Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physiological mechanisms of action of chlordiazepoxide in cats

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Psychopharmacologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Acute and chronic experiments were performed on 18 cats to investigate the action of chlordiazepoxide. With electrodes stimulating the lateral nucleus of the amygdala and recording from the basal hippocampus the magnitude and time course of the produced changes upon the electrical and behavioral responses were studied. The effects upon the diffuse thalamocortical system were also investigated by stimulating the nucleus centralis lateralis of thalamus and recording the recruiting response from the pial surface of the suprasylvan gyrus.

Chlordiazepoxide showed a strong depressant action upon the hippocampal response and a delayed, “slow motion” response to stimulation of the amygdala in the chronic preparations. The diffuse thalamocortical system was not affected. These results are discussed on the basis of anatomic and physiologic data and interpreted as indicating a site of action of the drug chiefly at amygdalohippocampal level.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Andersen, P.: Interhippocampal impulses. II. Apical dendrites activation of CA I neurons. Acta physiol. scand. 48, 178–208 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eidelberg, E., J. C. White and M. A. B. Brazier: The hippocampal arousal pattern in rabbits. Exp. neurol. 1, 483–490 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Euler, C. v., and J. D. Green: Excitation, inhibition and rhythmical activity in hippocampal pyramidal cells. Acta physiol. scand. 48, 110–125 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gastaut, H., R. Naquet, R. Vigouroux et J. Corriol: Provocation de comportments émotionnels divers par stimulation rhinencéphalique chez la chat avec électrodes à demeure. Rev. neurol. 86, 319–327 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gloor, P.: Electrophysiological studies on the connections of the amygdaloid nucleus in the cat. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 7, 232–242, I; 243–264, II (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J. D., and W. R. Adey: Electrophysiological studies of hippocampal connections and excitability. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 8, 245–262 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaada, B. R.: Somato-motor, autonomic and electrocorticographic responses to electrical stimulation of “rhinencephalic” and other structures in primates, cat and dog. Acta physiol. scand. 24, (Suppl. 83, 1–285 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaim, S., and I. Rosenstein: Anticonvulsant properties of a new psychotherapeutic drag. Dis. nerv. Syst. 21, 46–48 (Suppl.) (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Killam, E. K., and K. F. Killam: The influence of drugs on central afferent pathways. In: Brain mechanisms and drug action (W. S. Fields, ed.). Springfield, Illinois: Ch. C. Thomas, Publ. 1957.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinross-Wright, J., I. M. Cohen and J. A. Knight: The management of neurotic and psychotic states with Ro 5-0690 (Librium). Dis nerv. Syst. 21, 23–26 (Suppl.) (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Morillo, A.: Participation of the pyriform cortex in the conduction of amygdala hippocampal impulses. Fed. Proc. 21, 346 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Preston, J. B.: Effects of chlorpromazine on the central nervous system of the cat: a possible neural basis for action. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 118, 100–115 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ralston, B., and C. Ajmone-Marsan: Thalamic control of certain normal and abnormal cortical rhythms. Electroenceph. clin. Neurophysiol. 8, 559–582 (1956).

    Google Scholar 

  • Randall, L. O.: Pharmacology of Methaminodiazepoxide. Dis. nerv. Syst. 21, 7–10 (Suppl.) (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Revzin, A.M., and E. Costa: Effects of exogenous serotonin on paleocortical excitability. Amer. J. Physiol. 198, 959–961 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Setekleiv, J., P. Andersen, H. Bruland and B. R. Kaada: Effects of chlorpromazine on the commissural potential of the field CA 1 of the hippocampus. Acta pharmacol. (Kbh.) 16, 357–363 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shallek, W., and A. Kuehn: Effects of psychotropic drugs on limbic system of cat. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. (N.Y.) 105, 115–117 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Meter, W. G., H. F. Owens and H. E. Himwich: Effects of Tofranil, an antidepressant drug, on electrical potentials of rabbit brain. Canad. Psychiat. Ass. J. 4, S. 113–119 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Alvin M. Revzin

    Present address: Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, National Heart Institute, Bethesda, Maryland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Thudichum Psychiatric Research Laboratory, Galesburg State Research Hospital, Galesburg, Illinois

    Arturo Morillo, Alvin M. Revzin & Thomas Knauss

Authors
  1. Arturo Morillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alvin M. Revzin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thomas Knauss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Librium Hoffmann-La Roche.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Morillo, A., Revzin, A.M. & Knauss, T. Physiological mechanisms of action of chlordiazepoxide in cats. Psychopharmacologia 3, 386–394 (1962). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408323

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00408323

Keywords

Search

Navigation