The effect of convulsions on the rectification of central nervous system disorders in epileptic mice

Physiol Behav. 1992 Nov;52(5):865-72. doi: 10.1016/0031-9384(92)90363-7.

Abstract

Abnormal behavior in epileptic mice (El mice) may be rectified after convulsive seizures. This mechanism was investigated behaviorally through measurements of ethanol-induced sleeping time and locomotor activity, as well as immunohistochemically using a microphotometry system. Decreased ethanol-induced sleeping time and increased ethanol-dependent locomotor activity in El mice as compared to ddY mice (the mother strain of El mice) were rectified by convulsions as well as the intraventricular (IVT) administration of CaCl2, dopamine, or serotonin. Also, the lower dopamine levels in the neostriatum and nucleus accumbens septi in El mice as compared to ddY mice were improved by convulsions as well as the IVT administration of CaCl2. We have previously observed that a lower level of serum calcium in El mice causes a decrease in central biogenic amine synthesis through a calmodulin-dependent system. This may increase the susceptibility to epileptic convulsions and induce abnormal behavior. Combining the present results with our previous observations, we suggest that the convulsions in El mice will be induced when the balance of physiological functions is lost, as may be seen when the biogenic amine syntheses are decreased. The serum calcium level in El mice is increased by convulsions, and an elevated serum calcium level enhances brain biogenic amine synthesis through a calmodulin-dependent system. Subsequently, biogenic amines rectify physiological disorders in El mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / physiology
  • Brain Chemistry / drug effects
  • Calcium / blood
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Chloride / pharmacology
  • Central Nervous System Diseases / psychology*
  • Dopamine / administration & dosage
  • Dopamine / metabolism
  • Epilepsy / psychology*
  • Ethanol / pharmacology
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Injections, Intraventricular
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Seizures / psychology*
  • Serotonin / administration & dosage
  • Serotonin / pharmacology

Substances

  • Serotonin
  • Ethanol
  • Calcium Chloride
  • Calcium
  • Dopamine