MK-801 potently inhibits alcohol withdrawal seizures in rats

Eur J Pharmacol. 1990 Jan 25;176(1):103-5. doi: 10.1016/0014-2999(90)90138-v.

Abstract

The ability of MK-801, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-channel antagonist, to suppress alcohol withdrawal seizures generated audio-genically was studied in adult male rats using a cross-over experimental design. MK-801 treatment reduced overall seizure score and proportion of rats seizing. In comparison to other seizure models, alcohol withdrawal seizures seem to be particularly sensitive to MK-801, suggesting that mechanisms which result in seizure susceptibility after withdrawal of chronic ethanol exposure may be dependent upon sensitization or upregulation of NMDA processes.

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Animals
  • Dibenzocycloheptenes / pharmacology*
  • Diet
  • Dizocilpine Maleate
  • Ethanol / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter / physiology*
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Seizures / prevention & control*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / complications
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / prevention & control*

Substances

  • Dibenzocycloheptenes
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Neurotransmitter
  • Ethanol
  • Dizocilpine Maleate