Pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures are not altered by pre- or post-drug exposure to a 50 Hz magnetic field

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate whether pre- and post-drug magnetic field (MF) exposure of 50 Hz, 0.2 mT has any significant effect on pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced seizures in mice.

Material and methods: MF was generated by a pair of Helmholtz coils. Seizures were induced by PTZ injection intraperitoneally (i.p.) at a dose of 60 mg/kg. A total of 48 locally bred adult female mice 25 – 35 g in weight were used. Latency to seizure, total seizure duration, and mortality were recorded for each mouse.

Results: Neither pre- nor post-drug exposure to a 50 Hz, 0.2 mT MF was found to have any effect on PTZ-induced epileptic seizures or mortality rates in mice.

Conclusion: The present study failed to provide any support for a therapeutic potential of a 50 Hz, 0.2 mT MF for epilepsy.

Keywords:

• 50 Hz
• extremely low frequency (ELF)
• magnetic field (MF)
• epilepsy
• pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)