The Anticonvulsant Effect of Verapamil on Experimental Model Epilepsy Induced by Penicillin

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that affects approximately 1 of the population. Calcium ions have important role on the regulation of cellular functions. It is believed that calcium flux into the cell is the first step of epileptic neuronal events. In present study, the effect of verapamil on experimental model epilepsy induced by intracortical (i.c.) penicillin administration was investigated. The left cerebral cortex exposed by craniotomy in anaesthetized rats. The epileptic focus was produced by injection of penicillin G potassium (500 units) into the somatomator cortex. Microinjection of verapamil (50, 100 μM) into the same area caused an inhibition for 5-6 minutes in electrocorticograms (ECoG). (p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that verapamil may be an anticonvulsant agent.