Modafinil enhances thalamocortical activity by increasing neuronal electrotoic coupling

URBANO FJ, LEZNIK E, LLINÁS RR.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA

National Academy of Sciences

Lugar: Washington DC, USA; Año: 2007 vol. 104 p. 12554 - 12559

Modafinil (Provigil, Modiodal), an antinarcoleptic and moodenhancing drug, is shown here to sharpen thalamocortical activity and to increase electrical coupling between cortical interneurons and between nerve cells in the inferior olivary nucleus. Alter irreversible pharmacological block of connexin permeability (i.e., by using either 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic derivatives or mefloquine), modafinil restored electrotonic coupling within 30 min. It was further established that this restoration is implemented through a Ca2+/calmodulin protein kinase II-dependent step.