Alterations of neuronal fibers after epileptic activity induced by pentylenetetrazole: fine structure investigated by calcium cytochemistry and neurobiotin labeling (buccal ganglia, Helix pomatia).

The influence of epileptic activity on both the fine structure of neuronal processes and the subcellular distribution of calcium-binding sites was investigated in an epileptic model system, the buccal ganglion of Helix pomatia. Pentylenetetrazole was used to induce epileptic activity. Calcium-binding sites were visualized as electron-dense precipitates. Epileptic and control activity was intracellularly recorded from neuron B3 labeled with neurobiotin. After epileptic treatment, many processes contained vacuolated or electron-lucent areas next to morphologically intact areas. Most of these areas were enveloped by layers of endoplasmic reticulum. Lamellar formations of membranes occurred frequently. Calcium cytochemistry revealed a high content of dense precipitates within these formations of the endoplasmic reticulum. Local accumulations of diffuse precipitates were more frequent after epileptic activity than in controls. In contrast, structures such as lamellar bodies, cytosomes, and synapse-like formations, all of which contained many electron-dense precipitates, were apparently unchanged after epileptic activity. This study demonstrates that epileptic activity can lead to local degeneration of neuronal fibers and an associated increase in calcium-binding sites. It is suggested that calcium sequestration is locally increased within neuronal processes during epileptic activity.