Effects of ethosuximide, a T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, on dorsal horn neuronal responses in rats.

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Matthews EA, Dickenson AH

Effects of ethosuximide, a T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, on dorsal horn neuronal responses in rats.

Eur J Pharmacol. 2001 Mar;415(2-3):141-9.

PubMed ID

11274992 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

Plasticity in transmission and modulatory systems are implicated in mechanisms of neuropathic pain. Studies demonstrate the importance of high voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels in pain transmission, but the role of low voltage-activated, T-type Ca(2+) channels in nociception has not been investigated. The Kim and Chung rodent model of neuropathy [Pain 50 (1992) 355] was used to induce mechanical and cold allodynia in the ipsilateral hindpaw. In vivo electrophysiological techniques were used to record the response of dorsal horn neurones to innocuous and noxious electrical and natural (mechanical and thermal) stimuli after spinal nerve ligation. Spinal ethosuximide (5-1055 microg) exerted dose-related inhibitions of both the electrically and low- and high-intensity mechanical and thermal evoked neuronal responses and its profile remained unaltered after neuropathy. Measures of spinal cord hyperexcitability were most susceptible to ethosuximide. This study, for the first time, indicates a possible role for low voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels in sensory transmission.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drug Targets

Drug	Target	Kind	Organism	Pharmacological Action	Actions
Ethosuximide	Voltage-dependent T-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1G	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details
Methsuximide	Voltage-dependent T-type calcium channel subunit alpha-1G	Protein	Humans	Yes	Inhibitor	Details