Cataleptic effect

GHB treatment in mice, tolerance develops to both the hypolocomotion and cataleptic effects of the drug (Itzhak and Ali 2002). There is also preclinical evidence of cross-tolerance and cross-dependence of GHB with alcohol (Colombo et al. 1995 Fadda et al. 1989). As described in the earlier section on clinical pharmacology, GHB and its analogues have been used in humans in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. Nicholson and Balster (2001) reviewed the evidence for cross-tolerance and cross-dependence of GHB with alcohol. 

In experimental animals, catatonia is the most obvious manifestation of the extrapyramidal stimulation which follows the administration of chlorpromazine or reserpine. A much more extreme form of this condition can be produced by bulbocapnine, but this drug, in doses sufficient to produce a maximal cataleptic effect, has no detectable action on either the acetylcholine or the dopamine content of brain . The catalepsy due to bulbocapnine can however be partially antagonized by atropine and the intraventricular injection of acetylcholine produces a cataleptic-like condition in cats . 

Pertwee, R.G. (1972) The ring test a quantitative method for assessing the cataleptic effect of cannabis in mice, Br J Pharmacol, 46 753-763. 

Cataleptic effect - in humans (intraventricular, mouse) at 25.0 xg/animal. Prostate postoe and ptosis 98... 

Bulbocapnine has been of pharmacological interest for many years since it exerts a cataleptic effect in animals and has recently been shown to act as dopamine (DA) antagonist. This alkaloid has the opposite configuration (6aS) to apomorphine (APO) at C-6a(Fig. 1). 

Haloperidol is used as an antipsychotic and occasionally for control of acute agitation in the intensive care unit. It is can also be useful in the treatment of phencyclidine abuse. It produces a cataleptic state with little drowsiness and has minimal effects on blood pressure and respiration. It is a long-acting drug with a half-life of about 18 hours. It is available in oral and injectable preparations. In large doses extrapyramidal side effects may occur. 

Silatranyl derivatives of D-mannose, D-fructose, and D-arabinose exhibit a weak depressive effect on the central nervous system85. They produce a moderate cataleptic action, do not influence the duration of sodium thiopental anaesthesia and do not remove the effect of phenaminic stereotypy in rats. 

The pharmacological effects of tiletamine plus zolazepam are very similar to the effects produced by ketamine. When used as the sole anesthetic in the horse, tiletamine plus zolazepam can cause excitation and hyperresponsiveness. This combination is only used in the horse after adequate sedation. In general, it produces a dose-related loss of consciousness, characterized as a cataleptic state, and analgesia. Ocular and airway reflexes are well maintained. The combination induces mild cardiovascular stimulation secondary to centrally mediated sympathetic nervous system stimulation. There is minimal respiratory depression. 

Several papers have now appeared from Ayerst groups detailing the effects of modifications to the structure of the clinically effective neuroleptic butaclamol (9a). Because transposition of chlorine groups can eliminate cataleptic side effects from other tricyclic neuroleptics (e.g., octoclothepin- doclothepin), a series of chloro derivatives of the... 

Ketamine (Ketalar, others) has unique properties that make it useful for anesthetizing patients at risk for hypotension and bronchospasm and for certain pediatric procednres. However, significant side effects limit its rontine nse. Ketamine rapidly produces a hypnotic state qnite distinct from that of other anesthetics. Patients have profonnd analgesia, nnresponsiveness to commands, and amnesia bnt may have their eyes open, move their limbs involnntarily, and breathe spontaneously. This cataleptic state has been termed dissociative anesthesia. 

Ketamine has indirect sympathomimetic activity. Ketamine s behavioral effects are distinct from those of other anesthetics. The ketamine-induced cataleptic state is accompanied by nystagmus with pupillary dilation, salivation, lacrimation, and spontaneous limb movements with increased overall mnscle tone. Although ketamine does not prodnce the classic anesthetic state, patients are amnestic and nnresponsive to painful stimuli. Ketamine produces profound analgesia, a distinct advantage over other parenteral anesthetics. 

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