Spasticity

Abstract

DiazepamBenzodiazepines such as diazepam enhance presynaptic inhibition in the spinal cord of the cat by facilitating or potentiating the postsynaptic effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)²⁰ (Fig. 2, Part I). To do this, benzodiazepines interact with an allosteric protein modulator of GABA-recognition sites to increase these receptors' affinity for GABA, thereby rendering them more efficient in increasing chloride conductance across nerve membrane — a mechanism by which presynaptic and postsynaptic inhibition is mediated. Benzodiazepines may also act presynaptically to enhance the endogenous release of GABA or may depress postsynaptic excitatory responses mediated by glutamate.Benzodiazepines have no direct GABA-mimetic effect, . . .