Dipropylacetic acid (Depakine) in experimental epilepsy in the alert cat

The effect od dipropylacetic acid (DPA; Depakine) on the bemegride-induced convulsive threshold was investigated in alert cats. Forty-five min after DPA 200 mg/kg, s.c., no significant effect was obtained; 5 min after the same dose iv., protection from bemegride-induced seizures was pronounced. DPA did not decrease focal discharges in sensorimotor cortex produced by topical cobalt, although spread of epileptogenic activity from the focus was inhibited. DPA antiepileptic protection tested by the same procedure was about the same as that given by phenobarbital and less than that given by diazepam.