ABSTRACT

Epileptics, especially children, are more prone to behavioural deficits. Epilepsy related factors, psychosocial problems, treatment side effects may aggravate such deficits. We investigated the effects of lamotrigine and valproate on the behaviour, and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures on immature rats (21-day-old male).

Three groups 21 day old wistar albino rats were included in this study. In valproate group (n=13), valproate was administered 400 mg/kg/day orally, in lamotrigine group (n=14) lamotrigine was administired 10 mg/kg/day orally, and in control group (n=14) was taken salin orally. All drugs were administered regularly during one month. The behavioral changes of the rats were evaluated by open field test after one month and 100 mg/kg intraperitoneal PTZ were used for induce the seizures. After injection of the PTZ the seizures were evaluated in three groups.

Valproate and lamotrigine groups have more emotional activity than the control group. The valproate and the control groups were no different in terms of seizure types and durations. In lamotrigine group, the tonic phase of generalized tonic-clonic seizures did not appear, and the survival during seizures were significantly longer.

In this study, demonstrate that valproate and lamotrigine cause anxiety reactions in immature rats and lamotrigine causes longer survival and eliminates the tonic phase of PTZ-induced generalized tonic-clonic seizures.

Keywords: Anxiety, behaviour, lamotrigine, pentylenetetrazol induced epilepsy, rat, valproate