Differential efficacy of α5IA in the Dp(16)1Yey mouse model of Down syndrome: implications for translational research

Cognitive impairments significantly impact the daily life of people with Down syndrome (DS). Overinhibition mediated by interneurons in the central nervous system was proposed as a key pathophysiological mechanism. Previous studies demonstrated cognitive rescue in the Ts65Dn mouse model using α5IA, a negative allosteric modulator of the α5 subunit-containing GABA _A receptors.

Here, we evaluated the effect of this drug in a mouse model carrying a more accurate duplication of the orthologous region to the human chromosome 21, namely the Dp(16)1Yey mouse model. First, we expanded the phenotypic characterization of Dp(16)1Yey mice using translationally more relevant behavioral tests. We confirmed spatial memory deficits in Dp(16)1Yey mice in the Barnes maze, and highlighted robust learning deficits in the pattern dissociation task and impairments in motor coordination. Next, we evaluated the effect of α5IA treatment on cognitive and motor performance. While α5IA treatment improved motor coordination in the Dp(16)1Yey mice, it failed to restore cognitive performance in the Barnes maze or in the pattern dissociation task.

These findings could suggest divergent pathophysiological mechanisms between the Dp(16)1Yey and the Ts65Dn models. Potentially, it could explain the limited efficacy of similar pharmacological intervention in clinical trials for DS. Further preclinical studies should prioritize refined behavioral paradigms and probably the use of more complex DS models to enhance the translational potential of candidate therapies.