Topiramate, a chemically novel anti-epileptic drug, was evaluated in amygdala-kindled seizures in rats. Topiramate, given at doses between 0.63 and 80 mg/kg i.p. and p.o. 4 h before kindling stimulation, exhibited a dose-related inhibition on all seizure parameters measured, i.e. behavioral seizures, forelimb clonus, amygdala and cortical afterdischarges. The ED50 values obtained with topiramate on kindled seizures in all parameters tended to be lower than those observed on maximal electroshock seizures in rats. After oral drug administration, the ED50 values were: on forelimb clonus, 7.25 mg/kg; on amygdala afterdischarges 7.09 mg/kg and on cortical afterdischarges 7.12 mg/kg. After i.p. drug administration, the ED50 values were: on forelimb clonus, 10.6 mg/kg; on amygdala afterdischarges, 13.9 mg/kg and on cortical afterdischarges, 10.4 mg/kg. The data obtained after i.p. drug administration are in line with the suggestion that topiramate primarily blocks spread of seizures.