Pentylenetetrazol is a GABA(A) receptor antagonist, that displays activity as a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant.

Administration of PTZ (45 mg/kg i.p.) induces clonic convulsions in almost all of the animals after a single injection, typically within 3 min. However, 11% of animals need a second injection to cause clonus. Each rat shows jerking or myoclonus followed by clonus or tonic-clonic convulsions. PTZ injection results in significant changes in GABAA receptor subunit mRNAs. A single PTZ-induced convulsion is associated with rapid changes in GABAA receptors[1].

Primary cortical neurons are obtained from E16 mice embryos and planted in poly-l-lysine and Laminin coated culturing ware in neurobasal medium with 2% B-27 supplement, 0.5% GlutaMAX-ITM supplement, and 1% penicillin-streptomycin. The culture medium is half replaced every 3 days. The primary cells are cultured for 7 days in vitro (DIV) prior to treating them with isometric fresh medium, PTZ (30 mM), and PTZ (30 mM) + OtoN of different dosages.(Only for Reference)