Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T14:31:00.967Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Norharman and anxiety disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Summary

Norharman is a ß-carboline, possibly of endogenous origin, although cigarette smoking and food are sources too. In brain specific binding sites have been demonstrated. In higher doses norharman binds to benzodiazepine receptors and has MAO-B inhibitory activity. From animal experiments it can be concluded that norharman induces sedation and muscle relaxation. A role in psychosis is unclear, a role in the pathogenesis in anxiety is possible, but has to be further substantiated. As current research suggests, norharman may be an important factor in addiction and withdrawal.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 1996

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Literatuur

1.Fekkes, D, Schouten, MJ, Pepplinkhuizen, L, Bruinvels, J, Lauwers, W, Brinkman, UA. Norharman, a normal body constituent. Lancet 1992; 339: 506.Google Scholar
2.Pawlik, M, Kaulen, P, Baumgarten, HG, Rommelspacher, H. Quantitative autoradiography of [3H]norharman binding sites in rat brain. J chem Neuroanatomy 1990; 3: 1924.Google Scholar
3.Schouten, MJ, Bruinvels, J. Endogenously formed norharman (ß-carboline) in platelet rich plasma obtained from porphyric rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 1986; 24: 1219–23.Google Scholar
4.Fekkes, D, Bode, WT. Occurrence and partition of the ß-carboline norharman in rat organs. Life Sci 1993; 52: 2045–54.Google Scholar
5.Cappendijk, SLT, Fekkes, D, Dzoljic, MR. The inhibitory effect of norharman on morphine withdrawal syndrome in rats: comparison with ibogaine. Behav Brain Res 1994; 65: 117–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6.Cappendijk, SLT, De Vries, R, Dzoljic, MR. Excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists and naloxone-precipitated withdrawal syndrome in morphine-dependent mice. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 1993; 3:111–6.Google Scholar
7.Timmerman, L. Panic disorder, a specific clinical entity? Rotterdam: Thesis, 1995.Google Scholar
8.Rommelspacher, H, Schmidt, LG, May, T. Plasma norharman (ß-carboline) levels are elevated in chronic alcoholics. Alcohol din exp Res 1991; 15: 553–9.Google Scholar
9.Stohler, R, Rommelspacher, H, Ladewig, D, Dammann, G. Beta-carboline (harman/norharman) sind bei heroin abhängigen erhöht. Therap Umschau 1993; 50: 178–81.Google Scholar
10.Fekkes, D, Timmerman, L, Van Gelderen, GJ, Pepplinkhuizen, L. Norharman in multiple drug-addicts and healthy controls. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 1996; 6; Suppl 4: 129.Google Scholar