GABAergic agents as anticonvulsants in baboons with photosensitive epilepsy

GABAergic agents have been evaluated for acute anticonvulsant activity in baboons, Papio papio with photosensitive epilepsy. The potent GABAA agonists muscimol and THIP are proconvulsant. (-)Baclofen, 2 mg/kg suppresses myoclonic responses; higher doses facilitate EEG paroxysmal activity. (S) gamma-vinyl GABA, 100-200 mg/kg, suppresses myoclonic responses for more than 24 h. Some derivatives of esters of beta-carboline-3-carboxylate that bind to the benzodiazepine receptor, e.g. ZK 91296 and ZK 93423, suppress myoclonus with a potency at least as great as diazepam.