Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3047022 Clinical Neurophysiology 2008 7 Pages PDF
Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare the acute, chronic and post-treatment effects of the classic antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) and the potential antiepileptic vinpocetine (VPC), successfully used in the treatment of brain vascular origin disorders, on 4-aminopyridine (4-AP)-induced increase in auditory threshold, brain-auditory-evoked-potentials (BAEPs) later waves alterations and epileptiform activity.MethodsBAEP and EEG recordings before and following 4-AP (3 mg/kg, i.p.) were obtained in guinea pigs. One week after, the animals received a daily injection (i.p.) of vehicle, 3 mg/kg VPC or 17 mg/kg CBZ for 13 days. The acute and chronic effects before and following 4-AP were tested at the 1st and last days, respectively, and the post-treatment effect 1 month after the end of treatment.ResultsCBZ and 4-AP increased BAEPs threshold and BAEPs P4 wave latency. Chronic CBZ inhibited 4-AP-induced increase in P3 amplitude. In the VPC-treated group, all the 4-AP-induced BAEPs changes were prevented. Seizures were prevented in 50% and 75% of the animals by chronic CBZ and VPC, respectively. After acute VPC and after the end of VPC-treatment 4-AP failed to induce seizures in 50% of the animals.ConclusionVPC inhibits 4-AP-induced seizures and hearing loss, even after post-treatment, at a concentration about 10 times lower than CBZ.SignificanceThe complications in hearing that can accompany epilepsy can be prevented by VPC, indicating its advantage as an alternative antiepileptic.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Neuroscience Neurology
Authors
, ,