Excitatory amino acids play an important role in generation of epileptic
seizures. To study the participation of different types of their receptors in cortical epileptic afterdischarges, a noncompetitive
NMDA receptor antagonist
dizocilpine and a competitive
AMPA receptor antagonist
NBQX were used. Adult rats with implanted epidural stimulation and registration
electrodes were pretreated either with
NBQX (30 or 60 mg/kg i.p.) or with
dizocilpine (0.1 or 0.5 mg/kg i.p.) and low-frequency stimulation of sensorimotor cortical area was repeatedly applied with stepwise increased current intensities. Lower dose of
NBQX unexpectedly decreased thresholds for elicitation of spike-and-wave afterdischarges (ADs),
clonic seizures accompanying this type of ADs and for transition into the second, limbic type of ADs. Lower dose of
dizocilpine increased these three thresholds. Higher doses of either
drug did not significantly change threshold intensities. Duration of ADs was also influenced by the two antagonists in opposite directions: higher dose of
NBQX resulted in prolongation of ADs mainly due to an increased duration of the spike-and-wave part of ADs whereas
dizocilpine shortened ADs in a dose-dependent manner affecting both types of ADs. In addition,
NBQX did not influence interhemispheric responses meanwhile
dizocilpine moderately suppressed these evoked potentials. According to our results,
NMDA receptors are important for generation of cortical epileptic afterdischarges meanwhile the role of
AMPA receptors is not clear and has to be analyzed.