Amygdala and pyriform cortex kindling in vasopressin deficient rats (Brattleboro strain)

Homozygous and heterozygous Brattleboro rats and Long--Evans control rats were subjected to repeated electrical stimulation of the amygdala or pyriform cortex in a kindling paradigm. The homozygous Brattleboro group stimulated in the amygdala was retarded in its kindling rate relative to heterozygous Brattleboros and Long--Evans controls. The retarded kindling rate of the homozygous Brattleboros stimulated in the amygdala is attributed to a delay in seizure development at stages 1 and 2 which suggests that vasopressin may be necessary for normal kindling from the amygdala to take place.