Role of the Amygdala in the Hippocampal Kindling Effect of Rats

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Abstract
The role of the amygdala in the formation of the hippocampal kindling effect was investigated in rats with chronic electrode implants. The number of trials required for the establishment of hippocampal kindling was significantly shortened by either ipsilateral or bilateral amygdaloid lesions. The high amplitude spike waves in the frontal cortex and reticular formation appeared earlier in the amygdaloid lesioned rats than in the sham lesioned rats. The amygdala apparently has an inhibitory effect on the development of the hippocampal kindling effect. Either the ipsilateral or bilateral amygdaloid lesions after the establishment of hippocampocal kindling inhibited the induction of generalized convulsion by hippocampal stimulation. Three and 8 repeated daily stimulations were needed to reestablish the hippocampal kindling effect after the ipsilateral and bilateral amygdaloid lesions, respectively. These results do not coincide with the above-mentioned results indicating that the amygdala has an inhibitory role in the information of hippocampal kindling. The neuronal circuits involved in the formation of hippocampal kindling in the amygdaloid lesioned rats are apparently different from those in the intact rats.