Taurine treatment of spontaneous chronic epilepsy in a cat.
Administration of taurine to a cat suffering from naturally occurring chronic (about 3 years) epilepsy caused disappearance of the clinical manifestation of the seizures as well as a marked improvement in the previously grossly abnormal EEG. The treatment consisted of injections of taurine initially, followed by a more prolonged administration of the amino acid by mouth. The combined methods of administration seemed essential for the success of the trial. To date (5 months post-taurine) the animal has suffered only one "grand mal" type seizure which occurred 3 months after the last dose of taurine was administered. Disappearance of the seizures preceded by several weeks the improvement in the EEG. In accordance with previous findings by a number of investigators, the results of this study suggest an immediate depressant action of taurine on hyperexcitable cortical neurons, followed by a more long-lasting, ameliorative influence on cerebral metabolism contributing to an increased resistance to epileptic discharge.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000662:veterinary; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D013654:Taurine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013654:Taurine