Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition generally leading to a permanent and irreversible loss of sensory and motor functions. We have identified recently a number of serotonergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor agonists or precursors that can acutely elicit some motor and locomotor-like movements in completely spinal cordtransected (thoracic level) animals. However, only partial central network-activating effects were found with single molecules since none administered separately could elicit weight-bearing and functional stepping movements in Tx animals. In turn, a recent breakthrough revealed that full spinal locomotor network-activating effects may be induced with synergistic drug combinations. Indeed, specific cocktails comprising some of these agonists and precursors were found, indeed, to powerfully generate weight-bearing stepping with plantar foot placement in untrained, non-assisted and non-sensorystimulated Tx mice. This significant finding provides clear evidence suggesting that combinatorial approaches based on drug-drug synergistic interactions may constitute innovative solutions for the design and development of novel pharmacological therapies in the field of SCI and related neurological disorders.
Keywords: Spinal cord, SCI, central pattern generator, CPG, locomotion, dopamine, serotonin, L-DOPA, mice
Current Medicinal Chemistry
Title: Recovery of Locomotor Function with Combinatory Drug Treatments Designed to Synergistically Activate Specific Neuronal Networks
Volume: 16 Issue: 11
Author(s): Pierre A. Guertin
Affiliation:
Keywords: Spinal cord, SCI, central pattern generator, CPG, locomotion, dopamine, serotonin, L-DOPA, mice
Abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition generally leading to a permanent and irreversible loss of sensory and motor functions. We have identified recently a number of serotonergic, adrenergic and dopaminergic receptor agonists or precursors that can acutely elicit some motor and locomotor-like movements in completely spinal cordtransected (thoracic level) animals. However, only partial central network-activating effects were found with single molecules since none administered separately could elicit weight-bearing and functional stepping movements in Tx animals. In turn, a recent breakthrough revealed that full spinal locomotor network-activating effects may be induced with synergistic drug combinations. Indeed, specific cocktails comprising some of these agonists and precursors were found, indeed, to powerfully generate weight-bearing stepping with plantar foot placement in untrained, non-assisted and non-sensorystimulated Tx mice. This significant finding provides clear evidence suggesting that combinatorial approaches based on drug-drug synergistic interactions may constitute innovative solutions for the design and development of novel pharmacological therapies in the field of SCI and related neurological disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Guertin A. Pierre, Recovery of Locomotor Function with Combinatory Drug Treatments Designed to Synergistically Activate Specific Neuronal Networks, Current Medicinal Chemistry 2009; 16 (11) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787846541
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/092986709787846541 |
Print ISSN 0929-8673 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-533X |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advances in Medicinal Chemistry: From Cancer to Chronic Diseases.
The broad spectrum of the issue will provide a comprehensive overview of emerging trends, novel therapeutic interventions, and translational insights that impact modern medicine. The primary focus will be diseases of global concern, including cancer, chronic pain, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune conditions, providing a broad overview of the advancements in ...read more
Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Infectious Inflammatory Diseases: Focus on Clinical Implications
The Special Issue covers the results of the studies on cellular and molecular mechanisms of non-infectious inflammatory diseases, in particular, autoimmune rheumatic diseases, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and other age-related disorders such as type II diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, etc. Review and research articles as well as methodology papers that summarize ...read more
Chalcogen-modified nucleic acid analogues
Chalcogen-modified nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides have been of great interest to scientific research for many years. The replacement of oxygen in the nucleobase, sugar or phosphate backbone by chalcogen atoms (sulfur, selenium, tellurium) gives these biomolecules unique properties resulting from their altered physical and chemical properties. The continuing interest in ...read more
Current advances in inherited cardiomyopathy
Describe in detail all novel advances in multimodality imaging related to inherited cardiomyopathy diagnosis and prognosis. Shed light to deeper phenotypic characterization. Acknowledge recent advances in genetics, genomics and precision medicineread more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Recent Patents, Regulatory Issues, and Toxicity of Nanoparticles in Neuronal Disorders
Current Drug Metabolism Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroinflammation: The Overview of Current and Prospective Therapies
Current Pharmaceutical Design Regenerative Medicine in Retina: The Future Cure
Current Tissue Engineering (Discontinued) Graphene Family of Nanomaterials: Reviewing Advanced Applications in Drug delivery and Medicine
Current Drug Delivery Editorial [Hot Topic: Gene Therapy Approaches for Neuroregeneration (Guest Editor: Kirsten Haastert-Talini)]
Current Gene Therapy New Pharmacological Approaches in Infants with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Review of Polyhydroxyalkanoates Materials and other Biopolymers for Medical Applications
Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry Neural Plasticity After Spinal Cord Injury
Current Pharmaceutical Design The Role of Signaling Pathway in the Biological Cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Current Drug Research Reviews Drug Delivery Technologies and Stem Cells for Tissue Repair and Regeneration
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Dendrimers As Vectors for Genetic Material Delivery to the Nervous System
Current Medicinal Chemistry The Use of Stem Cells for the Treatment of Spinal Surgical Conditions.
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Botulinum Toxin as a Neuro-Relearning Drug Tool in Motor Paralytic Disorders
Current Drug Therapy Ectonucleotidases and Nucleotide/Nucleoside Transporters as Pharmacological Targets for Neurological Disorders
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Infection-Associated Biomarkers of Inflammation in Atherosclerosis
Current Pharmaceutical Design Anti-inflammatory Action of Green Tea
Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Allergy Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The Role of Mitochondria in Brain Aging and the Effects of Melatonin
Current Neuropharmacology Recent Advances on the Possible Neuroprotective Activities of Epstein- Barr Virus Oncogene BARF1 Protein in Chronic Inflammatory Disorders of Central Nervous System
Current Neuropharmacology Long Term Recovery of Diaphragmatic Function in a Patient with Unilateral Diaphragmatic Pacemaker
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Commentary (Brilliant Blue G: What a Little More Colour Can Be)
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets