ANTICONVULSANTS SUPPRESS C-FOS PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN SPINAL-CORD NEURONS FOLLOWING NOXIOUS THERMAL-STIMULATION

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 1995

Authors

TOLLE, TR (Author) Other; Castro-Lopes J.M. (Author) FMUP; SCHADRACK, J (Author) Other; EVAN, G (Author) Other; ZIEGLGANSBERGER, W (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Experimental Neurology

Vol. 132

Pages: 271-278

ISSN: 0014-4886

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 11 Citations

Scopus - 13 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-001-H32

DOI: 10.1016/0014-4886(95)90032-2

Abstract (EN): The expression of the nuclear immediate-early gene-encoded protein c-Fos in spinal cord dorsal horn neurons of the rat following noxious thermal stimulation was compared in carbamazepine-, valproate- and phenytoine-treated animals. Single intraperitoneal injection of carbamazepine (50 mg/kg), valproate (300 mg/kg) or intravenous injection of phenytoine (20 mg/kg) before noxious stimulation reduced the number of c-Fos immunoreactive neurons to 65-80% of control levels in superficial laminae and to 30-60% in deep laminae of the dorsal horn. Pretreatment with carbamazepine or valproate for 4 or 8 days combined with an injection immediately before noxious stimulation further significantly decreased the number of c-Fos neurons in the deep dorsal horn only in animals treated with valproate. The observation that activity-dependent gene expression in the spinal cord is effectively modulated by anticonvulsants discloses a novel therapeutic potential of these compounds. Presumably via an acute suppression of high-frequency repetitive firing and/or altered synaptic transmission of intraspinal or descending neurotransmitter systems these drugs gain access to neuroplastic mechanisms which might be relevant for the restoration of physiological levels of neuronal excitability in the central nervous system. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8