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DRUGS THAT INCREASE γ‐AMINOBUTYRIC ACID TRANSMISSION PROTECT AGAINST THE HIGH PRESSURE NEUROLOGICAL SYNDROME
Author(s) -
BICHARD A.R.,
LITTLE H.J.
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
british journal of pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.432
H-Index - 211
eISSN - 1476-5381
pISSN - 0007-1188
DOI - 10.1111/j.1476-5381.1982.tb09238.x
Subject(s) - muscimol , bicuculline , flurazepam , aminobutyric acid , pharmacology , convulsion , anesthesia , diazepam , gamma aminobutyric acid , hydrochloride , gabaergic , medicine , chemistry , neurotransmission , epilepsy , inhibitory postsynaptic potential , agonist , biochemistry , benzodiazepine , gabaa receptor , receptor , psychiatry
1 The effects on the high pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS) of drugs which facilitate γ‐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 ngi.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.