1999 issue 1

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Volume 8, issue 1

Varia

Discovery of imidazoline receptors in the brain – implications for the pathomechanism of mental disorders

Marek Krzystanek1, HENRYK I. TRZECIAK2, Irena Krupka-Matuszczyk1, EWA KRZYSTANEK2
1. I Katedry i Kliniki Psychiatrii Śląskiej Akademii Medycznej w Lublińcu
2. Zakładu Farmakologii Katedry Farmakologii Śląskiej Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach-Ligocie
Postęp Psychiatrii i Neurologii, 1999, 8, 75-85
Keywords: cerebral imidazoline receptors, adrenergic ?2receptors, depression, MAO

Abstract

Imidazoline (I) receptors in thebrain and their role in the pathogenesis of mentaldisorders are discussed. I1 and I2 receptors were found to be of importance in the etiology of depression,panic attacks, generalized anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, mania,alcohol dependence, and drug abuse. I receptorsparticipate in the mechanism of action of MAOinhibitors, antagonists of serotonin re-uptake, andtricyclic antidepressants. Endogenous agonists of I receptors are neurotransmitters in the centralnervous system (c.n.s.). Their neuromodulatoryaction is not excluded. Many research findings evidencethat the imidazoline system disorders mayresult in a decreased release of noradrenalin (NA)and serotonin (5-HT) in the c.n.s. and in depressivesymptoms.

Address for correspondence:
Prof. Henryk l. Trzeciak, Zakład Farmakologii Katedry Farmakologii Śl. AM,
ul. Medyków 18, 40-752 Katowice-Ligota