Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program
Overview
The Anticonvulsant Drug Development (ADD) Program is an established laboratory experienced in the preclinical identification and evaluation of investigational compounds for the treatment of epilepsy. Current investigators at the program have held multiple contracts with biopharmaceutical and government partners for testing novel compounds in seizure models. The program has considerable experience in performing efficacy and tolerability assessments of novel and established antiseizure drugs (ASDs) using multiple routes of administration (intraperitoneal (i.p.), intravenous (i.v.), oral (per os, p.o.), subcutaneous (s.c.), intramuscular (i.m.), intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.), and drug-in-food) in models for epilepsy. To learn more about the ADD program visit https://pharmacy.utah.edu/add/
Services
The models we offer include maximal electroshock (MES)-induced seizure, 6 Hz seizure (varying stimulus intensities;), corneal kindled seizure test, in vitro slice electrophysiology studies (spontaneous bursting model), Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) model of epilepsy, lamotrigine-resistant amygdala kindled model, intra amygdala kainate model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, and the post kainate-induced status epilepticus (SE) chronically epileptic model. In parallel, our staff routinely evaluates the effect of investigational compounds on motor impairment in the rotarod test, the open field locomotor assay, the minimal motor impairment (MMI) assay, and the modified Functional Observation Battery (FOB, or Irwin test). Our facilities include state of the art multi-channel monitoring units to allow for continuous video-electroencephalographic (v-EEG) monitoring for spontaneous seizures.
We also offer chronic administration of any compounds using a drug-in-food model. Using our automated feeder system, drugs can be delivered on a fixed schedule, 24/7 for any requested length of time. Food pellets containing compound are formulated either by outsourcing or can be custom made in-house. Prices will be determined based on the requirements of the planned study.
Hours of Operation
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Monday – Friday
