2024
Combined Use of Guanfacine and N-Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Cognitive Deficits After Traumatic Brain Injury
Khasnavis S, Belliveau T, Arnsten A, Fesharaki-Zadeh A. Combined Use of Guanfacine and N-Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Cognitive Deficits After Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurotrauma Reports 2024, 5: 226-231. PMID: 38524728, PMCID: PMC10960163, DOI: 10.1089/neur.2023.0124.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTreatment of cognitive deficitsTraumatic brain injuryExecutive functionCognitive deficitsTraumatic brain injury clinicEfficacy of guanfacinePre-frontal cortexBrain injuryTreat traumatic brain injuryBehavioral therapyNeuropsychological testsCognitive symptomsCognitive changesPlacebo-controlled trialProcessing speedGuanfacineCortical functionOpen-label useApproved medicationsPersonsPost-treatmentDeficitsTraumatizationN-acetylcysteineMTBI
2023
Clinical experience with the α2A-adrenoceptor agonist, guanfacine, and N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of cognitive deficits in “Long-COVID19”
Fesharaki-Zadeh A, Lowe N, Arnsten A. Clinical experience with the α2A-adrenoceptor agonist, guanfacine, and N-acetylcysteine for the treatment of cognitive deficits in “Long-COVID19”. Neuroimmunology Reports 2023, 3: 100154. DOI: 10.1016/j.nerep.2022.100154.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchN-acetylcysteineCognitive deficitsΑ2A-adrenoceptor agonistsPrefrontal cortexCOVID19 infectionPlacebo-controlled trialOpen-label treatmentCommon side effectsExecutive functionPFC connectionsBrain fogAcid blockadeLabel treatmentHypotensive episodesGuanfacine treatmentNMDA receptorsPatient brieflySide effectsClinical experienceGuanfacineCognitive impairmentPatientsPrefrontal connectivityDemonstrate efficacyPrefrontal function
2014
A translational investigation targeting stress-reactivity and prefrontal cognitive control with guanfacine for smoking cessation
McKee SA, Potenza MN, Kober H, Sofuoglu M, Arnsten A, Picciotto MR, Weinberger AH, Ashare R, Sinha R. A translational investigation targeting stress-reactivity and prefrontal cognitive control with guanfacine for smoking cessation. Journal Of Psychopharmacology 2014, 29: 300-311. PMID: 25516371, PMCID: PMC4376109, DOI: 10.1177/0269881114562091.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPlacebo-treated subjectsFunctional magnetic resonance imagingCentral noradrenergic pathwaysPrefrontal cognitive dysfunctionSystolic blood pressureClinical outcome dataAd libitum smokingNovel translational approachStress-induced reinstatementMagnetic resonance imagingNicotine-deprived smokersBlood pressureNoradrenergic pathwaysAgonist guanfacineCognitive dysfunctionTreatment periodTobacco cravingQuit attemptsOutcome dataSmokingComplete abstinenceCortisol levelsTranslational investigationsCigarette useGuanfacineGuanfacine extended release for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents
Connor DF, Arnsten A, Pearson GS, Greco GF. Guanfacine extended release for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Expert Opinion On Pharmacotherapy 2014, 15: 1601-1610. PMID: 24992513, DOI: 10.1517/14656566.2014.930437.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderHyperactivity disorderSymptoms of ADHDEvidence-based treatmentsTraumatic stressBehavioral dysregulationADHD studiesSmall effect sizesPrefrontal cortexAdolescents 6Behavioral conditionsAdolescentsEffect sizeGXRPsycINFO databasesGuanfacinePsychostimulantsShire PharmaceuticalsOpen trialChildrenPotential promiseSecond-line treatmentDisordersAntihypertensive agentsAdrenoreceptor agonist
2012
Guanfacine for the treatment of cognitive disorders: a century of discoveries at Yale.
Arnsten AF, Jin LE. Guanfacine for the treatment of cognitive disorders: a century of discoveries at Yale. The Yale Journal Of Biology And Medicine 2012, 85: 45-58. PMID: 22461743, PMCID: PMC3313539.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderPrefrontal cortexCognitive disordersHigher-order cognitive abilitiesDeficit hyperactivity disorderPFC cognitive functionCognitive abilitiesHyperactivity disorderCognitive functionMemory functionPFC functionAgonist guanfacineBrain regionsGuanfacineRecent researchNeurobiologyYale Medical SchoolCentury of discoveryDisordersTherapeutic targetTourette syndromePostsynaptic spinesEmotionsMemorySyndrome
2005
Chapter 11 Molecular Pharmacology and the Treatment of Tourette's Syndrome and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
Arnsten A. Chapter 11 Molecular Pharmacology and the Treatment of Tourette's Syndrome and Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder. 2005, 183-iv. DOI: 10.1016/b978-012738903-5/50012-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderDeficit hyperactivity disorderPrefrontal cortexTourette syndromeTherapeutic actionUse of guanfacineΑ2-adrenoceptor agonistNeuropsychiatric symptomsAppropriate medicationNeuromodulatory effectsTourette patientsPostsynaptic sitesNeurochemical environmentNeuropsychiatric illnessBrain circuitsSyndromePFC regulationBasic neuroscienceMolecular pharmacologyMolecular targetsDisordersGuanfacinePatientsPFC functionTreatment
2000
The Alpha-2A-Adrenoceptor Agonist, Guanfacine, Increases Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex of Monkeys Performing a Spatial Working Memory Task
Avery R, Franowicz J, Studholme C, van Dyck C, Arnsten A. The Alpha-2A-Adrenoceptor Agonist, Guanfacine, Increases Regional Cerebral Blood Flow in Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex of Monkeys Performing a Spatial Working Memory Task. Neuropsychopharmacology 2000, 23: 240-249. PMID: 10942848, DOI: 10.1016/s0893-133x(00)00111-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdrenergic alpha-2 Receptor AgonistsAdrenergic alpha-AgonistsAnimalsCerebrovascular CirculationCognitionFemaleGuanfacineImage Processing, Computer-AssistedMacaca mulattaMagnetic Resonance ImagingMemoryPrefrontal CortexSpace PerceptionStimulation, ChemicalTomography, Emission-Computed, Single-PhotonConceptsRegional cerebral blood flowCerebral blood flowPrefrontal cortexDorsolateral prefrontal cortexBlood flowAlpha 2A-adrenoceptorsAuditory association areasSuperior temporal cortexBlood flow tracerSPECT measuresAdrenoceptor agonistsAdrenoceptor stimulationAlpha-2aMemory taskAdrenoreceptor agonistIntravenous cathetersGuanfacine treatmentTemporal cortexRCBF valuesAssociation areasBrain regionsGuanfacineCortexSpatial Working Memory taskCognitive performance
1999
Local infusion of an α-1 adrenergic agonist into the prefrontal cortex impairs spatial working memory performance in monkeys
Mao Z, Arnsten A, Li B. Local infusion of an α-1 adrenergic agonist into the prefrontal cortex impairs spatial working memory performance in monkeys. Biological Psychiatry 1999, 46: 1259-1265. PMID: 10560031, DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3223(99)00139-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlpha-2 adrenoceptorsRat prefrontal cortexPrefrontal cortexAlpha-1 adrenoceptor stimulationAlpha-1 adrenergic agonist phenylephrineAlpha-1 adrenoceptorsAdrenergic agonist phenylephrineDorsolateral prefrontal cortexAgonist phenylephrinePhenylephrine infusionAdrenoceptor stimulationLocal infusionAgonist guanfacineAdrenergic agonistsPrefrontal cortex impairsAdrenoceptorsDelayed-response taskInfusionAlpha 1Rat experimentsStimulationMonkeysGuanfacineSWM functionSWM performance
1998
The α-2a noradrenergic agonist, guanfacine, improves delayed response performance in young adult rhesus monkeys
Franowicz JS, Arnsten A. The α-2a noradrenergic agonist, guanfacine, improves delayed response performance in young adult rhesus monkeys. Psychopharmacology 1998, 136: 8-14. PMID: 9537677, DOI: 10.1007/s002130050533.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYoung adult rhesus monkeysAdult rhesus monkeysHigh dosesDorsolateral prefrontal cortical functionRhesus monkeysDose of idazoxanEffects of guanfacinePrefrontal cortical functionAntagonist idazoxanNoradrenergic agonistsCatecholamine depletionMild sedationAdrenergic agonistsCortical functionDrug effectsAged animalsGuanfacineAdrenergic receptorsLow dosesAged monkeysEffective doseIntact animalsIdazoxanDosesYoung animals
1995
An Open Trial of Guanfacine in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Hunt R, Arnsten A, Asbell M. An Open Trial of Guanfacine in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry 1995, 34: 50-54. PMID: 7860456, DOI: 10.1097/00004583-199501000-00013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAttention deficit hyperactivity disorderGreater attentional abilityConners' Parent RatingUse of guanfacineAttentional abilitiesConners' hyperactivityParent ratingsHyperactivity disorderFrustration tolerancePatients' mean scoresSelective binding profileHyperactive childrenLonger excretionGuanfacine treatmentADHDHyperactive behaviorMean scoreSide effectsAlpha-2 noradrenergic agonistPsychiatric outpatientsGuanfacineDouble-blind studyBehavioral changesSedative side effectsOpen trial
1991
Behavioral and receptor binding analysis of the α2-adrenergic agonist, 5-bromo-6 [2-imidazoline-2-YL amino] quinoxaline (UK-14304): evidence for cognitive enhancement at an α2-adrenoceptor subtype
Arnsten A, Leslie FM. Behavioral and receptor binding analysis of the α2-adrenergic agonist, 5-bromo-6 [2-imidazoline-2-YL amino] quinoxaline (UK-14304): evidence for cognitive enhancement at an α2-adrenoceptor subtype. Neuropharmacology 1991, 30: 1279-1289. PMID: 1686301, DOI: 10.1016/0028-3908(91)90024-6.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
1988
The alpha-2 adrenergic agonist guanfacine improves memory in aged monkeys without sedative or hypotensive side effects: evidence for alpha-2 receptor subtypes
Arnsten A, Cai J, Goldman-Rakic P. The alpha-2 adrenergic agonist guanfacine improves memory in aged monkeys without sedative or hypotensive side effects: evidence for alpha-2 receptor subtypes. Journal Of Neuroscience 1988, 8: 4287-4298. PMID: 2903226, PMCID: PMC6569464, DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.08-11-04287.1988.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlpha-2 receptor subtypesB-HT920Alpha-2 agonistsReceptor subtypesRank order potencyLow dosesDose-response profilesBlood pressureSide effectsHigh dosesAlpha-2 adrenergic agonistsOrder potencyHypotensive side effectsSedative side effectsSubtypes of receptorsAged nonhuman primatesAged rhesus monkeysMemory-enhancing effectsMemory-impairing effectsClonidine effectAgonist guanfacineClonidineAdrenergic agonistsGuanfacineSedation