Since several pathophysiological phenomena are common for both ischemia and seizures, we have explored the effect of acute and chronic administration of the adenosine A3 receptor selective agonist IB-MECA (N6-(3-iodobenzyl) adenosine-5'-N-methylcarboxamide) prior to seizures induced by N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), pentamethylenetetrazole, or electric shock.