Author
Slobodan M. Todorovic
Other affiliations: Washington University in St. Louis, University of Colorado Denver, University of Virginia Health System ...read more
Bio: Slobodan M. Todorovic is an academic researcher from Anschutz Medical Campus. The author has contributed to research in topics: Voltage-dependent calcium channel & T-type calcium channel. The author has an hindex of 41, co-authored 102 publications receiving 5820 citations. Previous affiliations of Slobodan M. Todorovic include Washington University in St. Louis & University of Colorado Denver.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
More filters
TL;DR: It is shown that N2O, at anesthetically-relevant concentrations, inhibits both ionic currents and excitotoxic neurodegeneration mediated through NMDA receptors and, like other NMDA antagonists, produces neurotoxic side effects which can be prevented by drugs that enhance CABAergic inhibition.
Abstract: Extensive research has failed to clarify the mechanism of action of nitrous oxide (N2O, laughing gas), a widely used inhalational anesthetic and drug of abuse. Other general anesthetics are thought to act by one of two mechanisms-blockade of NMDA glutamate receptors or enhancement of GABAergic inhibition. Here we show that N2O, at anesthetically-relevant concentrations, inhibits both ionic currents and excitotoxic neurodegeneration mediated through NMDA receptors and, like other NMDA antagonists, produces neurotoxic side effects which can be prevented by drugs that enhance GABAergic inhibition. The favorable safety record of N2O may be explained by the low concentrations typically used and by the fact that it is usually used in combination with GABAergic anesthetics that counteract its neurotoxic potential.
644 citations
TL;DR: Data indicate that significant differences exist among different T currents in terms of pharmacological sensitivities, and differences in pharmacological sensitivity of T currents among peripheral neurons, CNS, and neuroendocrine cells may contribute to the spectrum of effects of particular analgesic, anticonvulsant, and anesthetic drugs.
Abstract: Todorovic, Slobodan M. and Christopher J. Lingle. Pharmacological properties of T-type Ca2+ current in adult rat sensory neurons: effects of anticonvulsant and anesthetic agents. J. Neurophysiol. 7...
326 citations
TL;DR: It is found that, in parallel with the development of diabetes-induced pain, T-type current density increased by twofold in medium-size cells from L4–L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) with a depolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation, and increased cellular excitability manifested as a lower threshold for burst firing in diabetic than in control cells.
Abstract: Recent data indicate that T-type Ca2+ channels are amplifiers of peripheral pain signals, but their involvement in disorders of sensory neurons such as those associated with diabetes is poorly understood. To address this issue, we used a combination of behavioral, immunohistological, molecular, and electrophysiological studies in rats with streptozotocin (N-[methylnitrosocarbamoil]-D-glucosamine)-induced early diabetic neuropathy. We found that, in parallel with the development of diabetes-induced pain, T-type current density increased by twofold in medium-size cells from L4-L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) with a depolarizing shift in steady-state inactivation. This not only correlated closely with more prominent afterdepolarizing potentials (ADPs) but also increased cellular excitability manifested as a lower threshold for burst firing in diabetic than in control cells. T-type currents and ADPs were potently inhibited by nickel and enhanced by L-cysteine, suggesting that the Ca(V)3.2 T-type channel isoform was upregulated. Both control and diabetic DRG cells with ADPs stained positively for isolectin B4, but only diabetic cells responded robustly to capsaicin, suggesting enhanced nociceptive function. Because increased excitability of sensory neurons may result in such pathological perceptions of pain as hyperalgesia and allodynia, upregulation of T-type Ca2+ currents and enhanced Ca2+ entry into these cells could contribute to the development of symptoms in diabetic neuropathy.
251 citations
TL;DR: In isolated rat sensory neurons, it is shown that redox agents modulate T currents but not other voltage- and ligand-gated channels thought to mediate pain sensitivity.
243 citations
TL;DR: A brief overview of recent advances in voltage gated calcium channels is provided, as presented at the Spring Pain Research conference (Grand Cayman, 2008).
218 citations
Cited by
More filters
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The cloning of cDNAs encoding glutamate receptor subunits, which occurred mainly between 1989 and 1992, stimulated the development of ionotropic glutamate receptors in the brain.
Abstract: The ionotropic glutamate receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that mediate the vast majority of excitatory neurotransmission in the brain. The cloning of cDNAs encoding glutamate receptor subunits, which occurred mainly between 1989 and 1992 ([Hollmann and Heinemann, 1994][1]), stimulated this
4,112 citations
TL;DR: Genetic, electrophysiological, and pharmacological studies are elucidating the molecular mechanisms that underlie detection, coding, and modulation of noxious stimuli that generate pain.
3,394 citations
TL;DR: The present review focuses on the organisation of descending pathways and their pathophysiological significance, the role of individual transmitters and specific receptor types in the modulation and expression of mechanisms of descending inhibition and facilitation and the advantages and limitations of established and innovative analgesic strategies which act by manipulation of descending controls.
2,565 citations
TL;DR: The molecular relationships and physiological functions of these calcium channel proteins are presented and comprehensive information on their molecular, genetic, physiological, and pharmacological properties is provided.
Abstract: The family of voltage-gated sodium channels initiates action potentials in all types of excitable cells. Nine members of the voltage-gated sodium channel family have been characterized in mammals, and a 10th member has been recognized as a related protein. These distinct sodium channels have similar structural and functional properties, but they initiate action potentials in different cell types and have distinct regulatory and pharmacological properties. This article presents the molecular relationships and physiological roles of these sodium channel proteins and provides comprehensive information on their molecular, genetic, physiological, and pharmacological properties.
2,199 citations
TL;DR: Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors for only a few hours during late fetal or early neonatal life triggered widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration in the developing rat brain, suggesting that the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, acting at NMDA receptors, controls neuronal survival.
Abstract: Programmed cell death (apoptosis) occurs during normal development of the central nervous system. However, the mechanisms that determine which neurons will succumb to apoptosis are poorly understood. Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors for only a few hours during late fetal or early neonatal life triggered widespread apoptotic neurodegeneration in the developing rat brain, suggesting that the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, acting at NMDA receptors, controls neuronal survival. These findings may have relevance to human neurodevelopmental disorders involving prenatal (drug-abusing mothers) or postnatal (pediatric anesthesia) exposure to drugs that block NMDA receptors.
1,964 citations