Ethosuximide and valproate display high efficacy against lindane-induced seizures in mice.

Both lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane), an organochlorine ectoparasiticide and pentylenetetrazol, used as a model of experimental epilepsy, produce convulsive seizures resulting from the blockade of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) receptor. In the present study we established the protective effects of ethosuximide and valproate against seizures induced by lindane and compared them with the well-known protective effects of these drugs against pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice. Both ethosuximide and valproate afforded complete and dose-dependent protection against seizures induced by lindane. However, the potencies of these drugs were lower than those obtained against pentylenetetrazol seizures. Nevertheless, the protective efficacy of ethosuximide and valproate against experimentally induced lindane seizures may suggest possible efficacy of these drugs against seizures in lindane-poisoned patients.