A CENTRAL ACTION OF SOME ANTIHISTAMINES
Correction of Forced Circling Movements and of Seizure Brain Waves Produced by the Intracarotid Injection of Di-Isopropyl. Fluorophosphate (DFP)
R. J. JOHNS M. D.1, and
H. E. HIMWICH M. D.1
1 Army Chemical Center, Md.
1. Benadryl, Dramamine, and Lergigan can cure DFP-induced cortical seizures. The action of Phenergan is less consistent while Thephorin, Antistine, Pyribenzamine, Neoantergan, and Chlor-Trimeton failed to eliminate the seizure waves.
2. Benadryl, Dramamine, Lergigan, and Phenergan corrected the adversive syndrome (forced circling movements) produced by the injection of subconvulsive doses of DFP. The other 5 antihistamines were without corrective effect.
3. The curative abilities of Benadryl, Dramamine, Lergigan, and Phenergan depends upon a cerebral action of these drugs and may be related to an atropine-like quality that is seen to a lesser extent in the other 5 antihistamines.
We wish to thank W. G. Esmond, Alice McCauley, and P. D. Bales for cooperating with us in the performance of some of the original experiments (see reference 19).
