[Increase in the peroxidation of neuron membrane lipids, one of the pathogenetic mechanisms of epileptic activity].

It was found that the development of the epileptic activity focus induced in rats by application of penicillin to the sensomotor cortex surface was accompanied by an activation of lipid peroxidation in the focus area. An analogous effect was also observed in the development of general convulsive seizures induced in rats by injection of bemegride. Preliminary administration of antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol and ionol) to the animals prevented the effect of lipid peroxidation activation and sharply lowered the penicillin-induced epileptic activity. This manifested itself in a diminution of the number and frequency of the seizures and a prolongation of the latent period of their development. The protective action of alpha-tocopherol also manifested itself in a considerable reduction of the animals' mortality on administration of lethal doses of bemegride. It is supposed that lipid peroxidation in the neuronal membranes takes part in the mechanisms of epileptic activity development.