J Korean Epilepsy Soc.  2004 Jun;8(1):26-30.

Antiepileptic and Neuroprotective Effect of Ketamine in Lithium-Pilocarpine Induced Status Epilepticus Rat Model

• Ko SB
• Park SK
• Shon YM
• Kim YI

Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine the putative seizure-protective properties of ketamine in lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus (LPSE). METHODS: Lithium chloride followed 24 h later by pilocarpine was administered for seizure induction. Ketamine (40 mg/kg) or phenytoin (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 10 min or 60 min after the onset of continuous ictal discharge. Then the seizure behavior and EEG were observed and histological changes were compared through Nissl stain at 72 hours. RESULTS: The antiepileptic effect of ketamine, injected during the early stages of LPSE (10 min after the onset of continuous ictal discharge), was comparable to that of phenytoin. Ketamine was more effective than phenytoin in decreasing spike frequency, when administered on the plateau of LPSE (injection 60 min after onset of continuous ictal discharge electrographically). Anticonvulsant action of ketamine was confirmed by a less neuronal injury in hippocampus compared with control rats injected with phenytoin. CONCLUSIONS: In prolonged status epilepticus rat model, ketamine was effective as an antiepileptic, but phenytoin was not. Ketamine was also neuroprotective on the neuronal injury in the hippocampus. These results suggest that ketamine might be useful as an antiepileptic drug when standard antiepileptic drugs fail in the treatment of the refractory cases of status epilepticus.

Keyword

Lithium-pilocarpine induced status epilepticus; Ketamine; NMDA receptor; GABAA receptor; Neuroprotective effect

MeSH Terms

Animals
Anticonvulsants
Electroencephalography
Hippocampus
Ketamine*
Lithium Chloride
Models, Animal*
Neurons
Neuroprotective Agents*
Phenytoin
Pilocarpine
Rats*
Seizures
Status Epilepticus*
Anticonvulsants
Ketamine
Lithium Chloride
Neuroprotective Agents
Phenytoin
Pilocarpine