PK and PD of a Nicotinic Anti-Cholinergic Challenge with Mecamylamine and Comparison to Scopolamine

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

PK and PD of a Nicotinic Anti-Cholinergic Challenge with Mecamylamine and Comparison to Scopolamine Proceedings of the British Pharmacological Society at http://www.pA2online.org/abstracts/Vol11Issue3abst205P.pdf PK and PD of a Nicotinic Anti-Cholinergic Challenge with Mecamylamine and Comparison to Scopolamine AC Baakman, R Rissmann, E Klaassen, JMA van Gerven, GJ Groeneveld. Centre for Human Drug Research, Leiden, The Netherlands Cholinesterase inhibitors are frequently prescribed to patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. The increase in acetylcholine level has effect on both muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, causing cognitive enhancement, mostly via the nicotinic receptors, and peripheral side effects, mostly via the muscarinic receptors. Therefore, nicotinic receptor specific agonists are currently being developed. For proof of pharmacology studies with these compounds, an anti-cholinergic pharmacological challenge with the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine was developed. With the current study we aimed to gain more and time-dependent information on pharmacodynamic effects of mecamylamine. This was a double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, randomized four-way crossover study with mecamylamine 10 mg or 20 mg p.o. or scopolamine 0.5 mg i.v. in 12 non-smoking healthy subjects, aged 18-45. Blood samples were taken for pharmacokinetic and neuro-endocrine measurements. Pharmacodynamic measurements consisted of computerised tests for memory, attention, psychomotor speed, eye movements, subjective scales for mood and alertness, stability (body sway) and pharmaco-EEG. Mecamylamine was well tolerated and had linear pharmacokinetics over the dose range tested. Mecamylamine appeared to more selectively affect memory than sedation compared to scopolamine 0.5 mg iv. Mecamlyamine 10mg, mecamylamine 20mg and scopolamine all affected the visual verbal learning test (VVLT) and adaptive tracking, a test for attention (see figure 1 and 2). However, mecamylamine did not have sedative effects, contrary to scopolamine. This is illustrated by the simple reaction time task (see figure 3), a subjective visual analogue scale for alertness (respectively -1.3 (CI-3.7 – 1.2), -2.5 (CI -4.8 - -0.2), -5.3 (CI -7.7 - -2.9)) and saccadic peak velocity (respectively -14.3 (CI-33.5 – 4.8), -10.9 (CI -29.0 – 7.1), - 25.4 (CI -44.2 - -6.6)), a marker for sedation. The pharmacological challenge model with mecamylamine 20 mg in healthy subjects leads to a reproducible pattern of cognitive disturbance that is nicotinic receptor specific. This model may be more suitable for proof of pharmacology and dose finding studies of nicotinic receptor agonists than the frequently used scopolamine model. .
Recommended publications
  • Effects of the Nicotinic Agonist Varenicline, Nicotinic Antagonist R-Bpidi, and DAT Inhibitor R-Modafinil on Co-Use of Ethanol and Nicotine in Female P Rats
    HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Psychopharmacology Manuscript Author (Berl) Manuscript Author . Author manuscript; available in PMC 2019 May 01. Published in final edited form as: Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018 May ; 235(5): 1439–1453. doi:10.1007/s00213-018-4853-4. Effects of the nicotinic agonist varenicline, nicotinic antagonist r-bPiDI, and DAT inhibitor R-modafinil on co-use of ethanol and nicotine in female P rats. Sarah E. Maggio1, Meredith A. Saunders1, Thomas A. Baxter1, Kimberly Nixon2, Mark A. Prendergast1, Guangrong Zheng3, Peter Crooks3, Linda P. Dwoskin2, Rachel D. Slack4, Amy H. Newman4, Richard L. Bell5, and Michael T. Bardo1 1Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA. 3Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. 4Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse- Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA. 5Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. Abstract Rationale: Co-users of alcohol and nicotine are the largest group of polysubstance users worldwide. Commonalities in mechanisms of action for ethanol (EtOH) and nicotine proposes the possibility of developing a single pharmacotherapeutic to treat co-use. Objectives: Toward developing a preclinical model of co-use, female alcohol-preferring (P) rats were trained for voluntary EtOH drinking and i.v. nicotine self-administration in three phases: (1) EtOH alone (0 vs. 15%, 2-bottle choice); (2) nicotine alone (0.03 mg/kg/infusion, active vs.
    [Show full text]
  • Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physiologic Responses John T
    Combined Nicotinic and Muscarinic Blockade in Elderly Normal Volunteers: Cognitive, Behavioral, and Physiologic Responses John T. Little, M.D., Douglas N. Johnson, Ph.D., Marcia Minichiello, M.A., Herb Weingartner, Ph.D., and Trey Sunderland, M.D. Establishing a pharmacologic model of the memory deficits scopolamine alone. Increased impairment was also seen for of Alzheimer’s disease could be an important tool in the mecamylamine 1 scopolamine condition as compared to understanding how memory fails. We examined the scopolamine alone in selected behavioral ratings. Pupil size combined effects of the muscarinic antagonist scopolamine increased when mecamylamine was added to scopolamine, and the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine in eight normal while systolic blood pressure and pulse changed in elderly volunteers (age 61.9 6 8.3 yrs, SD). Each received concordance with ganglionic blockade. These data together four separate drug challenges (scopolamine (0.4 mg IV), with previous brain-imaging results suggest that this mecamylamine (0.2 mg/kg up to 15 mg PO), muscarinic–nicotinic drug combination may better model mecamylamine 1 scopolamine, and placebo). There was a Alzheimer’s disease than either drug alone. trend toward increased impairment in explicit memory for [Neuropsychopharmacology 19:60–69, 1998] the mecamylamine 1 scopolamine condition as compared to Published by Elsevier Science Inc. KEY WORDS: Scopolamine; Mecamylamine; Cognitive; al. 1985; Shimohama et al. 1986; Whitehouse and Au Geriatrics; Muscarinic antagonist; Nicotinic antagonist 1986; D’Amato et al. 1987; Zubenko et al. 1988), many cognitive dysfunction modeling studies have focused Given the limited animal models of Alzheimer’s disease on this system (Beatty et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Treating Smoking Dependence in Depressed Alcoholics
    Treating Smoking Dependence in Depressed Alcoholics Nassima Ait-Daoud, M.D.; Wendy J. Lynch, Ph.D.; J. Kim Penberthy, Ph.D.; Alison B. Breland, Ph.D.; Gabrielle R. Marzani-Nissen, M.D.; and Bankole A. Johnson, D.Sc., M.D., Ph.D. Alcoholism and nicotine dependence share many neurobiological underpinnings; the presence of one drug can cause a person to crave the other. Depressive illness can complicate comorbid alcohol and nicotine dependence by exacerbating the negative affect encountered during attempts to abstain from one or both drugs. Given the morbidity and mortality associated with cigarette smoking, it is imperative to identify treatments to promote smoking cessation and address comorbid psychiatric conditions contemporaneously. Pharmacotherapeutic options demonstrating varying degrees of efficacy and promise in preclinical and clinical studies include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), bupropion, varenicline, tricyclic antidepressants, and bupropion plus NRT. Topiramate has shown potential for promoting smoking cessation in alcoholics, although its safety in depressed patients has not been fully explored. The efficacy of medications for treating nicotine dependence is generally enhanced by the inclusion of behavioral interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. When group cohesion and social support are stressed, success rates increase among depressed smokers undergoing smoking cessation treatment. Additional treatment strategies targeting dually dependent individuals with
    [Show full text]
  • Opioid and Nicotine Use, Dependence, and Recovery: Influences of Sex and Gender
    Opioid and Nicotine: Influences of Sex and Gender Conference Report: Opioid and Nicotine Use, Dependence, and Recovery: Influences of Sex and Gender Authors: Bridget M. Nugent, PhD. Staff Fellow, FDA OWH Emily Ayuso, MS. ORISE Fellow, FDA OWH Rebekah Zinn, PhD. Health Program Coordinator, FDA OWH Erin South, PharmD. Pharmacist, FDA OWH Cora Lee Wetherington, PhD. Women & Sex/Gender Differences Research Coordinator, NIH NIDA Sherry McKee, PhD. Professor, Psychiatry; Director, Yale Behavioral Pharmacology Laboratory Jill Becker, PhD. Biopsychology Area Chair, Patricia Y. Gurin Collegiate Professor of Psychology and Research Professor, Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience Institute, University of Michigan Hendrée E. Jones, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Executive Director, Horizons, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Marjorie Jenkins, MD, MEdHP, FACP. Director, Medical Initiatives and Scientific Engagement, FDA OWH Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge and extend our gratitude to the meeting’s speakers and panel moderators: Mitra Ahadpour, Kelly Barth, Jill Becker, Kathleen Brady, Tony Campbell, Marilyn Carroll, Janine Clayton, Wilson Compton, Terri Cornelison, Teresa Franklin, Maciej Goniewcz, Shelly Greenfield, Gioia Guerrieri, Scott Gottlieb, Marsha Henderson, RADM Denise Hinton, Marjorie Jenkins, Hendrée Jones, Brian King, George Koob, Christine Lee, Sherry McKee, Tamra Meyer, Jeffery Mogil, Ann Murphy, Christine Nguyen, Cheryl Oncken, Kenneth Perkins, Yvonne Prutzman, Mehmet Sofuoglu, Jack Stein, Michelle Tarver, Martin Teicher, Mishka Terplan, RADM Sylvia Trent-Adams, Rita Valentino, Brenna VanFrank, Nora Volkow, Cora Lee Wetherington, Scott Winiecki, Mitch Zeller. We would also like to thank those who helped us plan this program. Our Executive Steering Committee included Ami Bahde, Carolyn Dresler, Celia Winchell, Cora Lee Wetherington, Jessica Tytel, Marjorie Jenkins, Pamela Scott, Rita Valentino, Tamra Meyer, and Terri Cornelison.
    [Show full text]
  • Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors
    NEURONAL NICOTINIC RECEPTORS Dr Christopher G V Sharples and preparations lend themselves to physiological and pharmacological investigations, and there followed a Professor Susan Wonnacott period of intense study of the properties of nAChR- mediating transmission at these sites. nAChRs at the Department of Biology and Biochemistry, muscle endplate and in sympathetic ganglia could be University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK distinguished by their respective preferences for C10 and C6 polymethylene bistrimethylammonium Susan Wonnacott is Professor of compounds, notably decamethonium and Neuroscience and Christopher Sharples is a hexamethonium,5 providing the first hint of diversity post-doctoral research officer within the among nAChRs. Department of Biology and Biochemistry at Biochemical approaches to elucidate the structure the University of Bath. Their research and function of the nAChR protein in the 1970’s were focuses on understanding the molecular and facilitated by the abundance of nicotinic synapses cellular events underlying the effects of akin to the muscle endplate, in electric organs of the acute and chronic nicotinic receptor electric ray,Torpedo , and eel, Electrophorus . High stimulation. This is with the goal of affinity snakea -toxins, principallyaa -bungarotoxin ( - Bgt), enabled the nAChR protein to be purified, and elucidating the structure, function and subsequently resolved into 4 different subunits regulation of neuronal nicotinic receptors. designateda ,bg , and d .6 An additional subunit, e , was subsequently identified in adult muscle. In the early 1980’s, these subunits were cloned and sequenced, The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) arguably and the era of the molecular analysis of the nAChR has the longest history of experimental study of any commenced.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Medicines in Development for Skin Diseases
    2018 Medicines in Development for Skin Diseases Acne Drug Name Sponsor Indication Development Phase ADPS topical Taro Pharmaceuticals USA acne vulgaris Phase II completed Hawthorne, NY www.taro.com AOB101 AOBiome acne vulgaris Phase II (topical ammonia oxidizing bacteria) Cambridge, MA www.aobiome.com ASC-J9 AndroScience acne vulgaris Phase II (androgen receptor degradation Solana Beach, CA www.androscience.com enhancer) BLI1100 Braintree Laboratories acne vulgaris Phase II completed Braintree, MA www.braintreelabs.com BPX-01 BioPharmX acne vulgaris Phase II (minocycline topical) Menlo Park, CA www.biopharmx.com BTX1503 Botanix Pharmaceuticals moderate to severe acne vulgaris Phase II (cannabidiol) Plymouth Meeting, PA www.botanixpharma.com CJM112 Novartis Pharmaceuticals acne vulgaris Phase II (IL-17A protein inhibitor) East Hanover, NJ www.novartis.com clascoterone Cassiopea acne vulgaris Phase III (androgen receptor antagonist) Lainate, Italy www.cassiopea.com Medicines in Development: Skin Diseases ǀ 2018 Update 1 Acne Drug Name Sponsor Indication Development Phase CLS001 Cutanea acne vulgaris Phase II (omiganan) Wayne, PA www.cutanea.com DFD-03 Promius Pharma acne vulgaris Phase III (tazarotene topical) Princeton, NJ www.promiuspharma.com DMT310 Dermata Therapeutics moderate to severe acne vulgaris Phase II (freshwater sponge-derived) San Diego, CA www.dermatarx.com finasteride Elorac severe nodulocystic acne Phase II (cholestenone 5-alpha Vernon Hills, IL www.eloracpharma.com reductase inhibitor) FMX101 Foamix moderate to severe
    [Show full text]
  • The Use of Stems in the Selection of International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for Pharmaceutical Substances
    WHO/PSM/QSM/2006.3 The use of stems in the selection of International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for pharmaceutical substances 2006 Programme on International Nonproprietary Names (INN) Quality Assurance and Safety: Medicines Medicines Policy and Standards The use of stems in the selection of International Nonproprietary Names (INN) for pharmaceutical substances FORMER DOCUMENT NUMBER: WHO/PHARM S/NOM 15 © World Health Organization 2006 All rights reserved. Publications of the World Health Organization can be obtained from WHO Press, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland (tel.: +41 22 791 3264; fax: +41 22 791 4857; e-mail: [email protected]). Requests for permission to reproduce or translate WHO publications – whether for sale or for noncommercial distribution – should be addressed to WHO Press, at the above address (fax: +41 22 791 4806; e-mail: [email protected]). The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the World Health Organization concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Dotted lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement. The mention of specific companies or of certain manufacturers’ products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by the World Health Organization in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. Errors and omissions excepted, the names of proprietary products are distinguished by initial capital letters.
    [Show full text]
  • Involvement of Nicotinic Receptor Subtypes in the Behavioral Effects of Nicotinic Drugs in Squirrel Monkeys
    1521-0103/366/2/397–409$35.00 https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.118.248070 THE JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS J Pharmacol Exp Ther 366:397–409, August 2018 Copyright ª 2018 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Involvement of Nicotinic Receptor Subtypes in the Behavioral Effects of Nicotinic Drugs in Squirrel Monkeys Sarah L. Withey,1 Michelle R. Doyle,1,2 Jack Bergman, and Rajeev I. Desai Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, Massachusetts Received January 27, 2018; accepted May 17, 2018 ABSTRACT Evidence suggests that the a4b2, but not the a7, subtype of the except for lobeline, the nicotinic agonists produced either full nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) plays a key role in [(1)-epibatidine, (2)-epibatidine, and nicotine] or partial (vare- Downloaded from mediating the behavioral effects of nicotine and related drugs. nicline, cytisine, anabaseine, and isoarecolone) substitution for However, the importance of other nAChR subtypes remains (1)-epibatidine. In interaction studies with antagonists differing unclear. The present studies were conducted to examine the in selectivity, (1)-epibatidine discrimination was substan- involvement of nAChR subtypes by determining the effects of tively antagonized by mecamylamine, slightly attenuated selected nicotinic agonists and antagonists in squirrel monkeys by hexamethonium (peripherally restricted) or dihydro- b a either 1) responding for food reinforcement or 2) discriminating the -erythroidine, and not altered by methyllycaconitine ( 7 jpet.aspetjournals.org nicotinic agonist (1)-epibatidine (0.001 mg/kg) from vehicle. In selective). Varenicline and cytisine enhanced (1)-epibati- food-reinforcement studies, nicotine, (1)-epibatidine, varenicline dine’s discriminative-stimulus effects.
    [Show full text]
  • Cholinergic Regulation of Mood: from Basic and Clinical Studies to Emerging Therapeutics
    HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author ManuscriptAuthor Manuscript Author Mol Psychiatry Manuscript Author . Author Manuscript Author manuscript; available in PMC 2020 April 30. Published in final edited form as: Mol Psychiatry. 2019 May ; 24(5): 694–709. doi:10.1038/s41380-018-0219-x. Cholinergic Regulation of Mood: From Basic and Clinical Studies to Emerging Therapeutics Stephanie C. Dulawa, Ph.D.1,*, David S. Janowsky, M.D.1 1Department of Psychiatry, University of California at San Diego Abstract Mood disorders are highly prevalent and are the leading cause of disability worldwide. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression remain poorly understood, although theories regarding dysfunction within various neurotransmitter systems have been postulated. Over 50 years ago, clinical studies suggested that increases in central acetylcholine could lead to depressed mood. Evidence has continued to accumulate suggesting that the cholinergic system plays a important role in mood regulation. In particular, the finding that the antimuscarinic agent, scopolamine, exerts fast-onset and sustained antidepressant effects in depressed humans has led to a renewal of interest in the cholinergic system as an important player in the neurochemistry of major depression and bipolar disorder. Here, we synthesize current knowledge regarding the modulation of mood by the central cholinergic system, drawing upon studies from human postmortem brain, neuroimaging, and drug challenge investigations, as well as animal model studies. First, we describe an illustrative series of early discoveries which suggest a role for acetylcholine in the pathophysiology of mood disorders. Then, we discuss more recent studies conducted in humans and/or animals which have identified roles for both acetylcholinergic muscarinic and nicotinic receptors in different mood states, and as targets for novel therapies.
    [Show full text]
  • Analgesic Activity of Withania Somnifera Deepali Walekar*, Sagar Shimpi
    International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research Volume 10, Issue 9, September 2019 1321 (ISSN 2229-5518%& Analgesic activity of Withania somnifera Deepali Walekar*, Sagar Shimpi Abstract— Pain on the basis of duration can be classified as acute and chronic pain. Acute pain is easy to cure as compared to chronic pain. Pain perception threshold depends on the type of disease and psychological condition of patient. Despite of ad ances in the medical sciences, an e!ecti e remedy for pain is still not a ailable. "any laboratories ha e acti e research programs on pain management. Plants ha e provided many drugs to the modern medicine. #pium obtained from Papa er somnifera late$ is the most e!ecti e treatment of pain. Salicylic acid obtained from Sali$ bark is a starting point for de elopment of non%steroidal anti%inflammatory drugs. 'he structure activity studies on opium and salicylic acid ha e increased our understanding on structural re(uirements of analgesic drugs and also their ad erse e!ects. 'here are se eral plants )hich possess analgesic principles. 'he fractions obtained from arious plants relie e pain by acting through central and peripheral mechanisms. Preliminary studies ha e indicated antinocicepti e activity of Withania somnifera using hot plate analgesiometer and acetic acid induced )rithing *+usni et al., ,-.-/. +o)e er, there are no reports on the mechanism of antinocicepti e activity. 0n the present study )e ha e studied antinocicepti e activity of )ithanolide rich fraction of W. somnifera fraction using formalin induced pain test and sodium chloride induced eye )iping in mice.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution of Choline Acetylase and Cholin- Esterase and the Action of Cholinergic Drugs on the Cat Vestibular System
    Equilibrium Res Suppl. 3, 1972 DISTRIBUTION OF CHOLINE ACETYLASE AND CHOLIN- ESTERASE AND THE ACTION OF CHOLINERGIC DRUGS ON THE CAT VESTIBULAR SYSTEM IZURU MATSUOKA INTRODUCTION It is well known that anticholinergic drugs are useful antimotion remedies. There- fore, it is pertinent to determine the role of cholinergic mechanisms in vestibular function. The known histochernical localization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the cat nucleus vestibularis is complex. AChE is high in the superior and lateral nuclei, but low in the medial and inferior portions. In nucleus vestibularis lateralis (NVL) the cell bodies of Deiters' giant neurons contain almost all of the AChE. Shute and Lewis and Ross, have also shown AChE in the vestibular ganglion of Scarpa. Steiner and Weber and Yamamoto have reported that NVL neurons activated by vestibular stimulation were also excited by the iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh). Further neurophar- macological investigations on the cholinergic mechanisms in the vestibular system are obviously needed. The present manuscript describes our studies on the gross distribution of choline ace- tylase (ChAc), AChE, cholinesterase (ChE), and total cholinesterase in the cat vestibular nerve and nucleus vestibularis lateralis (NVL). In addition, spontaneous unitary dis- charges were recorded in NVL neurons as well as field potentials during vestibular nerve stimulation before and after various cholinergic agonists and antagonists. METHODS Neurochemical analysis Eight adult cats of either sex were used. After 30 mg/kg i.v. of pentobarbital sodium, each animal was placed in a stereotaxic instrument. In order to locate NVL, a small elec- trode was inserted into the right side of the nucleus and fixed to the cranium with dental cement.
    [Show full text]
  • The Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine and the Heart: a Delicate Relation
    Molecules 2015, 20, 2208-2228; doi:10.3390/molecules20022208 OPEN ACCESS molecules ISSN 1420-3049 www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules Review The Anti-Addiction Drug Ibogaine and the Heart: A Delicate Relation Xaver Koenig * and Karlheinz Hilber * Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Schwarzspanierstrasse 17, Vienna 1090, Austria * Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: [email protected] (X.K.); [email protected] (K.H.); Tel.: +43-1-40160-31232 (X.K.); +43-1-40160-31230 (K.H.); Fax: +43-1-40160-931300 (X.K. & K.H.). Academic Editor: Patricia Valentao Received: 24 October 2014 / Accepted: 26 November 2014 / Published: 29 January 2015 Abstract: The plant indole alkaloid ibogaine has shown promising anti-addictive properties in animal studies. Ibogaine is also anti-addictive in humans as the drug alleviates drug craving and impedes relapse of drug use. Although not licensed as therapeutic drug and despite safety concerns, ibogaine is currently used as an anti-addiction medication in alternative medicine in dozens of clinics worldwide. In recent years, alarming reports of life-threatening complications and sudden death cases, temporally associated with the administration of ibogaine, have been accumulating. These adverse reactions were hypothesised to be associated with ibogaine’s propensity to induce cardiac arrhythmias. The aim of this review is to recapitulate the current knowledge about ibogaine’s effects on the heart and the cardiovascular system, and to assess the cardiac risks associated with the use of this drug in anti- addiction therapy. The actions of 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), a less toxic ibogaine congener with anti-addictive properties, are also considered.
    [Show full text]