Open AccessSimilar Effects of Lamotrigine and Phenytoin against Cortical Epileptic Foci in Immature Rats
Author(s) -
Klára Bernášková,
Pavel Mareš
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
physiological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.647
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1802-9973
pISSN - 0862-8408
DOI - 10.33549/physiolres.931563
Subject(s) - lamotrigine , anticonvulsant , phenytoin , ictal , pharmacology , epilepsy , kindling model , felbamate , medicine , saline , anesthesia , chemistry , psychiatry
Action of antiepileptic drugs in immature brain may differ fromthat in adult brain. The aim of our study was to study ananticonvulsant action of lamotrigine and phenytoin, i.e. two drugsactive against partial seizures in adult experimental animals aswell as human patients, in a model of simple partial seizures inimmature rats. Epileptic foci were induced by local application ofbicuculline methiodide on sensorimotor cortical area of 12-dayold rat pups. The animals were pretreated with lamotrigine (LTG,10 or 20 mg/kg i.p.) or phenytoin (PHT, 15, 30 or 60 mg/kg i.p.).Control rats for LTG received saline, controls for PHT solventcomposed of propyleneglycol, ethanol and water. Influence ofeither drug on interictal activity was negligible. High doses ofboth LTG and PHT suppressed the transition into ictal phases andshortened the duration of persisting seizures. The tricomponentsolvent exhibited moderate activity against ictal activity ifcompared with saline controls. The two drugs exhibited similaraction in our model, i.e. the suppression of secondarygeneralization from epileptic focus. This action is comparable tothat described for human patients and adult experimentalanimals. In favor of lamotrigine speaks the absence of seriousside effects.