Proconvulsant effects in baboons of beta-carboline, a putative endogenous ligand for benzodiazepine receptors.
beta-Carboline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (beta-CCE) was tested on two models of epilepsy in the baboon: kainic acid-induced limbic status epilepticus and photosensitive epilepsy. Beta-CCE, at very low doses ranging from 8 to 100 microgram/kg (i.v.), induced a reactivation of the limbic focus and photomyoclonic and generalized seizures in photosensitive and non-photosensitive baboons. The proconvulsant effect of beta-CCE may be associated with its binding to a particular subclass of benzodiazepine receptors.
D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000378:metabolism*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007608:Kainic Acid; D008024:Ligands; D008027:Light; D010215:Papio; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology*
D002243:Carbolines; D007211:Indoles; D008024:Ligands; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D011963:Receptors, GABA-A; D001569:Benzodiazepines; C024915:beta-carboline-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester; D007608:Kainic Acid