor ligands using drug discrimination methods and convulsant/anticonvulsant activity

European Journal of Pharmacology, 1995

The discriminative stimulus properties of the AMPA ((RS)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid) receptor agonist ATPA ((RS)-2-amino-3- (3-hydroxy-5-tert-butylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid) and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartic acid) in rats have been characterized. It is suggested that the cues are mediated by separate mechanisms in the central nervous system. The ATPA cue is not mimicked by NMDA or an NMDA receptor agonist, and is inhibited by the AMPA receptor antagonist (R)-APPA ((R)-2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)propionic acid) but not the AMPA receptor antagonist ATOA propionic acid) or the NMDA receptor antagonist CPP ((RS)-3-(2carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl)phosphonic acid). The ATPA cue is not mimicked by AMPA which is believed not to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. In contrast, ATPA does not generalize to the NMDA cue, which is mimicked by some NMDA receptor agonists (tetrazol-5-yl-glycine and AMAA ((RS)-2-amino-2-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl)acetic acid)) and is inhibited by the NMDA receptor antagonist CPP. Highly potent convuisant activity was demonstrated in mice with all AMPA and NMDA receptor agonists after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection, whereas weaker or no effects were found after subcutaneous (s.c.) or intravenous injection. Only (RS)-tetrazol-5-yl-glycine had a potent effect after s.c. administration. I.c.v. ATOA and CPP inhibited convulsions induced by i.c.v, injection of AMPA or NMDA, while (R)-APPA was ineffective. These results indicate that there are differences in the structure-activity relations in the drug discrimination and convulsant/anticonvulsant models, even when effects after i.c,v, and s.c. injection are taken into consideration. The convulsion models are rapid tests which can give an indication of central nervous system penetration, but are less pharmacologically specific with respect to differentiation between AMPA and NMDA ligands where cue models demonstrate clear differences in effects of ligands with selectivity for receptor subtypes.

CP-465,022, a Selective Noncompetitive AMPA Receptor Antagonist, Blocks AMPA Receptors but Is Not Neuroprotective In Vivo

Stroke, 2003

Alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor inhibition has been hypothesized to provide neuroprotective efficacy after cerebral ischemia on the basis of the activity in experimental ischemia models of a variety of compounds with varying selectivity for AMPA over other glutamate receptor subtypes. CP-465,022 is a new, potent, and selective noncompetitive AMPA receptor antagonist. The present study investigated the ability of this compound to reduce neuronal loss after experimental cerebral ischemia to probe the neuroprotective potential of AMPA receptor inhibition. To demonstrate that CP-465,022 gains access to the brain, the effects of systemic administration of CP-465,022 were investigated on AMPA receptor-mediated electrophysiological responses in hippocampus and on chemically induced seizures in rats. The compound was then investigated for neuroprotective efficacy in rat global and focal ischemia models at doses demonstrated to be maximally effective in the electrophysiology and seizure models. CP-465,022 potently and efficaciously inhibited AMPA receptor-mediated hippocampal synaptic transmission and the induction of seizures. However, at comparable doses, CP-465,022 failed to prevent CA1 neuron loss after brief global ischemia or to reduce infarct volume after temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion. Given the high selectivity of CP-465,022 for AMPA over kainate and N-methyl-D-aspartate subtypes of glutamate receptors, the lack of neuroprotective efficacy of the compound calls into question the neuroprotective efficacy of AMPA receptor inhibition after ischemia.

Glutamate metabotropic receptors as targets for drug therapy in epilepsy

European Journal of Pharmacology, 2003

Metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors have multiple actions on neuronal excitability through G-protein-linked modifications of enzymes and ion channels. They act presynaptically to modify glutamatergic and g-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic transmission and can contribute to long-term changes in synaptic function. The recent identification of subtype-selective agonists and antagonists has permitted evaluation of mGlu receptors as potential targets in the treatment of epilepsy. Agonists acting on group I mGlu receptors (mGlu 1 and mGlu 5 ) are convulsant. Antagonists acting on mGlu 1 or mGlu 5 receptors are anticonvulsant against 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG)-induced seizures and in mouse models of generalized motor seizures and absence seizures. The competitive, phenylglycine mGlu 1/5 receptor antagonists generally require intracerebroventricular administration for potent anticonvulsant efficacy but noncompetitive antagonists, e.g., (3aS,6aS)-6a-naphthalen-2-ylmethyl-5-methyliden-hexahydrocyclopenta[c]furan-1-on (BAY36-7620), 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride MPEP), and 2-methyl-6-(2-phenylethenyl)pyridine (SIB-1893) block generalized seizures with systemic administration. Agonists acting on group II mGlu receptors (mGlu 2 , mGlu 3 ) to reduce glutamate release are anticonvulsant, e.g., 2R,4R-aminopyrrolidine-2,4dicarboxylate [(2R,4R)-APDC], (+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (LY354740), and (À)-2-oxa-4-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-4,6-dicarboxylate (LY379268). The classical agonists acting on group III mGlu receptors such as L-(+)-2-amino-4-phosphonobutyric acid, and L-serine-O-phosphate are acutely proconvulsant with some anticonvulsant activity. The more recently identified agonists (R,S)-4phosphonophenylglycine [(R,S)-PPG] and (S)-3,4-dicarboxyphenylglycine [(S)-3,4-DCPG] and (1S,3R,4S)-1-aminocyclopentane-1,2,4tricarboxylic acid [ACPT-1] are all anticonvulsant without proconvulsant effects. Studies in animal models of kindling reveal some efficacy of mGlu receptor ligands against fully kindled limbic seizures.

Influence of LY 300164, an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist upon the anticonvulsant action of antiepileptic drugs against aminophylline-induced seizures in mice

2003

LY 300164 [7-acetyl-3-(4-aminophenyl)-8,9-dihydro-8-methyl-7H-1,3-dioxazolo[4,5-h][2,3]-benzodiazepine], a novel AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, administered intraperitoneally protected mice against aminophylline-induced seizures. At doses up to 0.5 mg/kg, which did not significantly affect the convulsant activity of aminophylline, it potentiated the protective activity of diazepam. On the other hand, LY 300164 used at the lowest protective dose of 1.0 mg/kg enhanced anticonvulsant activity of all antiepileptic drugs tested in this seizure model. However, LY 300164 neither alone nor combined with antiepileptic drugs, reduced aminophylline-induced mortality.

Effects of non-competitive AMPA receptor antagonists injected into some brain areas of WAG/Rij rats, an animal model of generalized absence epilepsy

Neuropharmacology, 2006

CFM-2 [1-(4-aminophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-2,3-benzodiazepin-4-one] and THIQ-10c [N-acetyl-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline], are two non-competitive 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazol-4-yl) propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists, which demonstrated to antagonize generalized tonic-clonic seizures in different animal models. We have evaluated the effects of such compounds in a genetic animal model of absence epilepsy, the WAG/Rij rat. Animals were focally microinjected into specific brain areas of the cortico-thalamic circuit in order to evaluate the effects of these compounds on the number and duration of epileptic spike-wave discharges (SWDs) and better characterize the role of AMPA neurotransmission in this animal model. The focal microinjection of the two AMPA antagonists into some thalamic nuclei (ventralis posteromedialis (VPM), reticularis (NRT), ventralis posterolateralis (VPL) and the primary somatosensory forelimb region (S1FL)) was, generally, not able to significantly modify the occurrence of SWDs. Whereas, both compounds were able to reduce the number and duration of SWDs dose-dependently when microinjected into the peri-oral region of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1po). These findings suggest that AMPA receptor antagonists might play a role in absence epilepsies and that it might depend on the involvement of specific neuronal areas.