title: Animal models of myoclonus using 1,2-dihydroxybenzene (catechol) and chloralose.
abstract: A description of the physiological effects and pharmacological actions of catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) and chloralose (monoglucochloralose) on muscular activity in animals has been presented. Catechol produces a stimulus-sensitive state wherein a tactile stimulus to a limb evokes a jerk in the muscles of that limb. This jerk can consist of three components: a polysynaptic spinal reflex, a periphero-corticospinal reflex, and a brainstem reflex. Chloralose also produces a stimulus-sensitive state with two components: a polysynaptic spinal reflex in the stimulated limb and a presumed spino-bulbo-spinal reflex activation of all body flexor muscles. The relevance of these agents as animal models for the mechanism of generation of human myoclonic activity has been discussed.
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000378:metabolism; D002396:Catechols; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002621:Chemistry; D002698:Chloralose; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004576:Electromyography; D005071:Evoked Potentials; D005260:Female; D006019:Glycolysis; D007980:Levodopa / Q000494:pharmacology; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D009207:Myoclonus / Q000139:chemically induced*; D051381:Rats; D012110:Reserpine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002395:Catecholamines; D002396:Catechols; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D002698:Chloralose; D007980:Levodopa; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D012110:Reserpine; C034221:catechol; D000109:Acetylcholine