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Isaev NK, Genrikhs EE, Stelmashook EV. Methylene blue and its potential in the treatment of traumatic brain injury, brain ischemia, and Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:585-595. [PMID: 38530227 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and brain ischemia/reperfusion cause neurodegenerative processes that can continue after the acute stage with the development of severe brain atrophy with dementia. In this case, the long-term neurodegeneration of the brain is similar to the neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is associated with the accumulation of beta amyloid and tau protein. In the pathogenesis of AD as well as in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and TBI oxidative stress, progressive inflammation, glial activation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and excessive activation of autophagy are involved, which implies the presence of many targets that can be affected by neuroprotectors. That is, multivariate cascades of nerve tissue damage represent many potential targets for therapeutic interventions. One of such substances that can be used in multi-purpose therapeutic strategies is methylene blue (MB). This drug can have an antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effect, activate autophagy, inhibit the aggregation of proteins with an irregular shape, inhibit NO synthase, and bypass impaired electron transfer in the respiratory chain of mitochondria. MB is a well-described treatment for methemoglobinemia, malaria, and encephalopathy caused by ifosfamide. In recent years, this drug has attracted great interest as a potential treatment for a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including the effects of TBI, ischemia, and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickolay K Isaev
- 64935 M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University , 119991, Moscow, Russia
- Research Center of Neurology, 125367, Moscow, Russia
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2
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Neuroprotective effects of methylene blue in streptozotocin-induced model of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res 2023; 1805:148290. [PMID: 36804486 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2023.148290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) can be used as a multidirectional neuroprotector to stop the development of multiple cascades of neuron damage during neurodegenerative processes. This study assesses a protective effect of MB, using an experimental simulation of sporadic Alzheimer's disease by intracerebroventricular administration of streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. It was found that a STZ-induced impairment of memory can be partially mitigated with intravenous injections of MB after the administration of STZ. The treatment of animals with MB prevented the STZ-induced increase in the number and density of microglial and GFAP-positive cells in the brain cortex. In addition, it was shown that the expression of the LC3B protein, an indicator of autophagy, increases in the hippocampus of animals treated with STZ. In the hippocampus of animals treated with MB, an increase in the expression of the LC3B protein was prevented. Using the Griess reaction assay and immunocytochemical study was found that MB reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced NO-production and the expression of iNOS in cultured neurons. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that MB has neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects and is able to prevent autophagy. These effects have important therapeutic implications, so MB could potentially play a role in the treatment of neurodegenerative processes.
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Uhelski ML, Johns ME, Horrmann A, Mohamed S, Sohail A, Khasabova IA, Simone DA, Banik RK. Adverse effects of methylene blue in peripheral neurons: An in vitro electrophysiology and cell culture study. Mol Pain 2022; 18:17448069221142523. [PMID: 36408567 PMCID: PMC9730009 DOI: 10.1177/17448069221142523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is an effective treatment for methemoglobinemia, ifosfamide-induced encephalopathy, cyanide poisoning, and refractory vasoplegia. However, clinical case reports and preclinical studies indicate potentially neurotoxic activity of MB at certain concentrations. The exact mechanisms of MB neurotoxicity are not known, and while the effects of MB on neuronal tissue from different brain regions and myenteric ganglia have been examined, its effects on primary afferent neurons from dorsal root ganglia (DRG) have not been studied. Mouse DRG were exposed to MB (0.3-10 μM) in vitro to assess neurite outgrowth. Increasing concentrations of MB (0.3-10 μM) were associated with neurotoxicity as shown by a substantial loss of cells with neurite formation, particularly at 10 μM. In parallel experiments, cultured rat DRG neurons were treated with MB (100 μM) to examine how MB affects electrical membrane properties of small-diameter sensory neurons. MB decreased peak inward and outward current densities, decreased action potential amplitude, overshoot, afterhyperpolarization, increased action potential rise time, and decreased action potential firing in response to current stimulation. MB induced dose-dependent toxicity in peripheral neurons, in vitro. These findings are consistent with studies in brain and myenteric ganglion neurons showing increased neuronal loss and altered membrane electrical properties after MB application. Further research is needed to parse out the toxicity profile for MB to minimize damage to neuronal structures and reduce side effects in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Uhelski
- Department of Pain Medicine, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Malcolm E Johns
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Alec Horrmann
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Sadiq Mohamed
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ayesha Sohail
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Iryna A Khasabova
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Donald A Simone
- Department of Diagnostic and Biological Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ratan K Banik
- Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA,Ratan K Banik, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Minnesota, B515 Mayo Memorial Building, 420 Delaware Street S.E., MMC 294, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Gureev AP, Sadovnikova IS, Popov VN. Molecular Mechanisms of the Neuroprotective Effect of Methylene Blue. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2022; 87:940-956. [PMID: 36180986 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297922090073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Methylene blue (MB) is the first fully synthetic compound that had found its way into medicine over 120 years ago as a treatment against malaria. MB has been approved for the treatment of methemoglobinemia, but there are premises for its repurposing as a neuroprotective agent based on the efficacy of this compound demonstrated in the models of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, depressive disorders, etc. However, the goal of this review was not so much to focus on the therapeutic effects of MB in the treatment of various neurodegeneration diseases, but to delve into the mechanisms of direct or indirect effect of this drug on the signaling pathways. MB can act as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial respiratory chain in the case of dysfunctional electron transport chain. It also displays the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects, inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS), activates signaling pathways involved in the mitochondrial pool renewal (mitochondrial biogenesis and autophagy), and prevents aggregation of misfolded proteins. Comprehensive understanding of all aspects of direct and indirect influence of MB, and not just some of its effects, can help in further research of this compound, including its clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem P Gureev
- Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russia.
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036, Voronezh, Russia
| | | | - Vasily N Popov
- Voronezh State University, Voronezh, 394018, Russia
- Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, 394036, Voronezh, Russia
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Isaev NK, Stelmashook EV, Genrikhs EE. Role of zinc and copper ions in the pathogenetic mechanisms of traumatic brain injury and Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2021; 31:233-243. [PMID: 31747384 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2019-0052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The disruption of homeostasis of zinc (Zn2+) and copper (Cu2+) ions in the central nervous system is involved in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Wilson's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's diseases (AD), and traumatic brain injury (TBI). The last two pathological conditions of the brain are the most common; moreover, it is possible that TBI is a risk factor for the development of AD. Disruptions of Zn2+ and Cu2+ homeostasis play an important role in the mechanisms of pathogenesis of both TBI and AD. This review attempts to summarize and systematize the currently available research data on this issue. The neurocytotoxicity of Cu2+ and Zn2+, the synergism of the toxic effect of calcium and Zn2+ ions on the mitochondria of neurons, and the interaction of Zn2+ and Cu2+ with β-amyloid (Abeta) and tau protein are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nickolay K Isaev
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, N.A. Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Biological Faculty, Moscow 119991, Russia.,Research Center of Neurology, Moscow 125367, Russia
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Sharma HS, Sahib S, Tian ZR, Muresanu DF, Nozari A, Castellani RJ, Lafuente JV, Wiklund L, Sharma A. Protein kinase inhibitors in traumatic brain injury and repair: New roles of nanomedicine. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2020; 258:233-283. [PMID: 33223036 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2020.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes physical injury to the cell membranes of neurons, glial and axons causing the release of several neurochemicals including glutamate and cytokines altering cell-signaling pathways. Upregulation of mitogen associated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) occurs that is largely responsible for cell death. The pharmacological blockade of these pathways results in cell survival. In this review role of several protein kinase inhibitors on TBI induced oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier breakdown, brain edema formation, and resulting brain pathology is discussed in the light of current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hari Shanker Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Seaab Sahib
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Z Ryan Tian
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Dafin F Muresanu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Medicine & Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; "RoNeuro" Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ala Nozari
- Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rudy J Castellani
- Department of Pathology, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - José Vicente Lafuente
- LaNCE, Department of Neuroscience, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Leioa, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Lars Wiklund
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Aruna Sharma
- International Experimental Central Nervous System Injury & Repair (IECNSIR), Department of Surgical Sciences, Anesthesiology & Intensive Care Medicine, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Veljović DN, Gurešić DM, Jokić AB, Vasić VM, Laban BB. Solid‐State Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Catalytic Application in Methylene Blue Reduction. ChemistrySelect 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/slct.202001829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Djordje N. Veljović
- Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy University of Belgrade Karnegijeva 4 11000 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Dejan M. Gurešić
- Faculty of Technical Sciences University of Priština, Knjaza Miloša 7 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica Serbia
| | - Anja B. Jokić
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Priština-Kosovska Mitrovica Department of Chemistry, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia Lole Ribara 29 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica Serbia
| | - Vesna M. Vasić
- Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences University of Belgrade P.O. Box 522 Belgrade Serbia
| | - Bojana B. Laban
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Priština-Kosovska Mitrovica Department of Chemistry, 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica, Serbia Lole Ribara 29 38220 Kosovska Mitrovica Serbia
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The Delayed Neuroprotective Effect of Methylene Blue in Experimental Rat Brain Trauma. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9050377. [PMID: 32370131 PMCID: PMC7278725 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9050377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
After traumatic brain injury (TBI), an increase in dysfunction of the limbs contralateral to injury focus was observed. Using different behavioral tests, we found that a single intravenous injection of methylene blue (MB, 1 mg/kg) 30 min after the injury reduced the impairment of the motor functions of the limbs from 7 to 120 days after TBI. Administration of methylene blue 30 min after the injury and then monthly (six injections in total) was the most effective both in terms of preservation of limb function and duration of therapeutic action. This therapeutic effect was clearly manifested from the seventh day and continued until the end of the experiment-by the 180th day after TBI. MB is known to possess antioxidant properties; it has a protective effect against TBI by promoting autophagy and minimizing lesion volume in the first two weeks after TBI. Studies of the brains on the 180th day after TBI demonstrated that the monthly treatment of animals with MB statistically significantly prevented an increase in the density of microglial cells in the ipsilateral hemisphere and a decrease in the thickness of the corpus callosum in the contralateral hemisphere in comparison with untreated animals. However, on the 180th day after TBI, the magnetic resonance imaging scan of the animal brains did not show a significant reduction in the volume of the lesion in MB-treated animals. These findings are important for understanding the development of the long-term effects of TBI and expand the required therapeutic window for targeted neuroprotective interventions.
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Genrikhs EE, Stelmashook EV, Voronkov DN, Novikova SV, Alexandrova OP, Fedorov AV, Isaev NK. The single intravenous administration of methylene blue after traumatic brain injury diminishes neurological deficit, blood-brain barrier disruption and decrease in the expression of S100 protein in rats. Brain Res 2020; 1740:146854. [PMID: 32339501 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.146854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The protective effect of methylene blue (MB) was investigated on the model of focal one-sided traumatic brain injury (TBI) of the sensorimotor cortex region from 1 to 7 days after the injury. TBI caused a reliable disruption of the functions of the limbs contralateral to injury focus, an increase in the expression of S100 protein and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability in the ipsilateral hemisphere. The single intravenous injection of MB (1 mg/kg body weight) 30 min after TBI significantly reduced the limb function impairment as well as a TBI-induced increase in the expression of inflammatory marker S100 protein, and BBB permeability. When modeling inflammation in vitro, MB was found to protect cultured neurons from the toxic effects of lipopolysaccharide. In conclusion, the preservation of blood-brain barrier and a decrease in the expression of S100 protein may be an important mechanism by means of which MB improves neurological outcome. Our data demonstrate that MB can be a very promising pharmacological compound with neuroprotective properties for TBI treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elena V Stelmashook
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Dmitriy N Voronkov
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Svetlana V Novikova
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Olga P Alexandrova
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Artem V Fedorov
- M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University Biological Faculty, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Nickolay K Isaev
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse 80, Moscow 125367, Russia; M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University Biological Faculty, Moscow 119234, Russia.
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Stelmashook EV, Chetverikov NS, Golyshev SA, Genrikhs EE, Isaev NK. Thymoquinone Induces Mitochondrial Damage and Death of Cerebellar Granule Neurons. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2020; 85:205-212. [PMID: 32093596 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920020078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Thymoquinone (TQ) exhibits a wide spectrum of biological activities. Most studies on the neurotoxic action of TQ have been carried out in cancer cell lines. Here, we studied the toxic effect of TQ in primary neuronal cultures in vitro. Incubation with 0.04-0.05 mM TQ for 24 h induced the death of cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) in a dose-dependent manner. Neuronal death was preceded by an increase in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, as demonstrated using CellROX Green and MitoSOX Red. Confocal and electron microscopy showed that incubation with 0.05 mM TQ for 5 h induced changes in the intracellular localization of mitochondria and mitochondria hypertrophy and cell swelling. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (2 mM) protected CGNs from the toxic action of TQ. Taken together, these facts suggest that TQ is toxic for normal neurons, while ROS-induced changes in the mitochondria can be one of the major causes of the TQ-induced neuronal damage and death.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - N S Chetverikov
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Moscow, 119234, Russia
| | - S A Golyshev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - E E Genrikhs
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, 125367, Russia
| | - N K Isaev
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, 125367, Russia. .,Lomonosov Moscow State University, Biological Faculty, Moscow, 119234, Russia
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Stelmashook EV, Aleksandrova OP, Rogozin PD, Genrikhs EE, Novikova SV, Gudasheva TA, Sharonova IN, Skrebitsky VG, Isaev NK. GK-2 Reduces Death of Cultured Granule Neurons in Cerebellum Induced by the Toxic Effects of Zinc Ions. Bull Exp Biol Med 2020; 168:474-478. [PMID: 32146635 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-020-04734-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Peptide mimetic of nerve growth factor GK-2 in a dose of 1-2 mg/liter improves survival of cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons exposed to the cytotoxic effect of zinc ions, but has no protective effect against copper ion cytotoxicity. Experiments on cultured rat hippocampal slices demonstrated that GK-2 did not affect reactivity of pyramidal neurons and long-term potentiation in the hippocampal field CA1 and the probability of glutamate release from presynaptic terminals in the synapses of the CA3-CA1 fields. The results suggest that GK-2 does not affect the functional properties of synaptic transmission under normal conditions, but protects neurons from the toxic effects of zinc, which creates prerequisites for GK-12 use in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - P D Rogozin
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - T A Gudasheva
- V. V. Zakusov Research Institute of Pharmacology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | | | - N K Isaev
- Research Center of Neurology, Moscow, Russia. .,M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
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