A novel kynurenic acid analog (SZR104) inhibits pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptiform seizures. An electrophysiological study Special issue related to Kynurenine

The concentration of kynurenic acid (KYNA) in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is in the nanomolar range, is known to decrease in epilepsy. The experimental data suggest that treatment with l-KYN dose dependently increases the concentration of the neuroprotective KYNA in the brain, which itself hardly crosses the blood-brain barrier. However, it is suggested that new synthetic KYNA analogs may readily cross the blood-brain barrier. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a new KYNA analog administered systemically in a sufficient dose results in a decreased population spike activity recorded from the pyramidal layer of area CA1 of the hippocampus, and also provides protection against pentylenetetrazole-induced epileptiform seizures.