Lamotrigine Improves Spatial Learning and Attenuates AD-Related Pathology in APP/PS1 Mice, with Possible Involvement of the cAMP/PKA/CREB Pathway

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by impaired spatial learning functions, amyloid-β accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, and neuroinflammation. Antiepileptic drugs such as lamotrigine have shown promise in improving brain functions in AD, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of lamotrigine in amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms using integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses. APP/PS1 mice were treated with lamotrigine from 3 months of age, and spatial learning performance was assessed using the Morris water maze test. Histological and molecular changes were evaluated through hematoxylin and eosin staining, Western blotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry. High-throughput RNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed to explore differentially expressed genes, metabolites, and enriched signaling pathways. Western blot validation and pharmacological inhibition were used to verify pathway involvement. Lamotrigine treatment significantly improved spatial learning performance, ameliorated neuronal degeneration, and decreased Aβ1 levels and tau phosphorylation in the brains of APP/PS1 mice. Inflammatory markers and glial activation were also markedly suppressed. Multi-omics analysis revealed alterations in key pathways related to synaptic plasticity, lipid metabolism, and autophagy. Notably, both omics data and protein validation highlighted the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway as a potentially relevant pathway. Co-administration of the PKA inhibitor H89 abolished lamotrigine-induced upregulation of p-CREB and BDNF, supporting the involvement of this pathway. Lamotrigine improves spatial learning and attenuates AD-related pathology in APP/PS1 mice, possibly through modulation of the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway, highlighting its potential as a candidate for further investigation.