A comparative neuroethological study of limbic seizures induced by Parawixia bistriata venom and kainic acid injections in rats

A number of neurotoxins derived from arthropod venoms are known to show hig hly selective effects on nervous tissue. These neurotoxins have been proved to be extremely useful tools to investigate either convulsive or anticonvu lsive mechanisms in the nervous system. In the present work, intracerebrove ntricular injection of the crude venom from the spider Parawixia bistriata (Araneae, Araneidae) in rats induced convulsive limbic seizures (head and f orelimb myoclonus, as well as rearing and falling), Neuroethological analys is showed that the limbic seizures induced by the venom were different from those induced by kainic acid. Intravenous injection of the same venom did not induce seizures, but the neuroethological analysis showed an intensific ation of grooming behavior similar to a displaced activity. In conclusion, our experiments point that crude venom of P, bistriata may contain convulsa nt neurotoxins probably acting in limbic system structures. The mechanism o f action of these neurotoxins may be different from simple activation of gl utamatergic kainate receptors, as evidenced by a comparative neuroethologic al analysis of seizures induced by either venom or kainic acid. (C) 2001 El sevier Science Inc.