INHIBITING EFFECTS OF CERTAIN DRUGS ON AUDIOGENIC SEIZURES IN THE RAT

¹ Laboratory of Applied Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

A method of screening anticonvulsant or sedative agents by their effect on audiogenic seizures in rats has been described. The compounds under test were given orally to post-absorptive animals and tested 40 minutes after dosage. The drugs tested, with the ED₅₀ (mgm./kgm.) in parentheses following the name, were phenobarbital (8), Dilantin Sodium (58), Tolserol (85), Butisol (5.6), Sedamyl (56), paraldehyde (117), and sodium bromide. Sodium bromide was found to have a persistent inhibiting effect for over two weeks following a single oral dose of 750 mgm./kgm.; this dose caused intoxication. Morphine orally at 40 mgm./kgm. did not prevent seizures; given intraperitoneally and tested 30 minutes after injection, the ED₅₀ was found to be 19 mgm./kgm., but at this level the animals were grossly intoxicated. The relative ineffectiveness of morphine suggests that pain is not a primary factor in the induction of these seizures.