title: MK-801 potently inhibits alcohol withdrawal seizures in rats.
abstract: The ability of MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-channel antagonist, to suppress alcohol withdrawal seizures generated audio-genically was studied in adult male rats using a cross-over experimental design. MK-801 treatment reduced overall seizure score and proportion of rats seizing. In comparison to other seizure models, alcohol withdrawal seizures seem to be particularly sensitive to MK-801, suggesting that mechanisms which result in seizure susceptibility after withdrawal of chronic ethanol exposure may be dependent upon sensitization or upregulation of NMDA processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Morrisett
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Rezvani
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Overstreet
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Janowsky
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Swartzwelder
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; D000431:Ethanol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000502:physiology*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D000431:Ethanol; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate