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Seizure activity in photosensitive baboons following antidepressant drugs and the role of serotoninergic mechanisms

  • Animal Studies
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Abstract

Laboratory and clinical evidence indicates that tricyclic antidepressants lower seizure threshold and in high doses may induce generalised seizures. In baboons with photosensitive epilepsy (Papio papio) the effects of 2 tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine and chlorimipramine) and of maprotiline and Nomifensine have been studied (i.v. dose range 1–20 mg/kg. Imipramine, chlorimipramine and maprotiline (10 mg/kg i.v.) lowered seizure threshold to a comparable extent, whereas Nomifensine (10 mg/kg i.v.) did not enhance myoclonic responses to photic stimulation.

Generalised seizures were seen 15–30 min after imipramine or chlorimipramine (20 mg/kg), and these two drugs showed no difference in their epileptogenicity. Administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (25 mg/kg i.v.) 90 min before chlorimipramine or imipramine (10 mg/kg) completely blocked the usual augmentation of photically-induced epileptic responses. It is concluded that enhancement of serotoninergic activity following blockade of 5-HT re-uptake within the brain is unlikely to be responsible for enhanced myoclonic responses and epileptogenic seizures seen after tricyclic antidepressants. Nomifensine is significantly less epileptogenic than imipramine or chlorimipramine.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF, London

    Mike Trimble, Gill Anlezark & Brian Meldrum

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  1. Mike Trimble
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  2. Gill Anlezark
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  3. Brian Meldrum
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Supported by an Award from the Wellcome Trust

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Trimble, M., Anlezark, G. & Meldrum, B. Seizure activity in photosensitive baboons following antidepressant drugs and the role of serotoninergic mechanisms. Psychopharmacology 51, 159–164 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431733

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00431733

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