Pentylenetetrazol Induced Seizure (PTZ)

Discover how Melior’s unique phenotypic screening platforms can uncover the untapped value of your candidate therapeutic

Epilepsy is a significant medical problem facing millions of people, most of who are not controlled by the current anticonvulsants on the market. Although several marketed anticonvulsants exist there remains a significant unmet medical need for better anticonvulsants with reduced liability.

Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), a GABA receptor antagonist, is used to create a common chemically- induced seizure model. Amongst all animal models of seizure and epilepsy, the pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures are categorized as a model of generalized seizure (versus partial or focal seizure). It produces a myoclonic seizure that models absence (petit mal) seizures. As a generalized seizure model it has features that differentiate it from the MES Seizure model (also a model of generalized seizure).

When screening anticonvulsant candidates the PTZ model is an excellent tool for evaluating anti-seizure characteristics compared to a focal or partial seizure model (Psychomotor Seizure) such as the 6 Hz Model. Compounds that enhance GABAergic transmission are effective in ameliorating seizure activity in the PTZ epilepsy model

Latency to myoclonic and tonic hindlimb seizure in mice pre-treated with diazepam before PTZ administration.

After a 24-hour fast, mice were injected with vehicle or Diazepam (30mg/kg) 15 minutes prior to PTZ administration. After PTZ was administered, the time until the first whole body clonus event and time to the tonic-hind limb extension were calculated.

(A-B) Diazepam significantly delayed the onset of the myoclonic seizure and the onset of the tonic hindlimb extensor response until at least the five minute time-out.
Data are mean ± SEM; **p<0.01, ***p<0.001 compared to vehicle.

The PTZ Seizure model can be conducted in either rats or mice. Most studies can be completed as a one-day procedure. Group sizes are generally 8-12 animals.

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This model is 1 of more than 60 models included in our theraTRACE® platform

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Frequently Asked Questions

What type of treatment regimens are available for this model?

Treatment regimens could include a pre-treatment to observe the prevention of seizures or after the seizures have begun to observe the cessation of seizures.

What type of endpoints can be obtained from this model?

Latency of seizure onset is a common endpoint. However, cessation of seizures can also be observed.

How soon can you initiate a PTZ-Seizure study?

Typically we can start a study two weeks after notification.

Synonyms: epilepsy model, seizure model