BRL-38227 - A POTASSIUM CHANNEL OPENER, ANTAGONIZES DIGOXIN-INDUCED CONVULSIONS

Experimental evidence suggests that potassium channel openers play an important role in convulsions. In this study, the anticonvulsant activ ity of BRL 38227, a new potassium channel opener against digoxin-induc ed convulsions, is reported. Intraventricular administration of digoxi n (7.5 mug), induced ''popcorn-type'' convulsions in rats. BRL 38227, injected centrally increased the onset time of convulsions and decreas ed the mortality rate in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 4- aminopyridine, a potassium channel blocker antagonized the protective effect of BRL 38227. These findings show the involvement of potassium channels in digoxin-induced convulsions. Further these results indicat e that in the future potassium channels might be a target for new anti convulsant drugs.