The anticonvulsant effect of the benzodiazepine antagonist, Ro 15-1788: an EEG study in 4 cases.

An EEG study was carried out in 4 epileptic patients. In each case, Ro 15-1788 caused the disappearance or marked reduction of the epileptic potentials. In 1 case the patient had been pretreated with diazepam; in the other cases there had been no prior benzodiazepine treatment. In the first case, it is possible that Ro 15-1788 acted by abolishing a paradoxical effect of diazepam; in the other cases, we postulate an intrinsic anticonvulsant effect of Ro 15-1788. This investigation would suggest further study of Ro 15-1788 in epileptic patients for clarification of its anticonvulsant properties. In addition, evaluation of its action on the sedation caused by benzodiazepine antiepileptic medication is suggested.