Method To Help Epileptics

Dr. Anthony J. Glazko of 1245 Fair O a k s Pkwy, biochemist at the Ann Arbor Parke, Davis & Co. research facilities on Plymouth Rd., has reported a new, simplified spectrophotometric roethod for the assay of Dilantin in human plasma, which will aid in the treatment of epilepsy. The Ann Arbor man reported on the new chemical procedure Wednesday at the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke Symposium on Pharmacology of Antiepileptic Drugs in Scottsdale, Ariz. The new procedure was developed by Glazko and Wcsley A. Dill of 2019 Runnymede Blvd., another biochemist at the local laboratory. Glazko said the principal limitation to previous Dilantin assay procedures has been interference from other drugs and the need to use sophisticated research apparatus, such as gas chro-matography equipment. In control of epileptic seizures precise adjustment of dosage to prevent toxic reactions is of ten required, and the new method will permit use of available equipment in most hospital clinical laboratories to do the job without the need for specialized glassware or a large volume of blood. Dilantin was introduced in 1938, and since that time has become one of the basic drugs for management of grand mal epilepsy and other convulsive disorders.