Harmaline-induced tremor in the rat: Abolition by 3-acetylpyridine destruction of cerebellar climbing fibers

We consider the question whether the inferior olive (IO) is required for essential tremor (ET). Much evidence shows that the olivocerebellar system is the main system capable of generating the widespread synchronous oscillatory Purkinje cell (PC) complex spike (CS) activity across the cerebellar cortex that would be capable of generating the type of bursting cerebellar output from the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) that could underlie tremor. Normally, synchronous CS activity primarily reflects the effective electrical coupling of IO neurons by gap junctions, and traditionally, ET research has focused on the hypothesis of increased coupling of IO neurons as the cause of hypersynchronous CS activity underlying tremor. However, recent pathology studies of brains from humans with ET and evidence from mutant mice, particularly the hotfoot17 mouse, that largely replicate the pathology of ET, suggest that the abnormal innervation of multiple Purkinje cells (PCs) by climbing fibers (Cfs) is related to tremor. In addition, ET brains show partial PC loss and axon terminal sprouting by surviving PCs. This may provide another mechanism for tremor. It is proposed that in ET, these three mechanisms may promote tremor. They all involve hypersynchronous DCN activity and an intact IO, but the level at which excessive synchronization occurs may be at the IO level (from abnormal afferent activity to this nucleus), the PC level (via aberrant Cfs), or the DCN level (via terminal PC collateral innervation).

The seeds of Peganum harmala Linn have been widely used for the treatment of nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and endocrine diseases and many other human ailments. However, tremor toxicity occurs after overdose and is tolerated following multiple dosing. Thus far, little is known about the underlying mechanisms of tremors and tremor tolerance.

To investigate the potential mechanisms of tremors and tremor tolerance induced in rats by the repeated administration of total alkaloid extracts from the seeds of P. harmala (TAEP).

A tremor model was induced in male Wistar rats by administering TAEP at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day. To evaluate tremor action, behavioral assessment was conducted by using a custom-built tremor acquisition and analysis system. To investigate the relationships between tremors and neurotransmitter levels in the brain, various neurotransmitters were simultaneously quantified by an ultra-performance liquid chromatography combined with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS) system, and the association between these two parameters was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients. To further elucidate the potential mechanisms of the alterations of neurotransmitter levels in cortical tissues, the protein expression levels of several important enzymes and transporters that are closely related to neurotransmitter levels were investigated. In addition, neuropathological analysis was conducted to assess the effect of TAEP on neurons in the brain. To further clarify the potential mechanisms of TAEP-induced neurodegeneration in the brain, c-fos was subjected to immunohistochemical analysis, and oxidative stress markers were examined.

Tremors initially occurred in rats after the oral administration of TAEP at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day. However, they were tolerated following repeated dosing. The levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and glycine (Gly) in cortical tissues were most likely associated with the tremor response. Tremor tolerance also likely resulted from the degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Furthermore, the alteration of 5-HT levels was mainly attributed to the downregulated expression of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). The degeneration of Purkinje neurons might have resulted from the overexpression of c-fos and increased oxidative stress in the cerebellum after the multiple dosing of TAEP.

The tremor response induced by TAEP at high doses is closely related to the concentrations of 5-HT and Gly in cortical tissues. Tremor tolerance may also be attributed to the degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells after the repeated dosing of TAEP. Further studies should be conducted to elucidate the interaction of the alkaloids on the neurotransmitter receptors, the expression of related neurotransmitter receptors, the specific signaling pathway involved in regulating MAO-A, and the mechanism of the loss and functional recovery of cerebellar Purkinje neurons.

Essential tremor affects the hands during actions and can be disabling. Although common, no medications for it have emerged from basic research. Animal tremor models offer an approach to identify targets for drug development. In one model, the drug harmaline induces whole-body tremor in a rodent that lasts at least 1.5 h. In another model, the α1 subunit of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA_A) receptor is knocked out, leading to tremor that is best seen when the mouse is picked up by the tail. Each model has limitations and does not perfectly predict drug efficacy for essential tremor. Nonetheless, they offer a useful starting point to test hypotheses on what may suppress tremor. In this chapter, we describe the models and review progress to date. The models suggest that drugs that block neuronal gap junctions or T-type calcium channels, or activate certain GABA receptors, might be useful for tremor.

Essential tremor (ET) is a prevalent neurological disorder of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of an action tremor that occurs during voluntary motion and affects primarily the upper limbs. The worldwide prevalence of the disease in the general population is 0.9%, increasing to 4.6% in individuals ≥65 years old. Standard pharmaceutical treatments are only moderately effective, reducing tremor amplitudes in ∼50% of patients, a phenomenon partly explained by the fact that the diagnosis of ET is based solely on clinical findings rather than biological markers. Furthermore, the pathophysiological origin of ET remains controversial, leading to heated debates as to whether it should be considered a neurodegenerative disorder or as a dynamic oscillatory disturbances of neurologic origin. Progress has been made in the understanding of its etiology as it is now accepted that genetic components must at least explain the familial cases of ET, and the evidence implicating the olivocerebellar and cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathways is strong. However, a strong disconnection between human genetics, pathophysiological, and mouse genetics studies exists in the field of ET, with little use of all the knowledge gathered from the different research disciplines. This review highlights our current knowledge on ET from both a human population and mouse genetics perspective hoping to reconcile evidence from both fields and leading to novel clues guiding future studies. We argue that better communication between researchers of different fields is warranted to define the biological origin of ET in the hope of leading to the development of better treatments.

Harmaline induces burst-firing in inferior olive neurons that propagates to cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord, causing 8–16 Hz action tremor in animals that responds to many drugs used for essential tremor (propranolol, primidone, benzodiazepines, alcohol, octanol). As a preclinical model, its predictive validity for clinical therapy awaits further evaluation.

Harmaline induces burst-firing in inferior olive neurons that propagates to cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord, causing 8–16 Hz action tremor in animals that responds to many drugs used for essential tremor (propranolol, primidone, benzodiazepines, alcohol, octanol). As a preclinical model, its predictive validity for clinical therapy awaits further evaluation.