Vinpocetine inhibits the epileptic cortical activity and auditory alterations induced by pentylenetetrazole in the guinea pig in vivo.

Here we investigate the effect of the neuroprotective drug, vinpocetine on the epileptic cortical activity, on the alterations of the later waves of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and on the hearing decline induced by the convulsing agent, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Vinpocetine at doses from 2 to 10 mg/kg inhibits the tonic-clonic convulsions induced by PTZ (100 mg/kg). Vinpocetine injected at a dose of 2 mg/kg 4 h before PTZ completely prevents the characteristic electroencephalogram (EEG) changes induced by PTZ for the ictal and post-ictal periods. Vinpocetine also abolished the PTZ-induced changes in the amplitude and latency of the later waves of the BAEPs in response to pure tone burst monoaural stimuli (frequency 8 or 4 kHz intensity 100 dB), and the PTZ-induced increase in the BAEP threshold. These results show the antiepileptic potential of vinpocetine and indicate the capability of vinpocetine to prevent the changes in the BAEP waves associated with the hearing loss observed during generalized epilepsy.