Effect of different patterns of low-frequency stimulation on piriform cortex kindled seizures

Low-frequency stimulation (LFS) is an antiepileptic and antiepileptogenic electrical stimulation. In this study the effect of changes in some LFS (1Hz, monophasic square wave) parameters (intensity, pulse duration and train duration) on piriform cortex kindled seizures was investigated both in fully kindled rats and during kindling acquisition. In fully kindled animals, application of different patterns of LFS immediately before kindling stimulation had no significant effect on seizure parameters. However, daily (15 min) application of LFS (0.1 ms pulse duration at intensity equal to after-discharge threshold (ADT) and 1 ms pulse duration at intensity equal to 1/4 ADT) during inter-seizure interval of 7 days significantly reduced the stage 5 duration of the next kindled seizure. Application of the same two LFS protocols for 3 days and 2 weeks had no effect on seizure parameters. The effect of LFS was also tested using different paradigms during kindling acquisition. When LFS (0.1 and 1 ms pulse duration, intensity equal to ADT and 1/4 ADT) was delivered daily after each kindling stimulation, it could significantly decrease after-discharge duration in various days during kindling development. In this experiment, only LFS with 0.1 ms pulse duration and intensity equal to ADT significantly delayed the appearance of seizure stages 1 and 2. According to obtained results, it may be concluded that in fully kindled rats application of different patterns of LFS before kindling stimulation has no anticonvulsant effect, but it can exert an inhibitory effect when applied during an inter-seizure interval of 7 days. In addition, LFS has antiepileptogenic effect during kindling acquisition. These effects depend on the applied LFS parameters (e.g. intensity, pulse duration and train duration).     

Abortive amygdaloid kindled seizures following micro-injection of γ-vinyl-GABA in the vicinity of substantia nigra in rats

The effects of microinjection of a GABA-elevating substance (γ-vinyl-GABA) in the substantia nigra were assessed on kindled convulsive seizures induced by daily appropriate amygdaloid stimulation in the rat. Bilateral administration of 20 μg of γ-vinyl-GABA strongly reduced the afterdischarge duration of the seizures without significantly modifying the motor convulsions. This effect was noted 24 h after injection and lasted for up to 48 h. Administration of γ-vinyl-GABA in structures 1.5 mm distant from the substantia nigra had no effect on kindled seizures. It is suggested that the substantia nigra may intervene in a negative feedback system that tends to suppress the paroxysmal activity initiated from the amygdala.     

Unilateral low-frequency stimulation of central piriform cortex inhibits amygdaloid-kindled seizures in Sprague-Dawley rats

The central piriform cortex (cPC) is considered to be critically involved in the generation and propagation of kindled seizures. Our previous study found that low-frequency stimulation (LFS) of the cPC inhibits the development process of amygdala kindling. In this study, we determined whether unilateral LFS of the cPC had an inhibitory effect on amygdaloid-kindled seizures in Sprague-Dawley rats. When fully-kindled seizures were achieved by daily amygdala electrical stimulation (2 s train of 1 ms pulses at 60 Hz and 150-300 microA), LFS (15 min train of 0.1 ms pulses at 1 Hz and 50-150 microA) was applied to the ipsilateral or contralateral cPC 1 s after cessation of kindling stimulation for 10 days. LFS of the ipsilateral cPC significantly decreased the incidence of generalized seizures and seizure stage, and shortened cumulative afterdischarge duration and cumulative generalized seizure duration. LFS of the contralateral cPC also significantly decreased the expression of seizure stage, but had no appreciable effect on the generalized seizure incidence, cumulative afterdischarge duration and cumulative generalized seizure duration. On the other hand, LFS of the ipsilateral cPC significantly increased the afterdischarge threshold and further increased the differences of current intensity between afterdischarge threshold and generalized seizure threshold. Our data suggest that LFS of the cPC may be an effective method of inhibiting kindled seizures by preventing both afterdischarge generation and propagation. It provide further evidence that brain regions like the cPC, other than the seizure focus, can serve as targets for deep brain stimulation treatment of epilepsy.     

Frontal cortex lesion prior to hyperglycemic ischemia: no decrease in ensuing substantia nigra pars reticulata damage or fatal post-ischemic seizures

Summary Preischemic hyperglicemia worsens brain damage after ischemia, and characteristically leads to post-ischemic seizures and a pan-necrotic lesion in substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNPR). The excitatory input to SNPR could contribute to the damage observed. By performing a unilateral frontal cortex lesion 6–19 days prior to the ischemia, we wanted to explore whether a decrease in excitatory input to the ipsilateral SNPR ameliorate the seizures or alter the light microscopical damage in SNPR. Our results demonstrate that unilateral frontal cortex lesion did not alter the development of fatal post-ischemic seizures after 10 min of ischemia in hyperglycemic subjects. Thus, 7/8 animals developed seizures and died within 20 h of recovery. This study also failed to show any difference between the left and right side in post-ischemic SNPR damage after 15 h of recovery in animals with preischemic unilateral frontal cortex lesion. Furthermore, no side difference was observed in any other brain region evaluated. The results thus suggest that the pan-necrotic lesion in SNPR after hyperglicemic ischemia is not caused by excessive excitatory input from frontal cortex. A decrease in the GABA-ergic inhibitory input from caudoputamen to SNPR may be a more important mechanism for the ensuing excitotoxic post-ischemic SNPR damage, and for seizure development.     

Differential effects of electrical stimulation of amygdala, caudate-putamen or substantia nigra pars compacta on taste aversion and passive avoidance in rats

The effect of unilateral, low-intensity subseizure electrical stimulation of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala (ABL), caudate-putamen (CD) or substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC) on the acquisition and retention of a conditioned taste aversion and a step-down passive avoidance response were compared in two separate experiments. In Experiment 1 electrical stimulation of the ABL while rats were drinking saccharin prior to poisoning with LiCl disrupted conditioned taste aversion. Stimulation of the CD or SNC had no disruptive effect on taste aversion. In contrast, stimulation at all 3 brain loci disrupted the retention of a passive avoidance response in Experiment 2. The implications of these data for the hypothesis of dual neural control systems for shock avoidance behavior and taste aversion, are discussed.     

脑内炎症对黑质多巴胺能神经元的选择性损伤作用

目的 探讨脑内炎症反应对中脑黑质多巴胺能神经元的选择性变性作用.方法 健康SD雄性大鼠10只,随机分为实验组和对照组,实验组行脂多糖(LPS)右侧脑室定位注射,对照组注射生理盐水.注射后48周用免疫组织化学或组织化学法观察黑质多巴胺能、中缝核5-羟色胺能及基底核胆碱能3种不同类型神经元的变性及上述不同脑区小胶质细胞的激活情况.结果 免疫组织化学染色显示,LPS组在黑质、海马、纹状体、中缝核部位均可见到OX6阳性小胶质细胞,说明不同脑区均出现炎症反应.不同类型神经元染色结果显示,LPS组黑质多巴胺能神经元胞体变小、染色变浅、突起减少甚至消失,神经元数量比对照组减少40.1%(P<0.01);5-羟色胺能神经元及胆碱能神经元形态及数量均无明显改变.结论脑室注射LPS导致的脑内炎症反应可选择性引起黑质多巴胺能神经元变性损伤.     

Unilateral low-frequency stimulation of central piriform cortex delays seizure development induced by amygdaloid kindling in rats

Low-frequency stimulation of the kindling site interferes with the course of kindling epileptogenesis. The present study examined the effect of unilateral low-frequency stimulation of the central piriform cortex on seizure development induced by amygdaloid kindling in rats. The ipsilateral or contralateral central piriform cortex received low-frequency stimulation (15 min train of 0.1 ms pulses at 1 Hz and 50-150 muA) immediately after termination of once daily kindling stimulation (2 s train of 1 ms pulses at 60 Hz and 150-300 microA) in the right amygdala for 30 days. Low-frequency stimulation of either the ipsilateral or contralateral central piriform cortex significantly suppressed the progression of seizure stages and reduced afterdischarge duration throughout the course of amygdaloid kindling. The marked suppression induced by low-frequency stimulation of the central piriform cortex on either side was predominantly due to the significant retardation of progression from stage 0 to stage 1 and stage 3 to stage 4 seizures. In addition, the suppressive effect of low-frequency stimulation did not disappear when the stimulation was stopped; it could persist for at least 10 days. These findings indicate that brain areas other than the kindling focus, such as the central piriform cortex on both sides, can also be used as reasonable targets for low-frequency stimulation to retard seizure development induced by amygdaloid kindling. Secondly, like the ipsilateral central piriform cortex, the contralateral central piriform cortex may also participate in the progression and secondary generalization of focal seizures. The study suggests that unilateral low-frequency stimulation of the central piriform cortex may have a significant antiepileptogenic effect, and may be helpful for exploring effective and long-lasting therapies for human temporal lobe epilepsy.     

Bilateral microinjections of vigabatrin in the central piriform cortex retard amygdala kindling in rats

The piriform cortex (PC) is the largest region of the mammalian olfactory cortex with strong connections to limbic structures, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex. Various previous studies in rodents suggest that the PC might be very important in the development and maintenance of limbic kindling, i.e. a widely used model of temporal lobe epilepsy. GABAergic inhibition in the transition zone between the anterior and posterior PC, termed here central PC, seems to be particularly involved in the processes leading to progression of kindled seizures. This prompted us to study whether elevation of GABA levels in this subregion of the PC by bilateral microinjection of vigabatrin is capable of suppressing amygdala kindling. Rats were stimulated once daily until fully kindled (stage 5) seizures had developed. Vigabatrin (10 microg) was injected 24 h before the first stimulation as well as 6 h before the 5th and 10th stimulation, which approximately doubled the number of stimulations required for kindling development compared with controls. This marked retardation of kindling acquisition was predominantly due to a significant inhibition of the progression from stage 1 to stage 2 and stage 3 to stage 4 seizures, demonstrating that microinjection of vigabatrin into the central PC markedly inhibits the progression and secondary generalization of focal seizures emanating from the amygdala.     

Selective neonatal depletion of dopamine has no effect on medial prefrontal cortex self-stimulation in the rat

The role of the dopaminergic input to the medial prefrontal cortex (MFC) on self-stimulation (SS) was investigated in adult rats injected neonatally with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Each subject on day 3 or 5 received bilateral intraventricular injection of 6-OHDA (total dose 200 micrograms, 50 micrograms/injection/2.5 microliters vehicle which contained 1 mg/ml ascorbic acid) or of the vehicle alone after pretreatment with desmethylimipramine (50 mg/kg i.p.) 30 min earlier. At 150 days of age, the animals were implanted with monopolar (100 microns) stainless steel electrodes in the MFC. One long (10 h) and 5 short (2 h) SS sessions resulted in similar percentages of responders for the brain reward in test and control subjects, and similar response rates in both groups. Biochemical assays of the levels of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in the frontal cortex showed depletion of DA 90% in the test animals, but no depletion of NE. Histochemical fluorescence visualization of the catecholamine input verified the biochemical results in the MFC. These results are viewed as negative evidence for the hypothesis that DA innervations in the MFC are critical neural substrates for SS, and suggest that activation of intrinsic neurons in the MFC are responsible for SS in the region.     

Differential behavioral effects of partial bilateral lesions of ventral tegmental area or substantia nigra pars compacta in rats

Akinesia (or absence of movement) is a prominent feature of Parkinson's disease. Akinetic symptoms, however, are also observed in depression and schizophrenia, which support the hypothesis that akinesia involves more than only motor behavior. A common feature of these disorders is the disruption of dopamine homeostasis in the CNS. Here we aimed at relating the respective involvement of the nigrostriatal and mesocortical dopaminergic pathways to akinesia. We investigated in the rat the relative effects of selective bilateral partial lesions of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) or ventral tegmental area (VTA) which did not affect locomotion, on fine motor, motivational and cognitive behaviors. Motor impairments were measured by the evaluation of fine motor control in the stepping test and in the paw reaching test. Cognitive functions were assessed by various paradigms: spontaneous alternation in the Y maze and object exploration task. Motivational behavior was evaluated by the 100-pellets test. The results suggested that specific behavioral impairments are obtained following selective lesions of either SNc or VTA. SNc-lesioned rats exhibited deficits in fine motor functions as previously described in animal models of Parkinson's disease, whereas VTA-lesioned rats demonstrated traits of perseveration without significant motor impairments.     

Bilateral lesions of the central but not anterior or posterior parts of the piriform cortex retard amygdala kindling in rats

The piriform cortex is thought to be involved in temporal lobe seizure propagation, such as that occurring during kindling of the amygdala or hippocampus. A number of observations suggested that the circuits of the piriform cortex might act as a critical pathway for limbic seizure discharges to assess motor systems, but direct evidence for this suggestion is scarce. Furthermore, the piriform cortex is not a homogeneous structure, which complicates studies on its role in limbic epileptogenesis. We have previously reported data indicating that the central part of the piriform cortex might be particularly involved during amygdala kindling. In order to further evaluate the role of different parts of the piriform cortex during kindling development, we bilaterally destroyed either the central, anterior or posterior piriform cortex by microinjections of ibotenate two weeks before onset of amygdala kindling. Lesions of the anterior piriform cortex hardly affected kindling acquisition, except that fewer animals exhibited stage 3 (unilateral forelimb) seizures compared to sham controls. Lesions of the central piriform cortex significantly retarded kindling, which was due to a decreased progression from stage 3 to stage 4/5 seizures, i.e. the lesioned rats needed significantly longer for the acquisition of generalized clonic seizures in the late stages of kindling development. Lesions of the posterior piriform cortex did not significantly affect kindling development.The data demonstrate that different parts of the piriform cortex mediate qualitatively different effects on amygdala kindling. The central piriform cortex seems to be a neural substrate involved in the continuous development of kindling from stage 3 to stages 4/5, indicating that this part of the piriform cortex may have preferred access, either directly or indirectly, to structures capable of supporting generalized kindled seizure expression.     

Orthodromic and antidromic responses of nucleus accumbens neurons to stimulation of amygdala and substantia nigra in cats

Response of nucleus accumbens neurons to stimulation of the amygdala and the substantia nigra were investigated extracellularly in anesthetized cats. They were excited by stimulation of the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus with latencies of 9.0-20.0 ms (mean 12.8 ms). About 70% of them were activated antidromically with latencies of 5.5-33.0 ms (mean 18.8 ms) following stimulation of the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The nucleus accumbens thus relays signals from the amygdaloid complex to the substantia nigra, and may act to bridge the limbic system to the basal ganglia.     

Effects of substantia nigra stimulation on hypothalamic rage reaction in cats

The effects of substantia nigra (SN) (pars compacta) stimulation on the rage reaction elicited by ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH) were investigated in the cat. The studied parameters of the rage reaction were: the current and the frequency threshold for the appearance of the hissing and the hissing latency. A facilitatory effect induced by the SN on the hypothalamic rage reaction was observed in the form of a decrease in the hypothalamic stimulus threshold for the hissing appearance and a decrease in the hissing latency. Moreover, when the VMH was stimulated with parameters below the threshold for the hissing display, simultaneous nigral activation determined its appearance. The excitatory influence exerted by the SN on the affective component of the aggressive behavior is discussed.     

State-dependent learning induced by low intensity electrical stimulation of the caudate or amygdala nuclei in rats

Low intensity stimulation of the caudate nucleus was shown to support state-dependent learning (SDL) in rats. Similar treatment of the amygdala generally indicated only marginal SDL potential. There was a suggestion, however, that stimulation of the medial area of the amygdala would provide for SDL whereas more lateral placements would not. The addition of local seizure after-discharge in the amygdala did not influence the degree of SDL. These data were discussed with respect to possible similarity of states following activation of different brain structures.     

Effect of methamphetamine on rotational behavior induced by anodal polarization of the substantia nigra in rats

The effect of methamphetamine (MAMP) on rotational behaviour was studied in rats after unilateral application of an anodal direct current (3 microA, 30 min) to the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC). The current application induced a transient increase of contralateral rotation which declined within 30 min. An intraperitoneal injection of MAMP enhanced the effects of the direct current for more than 60 min. The results suggest that anodal direct currents induce activation of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system leading to increases in rotational behavior.     

电刺激大鼠黑质网状部对脚桥核神经元自发放电的影响

目的:观察电刺激大鼠黑质网状部(substantia nigra pars reticulata,SNr)对脚桥核(pedunculopontine nucleus,PPN)神经元自发放电活动的影响,进一步探讨脑内电刺激治疗帕金森病(Parkinson's disease,PD)的机制.方法:应用细胞外记录方法观察不同...     

褪黑素对6-OHDA诱导大鼠模型黑质神经元和胶质细胞的影响

目的探察褪黑素(melatonin,MT)对6-羟基多巴(6-hydroxydopamine,6-OHDA)诱导的帕金森病(Parkinson’sdisease,PD)模型大鼠黑质神经元和胶质细胞的影响。方法选取35只成年雄性SD大鼠,随机分成正常对照组、6-OHDA处理组和6-OHDA+MT处理组,采用免疫组化染色检测各组大鼠黑质Iba1、GFAP阳性胶质细胞及多巴胺(Dopamine,DA)能神经元的形态结构变化,并进行细胞计数,蛋白印迹技术(Western blotting)检测TH、GFAP、OX42蛋白表达水平的变化。实验数据用统计学软件进行分析,P<0.05为差异具有统计学意义。结果 6-OHDA处理组黑质胶质细胞呈激活状态,且数量明显多于对照组和6-OHDA+MT处理组(P<0.05),TH阳性多巴胺能神经元数量明显少于对照组和6-OHDA+MT处理组(P<0.05),对照组和6-OHDA+MT处理组无明显差异(P>0.05);6-OHDA处理组TH蛋白的表达水平明显下调(P<0.05),OX42、GFAP蛋白的表达水平明显上调(P<0.05),对照组和6-OHDA+MT处理组无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论MT能够抑制6-OHDA帕金森病大鼠模型黑质胶质细胞的增殖和活化,并推测MT可能通过这一抑制作用保护DA能神经元。     

Mrh-aFGF对帕金森病大鼠黑质神经元的保护

目的 探讨重组人改构体酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(Mrh-aFGF) 对帕金森病(PD) 大鼠黑质神经元病变的影响。 方法 SD大鼠72只,随机分为4组：对照组、PD组、生理盐水（NS）处理组、　Mrh-aFGF 处理组,每组18只。 6-OHDA 分别注入左侧黑质和腹侧被盖区后建立PD 大鼠模型,侧脑室内注射Mrh-aFGF,用阿扑吗啡诱导旋转行为;Nissl 染色法观察大鼠黑质神经元病理学改变;电子显微镜观察黑质神经元超微结构的变化。 结果 对照组均未出现旋转行为;PD组术后旋转速度逐渐加快;NS 处理组旋转行为未见明显改善;Mrh-aFGF 处理组旋转速度明显减慢(P<0.05);PD组及NS 处理组大鼠损毁侧黑质神经元数目较健侧显著减少(P<0.05);Mrh-aFGF 处理组术后1周、2周、4周损毁侧神经元数目均较PD组及NS 处理组明显增加(P<0.05);PD组大鼠黑质神经元超微结构明显受损,出现核固缩,线粒体肿胀、嵴消失,粗面内质网扩张、脱颗粒,以及突触前后膜肿胀,突触间隙消失,Mrh-aFGF处理组黑质神经元超微结构有明显改善。 结论 Mrh-aFGF能改善PD大鼠的旋转行为,减少PD大鼠黑质神经元的丢失,并改善其黑质神经元的超微结构。     

Effects of selective mu- and delta-opioid peptides on kindled amygdaloid seizures in rats

Opioid systems seem to be implicated in the regulation of brain excitability, though in an apparently controversial way. In order to assess the involvement of mu- and delta-opioid receptors in the anti-epileptogenic properties of opioids, i.v. administrations of morphine, and of DAGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-N-Me-Phe-Gly-ol) and DTLET (Tyr-D-Thr-Gly-Phe-Leu-Thr), two peptides presenting selective agonist properties towards respectively the mu and the delta receptors, were performed on fully kindled rats. It is concluded that the mu- rather than the delta-receptors are implicated in the limitation of amygdaloid kindled seizures.