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Changes of transcranially evoked motor responses in man by midazolam, a short acting benzodiazepine
P W Schönle1, C Isenberg, T A Crozier
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medical School, University of Göttingen, F.R.G.
Abstract:
The present study investigated the effects of midazolam, a short acting benzodiazepine, on muscle responses elicited by magnetic brain stimulation. During continuous midazolam infusion (0.3 mg/kg/h for up to 30 min) amplitudes and durations of transcranially elicited compound muscle action potentials decreased progressively while latencies remained unchanged. The results can be accounted for by midazolam enhancement of the inhibitory action of GABAergic cortical interneurons, which decreases the excitability of pyramidal cells and reduces the number of neurons available for generation of descending pyramidal tract activity.