Deoxycorticosterone’s Anticonvulsant Effects in Infant Rats Are Blocked by Finasteride, but Not by Indomethacin

The study investigated the anticonvulsant effects of deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and its metabolites, DHDOC and THDOC, in infant rats. DHDOC had the most pronounced anticonvulsant effects, with a better therapeutic index (TI) than DOC or THDOC. The study also found that finasteride blocked DOC's anticonvulsant effects, while indomethacin did not. DHDOC's anticonvulsant effects were not diminished by indomethacin, suggesting that its effects do not result from conversion into THDOC. The study suggests that DHDOC might be developed into an anticonvulsant drug for clinical use in children. Further research is needed to explore DHDOC's mechanism of action.