The antimyoclonic action of clonazepam through a GABA--independent mechanism.

Abstract

The present study investigates whether clonazepam exerts its antimyoclonic action through a GABA independent mechanism. We have studied the antimyoclonic effect of clonazepam and compared it with that of aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), a GABA transaminase inhibitor, against myoclonus induced by picrotoxin, a GABA receptor antagonist and allylglycine, a drug which inhibits synthesis and release of GABA. We have also investigated the effect of clonazepam against picrotoxin-induced myoclonus in rats pretreated with either AOAA or submyoclonic dose of allylgylycine. Clonazepam pretreatment inhibited both picrotoxin and allylglycine-induced myoelonus whereas AOAA was effective in inhibiting only picrotoxin-induced myoclonus. The protective effect of clonazepam against picrotoxin-induced myoclonus was potentiated by AOAA pretreatment. Moreover, clonazepam afforded protection against picrotoxin-induced myoclonus in rats pretreated with a submyoclonic GABA reducing dose of allylglycine. These findings indicate that a GABA independent mechanism may also be involved in the antimyoclonic action of clonazepam.

• Authors: V Paul, M S Krishnamoorthy
• Journal: Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology (Indian J Physiol Pharmacol) 1989 Oct-Dec Vol. 33 Issue 4 Pg. 243-6 ISSN: 0019-5499 [Print] India
• PMID: 2620967 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anticonvulsants
• Allylglycine
• Picrotoxin
• Aminooxyacetic Acid
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Clonazepam
• 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase

Topics

• 4-Aminobutyrate Transaminase (metabolism)
• Allylglycine
• Aminooxyacetic Acid
• Animals
• Anticonvulsants
• Brain Chemistry (drug effects)
• Clonazepam (pharmacology)
• Male
• Myoclonus (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Picrotoxin
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (metabolism, physiology)