Kindling of the interpeduncular nucleus and its influence on subsequent amygdala kindling in rats

We examined the effect of interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) kindling on subsequent amygdala (AM) kindling in rats (n = 9). Eleven to 15 daily IPN stimulations at an afterdischarge (AD)-inducing threshold (400-1000 microA, biphasic sine waves, 1-3 s) produced progressive AD growth (9 of 9 rats) and recruitment of behavioral seizures (7 of 9 rats). The final form of the latter was generalized tonic-clonic seizures with or without a limbic seizure component. The latter was associated with ictal involvement of AM and sensorimotor cortex. Subsequent AM kindling resulted not only in more rapid kindling, but also in tonic seizure associated with a protracted loss of postural control (5-20 s) not observed in animals undergoing AM kindling without previous IPN kindling (n = 5). These findings indicate that the IPN can be kindled and that subsequent AM kindling utilizes the proconvulsant neuroplastic changes that have been already established by IPN kindling.