pituitrin and Seizures

Topics: Abdomen; Autonomic Nervous System; Axons; Constipation; Cranial Nerves; Depression; Diabetic Neuropathies; Drug Interactions; Hallucinations; Humans; Hyponatremia; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Intestinal Obstruction; Muscular Atrophy; Nervous System Diseases; Neural Conduction; Norepinephrine; Pain; Paresthesia; Parkinson Disease; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Seizures; Vasopressins; Vincristine

Topics: Achilles Tendon; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Autonomic Nervous System; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cranial Nerves; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Hodgkin Disease; Humans; Lymphoma; Motor Activity; Nervous System; Nervous System Diseases; Neurologic Manifestations; Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; Paresthesia; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases; Procarbazine; Reflex, Stretch; Seizures; Vasopressins; Vinblastine; Vincristine

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) typically presents with gonadotrophin-dependent precocious puberty and/or seizures. Other endocrine disturbances are rare. We describe an infant with syndrome of inappropriate secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (SIADH) and a HH.. A 6-week-old infant presented with seizures and life-threatening hyponatremia. A HH was identified on magnetic resonance imaging. Clinical examination and biochemistry were consistent with SIADH, and serum copeptin was high during hyponatremia, further supporting this diagnosis. Tolvaptan was effective in normalizing plasma sodium and enabling liberalization of fluids to ensure sufficient nutritional intake and weight gain and manage hunger.. Hyponatremia due to SIADH is novel at presentation of a HH, and can be challenging to diagnose and manage. Successful management of hyponatremia in this case was achieved using tolvaptan.

Topics: Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Benzazepines; Diuretics; Humans; Hyponatremia; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Seizures; Tolvaptan; Vasopressins

A giant hypothalamic hamartoma (GHH) is a rare congenital malformation only reported in a few cases in the literature and is often associated with precocious puberty, gelastic seizures, or less commonly, Pallister-Hall syndrome. Persistent syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is very rare in infancy, and most patients with GHH do not develop persistent SIADH, usually only transient electrolyte disturbances postoperatively. Previous cases of GHH have not been associated with persistent derangements in antidiuretic hormone levels.. A 7-month-old male infant presented to our hospital with a history of an intracranial cystic lesion diagnosed at 23 weeks gestational age (GA), later impressed as a solid-cystic mass at 37 weeks GA by ultrasound prenatally. Postnatal MRI after birth showed a large mass with a dorsal cyst occupying the hypothalamus, causing hydrocephalus and brainstem compression. The patient started to have subtle seizures on the seventh day after birth and eventually developed dacrystic seizures. Hyponatremia with persistent SIADH was observed at 3 months of age before surgery. He received long-term oral sodium supplementation, polytherapy of anti-epileptic medications, ventriculocystostomy for progressive enlargement of the cystic cavity, and later surgical treatment for disconnection and partial resection which confirmed a histological diagnosis of hypothalamic hamartoma.. In this case study, we present a novel association of GHH with persistent SIADH and a rare presentation of a cystic component at the dorsal part of the tumor. Clinicians should be aware of this potential endocrine derangement and provide emergent treatment.

Topics: Epilepsies, Partial; Hamartoma; Humans; Hypothalamic Diseases; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Infant; Male; Seizures; Vasopressins

The Wistar audiogenic rat (WAR) strain is used as an animal model of epilepsy, which when submitted to acute acoustic stimulus presents tonic-clonic seizures, mainly dependent on brainstem (mesencephalic) structures. However, when WARs are exposed to chronic acoustic stimuli (audiogenic kindling-AK), they usually present tonic-clonic seizures, followed by limbic seizures, after recruitment of forebrain structures such as the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. Although some studies have reported that hypothalamic-hypophysis function is also altered in WAR through modulating vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) secretion, the role of these neuropeptides in epilepsy still is controversial. We analyzed the impact of AK and consequent activation of mesencephalic neurocircuits and the recruitment of forebrain limbic (LiR) sites on the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system and expression of Avpr1a and Oxtr in these structures. At the end of the AK protocol, nine out of 18 WARs presented LiR. Increases in both plasma vasopressin and oxytocin levels were observed in WAR when compared to Wistar rats. These results were correlated with an increase in the expressions of heteronuclear (hn) and messenger (m) RNA for Oxt in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in WARs submitted to AK that presented LiR. In the paraventricular nucleus, the hnAvp and mAvp expressions increased in WARs with and without LiR, respectively. There were no significant differences in Avp and Oxt expression in supraoptic nuclei (SON). Also, there was a reduction in the Avpr1a expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala and frontal lobe in the WAR strain. In the inferior colliculus, Avpr1a expression was lower in WARs after AK, especially those without LiR. Our results indicate that both AK and LiR in WARs lead to changes in the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system and its receptors, providing a new molecular basis to better understaind epilepsy.

Topics: Acoustic Stimulation; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Epilepsy, Reflex; Gene Expression Regulation; Hippocampus; Hypothalamus; Kindling, Neurologic; Male; Neurosecretory Systems; Oxytocin; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Adolescent; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Cold Temperature; Dental Caries; Etodolac; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Neurophysins; Protein Precursors; Renal Elimination; Seizures; Sodium; Toothache; Vasopressins; Water; Water Intoxication; Water-Electrolyte Balance

The aim of our study was to analyze vasopressin secretion rate from hypothalamic neurons in Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) rats prone to audiogenic epilepsy in control and during audiogenic seizures. We evaluated vasopressin content in blood serum and neurophysin II amount in the neurohypophysis in KM rats as well as in Wistar rats. Obtained data demonstrated decreasing of vasopressin in the blood and at the same time increasing of neurophysin II content in the neurohy- pophysis of KM rats that revealed an inhibition of vasopressin release into blood circuit. The analysis of vasopressin content in blood on the different stages of audiogenic seizure showed significant increasing of vasopressin at clonustonus. Thus, we obtained first demonstration that in KM rats prone to audiogenic seizures vasopressin secretion rate is decreased in comparison to Wistar rats. Significantly upregulated vasopressin in blood at cloniconic stages reveals a participation of vasopressinergic neurosecretory system in the expression of audiogenic seizures.

Topics: Animals; Epilepsy, Reflex; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seizures; Vasopressins

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36)-amide (GLP-1) is a gut peptide, which exerts significant effects on glucose homeostasis. GLP-1 and GLP-1 receptors are also widely distributed in the central nervous system. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.)-injected GLP-1 on pilocarpine-induced seizures, anxiety and locomotor and exploratory activity in rat. Rats were pretreated with GLP-1 (1-1000 ng/5 microl; i.c.v.) or saline (5 microl; i.c.v.) 30 min before seizure induction by pilocarpine (2.4 mg/5 microl; i.c.v.) and with GLP-1 (1, 10, 100 ng/5 microl; i.c.v.) or saline (5 microl; i.c.v.) 30 min before the open field test or the elevated plus maze test. GLP-1 did not produce any protective effect against pilocarpine-induced seizures and did not also produce statistically significant differences in the number of squares visited (measure of locomotor activity) or number of rearings (measure of exploratory behaviour), compared to the saline-treated rats in the open field test. On the other hand, GLP-1 (1 ng and 10 ng; i.c.v.) induced an anxiogenic effect, indicated by a decrease in the time spent in open arms, an increase in the time spent in closed arms, and a decrease in the anxiety scores in the elevated plus maze test. Pretreatment with an arginine vasopressin (AVP) V(1) receptor antagonist (125 ng/5 microl; i.c.v.) and L-NAME (100 microg/5 microl and 200 microg/5 microl) significantly abolished the anxiogenic effect of GLP-1 (1 ng/5 microl; i.c.v.). These results suggest that, centrally-injected GLP-1 produces anxiogenic effects via NO pathway and AVP V(1) receptors, but does not have any effects on pilocarpine-induced seizures or locomotor and exploratory activity in the open field test.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Anxiety Agents; Anticonvulsants; Antidiuretic Hormone Receptor Antagonists; Anxiety; Exploratory Behavior; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1; Injections, Intraventricular; Male; Motor Activity; Muscarinic Agonists; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; Pilocarpine; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Seizures; Vasopressins

A 66-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of vomiting and appetite loss. For the 2 days prior to admission, she had a cold, which had developed into acute viral bronchitis on admission. Because laboratory data on admission showed hyponatremia, intravenous infusion of Ringer's lactate solution was started. However, generalized seizures appeared, and she developed a coma on the day of admission. Her plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) level was high in the context of a low serum osmolality on the second hospital day. The infusion rate was increased, and the patient's consciousness level returned to normal. However, her normalized serum Na level declined again as she drank much water to reduce throat discomfort. As the throat discomfort caused by the throat inflammation improved with azulene gargling, her water intake was reduced, and the serum Na concentration returned to normal. Thus, polydipsia caused by a throat inflammation partially contributed to hyponatremia in this patient. We note that increased ADH secretion has been reported in adults with acute respiratory infection. Therefore, we concluded that polydipsia caused by the throat inflammation, plus increased ADH secretion, resulted in hyponatremia in this patient. We should pay attention to the behavior of drinking extra fluid in patients with acute respiratory infections.

Topics: Aged; Bronchitis; Drinking Behavior; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Pharyngitis; Seizures; Vasopressins; Water Intoxication

Managing children with diabetes insipidus (DI) in the perioperative period is complicated and frequently associated with electrolyte imbalance compounded by over- or underhydration. In this study the authors developed and prospectively evaluated a multidisciplinary approach to the perioperative management of DI with a comparison to 19 historical control children. Eighteen children either with preoperative DI or undergoing neurosurgical operations associated with a high risk for developing postoperative DI were identified and managed using a standardized protocol. In all patients in whom DI occurred during or after surgery, a continuous intravenous infusion of aqueous vasopressin was initiated and titrated until antidiuresis was established. Intravenous fluids were given as normal saline and restricted to two thirds of the estimated maintenance rate plus amounts necessary to replace blood losses and maintain hemodynamic stability. In all children managed in this fashion, perioperative serum sodium concentrations were generally maintained between 130 and 150 mEq/L, and no adverse consequences of this therapy developed. In the 24-hour period evaluated, the mean change in serum sodium concentrations between the historical controls was 17.6 +/- 9.2 mEq/L versus 8.36 +/- 6.43 mEq/L in those children managed by the protocol. Hyponatremia occurred less frequently in the children managed with this protocol compared with historical controls.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Protocols; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; Diabetes Insipidus; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Hypotonic Solutions; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Neurosurgical Procedures; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Complications; Prospective Studies; Renal Agents; Seizures; Sodium; Vasopressins; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Managing children with diabetes insipidus (DI) in the perioperative period is complicated and frequently associated with electrolyte imbalance compounded by over- or underhydration. In this study the authors developed and prospectively evaluated a multidisciplinary approach to the perioperative management of DI with a comparison to 19 historical control children. Eighteen children either with preoperative DI or undergoing neurosurgical operations associated with a high risk for developing postoperative DI were identified and managed using a standardized protocol. In all patients in whom DI occurred during or after surgery, a continuous intravenous infusion of aqueous vasopressin was initiated and titrated until antidiuresis was established. Intravenous fluids were given as normal saline and restricted to two thirds of the estimated maintenance rate plus amounts necessary to replace blood losses and maintain hemodynamic stability. In all children managed in this fashion, perioperative serum sodium concentrations were generally maintained between 130 and 150 mEq/L, and no adverse consequences of this therapy developed. In the 24-hour period evaluated, the mean change in serum sodium concentrations between the historical controls was 17.6 +/- 9.2 mEq/L versus 8.36 +/- 6.43 mEq/L in those children managed by the protocol. Hyponatremia occurred less frequently in the children managed with this protocol compared with historical controls.

Topics: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Protocols; Deamino Arginine Vasopressin; Diabetes Insipidus; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Hypotonic Solutions; Infusions, Intravenous; Male; Neurosurgical Procedures; Perioperative Care; Postoperative Complications; Prospective Studies; Renal Agents; Seizures; Sodium; Vasopressins; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Topics: Cathartics; Colonoscopy; Humans; Hyponatremia; Phosphates; Polyethylene Glycols; Seizures; Vasopressins

We report a pregnant woman presenting with seizure secondary to hyponatremia by inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. Aetiology was unknown urinary and lung tuberculosis. This case report presents diagnosis strategy of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and the arguments for its aetiology.

Topics: Adult; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Seizures; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary; Tuberculosis, Urogenital; Vasopressins

We observed severe overhydration in an 18-month-old Japanese girl with primary polydipsia. The secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) was decreased, and urinary excretion of aquaporin-2, a vasopressin-sensitive water channel protein, was suppressed under basal conditions, but the response of aquaporin-2 to ADH was essentially preserved. These findings suggest that the water channel itself was intact and that overhydration resulting from polydipsia was responsible for the decreased ADH secretion and suppression of the water channel protein.

Topics: Aquaporin 2; Aquaporin 6; Aquaporins; Child; Dehydration; Drinking Behavior; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Osmolar Concentration; Saline Solution, Hypertonic; Seizures; Vasopressins

Intractable temporal lobe epilepsy is a disabling disorder with far reaching effects on brain function, behavior and neuroendocrine function. Previous work in the kindled-seizure model for temporal lobe epilepsy has shown that these seizures cause vasopressin (VP) release, an increase in resting VP and lasting increases in VP mRNA in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. In this study we used in situ hybridization to examine the effects of kindled seizures on the expression of two other functionally-related, neuroendocrine genes, oxytocin (OT) and corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF). Comparisons in kindled and sham-stimulated controls revealed an increase in VP mRNA but not OT mRNA in magnocellular neurons and an increase in CRF mRNA in parvocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus 1 month after the last seizure. We conclude that kindled seizures induce selective changes in neuroendocrine gene expression in neuroendocrine systems, VP and CRF but not OT.

Topics: Animals; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone; In Situ Hybridization; Kindling, Neurologic; Male; Neurons; Oxytocin; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Reference Values; RNA, Messenger; Seizures; Supraoptic Nucleus; Vasopressins

In this study, the regulation of hypothalamic oxytocin and vasopressin messenger RNA expression following the induction of seizures was investigated by in situ hybridization. Following kainic acid-induced seizures, a significant increase in oxytocin messenger RNA in the paraventricular nucleus was demonstrated at 1.5 h, one and two weeks; its level decreased at three weeks and was significantly increased again at four weeks; at eight weeks the messenger RNA level still remained higher than that of controls. Vasopressin messenger RNA in the paraventricular nucleus was increased significantly only at 1.5 h following induction of seizures. The oxytocin messenger RNA level in the supraoptic nucleus was also increased early at 1.5 h and later at four weeks following seizures; however, these increases did not last as long as those in the paraventricular nucleus. Vasopressin messenger RNA in the supraoptic nucleus was also increased after the initial seizures; however, its messenger RNA level vacillated up and down throughout the post-seizure times studied. The earliest significant increase of vasopressin messenger RNA was at one week after seizures, and there was a late significant increase of vasopressin messenger RNA at three weeks after seizures. The present study demonstrates that following kainic acid-induced seizures both, the oxytocin and vasopressin messenger RNA expressions, were up-regulated and these up-regulations were long-term events. The increase of oxytocin messenger RNA in the paraventricular nucleus was more persistent than the others. The pattern of messenger RNA up-regulation was different for oxytocin and vasopressin, and different in the paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus. These different patterns of messenger RNA elevations suggest that the different components of the rat hypothalamus were regulated differentially by kainic acid-induced seizures.

Topics: Animals; Gene Expression; Hypothalamus; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; In Situ Hybridization; Kainic Acid; Male; Oxytocin; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger; Seizures; Supraoptic Nucleus; Up-Regulation; Vasopressins

Because of the many anatomical and functional links to the limbic system, the neuroendocrine system is often affected by limbic disturbances. Limbic seizures in humans and animals alter neuroendocrine function and hormone levels. We have shown that in an animal model for partial seizures, the amygdala kindled rat, plasma vasopressin levels are elevated and a sustained increase in vasopressin (VP) mRNA follows stage 5 kindled seizures. In the present experiments we sought to determine when during the course of amygdala kindling the VP mRNA increase occurs and whether specific anatomical pathways mediate this increase. Animals kindled to early seizure stages (stages 1, 2 or 3) had no consistent increase in VP mRNA in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) while animals kindled to generalized seizures, stages 4 or 5, invariably had increased VP mRNA relative to controls. Electrical kindling to stage 5 seizures from two other brain sites, the dorsal hippocampus and the anterior olfactory nucleus, consistently resulted in a significant increase in VP mRNA one week after completing kindling. In all experiments the increase in VP mRNA in the SON showed no differences related to the side or proximity of the electrodes used for kindling. Measures of water balance did not change following kindling. These results indicate that kindled seizure generalization is a prerequisite for the long-term increase in VP mRNA. Furthermore, the VP mRNA increase appears to involve polysynaptic pathways accessible from different limbic kindling sites. These studies support the hypothesis that changes in mRNA regulation may contribute to the neuroendocrine pathophysiology accompanying limbic seizures.

Topics: Amygdala; Animals; Electric Stimulation; Gene Expression; In Situ Hybridization; Kindling, Neurologic; Male; Olfactory Bulb; Organ Specificity; Rats; RNA, Messenger; Seizures; Supraoptic Nucleus; Vasopressins

Neuroendocrine disturbances are among the significant problems associated with animal and human seizures. To investigate the mechanisms for these disturbances, we examined changes in the expression of vasopressin (VP) mRNA in the hypothalamic magnocellular neuroendocrine cells of rats after amygdala kindled seizures, a model for temporal lobe epilepsy. A prominent increase in VP mRNA was found in the supraoptic nucleus of kindled animals by one week after the last seizure which persisted for at least 4 months. The increase occurred bilaterally in the SON and remained unchanged despite the absence of further stimulation, seizures or change in body fluid homeostasis. Since the VP mRNA change after kindling correlated with the duration of afterdischarge but not the number of amygdala stimuli the change appears to be an effect of the seizure. This chronic increase in VP mRNA appears to reflect a change in neuroendocrine gene expression and may identify an important new mechanism of plasticity that contributes to the neuroendocrine disturbances accompanying epilepsy.

Topics: Amygdala; Animals; Body Weight; Electric Stimulation; Electroencephalography; Gene Expression; In Situ Hybridization; Kindling, Neurologic; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger; Seizures; Vasopressins

Hypernatremia was detected in a dog that was evaluated because of seizures. During hospitalization, the dog was fully conscious and remained hypernatremic when drinking voluntarily and when water was added to the food. Urine volume increased and urine osmolality decreased during an infusion of hypertonic saline (2.5% NaCl) solution, despite development of progressive hyperosmolality. There was no correlation between plasma antidiuretic hormone concentration and osmolality during the infusion study. The dog released antidiuretic hormone normally after nonosmotic stimulation (ie, apomorphine administration). These findings allowed a diagnosis of hypodipsic hypernatremia caused by destruction of hypothalamic osmoreceptors. At necropsy, there was hydrocephalus, atrophy of the septum pellucidum, and neuraxonal dystrophy of the cuneate nuclei. The underlying neurologic disease responsible for the CNS lesions could not be determined, but hydrocephalus may have led to pressure atrophy in the region of the hypothalamus that contains osmoreceptors.

Topics: Animals; Brain Diseases; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drinking; Fluid Therapy; Hypernatremia; Hypothalamus; Male; Osmolar Concentration; Seizures; Vasopressins; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Following our recent demonstration of metrazole-induced immediate-early gene expression in the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus (SON), we have now performed a mRNA and transcription analysis to determine the consequences of metrazole treatment for neurohypophyseal peptide gene expression in male rats. Levels of hypothalamic vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) mRNA were significantly reduced at 2 and 4 h after metrazole (50 mg/kg, i.p.), whereas pro-dynorphin mRNA was significantly elevated at 2 h. No changes in mRNA levels were found at 8, 24 or 48 h after treatment. Another convulsant (kainic acid, 8 mg/kg, i.p.) elicited similar effects on VP and OT mRNAs at 2 h. Specific analysis of the SON, following metrazole, revealed an equivalent effect on VP and OT mRNA levels but a nuclear run-on assay did not detect any change in SON VP gene transcription at 0.5, 1 and 2 h after treatment. The results provide evidence of a novel mechanism which may provide an additional level of control in the regulation of neuropeptide gene expression.

Topics: Animals; Blotting, Northern; Cell Nucleus; Enkephalins; Gene Expression; Hypothalamus; Male; Oxytocin; Pentylenetetrazole; Pituitary Gland, Posterior; Protein Precursors; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; RNA, Messenger; Seizures; Supraoptic Nucleus; Transcription, Genetic; Vasopressins

Acute and chronic effects of epilepsy on endocrine function are known to occur in humans with partial seizures of limbic origin and in animals with limbic kindled seizures. The amygdala, a component of the limbic system, has dense hypothalamic connections and amygdala stimulation in monkeys and cats result in vasopressin release. In the present study we sought to determine if amygdala stimulation in the rats results in an immediate acute release of vasopressin and to determine if acute or chronic changes occur in vasopressin release in the fully kindled animal. Plasma vasopressin, osmolality and hematocrit were measured in blood samples drawn from rats with implanted venous catheters before and after stimulation and at different stages of kindling. Low-frequency (15 Hz) electrical stimulation of the amygdala was followed by an immediate, 3-fold increase in plasma vasopressin concentration. Moreover, although the 60 Hz kindling stimulus did not result in a significant immediate rise in plasma vasopressin prior to kindling, after kindling to stage 5 seizures the 60 Hz kindling stimulus resulted in seizures and a significant immediate rise in plasma vasopressin. In addition, we found that kindling was followed by a significant, though modest, rise in the resting plasma vasopressin without an accompanying change in osmolality or hematocrit. We conclude that kindling results in a persistent alteration in the vasopressinergic neuroendocrine system.

Topics: Amygdala; Animals; Electric Stimulation; Hematocrit; Kindling, Neurologic; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Seizures; Vasopressins

Fluid overload and dehydration are potentially serious physiologic perturbations. Their effects on the pharmacodynamics of drugs are essentially unknown. This investigation was designed to determine the effects of acute fluid overload or water deprivation on the hypnotic activity of phenobarbital and on the neurotoxicity of theophylline in male Lewis rats. In the first experiment, 5% dextrose in water (D5W) was infused i.v. in an amount equal to 5 or 10% of body weight and phenobarbital was infused immediately thereafter until the onset of loss of righting reflex (LRR). The total infused dose and the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of phenobarbital at that time were significantly lower than in control animals. When phenobarbital was infused about 2.5 hr after D5W, the infused dose and the serum and CSF concentrations of phenobarbital at LRR were normal. When the rats received D5W and an injection of vasopressin, 25 I.U./kg, or vasopressin only, the infused dose and the serum and CSF concentrations of phenobarbital at LRR were significantly lower than in controls despite the 2.5-hr interval between the respective pretreatments and the phenobarbital infusion. Water deprivation for 24 or 48 hr had no significant effect on phenobarbital dose and concentrations at LRR. Intravenous infusion of D5W to 10% of body weight immediately or 2.5 hr before theophylline infusion had no significant effect on the total infused dose and the serum and CSF concentrations of theophylline at onset of maximal seizures. This lack of effect occurred despite appreciable hyponatremia and hypomagnesemia immediately after D5W infusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Dehydration; Glucose; Male; Phenobarbital; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Seizures; Theophylline; Vasopressins; Water-Electrolyte Imbalance

Vasopressin is a neurohormone and neuromodulator with many effects on behavior. Rats lacking vasopressin have been found to develop kindled seizures more slowly with amygdala stimulation. In the present study the spontaneous hypertensive (SH) rat and rats from the parent strain, the Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat received amygdala and pyriform kindling. The SH rat has been reported to have increased plasma vasopressin and increased brain vasopressin release. Plasma vasopressin, osmolality and hematocrit were also measured in blood samples obtained through chronic, indwelling catheters implanted in SH, WKY normal and Sprague-Dawley rats. SH rats were found to kindle with fewer afterdischarges than WKY normal rats with both amygdala and pyriform cortex stimulation. The total afterdischarge duration required to reach each kindling stage was significantly shorter in the SH rat. Plasma osmolality and vasopressin were significantly higher in the SH rats compared to WKY normal rats and Sprague-Dawley rats. These findings provide additional evidence that vasopressin may influence the establishment of enduring behaviors such as kindled seizures.

Topics: Animals; Kindling, Neurologic; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred Strains; Seizures; Vasopressins

A 54-year-old woman had seizures and a focal neurologic deficit associated with hyponatremia induced by a thiazide diuretic. Prompt correction of hyponatremia by administration of hypertonic saline solution was followed by resolution of all neurologic defects. Metabolic balance studies and rechallenge with hydrochlorothiazide were undertaken to investigate the mechanism of the thiazide-induced hyponatremia. Abnormal vasopressin secretion was shown by a plasma vasopressin concentration of 0.5 microU/ml with a plasma osmolality of 268 mOsm/kg water after administration of a fluid challenge consisting of 45 ml/kg body weight. Rechallenge with chlorothiazide while on a sodium- and potassium-controlled balanced diet resulted in a decrease in serum sodium concentration (136 to 124 mEq/L) and plasma osmolality (283 to 261 mOsm/kg) within 18 hours. During this period, urine losses of monovalent cation were only 55 mEq and body weight was constant at 48.2 kg. A second challenge while the patient received all fluids and electrolytes intravenously again resulted in decreased serum sodium concentration (134 to 126 mEq/L) after urinary loss of only 69 mEq of cation. Thus this patient's hyponatremia cannot be accounted for solely by changes in external water and electrolyte balance; the rapidity with which changes were produced suggests that osmolar inactivation, probably intracellularly, may contribute to the severe hypotonicity seen in some patients.

Topics: Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Hydrochlorothiazide; Hypertension; Hyponatremia; Middle Aged; Neurologic Manifestations; Osmolar Concentration; Recurrence; Seizures; Sodium; Triamterene; Vasopressins

The maternal serum concentration of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) in a pregnancy uncomplicated by preeclampsia is identical to the ADH concentration in the nonpregnant female and normal male. However, elevated maternal ADH secondary to fetal hypothalamic ADH production and a genetic defect in maternal vasopressinase may be a cause of preeclampsia.

Topics: Chorionic Gonadotropin; Female; Humans; Hydatidiform Mole; Male; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Child; Humans; Seizures; Seizures, Febrile; Vasopressins

Water intoxication with seizures secondary to excessive fluid ingestion occurred in four apparently healthy infants in two families; we also review five previously reported cases.

Topics: Diseases in Twins; Drinking; Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Infant; Infant Care; Male; Seizures; Vasopressins; Water Intoxication

When vasopressin is administered into the lateral ventricles of rats it produces severe convulsive activity characterized by a rapid barrel rotation. Electrical recordings from the dorsal hippocampus indicate marked elevations in the amplitude and frequency at doses of 5 microliter of 2 x 10(-5) M vasopressin. No significant behavioral effects were noted with oxytocin, somatostatin, beta-melanophore-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropin, or leu-enkephalin. Pretreatment of the rats with intraventricularly administered oxytocin, beta-MSH, or systemically administered Dilantin prevented the vasopressin-induced seizures. With the use of chemical and enzymic modification procedures, the essential fragment and amino acids of vasopressin needed for the activity were determined. It was concluded that although the peptide could be acting by vasoconstricting blood arterioles and capillaries in the brain, it may also be exerting a direct excitatory action on neurons.

Topics: Animals; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Hippocampus; Injections, Intraventricular; Myoclonus; Oxytocin; Peptides; Rats; Seizures; Vasopressins

In a study of 23 children admitted to hospital with a febrile convulsion, mild hyponatraemia was found on 8 occasions. In 6 of these cases there was evidence of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. The hyponatraemia is unlikely to be the cause of the convulsion, but probably predisposes the child to a subsequent convulsion during the same febrile illness.

Topics: Child, Preschool; Humans; Hyponatremia; Infant; Osmolar Concentration; Prospective Studies; Seizures; Seizures, Febrile; Vasopressins

Lysine vasopressin (1 microgram/rat SC) administered 1 hr prior to either the acquisition trial or 24 hr retention trial facilitated passive avoidance retention. Amnesia was produced when a single 50 mg/kg (IP) injection of pentylenetetrazol was given immediately following the passive avoidance acquisition trial. A single injection of lysine vasopressin (1 microgram/rat SC) administered 1 hr prior to either the acquisition trial or 24 hr retention trial antagonized the amnesia.

Topics: Amnesia; Amnesia, Retrograde; Animals; Avoidance Learning; Humans; Lypressin; Male; Memory; Pentylenetetrazole; Rats; Seizures; Time Factors; Vasopressins

Topics: Adult; Fluphenazine; Humans; Male; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Female; Humans; Hyponatremia; Infant; Male; Pneumonia; Saline Solution, Hypertonic; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Viral; Apnea; Autopsy; Blood; Brain; Carbon Dioxide; Child; Chlorpromazine; Diabetes Insipidus; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Heart Arrest; Humans; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hyperkinesis; Hypotension; Male; Mice; Oxygen; Rabies; Rabies virus; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Adrenal Insufficiency; Blindness; Bradycardia; Brain; Electrolytes; Female; Glucagon; Glucose; Glucose Tolerance Test; Growth Hormone; Humans; Hypoglycemia; Hypopituitarism; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Insulin; Intellectual Disability; Male; Pituitary Gland; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Blood Circulation; Cardiovascular System; Endocrine Glands; Humans; Lysine; Nervous System; Seizures; Shock; Vasopressins

Topics: Age Factors; Aldosterone; Desoxycorticosterone; Diuresis; Female; Fludrocortisone; Humans; Hyponatremia; Infant; Osmolar Concentration; Pituitary Diseases; Pituitary-Adrenal System; Renin; Seizures; Sodium Chloride; Vasopressins; Water Intoxication

Topics: Anesthesia, Dental; Anesthesia, Local; Epinephrine; Humans; Hypersensitivity, Delayed; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Norepinephrine; Procaine; Seizures; Unconsciousness; Vasoconstrictor Agents; Vasopressins; Ventricular Fibrillation

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Barbiturates; Body Weight; Drinking Behavior; Electroshock; Humans; Male; Rats; Seizures; Stress, Physiological; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; Substance-Related Disorders; Vasopressins

Topics: Brain Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Cerebral Cortex; Dementia; Glioma; Humans; Hyponatremia; Liver Neoplasms; Lymph Nodes; Male; Mental Disorders; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Metastasis; Seizures; Sodium; Thalamus; Vasopressins

Topics: Humans; Hyponatremia; Porphyria, Acute Intermittent; Porphyrias; Proteinuria; Seizures; Urine; Vasopressins

Topics: Emergencies; Heart Arrest; Heart Massage; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hypotension; Infusions, Parenteral; Podiatry; Seizures; Spasm; Tachycardia; Vasopressins; Vocal Cord Paralysis

Topics: Abortion, Induced; Diuresis; Female; Humans; Injections, Intravenous; Oxytocin; Pharmacology; Pregnancy; Seizures; Toxicology; Urine; Vasopressins; Water Intoxication; Water-Electrolyte Balance

Topics: Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Animals; Arginine Vasopressin; Ascorbic Acid; Calcium; Cortisone; Epinephrine; Fasting; Glucagon; Growth Hormone; Hydrocortisone; Hypocalcemia; Insulin; Luteinizing Hormone; Norepinephrine; Oxytocin; Parathyroid Hormone; Rabbits; Research; Seizures; Tetany; Thyrotropin; Vasopressins

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Cortisone; Humans; Seizures; Vasopressins

Topics: Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; Arginine Vasopressin; Cortisone; Growth Hormone; Human Growth Hormone; Seizures; Somatotrophs; Vasopressins

Topics: Brain; Electroencephalography; Humans; Seizures; Substance-Related Disorders; Vasopressins