Amantadine antagonism of oxotremorine effects.

Administration of oxotremorine to mice produced centrally-mediated effects, such as catalepsy and tremor, and peripheral muscarinic actions, such as diarrhoea and lachrymation. Pretreatment with amantadine (25--200 mg/kg) prevented these oxotremorine-induced effects in mice. Catalepsy was most susceptible and tremor most resistant to the administration of amantadine. The possible mechanisms involved are discussed. Our results validate the use of the oxotremorine model in the search for novel antiparkinsonian drugs.