Analeptic Action of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25) Against Pentobarbital

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) protects cats against the toxic effects of large doses of pentobarbital. One hundred forty cats survived inordinate amounts of pentobarbital after receiving LSD-25 systemically. Electrophysiological evidence from other studies shows that LSD-25 antagonizes the action of anesthetic doses of barbiturates on the frontal cortex and reticular formation. Under the conditions of the present studies, LSD-25 safely and effectively reversed respiratory and central nervous system depression induced in cats by lethal doses of pentobarbital.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Adventitious findings in this laboratory indicate that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) protects cats against the toxic effects of large doses of pentobarbital. One hundred forty cats have survived inordinate amounts of pentobarbital at the termination of experiments in which LSD-25 solution was given systemically. Gastaut,13Bradley,3,4and others6,8,14,18provide electrophysiological evidence that LSD-25 antagonizes the action of anesthetic doses of barbiturates. In these studies the actions of both drugs on the frontal cortex and on the reticular formation were investigated. There appear to be no reports, however, of the extent to which LSD might inhibit or reverse lethal effects of larger doses of barbiturates. It seemed worth while, therefore, to investigate in greater detail this protective property of LSD. Under the conditions of the present studies, LSD-25 safely and effectively reversed respiratory and central nervous system depression induced in cats by lethal doses of pentobarbital. What is