Effects of bencyclane on concussion following head injury in mice.

Bencyclane showed a dose-dependent anti-concussive effect with a duration of at least 60 minutes in an experimental model of concussion induced by head injury. This long-lasting effect cannot be explained only by the changes in the serum level of the agent or the increase in brain circulation due to its vasodilative action, both of which are of much shorter durations. Our findings suggest that bencyclane causes alterations in brain metabolism, which is partly responsible for reduction in the duration of the experimental concussion.