Modulators of N-methyl-D-aspartate protect against diazepam- or phenobarbital-resistant cocaine convulsions. 1991

J M Witkin, and F C Tortella
Drug Development Group, Psychobiology Laboratory, NIDA Addiction Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224.

The anticonvulsants diazepam (1-10 mg/kg) and phenobarbital (30-100 mg/kg) protected against lethality without altering clonic convulsions induced by 75 mg/kg cocaine (CD100) in male Swiss Webster mice. In contrast, the non-competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, MK-801 (dizocilpine) and phencyclidine, produced dose-dependent protection against cocaine convulsions. The competitive NMDA antagonists, CPP and NPC 12626, were also anti-convulsant, without producing the behavioral disturbances associated with non-competitive antagonists. Diazepam and phenobarbital protected against convulsions induced by 60 mg/kg cocaine (90% convulsions alone). Compounds that act at the strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor of the NMDA receptor complex, ACPC and 7-chlorokynurinic acid, also protected against convulsions induced by 60 mg/kg cocaine. In contrast, the non-opioid antitussive anticonvulsants (dextromethorphan, caramiphen, and carbetapentane) were not active against either dose of cocaine. The efficacy of compounds as antagonists of the convulsant effects of cocaine and NMDA appear related. These results suggest a potential role for the NMDA receptor complex in the convulsant actions of cocaine and new molecular targets for drug discovery in treating cocaine toxicity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D010622 Phencyclidine A hallucinogen formerly used as a veterinary anesthetic, and briefly as a general anesthetic for humans. Phencyclidine is similar to KETAMINE in structure and in many of its effects. Like ketamine, it can produce a dissociative state. It exerts its pharmacological action through inhibition of NMDA receptors (RECEPTORS, N-METHYL-D-ASPARTATE). As a drug of abuse, it is known as PCP and Angel Dust. 1-(1-Phenylcyclohexyl)piperidine,Angel Dust,CL-395,GP-121,Phencyclidine Hydrobromide,Phencyclidine Hydrochloride,Sernyl,Serylan,CL 395,CL395,Dust, Angel,GP 121,GP121
D010634 Phenobarbital A barbituric acid derivative that acts as a nonselective central nervous system depressant. It potentiates GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID action on GABA-A RECEPTORS, and modulates chloride currents through receptor channels. It also inhibits glutamate induced depolarizations. Phenemal,Phenobarbitone,Phenylbarbital,Gardenal,Hysteps,Luminal,Phenobarbital Sodium,Phenobarbital, Monosodium Salt,Phenylethylbarbituric Acid,Acid, Phenylethylbarbituric,Monosodium Salt Phenobarbital,Sodium, Phenobarbital
D003042 Cocaine An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake. Cocaine HCl,Cocaine Hydrochloride,HCl, Cocaine,Hydrochloride, Cocaine
D003975 Diazepam A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID activity. 7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one,Apaurin,Diazemuls,Faustan,Relanium,Seduxen,Sibazon,Stesolid,Valium
D000596 Amino Acids Organic compounds that generally contain an amino (-NH2) and a carboxyl (-COOH) group. Twenty alpha-amino acids are the subunits which are polymerized to form proteins. Amino Acid,Acid, Amino,Acids, Amino
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000927 Anticonvulsants Drugs used to prevent SEIZURES or reduce their severity. Anticonvulsant,Anticonvulsant Drug,Anticonvulsive Agent,Anticonvulsive Drug,Antiepileptic,Antiepileptic Agent,Antiepileptic Agents,Antiepileptic Drug,Anticonvulsant Drugs,Anticonvulsive Agents,Anticonvulsive Drugs,Antiepileptic Drugs,Antiepileptics,Agent, Anticonvulsive,Agent, Antiepileptic,Agents, Anticonvulsive,Agents, Antiepileptic,Drug, Anticonvulsant,Drug, Anticonvulsive,Drug, Antiepileptic,Drugs, Anticonvulsant,Drugs, Anticonvulsive,Drugs, Antiepileptic
D013997 Time Factors Elements of limited time intervals, contributing to particular results or situations. Time Series,Factor, Time,Time Factor
D016194 Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate A class of ionotropic glutamate receptors characterized by affinity for N-methyl-D-aspartate. NMDA receptors have an allosteric binding site for glycine which must be occupied for the channel to open efficiently and a site within the channel itself to which magnesium ions bind in a voltage-dependent manner. The positive voltage dependence of channel conductance and the high permeability of the conducting channel to calcium ions (as well as to monovalent cations) are important in excitotoxicity and neuronal plasticity. N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor,N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors,NMDA Receptor,NMDA Receptor-Ionophore Complex,NMDA Receptors,Receptors, NMDA,N-Methylaspartate Receptors,Receptors, N-Methylaspartate,N Methyl D Aspartate Receptor,N Methyl D Aspartate Receptors,N Methylaspartate Receptors,NMDA Receptor Ionophore Complex,Receptor, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate,Receptor, NMDA,Receptors, N Methyl D Aspartate,Receptors, N Methylaspartate

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