EFFECTS OF IBOGAINE AND NORIBOGAINE ON PHOSPHOINOSITIDE HYDROLYSIS

The effects of the antiaddictive compound, ibogaine, and its primary m etabolite, noribogaine (12-hydroxyibogamine), on phosphoinositide hydr olysis were investigated. Although ibogaine did not alter phosphoinosi tide turnover in either striatal or hippocampal slices, noribogaine el icited a concentration-dependent increase in the generation of [H-3]in ositol phosphates. This stimulation was not altered by inclusion of te trodotoxin, cadmium or omega-conotoxin indicating that the increased p roduction of [H-3]inositol phosphates was not secondary to a release o f one or more neurotransmitters. The present study indicates a stimula tion of phosphoinositide hydrolysis by noribogaine may be involved in the behavioral effects of ibogaine.