title: The MAO inhibitor phenelzine improves functional outcomes in mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and the animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are both accompanied by motor and non-motor symptoms. Pathological changes in the activities of key neurotransmitters likely underlie many of these symptoms. We have previously described disturbances in the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT/serotonin), noradrenaline (NE) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in a mouse model of EAE. The potential therapeutic effect of a drug that targets these three neurotransmitters, the antidepressant and anti-panic drug phenelzine (PLZ), was assessed in mice with MOG(35-55) induced EAE. The neurotransmitter content of EAE and control tissue after PLZ administration was first evaluated by HPLC. The ability of PLZ treatment to modulate EAE disease course and clinical signs was then assessed. Daily PLZ treatment, starting seven days after disease induction, delayed EAE onset, reduced disease severity in the chronic phase and was associated with substantial improvements in exploratory behavior and a novel measure of sickness and/or depression. Upon completion of the experiment, PLZ's effects on histopathological markers of the disease were examined. No differences were observed in T cell infiltration, microglia/macrophage reactivity, demyelination or axonal injury in PLZ-treated spinal cords. However, EAE mice treated with PLZ showed a normalization of 5-HT levels in the ventral horn of the spinal cord that might account for the improvements in behavioral outcomes. These results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of MAO inhibitors such as PLZ in MS. Additionally, the behavioral changes observed in EAE mice indicate that alterations in non-motor or 'affective' measures may be valuable to consider in addition to traditional measures of gross locomotor function.
authors: Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors: Travis
authors: T
authors: Musgrave
authors: Curtis
authors: C
authors: Benson
authors: Grace
authors: G
authors: Wong
authors: Ikennah
authors: I
authors: Browne
authors: Gustavo
authors: G
authors: Tenorio
authors: Gail
authors: G
authors: Rauw
authors: Glen B
authors: GB
authors: Baker
authors: Bradley J
authors: BJ
authors: Kerr
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000870:Anterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D018450:Disease Progression; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005911:Gliosis / Q000473:pathology; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D010624:Phenelzine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D012701:Serotonin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D010624:Phenelzine; D009638:Norepinephrine