Abstract
Parenteral magnesium sulfate has been used to control acute convulsions of diverse etiologies and is currently a mainstay in controlling eclamptic convulsions. However, the site of this anticonvulsant action has remained controversial and not well studied in experimental epileptic models. Therefore we determined the effects of intravenously infused magnesium sulfate on the epileptic neural activity induced by topical application of penicillin G to motor cortex in anesthetized cats and dogs and in awake, undrugged primates. Magnesium sulfate was able to directly suppress neuronal burst firing and interictal EEG spike generation at serum levels below those producing paralysis. The degree of suppression corresponded to the serum magnesium concentration and was reversible. These results corroborate the clinical observations in patients that magnesium can produce an anticonvulsant effect apart from neuromuscular blockade and suggest it may have clinical applicability in treating a wider range of acute convulsions.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
