Summary By means of the maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test, the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure threshold test, and the Rotorod minimal neurotoxicity test, the Anticonvulsant Screening Project has evaluated the activity of 1,495 experimental compounds accessioned in the first 2 years. A three‐screen protocol for appraising these compounds has proved reliable, fast, and inexpensive. Preliminary data show that 430 of these compounds have good anticonvulsant activity. Completed evaluations of 352 identified 16 that have anticonvulsant activity at doses less than 75 mg/kg and protective indices greater than 5.0. RÉSUMÉ El Proyecto de Selección de Anticonvulsivos ha valorado la actividad de 1,495 compuestos que han aparecido en los liltimos 2 anos mediante el test de electroshock maximo, el test de determinacion de umbral epileptico con la inyección subcutanea de pentilentetrazol y el test de Rotorod de minima neuro‐toxicidad. Un protocolo de tres selecciones para valorar estos compuestos ha demostrado ser fiable, rapido y económico. Los resultados preliminares muestran que 430 de estos compuestos tienen buena actividad anticonvulsiva. Evaluaciones completas de 352 productos identificaron 16 que poseen actividad antiepiléptica a dosis menores de 75 mg/kg e indice protectores mayores de 5.0. RESUMEN Le programme de dépistage des medicaments anti‐epileptiques (anticonvulsant screening project), base sur les deux tests des crises provoqudes chez l'animal par l'electrochoc et l'injection sous‐cutanee de pentylenetetrazol et sur le test Rotorod de neurotoxicity minimale, a permis d'evaluer les propriety antiépileptiques de 1,495 produits experimentes pendant les deux premieres années de son activite. Le protocole operatoire a trois niveaux ainsi utilise s'est avere sur, rapide et economique. Les donnees prdliminaires montrent que 430 de ces produits ont une bonne propridte anticonvulsive. Une Evaluation plus complete de 352 de ces produits a permis d'en identifier 16 qui presentent une propriete anticonvulsive a des doses inferieures a 75 mg/kg et qui possedent un indice de protection supdrieur a 5.0. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Mit Hilfe des maximalen Elektroshock‐Tests, des subkutanen Pentylentetrazol‐Krampfschwellentests und des Rotorod minimalen Neurotoxizitats‐Test wurden im Antikonvulsiva‐Screening‐Projekt in den ersten 2 Jahren die Aktivitat von 1,495 eingereichten Substanzen experimentell untersucht. Ein Drei‐Raster‐Protokoll zur Einschatzung dieser Substanzen wurde als durchfilhrbar, schnell und billig befunden. Die vorlaufigen Ergebnisse zeigen, daß 430 dieser Substanzen gute antikonvulsive Wirkung haben. Die endgultige Beurteilung ergab, daß 16 von 352 Substanzen eine antikonvulsive Wirkung bei Dosen unter 75 mg/kg und einen Schutzindex tiber 5.0 besitzen.

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Thirty-seven patients with previously untreated absence seizures were treated with ethosuximide. Seizures were completely controlled in 7 patients (19 percent); 90 to 100 percent control was achieved in 18 patients (49 percent) and 50 to 100 percent control in 35 (95 percent). Plasma ethosuximide concentration increased with dose, but variability in the plasma concentration produced by a given ethosuximide dose made it impossible to predict a patient's plasma concentration from the dose. The therapeutic range of plasma ethosuximide concentration was 40 to 100 mug per milliliter. Patients with evidence of structural central nervous system abnormalities responded as well or better to the drug as patients without such evidence. Ethosuximide did not impair psychometric performance, but rather resulted in improved performance in 17 cases. The side effects of ethosuximide were minor, and rarely required withdrawal of the drug.