Influence of some convulsant agents on the protective activity of a novel antiepileptic drug, felbamate, against maximal electroshock in mice.

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of strychnine, as well as bicuculline and picrotoxin on the anticonvulsant action of felbamate against maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizures in mice. Strychnine (up to 0.5 mg/kg), bicuculline (up to 2 mg/kg) and picrotoxin (3 mg/kg) did not affect the seizure threshold. However, strychnine (0.25-0.5 mg/kg) and picrotoxin (3 mg/kg) impaired the protective activity of felbamate against MES. It may be concluded that GABAergic inhibition and strychnine-insensitive glycine receptor-mediated events may contribute to the anticonvulsant activity of felbamate.