Electrocorticographic and electrocardiographic evaluation of lacosamide in a penicillin-induced status epilepticus model.

AIM: The effect of lacosamide, a new antiseizure medication, was investigated electrophysiologically and biochemically in the penicillin-induced status epilepticus model.

METHOD: The study included seven groups of rats (control, penicillin and 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg lacosamide). The rats were anesthetized using urethane (1.25 mg/kg/i.p.). ECG recordings were taken for one minute before and during status epilepticus in all groups. Lacosamide was administered intraperitoneally 30 min after intracortical microinjection of penicillin (500-IU/2.5/μl) and ECoG recording was taken for 180 min. The brain tissue was evaluated by ELISA method.

RESULTS

Lacosamide (1, 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg) decreased spike frequency significantly, while 50 mg/kg lacosamide dose resulted in an increase in spike frequency. ST segment elevation and heart rate were higher in the penicillin group. Lacosamide doses of 1, 5, 10 and 25 mg/kg decreased ST-segment elevation to the level of the control group, but 50 mg/kg lacosamide increased ST-segment elevation, QT and PR-interval. TOS and TNF-alpha levels increased in the penicillin group compared to control group, while 10 mg/kg lacosamide dose limited this increase. 50 mg/kg lacosamide administration was found to decrease TAS level compared to control group.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated associations of the decrease in spike frequency with the reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation in rats treated with 10 mg/kg lacosamide. High doses of lacosamide for acute treatment may cause cardiac changes in ECG.