Modeling the Effects of Yoga on the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease in a Dish.
Adithy Hassan, Meghan Robinson, Stephanie M Willerth
Cells, tissues, organs 2018 DOI: 10.1159/000499503 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | In vitro study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Cultured basal forebrain cholinergic neurons exposed to oligomeric amyloid beta (OAβI-42) |
| Interventions | Dopamine Histamine Serotonin |
| Topics | Meditation Serotonin |
| Keywords | Alzheimer’s disease Amyloid beta Yoga |
| Key points | Dopamine and histamine act cooperatively with serotonin to reverse OAβI-42-induced loss of choline acetyltransferase in cultured basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. The neurotransmitters also inhibit OAβI-42-induced nitric oxide synthesis, preventing oxidative and nitrosative stress, and serotonin activates an alternate cleavage of amyloid precursor protein yielding a neurotrophic fragment. The authors hypothesize these concerted actions protect cholinergic synaptic transmission in Alzheimer's disease. |
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounts for 80% of all dementia cases, making it the most common form of dementia. Aging serves as the main risk factor for AD, but early onset AD can also occur in individuals younger than 65 years. AD results from progressive neurodegeneration leading to dysfunctional synaptic transmission in the brain. The cascade hypothesis of AD states that amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism becomes impaired either by mutation or an interleukin-mediated stress response to injury, resulting in the splicing of harmful oligomeric forms of amyloid beta (Aβ). These oligomers disrupt extracellular receptor binding, intracellular function, and cellular membrane integrity. Yoga and meditative practices slow the progression of the cognitive decline associated with AD. However, the biological mechanisms underlying this therapeutic effect remain elusive. Here, we investigated the ability of neurotransmitters released during yoga and meditative practices to rescue neurons from synaptic dysfunction in an in vitro Alzheimer's model created by culturing basal forebrain cholinergic neurons with physiologically relevant levels of the I-42 isoform of oligomeric Aβ (OΑβI-42). We found that the neurotransmitters dopamine and histamine produce a cooperative action with serotonin to reverse the loss of choline acetyltransferase (CHaT) by OΑβI-42. The loss of ChaT, the enzyme responsible for processing the cholinergic neurotransmitter acetylcholine, contributes to the synaptic dysfunction experienced during AD. These neurotransmitters inhibit nitric oxide synthesis caused by OΑβI-42, preventing oxidative and nitrosative stress. Serotonin activates an alternate cleavage of APP to produce a fragment with known neurotrophic effects, giving it the unique ability to inhibit the OΑβI-42 production cycle. We hypothesize here that these concerted actions lead to the protection of cholinergic synaptic transmission in AD.
Comparable studies
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| Neurotoxicity of the psychedelic amphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine. Rats (implied by typical neurochemical study context) | 1987 | Experimental study | |
| Psychedelics promote neuroplasticity through the activation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors In vitro and in vivo (rodent) models | 2023 | Experimental study | |
| 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine destroy serotonin terminals in rat brain: quantification of neurodegeneration by measurement of [3H]paroxetine-labeled serotonin uptake sites. Rat brain | 1987 | Animal experiment | |
| Comparison of the monoamine transporters from human and mouse in their sensitivities to psychostimulant drugs Human and mouse dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin transporters expressed in cells | 2006 | In vitro laboratory study |
Citations in the library
Cites 3
- Physiological effects of yogic practices and transcendental meditation in health and disease North American Journal of Medical Sciences 2012
- The Neural Mechanisms of Meditative Practices: Novel Approaches for Healthy Aging Current behavioral neuroscience reports October 18, 2016
- Impact of Yoga and Meditation on Cellular Aging in Apparently Healthy Individuals: A Prospective, Open-Label Single-Arm Exploratory Study Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity January 16, 2017