Convulsive compounds

Convulsive compounds, verruculogen and penitrems, were produced by the isolates P. simplicissimum MF-24 and P. simplicissimum ATCC 90288, respectively, indicating that our convenient bioassay system with silkworms could be used to search for convulsive compounds. Novel convulsive compounds, brasiliamides A, B, C, D, and E, were found in the cultural media of Penicillium brasilianum JV-379. 

Mode of Action. DDT and its analogues specifically affect the peripheral sense organs of insects and produce violent trains of afferent impulses that result in hyperactivity, convulsions, and paralysis. Death results from metaboHc exhaustion and the production of an endogenous neurotoxin. The very high lipophilic nature of these compounds faciUtates absorption through the insect cuticle and penetration to the nerve tissue. The specific site of action is thought to be the sodium channels of the axon, through inhibition of Ca " ATPase. 

Flurothyl [333-36-8] (bis-(2,2,2-trifluoroeth5i)ether) (9), an analeptic having strong convulsant properties, has been used for chemical shock therapy (13). The compound is unique in that it is a volatile fluorinated ether and its stmcture resembles those of many halogenated general anesthetics. Chemical shock therapy is rarely used. 

Compounds that have agonistic properties at glutamate or aspartate receptors are also CNS stimulants, readily cause convulsions, and presumably could also be employed as analeptics. Three separate excitatory amino acid receptor subtypes have been characterized pharmacologically, based on the relative potency of synthetic agonists. These three receptors are named for their respective prototypical agonists A/-methyl-D-aspartate [6384-92-5]... 

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