Kainic acid‐induced limbic seizures

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Abstract
Surface and depth electroencephalograms (EEGs) were studied after intravenous injections of kainic acid (KA). High frequency oscillations and spikes appeared in the hippocampus at a dose (1 mg per kilogram) that did not affect other structures. Higher doses ≤ 4 mg per kilogram) led to electrical seizures in limbic structures, similar to those in temporal lobe epilepsy. In hippocampal slices maintained in vitro, 0.1 to 1.0 μM KA produced spontaneous epileptiform spikes, originating in CA1, and increased evoked potentials. Systemic KA is a potent means of inducing limbic seizures with a primary action in the hippocampus. We propose that this selective activation arises when KA augments excitatory glutamatergic synapses in critical epileptogenic areas, such as the CA, region of the hippocampus.