The effect of isradipine on maximal electroshock seizures in mice.

1. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible anticonvulsant effect of a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, isradipine, which easily crosses the blood-brain barrier displaying high affinity and specificity for the brain L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel, on maximal electroshock seizures in mice. 2. Isradipine at i.p. doses of 2.5 mg/kg and 5.0 mg/kg was found to cause a statistically significant increase in the convulsion threshold of maximal electroshock seizures in a dose-dependent manner (P = 0.047 and P = 0.022, respectively). 3. It was concluded that the mode of action of the anticonvulsant effect of isradipine is related to blockade of the intraneuronal calcium currents, which play an important role in epileptic activity.