ABSTRACT
LITTLE is known about the action of either meprobamate or Doriden. What information is available suggests that meprobamate must be classed as one of the ataractic drugs which are derived from either phenothiazine, the Rauwolfia alkaloids, benzhydrol, or mephenesin (meprobamate being specifically a mephenesin derivative). Meprobamate is said to be a non-toxic, non-addicting, non-depressant relaxant (Margolis, 1957; Litchfield, 1957; Haizlip and Ewing, 1955), differing from the barbiturates in its site of action, its side effects, and its effect of tranquillization without confusion (Trouton and Eysenck, 1960). Meprobamate has been employed extensively since its introduction in 1956 (Berger, 1956), both experimentally and clinically with normals (Marquis, 1957), anxiety states (Dickel et al., 1957), petit mal and behaviour disorders (Litchfield, 1957), and in the study of conditioned fear responses of rats (Hunt, 1957). The main action of the drug appears to be internucial, having a striking effect on the thalamus and sub-cortical structures (Litchfield, 1957). It is said to have little, if any, effect on cortical areas unless very large doses are given, and that the EEG activity associated with it is unlike that produced by barbiturates (Berger, 1956). The side effects of the drug are said to be minimal but may be important for the present experiment. They include drowsiness, dizziness, ataxia, and allergic reactions, symptoms which usually disappear when the drug is withdrawn (Berger, 1956). Although the drug has been enthusiastically received by those practitioners interested in the treatment of emotional, mental, and tension states, and extensively used, its actual action on the organism still remains obscure (Himwick, 1957).
