Esophageal distension and transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation (TLESR) are accompanied by simultaneous relaxation of the LES and inhibition of crural diaphragm. Recent studies indicate that baclofen decreases the frequency of TLESR; however, its effect on the crural diaphragm is not known. We evaluated the effects of baclofen on LES relaxation and crural diaphragm inhibition in...

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) consume large quantities of energy to convert light information into a neuronal signal, which makes them highly susceptible to hypoxic injury. This study aimed to investigate the potential protection by baclofen, a GABAB receptor agonist of RGCs against hypoxia-induced apoptosis. Cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was applied to mimic hypoxia. Primary rat RGCs were subjected ...

OBJECT Intrathecally delivered baclofen has been used as a treatment for severe spasticity since 1984. Despite this, there are uncertainties surrounding the benefits of treatment and the costs involved. The authors assessed the evidence of benefits and identified costs and the cost/benefit ratio for continuous intrathecal baclofen infusion in the treatment of severe spasticity. METHODS A syst...

BACKGROUND Results of preclinical studies suggest that the GABA(B) receptor agonist baclofen may be useful in treatment of opioid dependence. This study was aimed at assessing the possible efficacy of baclofen for maintenance treatment of opioid dependence. METHODS A total of 40 opioid-dependent patients were detoxified and randomly assigned to receive baclofen (60 mg/day) or placebo in a 12-...

BACKGROUND GHB dependence is a growing health problem in several western countries, especially the Netherlands. Attempts to stop using GHB are often followed by relapse shortly after successful detoxification. Craving for GHB use and co-morbid psychiatric symptom levels are thought to be the major factors contributing to the high relapse rates. Given its pharmacological profile, baclofen might ...

BACKGROUND Despite several reports in the literature of baclofen toxicity in patients with renal dysfunction, the drug is being used for many patients. METHODS Herein we report a case of baclofen-induced encephalopathy in a patient with pre-end-stage renal disease and review the literature regarding the magnitude of baclofen toxicity in patients with renal insufficiency. A Medline search for ...

In the months after spinal cord injury, motoneurons develop large voltage-dependent persistent inward currents (PICs) that cause sustained reflexes and associated muscle spasms. These muscle spasms are triggered by any excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) that is long enough to activate the PICs, which take > 100 ms to activate. The PICs are composed of a persistent sodium current (Na PIC) ...

Baclofen was initially used for the treatment of spastic conditions. Last decade has seen its emergence as a treatment of profound interest in alcohol dependence, opiates and cocaine abuse, and tobacco addiction. However, the published literature on baclofen abuse is sparse. Here, we report a patient with baclofen abuse.

Baclofen is a skeletal muscle relaxant, used to control spasticity in both adults and children with neuromuscular disorders. Several cases of baclofen overdose have been reported, but only a small number have involved children. We report a 3-year-old girl with accidental ingestion of baclofen, who presented with coma, bradycardia and hypotension. She recovered within 24 hours with supportive tr...

The mode of action of baclofen on the physiology of the rat hippocampus was investigated by studying its effect on electrophysiological responses in the hippocampal slice preparation and by measuring biochemical parameters related to glutamate uptake, binding, and release. Baclofen inhibited, in a dose-dependent fashion, the dendritic field potentials in field CA1 produced by stimulation of the...