Type I corticosteroid receptors modulate PTZ-induced convulsions of withdrawal seizure prone mice

Corticosteroids have been shown to modulate convulsion expression in humans and animals. It is hypothesized that type I corticosteroid receptors mediate the excitatory effects of corticosteroids in vivo based on low-dose efficacy of corticosterone, and differential effects of mineralocorticoids vs. glucocorticoids on convulsions. In the present experiments, the effects of altering corticosterone levels, and the role of the type I receptor in mediating these effects, were examined using pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions in ethanol withdrawal seizure prone (WSP) mice. It was hypothesized that stimulation of type I receptors partially mediates the expression of tonic hindlimb extensor (THE) convulsions produced by PTZ. Aminoglutethimide, a steroid synthesis inhibitor, increased latencies to PTZ-induced THE. This anticonvulsant effect was reversed by corticosterone and the type I agonist, deoxycorticosterone (DOC), but not by the type II agonist, dexamethasone. Furthermore, two type I receptor antagonists, spironolactone and RU26752, increased latencies to PTZ-induced THE, suggesting that they have anticonvulsant action. In summary, the results of these experiments suggest that type I corticosteroid receptors are important for expression of PTZ-induced convulsions.