Calcium Antagonists in an Animal Model of Vertebrobasilar Insufficiency

Abstract

Vertigo as a symptom of vertebrobasilarr insufficiency (VBI) is a serious clinical problem in elderly patients. Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that patients with VBI run the same risk of developing complete cerebral infarction as do patients with TIAs. In order to study the efficacy of calcium antagonists in vertebrobasilar insufficiency, an animal model of VBI was developed by occluding one vertebral artery with a balloon catheter. Judging by the reversal of the nystagmic pattern ofpetite ecriture, the calcium antagonists flunari-zine and nimodipine are effective drugs in this animal model of VBI.

Key Words:

• dog model
• vertebrobasilar insufficiency
• calcium antagonists