CALCIUM-CHANNEL BLOCKERS VERAPAMIL AND NIMODIPINE INHIBIT KINDLING INADULT AND IMMATURE RATS

The calcium channel blockers verapamil (VPM) and nimodipine (NMD) were administered to adult or immature (16-day-old) rats to determine thei r effects on amygdala-kindled seizures. The afterdischarge threshold ( ADT) kindling rate and degree of postictal refractoriness were determi ned for two doses of VPM (0.5 and 5.0 mg/kg in rat pups and 2 and 10 m g/kg in adult rats) or 30 mg/kg nimodipine (NMD). Neither VPM nor NMD affected the ADT of the amygdala in adult or immature rats. VPM retard ed the rate of kindling in both adult and immature rats in a dose-depe ndent manner; the number of stimulations required to progress through seizure stages were increased. NMD 30 mg/kg reduced the kindling rate and AD duration in both adult and immature rats. Neither drug was able to suppress recurrent seizures elicited by repetitive stimulation. Th ese results suggest that verapamil, and possibly NMD may be of clinica l utility in treatment of epilepsy, especially complex partial seizure s.