Current Neuropharmacology - Volume 8, Issue 1, 2010

The GABAA receptor is a member of the Cys-loop family of transmitter-gated ion channels. GABAA receptors respond to synaptically-released or ambient transmitter with a conformational change, resulting in the opening of the gate that allows movement of small anions through the channel. Under most circumstances, GABAA receptor-mediated signaling leads to hyperpolarization in the mature brain. The normal functioning Read More

General anesthetic drugs interact with many receptors in the nervous system, but only a handful of these interactions are critical for producing anesthesia. Over the last 20 years, neuropharmacologists have revealed that one of the most important target sites for general anesthetics is the GABAA receptor. In this review we will discuss what is known about anesthetic - GABAA receptor interactions.

The anxiolytic, hypnotic, and anti-convulsant properties of benzodiazepines (BDZs) require modulation of distinct GABAA receptor α-subtypes. BDZ modulation of GABAA receptors is often described in terms of increased opening frequency, and contrasted with the increased open durations occurring with barbiturate modulation. Several studies spanning single channel, rapid kinetic, and whole cell techniques have suggested Read More

Endogenous neurosteroids and synthetic neuroactive steroid analogs are among the most potent and efficacious potentiators of the mammalian GABA-A receptor. The compounds interact with one or more sites on the receptor leading to an increase in the channel open probability through a set of changes in the open and closed time distributions. The endogenous neurosteroid allopregnanolone potentiates the α1β2γ2L GABA Read More

This work reviews the neuropharmacology of the vestibular system, with an emphasis on the mechanism of action of drugs used in the treatment of vestibular disorders. Otolaryngologists are confronted with a rapidly changing field in which advances in the knowledge of ionic channel function and synaptic transmission mechanisms have led to the development of new scientific models for the understanding of vestibular dysfun Read More

Cerebellar ataxias are a group of disabling neurological disorders. Patients exhibit a cerebellar syndrome and can also present with extra-cerebellar deficits, namely pigmentary retinopathy, extrapyramidal movement disorders, pyramidal signs, cortical symptoms (seizures, cognitive impairment/behavioural symptoms), and peripheral neuropathy. Recently, deficits in cognitive operations have been unraveled. Cerebell Read More

Cyclooxygenase (COX) expression in the brain is associated with pro-inflammatory activities, which are instrumental in neurodegenerative processes such as Parkinson's disease (PD). It is discussed that drugs with the capacity to rescue dopaminergic neurons from microglia toxicity and neuroinflammatory processes may result in an amelioration of parkinsonian symptoms by delaying the onset or slowing progression. Thi Read More

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Worldwide prevalence of the disease is estimated at more than 24 million cases. With aging of populations, this number will likely increase to more than 80 million cases by the year 2040. The annual incidence worldwide is estimated at 4.6 million cases which is the equivalent of one new case every seven seconds! The pathophysiology of AD is c Read More

This is with reference to the article entitled, “Adenosine, Ketogenic Diet and Epilepsy: The Emerging Therapeutic Relationship Between Metabolism and Brain Activity”, by, S.A. Masino, M. Kawamura Jr., C.D. Wasser, L.T. Pomeroy and D.N. Ruskin published in Current Neuropharmacology Journal, September 2009, Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 257-268. Due to an oversight, author middle name was cited as Caleb A. Wasser and it should read a Read More

This is with reference to the article entitled, “Minimizing AED Adverse Effects: Improving Quality of Life in the Interictal State in Epilepsy Care.”, by Dr. St. Louis EK, published in Current Neuropharmacology, June 2009, Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 106-114. Due to an oversight, First name author was cited as Louis EK and now it should read as St. Louis EK.