INTERLEUKIN-1-ALPHA IN THE BRAIN IS INDUCED BY AUDIOGENIC-SEIZURE

We examined the expression of the sleep-inducing cytokine interleukin- 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) in the brains of audiogenic seizure-susceptible m ice subsequent to the induction of sound-induced seizure. Animal model s of epilepsy often require lesioning or trauma that may nonspecifical ly alter IL-1 alpha expression. To avoid this, we employed the Frings mouse strain; a model of auditory-evoked reflex epilepsy. Frings mice were exposed to a high-intensity sound stimulus to induce a tonic exte nsion seizure, and the expression of IL-1 alpha transcripts in differe nt brain regions was measured thereafter. Compared to control animals, IL-1 alpha transcripts were elevated 6 to 8 h postseizure in the hypo thalamus, but not hippocampus, by a dexamethasone-sensitive pathway. S imilar results were obtained from the genetically distinct DBA/2J audi ogenic seizure-susceptible mouse strain. These findings demonstrate th at the expression of IL-1 alpha is altered following generalized seizu re activity, induced by noninvasive sensory stimulation, in a brain-re gion-specific manner. (C) 1997 Academic Press.