JPET xPharm- The Comprehensive Pharmacology Reference

Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Woodbury, D. M.
Right arrow Articles by Goodman, L. S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Woodbury, D. M.
Right arrow Articles by Goodman, L. S.
Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics, Vol. 106, Issue 3, 331-340, 1952
Copyright © 1952 by American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics

EFFECT OF THYROXIN, THYROIDECTOMY AND 6-N-PROPYL-2-THIOURACIL ON BRAIN FUNCTION

D. M. Woodbury 1, R. E. Hurley 1, N. G. Lewis 1, M. W. McArthur 1, W. W. Copeland 1, J. F. Kirschvink 1, and L. S. Goodman 1

1 Department of Pharmacology, University of Utah College of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah

In order to elucidate the effects of thyroid function on central nervous activity, the thresholds for electrically- and chemically-induced seizures, the pattern of maximal electroshock convulsions and the duration of postictal depression were determined in normal, thyroxin-treated, thyroidectomized and propylthiouraciltreated rats. The results obtained were as follows:

1 . Thyroxin decreased electroshock threshold for minimal seizures (increased brain excitability), whereas thyroidectomy and propylthiouracil increased this threshold (decreased brain excitability).

2. Thyroxin decreased total duration of maximal (tonic-clonic) electroshock seizures by shortening the clonic phase. Thyroidectomy increased total duration by markedly prolonging the hindleg extensor component of the tonic phase whereas propyithiouracil increased total duration by prolonging the flexor component.

3. Thyroxin slightly accelerated and thyroidectomy markedly accelerated recovery from maximal electroshock seizures. In contrast, propylthiouracil moderately prolonged postictal recovery.

4. Thyroxin increased susceptibility to Metrazol-induced seizures, whereas thyroidectomy and propyithiouracil both decreased susceptibility to such seizures.

Since certain effects of propylthiouracil unexpectedly differed from those of thyroidectomy, the possibility that propyLthiouracil has a direct depressant effect on the central nervous system must be considered. All the changes in seizure properties exhibited by the propyithiouracil-treated rats are characteristic of those caused by anticonvulsant drugs. A comparison of propyithiouracil with phenobarbital and diphenylhydantion is presented (table 4).

Quantitative information has been presented which indicates the intimate relationship between brain function and level of activity of the thyroid gland.

Submitted on July 25, 1952




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 ScienceHome page
T. Seyfried, G. Glaser, and R. Yu
Thyroid hormone influence on the susceptibility of mice to audiogenic seizures
Science, August 10, 1979; 205(4406): 598 - 600.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 ScienceHome page
J. L. Nicholson and J. Altman
Synaptogenesis in the Rat Cerebellum: Effects of Early Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism
Science, May 5, 1972; 176(4034): 530 - 532.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home Help [Feedback] [For Subscribers] [Archive] [Search] [Contents]
All ASPET Journals Molecular Pharmacology Pharmacological Reviews
Molecular Interventions Drug Metabolism and Disposition

Copyright © 1952 by the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.