In vitro electrophysiological evidence predicting anticonvulsant efficacy of memantine and flunarizine
McLean, M.J.
Polish Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacy 39(5): 513-525
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-0244 PMID: 3333611 Document Number: 292570
Electrophysiological assays on mammalian central neurons in monolayer dissociated cell culture allow classification of clinically used anticonvulsant drugs on a mechanistic basis and predict their clinical spectrum of anticonvulsant efficacy consistently in comparison with data from animal models. Clinical anticonvulsant efficacy of memantine and flunarizine against tonic-donic and partial seizures is predicted on the basis of ability to limit sustained high efficacy frequency repetitive firing of sodium-dependent action potentials and to suppress depolarizing burst firing of neocortical, hippocampal and spinal cord neurons in cell culture. Effects on voltage-sensitive sodium channels, and possibly potassium channels, may explain, at least in part, the mechanism of anticonvulsant efficacy of memantine and flunarizine.