INCREASED SEIZURE SUSCPETIBILITY IN NR1 KNOCKOUT MICE OF THE NMDA RECEPTOR
Abstract number :
1.174
Submission category :
Year :
2003
Submission ID :
3728
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2003, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Victor E. Campos, Nicole R. Collins, Yuqing Li Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL
Epilepsy is caused by excessive excitation or insufficient inhibition. We have generated a cortex specific NR1 knockout of the excitatory NMDA receptor. Despite a decrease in neuronal excitability, these mice undergo spontaneous seizures. This unexpected phenotype indi cates an insufficient understanding concerning the role of the NMDA receptor in seizures.
We have characterized temporal seizure susceptibility via the administration of the chemoconvulsant pentylenetetrazol (PTZ). We intraperitoneally injected knockout and control animals and recorded seizure behavior for one hour.
We found that NMDA receptor knockout mice have significantly greater seizure susceptibility. We also found that this seizure susceptibility is age-dependant.
NMDA receptor knockout mice have increased seizure susceptibility. Furthermore, this seizure susceptibility is differentially expressed during development.[figure1]
[Supported by: National Institute of Neuronal Diseases and Stroke]