Reduction of frequency of seizures by carbamazepine during cobalt experimental epilepsy in the rat.

Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats rendered epileptic by bilateral cerebral implantation of cobalt wire were simultaneously prepared with permanent cortical and temporalis muscle electrodes for continuous recording of electroencephalogram and electromyogram activities. Carbamazepine (50 or 100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally twice daily days 8-12 after cobalt implantation. The high dose of carbamazepine was effective in decreasing seizure incidence each day of its administration, but the lower dose was effective in decreasing seizure incidence only for 6 h following its administration on days 8 and 9. These results provide additional evidence that cobalt epilepsy in the rat is a valid model for the study of seizure disorders.