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Biomedical subjects

M A Gillman

Publications and source records attributed to M A Gillman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Role of dopamine mesolimbic system in opioid action of psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide in alcohol and drug withdrawal.

Psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) has been used successfully in the treatment of alcohol and drug withdrawal in > 15,000 cases. It is an opioid and thus the first gaseous member of the opioid family. We propose the existence of two mutually antagonistic opioid systems as underlying addictive withdrawal states; mu and kappa. PAN as a multipotent opioid activates these systems. Dopamine (DA) activity in the nucleus accumbens appears to be controlled by kappa- and mu-receptors, with mu enhancing and kappa inhibiting release. In morphine and alcohol withdrawal, there is severe inhibition of dopamine release from nucleus accumbens. We thus infer that a probable major therapeutic effect of PAN is in modulating this dopamine system, thereby correcting the severe deficit in dopamine release found in withdrawal states. This has been achieved without any transfer of addiction to PAN in any of the treated patients because of modulation of DA in the nucleus accumbens by PAN. This effect may also explain its anticraving action.

Analgesics, Non-Narcotic↗
PubMed1994

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Ions↗
PubMed1994

Pharmacology of psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide as a multipotent opioid agonist.

We show that psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide is a partial opioid agonist since it fulfills all the following criteria to be classified as an opioid: 1) its effects are antagonised by various opioid antagonists including stereospecific naloxone antagonism; 2) it is cross tolerant with morphine; 3) its effects are potentiated by enkephalinase inhibition; 4) it provokes the release of endogenous opioids; 5) it interferes at low concentrations with specific opioid ligand binding at radio-receptor assay. Like the prototype opioid morphine it acts directly and indirectly at opioid receptors. PAN, although considered an exogenous inorganic molecule was also the first gas to be shown to have a direct role in influencing neurotransmission. We also describe some of the relationships that exist between nitrous oxide and its close relative, the endogenous gas nitric oxide. We describe the use of PAN as a safe, effective tool for investigating and treating the endogenous opioid system in man.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide prevents craving after withdrawal for alcohol, cannabis and tobacco.

We investigated the anti-craving effect of psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) in both an urban and rural community. Our results show that PAN, effectively eliminates or reduces craving in both cohorts in 98% of cases reporting craving. This positive effect is extremely rapid occurring within 40 minutes in patients withdrawing from alcohol, cannabis and nicotine. Although the concept of craving has been dogged by confusion and misunderstanding the idea is of practical importance because there appears to be a link between craving and relapse in patients who have a problem with substance abuse. The anti-craving effect of PAN may, therefore, be useful in preventing relapses in patients who abuse alcohol, nicotine and cannabis. Because PAN is an opioid it would seem that craving may be mediated by an underactivity of the endogenous opioid system. This work also confirms the safety and rapidity of the PAN therapy for treating addictive withdrawal states produced by alcohol, nicotine and cannabis. These findings confirm the usefulness of PAN as an investigative, diagnostic and therapeutic tool of the endogenous opioid system in man.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide and neurotransmitter mechanisms involved in the alcohol withdrawal state.

We relate the extremely rapid and lasting beneficial effects of psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) on the alcohol withdrawal state (AWS) to the underlying neurotransmitter system disturbances and clinical findings. PAN is an opioid and its main therapeutic effects are produced by stimulating the underactive endogenous opioid system (EOS) found in the AWS. In common with other opioids, PAN also acts on other neurotransmitter systems. While controlling the cholinergic and adrenergic overactivity and the concomitant stress state, through its opioid agonism, it simultaneously stimulates the underactive serotonergic and GABA-ergic systems found in the AWS. PAN also ameliorates disturbances in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) dopaminergic, glutaminergic and second messenger function. This unique combination of stimulation and inhibition enables a single 20 minute administration of PAN to rapidly restore the patients' homeostatic balance with lasting effect, and almost no other medication requirements during the entire detoxification period. Unlike other currently available therapies this is achieved without sedation.

Acetylcholine↗
PubMed1994

Psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide for treating alcohol withdrawal in an outpatient setting.

In a retrospective study of 500 patients we present evidence that psychotropic analgesic nitrous oxide (PAN) can be used safely and successfully as an out-patient treatment for the AWS in the vast majority of cases. A feature of the PAN therapy is the rapidity of recovery of patients within 60 minutes; which is in stark contrast to that found when traditional benzodiazepine medication regimens are used. Our work confirms earlier findings confined to in-patients. Importantly, the requirements for addictive sedative medications is also dramatically reduced, greatly diminishing the dangers of secondary addiction. In a small number of cases PAN can be used to treat alcohol craving, which may prevent relapses through its positive effects on reducing craving. The promising, rapid anti-craving effects of PAN would seem to require further investigation to establish when it is likely to be of benefit in preventing relapse. In order to maximize the benefit of the PAN treatment to both patient and physician it is essential for the physician to undergo a short hands-on training course.

Adult↗