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Baclofen and noradrenergic function in the rat frontal cerebral cortex.
1Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
European Journal of Pharmacology
|May 2, 1991
Summary
Baclofen, a GABAB agonist, alters noradrenergic function in rats. It reduces noradrenaline (NA) biosynthesis and normetanephrine (NMN) levels while increasing NA concentrations, suggesting interference with neurotransmission.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Noradrenergic system plays a crucial role in cognitive functions.
- GABAB receptors are involved in modulating neurotransmitter release.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of acute baclofen treatment on noradrenergic function in the rat frontal cerebral cortex.
Main Methods:
- Acute intraperitoneal injection of d,l-baclofen (10 mg/kg) in rats.
- Measurement of noradrenaline (NA) biosynthesis, normetanephrine (NMN) concentration, and NA levels in vivo.
- Assessment of [3H]NA uptake and [3H]dihydroxyphenyl-ethyleneglycol ([3H]DOPEG) formation in ex vivo cortex slices.
- Analysis of monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity.
Main Results:
- Baclofen reduced in vivo NA biosynthesis (31%) and NMN concentration (32%), while increasing NA levels (28%).
- Ex vivo studies showed increased [3H]NA uptake (15%) and [3H]DOPEG formation (39%) in baclofen-treated rats.
- Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Acute baclofen administration interferes with noradrenergic neurotransmission in the rat cerebral cortex.
- Baclofen appears to reduce both the biosynthesis and release of noradrenaline (NA).