Cited by 27Ion channel regulation and functionNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior

Role of KCNQ potassium channels in stress-induced deficit of working memory

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Arnsten, Amy F.T., Jin, Lu E., Gamo, Nao J., Ramos, Brian, Paspalas, Constantinos D., Morozov, Yury M., Kata, Anna, Bamford, Nigel S. +3 more·2019·Neurobiology of Stress

Abstract

The prefrontal cortex (PFC) mediates higher cognition but is impaired by stress exposure when high levels of catecholamines activate calcium-cAMP-protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. The current study examined whether stress and increased cAMP-PKA signaling in rat medial PFC (mPFC) reduce pyramidal cell firing and impair working memory by activating KCNQ potassium channels. KCNQ2 channels were found in mPFC layers II/III and V pyramidal cells, and patch-clamp recordings demonstrated KCNQ currents that were increased by forskolin or by chronic stress exposure, and which were associated with reduced neuronal firing. Low dose of KCNQ blockers infused into rat mPFC improved cognitive performance and prevented acute pharmacological stress-induced deficits. Systemic administration of low doses of KCNQ blocker also improved performance in young and aged rats, but higher doses impaired performance and occasionally induced seizures. Taken together, these data demonstrate that KCNQ channels have powerful influences on mPFC neuronal firing and cognitive function, contributing to stress-induced PFC dysfunction.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.ynstr.2019.100187

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  • Under conditions of uncontrollable stress, high levels of NE and DA release in PFC engage α1-AR and D1R to drive Ca2+-PKC and cAMP-PKA signaling, rapidly opening nearby K+ channels to weaken PFC network connectivity and impair working memory and top-down control.

    “However, under conditions of uncontrollable stress, there are high levels of NE and DA release in the PFC (Finlay et al., 1995, Murphy et al., 1996), which engage α1-AR and D1R to drive Ca2+-PKC and cAMP-PKA signaling, rapidly opening nearby K+ channels to weaken PFC network connectivity and impair working memory and top-down control (Fig. 4B); (Arnsten et al., 2019, Birnbaum et al., 2004, Gamo et”

    From Guanfacine’s mechanism of action in treating prefrontal cortical disorders: Successful translation across species (2020) · cites this paper as Arnsten et al., 2019

    Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

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  • KCNQ2 channels are localized on spines near synapse and spine apparatus.

    “Later studies showed that KCNQ2 channels, which are opened by PKA signaling, are also localized on spines near the synapse and the spine apparatus (Arnsten et al., 2019).”

    From Guanfacine’s mechanism of action in treating prefrontal cortical disorders: Successful translation across species (2020) · cites this paper as Arnsten et al., 2019

    The Results (Anatomy; page unavailable) say that punctate labeling likely reflects KCNQ2 expression in dendritic spines, but do not locate the channels near synapses or the spine apparatus. The Introduction also says PKA phosphorylation increases the open state of KCNQ2 channels. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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  • HCN channels are co-localized with α2A-AR on dlPFC dendritic spines.

    “ImmunoEM demonstrated the physical substrate for these physiological interactions, showing that HCN channels are co-localized with α2A-AR on dlPFC dendritic spines, e.g. on the spine head (Fig. 5B) and in the spine neck.”

    From Guanfacine’s mechanism of action in treating prefrontal cortical disorders: Successful translation across species (2020) · cites this paper as Arnsten et al., 2019

    The Results > Anatomy section describes KCNQ2 labeling in rat medial PFC, not HCN channels co-localized with α2A-AR in dlPFC spines. The Introduction discusses HCN-channel signaling, but the copy contains no passage establishing the claimed co-localization or reporting the stated immunoEM finding (searched: α2A-AR, HCN, immunoEM, spine head and neck). No page numbers were available in the copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Zahrt J. Taylor J.R. Arnsten A.F.T. Supranormal stimulation of dopamine D1 receptors in the prefrontal cortex impairs spatial working memory in rats Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 22 1996 1128 PMC6573725 9334425

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Authors
Arnsten, A. F. T., Jin, L. E., Gamo, N. J., Ramos, B., Paspalas, C. D., Morozov, Y. M., Kata, A., Bamford, N. S., Yeckel, M. F., Kaczmarek, L. K., & El-Hassar, L.
Affiliations
Yale University (US)
Venue
Neurobiology of Stress
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2019-11
Volume
11
Pages
100187
ISSN
2352-2895 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2964865062
Cited by
27
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5
FWCI
1.16
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Neurobiology of Stress (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
National Institutes of Health (DP1AG047744-01, DC0191 9)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Ion channel regulation and function
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Keywords
KCNQ potassium channels, KCNQ2, working memory, chronic stress, medial prefrontal cortex, cAMP/PKA signaling, pyramidal neurons, neuronal firing, cognitive impairment, age-related cognitive impairment, seizures

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