Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0036572 (seizures)
 80,221 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Inhibitory gamma-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) neurons were identified in the dentate gyrus of seizure-sensitive (SS) and seizure-resistant (SR) gerbils by immunocytochemical localization of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the synthesizing enzyme for GABA. Increases in both the number of GAD+ somata and terminals were found in the dentate gyrus of the SS brains compared to the SR. The magnitude of the increase was positively correlated with the recorded seizure intensity. The increased number of GABAergic neurons in the dentate gyrus of SS gerbils could result in disinhibition of the granule cells, thereby allowing propagation of epileptiform activity through the hippocampus.
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PMID:A regional increase in the number of hippocampal GABAergic neurons and terminals in the seizure-sensitive gerbil. 389 6

Previous studies from this laboratory have shown that pyridoxal-5'-sulphate, the synthetic analogue of pyridoxal phosphate, causes epileptic seizures including tonic-clonic convulsions. These seizure activities are prevented or reversed by GABA or muscimol. In an attempt to delineate the biochemical basis of these seizure processes further, we have studied and shown that pyridoxal sulphate is a competitive inhibitor of glutamic acid decarboxylase. In addition, the chronic administration of pyridoxal sulphate was shown to reduce the concentration of pyridoxal phosphate in the cerebellum, the cerebrum, and basal ganglion, but not in the hippocampus. The activity of hippocampal glutamic acid decarboxylase was reduced after 1, 3, and 5 days of chronic application of pyridoxal sulphate. The inhibition was demonstrated, whether glutamic acid decarboxylase was assayed in the presence or absence of its coenzyme pyridoxal phosphate. Unlike findings in the hippocampus, the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase in other brain regions was unaffected following chronic application of pyridoxal sulphate. The selective toxic effects of pyridoxal sulfate to the hippocampus, a brain area well known for its high susceptibility to seizure discharges, deserve additional indepth investigation.
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PMID:Pyridoxal phosphate-unrelated inhibition of hippocampal glutamic acid decarboxylase by convulsant pyridoxal sulphate. 400 Mar 91

Behavioural, neurochemical and histopathological changes induced by systemic injection of kainic acid were investigated at various doses of the neurotoxin (3, 6 and 10 mg/kg s.c.). There was a positive correlation between the dose of kainic acid and the extent of both the acute neurochemical changes 3 h after the injection (increases of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels and a decrease in noradrenaline levels in all brain regions investigated), the acute histopathological changes (shrinkage and condensation of nerve cells and brain oedema in the entire forebrain) and the extent of behavioural alterations (immobility, 'wet dog shakes' and limbic seizures). However, the slope of the dose-response curves was very steep. Late and irreversible alterations included losses of the enzyme markers glutamic acid decarboxylase and choline acetyltransferase and, histopathologically, incomplete parenchymal necrosis and haemorrhages. These changes, however, were restricted to a few brain regions, the most important being the hippocampus, amygdala, entorhinal and pyriform cortex, and olfactory bulb, and they were seen only in animals which had undergone severe convulsions. It is suggested that the irreversible brain lesions in this animal model of limbic (temporal lobe) epilepsy are not solely induced by a direct action of kainic acid, but may be caused--at least in part--by additional, secondary pathogenetic mechanisms.
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PMID:Kainic acid-induced seizures: dose-relationship of behavioural, neurochemical and histopathological changes. 402 98

Alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism have been investigated in the kindling model of epilepsy. Numerous generalized seizures were induced by amygdala-kindling stimulations in rats. One week after the last stimulation, there were no changes in GABA levels nor in the activity of enzymes responsible for the synthesis (glutamic acid decarboxylase) and catabolism (GABA transaminase and succinyl semialdehyde dehydrogenase). These results do not exclude other changes in GABA function as modifications of transport or receptors.
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PMID:Absence of modifications in gamma-aminobutyric acid metabolism after repeated generalized seizures in amygdala-kindled rats. 408 36

The slow onset and carry-over effect of valproic acid (VPA) therapy observed in some clinical as well as experimental animal studies have been examined by parallel pharmacokinetic and pharmacological investigations in a mouse model. VPA was rapidly transferred into brain and was cleared from that tissue with rates which exceeded plasma clearance rates. Of several VPA metabolites present in plasma, only one could be found in the brain: 2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid. This metabolite was cleared from plasma and from brain slower than the parent drug. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were increased within 15 min after VPA injection and remained significantly elevated for at least 8 h. A similar time course was found in regard to the increase of the electroconvulsive threshold (maximal seizures) induced by VPA administration. The activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase rose parallel to the elevation of brain GABA levels, whereas the activity of GABA aminotransferase was not affected. Whereas the rapid onset of the effect on electroconvulsive threshold and on GABA metabolism can be explained by the rapid entrance of VPA into brain, the carry-over effects observed correlated with the kinetics of the metabolite 2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid better than with those of VPA due to the persistence of this metabolite in brain.
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PMID:Valproic acid: brain and plasma levels of the drug and its metabolites, anticonvulsant effects and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) metabolism in the mouse. 680 Dec 54

Mice were treated with different doses of the GABA aminotransferase (GABA-T) inhibitors aminooxyacetic acid, gamma-acetylenic acid, gamma-vinyl GABA and ethanolamine-O-sulphate via the drinking water for periods of 1-12. All drugs caused marked elevations of whole brain GABA concentrations within 4 days of treatment which were associated with increases in the electroconvulsive threshold. However, the effect on seizure threshold could not be enhanced by an increase in the daily dosage of the GABA-T inhibitors and, especially with higher doses, tolerance to the anticonvulsant effect developed. At least in part, this finding may be attributed to a decrease in the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme responsible for GABA synthesis. On the other hand, with valproic acid (VPA) no tendency towards a reduced anticonvulsant effectiveness during medication was observed. VPA caused only non-significant increases in cerebral GABA levels but elevated brain GAD activity significantly. No behavioral changes were seen following subchronic administration of GABA-T inhibitors and VPA except in cases where the daily fluid intake was markedly reduced. Our data suggest that the anticonvulsant efficacy of long term treatment with GABA-T inhibitors is limited by the development of compensatory mechanisms, such as reduction of GAD activity, which in turn reduce the amount of GABA available for synaptic transmission, though overall GABA concentrations in the brain are highly elevated. Drug such as VPA which cause only moderate effects on GABA metabolism seem superior in this respect.
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PMID:Anticonvulsant and biochemical effects of inhibitors of GABA aminotransferase and valproic acid during subchronic treatment in mice. 680 73

Mice were continuously treated with valproic acid (VPA) via the drinking water for period from 1 to 12 days. The daily drug intake varied between 500 and 580 mg/kg. However, due to the rapid elimination of VPA in this species average plasma concentrations of only 3-4 micrograms/ml VPA were present at 8:30 a.m., the time chosen for determinations. In the brain, VPA levels were about 10% of those in plasma. In regard to VPA metabolism the products of beta-oxidation 2-en-VPA 2-propyl-2-pentenoic acid) and 3-keto-VPA (2-propyl-3-oxopentanoic acid) proved to be the main metabolites in plasma although other (minor) metabolites of VPA were also present. The only metabolite of VPA detected in the brain was 2-en-VPA. VPA medication caused a significant increase in the threshold for electroconvulsions which was associated with a slight increment of brain GABA levels. The activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase was significantly elevated whereas GABA aminotransferase was not affected. After withdrawal of VPA, a delayed effect on seizure threshold was observed which extended to time periods where VPA could no longer be detected in the brain, but 2-en-VPA was still present.
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PMID:Valproic acid: metabolite concentrations in plasma and brain, anticonvulsant activity, and effects on GABA metabolism during subacute treatment in mice. 681 Jul 78

When mice were exposed to 100% oxygen at a pressure of 6 atm. absolute, the animals suffered from severe convulsions. The content of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in synaptosomes was lower in the exposed animals than in unexposed ones. The exposure to high pressure oxygen produced a considerable reduction in GABA formation rate in synaptosomes, due to the inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase activity. Exposure to air at the same high pressure produced no reduction in the GABA levels in synaptosomes. The results support the view that low GABA levels in synaptosomes were involved in the etiology of the seizures.
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PMID:Study on hyperbaric oxygen-induced convulsion with particular reference to gamma-aminobutyric acid in synaptosomes. 706 70

DBA/2 mice between 21 and 28 days of age are highly susceptible to sound-induced seizures. Drug studies suggest a possible deficit of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission may be involved. We have measured the whole brain GABA concentration and glutamic acid decarboxylase activity in DBA/2 mice at various ages before, during, and after the period of maximal susceptibility to audiogenic seizures. Corresponding determinations were carried out on age-matched TO mice, a strain much less susceptible to audiogenic seizures than DBA/2 mice at all ages. No significant differences in GABA concentration or glutamic acid decarboxylase activity were found between strains at any age. The susceptibility of DBA/2 mice to audiogenic seizures does not result from a gross inability to synthesise or store GABA.
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PMID:Cerebral glutamic acid decarboxylase activity and gamma-aminobutyric acid concentrations in mice susceptible or resistant to audiogenic seizures. 711 4

The intracerebroventricular administration of Zn2+ (0.3 mumol/10 microliters) causes epileptic seizures characterized by running fits, jumping, vocalization, fasiculation of facial muscles, myoclonic movements of the limbs and tonic-clonic convulsions. These episodes are blocked or reversed by gamma-aminobutyric acid (0.4 mumol/10 microliters). When assayed under conditions where pyridoxal phosphate was not added, the activity of glutamic acid decarboxylase decreased significantly in hippocampus from 18.9 to 15.3 and 9.7 mumols 14CO2 formed/gram proteins/20 min, 15 and 30 min following administration of Zn2+. The inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase by Zn2+ was selective occurring only in hippocampus and not in the hypothalamus, amygdala, caudate or thalamus. The inhibition of glutamic acid decarboxylase was not due to a reduction in the concentration of endogenous pyridoxal phosphate which remained unaltered in hippocampus following Zn2+ administration.
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PMID:The selective inhibition of hippocampal glutamic acid decarboxylase in zinc-induced epileptic seizures. 715 79


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