Comparison of pramipexole and amisulpride on alertness, autonomic and endocrine functions in healthy volunteers
Samuels, E. R., Hou, R. H., Langley, R. W., Szabadi, E. and Bradshaw, C. M. (2006) Comparison of pramipexole and amisulpride on alertness, autonomic and endocrine functions in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 187, (4), 498-510. (doi:10.1007/s00213-006-0443-y) (PMID:16802163)
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Description/Abstract
Rationale In a previous study in healthy volunteers, the anti-
Parkinsonian drug pramipexole caused sedation and pupil
dilatation, consistent with the stimulation of inhibitory D2/D3
autoreceptors on the ventral tegmental area dopaminergic
neurones. The sedation may be related to the removal of the
dopaminergic excitation of the locus coeruleus (via the
meso-coerulear pathway), whereas the pupil dilatation may
be due to the removal of the dopaminergic excitation of the
Edinger–Westphal nucleus (via a putative meso-pupillomotor
pathway).
Objectives We investigated the hypothesis that amisulpride,
a D2/D3 receptor antagonist, would have effects opposite to
those of pramipexole on alertness, pupillary and endocrine
functions.
Materials and methods Pramipexole (0.5 mg), amisulpride
(50 mg), and their combination were administered to 16
healthy males in a balanced, cross-over, double-blind design.
Tests included measures of alertness (Pupillographic Sleepiness
Test, critical flicker fusion frequency, visual analogue
scales), pupillary functions (resting pupil diameter, light and
darkness reflex responses), non-pupillary autonomic functions
(heart rate, blood pressure, salivation, core temperature),
and endocrine functions [blood concentrations of
prolactin, growth hormone (GH) and thyroid stimulating
hormone (TSH)]. Data were analysed by ANOVA.
Results Pramipexole reduced alertness and pupillary light
reflex response amplitude, tended to reduce core temperature,
reduced prolactin levels and increased GH levels.
Amisulpride reduced pupil diameter, increased the amplitude
of the light reflex response and prolactin and TSH levels.
Conclusions The opposite effects of pramipexole and
amisulpride on alertness, pupillary function and pituitary
hormone levels are consistent with their interactions with
inhibitory D2/D3 receptors on VTA neurones and in the
tuberoinfundibular system.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0033-3158 (print) 1432-2072 (electronic) |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | pramipexole, amisulpride, alertness, pupil diameter, locus coeruleus, Edinger–Westphal nucleus . Ventral tegmental area |
| Related URLs: | http://www.springerlink.com/co...lltext.pdf http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pu...d/16802163 |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RE Ophthalmology |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Medicine > Community Clinical Sciences |
| ePrint ID: | 181859 |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/181859 |
| Deposited On: | 04 May 2011 14:28 |
| Last Modified: | 01 Jun 2011 06:44 |
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