The kindled amygdala model of epilepsy: anticonvulsant action of amino acid antagonists.

The amygdalas of rats were stimulated daily to produce kindled epilepsy. Superfusion of the ipsilateral ventricle allowed collection of amino acids before, during and after stimulation. At the stage where stimulation evoked full seizures there was a correlated increase in the extent of glutamate release. Other amino acids, including aspartate, showed no significant changes at this time. Aspartate, threonine and serine showed smaller responses not significantly different from those seen at the pre-kindled stage. Antagonists of excitatory amino acids (omega-phosphono-alpha-amino dicarboxylic acids) effectively antagonized both the behavioral and electrical components of the kindled seizures.