title: Central anticonvulsant effects of magnesium sulfate on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine if magnesium sulfate's central anticonvulsant activity is effective against N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures.
  
  
  METHODS
  In two separate experiments we investigated magnesium sulfate's ability to inhibit N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced hippocampal seizures in rats. In the first experiment magnesium sulfate was administered peripherally before an intracranial injection of 20 micrograms of N-methyl-D-aspartate. In the second experiment magnesium sulfate was injected intracranially concurrently with N-methyl-D-aspartate. The ability of magnesium sulfate to suppress N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizure activity under both conditions was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Peripherally administered magnesium sulfate significantly increased the latency from the time of an N-methyl-D-aspartate injection to the first seizure both by acute injection and after 2 hours of sustained elevation of serum magnesium levels when compared with saline solution-injected controls (p < 0.01). The duration of the first seizure was also significantly reduced. Intracranially administered magnesium sulfate significantly (p < 0.01) increased the seizure latency period by 120%. Overall, central magnesium sulfate prevented seizure activity in 40% of the animals (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Magnesium sulfate has a central anticonvulsant action on N-methyl-D-aspartate-induced seizures in this rat model of hippocampal seizures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University/Hutzel Hospital, Detroit, MI 48201.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hallak
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Janusz
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Irtenkauf
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Berman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000503:physiopathology; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D008278:Magnesium Sulfate