High-voltage-gated
calcium channels have pivot role in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of various
neurological disorders, including
epilepsy. Similar to other
calcium channels, P/
Q-type calcium channels (
Cav2.1) are also responsible for vesicle release at synaptic terminals. Up to date, there are very limited reports showing the mechanisms of
Cav2.1 in epileptogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the anticonvulsive and
neuroprotective effects of ω-agatoxin IVA, a specific
Cav2.1 blocker, in a chemical kindling model of epileptogenesis. Righting reflex and inclined plane tests were used to assess motor coordination. Electroencephalography was recorded for electrophysiological monitoring of seizure activity in freely moving rats. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed for
brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF) and cleaved
caspase-3 expressions in the prefrontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and thalamic nucleus. ω-Agatoxin IVA injected into the right lateral ventricle significantly prolonged the onset of
seizures in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, repeated intraperitoneal administrations of ω-agatoxin IVA significantly suppressed the development of kindling and epileptic discharges without altering motor coordination. In addition, ω-agatoxin IVA significantly increased
BDNF expressions, and decreased cleaved
caspase-3 expressions in the brain when compared to PTZ + saline group. Our current study emphasizes the significance of the inhibition of P/
Q type calcium channels by ω-agatoxin IVA, which suppresses the development of epileptogenesis and provides a new potential pathway for
epilepsy treatment.