The membrane time constant of neocortical glial cells is abolut 385 microseconds, less than one-twentieth the known value for the Betz cell. Glial membrane specific resistance is low (approximately 200 to 500 ohm centimeters squared. Neuroglial cells are ideally suited to buffer the immediate extraneuronal space at areas of synaptic contact against the increases in external potassium ion concentration that accompany postsynaptic and spike activity and to minimize the spread of potassium ions to other pre- and postsynaptic regions.

Animals↗

PubMed1970

Neuroglia: gliosis and focal epilepsy.

Normal neuroglial cells buffer the extracellular space around neurons and presynaptic terminals against increases in potassium ions. Epileptic foci resulting from brain injury are characterized by areas of intense fibrillary gliosis bordering neuronal tissue. The known pathological changes that occur in gliosis may impair glial control of extracellular potassium ions and lead to excessively excitable neuronal border regions.

Cicatrix↗

PubMed1967

Concomitant behavioral and neural inhibition and disinhibition in response to subcortical stimulation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Enkephalinase inhibition: regulation of ethanol intake in genetically predisposed mice.

This is the first report of alteration in alcohol intake in mice with a genetic predisposition to alcohol preference and known to have innate brain enkephalin deficiencies. We have been able to significantly attenuate both volitional and forced ethanol intake respectively by acute and chronic treatment with hydrocinnamic acid and D-phenylalanine, known carboxypeptidase (enkephalinase) inhibitors. Since these agents, through their enkephalinase inhibitory activity, raise brain enkephalin levels, we propose that excessive alcohol intake can be regulated by alteration of endogenous brain opioid peptides.

Alcoholism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Enkephalinase inhibition and precursor amino acid loading improves inpatient treatment of alcohol and polydrug abusers: double-blind placebo-controlled study of the nutritional adjunct SAAVE.

We investigated the effects of the amino acid and vitamin mixture SAAVE in inpatient, chemically-dependent subjects to evaluate the role of neurotransmitters in facilitating recovery and adjustment to a detoxified, sober state. SAAVE is formulated from amino acids that are precursors for neurotransmitters and neuromodulators thought to be involved in alcohol and drug seeking behavior. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study of 62 alcoholics and polydrug abusers, SAAVE patients had a significantly reduced stress response as measured by the skin conductance level (SCL), and significantly improved Physical Scores and BESS Scores (behavioral, emotional, social and spiritual). After detoxification there was a six-fold decrease in AMA rates when comparing SAAVE vs. placebo groups. In this inpatient treatment experience SAAVE facilitated the rate of recovery and allowed patients to respond more fully and more quickly to the behavioral goals of the program, for example as measured by the BESS Score. The use of SAAVE to achieve enkephalinase inhibition and precursor amino acid loading in the acute inpatient treatment environment provides the practitioner with the potential ability to restore the neurochemical changes inherent to alcoholism and drug abuse. These findings increase our understanding of the clinically relevant neurobiological mechanisms which underlie compulsive disease.

Alcoholism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurogenetic deficits caused by alcoholism: restoration by SAAVE, a neuronutrient intervention adjunct.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Alcoholism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Improvement of cocaine-induced neuromodulator deficits by the neuronutrient Tropamine.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Amino Acids↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurodynamics of relapse prevention: a neuronutrient approach to outpatient DUI offenders.

The central nervous system rewarding properties of ethanol, cocaine, and heroin may activate a common catecholaminergic reward system in the mesolimbic circuitry of the brain. Driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders with either alcohol- or cocaine-related problems were studied. The neuronutrients SAAVE and Tropamine significantly reduced relapse rates and enhanced recovery in these DUI outpatient offenders over a 10-week period. Follow-up on both the SAAVE and Tropamine groups after 10 months revealed a 73% and a 53% overall recovery rate, respectively. These clinical results favor the use of these neuronutrients as adjuncts to psychological therapeutic modalities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evidence for the importance of the "genotype" theory in alcohol seeking behavior: a commentary.

Consensus of the literature points towards a neuropsychogenetic model of alcoholism. Evidence in both animals and humans tends to support the proposed "genotype" theory of alcohol-seeking behavior, whereby a predisposition to alcohol preference may be mediated in part by either innate (genetic) or environmentally (stress and/or alcohol) induced brain opioid peptide dysfunction. Potential therapeutic rationale involving the utilization of novel inhibitors of carboxypeptidase A (enkephalinase) which raise endogenous enkephalin levels and possess anti-alcohol seeking effects is emphasized.

Alcohol Drinking↗