title: Alpha-adrenoceptor modulation in central nervous system trauma: pain, spasms, and paralysis--an unlucky triad.
abstract: Many researchers have attempted to pharmacologically modulate the adrenergic system to control locomotion, pain, and spasms after central nervous system (CNS) trauma, although such efforts have led to conflicting results. Despite this, multiple studies highlight that α-adrenoceptors (α-ARs) are promising therapeutic targets because in the CNS, they are involved in reactivity to stressors and regulation of locomotion, pain, and spasms. These functions can be activated by direct modulation of these receptors on neuronal networks in the brain and the spinal cord. In addition, these multifunctional receptors are also broadly expressed on immune cells. This suggests that they might play a key role in modulating immunological responses, which may be crucial in treating spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury as both diseases are characterized by a strong inflammatory component. Reducing the proinflammatory response will create a more permissive environment for axon regeneration and may support neuromodulation in combination therapies. However, pharmacological interventions are hindered by adrenergic system complexity and the even more complicated anatomical and physiological changes in the CNS after trauma. This review is the first concise overview of the pros and cons of α-AR modulation in the context of CNS trauma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lemmens
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bert
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brône
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dearbhaile
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dooley
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hendrix
authors.affiliation: Department of Morphology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Geurts
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D010243:Paralysis / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000378:metabolism*; D013035:Spasm / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha
keywords: CNS trauma; adrenergic; alpha-adrenoceptor; locomotion; spinal cord injury; traumatic brain injury