title: Lack of benefit of linoleic and alpha-linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids on seizure latency, duration, severity or incidence in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to increase seizure threshold and to reduce seizure duration and severity in rats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present study was to test the anticonvulsant effects of an essential fatty acid mixture containing linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids at a 4:1 ratio (SR-3 compound), using the pentylenetetrazol seizure model in Long-Evans hooded rats.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant effects of SR-3 on seizure latency, duration or severity (P>0.05). There were also no significant differences in the incidence of myoclonic jerks, forelimb and hindlimb clonus, forelimb and hindlimb tonus or running fits in rats that received SR-3, as compared to control rats (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Linoleic and alpha-linolenic polyunsaturated fatty acids have no beneficial effects on seizure latency, duration, average severity or incidence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ont. M5S 1A8, Canada.
authors.forename: Ameer Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: Bogdan M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Baghiu
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lui
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nylen
authors.forename: David W L
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: W McIntyre
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Burnham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic; D008041:Linoleic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D051381:Rats; D020318:Rats, Long-Evans; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008041:Linoleic Acids; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole