Continuous intra-amygdalar infusion of GABA in the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy in rat.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the effect of continuous intra-amygdalar infusion of GABA in the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy in rat.


METHODS
An electrode and cannula complex was implanted in adult male Wistar rats, the electrode being targeted to the left basolateral amygdala. The animals were subjected to a standard kindling procedure. Osmotic minipumps filled with either GABA or mannitol were connected to cannulas and allowed to infuse during 7 days. Kindling experiments measuring after-discharge and seizure thresholds, seizure severity and duration, and behavioral toxicity were performed before, during and after the drug infusion period.


RESULTS
Both after-discharge and seizure thresholds were significantly increased both during and after GABA infusion with respect to pre-infusion controls, while the group receiving mannitol showed no significant differences. Seizure duration was not affected by GABA infusion. Seizures were either completely blocked or fully developed.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct continuous GABA infusion within the epileptogenic focus raises the seizure thresholds without affecting the generalized components in the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy.
Barcia
Juan A
JA
Servicio de Neurología, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario de Valencia, Valencia 46014, Spain. Juan.A.Barcia@uv.es
Castillo
Ascensión
A
Gutiérrez
Rafael
R
Gallego
José M
JM
Ortiz
Laura
L
Hernández
M Eugenia
ME
D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable; D007696:Kindling, Neurologic / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid