What is the mechanism of action of pentylenetetrazole?

Although animal models based on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) are widely used, the mechanism by which PTZ elicits its action is not very well understood. At the molecular level, a generally accepted mechanism of PTZ is noncompetitive antagonism of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor complex.

What is pentylenetetrazol used for?

Pentylenetetrazol has been used experimentally to study seizure phenomena and to identify pharmaceuticals that may control seizure susceptibility.

What is Picrotoxin used for?

Picrotoxin is a toxin obtained from the seeds of the shrub Anamirta cocculus. It is used as a central nervous system stimulant, antidote, convulsant, and GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) antagonist.

What type of epilepsy is induced by pentylenetetrazole?

Pentylenetetrazol Induced Seizure (PTZ) Amongst all animal models of seizure and epilepsy, the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures are categorized as a model of generalized seizure (versus partial or focal seizure). It produces a myoclonic seizure that models absence (petit mal) seizures.

What is the role of pentylenetetrazole?

Pentylenetetrazole was used for pharmacological isolation of glycine receptors response as a GABA-A receptor antagonist with low or no affinity to glycine receptor (GlyR). Clear GlyR single-channel openings with characteristic conductance states were obtained.

Is pentylenetetrazol a stimulant or depressant?

Pentylenetetrazol displays activity as a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant. It is considered a non-competitive GABA (A) receptor antagonist. Administration of PTZ (45 mg/kg i.p.) induces clonic convulsions in almost all of the animals after a single injection, typically within 3 min.

Does acute pentylenetetrazol injection reduce benzodiazepine binding site density?

Acute pentylenetetrazol injection reduces rat GABAA receptor mRNA levels and GABA stimulation of benzodiazepine binding with No effect on benzodiazepine binding site density. [Pubmed: 10336561] J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1999 Jun;289 (3):1626-33.

What is the structure of pentetrazol?

Pentetrazol is an organic heterobicyclic compound that is 1H-tetrazole in which the hydrogens at positions 1 and 5 are replaced by a pentane-1,5-diyl group. A central and respiratory stimulant, it was formerly used for the treatment of cough and other respiratory tract disorders, cardiovascular disorders including hypotension, and pruritis.