Cinromide, an experimental
anticonvulsant (Burroughs Wellcome Co.) was tested against focal cortical (simple partial analog), focal amygdala (complex partial analog), and generalized convulsive (tonic-clonic analog)
seizures in the "kindled" rat. The toxicity in the CNS was measured by the
ataxia scale devised by Desmedt, Niemegeers, Lewi and Janssen (Arzneimittel-Forsch, 26: 1592-1602, 1976).
Cinromide was found to suppress generalized convulsions in small, subtoxic doses, whereas larger, sometimes toxic doses were required to suppress
focal seizure activity. The general pattern of response resembles that of the standard clinical
anticonvulsants which the present authors have previously investigated.
Cinromide, however, was relatively more potent against focal amygdala (complex partial analog)
seizures than any
drug previously tested, except
carbamazepine. These data suggest that
cinromide should be clinically effective, not only against
tonic-clonic seizures, but also, toxicity permitting, against complex partial attacks as well.