The non-opioid analgesic flupirtine is a modulator of GABAA receptors involved in pain sensation
نویسندگان
چکیده
Background Flupirtine is a centrally acting, non-opioid analgesic with muscle relaxant and neuroprotective properties. Although routinely used in the clinic, its mechanism of action remained poorly understood; it had been suggested to antagonize NMDA receptors and to activate G proteincoupled inward rectifier (GIRK) and KCNQ K+ channels. Since spinal GABAA receptors are involved in pain sensation, we investigated the effects of flupirtine on this and other transmitter-gated ion channels.
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