SCH 23390 affords protection against soman-evoked seizures in the freely moving guinea-pig: A concomitant neurochemical, electrophysiological and behavioural study

We studied the role of striatal dopamine (DA) release in seizure activity evoked by the subcutaneous administration of the cholinesterase inhibitor pinacolyl methylphosphonofluoridate (soman), in the guinea-pig. The involvement of the dopamine receptor subtypes was studied by systemic administration of the D₁-like receptor antagonist SCH 23390 (0.5 mg kg^-1) or the D₂-like receptor antagonist sulpiride (30 mg kg^-1). Microdialysis and HPLC with electrochemical detection were used to monitor changes in extracellular levels of striatal DA and its metabolites, acetylcholine and choline. These data were correlated with changes in the striatal and cortical electroencephalogram and observation of predefined clinical signs. We found that the blockade of the D₁ receptor with SCH 23390 can inhibit seizure activity, while blockade of the D₂ receptor with sulpiride can augment the evoked seizure activity. These results clarify the involvement of the dopaminergic system in soman-evoked seizures. Copyright (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.