Decrease of GABA-immunoreactive neurons in the amygdala after electrical kindling in the rat.
The present study was designed to investigate the effects of electrical kindling in vivo on GABA immunoreactivity (GABA-IR) of the lateral and basolateral amygdaloid nuclei 2-6 months post-stimulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with bipolar electrodes in the basolateral nucleus and stimulated once per day until 3-5 stage 5 seizures were observed. Coronal sections containing the amygdala were processed for GABA-IR using the contralateral side of the brain. Results indicate that, in comparison to controls, fully kindled animals showed a significant decrease in total number of GABA-IR amygdala neurons. Decreases in GABA-positive punctate structures surrounding unlabeled pyramidal cells were also observed, but not quantified. The present data suggest that epileptogenesis of the amygdala is associated with a significant reduction of GABA-IR in the lateral and basolateral areas throughout the contralateral amygdaloid nucleus.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
P M
PM
Callahan
J M
JM
Paris
K A
KA
Cunningham
P
P
Shinnick-Gallagher
D015100:3,3'-Diaminobenzidine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000679:Amygdala / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004566:Electrodes; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013238:Stereotaxic Techniques; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D015100:3,3'-Diaminobenzidine; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid