Biomaterial Database

Role of central alpha-1 adrenoceptors in canine narcolepsy. 1988

E Mignot, and C Guilleminault, and S Bowersox, and A Rappaport, and W C Dement

Sleep Disorders Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California 94304.

The role of central alpha-1 adrenergic receptors in cataplexy was investigated in genetically narcoleptic Doberman pinschers. Treatment of narcoleptic dogs with 25-600 micrograms/kg prazosin, a selective alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blocker, exacerbated cataplexy, whereas treatment with the alpha-1 agonist, methoxamine, ameliorated it. Subsequent studies showed that the beneficial effects of classical treatments of human narcolepsy (amphetamines and tricyclic antidepressants) are antagonized by prazosin, suggesting that these drugs are active through an indirect alpha-1 stimulation (via an increase of norepinephrine in the synaptic cleft). Other studies confirmed that the observed effects were not due to peripheral alpha-1 cardiovascular involvement. Atropine, a central anticholinergic agent, but not methylatropine, a peripheral one, completely suppressed the prazosin effect, which suggests that adrenergic and cholinergic systems act sequentially and not independently to generate cataplexy. Little is known about the physiological role of central alpha-1 adrenoceptors. This series of experiments implicates these receptors in narcolepsy-cataplexy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008729	Methoxamine	An alpha-1 adrenergic agonist that causes prolonged peripheral VASOCONSTRICTION.	Methoxamedrin,Methoxamine Hydrochloride,Metoxamine Wellcome,Vasoxin,Vasoxine,Vasoxyl,Vasylox,Hydrochloride, Methoxamine,Wellcome, Metoxamine
D009290	Narcolepsy	A condition characterized by recurrent episodes of daytime somnolence and lapses in consciousness (microsomnias) that may be associated with automatic behaviors and AMNESIA. CATAPLEXY; SLEEP PARALYSIS, and hypnagogic HALLUCINATIONS frequently accompany narcolepsy. The pathophysiology of this disorder includes sleep-onset rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which normally follows stage III or IV sleep. (From Neurology 1998 Feb;50(2 Suppl 1):S2-S7)	Gelineau Syndrome,Narcolepsy-Cataplexy Syndrome,Paroxysmal Sleep,Gelineau's Syndrome,Narcoleptic Syndrome,Gelineau's Syndromes,Gelineaus Syndrome,Narcolepsy Cataplexy Syndrome,Narcolepsy-Cataplexy Syndromes,Narcoleptic Syndromes,Sleep, Paroxysmal,Syndrome, Gelineau,Syndrome, Gelineau's,Syndrome, Narcolepsy-Cataplexy,Syndrome, Narcoleptic,Syndromes, Gelineau's,Syndromes, Narcolepsy-Cataplexy,Syndromes, Narcoleptic
D011224	Prazosin	A selective adrenergic alpha-1 antagonist used in the treatment of HEART FAILURE; HYPERTENSION; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; RAYNAUD DISEASE; PROSTATIC HYPERTROPHY; and URINARY RETENTION.	Furazosin,Minipress,Pratsiol,Prazosin HCL,Prazosin Hydrochloride,HCL, Prazosin,Hydrochloride, Prazosin
D011942	Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha	One of the two major pharmacological subdivisions of adrenergic receptors that were originally defined by the relative potencies of various adrenergic compounds. The alpha receptors were initially described as excitatory receptors that post-junctionally stimulate SMOOTH MUSCLE contraction. However, further analysis has revealed a more complex picture involving several alpha receptor subtypes and their involvement in feedback regulation.	Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Adrenergic alpha-Receptors,Receptors, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,alpha-Adrenergic Receptors,Receptor, Adrenergic, alpha,Adrenergic alpha Receptor,Adrenergic alpha Receptors,Receptor, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptors, alpha Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Receptor,alpha Adrenergic Receptors,alpha-Receptor, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptors, Adrenergic
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D002385	Cataplexy	A condition characterized by transient weakness or paralysis of somatic musculature triggered by an emotional stimulus or physical exertion. Cataplexy is frequently associated with NARCOLEPSY. During a cataplectic attack, there is a marked reduction in muscle tone similar to the normal physiologic hypotonia that accompanies rapid eye movement sleep (SLEEP, REM). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p396)	Henneberg Syndrome,Status Cataplexicus,Tonelessness Syndrome,Cataleptic Attacks,Attack, Cataleptic,Attacks, Cataleptic,Cataleptic Attack,Syndrome, Henneberg,Syndrome, Tonelessness,Syndromes, Tonelessness,Tonelessness Syndromes
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D004338	Drug Combinations	Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture.	Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D005502	Food	Substances taken in by the body to provide nourishment.	Foods
D006339	Heart Rate	The number of times the HEART VENTRICLES contract per unit of time, usually per minute.	Cardiac Rate,Chronotropism, Cardiac,Heart Rate Control,Heartbeat,Pulse Rate,Cardiac Chronotropy,Cardiac Chronotropism,Cardiac Rates,Chronotropy, Cardiac,Control, Heart Rate,Heart Rates,Heartbeats,Pulse Rates,Rate Control, Heart,Rate, Cardiac,Rate, Heart,Rate, Pulse