Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats
Published on: November 8, 2018
Low concentration of DL-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate induces epileptiform activity in guinea pig hippocampal slices
1Institut für Physiologie, and Institut für Experimentelle Epilepsieforschung, Universität Münster, Münster, Germany. gorjial@uni-muenster.de
Purpose:
The specific mechanisms by which low concentrations of cyclosporine induce seizures and low concentrations of phencyclidine provoke behavioral excitation remain to be elucidated. Both compounds block N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The aim of this study was to determine if low concentrations of the NMDA-receptor blockers increase the seizure susceptibility.
Methods:
Guinea pig hippocampal slices were exposed to artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing the NMDA blocker dl-2-amino-5-phosphono-valerate (APV; 0.1-10 microM). Extracellular field potentials were recorded from CA1 and CA3 regions.
Results:
Low concentrations of APV induced epileptiform burst discharges (0.1-0.25 microM), whereas higher doses failed to decrease the seizure threshold (1-10 microM).
Conclusions:
The results indicate that the excitatory effect of low concentrations NMDA blockers may play a role in the neurotoxicity of aforementioned substances.

