Document Type : Review Article(s)
Authors
1
Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran.
2
Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
3
Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Abstract
Tramadol, a widely used opioid analgesic, acts upon the µ-receptor in the central nervous system to alleviate pain associated with various conditions such as postoperative pain, osteoarthritis, and muscular pain. Additionally, it has been utilized to address depression and anxiety disorders. Extensive research has shown that tramadol can potentially inflict irreversible harm on different regions of the central nervous system, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, amygdala, and notably the hippocampal formation. However, the precise mechanism behind these effects remains unclear. Within this study, we conducted a comprehensive examination of the effects of tramadol on the central nervous system, specifically focusing on hippocampal formation. To achieve this, we collected relevant articles published between 2000 and 2022 by conducting searches using specific keywords such as "Tramadol", "Tramadol hydrochloride", "Central Nervous System", "Hippocampus", and "Hippocampal Formation" in various databases. The results of this study proposed several processes by which tramadol may impact the central nervous system, including the induction of apoptosis, autophagy, excessive production of free radicals, and dysfunction of cellular organelles. These processes ultimately lead to disturbances in neural cell function, particularly within the hippocampus. Furthermore, it is clearly revealed that tramadol administration resulted in a significant decrease in the number of neural cells and the volume of various regions within the central nervous system. Consequently, neuropsychological impairments such as memory and attention deficits, as well as cognitive impairment, may happen. This finding highlights the potential impact of tramadol on neural structures and warrants further investigation.
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