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Study of epileptiform activity in cerebral ganglion of mud crab Scylla serrata

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Invertebrate Neuroscience

Abstract

An attempt is made to induce in mud crab (Scylla serrata) epileptiform activities that resemble the generalized epileptic seizures. Cerebral ganglion of crab was exposed in situ, to a convulsant drug pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) 100 mM, for induction of seizures. Also, crabs were pretreated with antiepileptic drug viz sodium valproate (120 μmol/l) to inhibit epileptiform activities. The surface electrical discharges of cerebral ganglion were recorded using Unkelscope (MIT, USA) in control as well as experimental animals. The cerebral ganglion of crab showed a pattern of high cerebral electrical discharges after PTZ treatment compared to control. The sodium valproate promoted sedative action in control and prevented PTZ-mediated epileptiform discharges. Glutamate and GABA contents in cerebral ganglion were assayed. Glutamate level increased (31.45%) during PTZ treatment with concomitant decrease (43.93%) in GABA. Sodium valproate had no effect on glutamate concentration, but it decreased GABA by 24.75%. The present study shows that epileptiform activities can be induced in crabs.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to University Grants Commission, India, for providing the funds.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Goa University, Taleigao Plateau, Goa, 403206, India

    K. K. Therisa & P. V. Desai

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  1. K. K. Therisa
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  2. P. V. Desai
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Correspondence to P. V. Desai.

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The authors declare that the experiments comply with the current Institutional ethical laws.

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Therisa, K.K., Desai, P.V. Study of epileptiform activity in cerebral ganglion of mud crab Scylla serrata . Invert Neurosci 11, 21–27 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10158-011-0114-5

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