Modulation of planarian seizure-like activity via antiseizure medications

Co-exposure with midazolam, topiramate, MK-801, or carbamazepine reduced parathion-induced planarian seizure-like activity in one planarian species, showing rescue of pSLA.

• Why it matters: Acute organophosphorus poisoning causes a cholinergic crisis with seizures, and midazolam must be given within minutes, limiting its usefulness in large-scale emergencies.
• What they did: Using a computational image analysis pipeline to quantify pSLA in Dugesia japonica and Girardia dorotocephala, the study tested whether co-exposure to four ASMs rescued pSLA induced by parathion, pentylenetetrazole, or NMDA.
• The result: All tested ASMs reduced parathion-induced pSLA in one species, but ASM effectiveness varied across proconvulsants and between planarian species, implying mechanism work is needed for reliable ASM discovery.