Thalidomide inhibits pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures.
Thalidomide was originally synthesized and tested as a sedative, hypnotic and antiemetic; however, after its teratogenicity was noted its use for treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders was abandoned. We studied the potential anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide: Different doses of thalidomide were tested against seizures induced by 50 mg/kg or 70 mg/kg of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ); the anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide was also compared with that of valproic acid. Seizures and latency time were individually recorded. Thalidomide in low doses (5-10 mg/kg) prevented seizures in all animals treated with 50 mg/kg PTZ; also, in a dose-dependent manner thalidomide inhibited seizures in rats exposed to a high dose of PTZ (70 mg/kg); thalidomide exhibited an anticonvulsant activity similar to that of valproic acid. Thalidomide is an effective anticonvulsant, and further studies on this potential antiepileptic substance seem warranted.
Palencia
Guadalupe
G
Neuroimmunology Unit, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Insurgentes Sur 3877, 14269 Mexico City, Mexico.
Calderon
Alejandra
A
Sotelo
Julio
J
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005013:Ethosuximide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005013:Ethosuximide; D014635:Valproic Acid; D010433:Pentylenetetrazole