SUPPRESSION OF DOMOIC ACID-INDUCED SEIZURES BY 8-(OH)-DPAT

Microinjections of the neuroexcitotoxin, domoic acid (DOM), in the ips ilateral rat hippocampal CA-3 region, induced generalized electrical s eizure discharge activity, characterized by spikes and waves, followed by intermittent burst discharges. Computerized EEG analysis exhibited relative dominance of delta and theta and reductions in alpha and bet a activities during domoic acid epileptogenesis. Seizure discharge act ivity was attenuated by the microinjection of the 5-HT1A agonist, -hyd roxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)tetralin(8-(OH)-DPAT) and augmented by the sp ecific 5-HT1A antagonist, spiroxatrine in the contralateral hippocampa l CA-3 region. Neuronal recovery following 8-(OH)-DPAT was associated with significant reductions in the relative dominance of delta and the ta and increases in the alpha and beta activities. The results suggest that activation of serotonergic 5-HT1A receptor in the hippocampus ha s a neuroprotective action.