The epileptogenic action of 6-aminomethyl-3-methyl,1-4H-1,2,6-benzothiadiazine-1,1-diazide hydrochloride (TAG): non-specific versus specific antitaurine pathogenesis.

Cortical superfusion with 6-aminomethyl-3-methyl, 1-4H-1,2,6-benzothiadiazine-1,1-diazide hydrocholoride (TAG) at a concentration which selectively blocks taurine (Tau) action fails to modify electroencephalographic (EEG) activity, cortical neuronal firing and caudate-induced inhibition of cortical neuronal activity. Higher concentrations of TAG increase neuronal firing rate and eventually induce EEG interictal spikes that can be suppressed by topical gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), but not by glycine or beta-alanine. Topical Tau consistently enhances the epileptiform activity. It is concluded that specific blockade of Tau does not affect any of the physiological function under observation and that the epileptogenic effect of TAG is due to its GABA antagonistic action.