Abstract
Influences of the manipulation of brain catecholaminergic neuronal activity on the incidence of lidocaine-induced convulsions in mice were studied and compared with those of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions. α-Methyl-p-tyrosine (α-MPT) decreased both brain noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) levels, and disulfiram decreased the NA level and increased the DA level. The incidence of lidocaine-induced convulsions was decreased by treatments with α-MPT and disulfiram, while that of PTZ was increased by either treatment. The incidence of lidocaine-induced convulsions was slightly, but not significantly increased by L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), although the brain DA level was increased by L-DOPA. Methamphetamine and desipramine increased the incidences of lidocaine-induced convulsions. These results may suggest that brain catecholaminergic neurons, differing from their role in inhibiting control of PTZ-seizure, act to facilitate lidocaine-induced convulsions.
