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Direct spinal effect of a benzodiazepine (midazolam) on spasticity in man
L S Dahm1, A Beric, M R Dimitrijevic
1Division of Restorative Neurology and Human Neurobiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.
Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery
|January 1, 1989
Abstract:
The water-soluble benzodiazepine, midazolam, was administered epidurally over the lumbar enlargement 18 times to 9 patients with spasticity due to severe spinal cord injury. Doses of 1.25-3.75 mg produced a rapid decrease of spasticity which lasted 1 h. After the maximal reduction of spasticity, the patients became drowsy. While the results suggest a direct action of midazolam on the spinal cord to reduce spasticity, the effect does not contribute to its usefulness as a therapeutic tool.