The present study investigates the expression of a tyrosine kinase rec
eptor (trkB), its specific ligands brain-derived neurotrophic factor (
BDNF) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) mRNAs in the striatum after seizures.
The result showed an increase of trkB mRNA expression, both with and w
ithout tyrosine kinase domain, in the caudate-putamen and nucleus accu
mbens, but not in the globus pallidus. This increase peaked 3 h after
treatment, and returned to normal levels by 12 h. The BDNF and NT-4 mR
NAs showed no change at any time. In conclusion, the widespread and ma
ssive trkB mRNA induction after abnormal neuronal activity suggests lo
cal trophic support for this receptor, and a potential role in basal g
anglia diseases involving non-dopaminergic components.