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Benzobarbital, primidone, phenobarbital, phynytoin and trimethadionum (in order of decreasing activity) were moderately effective against DL-kynurenine (50 micrograms, i. c. v.)-induced seizures in SHR albino male mice. Diazepam was ineffective even in doses of 15 and 25 mg/kg. Against seizures induced by quinolinic acid (5 micrograms, i. c. v.) anticonvulsants, particularly primidone and phenytoin, were more effective than against kynurenine-induced seizures. Diazepam was slightly effective in high doses of 7-15 mg/kg. Primidone and benzobarbital in doses used (10-50 mg/kg) were ineffective against strychnine and pentylenetetrazol. Selective efficacy of primidone and benzobarbital in this model of seizures suggests that kynurenine and quinolinic acid could be involved in the grand mal fits in epileptic patients.

Derivatives of GABA which are ineffective against seizures produced by typical convulsants (strychnine, pentylenetetrazole, etc.), phenibut and sodium hydroxybutyrate in doses of 200 mg/kg and higher possess marked anticonvulsant action against seizures induced by intraventricular injection of L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid in mice. Phepiron, a cyclic form of phenibut, had dissimilar action on the effects of L-kynurenine and a quinolinic acid, enhancing that produced by the former agent and diminishing tonic extension and lethality after the latter one. GABA and piracetam appeared to be ineffective. Efficacy of GABA derivatives against seizures produced by L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid suggests that the system of GABA plays a significant role in the genesis of seizures produced by kynurenines.

In experiments on mice the existence of common mechanisms of action was revealed in picrotoxin and kynurenine and quinolinic acid. Picrotoxin selectively potentiated convulsions induced by kynurenine and quinolinic acid and the antagonists of these endogenous convulsants--picolinic, kynurenic and xanthurenic acids--selectively antagonized picrotoxin convulsions. GABA-ergic preparations, effective in kynurenine convulsions and the anticonvulsants diazepam and phenobarbital, were highly effective against picrotoxin-induced convulsions also. Puphemid and trimethin indicated for treating petit mal epilepsy, proved ineffective. The obtained data suggest the possibility of action of kynurenine and quinolinic acid via picrotoxin-sensitive subunits of the benzodiazepine-GABA-receptor-ionophore complex.