Evaluation of monoaminergic receptors in the genetically epilepsy prone rat

The intensity of sound-induced convulsions in the genetically epilepsy-prone rat (GEPR) was reduced in a dose related fashion by intracerebroventricular administration of dobutamine, (beta 1 agonist), terbutaline (beta 2 agonist) or phenylephrine (alpha 1 agonist). BHT-920 (alpha 2 agonist) did not cause a dose-related decrease in sound-induced convulsion intensity. Binding studies showed that whole brain alpha and beta receptor densities (Bmax) were normal while the Kd was increased for the beta ligand in GEPR brain.