Thalidomide inhibits pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures

Thalidomide was originally synthesized and tested as a sedative, hypnotic and antiemetic; however, after its teratogenicity was noted its use for treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders was abandoned. We studied the potential anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide: Different doses of thalidomide were tested against seizures induced by 50 mg/kg or 70 mg/kg of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ); the anticonvulsant effect of thalidomide was also compared with that of valproic acid. Seizures and latency time were individually recorded. Thalidomide in low doses (5-10 mg/kg) prevented seizures in all animals treated with 50 mg/kg PTZ; also, in a dose-dependent manner thalidomide inhibited seizures in rats exposed to a high dose of PTZ (70 mg/kg); thalidomide exhibited an anticonvulsant activity similar to that of valproic acid. Thalidomide is an effective anticonvulsant, and further studies on this potential antiepileptic substance seem warranted. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.