Lateral geniculate kindling and long-lasting photosensitivity in cats

The kindling response of the lateral geniculate body (GL) was compared with that of the amygdala, using cats. Daily electrical stimulation in the GL group led to the generalized tonic-clonic convulsion in most subjects and the resulting state of seizure susceptibility was long-lasting, as in the amygdala group. The kindling response of the GL differed from that of the amygdala in some respects, i.e., rapid kindling, short latency for seizure generalization, a different pattern of behavioral seizure development, and seizure regression during the course of kindling. The effects of photic stimulation with pentylenetetrazol administration were also examined before and after kindling in both groups. This study revealed that the photically induced myoclonus, at times proceeding to the generalized tonic-clonic convulsion, was provoked repeatedly as a result of GL kindling, whereas none of the amygdala-kindled cats showed such marked photosensitivity. These photically induced seizures were invariably observed for at least 4 weeks after GL kindling. Our results suggest that a neural mechanism participating in GL kindling is different from that in amygdala kindling, and that there might be cross-sensitization between seizure susceptibility resulting from GL kindling and photosensitivity.