title: Opposite effects of T- and L-type Ca(2+) channels blockers in generalized absence epilepsy.
abstract: The role of the T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, ethosuximide, the L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker, nimodipine and L-type Ca(2+) channel opener, BAY K8644 (1,4 Dihydro-2, 6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-[trifluoromethyl)-phenyl]-3-pyridine carboxylic acid methyl ester), was investigated on spike-wave discharges in WAG/Rij rats. This strain is considered as a genetic model for generalized absence epilepsy. A dose-dependent decrease in the number of spike-wave discharges was found after i.c.v. ethosuximide, an increase after i.p. nimodipine and a decrease after i.c.v. BAY K8644. BAY K8644 was also able to antagonise the effects of nimodipine. Preliminary data were obtained with two conotoxins, MVIIC and GVIA, which block P/Q-type and N-type Ca(2+) channels, respectively. Only after i.c.v. administration of omega-conotoxin GVIA were the number and duration of spike-wave discharges reduced, but animals showed knock-out lying. The latter suggests behavioural or toxic effects and that the decrease in spike-wave activity cannot unequivocally be attributed to blockade of N-type Ca(2+) channels. It can be concluded that T- and L-type Ca(2+) channel blockers show opposite effects on spike-wave discharges. Furthermore, these effects are difficult to explain in terms of a model for spindle burst activity in thalamic relay cells proposed by McCormick and Bal [Sleep and arousal: thalamocortical mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: NICI, Department of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, Psychology Laboratory, Nijmegen University, PO Box 9104, 6500 HE, Nijmegen, Netherlands. luitelaar@nici.kun.nl
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: van Luijtelaar
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiaderna
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elants
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Scheenen
mesh_terms: D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects*; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type / Q000187:drug effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005013:Ethosuximide / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009553:Nimodipine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D020747:Calcium Channels, T-Type; D009553:Nimodipine; D005013:Ethosuximide; D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D020866:omega-Conotoxin GVIA