Differential bicuculline-induced epileptogenesis in rat neonatal, juvenile and adult CA3 pyramidal neurons in vitro

Epileptic synapsin triple knockout mice exhibit progressive long-term aberrant plasticity in the entorhinal cortex

Studying epileptogenesis in a genetic model can facilitate the identification of factors that promote the conversion of a normal brain into one chronically prone to seizures. Synapsin triple-knockout (TKO) mice exhibit adult-onset epilepsy, thus allowing the characterization of events as preceding or following seizure onset. Although it has been proposed that a congenital reduction in inhibitory transmission is the underlying cause for epilepsy in these mice, young TKO mice are asymptomatic. We report that the genetic lesion exerts long-term progressive effects that extend well into adulthood. Although inhibitory transmission is initially reduced, it is subsequently strengthened relative to its magnitude in control mice, so that the excitation to inhibition balance in adult TKOs is inverted in favor of inhibition. In parallel, we observed long-term alterations in synaptic depression kinetics of excitatory transmission and in the extent of tonic inhibition, illustrating adaptations in synaptic properties. Moreover, age-dependent acceleration of the action potential did not occur in TKO cortical pyramidal neurons, suggesting wide-ranging secondary changes in brain excitability. In conclusion, although congenital impairments in inhibitory transmission may initiate epileptogenesis in the synapsin TKO mice, we suggest that secondary adaptations are crucial for the establishment of this epileptic network.

Phasic GABAA -receptor activation is required to suppress epileptiform activity in the CA3 region of the immature rat hippocampus

PURPOSE

  Despite the consistent observation that γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A) ) receptors mediate excitatory responses at perinatal stages, the role of the GABAergic system in the generation of neonatal epileptiform activity remains controversial. Therefore, we analyzed whether tonic and phasic GABAergic transmission had differential effects on neuronal excitability during early development.

METHODS

  We performed whole cell patch-clamp and field potential recordings in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices from immature (postnatal day 4-7) rats to analyze the effect of specific antagonists and modulators of tonic and phasic GABAergic components on neuronal excitability.

KEY FINDINGS

  The GABAergic antagonists gabazine (3 μm) and picrotoxin (100 μm) induced epileptiform discharges, whereas activation of GABA(A) receptors attenuated epileptiform discharges. Under low-Mg(2+) conditions, 100 nm gabazine and 1 μm picrotoxin were sufficient to provoke epileptiform activity in 63.2% (n = 19) and 53.8% (n = 26) of the slices, respectively. Whole-cell patch-clamp experiments revealed that these concentrations significantly reduced the amplitude of phasic GABAergic postsynaptic currents but had no effect on tonic currents. In contrast, 1-μm 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxaz-olo[5,4-c]-pyridin-3-ol (THIP) induced a tonic current of -12 ± 2.5 pA (n = 6) and provoked epileptiform discharges in 57% (n = 21) of the slices.

SIGNIFICANCE

  We conclude from these results that in the early postnatal rat hippocampus a constant phasic synaptic activity is required to control excitability and prevent epileptiform activity, whereas tonic GABAergic currents can mediate excitatory responses. Pharmacologic intervention at comparable human developmental stages should consider these ambivalent GABAergic actions.

Brain development and susceptibility to damage; ion levels and movements

Responses of immature brains to physiological and pathological stimuli often differ from those in the adult. Because CNS function critically depends on ion movements, this chapter evaluates ion levels and gradients during ontogeny and their alterations in response to adverse conditions. Total brain Na(+) and Cl(-) content decreases during development, but K(+) content rises, reflecting shrinkage of the extracellular and increase in the intracellular water spaces and a reduction in total brain water volume. Unexpectedly, [K(+)](i) seems to fall during the first postnatal week, which should reduce [K(+)](i)/ [K(+)](e) and result in a lower V(m), consistent with experimental observations. Neuronal [Cl(-)](i) is high during early postnatal development, hence the opening of Cl(-) conduction pathways may lead to plasma membrane depolarization. Equivalent loss of K(+)(i) into a relatively large extracellular space leads to a smaller increase in [K(+)](e) in immature animals, while the larger reservoir of Ca(2+)(e) may result in a greater [Ca(2+)](i) rise. In vivo and in vitro studies show that compared with adult, developing brains are more resistant to hypoxic/ischemic ion leakage: increases in [K(+)](e) and decreases in [Ca(2+)](e) are slower and smaller, consistent with the known low level of energy utilization and better maintenance of [ATP]. Severe hypoxia/ischemia may, however, lead to large Ca(2+)(i) overload. Rises in [K(+)](e) during epileptogenesis in vivo are smaller and take longer to manifest themselves in immature brains, although the rate of K(+) clearance is slower. By contrast, in vitro studies suggest the existence of a period of enhanced vulnerability sometime during the developmental period. This chapter concludes that there is a great need for more information on ion changes during ontogeny and poses the question whether the rat is the most appropriate model for investigation of mechanisms of pathological changes in human neonates.

Postnatal changes in somatic gamma-aminobutyric acid signalling in the rat hippocampus

During postnatal development of the rat hippocampus, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) switches its action on CA3 pyramidal cells from excitatory to inhibitory. To characterize the underlying changes in the GABA reversal potential, we used somatic cell-attached recordings of GABA(A) and N-methyl-D-aspartate channels to monitor the GABA driving force and resting membrane potential, respectively. We found that the GABA driving force is strongly depolarizing during the first postnatal week. The strength of this depolarization rapidly declines with age, although GABA remains slightly depolarizing, by a few millivolts, even in adult neurons. Reduction in the depolarizing GABA driving force was due to a progressive negative shift of the reversal potential of GABA currents. Similar postnatal changes in GABA signalling were also observed using the superfused hippocampus preparation in vivo, and in the hippocampal interneurons in vitro. We also found that in adult pyramidal cells, somatic GABA reversal potential is maintained at a slightly depolarizing level by bicarbonate conductance, chloride-extrusion and chloride-loading systems. Thus, the postnatal excitatory-to-inhibitory switch in somatic GABA signalling is associated with a negative shift of the GABA reversal potential but without a hyperpolarizing switch in the polarity of GABA responses. These results also suggest that in adult CA3 pyramidal cells, somatic GABAergic inhibition takes place essentially through shunting rather than hyperpolarization. Apparent hyperpolarizing GABA responses previously reported in the soma of CA3 pyramidal cells are probably due to cell depolarization during intracellular or whole-cell recordings.

Shunting and hyperpolarizing GABAergic inhibition in the high-potassium model of ictogenesis in the developing rat hippocampus

Ontogenesis of GABAergic signaling may play an important role in developmental changes in seizure susceptibility in the high-potassium model of ictogenesis in vitro. The age-dependent effects of [K(+)](o) on the reversal potential of the GABA(A)-mediated responses and membrane potential in hippocampal slices in vitro were compared with the effect of GABA(A)-receptors antagonists and GABA(A) modulators on high-potassium induced seizures in the CA3 pyramidal layer of rat hippocampus in vivo. GABA(A) responses were depolarizing at P8-12 and hyperpolarizing at P17-21. In P8-12 rats, GABA(A) responses switch their polarity from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing upon elevation of extracellular potassium. At approximately 10 mM [K(+)](o), activation of GABA(A) receptors produced an isoelectric, purely shunting response characterized by no changes in the membrane potential but an increase in the membrane conductance. In P17-21 rats, the hyperpolarizing GABA(A) driving force progressively increased with elevation of [K(+)](o). In P8-12 rats in vivo, GABA(A)-receptor antagonists did not affect the occurrence of ictal discharges induced by intrahippocampal injection of 10 mM [K(+)](o), but significantly increased seizure duration. Diazepam and isoguvacine completely prevented seizures induced by 10 mM [K(+)](o). In P17-21 rats, GABA(A)-receptor antagonists strongly increased the occurrence of ictal activity induced both by 10 mM [K(+)](o). Taken together, these results suggest that anticonvulsive effects of GABA are because of the combination of shunting and hyperpolarizing actions of GABA. Although shunting GABA is already efficient in the young age group, a developmental increase in the hyperpolarizing GABA(A) driving force likely contributes to the increase in the GABAergic control of seizures upon maturation.

Simultaneous glutamate and GABA(A) receptor agonist administration increases calbindin levels and prevents hippocampal damage induced by either agent alone in a model of perinatal brain injury

Perinatal brain injury is associated with the release of amino acids, principally glutamate and GABA, resulting in massive increases in intracellular calcium and eventual cell death. We have previously demonstrated that independent administration of kainic acid (KA), an AMPA/kainate receptor agonist, or muscimol, a GABA(A) receptor agonist, to newborn rats results in hippocampal damage [Hilton, G.D., Ndubuizu, A., and McCarthy, M.M., 2004. Neuroprotective effects of estradiol in newborn female rat hippocampus. Dev. Brain Res. 150, 191-198; Hilton, G. D., Nunez, J.L. and McCarthy, M.M., 2003. Sex differences in response to kainic acid and estradiol in the hippocampus of newborn rats. Neuroscience. 116, 383-391; Nunez, J.L. and McCarthy, M.M., 2003. Estradiol exacerbates hippocampal damage in a model of preterm infant brain injury. Endocrinology. 144, 2350-2359; Nunez, J.L., Alt, J.J. and McCarthy, M.M., 2003. A new model for prenatal brain damage. I. GABA(A) receptor activation induces cell death in developing rat hippocampus. Exp. Neurol. 181, 258-269]. We now report that KA or muscimol alone administered to immature hippocampal neurons in culture induces significant cell death as evidenced by TUNEL assay. Surprisingly, simultaneous administration of equimolar quantities of these two agonists blocks the effect of either one alone. Moreover, treatment of newborn pups results in less damage compared to either muscimol or KA alone. We further observed that immunoreactivity for the calcium-binding protein, calbindin D(28K), is increased in the brains of pups simultaneously administered KA and muscimol as compared to either alone.

CA2: the most vulnerable sector to bicuculline exposure in rat hippocampal slice cultures

The vulnerability of the CA2 sector to chronic exposure to bicuculline was investigated in rat hippocampal slice cultures. Selective neuronal cell death was observed only in the CA2 sector after exposure to 6 microM bicuculline for 12 h, but the effect of the cell toxicity extended to the CA3 sector after 24 h. The effect was increased by adding 20 microM roscovitine but was reduced by adding 200 nM omega-agatoxin IVA. Bicuculline also induced a calcium influx into neuronal cells mainly in the CA2 sector. These results suggest that CA2 is the most vulnerable sector to bicuculline exposure in hippocampal slice cultures, and that neuronal cell death in the CA2 sector involves the P/Q-type voltage-dependent calcium channel.

The A3 adenosine receptor agonist 2-Cl-IB-MECA facilitates epileptiform discharges in the CA3 area of immature rat hippocampal slices

The effects of the A(3) adenosine receptor agonist 2-Cl-IB-MECA were tested on epileptiform field potentials recorded in the CA3 area of postnatal days 10-20 immature hippocampal slices, during perfusion with the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (10 microM). Evoked potentials: 2-Cl-IB-MECA (1-50 microM, n = 17) had consistently excitatory effects, blocked by the A(3) receptor antagonist MRS 1220 (1 microM, n = 7), but not occluded in the presence of the A(1) antagonist DPCPX (1 microM, n = 12) or the A(2A) antagonist ZM-241385 (0.1 microM, n = 12). 2-Cl-IB-MECA reversed the inhibitory effects (n = 5) of the adenosine uptake blocker nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBTI, 50 microM), but did not increase its excitatory effects (n = 19). Spontaneous discharges: 2-Cl-IB-MECA (1 microM) induced them or increased their frequency in 14/30 slices, an effect reversed by MRS 1220 (n = 3), and observed also following pre-perfusion with DPCPX (n = 11), ZM-241385 (n = 11) or both (n = 10). In the presence of the A(1) antagonist DPCPX, NBTI increased the frequency of spontaneous discharges, an effect partially reversed by MRS 1220 (n = 8), thus suggesting that a rise in endogenous adenosine during disinhibition may activate A(3) receptors. In conclusion, these findings suggest strongly that activation of A(3) receptors, following a rise in endogenous adenosine (i.e. during seizures, hypoxia), facilitates excitation, thus limiting the known inhibitory and/or neuroprotective effects of adenosine in immature brain.

Modulation of muscarinic facilitation of epileptiform discharges in immature rat neocortex

We examined the cholinergic effects on epileptiform discharge generation in immature (postnatal days 10-20) rat neocortex. Evoked and spontaneous field potentials were recorded from the deep layers of neocortical slices during GABA(A) receptor blockade by bicuculline methiodide (BMI, 50 microM). The anticholinesterase eserine (10 microM) as well as the ACh-analog carbamylcholine chloride (CCh, 25 microM) decreased the amplitude and duration of evoked field potentials and in parallel, increased significantly the rate of occurrence of spontaneous discharges. These effects were reversed by the muscarinic antagonist atropine (2.5 microM, n = 20), but not by the nicotinic receptor antagonist hexamethonium (50 microM, n = 3). The M1 subtype-selective muscarinic antagonist pirenzepine (1 microM, n = 12) blocked spontaneous discharges in 8/12 slices, while muscarinic antagonists of the M2 (AFDX 116 n = 4), M3 (4-DAMP n = 4) and M4 (gallamine n = 5, tropicamide n = 6) type, all at 1 microM, only reduced their frequency. CCh-induced spontaneous discharges were blocked by the combination of the glutamate receptor antagonists AP5 and CNQX (both at 10 microM; n = 11). Gap junction blockers abolished them (halothane, n = 7) or reduced their frequency by 65% (carbenoxolone, n = 8). Inhibiting Ca2+ release from intracellular stores by dantrolene (100 microM, n = 5) or thapsigargin (1 microM, n = 5) also depressed their frequencies by 55-65%. By contrast, their rates were not altered by perfusion with high Ca2+ (7 mM; n = 6) medium, a manipulation suppressing polysynaptic connections. These findings demonstrate that activation of muscarinic receptors, notably of the M1 type, in immature rat neocortex facilitates the generation of glutamatergic epileptiform discharges. These discharges are strongly inhibited by gap junction blockers, and are also partly mediated by the, presumably muscarinic receptor-dependent, mobilization of intracellular calcium.

Membrane potential of CA3 hippocampal pyramidal cells during postnatal development

A depolarized resting membrane potential has long been considered to be a universal feature of immature neurons. Despite the physiological importance, the underlying mechanisms of this developmental phenomenon are poorly understood. Using perforated-patch, whole cell, and cell-attached recordings, we measured the membrane potential in CA3 pyramidal cells in hippocampal slices from postnatal rats. With gramicidin perforated-patch recordings, membrane potential was -44 +/- 4 (SE) mV at postnatal days P0-P2, and it progressively shifted to -67 +/- 2 mV at P13-15. A similar developmental change of the membrane potential has been also observed with conventional whole cell recordings. However, the value of the membrane potential deduced from the reversal potential of N-methyl-d-aspartate channels in cell-attached recordings did not change with age and was -77 +/- 2 mV at P2 and -77 +/- 2 mV at P13-14. The membrane potential measured using whole cell recordings correlated with seal and input resistance, being most depolarized in neurons with high, several gigaohms, input resistance and low seal resistance. Simulations revealed that depolarized values of the membrane potential in whole cell and perforated-patch recordings could be explained by a shunt through the seal contact between the pipette and membrane. Thus the membrane potential of CA3 pyramidal cells appears to be strongly negative at birth and does not change during postnatal development.

Endogenous pacemaker potentials develop into paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDSs) with application of an epileptogenic drug

Well-known invertebrate ganglia (buccal ganglia of Helix pomatia, abdominal ganglia of Aplysia californica) were used to study the contribution of synaptic potentials, central pattern generators, and endogenously generated neuronal potentials to the development of epileptiform activity. Epileptiform activity which was induced with application of pentylenetetrazol (1 to 100 mM) or etomidate (0.12 to 1.0 mM) consisted of paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDSs) recorded simultaneously from several identified neurons with sharp microelectrodes. With application of an epileptogenic drug, endogenous pacemaker potentials develop into PDSs. With increasing concentration of the drug, (i) amplitude of pacemaker-depolarizations and (ii) delay of pacemaker-repolarization increased progressively finally resulting in PDSs. Additionally, the activation characterists of currents shifted from between -50 and -40 mV (pacemaker potentials, control conditions) to between -100 and -40 mV (PDS, epileptic conditions). Only neurons which generated pacemaker potentials under control conditions could generate PDSs under epileptic conditions. Chemical synaptic inputs triggered or blocked pacemaker potentials as well as PDSs. Activities induced from central pattern generators were identified with simultaneous recordings from several identified neurons. The central pattern generators could trigger or block pacemaker potentials as well as PDSs. Results demonstrate that, in the used model nervous systems, pacemaker potentials which are generated by the single neurons are the physiologic basis of epileptic activity.

Effect of recurrent epileptiform discharges induced by magnesium-free treatment on developing cortical neurons in vitro

As seizures in infants and children often originate from the neocortex, neocortical epilepsy models may be appropriate for studying epileptiform activity and seizure-induced injury in the developing nervous system. However, the characterization of epileptiform activity or seizure-induced injury in cultured developing cortical neurons has seldom been reported. Therefore, We attempted to establish a cultured developing cortical neuronal epilepsy model, and to study the subsequent effect on neurons. Cultures were exposed to Mg(2+)-free media for 3 h, and then returned to regular media. Using whole-cell patch-clamp intracellular recording techniques, we found that spontaneously recurrent epileptiform discharges for at least 72 h could be induced after transient Mg(2+)-free treatment. Neuron morphology following Mg(2+)-free treatment demonstrated no prominent alterations. At different time points (6, 24 and 72 h) after Mg(2+)-free treatment, neuronal viability, identified by trypan blue staining and LDH activity, and apoptosis, measured by flow cytometry, showed modest but non-significant (P>0.05) changes compared with the age-matched control group after various culture periods (6 and 17 days) in vitro. Mitochondrial metabolic activity, measured by MTT assay, significantly decreased by 15% at 6 h after Mg(2+)-free treatment (P<0.05) in neurons cultured for 6 days, and at 24 h showed a 29% decrease in neurons cultured for 17 days (P<0.05). In conclusion, brief Mg(2+)-free treatment constitutes a cultured developing cortical neuron 'seizure' model, and can induce transient mitochondrial dysfunction without cell loss.

Sox1-deficient mice suffer from epilepsy associated with abnormal ventral forebrain development and olfactory cortex hyperexcitability

Mutations in several classes of embryonically-expressed transcription factor genes are associated with behavioral disorders and epilepsies. However, there is little known about how such genetic and neurodevelopmental defects lead to brain dysfunction. Here we present the characterization of an epilepsy syndrome caused by the absence of the transcription factor SOX1 in mice. In vivo electroencephalographic recordings from SOX1 mutants established a correlation between behavioral changes and cortical output that was consistent with a seizure origin in the limbic forebrain. In vitro intracellular recordings from three major forebrain regions, neocortex, hippocampus and olfactory (piriform) cortex (OC) showed that only the OC exhibits abnormal enhanced synaptic excitability and spontaneous epileptiform discharges. Furthermore, the hyperexcitability of the OC neurons was present in mutants prior to the onset of seizures but was completely absent from both the hippocampus and neocortex of the same animals. The local inhibitory GABAergic neurotransmission remained normal in the OC of SOX1-deficient brains, but there was a severe developmental deficit of OC postsynaptic target neurons, mainly GABAergic projection neurons within the olfactory tubercle and the nucleus accumbens shell. Our data show that SOX1 is essential for ventral telencephalic development and suggest that the neurodevelopmental defect disrupts local neuronal circuits leading to epilepsy in the SOX1-deficient mice.

Depolarizing glycine responses in Cajal-Retzius cells of neonatal rat cerebral cortex

We investigated the properties of glycine-induced responses in Cajal-Retzius cells, a neuronal cell type essential for the establishment of neocortical lamination. Whole-cell and gramicidin-perforated patch-clamp recordings were performed on visually identified Cajal-Retzius cells in tangential slices from neonatal rat cortex (postnatal days 0-3). With a pipette Cl(-) concentration of 50 mM, bath application of 1 mM glycine induced a membrane depolarization of 32.8+/-7.4 mV and a massive decrease in membrane resistance by 88+/-1.4%. The membrane depolarization was abolished in the presence of the glycinergic antagonists strychnine (30 microM) and phenylbenzene-omega-phosphono-alpha-amino acid (100 microM), while the GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (100 microM) and the glutamatergic antagonist (+/-)-2-amino-5-phosphonopentatonic acid (60 microM) were without effect, suggesting that the glycine-induced membrane responses were mediated exclusively by the strychnine-sensitive glycine receptor. The EC(50) for activation of glycine receptors was 0.54 mM, 1.62 mM and 2.41 mM, for the glycinergic agonists glycine, beta-alanine and taurine, respectively. Since the reversal potential of the glycine-induced currents showed a strong dependency on the intracellular chloride concentration and was virtually unaffected under HCO(3)(-)-free conditions, the activation of glycine receptors was probably linked to Cl(-) fluxes with little contribution of HCO(3)(-) ions. Perforated patch recordings from Cajal-Retzius cells demonstrated that glycine elicited depolarizing responses mediated by Cl(-) currents which reversed at -41+/-3.7 mV. In summary, from these results we suggest that Cajal-Retzius cells of the neonatal rat cerebral cortex express functional strychnine-sensitive glycine receptors that mediate depolarizing membrane responses via Cl(-) efflux.

Excitatory and inhibitory control of epileptiform discharges in combined hippocampal/entorhinal cortical slices

We examined whether epileptiform activity can be induced and prevented by mild reduction of GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibition and non-NMDA receptor-mediated excitation, respectively, in different regions of combined hippocampal/entorhinal cortical slices from juvenile rats (P15-21). We used the receptor antagonists bicuculline (GABA(A)) and CNQX (non-NMDA) as tools to investigate the sensitivities of the CA1, the subiculum (SUB) and the medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) for generating epileptiform discharges upon extracellular stimulation. We found that low concentrations of bicuculline (<3.5 microM) were enough to induce epileptiform discharges in the three regions. These discharges were similar to those observed under high concentrations of bicuculline (>10 microM) and consisted of stereotyped population bursts, recorded both extra- and intracellularly. Interestingly, the CA1 and SUB were more susceptible to generate discharges compared to the MEC in the same slices. We also found that non-NMDA excitation was critical in controlling discharges, as they were blocked by CNQX in a concentration-dependent manner. The sensitivity of the CA1 region to CNQX was lower than that of the SUB and MEC. Based on these regional differences, we show that epileptiform activity can be pharmacologically isolated within the CA1 region in the hippocampal-entorhinal circuitry in vitro.

Prolonged epileptiform bursting induced by 0-Mg(2+) in rat hippocampal slices depends on gap junctional coupling

The transition from brief interictal to prolonged seizure, or 'ictal', activity is a crucial event in epilepsy. In vitro slice models can mimic many phenomena observed in the electroencephalogram of patients, including transition from interictal to ictaform or seizure-like activity. In field potential recordings, three discharge types can be distinguished: (1) primary discharges making up the typical interictal burst, (2) secondary bursts, lasting several hundred milliseconds, and (3) tertiary discharges lasting for seconds, constituting the ictal series of bursts. The roles of chemical synapses in these classes of burst have been explored in detail. Here we test the hypothesis that gap junctions are necessary for the generation of secondary bursts. In rat hippocampal slices, epileptiform activity was induced by exposure to 0-Mg(2+). Epileptiform discharges started in the CA3 subfield, and generally consisted of primary discharges followed by 4-13 secondary bursts. Three drugs that block gap junctions, halothane (5-10 mM), carbenoxolone (100 microM) and octanol (0.2-1.0 mM), abolished the secondary discharges, but left the primary bursts intact. The gap junction opener trimethylamine (10 mM) reversibly induced secondary and tertiary discharges. None of these agents altered intrinsic or synaptic properties of CA3 pyramidal cells at the doses used. Surgically isolating the CA3 subfield made secondary discharges disappear, and trimethylamine under these conditions was able to restore them.We conclude that gap junctions can contribute to the prolongation of epileptiform discharges.

Developmental characteristics of epileptiform activity in immature rat neocortex: a comparison of four in vitro seizure models

New-onset seizures and epilepsy have a relatively high incidence in infants and children. A leading hypothesis to explain an increased seizure susceptibility of the immature nervous system involves ontogenetic changes in different neurotransmitter systems, such as specific glutamate and GABA receptors. However, few studies have directly tested this hypothesis in a systematic fashion, especially in neocortical structures, where seizures in pediatric patients frequently arise. The present study investigated developmental changes in epileptiform activity in rat neocortical slices from four age groups (postnatal days P4--7, P13--16, P23--26, P41--47) due to four pharmacological conditions (4-aminopyridine, low magnesium, picrotoxin, CGP-35348) that differentially modulate glutamate and GABA systems. A characteristic age-dependence of the incidence of epileptiform activity was observed. In all pharmacological conditions, no epileptiform activity occurred in neocortical slices from P4--7 rats. Interictal discharges, ictal events, and spreading depression had a maximal incidence at P13--16 and decreased progressively in later age groups. 4-Aminopyridine, low magnesium, and picrotoxin induced all types of epileptiform activity with a similar age-dependent pattern, despite minor differences in quantitative characteristics of epileptiform activity between these three conditions. The GABA(B) antagonist, CGP-35348, did not elicit epileptiform activity in any age group, but could potentiate synaptic potentials. These findings establish that isolated neocortical tissue intrinsically displays ontogenetic changes in seizure susceptibility independent of systemic factors. The similar age-dependent patterns of epileptiform activity with multiple drugs support a concept of global developmental changes in excitability not specifically linked to any particular neurotransmitter system.

Role of bicarbonate and chloride in GABA- and glycine-induced depolarization and [Ca2+]i rise in fetal rat motoneurons in situ

Ca(2+) imaging and (perforated) patch recording were used to analyze the mechanism of GABA- and glycine-induced depolarizations in lumbar motoneurons of spinal cord slices from fetal rats. In fura-2 ester-loaded cells, the agonist-induced depolarizations increased [Ca(2+)](i) by up to 100 nm. The GABA- and glycine-evoked [Ca(2+)](i) transients were suppressed by bicuculline and strychnine, respectively. Their magnitude decreased by approximately 50% between embryonic days 15.5 and 19.5. The [Ca(2+)](i) increases were abolished by Ca(2+)-free superfusate and attenuated by approximately 65% by nifedipine, showing that the responses were mediated by voltage-activated Ca(2+) channels. The [Ca(2+)](i) rises were potentiated by >300% immediately after removal of Cl(-) from the superfusate but recovered to values of 50-200% of control during repeated agonist administration in Cl(-)-free saline. Bumetanide gradually suppressed the [Ca(2+)](i) increases by >75%. Subsequent removal of Cl(-) reconstituted the responses and increased, upon repeated agonist application, the peak [Ca(2+)](i) rises to values above control. Removal of HCO(3)(-) from the Cl(-)-free (bumetanide-containing) superfusate reversibly abolished both the agonist-induced [Ca(2+)](i) rises and depolarizations that were reestablished by formate anions. In Cl(-)-containing superfusate, removal of HCO(3)(-) decreased both the peak and duration of the agonist-evoked membrane depolarization and [Ca(2+)](i) response. Our findings show that HCO(3)(-) efflux has a major contribution to depolarizations mediated by GABA(A) and glycine receptor-coupled anion channels in prenatal neurons. We hypothesize that the HCO(3)(-)-dependent depolarizing component, which is likely to produce an intracellular acidosis, might play an important role during the early postnatal period when the Cl(-)-dependent component gradually shifts to hyperpolarization.

GABAergic inhibition suppresses paroxysmal network activity in the neonatal rodent hippocampus and neocortex

In the adult cerebral cortex, the neurotransmitter GABA is strongly inhibitory, as it profoundly decreases neuronal excitability and suppresses the network propensity for synchronous activity. When fast, GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R)-mediated neurotransmission is blocked in the mature cortex, neuronal firing is synchronized via recurrent excitatory (glutamatergic) synaptic connections, generating population discharges manifested extracellularly as spontaneous paroxysmal field potentials (sPFPs). This epileptogenic effect of GABA(A)R antagonists has rarely been observed in the neonatal cortex, and indeed, GABA in the neonate has been proposed to have an excitatory, rather than inhibitory, action. In contrast, we show here that when fast GABAergic neurotransmission was blocked in slices of neonatal mouse and rat hippocampus and neocortex, sPFPs occurred in nearly half the slices from postnatal day 4 (P4) to P7 neocortex and in most slices from P2 to P7 hippocampus. In Mg(2+)-free solution, GABA(A)R antagonists elicited sPFPs in nearly all slices of P2 and older neocortex and P0 and older hippocampus. Mg(2+)-free solution alone induced spontaneous events in the majority of P2 and older slices from both regions; addition of GABA(A)R antagonists caused a dramatic increase in the mean amplitude, but not frequency, of these events in the hippocampus and in their mean frequency, but not amplitude, in the neocortex. In the hippocampus, GABA(A)R agonists suppressed amplitudes, but not frequency, of sPFPs, whereas glutamate antagonists suppressed frequency but not amplitudes. We conclude that neonatal rodent cerebral cortex possesses glutamatergic circuits capable of generating synchronous network activity and that, as in the adult, tonic GABA(A)R-mediated inhibition prevents this activity from becoming paroxysmal.

Long-term consequences of early postnatal seizures on hippocampal learning and plasticity

Neural activity influences the patterning of synaptic connections and functional organization of developing sensory and motor systems, but the long-term consequences of intense neural activity such as seizures in the developing hippocampus are not adequately understood. To evaluate the possibility that abnormal neural activity during early development may have long-term functional effects in hippocampal circuitry that plays a role in learning, memory and epilepsy, functional properties of hippocampal circuitry were assessed in adult rats that had experienced seizures induced by kainic acid on specific days during early postnatal development. Although previous studies have suggested that the immature hippocampus is relatively resistant to seizure-induced alterations compared with adults, independent behavioural and physiological experiments demonstrated that seizures evoked by kainic acid during early postnatal development induced a long-term loss of hippocampal plasticity manifesting as reduced capacity for long-term potentiation, reduced susceptibility to kindling, and impaired spatial learning, which was associated with enhanced paired-pulse inhibition in the dentate gyrus. The enhancement of inhibition and loss of plasticity were maximal when the seizures occurred on the first day of life, but were also observed when seizures were induced as late as postnatal day 14, which delimited a period of postnatal susceptibility in the developing rat hippocampus when disruption of normal neural activity by seizures produced consistent effects on a hippocampal-dependent behaviour and several forms of hippocampal plasticity implicated in learning, memory and the development of epilepsy in adulthood.