Susceptibility to seizures produced by chemical convulsants and maximal electric shock in rats after electrolytic lesions into the red nucleus.

Abstract

Bilateral electrolytic lesions into the red nucleus (RN) of rat elicit an increase in susceptibility to seizures induced by pilocarpine, kainic acid, isoniazid, pentylenetetrazole, bicuculline and maximal electric shock (MES). It was also observed that carbachol-induced wet-dog shakes were increased in the RN-lesioned rats. The brain acetylcholine (ACh) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) concentrations were significantly decreased in the striatum and substantia nigra, respectively. There were no changes in electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings in the RN-lesioned group compared with sham-operated rats. Based on the results it is proposed that the RN is involved in the generalization and acceleration of seizure activity through the cholinergic and GABA-ergic system.

• Authors: K Kolasa, Z Kleinrok, S Consolo, P Ferrario, L Zecca
• Journal: Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (Pharmacol Biochem Behav) Vol. 41 Issue 1 Pg. 99-103 (Jan 1992) ISSN: 0091-3057 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1539084 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Convulsants
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Carbachol
• Acetylcholine

Topics

• Acetylcholine (metabolism)
• Animals
• Brain Chemistry (drug effects)
• Carbachol (toxicity)
• Convulsants (toxicity)
• Electroencephalography
• Electroshock
• Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Red Nucleus (physiology)
• Seizures (chemically induced, physiopathology)
• gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (metabolism)