title: The maximal electroshock seizure (MES) model in the preclinical assessment of potential new antiepileptic drugs.
abstract: The choice of appropriate animal models for the initial in vivo testing of potential anticonvulsant compounds is one of the most important steps in the successful search for new antiepileptic drugs. The purpose of this paper is to describe the most important aspects to take into account when performing the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test in the routine laboratory screening of new antiepileptics: the conventional and threshold MES test experimental procedures, the factors affecting experimental data (laboratory conditions, administration vehicles and drug formulations, time after drug administration, and stimulus duration and site of stimulation) and the assessment of anticonvulsant activity are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra University, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Castel-Branco
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: I V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Figueiredo
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Falcão
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Caramona
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004597:Electroshock; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles