Effects of sodium valproate administered acutely i.v. on human and experimental EEG epileptic foci

In this preliminary research, the effect of sodium valproate (VPA) was studied on human epileptic foci. 20 mg/kg of VPA were slowly administered i.v. to 6 patients with EEG active foci. In the same patients, the effect of the drugs was compared with placebo under the same experimental conditions. Blood samples were drawn at 5 and 25 minutes after drug administration to evaluate serum concentrations. Patients who improved after the acute test went on chronically with this therapy, serum concentrations being checked at intervals. Experimental researches have been carried out also in some acute epilepsy models in rabbits: strychnine foci on the motor cortex and on the optic cortex with ILS, topical ouabain, after-discharge from electric stimulation of the CAD and C.Am, in order to better understand the action of VPA on focal epilepsies.