Drugs acting at TRPM7 channels inhibit seizure-like activity.

Transient receptor potential cation subfamily M7 (TRPM7) channels are ion channels permeable to divalent cations. They are abundantly expressed with particularly high expression in the brain. Previous studies have highlighted the importance of TRPM7 channels in brain diseases such as stroke and traumatic brain injury, yet evidence for a role in seizures and epilepsy is lacking. Here, we show that carvacrol, a food additive, and waixenicin A, a novel selective and potent TRPM7 inhibitor, completely suppressed seizure-like activity in rodent hippocampal-entorhinal brain slices exposed to pentelenetetrazol or low magnesium. These findings support inhibition of TRPM7 channels as a novel target for antiseizure medications.