Phencyclidine (PCP) reduces the intensity of caffeine-induced convulsions in rats.
The effects of phencyclidine (PCP) on the threshold and intensity of caffeine-induced convulsions in rats were examined. There was a dose-dependent effect of PCP on convulsion intensity with significant reduction in intensity at 4.0 and 8.0 mg/kg PCP. At 16.0 mg/kg PCP, convulsant intensity was reduced in 50% of subjects but potentiated to the point of death in the remaining 50%. PCP had no significant effect on threshold for caffeine-induced convulsions. These results suggest that PCP antagonizes caffeine-induced convulsions and further suggests that the mechanisms involved in onset of caffeine-induced convulsions and the decrease of convulsion intensity are pharmacologically dissociable.
Turgeon
S M
SM
Psychology Department, Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio 43022.
Leccese
A P
AP
D000818:Animals; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D010622:Phencyclidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002110:Caffeine; D010622:Phencyclidine