Evidence for the pharmacological relevance of benzodiazepine receptors to anticonvulsant activity.

Abstract

Each of a series of benzodiazepines was found to be effective in preventing convulsions evoked by intermittent photic stimulation of epileptic chickens. There was a high correlation between the anticonvulsant potencies (mean effective dosages) and the affinity of the agents for the putative benzodiazepine receptor as measured by displacement of [3H]diazepam from binding sites on chicken synaptosomal membranes. This correlation in a genetic model of epilepsy provides further evidence that benzodiazepines exert their anticonvulsant effects by interacting with the benzodiazepine receptor.

• Authors: T E Fisher, D D Johnson, J M Tuchek, R D Crawford
• Journal: Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology (Can J Physiol Pharmacol) Vol. 63 Issue 11 Pg. 1477-9 (Nov 1985) ISSN: 0008-4212 [Print] Canada
• PMID: 2866832 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Anxiety Agents
• Anticonvulsants
• Receptors, GABA-A
• Diazepam

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Anxiety Agents (pharmacology)
• Anticonvulsants (pharmacology)
• Binding, Competitive (drug effects)
• Brain (metabolism)
• Chickens
• Diazepam (metabolism)
• In Vitro Techniques
• Receptors, GABA-A (drug effects)
• Synaptic Membranes (metabolism)
• Synaptosomes (metabolism)