Posted by zeugma on March 2, 2006, at 20:21:17
In reply to Re: provigil mechanism of action? » SLS, posted by Larry Hoover on March 1, 2006, at 12:02:15
i am just going to post to make this discussion even more confounding than it's been (I mean discussing modafinil's mode of action, not the discussion itself). Modafinil is classed as a 'neuroprotective agent,' and there have been numerous studies on a so-called 'neuroprotective' effect:
And, especially in view of the well-founded concern about glutamergic toxicity:
Neuroreport. 1998 Dec 21;9(18):4209-13. Related Articles, Links
Modafinil prevents glutamate cytotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons.Antonelli T, Ferraro L, Hillion J, Tomasini MC, Rambert FA, Fuxe K.
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Ferrara, Italy.
The ability of modafinil (Modiodal) to protect cortical neurons from glutamate-induced degeneration was evaluated by measuring electrically evoked [3H]GABA release and [3H]GABA uptake in primary cerebral cortical cultures. In normal cells, electrical stimulation (10 Hz, 2 min) increased [3H]GABA release (FR-NER St1 = 0.77+/-0.14; St2/St1 ratio = 0.94+/-0.02). The exposure of sister cells to glutamate, reduced electrically evoked [3H]GABA release (FR-NER St1 = 0.40+/-0.05; St2/St1 ratio = 0.60+/-0.08). Modafinil (0.3-1 microM) prevented the glutamate-induced reduction of the St2/St1 ratio (0.85+/-0.11; 0.88+/-0.05, respectively). A similar protective effect was observed for [3H]GABA uptake. These findings suggest that modafinil may be neuroprotective in that it attenuates glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in cortical neurons.
I admit to understanding very little of what I've cited, but Pub Med is a beautiful thing.
-z
poster:zeugma
thread:612884
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060227/msgs/615129.html