Responses of dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic networks to acute levo-tetrahydropalmatine administration in naïve rats detected at 9.4 T.

Abstract

AIM:

The aim of this study was to understand the neuropharmacological characteristics of levo-tetrahydropalmatine (l-THP), a recently found potential treatment for drug addiction, and discover its neural correlates and sites of action.

METHODS:

High-field pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) was used to detect activation induced by acute l-THP administration in the naïve rat brain at dose levels of 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg.

RESULTS:

Interestingly, the pharmacological profile of l-THP selectively binds to the receptors of the dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems. Using the phMRI method, it was demonstrated that l-THP selectively activated the key brain regions of the dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION:

Numerous studies suggest a critical role of monoamines in the behavioral, pharmacological and addictive properties of psychostimulants. It is suggested that l-THP holds great potential to be a therapeutic medication for drug addiction.

• Authors: Xiping Liu, Zheng Yang, Rupeng Li, Jun Xie, Qian Yin, Alan S Bloom, Shi-Jiang Li
• Journal: Magnetic resonance imaging (Magn Reson Imaging) Vol. 30 Issue 2 Pg. 261-70 (Feb 2012) ISSN: 1873-5894 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 22079072 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Berberine Alkaloids
• tetrahydropalmatine

Topics

• Adrenergic Neurons (cytology, metabolism)
• Animals
• Berberine Alkaloids (administration & dosage)
• Brain (anatomy & histology, drug effects)
• Dopaminergic Neurons (cytology, metabolism)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (methods)
• Male
• Nerve Net (anatomy & histology, metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Serotonergic Neurons (cytology, metabolism)