Antiepileptic effect of nefiracetam on kainic acid-induced limbic seizure in rats

Nefiracetam is being studied as a novel cognition-enhancing agent; however, it has been suggested from studying its chemical structure that it has a p otential anticonvulsive effect. We examined the antiepileptic effect of nef iracetam on kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. KA was infused into the left basolateral amygdaloid nucleus and focal limbic seizures were induced in 4 3 male Wistar rats. During status epilepticus, 10, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg of nefiracetam was intravenously injected. Nefiracetam inhibited KA-induced li mbic seizures at doses over 100 mg/kg while it had a sedative effect on the animals. In (C-14) deoxyglucose autoradiographic studies, the propagation of seizure-induced hypermetabolic areas was also suppressed dose-dependentl y. From the results, it was indicated that nefiracetam has an antiepileptic effect and that its application may suppress seizure propagation. Further study is required, whether this agent is available as a novel anticonvulsan t. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.