| Abstract: | General anesthetics, ganglionic blocking agents, anticonvulsants, and antioxidants have been shown to afford protection from seizures caused by exposure to hyperbaric oxygen. In the present study cats were exposed to 5 ATA oxygen in pairs in a hyperbaric chamber until both the control and pretreated cat convulsed or for a maximum 120 min exposure. Small amounts of four common antiepileptic agents and propylene glycol in amounts far less than previously reported (0.1 to 0.2 ml/kg) were initially tested for potential anticonvulsant activity. Two agents, clonazepam and propylene glycol, offered significant protection in delaying the onset of seizures whereas carbamazepine, valproic acid, and trimethadione appeared to hasten the onset of seizure activity. The time to seizures was increased nearly five times by clonazepam and over three times by very small amounts of propylene glycol. |
