Inhibition of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE4) reverses memory deficits associated with NMDA receptor antagonism
by
Zhang HT, Crissman AM, Dorairaj NR, Chandler LJ, O'Donnell JM.
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics,
Louisiana State University Medical Center,
Shreveport, LA 71130, USA.
hzhang@lsumc.edu
Neuropsychopharmacology 2000 Aug;23(2):198-204

ABSTRACT

Rolipram, a selective inhibitor of type 4 cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (PDE4), completely reversed the amnesic effects of MK-801 on working and reference memory (F[4,64] = 11.10; p <.0001 and F[4,64] = 2.53; p <.05, respectively) at doses of 0.01-0.1 mg/kg in the radial-arm maze task. Similar antagonism by rolipram of the effects of MK-801 was observed on inhibitory avoidance behavior (F[3,35] = 190.8; p <.0001). In vitro evidence suggests that an increase in cAMP concentrations may mediate the observed behavioral effects of rolipram. In the absence of PDE4 inhibition, NMDA did not increase cAMP concentrations in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical neurons. However, when PDE4 was inhibited with rolipram, NMDA markedly elevated cAMP. These observations suggest that PDE4 is an integral component of the NMDA receptor-mediated signal transduction pathway involved in memory processes. Inhibitors of PDE4 may act on this pathway to produce their effects on memory and may represent a new class of cognitive enhancers.

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