title: Effects of the ACTH4-9 analog Org2766 on brain plasticity: modulation of excitatory neurotransmission?
abstract: ACTH-like neuropeptides have been investigated in various paradigms such as cognition, neuronal damage and neuronal excitation. All their effects may be collectively described as modulation of neural plasticity. However, the mechanism of action accounting for these effects remains to be demonstrated. This report is an overview of the data and has incorporated some additional findings of the influence of the ACTH4-9 analog, Org2766, on neuronal excitation, especially in the hippocampus. An interaction with NMDA receptors may account for the various aspects of plasticity. Based on recent findings demonstrating that the ACTH4-9 analog counteracts both the NMDA antagonist, AP5, and NMDA-induced explosive running behavior, the hypothesis is put forward that glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in behavioral changes induced by the ACTH4-9 analog.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Spruijt
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000502:physiology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C013765:Org 2766; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone