Effect of pre-treatment of some calcium channel blockers on catalepsy and stereotypic behaviour in rats.

Effect of pretreatment of intraperitoneally administered Ca-channel blockers Nifedipine (5, 10, 20 mg/kg). Verapamil (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) and Diltiazem (5, 10, 20 mg/kg) was studied on Haloperidol-induced catalepsy and Methamphetamine-induced stereotypy in albino rats. All these drugs reduced the onset of catalepsy, significantly increased the cataleptic score and delayed the onset and inhibited the Methamphetamine-induced stereotypy. The possible involvement of dopaminergic and adrenergic mechanisms and modification by Ca-channel blockers are discussed.