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Kiziltoprak H, Kocabas DO, Aydemir GA, Kalınlı EM, Aydemir E, Oren B. Choroidal Vascular Index in Patients With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Methylphenidate. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 2023; 60:411-416. [PMID: 36546779 DOI: 10.3928/01913913-20221026-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate choroidal vascularity in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were not receiving therapy, children with ADHD who were regularly taking methylphenidate (MPH), and healthy controls. METHODS The study included three groups: patients with newly diagnosed ADHD without treatment, patients diagnosed as having ADHD who were already being treated with oral MPH, and controls. Both choroidal vascularity index (CVI) and choroidal thickness were measured using an enhanced-depth imaging mode of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDIOCT) (Spectralis; Heidelberg Engineering GmbH). RESULTS There was a significant difference in CVI and stromal area between groups. Post-hoc univariate analysis showed that CVI was significantly lower in patients with ADHD treated with MPH compared with the other groups (P < .001, for each); however, there was no difference between the treatment-free ADHD group and controls (P = .305). In contrast, stromal area was significantly higher in patients with ADHD treated with MPH than the other groups (P < .001, for each group). The correlation of CVI with MPH treatment duration in patients with ADHD treated with MPH showed a significant, moderate negative correlation (P = .01, r = - 0.66). CONCLUSIONS CVI is reduced in patients with ADHD treated with MPH, and the decrease in CVI becomes significant with increasing duration of MPH treatment. This result reflects an indirect effect of MPH treatment on choroidal vascular structures. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(6):411-416.].
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Long-term administration of high-dose methylphenidate-induced cerebellar morphology and function damage in adult rats. J Chem Neuroanat 2020; 103:101712. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2019.101712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Effect of chronic methylphenidate treatment on hippocampal neurovascular unit and memory performance in late adolescent rats. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2019; 29:195-210. [PMID: 30554860 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Methylphenidate (MPH) is the classic treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) among children and adults. Despite its beneficial effects, non-medical use of MPH is nowadays a problem with high impact on society. Thus, our goal was to uncover the neurovascular and cognitive effects of MPH chronic use during a critical period of development in control conditions. For that, male Wistar Kyoto rats were treated with MPH (1.5 or 5 mg/kg/day at weekdays, per os) from P28 to P55. We concluded that the higher dose of MPH caused hippocampal blood-brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability by vesicular transport (transcytosis) concomitantly with the presence of peripheral immune cells in the brain parenchyma. These observations were confirmed by in vitro studies, in which the knockdown of caveolin-1 in human brain endothelial cells prevented the increased permeability and leukocytes transmigration triggered by MPH (100 µM, 24 h). Furthermore, MPH led to astrocytic atrophy and to a decrease in the levels of several synaptic proteins and impairment of AKT/CREB signaling, together with working memory deficit assessed in the Y-maze test. On the contrary, we verified that the lower dose of MPH (1.5 mg/kg/day) increased astrocytic processes and upregulated several neuronal proteins as well as signaling pathways involved in synaptic plasticity culminating in working memory improvement. In conclusion, the present study reveals that a lower dose of MPH in normal rats improves memory performance being associated with the modulation of astrocytic morphology and synaptic machinery. However, a higher dose of MPH leads to BBB dysfunction and memory impairment.
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Coelho-Santos V, Cardoso FL, Leitão RA, Fontes-Ribeiro CA, Silva AP. Impact of developmental exposure to methylphenidate on rat brain's immune privilege and behavior: Control versus ADHD model. Brain Behav Immun 2018; 68:169-182. [PMID: 29061363 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2017.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent childhood mental disorders that often persists into adulthood. Moreover, methylphenidate (MPH) is the mainstay of medical treatment for this disorder. Yet, not much is known about the neurobiological impact of MPH on control versus ADHD conditions, which is crucial to simultaneously clarify the misuse/abuse versus therapeutic use of this psychostimulant. In the present study, we applied biochemical and behavioral approaches to broadly explore the early-life chronic exposure of two different doses of MPH (1.5 and 5 mg/kg/day) on control and ADHD rats (Wistar Kyoto and Spontaneously Hypertensive rats, respectively). We concluded that the higher dose of MPH promoted blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and elicited anxiety-like behavior in both control and ADHD animals. BBB dysfunction triggered by MPH was particularly prominent in control rats, which was characterized by a marked disruption of intercellular junctions, an increase of endothelial vesicles, and an upregulation of adhesion molecules concomitantly with the infiltration of peripheral immune cells into the prefrontal cortex. Moreover, both doses of MPH induced a robust neuroinflammatory and oxidative response in control rats. Curiously, in the ADHD model, the lower dose of MPH (1.5 mg/kg/day) had a beneficial effect since it balanced both immunity and behavior relative to vehicle animals. Overall, the contrasting effects of MPH observed between control and ADHD models support the importance of an appropriate MPH dose regimen for ADHD, and also suggest that MPH misuse negatively affects brain and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Coelho-Santos
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa L Cardoso
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ricardo A Leitão
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carlos A Fontes-Ribeiro
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Silva
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Karim TJ, Reyes-Vazquez C, Dafny N. Comparison of the VTA and LC response to methylphenidate: a concomitant behavioral and neuronal study of adolescent male rats. J Neurophysiol 2017; 118:1501-1514. [PMID: 28615331 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00145.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylphenidate (MPD), also known as Ritalin, is a psychostimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, it is increasingly being misused by normal adolescents for recreation and academic advantage. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of MPD in normal subjects. MPD inhibits the reuptake of catecholamines, mainly found in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC). The VTA and LC normally mediate attention, motivation, and drug reward behaviors. Selective neuronal connections between the VTA and LC have been identified implicating regular interaction between the structures. The objective of this study was to compare the neuronal responses of the VTA and LC to MPD in normal adolescent rats. Animals were implanted with permanent electrodes in the VTA and LC, and neuronal units were recorded following acute and repetitive (chronic) saline or 0.6, 2.5, or 10.0 mg/kg MPD exposure. Animals displayed either behavioral sensitization or tolerance to all three doses of MPD. Acute MPD exposure elicited excitation in the majority of all VTA and LC units. Chronic MPD exposure elicited a further increase in VTA and LC neuronal activity in animals exhibiting behavioral sensitization and an attenuation in VTA and LC neuronal activity in animals exhibiting behavioral tolerance, demonstrating neurophysiological sensitization and tolerance, respectively. The similar pattern in VTA and LC unit activity suggests that the two structures are linked in their response to MPD. These results may help determine the exact mechanism of action of MPD, resulting in optimized treatment of patients.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The same dose of 0.6, 2.5, and 10 mg/kg methylphenidate (MPD) elicits either behavioral sensitization or tolerance in adolescent rats. There is a direct correlation between the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and locus coeruleus (LC) neuronal response to chronic MPD exposure. Both the VTA and LC are involved in the behavioral and neurophysiological effects of chronic MPD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahseen J Karim
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
| | - Cruz Reyes-Vazquez
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
| | - Nachum Dafny
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, Houston, Texas
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Coelho-Santos V, Socodato R, Portugal C, Leitão RA, Rito M, Barbosa M, Couraud PO, Romero IA, Weksler B, Minshall RD, Fontes-Ribeiro C, Summavielle T, Relvas JB, Silva AP. Methylphenidate-triggered ROS generation promotes caveolae-mediated transcytosis via Rac1 signaling and c-Src-dependent caveolin-1 phosphorylation in human brain endothelial cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:4701-4716. [PMID: 27376435 PMCID: PMC11108272 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-016-2301-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2015] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Methylphenidate (MPH) is an amphetamine-like stimulant commonly prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Despite its widespread use, the cellular/molecular effects of MPH remain elusive. Here, we report a novel direct role of MPH on the regulation of macromolecular flux through human brain endothelial cells (ECs). MPH significantly increased caveolae-mediated transcytosis of horseradish peroxidase through ECs without affecting paracellular permeability. Using FRET-based live cell imaging, together with pharmacological inhibitors and lentiviral-mediated shRNA knockdown, we demonstrate that MPH promoted ROS generation via activation of Rac1-dependent NADPH oxidase (NOX) and c-Src activation at the plasma membrane. c-Src in turn was shown to mediate the phosphorylation of caveolin-1 (Cav1) on Tyr14 leading to enhanced caveolae formation and transendothelial transport. Accordingly, the inhibition of Cav1 phosphorylation by overexpression of a phosphodefective Cav1Y14F mutant or knocking down Cav1 expression abrogated MPH-induced transcytosis. In addition, both vitamin C and inhibition of NOX blocked MPH-triggered vesicular transport. This study, therefore, identifies Rac1/NOX/c-Src-dependent signaling in MPH-induced increase in transendothelial permeability of brain endothelial cell monolayers via caveolae-mediated transcytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Coelho-Santos
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Renato Socodato
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Camila Portugal
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo A Leitão
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Manuel Rito
- Neurosurgery Service, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marcos Barbosa
- Neurosurgery Service, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre (CHUC), Coimbra, Portugal
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Pierre-Olivier Couraud
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR8104, Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Ignacio A Romero
- Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Babette Weksler
- Department of Medicine, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Richard D Minshall
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carlos Fontes-Ribeiro
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Teresa Summavielle
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João B Relvas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana P Silva
- Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- CNC.IBILI, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Methylphenidate Causes Behavioral Impairments and Neuron and Astrocyte Loss in the Hippocampus of Juvenile Rats. Mol Neurobiol 2016; 54:4201-4216. [PMID: 27324900 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-016-9987-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2016] [Accepted: 06/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although the use, and misuse, of methylphenidate is increasing in childhood and adolescence, there is little information about the consequences of this psychostimulant chronic use on brain and behavior during development. The aim of the present study was to investigate hippocampus biochemical, histochemical, and behavioral effects of chronic methylphenidate treatment to juvenile rats. Wistar rats received intraperitoneal injections of methylphenidate (2.0 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of 0.9 % saline solution (controls), once a day, from the 15th to the 45th day of age. Results showed that chronic methylphenidate administration caused loss of astrocytes and neurons in the hippocampus of juvenile rats. BDNF and pTrkB immunocontents and NGF levels were decreased, while TNF-α and IL-6 levels, Iba-1 and caspase 3 cleaved immunocontents (microglia marker and active apoptosis marker, respectively) were increased. ERK and PKCaMII signaling pathways, but not Akt and GSK-3β, were decreased. SNAP-25 was decreased after methylphenidate treatment, while GAP-43 and synaptophysin were not altered. Both exploratory activity and object recognition memory were impaired by methylphenidate. These findings provide additional evidence that early-life exposure to methylphenidate can have complex effects, as well as provide new basis for understanding of the biochemical and behavioral consequences associated with chronic use of methylphenidate during central nervous system development.
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Kasparek T, Theiner P, Filova A. Neurobiology of ADHD From Childhood to Adulthood: Findings of Imaging Methods. J Atten Disord 2015; 19:931-43. [PMID: 24097847 DOI: 10.1177/1087054713505322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To review the pattern of morphological and functional brain changes in both children and adults with ADHD that emerges from the recent literature. In addition, the task of the present review is to explore how to understand the nature of the brain changes. METHODS Literature review. RESULTS Neuroimaging studies provide a multitude of information that currently allows us to expand the notions of ADHD neurobiology beyond its traditional understanding as a manifestation of frontostriatal dysfunction. They point to disorders of several other areas of the brain, particularly the anterior cingulum, the dorsolateral as well as ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, the orbitofrontal cortex, the superior parietal regions, the caudate nucleus, the thalamus, the amygdala and the cerebellum. Imaging studies point to the persistence of changes in both brain structure and function into adulthood, although there might be a tendency for improvement of caudate nucleus pathology. Changes in neuronal (dendritic) plasticity, which are under the modulatory influence of the dopaminergic system, may be in the background of disorders of brain morphology and anatomical connectivity with subsequent brain dysfunction. Growing evidence suggest that methylphenidate treatment can lead to improvement of brain changes seen in neuroimaging by its positive effect on neuroplasticity. CONCLUSION Changes in neuronal plasticity may be behind persisting brain changes in ADHD. Current treatment approaches seem to improve these neuroplastic processes, and, therefore, may have a positive effect on the neuropathology of ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Kasparek
- Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Theiner
- Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic
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Altered visual processing in a rodent model of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Neuroscience 2015; 303:364-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Dalsgaard S, Kvist AP, Leckman JF, Nielsen HS, Simonsen M. Cardiovascular safety of stimulants in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a nationwide prospective cohort study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2014; 24:302-10. [PMID: 24956171 PMCID: PMC4137345 DOI: 10.1089/cap.2014.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine whether stimulant users are at higher risk of a later cardiovascular event than are non-users, examining this association in both a national cohort and a population-based sample of children and adolescents diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We also aim to examine a possible dose-response relationship in such an association. METHODS We conducted a longitudinal, prospective cohort study of all children born in Denmark between 1990 and 1999. Within this cohort, children with ADHD were identified. Data from national health registers on psychiatric and somatic diagnoses, stimulant prescriptions, cardiovascular risk factors, pre- and perinatal and sociodemographic covariates in all children and their parents were merged, using the unique personal identification number. Hazard ratios (HR) for cardiovascular events were estimated using Cox regression, adjusted for other known risk factors. RESULTS In the total population (n=714,258 contributing a total of 6,767,982 person-years) use of stimulants increased the risk of a cardiovascular event; adjusted HR=1.83 (1.10-3.04). In children with ADHD (n=8300) stimulant treatment also increased the risk of a cardiovascular event (adjusted HR=2.20 [2.15-2.24]), with a complex time-dependent dose-response relationship. CONCLUSIONS This is the first nationwide cohort study of the cardiovascular safety of stimulants in children and adolescents, and it represents, to our knowledge, the longest prospective follow-up study. Cardiovascular events were rare but twice as likely in stimulant users as in non-users, both in the total national population and in children with ADHD. We found a complex, time- and dose-dependent interrelationship between cardiovascular adverse events and stimulant treatment in children and adolescents. Our results suggest a safety signal with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with stimulant treatment in children and adolescents, even after adjusting for a number of potential confounders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Søren Dalsgaard
- National Centre for Register-based Research, School of Business and Social Sciences, Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,The Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research, iPSYCH, Aarhus and Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Hospital of Telemark, Kragerø, Norway.,Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Odense, Research Unit, Mental Health Services in the Region of Southern Denmark, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | | | - James F. Leckman
- Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Marianne Simonsen
- Department of Economics and Business, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Gonçalves J, Baptista S, Silva AP. Psychostimulants and brain dysfunction: a review of the relevant neurotoxic effects. Neuropharmacology 2014; 87:135-49. [PMID: 24440369 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Revised: 12/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Psychostimulants abuse is a major public concern because is associated with serious health complications, including devastating consequences on the central nervous system (CNS). The neurotoxic effects of these drugs have been extensively studied. Nevertheless, numerous questions and uncertainties remain in our understanding of these toxic events. Thus, the purpose of the present manuscript is to review cellular and molecular mechanisms that might be responsible for brain dysfunction induced by psychostimulants. Topics reviewed include some classical aspects of neurotoxicity, such as monoaminergic system and mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity and hyperthermia. Moreover, recent literature has suggested new phenomena regarding the toxic effects of psychostimulants. Thus, we also reviewed the impact of these drugs on neuroinflammatory response, blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and neurogenesis. Assessing the relative importance of these mechanisms on psychostimulants-induced brain dysfunction presents an exciting challenge for future research efforts. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'CNS Stimulants'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Gonçalves
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Sofia Baptista
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal
| | - Ana Paula Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga Santa Comba, Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra Portugal.
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Di Benedetto B, Rupprecht R. Targeting glia cells: novel perspectives for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases. Curr Neuropharmacol 2013; 11:171-85. [PMID: 23997752 PMCID: PMC3637671 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x11311020004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric disorders are devastating mental illnesses with a high economic burden. The additional morbidity associated with social issues that arises along with the course of these diseases increases the need for a clear understanding of their etiopathogenesis to allow an implementation of novel pharmacological strategies. Yet a poor knowledge about interactions occurring at the glia-neuron interface in health and disease still hampers innovative discoveries, despite the fact that glia cells have been long described to actively participate in the regulation of brain circuits. The purpose of this review was to collect the scattered literature on the involvement of glia cells in neuropsychiatric disorders and to describe how also these cells besides neurons might be responsive to current pharmacological interventions. We hope thereby to offer alternative approaches for investigations that may open avenues to search for new potential targets for drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Di Benedetto
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, Germany ; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Regensburg University, Germany
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