Ibogaine attenuation of morphine withdrawal in mice: role of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry August 1, 2003 Mirna Bainy Leal, Kátia Michelin, Diogo Onofre Souza et al. 50 citations
Ibogaine, a noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist, inhibits the behavioral signs of morphine withdrawal in mice. Jumping, a key withdrawal behavior, was reduced by 64.2% and 96.9% with 40 and 80 mg/kg of ibogaine, respectively, and by 67.3% and 97.7% with the NMDA antagonist MK-801. Combining lower doses of both drugs produced a 94.7% inhibition, similar to higher doses of either alone. Ibogaine and MK-801 also blocked NMDA-induced jumping when given 30 minutes before, but not 24 hours before, in non-addicted mice. No changes in NMDA receptor binding were observed across treatment groups, suggesting a functional, transient alteration of NMDA receptors underlies ibogaine's effect on withdrawal.