title: Intrathecal antiepileptic drugs in experimental epilepsy.
abstract: The effect of intrathecal administration of antiepileptic drugs on electroshock-induced convulsions (maximal electroshock seizure, MES test) was investigated in an experimental study in rats. Drugs tested were phenobarbital sodium (50-800 micrograms), sodium valproate (50-6,400 micrograms) and midazolam (50-250 micrograms), delivered into the cerebrospinal fluid via a catheter placed in the upper cervical intrathecal space. Control animals were tested with saline. The animals were tested in the MES test 30 min after drug administration. Phenobarbital sodium showed a dose-related protective effect on the tonic phase of the convulsion, with a 50% effect at a dose of 200 micrograms. Sodium valproate showed a less protective effect, even when reaching doses that produced neurological symptoms. Midazolam protected at a high dose but produced a severe decrease in motor activity. The results indicate the feasibility to treat experimental convulsions by means of intrathecal injection of antiepileptic drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cádiz, Spain.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gonzàlez-Darder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gómez-Cárdenas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Segura-Pastor
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gil-Salú
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004597:Electroshock; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid; D008874:Midazolam; D010634:Phenobarbital