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PubMedDate not supplied

[Statistics on 123 children with febrile convulsions from 1976 to 1981 with possible advantages of continuous prophylaxis with valproic acid and/or phenobarbital].

All children (6 months to 5 years of age) presenting with febrile seizures have been followed for 3-5 years. Analysis of the data of 123 children gave the following results: -in 20 cases the duration of the convulsions was longer than 20 minutes; -males were prevalent (60,2%) and characterised by a longer duration of convulsive manifestations (20,2% of cases); -valproic acid (20-30 mg/kg/die) or phenobarbital (3-5 mg/kg/die) prophylaxis for a minimum of I year protect against recurrence of convulsions (26,6% of new episodes in non treated vs 10,2% in treated patients); -irrespective of drug prophylaxis, recurrence is minimal and approaches zero, when the first episode occurs in children older than 3 years; -only one case (0,8%) had recurrence not associated with fever, during valproic acid treatment two years after the first episode.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Home treatment of seizures as a strategy for the long-term management of febrile convulsions in children.

A cooperative study evaluating compliance and efficacy of Diazepam clisma in home treatment of febrile seizures in children was conducted from January 1979 to June 1981. Parents of 601 children admitted to hospital for a febrile convulsion were taught to use Diazepam clisma in the eventuality of a new seizure and asked to record the length of the episode. Complete follow-up was possible in 564 cases for an average time of 16.7 months. During the research period 109 convulsive episodes were registered in 76 children. Four of these children presented a seizure without fever. Diazepam clisma was administered correctly in 70 episodes (64.2%). In 26 of the remaining 39 cases, therapy was not administered because the seizure ended before the treatment was started. Prolonged seizures (greater than 15 min) have been reported in 8 cases. Six were in the non-treated group and 2 in the treated group. In both these last cases Diazepam was expelled immediately after being administered. The results of the study suggest that home treatment of febrile convulsions by Diazepam clisma represents a well accepted and useful strategy for prevention of prolonged seizures, provided that continuous contact and complete understanding between family and physician can be ensured.

Child↗
PubMed1980

Convulsions with meningiomas: incidence and significance.

In a study of a consecutive series of 127 surgically treated meningiomas, it was found that 29% of the patients had reported with convulsions as their initial symptom. In this group, surgical excision of the meningioma stopped the convulsions in about half of the patients, but the others continued to have seizures after their operations. Among those patients with meningiomas who did not have preoperative convulsions, about one-sixth (15 patients) developed postoperative seizures. Patients in both groups required prolonged anticonvulsant medication. Factors predisposing to the occurrence of postoperative seizures were the site of the tumor, faulty surgical technique, and a preoperative history of seizures.

Astrocytoma↗
PubMed1981

[Electrical resistance of nerve tissue as a diagnostic criterion of pre-convulsive states].

For diagnosing pre-convulsive states use is made, as a rule, of electroencephalography. This method, however, not always gives satisfactory results. The authors present the results of experimental studies of the nervous tissue impedance in the period preceding the convulsive seizure induced in laboratory animals by electric stimulation of the limbic structures of the brain. The experiments showed that a few seconds before the generalization of the convulsive process one could note certain changes in the electric conductivity of the nervous tissue. These changes make it possible to take measures for preventing the seizure.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Actions of clonidine on convulsions and behaviour.

Pretreatment of rats and mice with clonidine (0.5-5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) protected the animals against tonic convulsions induced by picrotoxin, strychnine and maximal electroshock, respectively. The time of onset of convulsions as well as mortality due to picrotoxin and strychnine were delayed in the clonidine pretreated groups as compared to controls. Clonidine (1 mg/kg) blocked the extensor phase of the electroshock convulsion. In reserpinized animals the severity of electroshock-induced seizures was reduced by clonidine pretreatment. Clonidine also caused an increase in the food consumption behaviour in mice subjected to novel situation and food. Its effects were comparable to diazepam, an antianxiety agent. In another experiment, clonidine (0.5-5 mg/kg) counteracted the perphenazine-induced catatonia in rats. It is possible that the observed anticatatonic effect of clonidine may be due to its presynaptic activity, but the actual mechanism of this action is not yet understood.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

[Convulsive seizures and polyneuritis in a patient with lupus treated with metronidazole (author's transl)].

A 20-year-old patient with biologically-confirmed lupus developed a perirenal abscess following puncture biopsy of the kidney. Postoperative treatment included metronidazole at a mean dose of 2.5 g daily for 68 days (total dose : 165 g). Generalised convulsive seizures occurred on four occasions, associated with paresthesia of the four limbs, but without loss of motor or reflex activity, though some distal hypoesthesia was detected. An acute lupus attack was eliminated, the convulsive seizures not recurring after discontinuation of treatment, and the paresthesias diminishing progressively over a period of three months. Electrical investigations showed lack of motor anomalies but a marked reduction in sensory conduction. This is the 13th reported case of polyneuritis due to metronidazole, the 4th case of convulsive seizures, and the first case in which both manifestations occurred. The plasma concentration curve after oral administration of 1 g of the product to this patient demonstrated that the product was not being metabolised in a pathological manner.

Abscess↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A case of neonatal convulsions caused by transitory normocalcemic primary hypomagnesemia. Clinical considerations].

The Authors present a case of a primitive normocalcemic hypomagnesimy in a four days newborn. She was hospitalized for convulsive disorders at the Maternity Hospital Foggia - Neonatal Pathology Section. Although her birth had been normal and she was in good condition, the four days infant had clonic crises which in a short time became tonic-clonic generalized convulsive crises. We all know that in a four days newborn the appearance of this kind of convulsive crises is rare and dangerous, so we added, at the normal therapies, a therapy based on somministration of magnesium, first by parentheral intravenous injections, then by mouth. Our check up at one, three and five months of life on the newborn showed how she was growing normally without any bodily or neurological abnormality.

Female↗
PubMed1978

Changes in the convulsion threshold and in the level of brain biogenic amines in rats chronically treated with phenobarbital or diazepam.

In experiments on 72 male Wistar rats, chronically treated with phenobarbital and diazepam, studies are made of the change in the convulsion threshold after sound stimulation during treatment and after withdrawal of the drugs. The level of biogenic amines in the brain at the end of the treatment (60th day) and after withdrawal of the drugs (3rd day) was also determined. The convulsion threshold was found to be considerably lower on the 3rd day after drug withdrawal in rats treated with phenobarbital and to a lesser extent (also on the 3rd day) in rats treated with diazepam. Serotonin level is considerably lower in both groups of animals. The significance of the disturbed correlation between serotonin and noradrenaline and particularly the sharp decrease of the serotonin level for the appearance of intensified convulsion activity is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Properties of two derivatives of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) capable of abolishing Cardiazol- and bicuculline-induced convulsions in the rat.

The gamma-NH2 function of GABA was blocked with either benzoyl group (BG1) or a pivaloyl (timethylacetyl) group (PG2). The two derivatives of GABA obtained by the synthetic procedure were chemically pure and fully characterized. Both 14C-BG1 and 14C-PG2, unlike 14-C-GABA, are able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier in rats after subcutaneous injection. BG1 reached its highest concentration in brain 5 min after injection and PG2 after 30 min. This difference appears to be related to the different hydrophobic character of the two compounds, measured after experiments of partition in a water ethylacetate system, and to the different rate of diffusion following subcutaneous administration. BG1 abolished pentetrazole- and bicuculine-induced convulsions in rat when injected 5 min before the administration of the convulsants and PG2 had similar effects when injected 30 min before convulsants. BG1 and PG2 had a slight inhibitory effect on GAD and both BG1 and PG2 acted as substrates for the action of proteolytic enzymes that convert the two compounds back to GABA. Toxicity of both BG1 and PG2 was practically undetectable in rat following administration of the compounds up to 1 g/kg. Glutamate oxidation by rat brain mitochondria was not affected by either BG1 or PG2.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Regional brain ascorbic acid distribution: its functional relationship to appetite and leptazol-induced convulsions in guinea-pigs.

The distribution of ascorbic acid has been compared in the fore-, mid- and hind-brains of guinea-pigs maintained on a scorbutogenic diet alone, or the diet with supplementary Vitamin C, or the supplemented diet and a terminal convulsant dose of leptazol after 27 days. At the beginning of the investigation, mid-brain ascorbic acid concentrations were similar in both sexes and highest in the mid-brain. After 27 days on the supplemented diet, levels of ascorbic acid were raised in all three brain sections and were still highest in the mid-brains. In the scorbutic group, ascorbic acid concentrations had not changed from control levels in the mid-brain, but had fallen in the other two sections. In a dose-range of 40-60 mg/kg, leptazol caused an increase in convulsive index, and progressive depletion of brain ascorbic acid. No change occurred in fore-brain ascorbic acid, a reduction took place in the hindbrain, and the greatest fall occurred in the mid-brain. It is concluded that ascorbic acid plays an essential role in mid-brain metabolism, and that the convulsant effect of leptazol is influenced by an interaction with brain ascorbic acid.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Mental retardation convulsions and cerebral atrophy; main neurological changes in Darier's disease].

Darier's disease is determined by an autosomal dominant gene and is clinically characterized by confluent hyperkarotic papules. Mental retardation may appear in up to 10-20% of patients. Convulsions, spinocerebellar tract degeneration, polyneuropathy, psychiatric disorders and cerebral atrophy occur with a low and as yet not precisely determined incidence. In the medical literature reviewed only two previous cases of cerebral atrophy associated with Darier's disease were found. This study describes six members of a family affected with an unusually high incidence of neurologic manifestations. The mother and her five sons showed skin lesions, which, on histological examination, revealed the characteristic pathological changes of Darier's disease. Two of the five siblings with convulsions and mental retardation underwent computed tomography of the brain and both patients revealed the classic findings in atrophy; moderate enlargement of the lateral ventricles and widening of the cortical sulci. Cerebral atrophy was correlated with mental retardation and convulsions.

Atrophy↗
PubMed1978

Influence of whole-body mechanical vibration on altitude convulsion threshold.

Altitude convulsion threshold was used for determining the maximal hypoxic tolerance of the mouse during whole-body transverse vibration. Elevation of the lung weight-body weight ratio was taken as evidence of lung edema. It was observed that vibration of 8 cps at 2 mm displacement (peak to peak) or 4 cps at 4 mm displacement did not affect the altitude convulsion threshold and the said ratio. On the other hand, vibration of 12 cps at 2 mm displacement, or 8 and 12 cps at 4 mm displacement caused an increase in a altitude convulsion threshold as well as lung edema. The possible mechanism of these changes is discussed.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1995

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy locus in chromosome 6p21.2-p11: linkage to convulsions and electroencephalography trait.

Despite affecting 4 million Americans and 100-200 million persons worldwide, the precise molecular mechanisms of human epilepsies remain unknown. Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most frequent and, hence, most important form of hereditary grand mal epilepsy. In this epilepsy, electroencephalographic (EEG) 15-30-Hz multispikes produce myoclonic and tonic-clonic convulsions beginning at 8-20 years of age. Moreover, EEG 3.5-6-Hz multispike wave complexes appear in clinically asymptomatic family members. We first studied 38 members of a four-generation LA-Belize family with classical JME but with no pyknoleptic absences. Five living members had JME; four clinically asymptomatic members had EEG multispike wave complexes. Pairwise analysis tightly linked microsatellites centromeric to HLA, namely D6S272 (peak lod score [Zmax] = 3.564-3.560 at male-female recombination [theta m = f] = 0-.001) and D6S257 (Zmax = 3.672-3.6667 at theta m = f = 0-.001), spanning 7 cM, to convulsive seizures and EEG multispike wave complexes. A recombination between D6S276 and D6S273 in one affected member placed the JME locus within or below HLA. Pairwise, multipoint, and recombination analyses in this large family independently proved that a JME gene is located in chromosome 6p, centromeric to HLA. We next screened, with the same chromosome 6p21.2-p11 short tandem-repeat polymorphic markers, seven multiplex pedigrees with classic JME. When lod scores for small multiplex families are added to lod scores of the LA-Belize pedigree, Zmax values for D6S294 and D6S257 are > 7 (theta m = f = .000). Our results prove that in chromosome 6p21.2-p11 an epilepsy locus exists whose phenotype consists of classic JME with convulsions and/or EEG rapid multispike wave complexes.

Brain↗
PubMed1994

[Convulsive disorder in celiac disease].

Several recent reports have described convulsions in patients with celiac disease, and in some, folic acid deficiency and brain calcifications. A 40-year-old woman with celiac disease, hypocalcemia and generalized tonic-clonic seizures is reported. Hypocalcemia was corrected and convulsions disappeared, but the EEG showed persistent occipital epileptiform activity. Patients with celiac disease and hypocalcemia due to malabsorption are particularly at increased risk for convulsions. Therefore, even a mild degree of hypocalcemia in these patients should be corrected as soon as possible.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The estrus cycle, sensitivity to convulsants and the anticonvulsant effect of a neuroactive steroid.

Recent in vitro work in our laboratory suggests that functional sensitivity of the gamma-aminobutyric acidA receptor complex to the neuroactive progesterone metabolite 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3 alpha,5 alpha-P) changes during the estrus cycle. Therefore, the current in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate estrus cycle-related differences in sensitivity to convulsants and the anticonvulsant effect of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P. The threshold dose for onset to myoclonic twitch, running bouncing clonus and tonic hind-limb extension was measured by constant i.v. infusion of (+)-bicuculline, picrotoxin, pentylenetetrazol, strychnine and methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta- carboline-3-carboxylate. Females in estrus were more sensitive than females in diestrus 1 or males to (+)-bicuculline and methyl-6,7-dimethoxy-4-ethyl-beta-carboline-3- carboxylate. Administration of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P (15 mg/kg i.p. in beta-cyclodextrin) 15 min before infusion of pentylenetetrazol significantly increased the threshold dose for onset to all three convulsions and provided equal protection against tonic convulsions. The dose for onset to myoclonic twitch was significantly higher in females in diestrus 1 than females in estrus or males. Plasma 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P did not differ between groups injected with 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P, suggesting that the difference in sensitivity to the anticonvulsant effect of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-P was not pharmacokinetic.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1993

[Characteristics of the audiogenic convulsive crisis in mice made sensitive by magnesium deficiency].

Mice of the OF1, C57BL/6, AKR, C3H/He, DBA/2, BALB/C, B6D2F1 and CBA strains are susceptible to audiogenic seizures after 40 or 20 days of acute magnesium deficiency. The duration of the various phases of the audiogenic seizure response (at 100 dBA) (wild running latency period, convulsions latency period and the clonic and tonic convulsions) among these mice was measured. Using the Kruskall-Wallis test, no difference was recorded using these measurements and those obtained for genetically audio-susceptible animals. This shows that acute magnesium deficiency-induced audiogenic seizures develop in exactly the same way as in genetically audio-susceptible animals (21-days-old DBA/2 mice). Lower intensity (60 and 80 dBA) produced only audiogenic seizures in magnesium deficient mice. Repeated auditory stimulation caused an increase in the number of lethal seizures. Sound-induced seizures in magnesium deficient mice provide a sensitive screening test for anti convulsive drug, and for drugs use in magnesium depletion.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1994

Effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-3 (ET-3) on convulsive seizures.

Endothelins (ET-1 and ET-3) are produced in the brain and may act as neuropeptides. The effects of two endothelins (ET-1 and ET-3) were investigated using pentylenetetrazole- (PTZ), strychnine- (STR), picrotoxin- (PIC) and bicuculline-induced (BIC) convulsions. ET-1 did not exert any anticonvulsive effect. ET-3, being more specific for the brain, showed anticonvulsive activity on PTZ and BIC seizures, but not on PIC and STR seizures. Different mechanisms underlie the action of the convulsants. PTZ, BIC and PIC realized their convulsive effects through the GABAergic inhibitory transmitter system; STR exerted an excitatory effect on the spinal cord by blocking the glycine transmitter system. The results suggest that the anticonvulsive effects of ET-3 might be due to an indirect influence on the GABAergic system in the brain.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

A technique for quantitative measurement of clonic convulsions in rats.

A capacitance sensor which detects vibrations caused by the movements of animals can be used for measuring automatically the clonic convulsions induced by chemical convulsants. This knowledge has been utilized to devise an instrument which has satisfactorily measured the clonic convulsions induced by picrotoxin in rats.

Animals↗