The effects of pentylenetetrazol on molluscan neurons. I. Intracellular recording and stimulation

Primed-burst potentiation occludes the potentiation phenomenon and enhances the epileptiform activity induced by transient pentylenetetrazol in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices

The effects of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) following induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) on population spikes in CA1 of hippocampal slices were investigated. Population spikes were evoked by activation of Schaffer collaterals with a range of stimulation intensities. LTP was induced using θ-pattern primed burst tetanic stimulation. Changes in the population spike amplitude and number of population spikes were used as indices to quantify the effects of PTZ exposure in the control (non-tetanized) and LTP (tetanized) conditions. The amplitude of population spike was measured 20 min before, during 20 min chemical application (3 mM), and also after 30 or 60 min washout period. In non-tetanized slices, the population spike input-output curve was significantly increased 20 min after PTZ application and persisted at least for 60 min. Multiple population spikes or after potentials also appeared, but did not persist. When PTZ was applied on tetanized slices, 60 min after LTP induction, the amplitude increase produced by PTZ was smaller than the increase seen in the control condition. Also LTP induction preceding PTZ exposure increased the number of population spikes evoked by stimulation of Schaffer collaterals. It is concluded that a transient PTZ application produces a long-lasting increase in population spike amplitude. Primed burst LTP occludes PTZ-induced potentiation while also increasing the epileptogenic effect of PTZ.

Intracellularly applied anti-P70 antibody blocks the induction of abnormal membrane properties by pentylenetetrazole in identified Euhadra neurons

Using the voltage-clamp technique combined with pressure injection, we have studied the action of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) on identified Euhadra neurons by examining how the PTZ-induced changes in membrane properties are affected by an antibody against P70, a protein found in the experimentally-induced epileptogenic cortex of rats. Intracellular injection of anti-P70 antibody blocked the induction by PTZ; bursting activity with both of development of negative slope resistance region in the steady state 1-V curve and a reduction in the delayed outward potassium current. These results suggest a novel mechanism of action for PTZ, involving intracellular protein(s) which react with anti-P70 antibody.

The effects of malignant glioma on the EEG and seizure thresholds: an experimental study

Generalised or partial seizures are a common problem with many supratentorial gliomas. Their underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are poorly understood. To investigate this problem clinical and EEG seizure thresholds were investigated in experimental rodent gliomas using the epileptogenic drug pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Mixed C6/A15A5 malignant gliomas were grown in adult Wistar rats after unilateral stereotactic implantation of a 50:50 cell mix into the caudoputaminal region. Eleven to 14 days later EEG (raw and spectrally analysed) was recorded bilaterally from the frontal and parietal regions under mixed alpha-chloralose and urethane anaesthesia. Baseline EEG (15 minutes), EEG during and after (30 minutes) PTZ infusion (100 microliters/min) and the time to appearance of seizure manifestations after starting PTZ were recorded. Fourteen animals were studied (5 normal, 5 with tumours, 4 sham implants) and mean BP, PaCO2, PaO2 and temperature were similar in the three groups. Baseline raw EEG showed predominate slow wave activity with lower amplitude and less spontaneous activity overlying tumours. Following PTZ infusion a sequence of vibrissal twitching (following a mean of 14.5 mg/kg PTZ in control and sham animals); jaw/nasal twitches (17.5 mg/kg); fore and hind limb jerking (46 mg/kg); myoclonic jerking (47 mg/kg); and status (77.5 mg/kg) was observed. The seizure thresholds for all PTZ induced seizure phenomena were, except for status epilepticus, highest in the tumour bearing animals. The time to 70% seizure activity on the EEG was also significantly longer in the tumour bearing animals. Spectral analysis of the EEG, although showing increased alpha and theta activity after PTZ infusion, did not discriminate between the three experimental groups either before or after PTZ activation. These studies have confirmed that experimental gliomas alter baseline EEG and both the EEG and behavioural response to PTZ. The reasons for the raised seizure threshold in the glioma bearing animals and the relevance of this experimental paradigm to human tumour associated epilepsy are discussed.

Potassium currents in epilepsy: effects of the epileptogenic agent pentylenetetrazol on a cloned potassium channel

The effect of the epileptogenic agent pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on the cloned rat brain potassium channel Kv1.1 (labelled also RCK1) was investigated in the Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system. The Kv1.1 channel was affected by PTZ in a voltage-dependent manner. PTZ increased the potassium currents at more negative potentials and decreased them at more positive potentials. At a potential of -50 mV the potassium currents were increased by 0.97 and at -20 mV decreased by 0.21 of control value with 100 mmol/l PTZ. The potential at which the inversion from increase to decrease occurred was -33 mV. The inactivation characteristic of the current was shifted to more negative potentials by PTZ. The PTZ effect was obtained at a threshold concentration of 1 mmol/l and increased with rising PTZ concentrations. After removal of the tissues covering the oocyte membrane, the PTZ effect was augmented; with a concentration of 10 mmol/l PTZ the potassium currents at 0 mV were decreased by 0.04 in oocytes with covering tissues and by 0.27 of control value in oocytes without covering tissues. Under current-clamp conditions, PTZ decreased small depolarizations and increased larger depolarizations. This effect of PTZ represents a 'discriminatory function' that may contribute to epileptogenesis in nervous tissues.

Phase-shifting of a neuronal circadian pacemaker in Bulla gouldiana by pentylenetetrazol

1. The convulsant agent pentylenetetrazol generates compound action potential activity from the circadian pacemaker cells in the Bulla retina. 2. The phase response curve to 3 hr pulses of pentylenetetrazol consists of only phase delays which occur following pulses delivered in the early subjective night. 3. Phase shifts to pentylenetetrazol are independent of extracellular calcium since they persist in a low-calcium EGTA solution.

Effects of pentetrazol on neuronal activity and on extracellular calcium concentration in rat hippocampal slices

Effects of pentetrazol (PTZ) were studied on neuronal responses in dentate granule cells and area CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells with intra- and extracellular recording techniques. PTZ induced spontaneous epileptiform field potential transients in areas CA3 and CA1, but not in the dentate gyrus. The concentration optimum for induction of spontaneous epileptiform activity was 2 mM. The epileptiform activity compared in many respects to that induced by GABA antagonists such as picrotoxin, bicuculline and penicillin. Paired pulse stimulus induced responses were affected by concentrations of 0.5 mM. In the concentration range 0.5-2 mM mostly disinhibitory effects were noted. Stimulus induced Ca2+ concentration changes were found to be maximally augmented at concentrations of 2-5 mM. In this range, intracellular studies revealed a block of frequency habituation and an increase in input resistance. The convulsant action of PTZ decreased at concentrations above 5 mM, probably due to a decrease of inward currents. We suggest that the action of PTZ in screening studies for anticonvulsants is mostly due to a decrease of GABAA-receptor mediated IPSPs.

Differential effects of pentylenetetrazole on ion currents of Aplysia neurones

The effect of the convulsant drug pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) on separated membrane current components has been studied in identified voltage-clamped Aplysia neurones. External PTZ blocks the voltage-dependent Na+, Ca2+ currents and the delayed rectifier current (INa, ICa and IK,V, respectively). The amplitude of the Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK,Ca) is increased. The amplitude of the fast inactivating K+ current (IA) is transiently increased at low concentrations of PTZ but is depressed at higher concentrations or after long-lasting application of the drug. The effect of PTZ on leakage current (IL) seems to depend on the cell type. In some cells (R-15, L-7, LP-1) IL is decreased while it is increased in other cells (L-11, BL-1, BR-1). PTZ accelerates the inactivation of IK,V and IA and shifts the current-voltage relation of ICa to negative voltages by 5-8 mV. Pressure injection of PTZ into the neurone did not affect IK,V or IK,Ca. Thus PTZ seems to act on the outside of the plasma membrane. The effect of external PTZ on INa, ICa, IK,V and IL is also observed if the internal Ca2+ activity is buffered with EGTA suggesting that an increase in the internal Ca2+ activity is not involved. At -40 mV PTZ induces a tetrodotoxin-insensitive inward current carried by Na+ ions. PTZ transforms the beating pacemaker cell L-11 into a bursting pacemaker and the bursting pacemaker cell R-15 exhibits 'square-wave'-like oscillations of the membrane potential.

Geniculate spikes during epileptic seizures induced in dogs by pentylenetetrazol and bicuculline

Previous studies have indicated that in cats generalized seizures induced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) or bicuculline (BIC) may be preceded by high frequency multi-unit activity in brain-stem structures. This activity is not readily demonstrable using conventional EEG recording bandwidths and precedes the onset of spikes and spikes-wave activity in thalamo-cortical systems. Recording with chronic subdural and depth electrodes during PTZ and BIC-induced seizures in 18 dogs essentially replicated these results. However, a new and consistent finding was that the high frequency discharges accompanying seizure onset were most often seen, and most often appeared first, in the lateral geniculate body, neocortex and hippocampus being involved later. The findings are considered to suggest a significant role for subcortical structures in this particular model of generalized cortico-reticular epilepsy.

Potassium, pentylenetetrazol, and anticonvulsants in mouse hippocampal slices

We studied the effect of varying potassium (K+) concentrations on spontaneous and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced population burst discharges in mouse hippocampal slices. Standard techniques were used to obtain extracellular recordings in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices from Swiss-Webster mice (21-28 days old). No spontaneous burst discharges occurred at 3.25 mM K+, but population bursts were observed in 20 and 90% of the slices at 6.25 and 9.25 mM K+, respectively. In the presence of 3.25 mM K+, PTZ produced bursts in 12% of the slices at a concentration of 200 micrograms/ml, in 36% at 300 micrograms/ml, and in 40% at 400 micrograms/ml. Slices exhibiting no burst discharges in the presence of 6.25 mM K+ could be induced to do so with the addition of PTZ; bursts were produced in 11% of these slices at a PTZ concentration of 100 micrograms/ml, in 65% at 150 micrograms/ml, and in 87% at 200 micrograms/ml. The PTZ-induced bursting activity was reversible. Clonazepam abolished the bursting elicited with 200 micrograms/ml PTZ at 6.25 mM K+, and phenytoin reduced, but did not stop, bursting activity. Ethosuximide (ETH) was ineffective in stopping or reducing the burst discharges at a concentration of 125 micrograms/ml ETH was there a consistent reduction in the frequency of population bursts. The induction of PTZ discharges in the hippocampal in vitro preparation offers the advantage of a simplified model for studying the pharmacology of antiepileptic drugs.

The effect of pentylenetetrazol on inward currents of non-bursting neurons and its role in plateau formation

The epileptogenic drug, pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) produces paroxysmal depolarization shifts in molluscan neurons that are similar to PDSs seen at a mammalian epileptic focus. Most research on molluscan neurons indicates that PTZ acts by altering ionic somatic conductances. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of PTZ on inward currents in isolated neurons of the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, and to investigate how these altered currents might lead to the production of PDSs. In concentrations from 10 to 60 mM, PTZ decreased maximum inward current conductance and shifted the inactivation and activation curves to the left with the former shift being consistently greater. There was no change in reversal potential or time constants for activation and inactivation of inward currents. The effects of the PTZ-induced alterations in the inward currents were studied by incorporating them along with alterations of outward currents seen in this and other studies in a computer model for molluscan neuronal firing. The composite model reproduced in large part the intermediate changes in electrical activity seen before the development of the PDS as well as the PDS.

Effect of epileptogenic agents on the incorporation of 3H-glycine into proteins in the cat's cerebral cortex

Filter paper strips soaked in 3H-glycine solution were applied to acoustic cortex of cats, anaesthetized with Nembutal and pretreated with epileptogenic agents (Metrazol, G-penicillin, and 3-amino-pyridine) and cycloheximide. The untreated contralateral hemisphere served as control. After 1 h incubation, both cortical samples were excised simultaneously and fixed in Bouin solution for autoradiography. Incorporation was blocked by cycloheximide. There was no glycine incorporation on the penicillin-treated side, while pyramidal cells were intensively labelled in layers II-V of the mirror focus. 3-Aminopyridine produced the same result. Metrazol as convulsant proved to be far weaker than the previous two. The intensity of incorporation was significantly more intensive in the mirror focus than in the primary one. Penicillin and 3-aminopyridine, while provoking cortical seizures, seem to inhibit glycine incorporation into a neuron-specific, function-dependent protein contained by the labelled cells in the autoradiogram.

On modelling the variability of interspike intervals during epileptic unit activity

In spite of the fact that the participation of well defined ionic particles in generating convulsive unit discharges is established, there is a gap between the data on ionic movements and on first-order statistics of firing patterns. Our aim was to tight this gap by studying the effectiveness of functionally separated electrical conductances of membrane during the generation of consecutive interspike interval histograms (IIHs) of unitary discharges. On account of the non-stationarity of the process curve fitting analysis which based on the simple modifications of the integrate-and-fire model has been implemented in the sequential interspike interval histogram procedure (SIIH). The experimental data were recorded from cat cortex treated with 3-Aminopyridine (3-Ap) by glass microelectrodes during nembutal anesthesia. Assuming the normal distribution of input parameters it is concluded, that the efficiency of the fluctuations of the active spike-generating conductance gg and the passive diffusional conductance gl may increase during the generation of the unimodal IIHs and the first mode of the bimodal IIHs. The simple conductance coupling gl=gg + b may participate in gg activation, moreover, the reciprocally coupled mechanism gg=c/gl may be driven by gl activation (a, b, c are the coupling constants). A temporal separation of processes governed by gg or gl respectively was observed. The time-independent occurrences of the reciprocally coupled conductance processes may be involved in the unit activities represented by the prolonged IIHs and second modes of the bimodal IIHs.

Convulsants (benzylpenicillin and pentylenetetrazol) on potential clamped myelinated axons from the rat

The effect of two convulsants, benzylpenicillin and pentylenetetrazol, was tested in potential clamp experiments on single rat myelinated nerve fibres. 10 mM concentrations did not affect the permeability properties of the nodal membrane. The convulsive action is therefore probably not mediated through changes in the excitability of central axons.

The effects of pentylenetetrazol on molluscan neurons. II. Voltage clamp studies

The effects of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) upon the steady and transient outward ionic currents during PTZ-induced prolonged depolarizations were investigated using voltage clamp techniques. PTZ causes a 5-35% reduction in gL and a 40-60% reduction in steady-state gK. There is also a marked reduction in the activation of gA of Connor and Stevens6 at all clamp potentials; a shortening of the time constant for the inactivation of gA; and a 10-15 mV shift in the depolarizing direction of the curve relating the steady-state inactivation of gA to membrane potential. The equilibrium potentials for both gA and gK are depolarized by 20 mV in PTZ solution. Equation and voltage clamp data for normal repetitive firing were integrated with the normal and PTZ-alered data. Solution to these equations demonstrated: (1) normal repetitive firing in response to a constant current stimulus; and (2) PTZ-altered repetitive firing that was in the direction of, and for the most part, similar to the observed behavior.