Isradipine prevents global and regional cocaine-induced changes in brain blood flow: a preliminary study.
The L-type calcium channel antagonist, isradipine, reduces brain ischemia in animal models of ischemic stroke. These effects of isradipine appear more pronounced in dopamine (DA) rich brain regions. These same DA-rich brain regions have also been shown to be the areas most affected by cocaine-induced ischemic changes. Using a novel quantified approach to single photon emission computerized tomography, we demonstrated that isradipine pre-treatment prevented cocaine-induced ischemic changes, especially in these DA-rich brain regions. This is the first demonstration that any medication, including isradipine, can prevent the ischemic effects of cocaine on brain blood flow. Isradipine may, therefore, be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention of brain ischemia in cocaine addicts.
Johnson
B
B
Clinical Laboratory and Experimental Alcohol Research Center, University of Texas - Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA.
Barron
B
B
Fang
B
B
Lamki
L
L
Wagner
L
L
Wells
L
L
Kenny
P
P
Overton
D
D
Dhother
S
S
Abramson
D
D
Chen
R
R
Kramer
L
L
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002536:Cerebral Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D003042:Cocaine / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017275:Isradipine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D009294:Narcotics; D003042:Cocaine; D017275:Isradipine