Epilepsy – Pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures (PTZ)
Pentylenetetrazol is a CNS stimulant epileptogenic properties have been used to study seizure phenomenon and to identify pharmaceuticals that may control seizure susceptibility. As a non-competitive GABA antagonist, PTZ is specifically used in seizure assays as a method of assessing the excitability of the central nervous system and GABA activity. After administration of an I.P. bolus of PTZ, mice are observed for seizure profile ranking and measurement of latencies to twitches and seizures (clonic/tonic, tonic, clonic). Seizure profiles are assessed through 30 minutes post-PTZ administration, evaluated every 10 minutes for signs such as immobility, abnormal limb splay, ataxia, straub tail, clonic/tonic seizures, muscle fasciculation, loss of righting reflex, and status epilepticus. Valproate, used clinically as an anticonvulsant for the treatment of epilepsy, delays the onset of PTZ-induced seizure activity and decreases mortality as a result of these seizures.
VPA pretreatment significantly decreases PTZ-induced seizure rank.
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VPA pretreatment has no effect on latency to twitch in PTZ-induced seizures.
VPA pretreatment shows complete absence of clonic/tonic seizures in PTZ-treated mice.
VPA pretreatment shows complete absence of tonic seizures in PTZ-treated mice.
