Effects of selected psychoactive agents on bicuculline-induced convulsions in mice

Abstract

The effects of selected psychoactive drugs from several drug classes on bicuculline-induced convulsions were evaluated in mice. The benzodiazepines, chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, flurazepam and oxazepam, protected mice against both clonic and tonic seizures. Likewise, phenobarbital, meprobamate and ethanol also antagonized both clonic and tonic seizures. Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., imipramine, amitriptyline and doxepin) blocked tonic seizures; however, the mice still exhibited marked clonic seizures leading to death. In contrast, other antidepressants (e.g., nomifensin, mianserin and iprindole) failed to block either tonic or clonic seizures. Haloperidol, chlorpromazine, muscimol and amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA) failed to block either clonic or tonic seizures. These results suggest that in addition to GABA, other neurotransmitters may play a role at least in the tonic component of bicuculline convulsions.