The α2-agonist clonidine suppresses seizures, whereas the α2-antagonist idazoxan promotes seizures — a microinfusion study in amygdala-kindled kittens

The α2‐Adrenoreceptor Agonist Clonidine Suppresses Seizures, Whereas the α2‐Adrenoreceptor Antagonist Idazoxan Promotes Seizures in Amygdala‐Kindled Kittens: A Comparison of Amygdala and Pontine Microinfusion Effects

“…The present study extends amygdala microinfusion results by documenting similar, even more potent effects on amygdala-kindled seizure susceptibility after microinfusion into the ipsilateral locus ceruleus (LC). Preliminary findings were reported previously (21,22).…”

“…Two recent reports, one by Corcoran et al (20) and one by our group (21), indicate that localized microinfusion of a,-agonists into the amygdalakindled seizure focus reduces evoked seizure susceptibility, whereas antagonists can have the opposite effect. The present study extends amygdala microinfusion results by documenting similar, even more potent effects on amygdala-kindled seizure susceptibility after microinfusion into the ipsilateral locus ceruleus (LC).…”

“…Threshold testing began 1CL12 min postinfusion or postinsertion, consistent with response latencies of CLON and IDA on sleep and extracellular unit variables (31). Selection of dosages and postinfusion threshold testing latencies was based on pontine microinfusion effects of CLON and IDA on sleep and extracellular unit activity (31) as well as on amygdala microinfusion effects on kindled seizure thresholds (21).…”

Sleep and arousal mechanisms in experimental epilepsy: Epileptic components of NREM and antiepileptic components of REM sleep

“…These changes are hypothesized to explain the extrafocal alterations in seizure susceptibility as well as the many other behavioral sequelae of kindling, which range from sleep disorders to changes in agonist/antagonist social behaviors [Adamec, 1998;Shouse et al, 1994]. The kinds of transsynaptic effects seen in adults are not always detected in the young.…”

“…Increased NE secretion is also considered critical to selective sensory processing during wakefulness [Steriade, 1994], which is deficient in LKS and ASD. ␣2-adrenoceptor agonists (e.g., clonidine) can effectively suppress seizures in kittens as well as several behavioral symptoms of autism [e.g., Shouse et al, 1994;Stephanatos et al, 2002].…”