Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors and Epileptogenesis.
Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) often produces long-lasting effects on the excitability of cortical neurons. For example, mGluR stimulation induces long-term potentiation or depression of excitatory synaptic transmission in the hippocampus. Similarly, the effects of mGluRs on cortical epileptiform activities also are enduring. A transient application of group I mGluR agonists to hippocampal slices produces ictal-like discharges that persist for hours after the removal of the applied agonist. This action of group I mGluRs-transforming "normal" hippocampal slice into an "epileptic-like" one-may represent a form of epileptogenesis. The advent of such a model, in which epileptogenesis can be reliably induced in an in vitro preparation and the process is complete within hours, may facilitate the exploration of cellular mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis.
Wong
Robert K. S.
RK
Department of Physiology/Pharmacology and Department of Neurology, State University of New York-Health Science Center at Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York.
Chuang
Shih-Chieh
SC
Bianchi
Riccardo
R