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Ontogenetic influence on rat susceptibility to lindane seizure after pretreatment with phencyclidine
Olivera Stanojlović1, Tatjana Nikolić, Dragan Hrnčić
1Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Institute of Medical Physiology Richard Burian, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Višegradska 26/II, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia. solja@afrodita.rcub.bg.ac.rs
Insights
Early postnatal phencyclidine (PCP) exposure increases brain electrical activity synchronization in rats. This heightened synchronization leads to increased susceptibility to lindane-induced seizures in both pubertal and adult animals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Early life exposure to certain neurotoxins can have lasting effects on brain development and function.
- Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic with known neurotoxic potential.
- Lindane is an organochlorine insecticide that can induce seizures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of early postnatal phencyclidine (PCP) treatment on the sensitivity of rats to lindane's pro-epileptogenic effects.
- To determine if PCP exposure during critical developmental periods alters brain electrical activity and seizure susceptibility later in life.
Main Methods:
- Rat pups were treated with PCP or saline (control) at specific postnatal days (2, 6, 9, 12).
- Animals received lindane at either postnatal day 35 (pubertal) or 65 (adult).
- Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record brain electrical activity and measure seizure latency and power spectral density.
Main Results:
- PCP-treated rats exhibited significantly shorter seizure latency times compared to controls.
- An earlier and more pronounced increase in power spectral density was observed in PCP-treated groups after lindane administration.
- Specific alterations in brain wave activity, including increased theta waves (PCP-35) and alpha rhythm (PCP-65), were noted in PCP-exposed rats.
Conclusions:
- Early postnatal PCP exposure enhances brain electrical activity synchronization.
- This synchronization contributes to increased susceptibility to lindane-induced seizures in rats.
- Developmental exposure to PCP may have long-lasting neurotoxic consequences, altering seizure threshold.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to determine the effects of early postnatal PCP treatment on the sensitivity of pubertal and adult rats to lindane proepileptogenic effects. Rat pups were treated with NaCl (0.9%) or PCP (10 mg/kg) at postnatal days 2, 6, 9 and 12. One control (NaCl-35) and one experimental (PCP-35) group have received lindane (4 mg/kg) at postnatal day 35, while others received lindane at postnatal day 65 (NaCl-65 and PCP-65). One week prior to lindane treatment three gold-plated EEG electrodes were implanted. Pubertal rats had significantly shorter latency time. After lindane, a prompt increase in power spectral density seen in PCP-treated groups vs. control was evident earlier in PCP-65 rats. The theta waves were significantly increased in PCP-35 and alpha rhythm in PCP-65 rats, when compared with corresponding controls. Postnatal PCP treatment increases the synchronization of brain electrical activity, thus contributing to the increased susceptibility to lindane.
