Neurotropic effects of non-ionic contrast media.

Effects of non-ionic contrast media on the central nervous system were compared in order to clarify any differences due to the side-chain structures among iopamidol, iotrolan, iocibidol, iohexol, iopromide, iosimide and metrizamide. The study included a primary screening test based on Irwin's method, antielectric convulsive tests using mice, measurement of the blood pressure using rats and electroencephalography using rats and rabbits. The general behavior of mice in the primary screening test revealed that tolerance to iopamidol, iotrolan and iocibidol was excellent; that to iopromide and iohexol was moderate; and that to iosimide and metrizamide was poor. Iosimide and iohexol suppressed the transient increase of blood pressure upon intravenous administration in the normal rats but not in the pithed rats. Electric stimulus increased the mortality of mice pretreated with iosimide and iohexol. Abnormal EEG with epileptic seizures, slow wave and/or flattening were observed with the administration of iopromide, iosimide or metrizamide as well as ionic contrast media. From these results, it was concluded that iopromide and metrizamide were not well tolerated in general behavior and EEG; iohexol, in general behavior, electroshock and blood pressure; and iosimide, in all experiments, while iopamidol, iotrolan and iocibidol were well tolerated. Therefore, small differences in their side-chain structures among these contrast media are considered to cause different effects on the central nervous system.