Opiate antagonist improves neurologic recovery after spinal injury.

Abstract

The opiate antagonist naloxone has been used to treat cats subjected to cervical spinal trauma. In contrast to saline-treated controls, naloxone treatment significantly improved the hypotension observed after cervical spinal injury. More critically, naloxone therapy significantly improved neurologic recovery. These findings implicate endorphins in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury and indicate that narcotic antagonists may have a therapeutic role in this condition.

• Authors: A I Faden, T P Jacobs, J W Holaday
• Journal: Science (New York, N.Y.) (Science) Vol. 211 Issue 4481 Pg. 493-4 (Jan 30 1981) ISSN: 0036-8075 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7455690 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Endorphins
• Naloxone

Topics

• Animals
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cats
• Disease Models, Animal
• Endorphins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Naloxone (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Spinal Cord (blood supply)
• Spinal Cord Injuries (drug therapy, physiopathology)