Running fits induced by direct administration of semicarbazide into the superior colliculus of the mouse.
Semicarbazide (SC), an antivitamin B(6), was injected directly into the superior colliculus of the mouse. A running fit preceded by excessive alertness, was induced by a very small dose of SC after a remarkably short latency as compared with systemic administration of SC. Afterwards, animals often exhibited repeatedly tonic and/or clonic convulsions and some died subsequently. Either intracollicular (i.c.) injection of pyridoxine at the same site, or intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of aminooxyacetic acid, suppressed these manifestations. The behavioral changes after intracollicular injection of SC and the effect of the antidotes were similar to those by systemic administration of SC. The relationship between this induction of running fits and the gamma-aminobutyrate-mediated system is discussed.
Yamashita
J
J
Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neurosciences, Musashidai, Tokyo 183 Japan.
Hirata
Y
Y