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The objective of this investigation was to examine the distribution of galcanezumab and a control immunoglobulin 4 antibody containing the same constant regions as galcanezumab, into peripheral and central tissues.Galcanezumab and a control immunoglobulin 4 antibody were radioiodinated with Iodine-125 to specific activities of 0.11 mCi/mg and 0.16 mCi/mg, respectively. At 24, 72, and 168 hours following subcutaneous injection of either antibody (4 mg/kg), cerebrospinal fluid and plasma were obtained followed by saline perfusion to remove residual blood and collection of selected tissues for determination of Iodine-125 content by gamma counting.The peak plasma levels of Iodine-125 galcanezumab and Iodine-125 control immunoglobulin 4 were observed at 72 hours and remained high at 168 hours post-dose. The rank order of tissue levels was dura mater = spleen trigeminal ganglia ≫hypothalamus = spinal cord = prefrontal cortex = cerebellum. Iodine-125 galcanezumab levels in peripheral tissue (dura mater, spleen, and trigeminal ganglia) averaged 5% to 11% of plasma, whereas all of the central nervous system (CNS) tissue levels and the cerebrospinal fluid levels were 0.4% of plasma. Distribution of the antibodies into the dura mater and the trigeminal ganglia was similar to that observed in the spleen and significantly greater than exposure in the brain or spinal cord.The central levels of galcanezumab were relatively low, which would favor the dura mater and trigeminal ganglia as sites of action for its observed clinical efficacy. However, a central site of action cannot be excluded.

Weight gain and diabetes have been reported during treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs). Patients treated with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist (GRA) and the progesterone receptor antagonist (PRA) mifepristone [estra-4,9-dien-3-one, 11-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-17-hydroxy-17-(1-propynyl)-(11β,17β)-(9CI)] experienced significant reduction in the weight gain observed when patients were treated with olanzapine or risperidone. To understand the pharmacology responsible for this finding, we discovered LLY-2707 [N-(5-(tert-butyl)-3-(2-fluoro-5-methylpyridin-4-yl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-7-yl)methanesulfonamide], a novel and selective GRA, and evaluated its utility in preclinical models of AAPD-associated weight gain and diabetes. In vitro, LLY-2707 was a highly selective and potent GRA. GR occupancy in vivo was assessed using ex vivo binding where LLY-2707 inhibited [(3)H]dexamethasone binding to the liver. Modest but statistically significant decreases in brain ex vivo binding were observed with high doses of CORT-108297 [(R)-4α-(ethoxymethyl)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-6-((4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfonyl)-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-g]isoquinoline] and LLY-2707, but mifepristone inhibited at all doses. Central activity of the GRAs was confirmed by their ability to suppress amphetamine-induced increases in locomotor activity. The increases in the body weight of female rats treated with olanzapine (2 mg/kg PO) over 14 days were reduced in a dose-dependent manner by coadministration of LLY-2707. Similar decreases, although less robust, in body weight were seen with mifepristone and CORT-108297. In addition, sGRAs prevented the glucose excursion after intragastric olanzapine infusions consistent with a direct effect on the hyperglycemia observed during treatment with AAPDs. At doses effectively preventing weight gain, LLY-2707 did not substantially interfere with the dopamine D2 receptor occupancy by olanzapine. Therefore, GRA coadministration may provide a novel treatment modality to prevent the weight gain and diabetes observed during treatment with AAPDs.

Allosteric potentiators amplify the sensitivity of physiologic control circuits, a mode of action that could provide therapeutic advantages. This hypothesis was tested with the dopamine D1 receptor potentiator DETQ [2-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-1-((1S,3R)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-1-methyl-3,4-dihydroisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)ethan-1-one]. In human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells expressing the human D1 receptor, DETQ induced a 21-fold leftward shift in the cAMP response to dopamine, with a Kb of 26 nM. The maximum response to DETQ alone was ∼12% of the maximum response to dopamine, suggesting weak allosteric agonist activity. DETQ was ∼30-fold less potent at rat and mouse D1 receptors and was inactive at the human D5 receptor. To enable studies in rodents, an hD1 knock-in mouse was generated. DETQ (3-20 mg/kg orally) caused a robust (∼10-fold) increase in locomotor activity (LMA) in habituated hD1 mice but was inactive in wild-type mice. The LMA response to DETQ was blocked by the D1 antagonist SCH39166 and was dependent on endogenous dopamine. LMA reached a plateau at higher doses (30-240 mg/kg) even though free brain levels of DETQ continued to increase over the entire dose range. In contrast, the D1 agonists SKF 82958, A-77636, and dihydrexidine showed bell-shaped dose-response curves with a profound reduction in LMA at higher doses; video-tracking confirmed that the reduction in LMA caused by SKF 82958 was due to competing stereotyped behaviors. When dosed daily for 4 days, DETQ continued to elicit an increase in LMA, whereas the D1 agonist A-77636 showed complete tachyphylaxis by day 2. These results confirm that allosteric potentiators may have advantages compared with direct-acting agonists.

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is the major hypothalamic neuropeptide responsible for stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA), resulting in the synthesis and release of glucocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. In a recent study, we reported the discovery of the CRF1 receptor antagonist, 3-(4-chloro-2-morpholin-4-yl-thiazol-5-yl)-8-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dimethyl-imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine (MTIP), which has efficacy in preclinical models of stress-induced alcohol consumption. Because CRF1 is important in HPAA activation, we evaluated the effects of MTIP administration on rodent HPAA function. Initial studies established the MTIP doses required for brain and pituitary CRF1 occupancy and those associated with the inhibition of intracerebroventricular CRF on the HPAA in mice. Then, rat basal plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentrations were measured hourly by radioimmunoassay for 24 h after three daily doses of MTIP or vehicle. In these studies, the early phase of the nocturnal CORT surge was reduced; however, the area under the CORT curve was identical for the 24-h period. In subsequent studies, increases in plasma CORT due to direct pharmacological manipulation of the HPAA axis or by stressors were evaluated after MTIP treatment in mice. MTIP attenuated CORT responses generated by immediate bolus administration of insulin or ethanol; however, MTIP did not affect activation of the HPAA by other stressors and pharmacological agents. Therefore, MTIP can modulate basal HPAA activity during the CORT surge and reduced activation after a select number of stressors but does not produce a lasting suppression of basal CORT. The ability of MTIP to modulate plasma CORT after hyperinsulinemia may provide a surrogate strategy for a target occupancy biomarker.

Resilience to mental and physical stress is a key determinant for the survival and functioning of mammals. Although the importance of stress resilience has been recognized, the underlying neural mediators have not yet been identified. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a peptide known for its anti-anxiety-like effects mediated via the amygdala. The results of our current study demonstrate, for the first time that repeated administration of NPY directly into the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA) produces selective stress-resilient behavioral responses to an acute restraint challenge as measured in the social interaction test, but has no effect on hypothalamic–adrenal–pituitary axis activity or stress-induced hyperthermia. More importantly, the resilient behaviors observed in the NPY-treated animals were present for up to 8 weeks. Antagonizing the activity of calcineurin, a protein phosphatase involved in neuronal remodeling and present in NPY receptor containing neurons within the BLA, blocked the development of long-term, but not the acute increases in social interaction responses induced by NPY administration. This suggests that the NPY-induced long-term behavioral resilience to restraint stress may occur via mechanisms involving neuronal plasticity. These studies suggest one putative physiologic mechanism underlying stress resilience and could identify novel targets for development of therapies that can augment the ability to cope with stress.

We describe a novel corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) antagonist with advantageous properties for clinical development, and itsin vivoactivity in preclinical alcoholism models. 3-(4-Chloro-2-morpholin-4-yl-thiazol-5-yl)-8-(1-ethylpropyl)-2,6-dimethyl-imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine (MTIP) inhibited125I-sauvagine binding to rat pituitary membranes and cloned human CRF1with subnanomolar affinities, with no detectable activity at the CRF2receptor or other common drug targets. After oral administration to rats, MTIP inhibited125I-sauvagine binding to rat cerebellar membranesex vivowith an ED50of ∼1.3 mg/kg and an oral bioavailability of 91.1%. Compared with R121919 (2,5-dimethyl-3-(6-dimethyl-4-methylpyridin-3-yl)-7-dipropylamino-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine) and CP154526 (N-butyl-N-ethyl-4,9-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.3.0]nona-2,4,8,10-tetraen-2-amine), MTIP had a markedly reduced volume of distribution and clearance. Neither open-field activity nor baseline exploration of an elevated plus-maze was affected by MTIP (1–10 mg/kg). In contrast, MTIP dose-dependently reversed anxiogenic effects of withdrawal from a 3 g/kg alcohol dose. Similarly, MTIP blocked excessive alcohol self-administration in Wistar rats with a history of dependence, and in a genetic model of high alcohol preference, the msP rat, at doses that had no effect in nondependent Wistar rats. Also, MTIP blocked reinstatement of stress-induced alcohol seeking both in postdependent and in genetically selected msP animals, again at doses that were ineffective in nondependent Wistar rats. Based on these findings, MTIP is a promising candidate for treatment of alcohol dependence.

Preclinical brain receptor occupancy measures have heretofore been conducted by quantifying the brain distribution of a radiolabeled tracer ligand using either scintillation spectroscopy or tomographic imaging. For smaller animals like rodents, the majority of studies employ tissue dissection and scintillation spectroscopy. These measurements can also be accomplished using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectral detection to measure the brain distribution of tracer molecules, obviating the need for radioligands. In order to validate mass spectroscopy-based receptor occupancy methods, we examined dopamine D2 receptor dose-occupancy curves for a number of antipsychotic drugs in parallel experiments using either mass spectroscopy or radioligand-based approaches. Oral dose-occupancy curves were generated for 8 antipsychotic compounds in parallel experiments using either radiolabeled or unlabeled raclopride tracer. When curves generated by these two methods were compared and ED(50) values determined, remarkably similar data were obtained. Occupancy ED(50) values were (mg/kg): chlorpromazine, 5.1 and 2.7; clozapine, 41 and 40; haloperidol, 0.2 and 0.3; olanzapine, 2.1 and 2.2; risperidone, 0.1 and 0.4; spiperone, 0.5 and 0.4; thioridazine 9.2 and 9.5; and ziprasidone 1.4 and 2.1 (unlabeled and radiolabeled raclopride tracer, respectively). The observation that in vivo application of both techniques led to comparable data adds to the validation state of the mass spectroscopy-based approach to receptor occupancy assays.

Corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) and Urocortin are important neurotransmitters in the regulation of physiological and behavioral responses to stress. Centrally administered CRF or Urocortin produces anxiety-like responses in numerous animal models of anxiety disorders. Previous studies in our lab have shown that Urocortin infused into the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala produces anxiety-like responses in the social interaction test. Subsequently, in the current study we prepared a specific CRF1 receptor antagonist (N-Cyclopropylmethyl-2,5-dimethyl-N-propyl-N'-(2,4,6-trichloro-phenyl)-pyrimidine-4,6-diamine, NBI3b1996) to examine in this paradigm. This CRF1 receptor antagonist inhibited the ex vivo binding of 125I-sauvagine to rat cerebellum with an ED50 of 6 mg/kg, i.p. NBI3b1996 produced a dose-dependent antagonism of Urocortin-induced anxiety-like behavior in Social Interaction test with an ED50 of 6 mg/kg, i.p. The compound had no effect on baseline social interaction. In addition, the CRF1 receptor antagonist prevented the stress-induced decrease in social interaction. These results provide further support for the CRF1 receptor in anxiety-like behavior and suggest this pathway is quiescent in unstressed animals.

Background and Objectives Low level laser therapy (LLLT) offers promising symptomatic relief of osteoarthritic (OA) pain. We examined efficacy of active LLLT versus sham LLLT on finger joints and three superficial nerves. Study Design/Materials and Methods OA-patients randomly assigned, received three treatments per week for 6 weeks of LLLT (n = 42) or sham LLLT (n = 46). Results Pain relief, morning stiffness, and functional status did not significantly improve for LLLT versus placebo. No significant differences were found in finger range of motion, except carpometacarpal opposition (P = 0.011), grip strength, and patient global assessment which improved for active LLLT participants (P = 0.041). Conclusions LLLT is no better than placebo at reducing pain, morning stiffness, or improving functional status for OA-hand patients. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The selective norepinephrine (NE) transporter inhibitor atomoxetine (formerly called tomoxetine or LY139603) has been shown to alleviate symptoms in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). We investigated the mechanism of action of atomoxetine in ADHD by evaluating the interaction of atomoxetine with monoamine transporters, the effects on extracellular levels of monoamines, and the expression of the neuronal activity marker Fos in brain regions. Atomoxetine inhibited binding of radioligands to clonal cell lines transfected with human NE, serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) transporters with dissociation constants (K(i)) values of 5, 77 and 1451 nM, respectively, demonstrating selectivity for NE transporters. In microdialysis studies, atomoxetine increased extracellular (EX) levels of NE in prefrontal cortex (PFC) 3-fold, but did not alter 5-HT(EX) levels. Atomoxetine also increased DA(EX) concentrations in PFC 3-fold, but did not alter DA(EX) in striatum or nucleus accumbens. In contrast, the psychostimulant methylphenidate, which is used in ADHD therapy, increased NE(EX) and DA(EX) equally in PFC, but also increased DA(EX) in the striatum and nucleus accumbens to the same level. The expression of the neuronal activity marker Fos was increased 3.7-fold in PFC by atomoxetine administration, but was not increased in the striatum or nucleus accumbens, consistent with the regional distribution of increased DA(EX). We hypothesize that the atomoxetine-induced increase of catecholamines in PFC, a region involved in attention and memory, mediates the therapeutic effects of atomoxetine in ADHD. In contrast to methylphenidate, atomoxetine did not increase DA in striatum or nucleus accumbens, suggesting it would not have motoric or drug abuse liabilities.

The pharmacology and brain mRNA distribution of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) rat Y5 (rY5) receptor has led to the hypothesis that this receptor might mediate the hypothalamic feeding response to NPY in addition to many other physiologic functions. However, through the use of autoradiographic techniques, only very low levels of Y5-like immunoreactive (Y5-ir) binding are detected in the rat brain. To localize the Y5 protein in the rat brain, polyclonal antibodies were raised to the carboxyl terminus of the rY5 receptor. The resulting antisera were affinity purified and characterized by specific binding to HEK293 cells that had been stably transfected with the rY5 receptor. Utilizing immunohistochemical techniques, we found a discrete pattern of Y5-ir in the rat brain. In initial studies, very low levels of Y5-ir were detected, and TSA amplification was required to visualize the staining. Areas with the highest levels of expression include the piriform cortex, supraoptic nucleus, and hippocampus. Areas with moderate levels of expression include the lateral septum, amygdala, arcuate nucleus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, locus coeruleus, and cerebellum. With several exceptions, this pattern of distribution is consistent with earlier reports of rY5 mRNA and receptor protein expression.

Repeated exposure to stressful conditions is linked to the etiology of affective disorders. The melanin-concentrating hormone-1 receptor (MCHR1) may be a novel mechanism that is involved in the modulation of stress responses and affective states. The role of MCHR1 in neuroendocrine, behavioral, and neurochemical stress, and anxiety-related responses was examined by monitoring the effects of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and the selective MCHR1 antagonist, GW3430, in inbred C57Bl/6NTac and MCHR1-knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. Intracerebroventricular injection of MCH increased plasma corticosterone, and produced anxiety-related responses in the elevated plus maze. The selective MCHR1 antagonist, GW3430, blocked the neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of MCH and produced anxiolytic-like effects by itself in animal models of anxiety. Moreover, KO mice had an anxiolytic-like phenotype in behavioral models of anxiety, and GW3430 had anxiolytic-like effects in WT, but not KO mice. Lastly, stressor-evoked acetylcholine release within the prefrontal cortex of inbred and WT mice, but not KO mice, was blocked by GW3430. We show that MCH elicits anxiety-like responses and that the effects of a selective MCHR1 antagonist and the phenotype of KO mice are consistent with anxiolytic-like action. Distinct behavioral, physiological, and neurochemical stress, and anxiety-related responses were selectively modulated by the MCHR1, and these actions may involve corticolimbic regulation of stress responsivity and anxiety.