Ibogaine induces glial activation in parasagittal zones of the cerebellum.
Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid, has been proposed for treatment of drug addiction, yet its mechanism, site of action, and possible neurotoxicity have not been determined. Since neuronal injury is known to activate neurologlial cells, we investigated potential neurotoxic effects of this drug in rats by examining expression of specific glial markers. After treatment with ibogaine (100 mg kg-1 i.p.; 1-3 doses), we observed increased cytochemical markers in both microglia (OX-6, OX-42, W3/25) and astrocytes (GFAP), associated with striking morphologic changes in these cells. Activated glial cells were restricted to longitudinally oriented, parasagittal stripes within the vermis of cerebellar cortex. The ibogaine-induced activation of cerebellar glial cells is highly suggestive of neuronal degeneration, most likely of Purkinje cells.
O'Hearn
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Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Long
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Molliver
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D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D002525:Cerebellar Cortex / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects; D005802:Genes, MHC Class II; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007050:Ibogaine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D007050:Ibogaine