THE PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF 2-METHYL,2-n-AMYL-4-HYDROXYMETHYL-1,3-DIOXOLANE (GLYKETAL), A NEW BLOCKING AGENT OF INTERNEURONS

¹ Wallace Laboratories, Inc., 53 Park Place, New York 8, New York

2-Methyl,2-n-amyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane, called Glyketal, produced transient diminution of muscular tone and paralysis of voluntary muscles in doses which did not markedly affect respiration and other vital functions. In small doses which did not cause paralysis Glyketal had a marked depressant action on the flexor and crossed extensor reflexes. The normal knee jerk was not affected. The drug counteracted the central excitatory state produced by strychnine. These results indicate that Glyketal has a selective blocking action on the interneurons of the spinal cord.