The temporal and spatial expressions of neuropeptide Y induced by seizure in the hippocampal complex of gerbil

Recent studies reported changes in neuropeptide Y (NPY) expression induced by seizures in the experimental epileptic models. However, there have been few reports of the alteration of NPY expression in hippocampal complexes of genetic epilepsy models. In the present study, we performed spatial and te mporal analyses of NPY expression in the hippocampal complexes of the seizu re-resistant (SR) and seizure-sensitive (SS) gerbils, one of the genetic mo dels. In SR gerbils, most NPY+ cells were located at the dentate hilus (DH) and the subiculum (SC). In the pre-seizure group of SS gerbils, neurons in the DH and SC were nearly devoid of NPY immunoreactivity. Interestingly, t he acute NPY expressions were observed in these areas of the post-seizure g roup at 30 min, and its immunoreactivity was declined at 12 h after the ons et of seizure. These findings suggest that in seizure, the deficiency of NP Y in DH and SC may be one of the factors, and that the acute expression of NPY after seizure in these areas may be the compensatory response for reduc tion of seizure activity in this animal. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.