The effect of harmaline on seizures induced by amygdala kindling in rats. (3rd June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alenajaf, Azam; Mohebi, Ehsan; Moghimi, Ali; Fereidoni, Masoud; Mohammad-Zadeh, Mohammad
• Is Part Of: Neurological research. Volume 41:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 528
• Page End: 535
• Publication Date: 2019-06-03
• Subjects: Seizures -- harmaline -- kindling -- amygdala; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1080/01616412.2019.1580460
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-6412

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : Harmaline and other beta-carbolines act as an inverse agonist for GABA-A receptors and cause central nervous system stimulation and anxiety; thus, it may act hypothetically as a potential seizure augmenter. To examine the hypothesis, the effect of harmaline during the seizures induced by amygdala kindling is investigated here. Methods : Seven groups of male rats were kindled by daily electrical stimulation of the amygdala. After being kindled, Groups I–III, respectively, received 5, 15 and 50 mg/kg harmaline through intraperitoneal injection. The rats in Groups IV and V received vehicle daily (1 ml/kg) and harmaline (5 mg/kg) daily through intraperitoneal injection. Groups VI and VII received artificial cerebrospinal fluid and harmaline (50 mM) through intraventricular injection, respectively. Results : In addition to significant increase of some seizure parameters in the fully kindled groups, harmaline significantly increased cumulative afterdischarge duration ( P < 0.05) and decreased stage 1 latency ( P < 0.01) in the acquisition groups (Groups V and VII). In Group VII, seizure duration showed a significant increase ( P < 0.01) while stage 1 latency and stage 4 latency decreased significantly ( P < 0.01). Discussion : According to the results, it is suggested that harmaline may increase neuronal activity and the production of high-frequency action potentials by stimulating NMDA receptors and inhibiting GABA receptors. Overall, drugs and plants containing harmaline may be harmful to epileptic-susceptible people during some traditionally and costume treatments, so these should be avoided.