[The effect of clonazepam on visual evoked potentials of the rabbit (author's transl)]

This paper deals with the action of Clonazepam on the cortical responses to visual stimuli in the rabbit. Epicortical as well as intracortical recordings from the different laminae were made by means of a multi-electrode made by thin film technology (13). Clonazepam was given intravenously in a dosis of 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg body weight. The surface recordings showed that the visual evoked potentials (VEP) was, under the influence of the drug, altered only with respect to its secondary components. Those components which seem to originate within the zone of bilateral projection from both eyes are mostly influenced. The long lasting surface negative late component of the VEP was abolished by the action of the drug, and low-amplitude oscillations were seen instead. Within the different laminae of the visual cortex all components were altered in amplitude and latency. This phenomenon was most prominent within the zone of bilateral projection. Instead of two major negative components in the deep cortical layers, many positive and negative peaks were observed after the application of Clonazepam. This corresponds partly with the findings on the surface of the cortex. These results are discussed with respect to the manyfold mechanisms of action of Clonazepam.