The availability of animal models of epileptic seizures provides opportunities to identify novel anticonvulsants for the treatment of people with epilepsy. We found that exposure of 2-day-old zebrafish embryos to the convulsant agent pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) rapidly induces the expression of synaptic-activity-regulated genes in the CNS, and elicited vigorous episodes of calcium (Ca(2+)) flux in...

AIMS We recently demonstrated that T-type calcium channels are affected by alcohol abuse and withdrawal. Treatment with ethosuximide, an antiepileptic drug that blocks T-type calcium channels, reduces seizure activity induced by intermittent ethanol exposures and withdrawals. Here, we expand on these findings to test whether ethosuximide can reduce the sensitivity to pentylenetetrazole-induced ...

The anticonvulsant effects of 3,4-Dimethoxy toluene (DMT), the major constituent of the date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) spathe, were investigated using pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), picrotoxin (Pic), nicotine (Nic) and maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure models. In PTZ (85 mg/kg)-induced seizures, the intraperitoneally injection of DMT at a dose of 100 mg/kg significantly delayed the onse...

We investigated the effect of opioid analgesic tramadol on development epileptic seizures and neuronal injury possible modulatory vitamin E (Vit E) in rats with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced status epilepticus. Rats received repeated intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections PTZ till epilepticus were pretreated once (30, 60 or 90 mg/kg), E, 70 mg/kg) both (90 Vit (70 prior to starting injections. Se...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the effect of ceftriaxone on oxidative stress and gap junction protein (connexin 43, Cx-43) expression in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced kindling model. METHODS Twenty four Sprague dawely rats were divided into 3 equal groups (a) normal group: normal rats. (b) PTZ kindled group: received PTZ at the dose of 50 mg/kg via intraperitoneal i...

Recurrent seizure activity has been shown to induce a variety of permanent structural changes in the brain. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) function to promote neuronal plasticity, primarily through cleavage of extracellular matrix proteins. Here, we investigated the role of MMP-9 in the development of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindled seizure in mice. Repeated treatment with PTZ (40 mg...

Cyclooxygenases (COX)-1 and -2 are isoenzymes that catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid into prostaglandins (PGs). COX-2 and PGs are rapidly increased following seizures and are known to play important roles in the neuroinflammatory process. COX-2 isoform has been predominantly explored as the most suitable target for pharmacological intervention in epilepsy studies, while COX-1 remains ...

THIP (4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo[5,4-c]pyridin-3-ol) is a GABAA receptor agonist with varying potencies and efficacies at γ-subunit-containing receptors. More importantly, THIP acts as a selective superagonist at δ-subunit-containing receptors (δ-GABAA Rs) at clinically relevant concentrations. Evaluation of THIP as a potential anticonvulsant has given contradictory results in different animal...

Flavonoids are a class of polyphenolic compounds present in fruits and vegetables. Several studies have demonstrated a relationship between the consumption of flavonoid-rich diets and the prevention of human diseases including neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, we assessed the effect of quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) on oxidative stress and memory retrieval using a step-through pas...

This study aimed to examine whether celecoxib influences clonic seizure thresholds through modulation of nitric oxidergic (NO) pathway. The effect of celecoxib (1-5 mg per kg, p.o.) was investigated on clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 50 and 80 mg per kg, i.p.) in male Swiss mice. The interaction of celecoxib-induced effects with NO pathway was examined using a NO synthase (N...