The influence of activation of the superior colliculi on convulsive activity during picrotoxin kindling.

Abstract

It has been demonstrated in experiments in rats in which kindling was induced by repeated subconvulsive doses of picrotoxin (1.0 mg/kg) that the bilateral microinjection of picrotoxin, bicuculline, and penicillin into the deep layers of the superior colliculi of the corpora quadrigemina leads to the appearance of a generator of pathologically intensified excitation. An increase in the latent period of the initial convulsive manifestations, the suppression of clonic-tonic convulsive attacks, as well as the prevention of generalized epileptic activity induced by the systemic utilization of picrotoxin were observed under the conditions of the appearance of a generator of pathologically intensified excitation. An inference was drawn regarding the role of the superior colliculi in the mechanisms of the suppression of convulsive activity and regarding their inclusion in the antiepileptic system.