M A Carai

Summary

Affiliation: Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l
Country: Italy

Publications

  1. ncbi Central effects of 1,4-butanediol are mediated by GABA(B) receptors via its conversion into gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    Mauro A M Carai
    Neuroscienze S c a r l, Via Palabanda 9, I 09123 Cagliari, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 441:157-63. 2002
  2. ncbi Role of GABA(B) receptors in the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    M A Carai
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S S 554 Km 4 5, I 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 428:315-21. 2001
  3. ncbi Selective breeding of two rat lines differing in sensitivity to GHB and baclofen
    G Colombo
    C N R Center for Neuropharmacology, c o Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, SS 554, Km 4 5, I 09042, Monserrato CA, Italy
    Brain Res 902:127-30. 2001
  4. ncbi Ability of baclofen in reducing alcohol intake and withdrawal severity: I--Preclinical evidence
    G Colombo
    CNR Center for Neuropharmacology, Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24:58-66. 2000
  5. ncbi GABA(B) receptor inhibition causes locomotor stimulation in mice
    G Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology, c o Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S S 554, Km 4 5, I 09042 Monserrato Ca, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 433:101-4. 2001
  6. ncbi Characterization of the discriminative stimulus effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as a means for unraveling the neurochemical basis of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid actions and its similarities to those of ethanol
    G Colombo
    C N R Center for Neuropharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Porcell 4, I 09124, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 20:237-45. 2000
  7. ncbi Alcohol stimulates motor activity in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP), but not in Sardinian alcohol-nonpreferring (sNP), rats
    R Agabio
    Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, I-09124, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 23:123-6. 2001
  8. ncbi Procedure of bidirectional selective outbreeding for production of two rat lines differing in sensitivity to the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    C Lobina
    Bernard B. Brodie' Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S.S. 554, Km. 4.5, I-09042 (CA, Monserrato, Italy
    Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 8:74-81. 2001
  9. ncbi The cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716 prevents acquisition of drinking behavior in alcohol-preferring rats
    S Serra
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, Via Palabanda 9, I-09123, Cagliari, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 430:369-71. 2001
  10. ncbi Withdrawal syndrome from gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats
    Mauro A M Carai
    Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I-09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 15:75-8. 2005

Collaborators

Detail Information

Publications46

  1. ncbi Central effects of 1,4-butanediol are mediated by GABA(B) receptors via its conversion into gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    Mauro A M Carai
    Neuroscienze S c a r l, Via Palabanda 9, I 09123 Cagliari, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 441:157-63. 2002
    ..Accordingly 1,4-butanediol, unlike GHB, failed to displace [(3)H]GHB and [(3)H]baclofen in brain membranes...
  2. ncbi Role of GABA(B) receptors in the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    M A Carai
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S S 554 Km 4 5, I 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 428:315-21. 2001
    ..These results indicate that the sedative/hypnotic effect of GHB is mediated by the stimulation of GABA(B) receptors and add further support to the hypothesis that the GABA(B) receptor constitutes a central site of action of GHB...
  3. ncbi Selective breeding of two rat lines differing in sensitivity to GHB and baclofen
    G Colombo
    C N R Center for Neuropharmacology, c o Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, SS 554, Km 4 5, I 09042, Monserrato CA, Italy
    Brain Res 902:127-30. 2001
    ....
  4. ncbi Ability of baclofen in reducing alcohol intake and withdrawal severity: I--Preclinical evidence
    G Colombo
    CNR Center for Neuropharmacology, Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol Clin Exp Res 24:58-66. 2000
    ....
  5. ncbi GABA(B) receptor inhibition causes locomotor stimulation in mice
    G Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology, c o Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S S 554, Km 4 5, I 09042 Monserrato Ca, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 433:101-4. 2001
    ..1 mg/kg, i.p.), suggesting that hyperactivity induced by blockade of the GABA(B) receptor is mediated by enhanced dopamine release. These results suggest the existence of a GABA(B) receptor-mediated tonic inhibition of dopamine neurons...
  6. ncbi Characterization of the discriminative stimulus effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid as a means for unraveling the neurochemical basis of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid actions and its similarities to those of ethanol
    G Colombo
    C N R Center for Neuropharmacology, University of Cagliari, Via Porcell 4, I 09124, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 20:237-45. 2000
    ....
  7. ncbi Alcohol stimulates motor activity in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP), but not in Sardinian alcohol-nonpreferring (sNP), rats
    R Agabio
    Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, I-09124, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 23:123-6. 2001
    ..These results suggest to us that a positive relationship exists between ethanol preference and ethanol-induced motor stimulation in sP/sNP rat lines...
  8. ncbi Procedure of bidirectional selective outbreeding for production of two rat lines differing in sensitivity to the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    C Lobina
    Bernard B. Brodie' Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S.S. 554, Km. 4.5, I-09042 (CA, Monserrato, Italy
    Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 8:74-81. 2001
    ..The selective breeding of GHB-S and GHB-R rats: (a) suggests that sensitivity to GHB is under genetic control, and (b) may constitute a unique model for investigation of the physiological function of GHB...
  9. ncbi The cannabinoid receptor antagonist SR 141716 prevents acquisition of drinking behavior in alcohol-preferring rats
    S Serra
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, Via Palabanda 9, I-09123, Cagliari, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 430:369-71. 2001
    ..The results suggest that activation of cannabinoid CB(1) receptors is essential for the acquisition of alcohol drinking behavior in animals with a genetically determined alcohol preference...
  10. ncbi Withdrawal syndrome from gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats
    Mauro A M Carai
    Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I-09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 15:75-8. 2005
    ..We propose that the inherent sensitivity of sP rats to different GHB-associated responses may have contributed to the unraveling of a phenomenon which was otherwise not recognizable in other rat strains...
  11. ncbi Suppression of GABA(B) receptor function in vivo by disulfide reducing agent, DL-dithiothreitol (DTT)
    Mauro A M Carai
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Psychopharmacology (Berl) 174:283-90. 2004
    ....
  12. ncbi Baclofen-induced reduction of alcohol reinforcement in alcohol-preferring rats
    Paola Maccioni
    Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I-09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 36:161-8. 2005
    ..These data are also in agreement with the results of recent preliminary clinical studies suggesting that baclofen may have therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of alcohol dependence...
  13. ncbi Differential G-protein coupling to GABAB receptor in limbic areas of alcohol-preferring and -nonpreferring rats
    M Paola Castelli
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 523:67-70. 2005
    ....
  14. ncbi Endogenous gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor active neurosteroids and the sedative/hypnotic action of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB): a study in GHB-S (sensitive) and GHB-R (resistant) rat lines
    Maria Luisa Barbaccia
    Department of Neuroscience, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
    Neuropharmacology 49:48-58. 2005
    ..These results suggest that the GHB-induced increases of brain 3alpha,5alpha-THP and 3alpha,5alpha-THDOC concentrations are implicated in the eliciting of the sedative/hypnotic action of GHB...
  15. ncbi Endocannabinoid system and alcohol addiction: pharmacological studies
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, Viale Diaz, 182 I 09126 Cagliari CA, Italy
    Pharmacol Biochem Behav 81:369-80. 2005
    ....
  16. ncbi Up-regulation of GABA(B) receptors by chronic administration of the GABA(B) receptor antagonist SCH 50,911
    Fabio Pibiri
    B.B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, 09042 Monserrato (CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 515:94-8. 2005
    ..The results indicate that persistent blockade of GABA(B) receptors leads to their compensatory up-regulation and suggest that GABA(B) receptors are tonically activated by endogenous GABA...
  17. ncbi Resuscitative treatments on 1,4-butanediol mortality in mice
    Mauro A M Carai
    Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Cagliari, National Research Council, Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
    Ann Emerg Med 47:184-9. 2006
    ....
  18. ncbi Identification of miltirone as active ingredient of Salvia miltiorrhiza responsible for the reducing effect of root extracts on alcohol intake in rats
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol Clin Exp Res 30:754-62. 2006
    ..The present study was designed to evaluate whether miltirone, one of the possible active constituents of S. miltiorrhiza, might be responsible for the reducing effect of the extracts on alcohol intake...
  19. ncbi gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) suppresses alcohol's motivational properties in alcohol-preferring rats
    Paola Maccioni
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I 09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 42:107-13. 2008
    ..These results are consistent with the anticraving properties of GHB observed in clinical studies...
  20. ncbi Gamma-aminobutyric acidB (GABAB)-receptor mediation of different in vivo effects of gamma-butyrolactone
    Mauro A M Carai
    CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
    J Pharmacol Sci 106:199-207. 2008
    ..Vice versa, NCS-382 failed to exert any antagonistic or protective effect. These results suggest that the in vivo GBL effects tested in the present study are mediated by activation of the GABA(B) receptor...
  21. ncbi Repeated exposure to alcoholic beer does not induce long-lasting changes in alcohol self-administration and intake in Sardinian alcohol-preferring and Sardinian non-preferring rats
    Alessandro Orru
    Bernard B Brodie, Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I 09126 Cagliari CA, Italy
    Alcohol Alcohol 42:513-24. 2007
    ....
  22. ncbi Cue-induced reinstatement of ethanol seeking in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats
    Paola Maccioni
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, Viale Diaz 182, I 09126, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 41:31-9. 2007
    ..The latter finding concurs with clinical observations that odor and taste of alcoholic beverages elicit immediate craving responses in abstinent alcoholics...
  23. ncbi Reducing effect of the positive allosteric modulator of the GABA(B) receptor, GS39,783, on alcohol self-administration in alcohol-preferring rats
    Paola Maccioni
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, 09126, Cagliari, Italy
    Psychopharmacology (Berl) 193:171-8. 2007
    ..The present study was designed to extend the characterization of the "anti-alcohol" effects of GS39,783 to oral self-administration of alcohol under an operant procedure...
  24. ncbi Evaluation for the withdrawal syndrome from gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BD) in different rat lines
    Lawrence S Quang
    Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Critical Care, Rainbow Babies and Children s Hospital, 11100 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
    Ann N Y Acad Sci 1074:545-58. 2006
    ....
  25. ncbi Baclofen-induced suppression of alcohol deprivation effect in Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats exposed to different alcohol concentrations
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 550:123-6. 2006
    ..These results suggest that the GABA(B) receptor is part of the neural substrate mediating alcohol deprivation in sP rats...
  26. ncbi Phenotypic characterization of genetically selected Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) and -non-preferring (sNP) rats
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, Cagliari, CA, Italy
    Addict Biol 11:324-38. 2006
    ....
  27. ncbi GHB-C rats: the control line of GHB-sensitive (GHB-S) and GHB-resistant (GHB-R) rats
    Carla Lobina
    Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I-09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 15:1-5. 2005
    ....
  28. ncbi Different sensitivity to the motor incoordinating effects of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and baclofen in GHB-sensitive and GHB-resistant rats
    Carla Lobina
    Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I-09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Brain Res 1033:109-12. 2005
    ..These results are discussed in terms of the GABA(B) receptor being the likely neural substrate on which the differential sensitivity of GHB-S and GHB-R rats resides...
  29. ncbi Differences in ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in Sardinian alcohol-preferring and Sardinian alcohol-nonpreferring rats
    Giuliana Brunetti
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, I-09123, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 26:167-72. 2002
    ....
  30. ncbi Proconvulsive effect of the GABA(B) receptor antagonist, SCH 50911, in rats undergoing ethanol withdrawal syndrome
    Mauro A M Carai
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, Via Palabanda 9, I-09123 Cagliari (CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 445:195-9. 2002
    ....
  31. ncbi GABA(B)-receptor mediation of the inhibitory effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid on intestinal motility in mice
    Mauro A M Carai
    Neuroscienze S c a r l, Via Palabanda 9, I 09123, Cagliari, Italy
    Life Sci 70:3059-67. 2002
    ..p.), resulted in the blockade of the inhibiting effect of both GHB and NCS-382. These results suggest that the constipating effect of GHB and NCS-382 are secondary to stimulation of the GABA(B) receptor...
  32. ncbi The GABA(B) receptor agonists baclofen and CGP 44532 prevent acquisition of alcohol drinking behaviour in alcohol-preferring rats
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C.N.R. Institute of Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol Alcohol 37:499-503. 2002
    ....
  33. ncbi Operant self-administration of ethanol in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats
    Giovanni Vacca
    Neuroscience S.c.a r.l, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol Clin Exp Res 26:1678-85. 2002
    ....
  34. ncbi IDN 5082, a standardized extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, delays acquisition of alcohol drinking behavior in rats
    Giuliana Brunetti
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, Cagliari, Italy
    J Ethnopharmacol 85:93-7. 2003
    ..These results add further support to the preclinical anti-alcohol profile of S. miltiorrhiza extracts...
  35. ncbi Suppression by baclofen of alcohol deprivation effect in Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C N R Institute for Neurogenetics and Neuropharmacology, c o Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, S S 554, Km 4 5, I 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy
    Drug Alcohol Depend 70:105-8. 2003
    ..These results implicate the GABA(B) receptor in the neural substrate mediating ADE and suggest that baclofen may possess anti-relapse properties...
  36. ncbi Stable preference for high ethanol concentrations after ethanol deprivation in Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats
    Salvatore Serra
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, I-09123, Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 29:101-8. 2003
    ..These results provide further evidence on the heterogeneity of ethanol-drinking behavior among rat lines selectively bred for high ethanol preference and consumption...
  37. ncbi Long-term exposure to a sweetened alcoholic solution does not alter genetic aversion to ethanol in Sardinian alcohol-nonpreferring (sNP) rats
    Giuliana Brunetti
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, I-09123 Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol 30:29-34. 2003
    ..These results support the suggestion that an environmental manipulation such as a long-term exposure to a sucrose-fading procedure did not overcome the genetically determined predisposition to avoid ethanol in sNP rats...
  38. ncbi Selective gamma-hydroxybutyric acid receptor ligands increase extracellular glutamate in the hippocampus, but fail to activate G protein and to produce the sedative/hypnotic effect of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid
    M Paola Castelli
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, Cagliari, Italy
    J Neurochem 87:722-32. 2003
    ..The GHB analogues constitute important tools for understanding the physiological role of endogenous GHB and its receptor...
  39. ncbi Completion by the 10th generation of the bidirectional selective breeding of GHB-sensitive and GHB-resistant rats
    Carla Lobina
    Bernard B. Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I-09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 13:53-6. 2004
    ..GHB-S and GHB-R rats may constitute a valuable tool for investigations on GHB physiology and pharmacology...
  40. ncbi Suppression by baclofen of the stimulation of alcohol intake induced by morphine and WIN 55,212-2 in alcohol-preferring rats
    Giancarlo Colombo
    Department of Neuroscience, C N R Institute of Neuroscience, c o Bernard B Brodie University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, Cagliari I 09126, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 492:189-93. 2004
    ..These results suggest the involvement of the GABA(B) receptor in the neural circuitry mediating the stimulating effect of morphine and cannabinoids on alcohol consumption in sP rats...
  41. ncbi Protection by the GABAB receptor antagonist, SCH 50911, of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid-induced mortality in mice
    Mauro A M Carai
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I 09126 Cagliari CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 503:77-80. 2004
    ....
  42. ncbi In vivo effectiveness of CGP7930, a positive allosteric modulator of the GABAB receptor
    Mauro A M Carai
    Bernard B Brodie Department of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I 09126 Cagliari CA, Italy
    Eur J Pharmacol 504:213-6. 2004
    ..These results confirm that CGP7930 may constitute an interesting tool for pharmacological studies in the GABAB receptor field...
  43. ncbi Role of GABA(B) receptor in alcohol dependence: reducing effect of baclofen on alcohol intake and alcohol motivational properties in rats and amelioration of alcohol withdrawal syndrome and alcohol craving in human alcoholics
    Giancarlo Colombo
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, University of Cagliari, Viale Diaz, 182, I 09126 Cagliari, Italy
    Neurotox Res 6:403-14. 2004
    ..In both clinical studies, baclofen was well tolerated with minimal side effects. These results suggest that baclofen may represent a potentially effective medication in the treatment of alcohol-dependent patients...
  44. ncbi Suppressing effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist, SR147778, on alcohol intake and motivational properties of alcohol in alcohol-preferring sP rats
    Gian Luigi Gessa
    C N R Institute of Neuroscience, Section of Cagliari, Viale Diaz 182, I 09126 Cagliari CA, Italy
    Alcohol Alcohol 40:46-53. 2005
    ..The present study investigated the effect of the newly synthesized cannabinoid CB(1) receptor antagonist, SR147778, on alcohol intake and the motivational properties of alcohol in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol-preferring (sP) rats...
  45. ncbi Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid versus alcohol preference in Sardinian alcohol-preferring rats
    Salvatore Serra
    Neuroscienze S.c.a r.l, Via Palabanda 9, I-09123 Cagliari, Italy
    Alcohol Alcohol 37:128-31. 2002
    ..The results also provide a model of the low abuse liability of GHB observed in human alcoholics...