Haim Einat1, Husseini K Manji. 1. College of Pharmacy, Duluth, University of Minnesota, 55812, USA. heinat@d.umn.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite extensive research, the molecular/cellular underpinnings of bipolar disorder (BD) remain to be fully elucidated. Recent data has demonstrated that mood stabilizers exert major effects on signaling that regulate cellular plasticity; however, a direct extrapolation to mechanisms of disease demands proof that manipulation of candidate genes, proteins, or pathways result in relevant behavioral changes. METHODS: We critique and evaluate the behavioral changes induced by manipulation of cellular plasticity cascades implicated in BD. RESULTS: Not surprisingly, the behavioral data suggest that several important signaling molecules might play important roles in mediating facets of the complex symptomatology of BD. Notably, the protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascades might play important roles in the antimanic effects of mood stabilizers, whereas glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 might mediate facets of lithium's antimanic/antidepressant actions. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulation also seems to be capable to inducing affective-like changes observed in mood disorders. And Bcl-2, amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors, and inositol homeostasis represent important pharmacological targets for mood stabilizers, but additional behavioral research is needed to more fully delineate their behavioral effects. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral data support the notion that regulation of cellular plasticity is involved in affective-like behavioral changes observed in BD. These findings are leading to the development of novel therapeutics for this devastating illness.
BACKGROUND: Despite extensive research, the molecular/cellular underpinnings of bipolar disorder (BD) remain to be fully elucidated. Recent data has demonstrated that mood stabilizers exert major effects on signaling that regulate cellular plasticity; however, a direct extrapolation to mechanisms of disease demands proof that manipulation of candidate genes, proteins, or pathways result in relevant behavioral changes. METHODS: We critique and evaluate the behavioral changes induced by manipulation of cellular plasticity cascades implicated in BD. RESULTS: Not surprisingly, the behavioral data suggest that several important signaling molecules might play important roles in mediating facets of the complex symptomatology of BD. Notably, the protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinase cascades might play important roles in the antimanic effects of mood stabilizers, whereas glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3 might mediate facets of lithium's antimanic/antidepressant actions. Glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulation also seems to be capable to inducing affective-like changes observed in mood disorders. And Bcl-2, amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptors, and inositol homeostasis represent important pharmacological targets for mood stabilizers, but additional behavioral research is needed to more fully delineate their behavioral effects. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioral data support the notion that regulation of cellular plasticity is involved in affective-like behavioral changes observed in BD. These findings are leading to the development of novel therapeutics for this devastating illness.
Authors: Natalie C Tronson; Christina Schrick; Andre Fischer; Farahnaz Sananbenesi; Gilles Pagès; Jacques Pouysségur; Jelena Radulovic Journal: Neuropsychopharmacology Date: 2007-08-22 Impact factor: 7.853
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