PMID: 8450469Mar 1, 1993Paper

Cocaine-induced seizures and lethality appear to be associated with distinct central nervous system binding sites

The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
M C Ritz, F R George

Abstract

Cocaine use and abuse has increasingly been associated with toxic consequences such as seizures and death. This report describes an assessment of the relationship between these toxic effects and multiple cocaine binding sites in the brain. The results suggest that serotonin transporters may be associated with seizures induced by acute injections of cocaine and related drugs. Indeed, drug potency for binding at this site alone accounted for 78% of the variance (r = 0.88) in the potency of cocaine and related compounds for producing seizures. However, binding of cocaine-like drugs at sigma receptors or muscarinic M1 or M2 cholinergic receptors may attenuate the seizurgenic properties of these compounds. In contrast, dopamine transporters appear to be associated with lethality induced by cocaine and related drugs, with drug potency for binding at this site accounting for 56% of the variance (r = 0.75) in the potency of cocaine and related compounds for producing death. However, binding of cocaine-like drugs at muscarinic M1 and sigma receptors also appears to be significantly related to cocaine-induced lethality, with binding at these sites accounting for either an additional 31 or 27%, respectively, of the variance in potencies o...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.