| 摘要 |
This invention discloses that ibogaine, a plant derivative, can be used safely to treat neuropathic pain (i.e, pain which does not respond conventionally to opiate drugs such as morphine). Ibogaine functions inside the CNS as an NMDA antagonist which is inherently safe, even at relatively high dosages (including dosages high enough to cause hallucinations). Ibogaine does not cause the neurotoxic side effects caused by other NMDA antagonist drugs; this relative safety of ibogaine is due to antagonist activity at neuronal sigma receptors, which had not been known prior to discovery by the Applicant. Ibogaine can also be used for this purpose in combination with additional drugs such as (1) drugs which activate alpha-2 adrenergic receptors; (2) drugs which block the kainic acid subclass of glutamate receptors; or, (3) anti-cholinergic agents that suppress activity at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. Such drug combinations can reduce or avoid the hallucinatory effects of ibogaine, if desired.
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