Anticonvulsive effects of nimodipine on penicillin-induced epileptiform activity

The common features of all types of epilepsy are synchronized and uncontrolled discharges of nerve cell assemblies. It is believed that calcium ions play an important role in the generation of epileptic activity. Excessive calcium influx into neurons is the first step toward a seizure. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the calcium channel blocker nimodipine has anticonvulsive effects. The left cerebral cortex was exposed by craniotomy in anaesthetized rats. An epileptic focus was produced by injection of penicillin G potassium (500 units) into the somatomotor cortex. After the epileptiform activity reached maximum frequency and amplitude; nimodipine was injected into the same area. Application of nimodipine caused an inhibition in the electrocorticograms (ECoG). Solvent alone did not affect the epileptiform activity. The results of this study indicate that nimodipine may have anticonvulsant effects.