Baclofen chemical structure
Find information on thousands of medical conditions and prescription drugs.

Baclofen

Baclofen (brand names Kemstro® and Lioresal®) is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid, and is an agonist specific to mammalian but not fruit fly (Drosophila) GABAB receptors. It is used for the treatment of spastic movement, especially in instances of spinal cord injury and in multiple sclerosis. Its beneficial effects result from actions at spinal and supraspinal sites. Baclofen can also be used to treat hiccups. more...

Home
Diseases
Medicines
A
B
Baciim
Bacitracin
Baclofen
Bactrim
Bactroban
Barbexaclone
Barbital
Baros
Basiliximab
Baycol
Beclamide
Beclometasone
Beclovent
Beconase
Beldin
Benadryl
Benazepril
Bendroflumethiazide
Benserazide
Bentiromide
Benylin
Benzaclin
Benzalkonium chloride
Benzocaine
Benzonatate
Betacarotene
Betadine
Betahistine
Betamethasone
Betaxolol
Bextra
Biaxin
Bibrocathol
Bicalutamide
Bicillin
Biclotymol
Biotin
Bisoprolol
Bleomycin
Blocadren
Boldenone
Boniva
Bontril
Bosentan
Bravelle
Brethaire
Brevibloc
Brevicon
Bricanyl
Bromazepam
Bromelain
Bromhexine
Bromocriptine
Brompheniramine
Bronkodyl
Bronopol
BSS
Bucet
Budesonide
Bumetanide
Bupivacaine
Buprenex
Buprenorphine
Buserelin
Buspar
Buspirone
Busulfan
Butalbital
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

Description of compound

Baclofen is a white to off-white, odorless or practically odorless crystalline powder, with a molecular weight of 213.66. It is slightly soluble in water, very slightly soluble in methanol, and insoluble in chloroform.

Routes of administration

Baclofen can be administered either orally or intrathecally (directly into the spinal fluid). Intrathecal administration is often indicated in spasticity patients, as very little of the oral dose actually reaches the spinal fluid.

Intrathecal administration is particularly used in patients with multiple sclerosis who have severe painful spasms which are not controllable by oral baclofen. A test dose is given to assess the effect, and if successful a chronic intrathecal catheter in inserted and connected to a computer-controlled implanted pump. The reservoir in the pump can be replenished by percutaneous injuection. These pump systems are quite sophisticated and expensive so careful patient selection is required.

History

Historically Baclofen was designed to be a drug for epilepsy in the 1920’s, and was derived from diazepam (Valium©). The effect on epilepsy was disappointing but it was found that in certain patients spasticity decreased. Baclofen was and is still given orally with variable effects. In the severely affected children, the oral dose is so high that side effects appear and the treatment loses its benefit. How and when Baclofen came to be used in the spinal sack is not really clear but this is now an established method for the treatment of spasticity in many conditions.

How Baclofen works

Baclofen has its effect in the spinal cord, which is the main connection between the brain and then rest of the body. The spinal cord is a reflex system, a feedback loop. The most obvious reflex is the withdrawal to heat. This movement is brisk and not very well controlled. This is what happens in Cerebral Palsy. Without adequate control from the brain, every movement is like a reflex, being rough and uncontrolled. The reflex can spread through the body causing spasms or “arching”. These spasms can be painful and interrupt sleep.

Baclofen works on this reflex circuit. The reflex circuit in the spinal cord contains the Renshaw cells. These cells are very sensitive to a natural chemical produced by the nervous system: GABA, gamma-amino-butyric-acid. GABA slows the reflex circuit down and Baclofen acts like GABA. The dose of intrathecal Baclofen necessary to slow down the reflex circuit is variable but is generally one thousand times smaller than the oral dose.

Pharmacokinetics

The drug is rapidly absorbed after oral administration and is widely distributed throughout the body. Biotransformation is low and the drug is predominantly excreted in the unchanged form by the kidneys.

Read more at Wikipedia.org


[List your site here Free!]


Vertigo and motion sickness. Part I: vestibular anatomy and physiology
From Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, 9/1/05 by Timothy P. Zajonc

Abstract

Control of the symptoms of vertigo and motion sickness requires consideration of the neurophysiology of areas both intrinsic and extrinsic to the vestibular system proper. We review the essential anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system and the associated vomiting reflex.

Introduction

Vertigo is often accompanied by visceral autonomic symptoms, including pallor, diaphoresis, nausea, and vomiting. Vertigo is similar to motion sickness in that both can be caused by vestibular stimulation that does not match an internal model of expected environmental stimuli. Indeed, a functioning vestibular system is necessary for the perception of motion sickness. (1) For this reason, many of the same drugs are used to treat both conditions. Selection of a particular type of drug therapy can be facilitated by an understanding of the essential anatomy and physiology of the vestibular system and the associated vomiting reflex.

Vestibular pathways

The receptor cells for vestibular stimuli are the hair cells of the vestibular labyrinth. Type I hair cells are flask-shaped and connected to a single large afferent nerve fiber. Type II cells are cylindrical, and they are innervated by a series of bouton-type nerve endings at their base. These sensory cells are found in the cristae at the ampullated ends of the semicircular canals and in the maculae of the utricle and sacculus. Movement of the endolymph in the semicircular canals, and movement of the otoliths in the case of the maculae, is translated by the hair cells into an electrical impulse. This impulse is propagated by the afferent nerves toward the vestibular nuclei. There are four vestibular nuclei: the superior vestibular nucleus, the lateral vestibular nucleus, the medial vestibular nucleus, and the descending vestibular nucleus. Secondary vestibular afferent fibers are responsible for making connections with the contralateral vestibular nuclei, oculomotor control areas, the cerebellum, and the spinal cord.

The chief neurotransmitter in the vestibular nuclei is believed to be the excitatory amino acid glutamate. Electron-microscope autoradiography demonstrates glutamate uptake sites in the lateral and inferior vestibular nuclei of cats. The number of these sites is significantly decreased by previous sectioning of the vestibular nerve, indicating that glutamate is involved in the transfer of signals from vestibular afferent neurons. (1,2) Glutamate actions are mediated by excitatory amino acid receptors. The four main families of excitatory amino acid receptors are [alpha]-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors (AMPA), N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDA), metabotropic glutamate receptors, and kainic acid receptors. AMPA, NMDA, and metabotropic receptors have been found in the vestibular nuclei. (1,3) Glutamate appears to act primarily on AMPA-type receptors in the vestibular nuclei. (4)

Acetylcholine has been identified in primary vestibular afferents of the vestibular nuclei. (5) In cat studies involving measurements of the field potential of the lateral vestibular nucleus, the application of acetylcholine produces the same response as does stimulation of the vestibular nerve. In addition, the response to stimulation of the vestibular nerve is enhanced by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and blocked by the antimuscarinic drug scopolamine. (1,6) Muscarinic receptors are acetylcholine-binding receptors that have historically been demonstrated to be activated by muscarine and blocked by atropine.

Knowledge of muscarinic receptor subtypes and their pharmacologic actions is increasing, and more effective anticholinergic medications with fewer side effects are in development. There are now five known structural subtypes of muscarinic receptors, designated [m.sub.1] through [m.sub.5]. The capitalized designations [M.sub.1], [M.sub.2], and [M.sub.3] represent pharmacologic definitions, which are based on the actions of various drugs that bind muscarinic receptors selectively. It has been shown that the structural designations [m.sub.1] through [m.sub.3] correlate with the pharmacologic definitions [M.sub.1] through [M.sub.3], respectively. In situ hybridization studies of rat brain have demonstrated a unique distribution of muscarinic receptor subtypes. (7,8) The [m.sub.1] receptors are abundant in the cerebral cortex, striatum, and hippocampus. The [m.sub.2] receptors are very rare in brain tissue; they are found in significant quantities only in the medial septum and pons and in lesser amounts in the thalamus. The distribution of [m.sub.3] receptors is similar to that of [m.sub.1] receptors, but [m.sub.3] receptors are also found in several thalamic nuclei and brainstem nuclei. The [m.sub.4] receptors are found in the cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, and the [m.sub.5] receptors are found in very low levels in the hippocampus and some brainstem nuclei. Bovine brain studies have also revealed that muscarinic receptors are found in the vestibular nuclei. (9) Localization of receptor subtypes to specific areas of the brain allows for the possibility of designing drugs that have a more specific action.

Another regulatory substance in the vestibular nuclei is histamine. [H.sub.1], [H.sub.2], and [H.sub.3] receptors are present in the medial vestibular nucleus. (l, 10) Field-potential recordings demonstrate that the H1 antagonist diphenhydramine decreases firing of polysynaptic pathways in the lateral vestibular nucleus. (1,11)

Other inhibitory actions in the vestibular nuclei are mediated by [gamma]-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Two subclasses of GABA receptors--GABA A and GABA B--are found in the vestibular nuclei. GABA A receptors are bound by benzodiazepines for agonist effects. GABA B receptors bind baclofen for agonist effects. Neurons from the contralateral vestibular nuclei and Purkinje fibers from the cerebellum are believed to exert their inhibitory effects via this GABAergic system. (4)

Neurokinin type 1 (N[K.sub.1]) receptors have been found in some vestibular afferents. (4) N[K.sub.1] receptors bind substance P, which is a neuroactive peptide. Substance P is thought to be involved in many actions throughout the body, including the transmission of painful stimuli, but its role in the vestibular system is unclear at this time. (12)

Other receptors found in the vestibular nuclei include [D.sub.2] dopaminergic receptors, 5-[HT.sub.1A] and 5-[HT.sub.2] (serotoninergic) receptors, and [[alpha].sub.2]- and [[beta].sub.1]-adrenergic receptors (table). (4,13,14) Norepinephrine, which binds adrenergic receptors, has been reported to block neuronal firing in the medial vestibular nucleus while it stimulates neurons in the lateral vestibular nucleus. (1,15)

The cerebellum

The cerebellum is believed to function as a regulator of movement and posture by comparing movement intention with movement performance and regulating the actions of descending motor neurons. Information gathered on movement intention is called internal feedback. Sensory information about motor performance is called external feedback. Vestibular stimuli, representing spatial orientation, are also regarded as external feedback. The cerebellum compares internal and external feedback signals in order to regulate performance. The cerebellum is also believed to contain a conceptual internal model that reflects normal sensory congruities for a given movement or posture. When the comparison of the internal and external feedback signals does not fall within the parameters of this internal model, a sensory mismatch is said to exist. These sensory mismatches can develop as a result of new environmental stimuli or erroneous input caused by disease. Upon the detection of a mismatch, uncomfortable sensations such as disequilibrium, vertigo, or motion sickness occur. The cerebellum is thought to promote short-term regulation and long-term habituation to compensate for these mismatched signals. (16)

The idea that the cerebellum functions as a regulator of the vestibular system is supported by the observation that lesions of the cerebellar flocculus inhibit adjustments to the gain of the vestibuloocular reflex. (16,17) Also, when nodulectomy was performed on cats, previously acquired habituation to caloric stimulation was lost. This lesion also severely interfered with the cats' further acquisition and retention of habituation. (18) Additionally, dogs have been rendered immune to motion sickness by ablation of the nodulus and uvula of the cerebellum. (19,20) Neurons projecting from the inferior olivary nucleus to the cerebellar nuclei and cerebellar cortex are also necessary for vestibular compensation. The inferior olivary neurons are believed to carry information about voluntary motor movements. Destruction of the inferior olive in rats prevents compensation after unilateral labyrinthectomy. (1,21)

Vomiting center

The area of the brainstem known as the parvicellular reticular formation (PCRF) is believed to function as the vomiting center, where the vomiting reflex is initiated and coordinated. Electrical stimulation of this area in cats has been shown to evoke vomiting. (1,22) The PCRF is located ventral to the vestibular nuclei and medial to, as well as partially coextensive with, the elongated nucleus of the spinal tract of the trigeminal nerve. The PCRF projects fibers to the motor nucleus of the facial nerve, to the hypoglossal nucleus, and to the parabrachial nuclei, which contain some respiratory centers. (1) These connections may allow for coordination of the vomiting reflex. Also, the PCRF is traversed by an extensive system of commissural fibers that interconnect the vestibular nuclear complexes. It has been suggested that fine axon collaterals may arise from these commissural fibers to connect the PCRF to the vestibular nuclei. There are many other cortical and subcortical afferent connections to the PCRF, but the exact means by which these pathways are integrated and this information is used to initiate vomiting are not clear.

The nucleus tractus solitarius is closely related to the PCRF. It serves as a major coordinating center for autonomic functions in the brainstem and undoubtedly plays a significant role in the vomiting reflex. It receives vagal, vestibular, area postrema, and limbic inputs. (4) The nucleus tractus solitarius is rich in catecholamine-containing fibers, has dense GABA input, and also contains 5-[HT.sub.1A] receptors.

Area postrema

The area postrema is located laterally along the floor of the fourth ventricle; it is not protected by the blood-brain barrier. Early studies in dogs showed that ablation of this area prevented motion sickness. Later studies in both cats and squirrel monkeys, which might have involved more accurate ablation of the area postrema, demonstrated no protection from motion-induced emesis. (1) The facts that stimulation of the area postrema produces vomiting in cats and that it is not protected by the blood-brain barrier suggest that the area postrema contains the chemoreceptor trigger zone for the production of vomiting in response to noxious chemicals.

Organizational model

The currently understood model for the production of vertigo or motion sickness includes a system in which information is gathered from vestibular, visual, proprioceptive, and cortical activity (figure). This information is then compared with an internal model of expected input congruity. Detection of a stimulus mismatch promotes the symptoms associated with vertigo and motion sickness. This comparator also serves to promote habituation to new environmental stimuli or compensation for erroneous input caused by disease.

It is interesting that some medications that are excellent antiemetics do not prevent vertigo or motion sickness. One such medication, ondansetron, is often used for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea. It acts on 5-[HT.sub.3] receptors in the area postrema. Activity in this location would not necessarily prevent stimulation of the vestibular nuclei from ultimately causing nausea and vomiting. However, patients who are particularly susceptible to motion sickness also demonstrate increased responses to other vomiting center stimuli. This may provide a rationale for the use of general antiemetics in vertigo associated with nausea. (23,24)

The role of medications in treating vertigo and motion sickness will be reviewed in part II of this article in an upcoming issue.

References

(1.) Crampton GH, ed. Motion and Space Sickness. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, 1990.

(2.) Raymond J, Nieoullon A, Dememes D, Sans A. Evidence for glutamate as a neurotransmitter in the cat vestibular nerve: Radioautographic and biochemical studies. Exp Brain Res 1984;56: 523-31.

(3.) Gallagher JR An electrophysiological investigation of the rat medial vestibular nucleus in vitro. In: Correia M J, Perachio AA, eds. Contemporary Sensory Neurobiology. (Proceedings of the third symposium of the Galveston chapter of the Society for Neuroscience; May 14-15, 1984; Galveston, Tex.) New York: Alan R. Liss, 1985:293.

(4.) Yates B J, Miller AD, Lucot JB. Physiological basis and pharmacology of motion sickness: An update. Brain Res Bull 1998;47:395-406.

(5.) Matsuoka I, Domino EF. Cholinergic mechanisms in the cat vestibular system. Neuropharmacology 1975; 14:201-10.

(6.) Matsuoka I, Ito J, Takahashi H, et al. Experimental vestibular pharmacology: A minireview with special reference to neuroactive substances and antivertigo drugs. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 1984;419: 62-70.

(7.) Weiner DM, Brann MR. The distribution of a dopamine D2 receptor mRNA in rat brain. FEBS Lett 1989;253:207-13.

(8.) Hulme EC, Birdsall NJ, Buckley NJ. Muscarinic receptor subtypes. Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 1990;30:633-73.

(9.) Pedigo NW, Jr, Brizzee KR. Muscarinic cholinergic receptors in area postrema and brainstem areas regulating emesis. Brain Res Bull 1985; 14:169-77.

(10.) Lewis MR. Histamine H1 and H2 mechanisms may modulate motion sickness development. Aerospace Medical Association Abstract 1987:A10.

(11.) Takatani T, Ito J, Matsuoka I, et al. Effects of diphenhydramine iontophoretically applied onto neurons in the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei. Jpn J Pharmacol 1983;33:557-61.

(12.) Otsuka M, Yanagisawa M. Does substance P act as a pain transmitter? Trends Pharmacol Sci 1987;8:506-10.

(13.) de Waele C, Muhlethaler M, Vidal PE Neurochemistry of the central vestibular pathways. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 1995;20:24-46.

(14.) Zanni M, Giardino L, Toschi L, et al. Distribution of neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, and receptors in the vestibular nuclei complex of the rat: An immunocytochemical, in situ hybridization and quantitative receptor autoradiographic study. Brain Res Bull 1995;36:443-52.

(15.) Kirsten EB, Sharma JN. Characteristics and response differences to iontophoretically applied norepinephrine, D-amphetamine, and acetylcholine on neurons in the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei of the cat. Brain Res 1976;112:77-90.

(16.) Kandel ER, Schwartz JH, Jessell TM, eds. Principles of Neural Science. 3rd ed. New York: Elsevier, 1991.

(17.) Robinson DA. Adaptive gain control of vestibuloocular reflex by the cerebellum. J Neurophysiol 1976;39:954-69.

(18.) Singleton GT. Relationships of the cerebellar nodulus to vestibular function: A study of the effects of nodulectomy on habituation. Laryngoscope 1967;77:1579-1619.

(19.) Tyler DB, Bard P. Motion sickness. Physiol Rev 1949;29:311-69.

(20.) Ito M. Recent advances in cerebellar physiology and pathology. Adv Neurol 1978;21:59-84.

(21.) Llinas R, Walton K, Hillman DE, Sotelo C. Inferior olive: Its role in motor learning. Science 1975;190:1230-1.

(22.) Borison HL, Wang SC. Functional localization of central coordinating mechanism for emesis in cat. J Neurophysiol 1949; 12:305-13.

(23.) Hasegawa S, Takeda N, Morita M, et al. Vestibular, central and gastral triggering of emesis: A study on individual susceptibility in rats. Acta Otolaryngol 1992;112:927-31.

(24.) Baloh RW. Dizziness, Hearing Loss, and Tinnitus. Philadelphia: EA. Davis, 1998.

(25.) Palermo-Neto J. Dopaminergic systems. Dopaminergic receptors. Psychiatr Clin North Am 1997;20:705-21.

(26.) Missale C, Nash SR, Robinson SW, et al. Dopamine receptors: From structure to function. Physiol Rev 1998;78:189-225.

(27.) Jaarsma D, Ruigrok TJ, Caffe R, et al. Cholinergic innervation and receptors in the cerebellum. Prog Brain Res 1997;114:67-96.

(28.) Russo-Neustadt A, Cotman CW. Adrenergic receptors in Alzheimer's disease brain: Selective increases in the cerebella of aggressive patients. J Neurosci 1997; 17:5573-80.

(29.) Pompeiano O. Noradrenergic influences on the cerebellar cortex: Effects on vestibular reflexes under basic and adaptive conditions. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998; 119:93-105.

(30.) Bongianni F, Mutolo D, Carfi M, Pantaleo T. Area postrema glutamate receptors mediate respiratory and gastric responses in the rabbit. Neuroreport 1998;9:2057-62.

(31.) Cumming P, Gjedde A, Vincent S. Histamine H3 binding sites in rat brain: Localization in the nucleus of the solitary tract. Brain Res 1994;641:198-202.

(32.) Qian M, Johnson AE, Kallstrom L, et al. Cholecystokinin, dopamine D2 and N-methyl-D-aspartate binding sites in the nucleus of the solitary tract of the rat: Possible relationship to ingestive behavior. Neuroscience 1997;77:1077-89.

(33.) Hyde TM, Knable MB, Murray AM. Distribution of dopamine D1-D4 receptor subtypes in human dorsal vagal complex. Synapse 1996;24:224-32.

(34.) Yoshikawa T, Yoshida N, Hosoki K. Involvement of dopamine D3 receptors in the area postrema in R(+)-7-OH-DPAT-induced emesis in the ferret. Eur J Pharmacol 1996;301:143-9.

(35.) Paakkari I, Karppanen H, Paakkari P. Site and mode of action of clonidine in the central nervous system. Acta Med Scand Suppl 1976;602:106-9.

(36.) Avoli M, Hwa G, Louvel J, et al. Functional and pharmacological properties of GABA-mediated inhibition in the human neocortex. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1997;75:526-34.

(37.) Yabe T, de Waele C, Serafin M, et al. Medial vestibular nucleus in the guinea-pig: Histaminergic receptors. II. An in vitro study. Exp Brain Res 1993;93:249-58.

From ENT Associates, Johnson City, Tenn. (Dr. Zajonc), and the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (Dr. Roland).

Reprint requests: Peter S. Roland, MD, Professor and Chairman, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9035. Phone: (214) 648-3102; fax: (214) 648-2246; e-mail: peter.roland@utsouthwestern.edu

Timothy P. Zajonc, MD; Peter S. Roland, MD

COPYRIGHT 2005 Medquest Communications, LLC
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group

Return to Baclofen
Home Contact Resources Exchange Links ebay