Effects of gadolinium on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced centrogenic arrhythmias

In urethane-anesthetized rats, the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced central arrhythmias. These cardiac rhythm disorders could be prevented by the i.c.v. microinjection of gadolinium, an inhibitor of exocytosis. These findings suggest that inhibition of central neurotransmitter exocytosis could protect against centrogenic arrhythmias.