title: Quenching revisited: low level direct current inhibits amygdala-kindled seizures.
abstract: We have reported that low frequency stimulation (1 Hz for 15 min), applied after kindling stimulation of the amygdala, inhibited the development and expression of amygdala-kindled seizures, an effect we termed quenching. Subsequently, we discovered that this effect could only be achieved when certain stimulators were used that also emitted a low-level direct current (DC). The studies reported here indicate that DC, applied once daily for 15 min at intensities of 5-15 microA, produced an intensity-related attenuation of kindling development and an increase in the afterdischarge threshold. This effect persisted in some animals for at least 1 month after discontinuation of the DC. In fully kindled animals, a robust increase in seizure threshold and persistent seizure inhibition were also observed using 10 microA of DC administered for 14 days. These results clarify and extend our original findings of a quenching effect; however, the mechanisms by which low level DC induces quenching require further elucidation.
authors.affiliation: Biological Psychiatry Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eidsath
authors.forename: X L
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Heynen
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Post
mesh_terms: D000679:Amygdala / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012640:Seizures / Q000517:prevention & control*