title: Calcium channel blockers and excitatory amino acids.
abstract: The calcium channel blockers (CCB), diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine, antagonize in mice both N-methyl-DL-aspartate- (NMDLA) and kainate-induced convulsions, which were not affected by carbamazepine and ethosuximide. The CCB, on the other hand, were ineffective against convulsions induced by bicuculline, pentylenetetrazol and electroshock. The results suggest that the CCB may be efficacious in the treatment of those neurodegenerative diseases putatively caused by the excitatory amino acids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Karler
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Calder
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Turkanis
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D007608:Kainic Acid / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D007608:Kainic Acid