The alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonist clonidine suppresses seizures, whereas the alpha 2 adrenoreceptor antagonist idazoxan promotes seizures: pontine microinfusion studies of amygdala-kindled kittens. 1996

M N Shouse, and J Langer, and M Bier, and P R Farber, and O Alcalde, and R Moghimi, and M Richkind, and R Szymusiak
Sleep Disturbance Research (151A3), VAMC Sepulveda, CA 91343, USA.

This is the first report showing that microinfusion of alpha 2 adrenoreceptor agonists and antagonists into the vicinity of the locus ceruleus (LC) have contrasting effects on evoked amygdala-kindled seizure susceptibility. Microinfusion (1 microliter) of the alpha 2 agonist clonidine (CLON) and of the alpha 2 antagonist idazoxan (IDA) were made over 1 min through cannulae in the LC ipsilateral to the kindled amygdala in 6 kittens. Order of administered drugs (CLON vs. IDA) and dosages (n = 3 each) were partly counterbalanced. Focal and convulsive seizure thresholds were evaluated 10-12 min post-infusion and compared to thresholds obtained during two, interspersed control conditions (vehicle control = 1 microliter microinfusion of sterile saline; sham control = needle insertion only). CLON significantly elevated focal and generalized seizure thresholds, whereas IDA significantly reduced seizure thresholds when compared to controls. Magnitude of effects was dose-dependent. These findings confirm that norepinephrine (NE) is a potent antiepileptic agent. Results also suggest that pontine microinfusions could eventually provide an alternative treatment option for medically refractory limbic epilepsy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007696 Kindling, Neurologic The repeated weak excitation of brain structures, that progressively increases sensitivity to the same stimulation. Over time, this can lower the threshold required to trigger seizures. Kindlings, Neurologic,Neurologic Kindling,Neurologic Kindlings
D008839 Microelectrodes Electrodes with an extremely small tip, used in a voltage clamp or other apparatus to stimulate or record bioelectric potentials of single cells intracellularly or extracellularly. (Dorland, 28th ed) Electrodes, Miniaturized,Electrode, Miniaturized,Microelectrode,Miniaturized Electrode,Miniaturized Electrodes
D008845 Microinjections The injection of very small amounts of fluid, often with the aid of a microscope and microsyringes. Microinjection
D009638 Norepinephrine Precursor of epinephrine that is secreted by the ADRENAL MEDULLA and is a widespread central and autonomic neurotransmitter. Norepinephrine is the principal transmitter of most postganglionic sympathetic fibers, and of the diffuse projection system in the brain that arises from the LOCUS CERULEUS. It is also found in plants and is used pharmacologically as a sympathomimetic. Levarterenol,Levonorepinephrine,Noradrenaline,Arterenol,Levonor,Levophed,Levophed Bitartrate,Noradrenaline Bitartrate,Noradrénaline tartrate renaudin,Norepinephrin d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine Bitartrate,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine Hydrochloride, (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine d-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), (+,-)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:1), Monohydrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine l-Tartrate (1:2),Norepinephrine l-Tartrate, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+)-Isomer,Norepinephrine, (+,-)-Isomer
D011149 Pons The front part of the hindbrain (RHOMBENCEPHALON) that lies between the MEDULLA and the midbrain (MESENCEPHALON) ventral to the cerebellum. It is composed of two parts, the dorsal and the ventral. The pons serves as a relay station for neural pathways between the CEREBELLUM to the CEREBRUM. Pons Varolii,Ponte,Pons Varolius,Pontes,Varolii, Pons,Varolius, Pons
D002415 Cats The domestic cat, Felis catus, of the carnivore family FELIDAE, comprising over 30 different breeds. The domestic cat is descended primarily from the wild cat of Africa and extreme southwestern Asia. Though probably present in towns in Palestine as long ago as 7000 years, actual domestication occurred in Egypt about 4000 years ago. (From Walker's Mammals of the World, 6th ed, p801) Felis catus,Felis domesticus,Domestic Cats,Felis domestica,Felis sylvestris catus,Cat,Cat, Domestic,Cats, Domestic,Domestic Cat
D003000 Clonidine An imidazoline sympatholytic agent that stimulates ALPHA-2 ADRENERGIC RECEPTORS and central IMIDAZOLINE RECEPTORS. It is commonly used in the management of HYPERTENSION. Catapres,Catapresan,Catapressan,Chlophazolin,Clofelin,Clofenil,Clonidine Dihydrochloride,Clonidine Hydrochloride,Clonidine Monohydrobromide,Clonidine Monohydrochloride,Clopheline,Dixarit,Gemiton,Hemiton,Isoglaucon,Klofelin,Klofenil,M-5041T,ST-155,Dihydrochloride, Clonidine,Hydrochloride, Clonidine,M 5041T,M5041T,Monohydrobromide, Clonidine,Monohydrochloride, Clonidine,ST 155,ST155
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D000316 Adrenergic alpha-Agonists Drugs that selectively bind to and activate alpha adrenergic receptors. Adrenergic alpha-Receptor Agonists,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Agonists,Adrenergic alpha-Agonist,Adrenergic alpha-Receptor Agonist,Receptor Agonists, Adrenergic alpha,Receptor Agonists, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha-Adrenergic Agonist,alpha-Adrenergic Agonists,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Agonist,Adrenergic alpha Agonist,Adrenergic alpha Agonists,Adrenergic alpha Receptor Agonist,Adrenergic alpha Receptor Agonists,Agonist, Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Agonist, alpha-Adrenergic,Agonist, alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,Agonists, Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Agonists, alpha-Adrenergic,Agonists, alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,Receptor Agonist, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptor Agonists, alpha Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Agonist,alpha Adrenergic Agonists,alpha Adrenergic Receptor Agonist,alpha Adrenergic Receptor Agonists,alpha-Agonist, Adrenergic,alpha-Agonists, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptor Agonist, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptor Agonists, Adrenergic
D000317 Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists Drugs that bind to but do not activate alpha-adrenergic receptors thereby blocking the actions of endogenous or exogenous adrenergic agonists. Adrenergic alpha-antagonists are used in the treatment of hypertension, vasospasm, peripheral vascular disease, shock, and pheochromocytoma. Adrenergic alpha-Receptor Blockaders,alpha-Adrenergic Blocking Agents,alpha-Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,alpha-Blockers, Adrenergic,Adrenergic alpha-Blockers,alpha-Adrenergic Antagonists,alpha-Adrenergic Blockers,Adrenergic alpha Antagonists,Adrenergic alpha Blockers,Adrenergic alpha Receptor Blockaders,Agents, alpha-Adrenergic Blocking,Antagonists, alpha-Adrenergic,Blockaders, Adrenergic alpha-Receptor,Blockaders, alpha-Adrenergic Receptor,Blockers, alpha-Adrenergic,Blocking Agents, alpha-Adrenergic,Receptor Blockaders, alpha-Adrenergic,alpha Adrenergic Antagonists,alpha Adrenergic Blockers,alpha Adrenergic Blocking Agents,alpha Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,alpha Blockers, Adrenergic,alpha-Antagonists, Adrenergic,alpha-Receptor Blockaders, Adrenergic

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