Effect of piracetam in some models of general and local depression of the cortical bioelectrical activity in cats.

The effect of piracetam (100 mg/kg i.v.) on general and local depression of the cortical bioelectrical activity was studied in acute experiments on cats. Asphyxic anoxia and hypoventilation hypoxia were used as models of general depression. Local depressions were caused by topical application of potassium chloride (KCl), adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and pentobarbital on the cortex. In the models of general depression piracetam increased cortical resistance to hypoxia and accelerated the recovery of the cortical bioelectrical activity. In KCl- and AMP-induced depressions piracetam diminished their degree and duration and completely protected the cortex against pentobarbital-caused depression.