Acoustic brainstem nuclei express Fos after flurothyl-induced generalized seizures in rats

The inferior colliculus (IC) plays a key role in modulating audiogenic seiz ures (AS) in rats. We investigated whether acoustic brainstem nuclei expres s Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) after flurothyl-induced generalized seizu res in rats. Compared to controls, experimental animals showed significantl y (P < 0.05) more FLI in the dorsal and external cortex of the IC, as well as in the medial part of the medial geniculate body (MGB), perigeniculate a rea, and dorsal cochlear nucleus. No significant increase of FLI was observ ed in the central nucleus of the IC, ventral and dorsal parts of the MGB, d orsal nucleus of the lateral lemniscus, or ventral cochlear nucleus. Becaus e this pattern of FLI closely resembles that observed after AS in previous studies, these results suggest that Fos expression in acoustic brainstem nu clei is not specific for AS. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights rese rved.