An anticonvulsant; increases glucose levels and the concentration of glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate in rat brain; reduces the intensity of barbiturate withdrawal convulsions and blocks brainstem stimulation- and leptazol-induced seizures in rats (ED50s = 35-230 mg/kg); reduces resting tremor by 60% in a macaque model of MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease when administered at a dose of 150 mg/animal for 5 days