Phensuximide is an anticonvulsant in the succinimide class. It suppresses the paroxysmal three cycle per second spike and wave EEG pattern associated with lapses of consciousness in petit mal seizures. The frequency of attacks is reduced by depression of nerve transmission in the motor cortex. (en)
# Rankin GO, Cressey-Veneziano K, Wang RT, Brown PI: Urinary tract effects of phensuximide in the Sprague-Dawley and Fischer 344 rat. J Appl Toxicol. 1986 Oct;6(5):349-56. "Pubmed":http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3772011 # CHEN G, WESTON JK, BRATTON AC Jr: Anticonvulsant activity and toxicity of phensuximide, methsuximide and ethosuximide. Epilepsia. 1963 Mar;4:66-76. "Pubmed":http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14020499 # Ferrendelli JA, Kinscherf DA: Inhibitory effects of anticonvulsant drugs on cyclic nucleotide accumulation in brain. Ann Neurol. 1979 Jun;5(6):533-8. "Pubmed":http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/38736 (en)
Phensuximide's mechanism of action not understood, but may act in inhibitory neuronal systems that are important in the generation of the three per second rhythm. It's effects may be related to its ability to inhibit depolarization-induced accumulation of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP in brain tissue. (en)