Glutamatergic Regulation of the Audiogenic Seizures and Postictal Catalepsy in Krushinsky–Molodkina Strain Rats: Effects of Dizocilpine and D-Serine

The participation of the glutamatergic neurotransmitter systemin the pathogenesis of audiogenic seizures (AS) and post-ictal catalepsy(PIC) in Krushinsky–Molodkina (KM) strain rats was analyzed. Effectsof D-serine and disocilpine administration were investigated. Inintact KM rats, the intensity of AS correlates with the durationof PIC. The administration of D-serine (acute administration, dosesof 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, as well as after chronic administration—5days of 300 mg/kg, n = 34)had no significant effect on AS and PIC. Disocilpine (MK-801, anon-competitive NMDA antagonist) was administered in an acute experimentat doses of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg (n =41). MK-801 dose-dependently reduced the intensity of AS and causeda “two-wave pattern” of seizures in the most of animals, and removedPIC at a lower dose than AS seizures. PIC was completely eliminatedalready at a dose of 0.2 mg/kg, while the clonic component of ASstill persisted. Thus, it was possible to show the “dissociation”between AS and PIC. It is assumed that although dopaminergic controlis involved in the mechanisms of PIC development, glutamatergicneurotransmission is also taking part in the PIC manifestation.