Effect of anticonvulsant agents on pineal gland indole metabolism

• Main Author: Morton, Dougal John
• Format: Others
• Language: English
• Published: Rhodes University 1983
• Subjects: Pineal gland > Metabolism; Anticonvulsants
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009518

Preface: The general indications that the pineal gland might be involved in homeostasis, and more specifically the evidence suggesting a role in amelioration of seizure states warranted further investigation . No reports had examined a possible link between anticonvulsant drug administration and pineal gland function, and few enabled any type of presumption to be made as to possible effects. This study was an attempt to evaluate in which ways anticonvulsant drugs might alter pineal gland indole metabolism, with a view to increasing understanding of the role of the pineal in modulation of epileptic discharges. In order to make the study as meaningful as possible extensive preliminary investigations were necessary. Pharmacokinetic determinations gave an indication of tissue concentrations of the drugs, which could then be related to observed effects. As far as possible, where existing information was lacking, the catalytic behaviour of the various enzymes was characterised in order to explain any observed effects at a molecular level. An attempt was also made to characterise the regulatory mechanisms controlling indole metabolism, again in order to define the pharmacological effects exerted by the drugs used. The complexity of the system made it impossible to suggest a single uniform regulatory hypothesis, although some significant observations were made. Finally, the studies involving the anticonvulsant drugs were conducted on intact animals, isolated organs and individual enzymes in an attempt to determine whether the observed effects were occuring at a molecular, local or central level. === ===