This paper comprises a series of experiments in rodent models of partial and 
generalized epilepsy which were designed to describe the anti-convulsant profile 
of the functionalized amino acid lacosamide. Lacosamide was effective against 
sound-induced seizures in the genetically susceptible Frings mouse, against 
maximal electroshock test (MES)-induced seizures in rats and mice, in the rat 
hippocampal kindling model of partial seizures, and in the 6Hz model of 
psychomotor seizures in mice. The activity in the MES test in both mice 
(4.5mg/kg i.p.) and rats (3.9 mg/kg p.o.) fell within the ranges previously 
reported for most clinically available anti-epileptic drugs. At both the median 
effective dose for MES protection, as well as the median toxic dose for rotorod 
impairment, lacosamide elevated the seizure threshold in the i.v. 
pentylenetetrazol seizure test, suggesting that it is unlikely to be 
pro-convulsant at high doses. Lacosamide was inactive against clonic seizures 
induced by subcutaneous administration of the chemoconvulsants 
pentylenetetrazol, bicuculline, and picrotoxin, but it did inhibit NMDA-induced 
seizures in mice and showed full efficacy in the homocysteine model of epilepsy. 
In summary, the overall anti-convulsant profile of lacosamide appeared to be 
unique, and the drug displayed a good margin of safety in those tests in which 
it was effective. These results suggest that lacosamide may have the potential 
to be clinically useful for at least the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic 
and partial-onset epilepsies, and support ongoing clinical trials in these 
indications.