Normal brain distribution of carbamazepine in cat penicillin focal epilepsy

Carbamazepine (CBZ) brain distribution was studied in cats rendered epileptic by penicillin topically applied on neocortex. CBZ penetration into the focus did not differ significantly from penetration into the other areas of the brain, with the drug rapidly entering the cerebral tissue (peak at 30 min). As no difference was found between CBZ brain concentrations at 15 and 90 min, substantial early binding of the drug was confirmed in this experimental model of epilepsy. As CBZ was able to decrease rapidly the spike frequency of the penicillin focus, it may be speculated that it was also able to prevent the metabolic alterations associated with severe epileptogenesis that would have caused an impaired CBZ brain distribution.