Synaptic plasticity in kindling

Adv Neurol. 1999:79:631-43.

Abstract

Kindling is an experimental model of epilepsy resulting from progressive activity-dependent changes in neuronal structure and function. During kindling, pathologic changes occur at various levels of organization of the nervous system, ranging from altered gene-expression in individual neurons to the loss of specific neuronal populations and the rearrangement of synaptic connections. This chapter summarizes recent findings about the long-lasting (plastic) nature of the alterations at the level of single neurons with emphasis on the role of altered excitatory and inhibitory amino acid receptors. The modified synaptic ligand-gated ion channels (i.e., "epileptic receptors") may ultimately be responsible for the kindling epileptogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / physiology
  • Kindling, Neurologic / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Receptors, GABA-A / physiology
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synapses / physiology*

Substances

  • Ion Channels
  • Receptors, GABA-A
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate