The mechanism of pentylenetetrazol is not well understood, and it may have multiple mechanisms of action.

Several studies have focused on the way pentylenetetrazol influences neuronal ion channels.

In 1984, Squires et al. published a report analyzing pentylenetetrazol and several structurally related convulsant drugs.

It similarly had no relieving effects in mice of the other most common acute seizure model, the pentylenetetrazol convulsion-induction model.

In 1939, pentylenetetrazol was replaced by electroconvulsive therapy as the preferred method for inducing seizures in England's mental hospitals.

Ganaxolone protects against seizures in diverse animal models, including the pentylenetetrazol, 6 Hz and amygdala kindling models.

A 1987 study by Papp et al. found that pentylenetetrazol increases calcium influx and sodium influx, both of which depolarize the neuron.

Specifically, hamsters denied their natural circadian rhythm (though not denied sleep) had their memory restored to near-normal levels when treated with pentylenetetrazol.

The finding of pentylenetetrazol's effectiveness in treating a mouse model of Down syndrome has led to it being explored as a means of correcting other learning deficiencies.

Neurons of Helix, Helix aspersa, are used for study of epileptogenesis, because they are sensistive to epileptogenic drugs including pentylenetetrazol.

Further, this same study showed a synergistic effect on raising seizure threshold (in pentylenetetrazol mouse convulsion model) when EPA and VPA are used concomitantly.

Several classes of compounds can modulate the pentylenetetrazol discriminative stimulus including 5-HT, 5-HT, NMDA, glycine, and L-type calcium channel ligands.

"I isolated the memory molecule, Mr. Anthony, and I borrowed a drug from the Americans, something called pentylenetetrazol-" Here J winced and had a large drink of brandy.

Etoxadrol (along with ketamine, dexoxadrol, and other PCP-like drugs) is an anticonvulsant, preventing tonic seizures in mice that are administered pentylenetetrazol (PTZ), which normally induces seizures.

Early in his work Meduna replaced camphor with pentylenetetrazol (Metrazol), an intravenous agent that induced seizures immediately compared with the long delay of 15 to 45 minutes after intramuscular camphor.