Rapid kindling of the hippocampus protects against neural damage resulting from status epilepticus

Neuroreport. 2001 Mar 5;12(3):453-7. doi: 10.1097/00001756-200103050-00007.

Abstract

It has previously been reported that rats kindled via the standard kindling procedure do not exhibit the typical profile of neuropathology following status epilepticus. We wished to determine whether a 1-day rapid kindling procedure is also neuroprotective against cell damage resulting from prolonged seizure activity. We found that rats rapidly kindled from the dorsal hippocampus were more resistant to a kainic acid challenge 21-25 days after kindling than were unkindled control rats. Kindling prior to a kainic acid challenge also provided substantial protection against status epilepticus-induced damage in the CA3 region of the hippocampus and piriform cortex in most animals. Thus, despite the short kindling time period, rapid kindling is neuroprotective against status epilepticus-induced cell damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Physiological / physiology
  • Animals
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Cerebral Cortex / pathology
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiology
  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Hippocampus / pathology*
  • Hippocampus / physiology*
  • Kainic Acid
  • Kindling, Neurologic / physiology*
  • Male
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Long-Evans
  • Status Epilepticus / chemically induced
  • Status Epilepticus / pathology*
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Excitatory Amino Acid Agonists
  • Kainic Acid