Faculty Collaboration Database

Responses of dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic networks to acute levo-tetrahydropalmatine administration in naïve rats detected at 9.4 T. Magn Reson Imaging 2012 Feb;30(2):261-70

Date

11/15/2011

Pubmed ID

22079072

Pubmed Central ID

PMC3402210

DOI

10.1016/j.mri.2011.09.006

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84855481910 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   12 Citations

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.

Author List

Liu X, Yang Z, Li R, Xie J, Yin Q, Bloom AS, Li SJ

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adrenergic Neurons
Animals
Berberine Alkaloids
Brain
Dopaminergic Neurons
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Nerve Net
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Serotonergic Neurons