Lead author Angharad de Cates, Ph.D., MRCPsych, at the University of Oxford, stated of the work, “Our previous studies on prucalopride showed that even at low medical dosages it can improve cognition and memory in healthy volunteers. This most current research provides a neurological system by which this may occur.”
This figure shows that the healthy individuals who received prucalopride had higher functional connectivity in between key cognitive areas (the posterior/anterior cingulate cortices) and a significant cognitive network (the main executive network). That is, they appeared to be reinforcing their connection within cognitive networks. Credit: de Cates, et al., Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging
Participants who got the medication showed more functional connection in their resting-state (rsFC) between significant cognitive networks. This consisted of more rsFC between the main executive network, a brain network utilized for processing thoughts, and the posterior and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), brain locations that control information processing and attention in the brain. There was likewise more rsFC between regions of the ACC and the lateral occipital cortex, a region that assists us take note of items that matter. In addition, medicated individuals compared to placebo controls revealed decreased rsFC in the default mode network, a brain network that is triggered during mind roaming.
Dr. de Cates included, “This provides more proof that prucalopride is having an impact in areas of the brain that enhance cognitive function– both by increasing and reducing connectivity in between specific brain areas as required.”
Susannah Murphy, Ph.D., Associate Professor and joint senior author of the research study, said, “Appropriate connection in between and within these brain networks is required to think correctly, and this connection has actually been shown to be unusual in anxiety. Here, the participants taking prucalopride had better ratings on cognitive tests on the day of the scan compared to the placebo participants. That suggests that the modifications in rsFC that we saw with prucalopride may work as a signature of a drug that improves cognition.”
Dr. Murphy continued, “Untreated cognitive problems have a considerable effect on the lifestyle of individuals with anxiety. This study adds to the growing evidence base that drugs impacting the 5-HT4 serotonin receptor hold pledge as an unique method to treat anxiety and cognitive disability.”
Catherine Harmer, Ph.D., Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and joint senior author of the research study, stated, “This study adds to the evidence base that the typical laxative treatment prucalopride can have important impacts in the brain, especially affecting circuits which are necessary for finding out and memory. Together with previous information, this suggests that this drug might be beneficial as a pro-cognitive treatment in conditions such as anxiety.”
Cameron Carter, MD, Editor of Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, said of the work, “These information, showing modulation of resting state connectivity in the brain by the 5-HT4 receptor agonist and putative cognitive enhancer prucalopride, include to previous evidence that the representative modulates brain systems that are engaged during focused, greater cognitive activity and may have therapeutic potential.”
Recommendation: “5-HT4 Receptor Agonist Effects on Functional Connectivity in the Human Brain: Implications for Procognitive Action” by Angharad N. de Cates, Marieke A.G. Martens, Lucy C. Wright, Daisy Gibson, Gershon Spitz, Cassandra D. Gould van Praag, Sana Suri, Philip J. Cowen, Susannah E. Murphy and Catherine J. Harmer, 23 April 2023, Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging.DOI: 10.1016/ j.bpsc.2023.03.014.
A current research study showed that the drug prucalopride, a common laxative, improves cognitive function and memory in healthy volunteers by customizing resting brain activity. The research study exposes that prucalopride boosts connectivity in between cognitive networks and reduces mind-wandering activity, offering a potential treatment path for cognitive impairment and anxiety symptoms.
A pro-cognitive agent has therapeutic capacity.
Cognitive impairments often exist together with mood disorders and other psychiatric conditions, frequently causing significant troubles. New research study in Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, published by Elsevier, is now investigating the impacts of this drug on healthy adult human beings.
Serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT4-type receptors, are commonly distributed in different regions of the brain, including the frontal cortex, basal ganglia, and hippocampus. These locations play a critical role in cognitive functions and mood policy. Serotonin receptors are the primary targets of antidepressant drugs, but treating state of mind disorders doesnt always relieve cognitive symptoms.
The scientists employed 50 healthy volunteers, half of whom got a six-day course of prucalopride, a highly selective agonist of the 5-HT4 type serotonin receptor, whereas the other half of the participants got a placebo. Individuals went through scanning with practical magnetic resonance imaging, consisting of a “resting scan,” in which they relaxed in the scanner.
Serotonin receptors are the main targets of antidepressant drugs, however dealing with state of mind disorders doesnt always relieve cognitive symptoms.
This figure shows that the healthy participants who received prucalopride had higher practical connection between key cognitive regions (the posterior/anterior cingulate cortices) and a major cognitive network (the main executive network). That is, they appeared to be strengthening their connection within cognitive networks. Participants who received the medication displayed more functional connectivity in their resting-state (rsFC) between major cognitive networks. Here, the individuals taking prucalopride had much better scores on cognitive tests on the day of the scan compared to the placebo participants.