Anticonvulsant efficacy of gabapentin on kindling in the immature brain

The anticonvulsant and motor effects of gabapentin (GBP) were evaluated in rat pumps aged 16-17 days. Fourteen-day-old rat pups received an implanted stimulating electrode in the amygdala unilaterally. Kindled seizures were p roduced on day 16 of life by repeatedly applying an electrical current stim ulus to the amygdala electrode. Animals received kindling stimulation until they achieved three consecutive generalized convulsions. On day 17, rat pu ps received one of four doses of GBP 10, 25, 50, or 100 mg/kg. After receiv ing GBP, rat pups again received electrical stimulation to the amygdala ele ctrode to determine the extent to which GBP prevented the kindled seizure. Anticonvulsant effects were found at doses as low as 10 mg/kg. A separate g roup of naive rats received GBP to determine the motor effects of each trea tment dose. Impaired motor performance, quantified as time on a balance bea m, occurred at doses of greater than or equal to 50 mg/kg. In summary, our data indicate that in immune rats, GBP exerts an anticonvulsant effect agai nst kindled seizures at doses that do not significantly impair motor perfor mance.