MK-801 potently inhibits alcohol withdrawal seizures in rats.
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.
Morrisett
R A
RA
Department of Medicine (Neurology), Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
Rezvani
A H
AH
Overstreet
D
D
Janowsky
D S
DS
Wilson
W A
WA
Swartzwelder
H S
HS
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*
D003986:Dibenzocycloheptenes; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter; D000431:Ethanol; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate