Modafinil modulates GABA-activated currents in rat hippocampal pyramidal neurons

• DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2008.02.024
• Publication Date: 2008-03-03T14:08:23Z
• Authors: Qing Huang; Ling Zhang; Hui Tang; Liecheng Wang; Yuanyin Wang
• Keywords: Patch-Clamp Techniques; Pyramidal Cells; Modafinil; Hippocampus; Membrane Potentials; Rats; 3. Good health; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; 03 medical and health sciences; Neuroprotective Agents; 0302 clinical medicine; Animals, Newborn; Glyburide; Animals; Hypoglycemic Agents; Drug Interactions; Benzhydryl Compounds; Cells, Cultured; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Modafinil is a well-known psychoactive drug used to treat narcolepsy, hypoglycemia, cerebral ischemia and Parkinson's disease. Previous studies showed that ATP-sensitive potassium channels (K(ATP)) play a key role in response to cerebral ischemia, hypoglycemia or metabolic inhibition. Modafinil (0.01-1 mM) dose-dependently decreased the GABA-activated currents (I(GABA)). Pretreatment with the K(ATP) channel blocker, glibenclamide (10 microM), significantly reduced the decrease of I(GABA) caused by modafinil. Thus, the inhibitory effect of modafinil on the I(GABA) is indirect by modulating K(ATP) channel activation, at least in part mediated by K(ATP) channel.