Roles of the NMDA and quisqualate/kainate receptors in the induction and expression of kindled bursts in rat hippocampal slices

Retrieval of contextual memory can be predicted by CA3 remapping and is differentially influenced by NMDAR activity in rat hippocampus subregions

Episodic memory is essential to navigate in a changing environment by recalling past events, creating new memories, and updating stored information from experience. Although the mechanisms for acquisition and consolidation have been profoundly studied, much less is known about memory retrieval. Hippocampal spatial representations are key for retrieval of contextually guided episodic memories. Indeed, hippocampal place cells exhibit stable location-specific activity which is thought to support contextual memory, but can also undergo remapping in response to environmental changes. It is unclear if remapping is directly related to the expression of different episodic memories. Here, using an incidental memory recognition task in rats, we showed that retrieval of a contextually guided memory is reflected by the levels of CA3 remapping, demonstrating a clear link between external cues, hippocampal remapping, and episodic memory retrieval that guides behavior. Furthermore, we describe NMDARs as key players in regulating the balance between retrieval and memory differentiation processes by controlling the reactivation of specific memory traces. While an increase in CA3 NMDAR activity boosts memory retrieval, dentate gyrus NMDAR activity enhances memory differentiation. Our results contribute to understanding how the hippocampal circuit sustains a flexible balance between memory formation and retrieval depending on the environmental cues and the internal representations of the individual. They also provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the contributions of hippocampal subregions to generate this balance.

Differential contribution of NMDA receptors in hippocampal subregions to spatial working memory

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity in the mammalian hippocampus is essential for learning and memory. Although computational models and anatomical studies have emphasized functional differences among hippocampal subregions, subregional specificity of NMDA receptor function is largely unknown. Here we present evidence that NMDA receptors in CA3 are required in a situation in which spatial representation needs to be reorganized, whereas the NMDA receptors in CA1 and/or the dentate gyrus are more involved in acquiring memory that needs to be retrieved after a delay period exceeding a short-term range. Our data, with data from CA1-specific knockout mice, suggest the possibility of heterogeneous mnemonic function of NMDA receptors in different subregions of the hippocampus.

Anticonvulsive effect of AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 on 4-aminopyridine-induced cortical ictal activity in rat

The effect of GYKI-52466 (1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine), a selective antagonist of AMPA receptor was investigated on the generation and manifestation of 4-aminopyridine-induced cortical epileptiform activity. In vivo experiments were carried out on pentobarbital-anaesthetised adult rats. Ictal epileptiform activity was induced by local application of 4-aminopyridine (4-Ap) to the surface of somatosensory cortex. In one group of animals, GYKI 52466 was administered intraperitoneally before 4-Ap application, in another group, the already active primary focus was treated locally by GYKI 52466. Different parameters of epileptic activity were measured and compared in GYKI 52466-treated and control animals. The results demonstrate that GYKI 52466 exerts anticonvulsive effects on both the induction and the expression of epileptiform activity, by delaying the onset of the first ictal event, decreasing the numbers and duration of ictal periods, as well as the amplitudes of epileptiform discharges both in the primary and mirror foci. However, seizure propagation to other cortical areas seemed to be facilitated. The anticonvulsive effect of GYKI 52466 was stronger in pretreatment than in treatment of ongoing epileptiform activity. As a conclusion, it is supposed that AMPA receptors are probably more dominant in the induction of epileptiform activity than in the maintenance of it, mainly through the activation of corticothalamo-cortical networks. It is also supposed that the cortical inhibition which blocks the propagation of epileptiform process might be activated mainly through non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors.

Effects of some AMPA receptor antagonists on the development of tolerance in epilepsy-prone rats and in pentylenetetrazole kindled rats

The non-selective alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonists, 2,3-benzodiazepine derivatives CFM-1 (3,5-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-1-phenyl-4H-2,3-benzodiazepin-4-one) and CFM-2 (1-(4'-aminophenyl)-3,5-dihydro-7,8-dimethoxy-4H-2,3-benzodiazepin -4-one), following intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration, were studied against audiogenic seizures in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) or pentylenetetrazole induced kindling in rats. After acute i.p. administration the ED50 values of CFM-1 against the clonic and tonic phases of the audiogenic seizures 30 min after pretreatment were 40 (16-100) and 13 (8-25) micromol kg(-1), respectively. The animals used for chronic study were treated i.p. daily (at 10 h) for 4 weeks with CFM-1 (20 or 50 micromol kg(-1)). Chronic treatment for 2 weeks with CFM-1 gave ED50 values against clonic and tonic seizures of 39 (22-69) and 16 (8-25) micromol kg(-1), respectively, whereas chronic treatment for 4 weeks gave ED50 values against clonic and tonic seizures of 42 (18-98) and 17 (7-41.3) micromol kg(-1), respectively. The duration of anticonvulsant activity observed between 0.5 and 4 h following administration of CFM-1 was similar for acute and chronic treatment. Two groups of Sprague-Dawley rats received CMF (20 or 50 micromol kg(-1)) 30 min before a subconvulsant dose of pentylentetrazole (25 mg kg(-1) i.p.) which is able to increase seizure severity in control animals (i.e., chemical kindling). Pretreatment with CFM-2 delayed the progression of seizure rank during repeated administration of pentylentetrazole. At the end of the period of repeated pentylentetrazole treatment (6 weeks) the mean seizure score was 0 in vehicle treated controls, 4.3 in animals treated with vehicle + pentylentetrazole, 2.2 in rats treated chronically with CFM-2 (20 micromol kg(-1) i.p.) + pentylentetrazole and 1.0 in rats treated repeatedly with CFM-2 (50 micromol kg(-1) i.p.) + pentylenetetrazole. CFM-2 was also able to antagonize the long-term increase in sensitivity of the convulsant effects of GABA function inhibitors in pentylentetrazole-kindled animals. Thus, the administration of a challenge dose of pentylentetrazole (15 mg kg(-1) i.p.) or picrotoxin (1.5 mg kg(-1) i.p.) 15 or 30 days after the end of the repeated treatment showed that animals treated with CFM-2 were significantly protected against seizures induced by pentylentetrazole or picrotoxin. The data suggest that, following repeated treatment, tolerance to the novel AMPA receptor antagonists does not develop (CFM-1 in genetically epilepsy-prone rats and CFM-2 in the pentylentetrazole kindling model of epilepsy). Thirteen minutes after drug injection on days 1, 14 and 28 of chronic treatment the motor impairment induced by these compounds was studied with a rotarod apparatus. The TD50 values for CFM-1 or CFM-2-induced impairment of locomotor performance were similar following acute and repeated treatment. The data also suggest that some novel 2,3-benzodiazepines may have clinical potential for some types of epilepsy.

The effect of the non-NMDA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466 and NBQX and the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist D-CPPene on the development of amygdala kindling and on amygdala-kindled seizures

A competitive (NBQX) and a non-competitive (GYKI 52466) AMPA antagonist, and a competitive NMDA antagonist (D-CPPene) were tested against the development of kindling and against fully kindled seizures in amygdala-kindled rats. GYKI 52466, 10 mg/kg given i.p. 5 min prior to electrical stimulation in fully kindled animals, reduces both the cortical after-discharge duration and the behavioural seizure score. GYKI 52466, 20 mg/kg, reduces seizure score and after-discharge duration significantly (after 5-30 min) but the animals show severe motor side effects and an irregular cortical and hippocampal EEG. Administration of GYKI 52466, 10 mg/kg, prior to kindling stimulation on days 3-8, does not slow the development of kindling. NBQX, 20 mg/kg or 40 mg/kg i.p., 30 min prior to stimulation, significantly reduces the seizure score in fully kindled animals. NBQX 20 mg/kg i.p. has no effect on the development of kindling. D-CPPene, 8 mg/kg or 12 mg/kg, 120 min prior to stimulation reduces the behavioural seizure score in fully kindled animals. D-CPPene, 8 mg/kg on days 3-8, delays the development of kindling. NMDA receptors play a key role in the kindling process. Expression of kindled seizures involves non-NMDA and NMDA receptors.