[Effect of gamma-amino-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (GABHB) on experimentally-induced epileptic activity]

Effects of GABOB on experimental induced epileptiform activities. Antiepileptic activity of gamma-amino-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (GABOB) has been tested on different models of either generalized or focal epilepsy induced by penicillin in cat. In acute experiments, topical application to the cortex of GABOB (from 1% to 10%) during feline generalized epilepsy produced a reverse in polarity of the spike and wave complex, while in the so called "epileptogenic corticopathy" it induced a decrease in voltage as well as in frequency of the bilateral spikes and polyspikes. A similar effect was seen after parenteral injection of GABOB in acute preparations in which a penicillin focus was created. In chronic animals, in which feline generalized penicillin epilepsy had been produced, a single i.v. injection of GABOB induced a significant decrease of the epileptic bursts during the first 30' after the antiepileptic drug was injected. Finally in 4 animals chronic administration of GABOB leaded to a mean decrease of the epileptic bursts higher than 50%. These data support the antiepileptic activity of GABOB. However the high doses used in this study to achieve the antiepileptic effect could make difficult its use in human patients.