Effects of Kainic Acid on High‐Energy Metabolites in the Mouse Striatum

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Abstract
Intrastriatal injection of either kainic acid (0.35 .mu.g) or ibotenic acid (7.0 .mu.g) in the mouse causes a profound and selective degeneration of striatal neurons accompanied by a secondary astrocytic response. The kainate injection (0.35 .mu.g) resulted in significant decrements in the striatal levels of phosphocreatine and ATP by 30 min, a progressive reduction in adenosine phosphates between 30 min-48 h and a decrease in energy charge. Whereas lactate levels increased by 44% at 2 h, glucose levels fell by 56%. Two h after intrastriatal injection of ibotenic acid (7.0 .mu.g) similar alternations in striatal high-energy phosphates and glucose disposition were found. Prior decortication protected against the neurotoxic effects of kainate in the mouse striatum and prevented the alterations in high-energy phosphates at 2 h although lactate levels increased by 212%. The neurotoxic effects of acidic excitatory amino acids apparently involve a profound activation of energy consumption by affected neurons.