Action of diazepam on muscular contraction in man

Ludin, H. P.; Dubach, K.

doi:10.1007/bf00316544

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Evaluation of the evoked potential recorded electromyographically and the latency from the stimulus to its beginning does not provide evidence for any marked changes in the excitability of the peripheral nerve or for any disturbed neuromuscular transmission due to diazepam. Previous experiments by Ludin and D ubach [1971] show ing an increased slope of voltage tension curves after diazepam could not be explained by an action either on the peripheral nerve or on neuromus cular transmission.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…As mentioned before, the evoked potentials on supramaximal stimulation of the nerve were not influenced by the drug. In an earlier study [Ludin and D ubach, 1971], electromyographic recordings with concentric electrodes did not indicate any changes after diazepam. There was always a full interference pattern of normal amplitude at maximal voluntary innervation, there was no spontaneous activity recorded outside the end-plate region, and the motor unit potentials had a normal duration with the number of polyphasic potentials well within the normal range.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ludin and D ubach [1971], however, studying the relationship between integrated electrical activity and isomet ric tension in human skeletal muscle, found evidence suggesting a direct action of diazepam on the contractile mechanisms.…”

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confidence: 99%

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The Action of Diazepam on Human Skeletal Muscle

Ludin¹,

Robert²

1974

Eur Neurol

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In normal human subjects the twitch force in the adductor pollicis muscle elicited by supramaximal stimulation of the ulnar nerve is significantly lowered by diazepam whereas the tetanic force is not influenced. The evoked potentials recorded electromyographically from the same muscle are also not influenced by the compound. It is suggested that diazepam has an effect on the contractile system of skeletal muscle or on electromechanical coupling.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Action of Diazepam on Human Skeletal Muscle

Ludin¹,

Robert²

1974

Eur Neurol

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“…The absence of effect of clinical doses of diazepam on the neuromuscular blocking of twitch tension is often considered as an argument against any peripheral motor effect of this and other benzodiazepines in humans. However, studies with diazepam using the method of comparing electromyogram (EMG) with contractile force did show a direct peripheral effect on muscle contraction (Ludin and Dubach, 1971;Ludin and Robert, 1974). In the study of Ludin and Dubach (1971) one group of healthy volunteers received intramuscular 0.32-0-43 mg diazepam per kilogram bodyweight.…”

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confidence: 99%

The effects of lormetazepam on contractile force of the gastrocnemius muscle and on memory of healthy young volunteers

Deijen

Heemstra

Orlebeke

et al. 1989

Human Psychopharmacology

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One group of 10 young subjects were tested twice; in one test session 2 mg lormetazepam, in the other session placebo was administered, in random order. One subject dropped out. In one test session contractile force measurements were made six times; one measurement took place before treatment and the other measurements after treatment with the study medication. Each measurement of contractile force consisted of pushing weights of 0 to 10 kg and exerting maximal force. The corresponding electromyogram (EMG) of the gastrocnemius muscle was recorded. For the forces of 0 to 10kg the regression was established of EMG on contractile force. Treatment effects on memory were investigated by means of a selection of tests, covering short-term and long-term memory, in terms of recall and recognition. Analyses of covariance were performed on the regression coefficients of EMG/ contractile force and on the data of maximally exerted force, the pretreatment scores serving as covariate. These analyses did not result in any difference for the two treatment conditions, leading to the conclusion that the administration of lormetazepam did not have any direct action on the contractile systems of human muscle. The t-tests performed on the memory data resulted in a significant impairment of performance on the long-term memory tasks, whereas short-term memory was not impaired. It is concluded that, in accordance with previous research, the administration of lormetazepam results in an impairment in the acquisition of new information in long-term memory, but also in impaired retention.KEY worn-Lormetazepam, contractile force, gastrocnemius muscle, electromyogram, short-term memory, long-term memory.One of the actions of the benzodiazepines is muscle relaxation. This skeletal muscle relaxing effect is generally considered t o originate in the central nervous system. There is substantial evidence that the depressant effect is caused by the action of benzodiazepines on spinal and supraspinal motor systems (Haefely et al., 1981). In addition to the relaxing effects of benzodiazepines on skeletal muscle, resulting from their action on spinal and supraspinal levels, there is increasing evidence that benzodiazepines also directly affect peripheral neuromuscular function (Haefely et al., 198 1).Research o n this direct peripheral action has been based on (1) in-vitro nerve-muscle preparations, (2) in-vivo muscle preparations of animals (cat or rat) and (3) human (anaesthetized) patients or volunteers.Regarding research on in-vitro nerve-muscle preparations, Driessen (1984)

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“…Spinal reflex pathways (Randall et al, 1961;Ngai, Tseng and Wang, 1966;Hamilton, 1967;Crankshaw and Raper, 1968;Olafson, Mulder and Howard, 1964;Nathan, 1970;Schlosser, 1971;Stratten and Barnes, 1971) and supraspinal structures (Hudson and Wolpert, 1970;Nakanishi and Norris, 1971) are probable sites of action for this skeletal muscle relaxant activity. However, in recent years a peripheral action has also been implicated (Hamilton, 1967;Feldman and Crawley, 1970a,b;Ludin and Dubach, 1971).…”

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confidence: 99%