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André Barbeau, MD, FRCP(C); John Donaldson, PhD

Arch Neurol. 1974;30(1):52-58.

Abstract
Recent experiments from our laboratory and others demonstrate that sodium-potassium-adenosine triphosphatase inhibition, particularly in the hippocampus, is involved in epileptogenicity. Zinc ions can mimic ouabain when injected intraventricularly and can produce epileptic seizures in rats; serum zinc levels in treated epileptics are significantly decreased as compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Taurine, a nonessential amino acid, can decrease seizures in a variety of animal species and is particularly effective against our model of ouabain-induced seizures in rats. Preliminary experiments in human epileptic subjects confirm the anticonvulsive effect of taurine. These results justify controlled therapeutic trials of taurine and detailed biochemical studies of zinc metabolism in human epilepsy.

Author Affiliations
Montreal

From the Department of Neurobiology, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Aug 23, 1973.

Read in part before the Joint Meeting of the American Neurological Association and Canadian Congress of Neurological Sciences, Montreal, June 11, 1973.

Reprint requests to Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, 110 W Pine Ave, Montreal 130, Quebec, Canada (Dr. Barbeau).

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