Activation of M4 muscarinic receptors in the striatum reduces tic‐like behaviours in two distinct murine models of Tourette syndrome

Abstract

Background and PurposeCurrent pharmacotherapies for Tourette syndrome (TS) are often unsatisfactory and poorly tolerated, underscoring the need for novel treatments. Insufficient striatal acetylcholine has been suggested to contribute to tic ontogeny. Thus, we tested whether activating M1 and/or M4 receptors—the two most abundant muscarinic receptors in the striatum—reduced tic‐related behaviours in mouse models of TS.Experimental ApproachStudies were conducted using CIN‐d and D1CT‐7 mice, two TS models characterized by early‐life depletion of striatal cholinergic interneurons and cortical neuropotentiation, respectively. First, we tested the effects of systemic and intrastriatal xanomeline, a selective M1/M4 receptor agonist, on tic‐like and other TS‐related responses. Then, we examined whether xanomeline effects were reduced by either M1 or M4 antagonists or mimicked by the M1/M3 agonist cevimeline or the M4 positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0467154. Finally, we measured striatal levels of M1 and M4 receptors and assessed the impact of VU0461754 on the striatal expression of the neural marker activity c‐Fos.Key ResultsSystemic and intrastriatal xanomeline reduced TS‐related behaviours in CIN‐d and D1CT‐7 mice. Most effects were blocked by M4, but not M1, receptor antagonists. VU0467154, but not cevimeline, elicited xanomeline‐like ameliorative effects in both models. M4, but not M1, receptors were down‐regulated in the striatum of CIN‐d mice. Additionally, VU0467154 reduced striatal c‐Fos levels in these animals.Conclusion and ImplicationsActivation of striatal M4, but not M1, receptors reduced tic‐like manifestations in mouse models, pointing to xanomeline and M4 PAMs as novel putative therapeutic strategies for TS.