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Central Action of Intravenous Curare

Abstract

THE use of muscle relaxants as an adjuvant for immobilization in experimental neurology is widely accepted as standard technique. These agents are used because, when given parenterally under the usual experimental conditions, they apparently have little or no effect on central nervous activity1–7. Since it is known that neuro-muscular blocking agents (especially d-tubocurarine and gallamine triethiodide) can markedly alter central nervous system activity when applied directly to the brain (pertinent references reviewed by Winterstein8), failure to observe central nervous system effects following intravenous administration of these drugs has been attributed to the existence of a functional barrier interposed between the blood and the brain9. Notwithstanding, and in apparent contradiction to this general consensus, several workers have reported a marked and well-defined central action of curare when administered parenterally11–15.

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SCHOLES, N. Central Action of Intravenous Curare. Nature 207, 303–305 (1965). https://doi.org/10.1038/207303a0

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