Drugs that increase gamma-aminobutyric acid transmission protect against the high pressure neurological syndrome.

Abstract

1 The effects on the high pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) of drugs which facilitate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission were investigated. Threshold pressures for the onset of the behavioural signs of the HPNS in mice--tremors and convulsions were established. 2 Flurazepam hydrochloride 20 and 10 mg/kg and sodium valproate 800 and 400 mg/kg substantially raised the threshold pressures for both tremor and convulsions. 3 Amino-oxyacetic acid 35 and 25 mg/kg and diaminobutyric acid 600 mg/kg also significantly increased the thresholds. Muscimol 1 mg/kg (and 150 ng i.c.v.) was ineffective at non-toxic doses. 4 These effects paralleled the drugs' ability to raise the convulsion threshold to intravenous infusion of bicuculline in mice. 5 These results demonstrate that drugs with actions more selective than those of the general anaesthetics are effective against the HPNS. It is also possible that there is a GABAergic component to the effects of general anaesthetics on the HPNS.

• Authors: A R Bichard, H J Little
• Journal: British journal of pharmacology (Br J Pharmacol) Vol. 76 Issue 3 Pg. 447-52 (Jul 1982) ISSN: 0007-1188 [Print] England
• PMID: 6286024 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics
• Muscimol
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Valproic Acid
• Flurazepam
• Bicuculline

Topics

• Anesthetics (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Bicuculline (pharmacology)
• Body Temperature (drug effects)
• Flurazepam (pharmacology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred Strains
• Muscimol (pharmacology)
• Pressure
• Seizures (prevention & control)
• Synaptic Transmission (drug effects)
• Tremor (prevention & control)
• Valproic Acid (pharmacology)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (metabolism)