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Ifenprodil and arcaine alter amygdala-kindling development
D L Yourick1, R T Repasi, W B Rittase
1Division of Neurosciences, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC 20307-5100, USA. yourickd@wrsmtp-ccmail.army.mil
European Journal of Pharmacology
|June 5, 1999
Summary
Researchers investigated NMDA receptor modulators, ifenprodil and arcaine, in a rat model of complex partial epilepsy. Results showed mixed effects, suggesting their utility in epilepsy treatment remains uncertain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Epilepsy Research
Background:
- The NMDA receptor complex is implicated in kindling, an animal model for complex partial epilepsy.
- Modulatory sites on the NMDA receptor, including those for glutamate, glycine, and polyamines, influence cation channel activity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of ifenprodil and arcaine on the acquisition of amygdala kindling in rats.
- To determine if NMDA receptor effectors can modulate seizure development in an epilepsy model.
Main Methods:
- Rats received intracerebroventricular administration of varying doses of ifenprodil (0-100 microg) or arcaine (0-100 microg) before daily kindling stimuli.
- Kindling acquisition was assessed by the number of trials required to reach generalized seizures (stage 5).
Main Results:
- Low doses of ifenprodil enhanced kindling acquisition, while a high dose (100 microg) inhibited it.
- Arcaine at 100 microg increased the trials needed for stage 5 seizures, indicating an inhibitory effect.
- These NMDA receptor effectors demonstrated mixed actions on kindling development.
Conclusions:
- The study presents conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of ifenprodil and arcaine in modulating kindling.
- The mixed effects of these NMDA receptor modulators raise questions about their potential therapeutic application for complex partial seizures.