Crack cocaine inhalation induces cardiac atrophy and facilitates limbic-motor seizures in mice submitted to subconvulsive dose of pilocarpine
- 1. Institute of Biological Sciences and Health, Federal University of Alagoas (UFAL), Maceio, AL, Brazil
Description
Epidemiological studies have reported significant increase in seizures incidence in crack cocaine users. Furthermore, crack has been correlated with cardiovascular physiopathology, which can increase the chance of sudden unexpected death (SUDEP). Here we analyzed the susceptibility to epileptic seizures and the structural myocardial response to crack cocaine exposure following by subconvulsive dose of pilocarpine. Mice exposure to crack cocaine/subconvulsive dose of pilocarpine presented self-sustaining seizures and cardiac atrophy accompanied by increased migration of fibroblasts. Our results suggested that crack cocaine reduced the threshold for seizures and facilitated heart inflammatory process that could lead to predisposition to the occurrence of SUDEP