PROPOFO - PROCONVULSANT OR ANTICONVULSANT

The pro- or anticonvulsant properties of propofol remain a matter of c ontroversy. Although numerous case reports describe the appearance of abnormal movements, posturing and seizure-like activity related to the use of propofol, systematic studies in both humans and animals strong ly suggest that it possesses antiepileptic properties. Propofol consis tently reduces the seizure duration during electroconvulsive therapy, its use has been successful in controlling refractory status epileptic us and in animals it offers a strong protection against lignocaine- or pentylene-tetrazol-induced epilepsy. The beneficial effects of propof ol may be related to its uniform depressant action on the central nerv ous system, to a potentialization of GABA-mediated pre- and postsynapt ic inhibition, and by decreasing the release of excitatory transmitter s, glutamate and aspartate.