Effects of nimodipine (Bay e 9736) on cerebral circulation in cats

The response of feline pial arteries to i.v. administration of isopropyl-(2-methoxyethyl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-4-(3-nitrophenyl)-3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate (nimodipine, Bay e 9736) was studied by means of the vidicon camera system developed in our laboratory. Pial arteries showed a dose-dependent dilation with a reduction of systemic arterial blood pressure in the dose range of 0.001 mg/kg to 0.1 mg/kg of nimodipine. The dilatory response was more marked in the smaller arteries (< 100 mu) than in the larger ones (greater than or equal to 100 mu).