Displaying all 3 publications

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Shanmugam R, Ernst M, Stoffel K, Fischer MF, Wahl D, Richards RG, et al.
    Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon), 2015 Jun;30(5):405-10.
    PMID: 25846324 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2015.03.019
    Dorsal plating is commonly used in proximal phalanx fractures but it bears the risk of interfering with the extensor apparatus. In this study, dorsal and lateral plating fixation methods are compared to assess biomechanical differences using conventional 1.5mm non-locking plates and novel 1.3mm lateral locking plates.
  2. Sieghart W, Chiou LC, Ernst M, Fabjan J, M Savić M, Lee MT
    Pharmacol Rev, 2022 Jan;74(1):238-270.
    PMID: 35017178 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.121.000293
    GABAA receptors containing the α6 subunit are highly expressed in cerebellar granule cells and less abundantly in many other neuronal and peripheral tissues. Here, we for the first time summarize their importance for the functions of the cerebellum and the nervous system. The cerebellum is not only involved in motor control but also in cognitive, emotional, and social behaviors. α6βγ2 GABAA receptors located at cerebellar Golgi cell/granule cell synapses enhance the precision of inputs required for cerebellar timing of motor activity and are thus involved in cognitive processing and adequate responses to our environment. Extrasynaptic α6βδ GABAA receptors regulate the amount of information entering the cerebellum by their tonic inhibition of granule cells, and their optimal functioning enhances input filtering or contrast. The complex roles of the cerebellum in multiple brain functions can be compromised by genetic or neurodevelopmental causes that lead to a hypofunction of cerebellar α6-containing GABAA receptors. Animal models mimicking neuropsychiatric phenotypes suggest that compounds selectively activating or positively modulating cerebellar α6-containing GABAA receptors can alleviate essential tremor and motor disturbances in Angelman and Down syndrome as well as impaired prepulse inhibition in neuropsychiatric disorders and reduce migraine and trigeminal-related pain via α6-containing GABAA receptors in trigeminal ganglia. Genetic studies in humans suggest an association of the human GABAA receptor α6 subunit gene with stress-associated disorders. Animal studies support this conclusion. Neuroimaging and post-mortem studies in humans further support an involvement of α6-containing GABAA receptors in various neuropsychiatric disorders, pointing to a broad therapeutic potential of drugs modulating α6-containing GABAA receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: α6-Containing GABAA receptors are abundantly expressed in cerebellar granule cells, but their pathophysiological roles are widely unknown, and they are thus out of the mainstream of GABAA receptor research. Anatomical and electrophysiological evidence indicates that these receptors have a crucial function in neuronal circuits of the cerebellum and the nervous system, and experimental, genetic, post-mortem, and pharmacological studies indicate that selective modulation of these receptors offers therapeutic prospects for a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders and for stress and its consequences.
  3. Fan PC, Lai TH, Hor CC, Lee MT, Huang P, Sieghart W, et al.
    Neuropharmacology, 2018 09 15;140:1-13.
    PMID: 30016665 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.07.017
    Novel treatments against migraine are an urgent medical requirement. The α6 subunit-containing GABAA receptors (α6GABAARs) are expressed in trigeminal ganglia (TG), the hub of the trigeminal vascular system (TGVS) that is involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. Here we reveal an unprecedented role of α6GABAARs in ameliorating TGVS activation using several pharmacological approaches in an animal model mimicking pathological changes in migraine. TGVS activation was induced by intra-cisternal (i.c.) instillation of capsaicin in Wistar rats. Centrally, i.c. capsaicin activated the trigeminal cervical complex (TCC) measured by the increased number of c-Fos-immunoreactive (c-Fos-ir) TCC neurons. Peripherally, it elevated calcitonin gene-related peptide immunoreactivity (CGRP-ir) in TG and depleted CGRP-ir in the dura mater. Pharmacological approaches included a recently identified α6GABAAR-selective positive allosteric modulator (PAM), the pyrazoloquinolinone Compound 6, two α6GABAAR-active PAMs (Ro15-4513 and loreclezole), an α6GABAAR-inactive benzodiazepine (diazepam), an α6GABAAR-selective antagonist (furosemide), and a clinically effective antimigraine agent (topiramate). We examined effects of these compounds on both central and peripheral TGVS responses induced by i.c. capsaicin. Compound 6 (3-10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the TCC neuronal activation and TG CGRP-ir elevation, and dural CGRP depletion induced by capsaicin. All these effects of Compound 6 were mimicked by topiramate, Ro15-4513 and loreclezole, but not by diazepam. The brain-impermeable furosemide antagonized the peripheral, but not central, effects of Compound 6. These results suggest that the α6GABAAR in TG is a novel drug target for TGVS activation and that α6GABAAR-selective PAMs have the potential to be developed as a novel pharmacotherapy for migraine.
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links