Substantia nigra pars reticulata lesion facilitates kainic acid-induced seizures

The administration of subconvulsive doses of kainic acid (5 mg/kg, intraper itoneally) to rats, with lesion of the substantia nigra pars reticulata (1 week), produced high frequency wet dog shakes and severe convulsive behavio r (observed in 60% of the rats). The behavior was not observed in rats trea ted with kainic acid but without reticulata lesion. The results show that r ats with unilateral lesion of the substantia nigra pars reticulata are more vulnerable to seizure stimuli. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights r eserved.