Johnson B, Barron B, Fang B, Lamki L, Wagner L, Wells L, Kenny P, Overton D, Dhother S, Abramson D, Chen R, Kramer L.
Clinical Laboratory and Experimental Alcohol Research Center, University of Texas - Health Science Center at Houston, 77030, USA
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1998 Apr;136(4):335-41
The L-type calcium channel antagonist, isradipine, reduces brain ischemia in animal models of ischemic stroke. These effects of isradipine appear more pronounced in dopamine (DA) rich brain regions. These same DA-rich brain regions have also been shown to be the areas most affected by cocaine-induced ischemic changes. Using a novel quantified approach to single photon emission computerized tomography, we demonstrated that isradipine pre-treatment prevented cocaine-induced ischemic changes, especially in these DA-rich brain regions. This is the first demonstration that any medication, including isradipine, can prevent the ischemic effects of cocaine on brain blood flow. Isradipine may, therefore, be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention of brain ischemia in cocaine addicts.
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