Verapamil Concentrations in Cerebrospinal Fluid after Oral Administration

Abstract

To the Editor: Verapamil, a slow calcium-channel blocker widely used in medical practice, has recently been proposed as a treatment for psychiatric disorders, including depression and manic-depressive illness.¹ The foundation for this proposal involves the role of intracellular calcium in the functioning of the neurotransmitter system^{2 3 4} and the ability of calcium antagonists to block these mechanisms in vitro.⁵ Despite reports of improvements in symptoms of migraine,⁶ the occurrence of central nervous system-like side effects, such as perceptual disorders⁷ and mood changes (Rosing D: personal communication), it is unknown to what extent verapamil is accessible to the central nervous system after . . .