convulsants
Drugs triggering violent contractions
Convulsants are substances that cause convulsions—involuntary muscle contractions and spasms, often violent.
The term appears mainly in pharmacology and toxicology, referring to drugs or poisons that induce seizures by overstimulating the nervous system: Strychnine is among the most notorious convulsants.
Some convulsants have research applications in studying epilepsy.
Highly toxic plant alkaloid
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- agonistReceptor-binding trigger molecule
antagonist · threshold · dose-response · toxicology · pharmacokinetics · mechanism · potency · lethal dose
Brain disorder causing seizures
- tonic-clonicSeizure with rigidity and convulsions
- grand malSevere convulsive seizure type
- myoclonicPertaining to quick jerks
- thresholdPoint of beginning
postictal · electroencephalogram · kindling · focal · generalized · clonic · tonic · absence
Involuntary muscle contraction
- muscle contractionFibers tensing and shortening
- rigidityState of being unbending
- opisthotonusInvoluntary severe spinal arching
- lockjawSustained jaw muscle spasm
tremor · twitching · asphyxiation · hyperthermia · tachycardia · tetany · fasciculation
Harmful substance exposure
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- antidoteSubstance neutralizing harmful agents
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
- venomInjected animal poison
lethal · emergency · treatment · supportive care · activated charcoal · respiratory failure · hypoxia · mortality
Species used for research
- electroshockElectrical brain stimulation therapy
- neuroscienceStudy of nervous systems
- experimentalTesting new methods
- laboratoryFacility for scientific investigation
screening · drug testing · LD50 · preclinical
strychnine
Highly toxic plant alkaloid
- camphorAromatic crystalline insect deterrent
- neurotoxinPoison attacking neural tissue
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
agonist · antagonist · threshold · dose-response · toxicology · pharmacokinetics · mechanism · potency · lethal dose
epilepsy
Brain disorder causing seizures
- tonic-clonicSeizure with rigidity and convulsions
- grand malSevere convulsive seizure type
- myoclonicPertaining to quick jerks
threshold · postictal · electroencephalogram · kindling · focal · generalized · clonic · tonic · absence · febrile
spasm
Involuntary muscle contraction
- muscle contractionFibers tensing and shortening
- rigidityState of being unbending
- opisthotonusInvoluntary severe spinal arching
lockjaw · tremor · twitching · asphyxiation · hyperthermia · tachycardia · tetany · fasciculation
poisoning
Harmful substance exposure
- overdoseHarmful excess intake
- antidoteSubstance neutralizing harmful agents
- intoxicationSubstance-induced mental impairment
venom · lethal · emergency · treatment · supportive care · activated charcoal · respiratory failure · hypoxia · mortality · occupational hazard
animal model
Species used for research
- electroshockElectrical brain stimulation therapy
- neuroscienceStudy of nervous systems
- experimentalTesting new methods
laboratory · screening · drug testing · LD50 · preclinical
convulsantsanticonvulsants
Seizure-preventing medications
antiepileptics · sedatives · muscle relaxants · depressants · relaxants
convulsantsanticonvulsants
Seizure-preventing medications
antiepileptic drugs · phenobarbital · phenytoin · valproate · diazepam