Catatonia induced in the rabbit by intracerebral injection of bradykinin and morphine

Abstract

Bradykinin (BK) in doses of 2.5–5.0 μg, induced catatonia when injected either into the cerebral ventricles or into the cisterna magna of rabbits. In a dose that did not produce catatonia, morphine significantly increased the duration of catatonia induced by BK. The probable site of action for BK-induced catatonia is suggested. The potentiation of BK central effects by small doses of morphine suggests the possibility that the alkaloid produces its central effects through a kininergic mechanism. A special device to measure catatonia is also described.