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[The relationship between anticonvulsant and anti-anxiety effects of calcium channel blockers]
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Psychopharmacology, Bechterev Psychoneurological Institute, St. Petersburg, Russia.
Abstract:
The effect of calcium channel blockers on the development of convulsive and anxiogenic actions of corasole and caffeine was studied on mice. Verapamil, nifedipine, cinnarizine, and fendilin attenuated corasole-induced convulsions were attenuated by convulsions. Nifedipine also weakened while fendilin increased the course of convulsions induced by caffeine. All calcium antagonists did not change the effects of corasole and caffeine in the dark-light chamber test and the test in an elevated plus maze (anxiogens shortened the time that the mice stayed in the open sections of the maze). It is concluded that there are no relations between the anticonvulsive and anxiolytic effects of calcium antagonists.
Insights
Calcium channel blockers like verapamil and nifedipine reduced corasole-induced seizures in mice. However, these drugs did not significantly alter anxiety-related behaviors, suggesting no link between anticonvulsive and anxiolytic effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are widely used to treat cardiovascular conditions.
- Their potential effects on neurological functions, including seizures and anxiety, are of significant interest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of CCBs on chemically induced seizures and anxiety-like behaviors in a mouse model.
- To determine if there is a correlation between the anticonvulsive and anxiolytic properties of CCBs.
Main Methods:
- Mice were administered pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) or caffeine to induce convulsions.
- Anxiety-like behaviors were assessed using the dark-light chamber and elevated plus maze tests.
- The effects of CCBs (verapamil, nifedipine, cinnarizine, fendilin) on these behaviors were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Verapamil, nifedipine, cinnarizine, and fendilin demonstrated anticonvulsant effects against PTZ-induced seizures.
- Nifedipine reduced the duration of caffeine-induced convulsions, while fendilin prolonged them.
- None of the tested CCBs altered the anxiogenic effects of PTZ or caffeine in behavioral tests.
Conclusions:
- CCBs possess anticonvulsant properties against PTZ-induced seizures.
- The anxiolytic and anticonvulsant effects of CCBs appear to be independent.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms underlying these differential effects.