Saganuwan SA. Chemistry and Effects of Brainstem Acting Drugs.
Cent Nerv Syst Agents Med Chem 2020;
19:180-186. [PMID:
31223094 DOI:
10.2174/1871524919666190620164355]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Brain is the most sensitive organ, whereas brainstem is the most important part of Central Nervous System (CNS). It connects the brain and the spinal cord. However, a myriad of drugs and chemicals affects CNS with severe resultant effects on the brainstem.
METHODS
In view of this, a number of literature were assessed for information on the most sensitive part of brain, drugs and chemicals that act on the brainstem and clinical benefit and risk assessment of such drugs and chemicals.
RESULTS
Findings have shown that brainstem regulates heartbeat, respiration and because it connects the brain and spinal cord, all the drugs that act on the spinal cord may overall affect the systems controlled by the spinal cord and brain. The message is sent and received by temporal lobe, occipital lobe, frontal lobe, parietal lobe and cerebellum.
CONCLUSION
Hence, the chemical functional groups of the brainstem and drugs acting on brainstem are complementary, and may produce either stimulation or depression of CNS.
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