Drug effects on the results of minimal cortical stimulation

The effects were investigated of a number of anticonvulsants upon the spread of depression and “convulsoid activity” induced by minimal cortical stimulation. Pentobarbital decreased the wave frequency of the convulsoid activity, increased the threshold of stimulation for Leão's spreading depression and decreased the rate of propagation of this phenomenon. In small doses it “improved” the pattern in between stimulation (interim pattern). Phenobarbital had a similar, although less pronounced effect on the convulsoid activity and on the interim pattern as Pentobarbital. It did not influence the threshold or rate of spread of Leão's depression. Mebaral curtailed the convulsoid activity in small doses. Tridione had no effect on any of the results of cortical stimulation investigated. Mesantoin suppressed the convulsoid activity in rather small doses. Dilantin slowed down the wave frequency of the convulsoid activity, but did not suppress this phenomenon even in relatively large doses. It did not effect the threshold or rate of spread of Leão's depression. The interim pattern deteriorated after the administration of Dilantin.