Chronic inhibition of the norepinephrine transporter in the brain participates in seizure sensitization to cocaine and local anesthetics.

Article Details

Citation

Arai S, Morita K, Kitayama S, Kumagai K, Kumagai M, Kihira K, Dohi T

Chronic inhibition of the norepinephrine transporter in the brain participates in seizure sensitization to cocaine and local anesthetics.

Brain Res. 2003 Feb 21;964(1):83-90.

PubMed ID
12573515 [ View in PubMed
]
Abstract

The involvement of chronic inhibition of monoamine transporters (MAT) in the brain with respect to sensitization to cocaine- and local anesthetic-induced seizures was studied in mice. Repeated administration of subconvulsive doses of meprylcaine as well as cocaine, both of which inhibit MAT, but not lidocaine, which does not inhibit MAT, increased seizure activity and produced sensitization to other local anesthetics. The effects of five daily treatments of monoamine transporter inhibitors on lidocaine-induced convulsions were examined 2 or 3 days after the last dose of the inhibitors. Daily treatments of GBR 12935, a specific inhibitor of dopamine uptake, significantly increased the incidence and the intensity of lidocaine-induced convulsions at 20 mg/kg and decreased the threshold of the convulsions. Daily treatments of desipramine and maprotiline, selective norepinephrine uptake inhibitors, markedly increased the incidence and intensity of lidocaine-induced convulsions, and decreased the threshold in a dose-dependent manner at between 5 and 20 mg/kg. Daily treatments of citalopram, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, at 10 and 20 mg/kg, produced no significant increase in the incidence or intensity of lidocaine-induced convulsions, but decreased the threshold of the convulsions. These results suggest that the chronic intermittent inhibition of monoamine uptake increases susceptibility to cocaine- and local anesthetic-induced seizures, and the norepinephrine transporter is an integral component of this sensitization.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets
DrugTargetKindOrganismPharmacological ActionActions
MaprotilineSodium-dependent noradrenaline transporterProteinHumans
Yes
Inhibitor
Details