PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

B S Meldrum

Publications and source records attributed to B S Meldrum.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources
PubMed1982

Anticonvulsant action of excitatory amino acid antagonists.

Compounds that antagonize neuronal excitation induced by dicarboxylic amino acids were tested in two animal models of epilepsy, namely sound-induced seizures in DBA/2 mice and threshold pentylenetetrazol seizures in Swiss mice. Sound-induced seizures could be prevented by intracerebroventricular injection of compounds that block excitation due to N-methyl-D-aspartic acid. The most potent such compound, 2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid, was anticonvulsant in both test systems when given either intraperitoneally or intracerebroventricularly. Specific antagonists of excitation that is caused by amino acids provide a new class of anticonvulsant agents.

Amino Acids, Dicarboxylic↗
PubMed1982

Anticonvulsant and proconvulsant properties of viloxazine hydrochloride: pharmacological and pharmacokinetic studies in rodents and the epileptic baboon.

Viloxazine HCl is evaluated as an anticonvulsant in a wide range of rodent seizure models and in the epileptic baboon (Papio papio). In the maximal electroshock test, the oral ED50 for abolition of tonic extension was 9 mg/kg-1 after 30-min pretreatment (mouse) rising to 30 mg/kg-1 after 60 min (mouse and rat). Comparable ED50 values were also found for protection against tonic extension in the mouse induced by the administration of the chemical convulsants metrazole or 3-mercaptopropionic acid. In DBA/2 mice the ED50 for abolition of tonic extension during sound-induced seizures was 6.8 mg/kg-1 IP (30-min pretreatment). Pharmacokinetic studies in the mouse showed peak plasma levels to occur 30 min following oral doses, with a mean half-life of 58 min. The anticonvulsant plasma concentration was within 0.5 -- 1 microgram/ml-1. In the baboon, significant protection against photomyoclonic responses is observed 1 -- 2h after viloxazine (2.6 mg/kg-1 IV), during which period the plasma concentration was again 0.5-1 microgram/ml-1. After administration of approximately ten-times this latter dose level, i.e. 24 mg/kg-1 IV, a syndrome characterised by an abnormal EEG and, in some instances, seizure activity was observed.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1982

Changes in noradrenergic neuroendocrine responses following repeated seizures and the mechanism of action of ECT.

To investigate the mechanism of action of ECT in depression, functional changes in central noradrenergic systems, resulting from a series of electroshock- or photic-induced seizures have been evaluated in baboons. The plasma growth hormone (GH) response to IV infusion of an alpha 2-noradrenergic agonist clonidine (0.02 mg/kg) or a beta 2-adrenergic antagonist, ICI 118,551 (0.02 mg/kg) has been measured before, during and up to 15 days after the series of seizures. Electroshock (ECS) or sham ECS was given with standard clinical premedication (atropine, methohexital, suxamethonium and oxygen ventilation) seven times over 15 days. Plasma GH responses were unchanged 24 h after one or seven ECS. An enhanced GH response occurred 7 and 15 days after the seventh ECS. Sham ECS (seven times in 15 days) produced no changes in GH response to clonidine. The plasma GH response to ICI 118,551 was apparently decreased 1 and 7 days after the seventh ECS. Photic seizures were induced seven times in 15 days in baboons which were primed with a subconvulsant dose of D,L-allylglycine (180 mg/kg), but were otherwise drug-free. Plasma GH responses to clonidine were enhanced 1 and 7 days after the seventh photically induced seizure. It is concluded that in the primate there is an enhancement of a central alpha 2-noradrenergic response during 1-15 days after a sequence of generalised seizures. The time course of this enhancement appears to be influenced by drugs given directly before the seizures.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1982

Acute effects of sodium valproate and gamma-vinyl GABA on regional amino acid metabolism in the rat brain: incorporation of 2-[14C]glucose into amino acids.

Amino acid concentrations have been determined in rat brain regions (cortex, striatum, cerebellum, and hippocampus) by HPLC after administration of acute anticonvulsant doses of sodium valproate (400 mg/kg, i.p.) and gamma-vinyl-GABA (1 g/kg, i.p.). After valproate administration the GABA level increases only in the cortex; aspartic acid concentration decreases in the cortex and hippocampus, and glutamic acid decreases in the hippocampus and striatum and increases in the cortex and cerebellum. There are no changes in the concentrations of glutamine, taurine, glycine, serine, and alanine following valproate administration. Only the GABA level increases in all the regions after gamma-vinyl-GABA administration. Cortical analyses 2, 4 and 10 minutes after pulse labeling with 2-[14C]glucose, i.v., show no change in the rate of cortical glucose utilization in the valproate treated group. The rate of labeling of glutamic acid is also unchanged, but the rate of labeling of GABA is reduced following valproate administration. After gamma-vinyl-GABA administration there is no change in the rate of labeling of GABA. These biochemical findings can be interpreted in terms of a primary anticonvulsant action of valproate on membrane receptors with secondary effects on the metabolism of amino acid neurotransmitters. This contrasts with the primary action of gamma-vinyl-GABA on GABA-transaminase activity.

Amino Acids↗
PubMed1982

gamma-Aminobutyric acid and benzodiazepine binding sites in audiogenic seizure-susceptible mice.

The properties of gamma-aminobutyric acid recognition sites, benzodiazepine binding sites and the effect of exogeneous gamma-aminobutyric acid on benzodiazepine binding were determined in crude membrane fractions prepared from the brains of DBA/2 mice at ages before (8-9 and 17-18 days), during (22-23 and 28-29 days) and after (40-43 days) the age of high susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. These have been compared with data from age-matched mice of a strain (TO) with lower audiogenic seizure susceptibility. The number of high-affinity [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid binding sites was lower at all ages in DBA/2 mice compared with TO mice, but the affinity was higher in DBA/2 mice. The number of low-affinity [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid binding sites was lower at 8-9 days and 40-43 days in DBA/2 mice, but was not significantly different from TO mice at other ages. For [3H]flunitrazepam binding, the only difference found was a slight reduction in the number of binding sites at 28-29 days of age in DBA/2 mice. gamma-Aminobutyric acid stimulation of [3H]flunitrazepam binding was not significantly different up to 22-23 days of age, but was higher in DBA/2 mice at 28-29 days and lower at 40-43 days. Impairment of gamma-aminobutyric acid function is a possible permissive factor in the age-dependent audiogenic seizure susceptibility in DBA/2 mice.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1981

Absence of seizure activity following focal cerebral injection of enkephalins in a primate.

Baboons (Papio papio) with photosensitive have been chronically prepared with guide cannulae and deep electrodes to study the effects of focal injections of opioids. In the hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus (centre median) 50--100 micrograms morphine, 20--100 micrograms Met-enkephalin or 2--10 micrograms FK 33,824 do not induce local or general electrographic or motor signs of epilepsy. The acute epileptogenic effect of morphine and enkephalins observed in rats is not a general phenomenon whereas the anticonvulsant action of opioids acting on mu-receptors is seen in rodents and primates.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1980

Regional cerebral blood flow in the rat during prolonged seizure activity.

In order to evaluate the possible contribution of regional insufficiency in blood flow to the development of epileptic brain damage, we have measured changes in total and regional cerebral blood flow (tCBF and rCBF) during the course of prolonged sustained seizures. We have used both a particle distribution method (radioactively labelled microspheres) and a diffusible tracer method (iodo [14C]antipyrine). Seizures were induced with bicuculline (1.2 mg/kg, i.v.) in rats with neuromuscular paralysis, mechanically ventilated with 70% N2O/30% O2, rCBF was determined in 13 brain regions after 10, 30, 60 and 120 min of seizure activity. Microsphere and iodo[14C]antipyrine methods gave identical control values for tCBF (0.88 +/- 0.02 vs 0.86 +/- 0.07 ml/g brain/min) and closely similar rCBF values. The increases in tCBF after 10 and 30 min seizure activity were less as measured with microspheres than with iodo [14C]antipyrine (2.42 +/- 0.29 vs. 4.99 +/- 0.94 and 1.79 +/- 0.18 vs 3.05 +/- 0.30 mg/g brain/min, respectively). With microspheres, rCBF values showed considerable interhemisphere variability, but did not do so with iodo [14C]antipyrine. The regional pattern of flow changed during seizures. Changes in neocortical rCBF tended to match changes in tCBF. Consistent decreases in rCBF relative to tCBF were seen in the pons-medulla and cerebellum at all seizures times. Relative increases in rCBF were seen at all seizure times in the thalamus, and at 10 and 30 min in colliculi and midbrain. In the hippocampus, rCBF was unchanged (relative to tCBF) at 10 and 30 min, but was increased at 60 and 120 min of seizure activity. Thus, regions developing epileptic brain damage in this model of status epilepticus (hippocampus, thalamus, neocortex) show increases in rCBF greater than those in regions not showing brain damage (cerebellum, brain stem).

Animals↗
PubMed1980

The role of epileptic activity in hippocampal and "remote" cerebral lesions induced by kainic acid.

Kainic acid (KA) was injected systemically, intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) and focally in the amygdala and other deep brain structures in the rat. EEG and behavioral changes were studied in relation to the neuropathology which developed subsequently. Following intra-amygdaloid KA injection, diazepam blocked the epileptic events induced by the toxin, and abolished the neuronal loss usually seen in the lateral septum, claustrum, and contralateral cortex and hippocampus. The lesions in medial thalamic structures and ipsilateral hippocampus were also reduced by diazepam. Prior transection of the perforant path ipsilateral to the KA injection also decreased the severity of the electrographic and motor effects of the toxin and similarly reduced the extent of distant ("remote") pathological brain damage. Neither diazepam nor perforant path transection reduced the damage at the site of KA injection. Kainic acid (0.4-2 microgram) injected into the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) or the medial septum produced seizures with a longer latency and little brain damage outside the injection site. In contrast, intrastriatal KA injections were followed by ipsilateral hippocampal lesions. i.c.v. Injection of KA (0.4-1.6 microgram) produced a complex syndrome which included bilateral exophthalmos, mydriasis, foaming, tremor of the vibrissae, and paw and body tremor. The pattern of brain damage resembled that seen following intra-amygdaloid administration of the toxin. In addition, however, there was a bilateral necrosis of the pyriform and prepyriform cortices up to the rhinal fissure. Systemic administration of diazepam (i.p.) reduced the extent of the damage and in particular completely prevented the cortical damage. Systemic administration of KA (9-15 mg/kg i.p.) readily produced motor and EEG seizures similar to those seen after intra-amygdaloid injection of the toxin. The pattern of brain damage was however more symmetrical than that which followed focal i.c.v. injection of the toxin and included necrosis of the pyriform cortex. It is concluded that spread of seizure activity from the injection site plays a crucial role in the induction of "remote" brain damage after focal intracerebral injections.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1980

Sustained limbic seizures induced by intraamygdaloid kainic acid in the baboon: Symptomatology and neuropathological consequences.

In Papio papio baboons chronically prepared for cortical and deep electroencephalographic recording, injection of kainic acid into the amygdala (7 animals) or temporal pole (2 animals) gave rise to focal epileptic discharges lasting 15 to 150 hours. Electrographically, the seizure activity spread ipsilaterally and contralaterally within the limbic system but did not become generalized. The principal associated motor signs were arrest of movement and oral automatisms. Histological examination after two to ten days demonstrated lesions (neuron loss and gliosis) at the injection site that varied according to the amount of kainic acid injected (2 to 68 microgram). "Remote" lesions occurred in the ipsilateral hippocampus (end-folium and Sommer sector) and neocortex (occipital and frontal regions). The hippocampal lesions were comparable to those previously described as consequent to status epilepticus.

Amygdala↗
PubMed1979

Convulsant and anticonvulsant actions in DBA/2 mice of compounds blocking the reuptake of GABA.

Compounds blocking the uptake of GABA into neurons or glia have been injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) or intraperitoneally (ip) in DBA/2 mice, age 21-28 days. Protection against audiogenic seizures was seen 30 min after the icv injection of (+)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (0.5-2.0 mumoles), (+/-)-nipecotic acid (1.6-3.2 mumoles), (+)-ethyl nipecotate (0.4-0.8 mumoles), (-)-piperazic acid (4 mumoles) and putrescine (2 mumoles) or the ip injection of (+)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (4-8 mmoles/kg and (+)-ethyl nipecotate (0.24-0.32 mmoles/kg). Of these ethyl nipecotate and nipecotic acid were the most effective anticonvulsants icv, but nipecotic acid was ineffective ip. Limb myoclonus and other epileptic manifestations (rearing, wild running, tonic clonic seizures) occurred in the absence of auditory stimulation after (+)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid (0.5-2.0 mumoles), (+/-)-cis-3-aminocyclohexane carboxylic acid (3.2-6.4 mumoles) and putrescine (2 mumoles). beta-Alanine (2-4 mumoles, icv) depressed respiration but did not protect against audiogenic seizures or induce myoclonus.

Alanine↗
PubMed1979

[Correlation between the regional blood volume and epileptic seizures in Papio papio].

The method of labelling red cells with technetium-99m was used to measured regional blood volume auring different types of epileptic seizures induced in the Baboon Papio papio. During seizures the cerebral blood volume increases and there is simultaneously a decrease of blood volume in nasal and hepatic regions, and a transitory increase of blood volume in the forepaws.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Effects of opiate-like peptides, morphine, and naloxone in the photosensitive baboon, Papio papio.

The effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or systemic injections of Met- or Leu-enkephalin, beta-endorphin, FK 33.824 (D-Ala2, MePhe4, Met(O5)-ol-enkephalin) and of morphine and naloxone have been studied in baboons, Papio papio, which spontaneously show photically induced epileptic responses. Animals were chronically implanted with epidural or deep recording electrodes and a cannula in one lateral ventricle, and tested whilst seated in a primate chair. In some animals the natural syndrome was enhanced by the prior administration of DL-allylglycine, 100--200 mg/kg, i.v. Met- or Leu-enkephalin, 1--10 mg, i.c.v., did not lead to any manifest focal or generalized seizure discharges. Nor did it lead to any consistent enhancement or reduction of photically induced myoclonic responses (as tested 5--10 min after injection). beta-Endorphin, 0.1--0.5 mg, i.c.v., did not enhance or impair photically induced myoclonic responses. FK 33.824, 0.1--0.5 mg, i.c.v., depressed respiration and slowed EEG background rhythms for 9--15 h. This was associated with a loss of myoclonic responses to photic stimulation. These effects were reversed for 20--40 min following the injection of naloxone, 1 mg/kg i.m. A depression of respiration and a slowing of EEG rhythms was seen beginning 5--20 min after FK 33.824, 2 or 4 mg/kg, i.v. The higher dose also abolished photically induced myoclonic responses. Naloxone, 1 mg/kg, definitively reversed these effects. Morphine, 5--10 mg i.c.v., tended to increase the latency to onset of generalized myoclonus during photic stimulation. Myoclonic responses were delayed or diminished after morphine, 5 mg/kg, i.m. Naloxone, 1--2 mg/kg i.m., reversed this effect. Naloxone, 0.2--5.0 mg/kg i.m., alone, did not significantly modify photically induced myoclonus, either in animals of low or high initial responsiveness, or in those pretreated with allylglycine.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Anticonvulsant activity in photosensitive baboons, Papio papio, of two new 1,5 benzodiazepines.

Two new 1,5 benzodiazepines have been evaluated acutely as anticonvulsants in baboons, Papio papio, with photosensitive epilepsy. BAU 426 (8-Chlor-6-[2-chlorphenyl]-4H-s-triazolo-[4,3-a] [1,5-benzodiazepin-5-[6-H]on) and BAU 500 (analogue of BAU 426 with [2-trifluor methylphenyl] substituted for [2-chlorphenyl]), 0.1--5.0 mg/kg, were administered i.v. to baboons with and without priming with D,L allylglycine. BAU 426 or BAU 500, 0.1--0.2 mg/kg, produced partial or transient protection against photically induced myoclonus or epileptic responses. Complete protection, in the absence of signs of sedation or acute neurological toxicity, was seen 1--4 h after 0.5--2 mg/kg. EEG changes typical of benzodiazepines were seen for 1--3 h and clinical signs of sedation with some muscular hypotonia were evident for 1 h after either drug, 5 mg/kg. Clinical trials are required to determine if these compounds are superior to 1,4 benzodiazepines as anticonvulsants.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Proconvulsant, convulsant and other actions of the D- and L-stereoisomers of allylglycine in the photosensitive baboon, Papio papio.

The effects of the intravenous or intracerebroventricular injection of the stereoisomers, and the racemic mixture, of allylglycine (2-amino-pent-4-enoic acid) have been studied in baboons, Papio papio, with photosensitive epilepsy. Enhancement of the natural syndrome of photosensitivy epilepsy is seen 1-12 h (maximally at 3-8 h) after L-allyglycine, 100 mg/kg, intravenously, or D,L-allyglycine, 200 mg/kg, intravenously. Such enhancement is seen with a slower onset, and to a lesser, and more variable, extent after D-allyglycine, 500-750 mg/kg, intravenously. Brief focal or generalised seizures occurred (in the absence of intermittent photic stimulation) after L-allyglycine, 150-200 mg/kg, intravenously. This effect is similar to that previously observed after D,L-allyglycine, 300-400 mg/kg. D-Allyglycine, 780 mg/kg, intravenously produced episodes of vertical nystagmus with increased extensor motor tone, but no 'spontaneous' seizures. Intracerebroventricular injection of L-allylglycine, D-allyglycine or D,L-allyglycine, 100 mg in 1 ml saline, did not modify the natural syndrome of photosensitive epilepsy. D-Allylglycine, or D,L-allyglycine, 100 mg intracerebroventricularly, after 1-2 h gave rise to a syndrome with vomiting, sustained vertical nystagmus, and intermittent extensor spasms. The results are interpreted in terms of regional differences in the metabolism of the two isomers to active compounds that can inhibit glutamic acid decarboxylase. D-Allylglycine is active only at the brain stem and cerebellum because D-amino acid oxidase is largely confined to these brain areas.

Allylglycine↗