Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Dynamic alterations in hippocampal morphology following intra-ventricular kainic acid

  • Original Works
  • Published:
Acta Neuropathologica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Several primary and secondary reactions were observed in rat hippocampus at various times following low doses of intraventricular kainic acid. The well documented fulminating lesion of subfield CA3a was evident, however, with the parameters of the present study, the acute neuronal death was restricted to areas which have been shown by others to have an exceptionally dense mossy fiber input. Neurons in subfields CA3c and CA4 also die, however, this was apparent only after a survival time of 2 weeks; prior to this, these cells went through a period of chromatolysis and dendritic swelling. In remaining subfields, principally ‘CA2’ and CA1, a third type of change was observed at longer intervals of 1 month. This was characterized by neuronal skrinkage and chromophilia and eventual cell loss. The present study provides additional observations on the actions of kainic acid in the hippocampus and may be relevant to the dynamic pathology of temporal lobe epilepsy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ben-Ari Y, Lagowska J, Tremblay E, Le Gal La Salle H (1979a) A new model of focal status epilepticus: intra-amygdaloid application of kainic acid elicits repetitive secondary generalized convulsive seizures. Brain Res 163:176–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ari Y, Tremblay E, Ottersen OP (1980a) Injections of kainic acid into the amygdaloid complex of the rat: an electrographic, clinical and histological study in relation to the pathology of epilepsy. Neuroscience 5:515–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ari Y, Tremblay E, Ottersen OP, Meldrum BS (1980b) The role of epileptic activity in hippocampal and ‘remote’ cerebral lesions induced by kainic acid. Brain Res 191:79–97

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ari Y, Tremblay E, Ottersen OP, Naquet R (1979b) Evidence suggesting secondary epileptogenic lesions after kainic acid: pretreatment with diazepam reduces distant but not local damage. Brain Res 165:362–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Ben-Ari Y, Tremblay E, Riche D, Ghilini G, Naquet R (1981) Electrographic, clinical and pathological alterations following systemic administration of kainic acid, bicuculline or pentetrazole: metabolic mapping using the deoxyglucose method with special reference to the pathology of epilepsy. Neuroscience 6: 1361–1391

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown AW, Levy DE, Kublik M, Harrow J, Plum F, Brierley JB (1979) Selective chromatolysis of neurons in the gerbil brain: a possible consequence of “epileptic” activity produced by common carotid artery occlusion. Ann Neurol 5:127–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown WJ (1973) Structural substrates of seizure foci in the human temporal lobe. In: Brazier M (ed) Epilepsy: Its phenomena in man. Academic Press, New York, pp 339–372

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammermeyer J (1972) Nonspecific changes of the central nervous system. In: Bourne G (ed) Structure and function of nervous tissue, vol VI. Academic Press, New York, pp 167–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlsen J, de Olmos J (1981) A modified cupric-silver technique for the impregnation of degenerating neurons and their processes. Brain Res 208:426–431

    Google Scholar 

  • Cavalheiro BA, Riche DA, Le Gal La Salle G (1982) Long-term effects of intrahippocampal kainic acid injection in rats: A method for inducing spontaneous recurrent seizures. Electroenceph Clin Neurophysiol 53:581–589

    Google Scholar 

  • Corsellis JAN (1955) The incidence of Ammon's horn sclerosis. Brain 80:193–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotman CW, Nadler JV (1978) Renctive synaptogenesis in the hippocampus. In: Cotman C (ed) Neuronal plasticity. Raven Press, New York, pp 227–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Coyle JT, Slevin J, London ED, Biziere K, Collins J (1980) Characterization of neuronal recognition sites for (3H) kainic acid. In: Olsen R, Yammamura W, Usdin E (eds) Psychopharmacology and biochemistry of neurotransmitter receptors. Raven Press, New York, pp 501–513

    Google Scholar 

  • Coyle JT, Zaczek R, Sleven J, Collins J (1981) Neuronal receptor sites for kainate and correlations with neurotoxicity. In: Di Chiara G, Gessa G (eds) Glutamate as a neurotransmitter. Raven Press, New York, pp 337–346

    Google Scholar 

  • del Cerro M, Cogen J, del Cerro C (1980a) Stevenel's blue, an excellent stain for optical microscopical study of plastic embedded tissues. Microsc Acta 83:117–121

    Google Scholar 

  • del Cerro M, Standler NS, del Cerro C (1980b) High resolution optical microscopy of animal tissue by the use of sub-micrometer thick sections and a new stain. Microsc Acta 83:217–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Desclin J, Escubi J (1975) An additional silver impregnation method for demonstration of degenerating nerve cells and processes in the central nervous system. Brain Res 93:25–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Falconer M (1968) The significance of mesial temporal (Ammon's horn) sclerosis in epilepsy. Guys Hosp Rep 117:1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Falconer M (1974) Mesial temporal (Ammon's horn) sclerosis as a common cause of epilepsy. Lancet 2:767–770

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster AC, Mena EE, Monaghan DT, Cotman CW (1981) Synaptic localization of kainic acid binding sites. Nature 289:73–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Franck JE (1981) The effect of kainic acid, bicuculine or neonatal febrile convulsions on hippocampal morphology. Unpublished doctoral dissertation submitted to the University of Rochester

  • Grant G (1970) Neuronal changes central to the site of axon transection. A method for the identification of retrograde changes in perikarya, dendrites and axons by silver impregnation. In: Nauta W, Ebbesson S (eds) Contemporary research methods in neuroanatomy. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 173–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Hjorth-Simonsen A (1970) Fink-Heimer silver impregnation of degenerating axons and terminals in mounted cryostat sections of fresh and fixed brains. Stain Tech 45:199–204

    Google Scholar 

  • Konigsmark BW (1970) Methods for the counting of neurons. In: Nauta W, Ebbesson S (eds) Contemporary research methods in neuroanatomy. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 315–340

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorente de No R (1934) Studies on the structure of the cerebral cortex. II. Continuation of the study of the ammonic system. J Psych Neurol 46:113–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Lothman EW Collins RC (1981) Kainic acid induced limbic seizures: metabolic, behavioral, electroencephalographic and neuropathological correlates. Brain Res 218:299–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Lothman EW, Collins RC, Ferrendelli JA (1981) Kainic acid-induced limbic seizures: electrophysiologic studies. Neurology 31:806–812

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrell F (1964) Modification of RNA as a result of neural activity. In: Brazier M (ed) Brain function II: RNA and brain function, memory and learning. University of California Press, Los Angeles, pp 183–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrell F (1969) Physiology and histochemistry of the mirror focus. In: Jasper H, Ward A, Pope A (eds) Basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. Little, Brown & Co, Boston, MA, pp 357–369

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler JV (1981) Role of excitatory pathways in the hippocampal damage produced by kainic acid. In: Di Chiara G, Gessa G (eds) Glutamate as a neurotransmitter. Raven Press, New York, pp 395–402

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler JV, Cuthbertson GJ (1980) Kainic acid neurotoxicity toward hippocampal formation: dependence on specific excitatory pathways. Brain Res 195:47–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler JV, Perry BW, Cotman CW (1978) Preferential vulnerability of hippocampus to intraventricular kainic acid. In: McGeer E, Olney J, McGeer P (eds) Kainic acid as a tool in neurobiology. Raven Press, New York, pp 219–238

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler JV, Perry BW, Cotman CW (1980a) Selective reinnervation of hippocampal area CA1 and the fascia dentata after destruction of CA3–CA4 afferents with kainic acid. Brain Res 182:1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler JV, Perry BW, Gentry C, Cotman CW (1980b) Degeneration of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells induced by intraventricular kainic acid. J Comp Neurol 192:333–360

    Google Scholar 

  • Nadler JV, Perry BW, Gentry C, Cotman CW (1980c) Loss and reacquisition of hippocampal synapses after selective destruction of CA3–CA4 afferents with kainic acid. Brain Res 191: 387–403

    Google Scholar 

  • Olney JW, Fuller T, de Gubareff T (1979) Acute dendrotoxic changes in hippocampus of kainate treated rats. Brain Res 176:91–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Pellegrino LJ, Cushman AJ (1967) A stereotaxic atlas of the rat brain. Meredith Publ, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters A, Palay S, Webster H (1976) The fine structure of the nervous system: The neurons and supporting cells. Saunders, Philadelphia

    Google Scholar 

  • Pinching AJ, Powell TPS (1971) Ultrastructural features of transneuronal cell degeneration in the olfactory system. J Cell Sci 8:253–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheibel A (1980) Morphological correlates of epilepsy: cells in the hippocampus. In: Glaser G, Penry J, Woodbury D (eds) Antiepileptic drugs: Mechanisms of action. Raven Press, New York, pp 49–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwarez R, Zaczek R, Coyle JT (1978) Microinjection of kainic acid into the rat hippocampus. Eur J Pharmacol 50:209–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartzkroin PA (1980) Ionic and synaptic determinants of burst generation. In: Lockard JS, Ward AA (eds) Epilepsy: A window to brain mechanisms. Raven Press, New York, pp 83–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartzkroin PA, Wyler AR (1980) Mechanisms underlying epileptiform burst discharge. Ann Neurol 7:95–107

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloviter RS (1981) Epileptiform hippocampal granule cell activity is neurotoxic to cells which receive mossy fiber input. Soc Neurosci Abs 7:628

    Google Scholar 

  • Sloviter RS, Damiano BP (1981) Duplication of kainic acid-induced electrophysiological effects and hippocampal damage by electrical stimulation of the perforant path. Fed Proc 40:309

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson LW, Wyss JM, Cowan WM (1978) An autoradiographic study of the organization of intra-hippocampal association pathways in the rat. J Comp Neurol 181:681–716

    Google Scholar 

  • Winer BJ (1971) Statistical principles in experimental design. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Zaczek R, Nelson MF, Coyle JT (1978) Effects of anaesthetics and anticonvulsants on the action of kainic acid in the rat hippocampus. Eur J Pharmacol 52:323–327

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biopsychology Group, University of Rochester, 14627, Rochester, NY, USA

    J. E. Franck

Authors
  1. J. E. Franck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported in part by the Hereditary Disease Foundation and by grant MH 31850 to Dr. Carol Kellogg. The author is a recipient of a postdoctoral fellowship from the Committee to Combat Huntingtons Disease. I would also like to thank Dr. Philip Schwartzkroin for his valuable input during the preparation of this manuscript. Portions of a previously published figure are reproduced with the permission of Dr. L. Swanson and the Alan R. Liss Co., New York

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Franck, J.E. Dynamic alterations in hippocampal morphology following intra-ventricular kainic acid. Acta Neuropathol 62, 242–253 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691859

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691859

Key words

Search

Navigation