Kainate receptors in epilepsy and excitotoxicity.

1. Neuroscience. 2009 Jan 12;158(1):309-23. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.02.066.
Epub 2008 Mar 8.

Kainate receptors in epilepsy and excitotoxicity.

Vincent P(1), Mulle C.

Author information:
(1)Laboratoire Physiologie Cellulaire de la Synapse, CNRS UMR5091, Bordeaux
Neuroscience Institute, University of Bordeaux 2, 33077 Bordeaux, France.

Kainate (KA), an analog of glutamate, is a potent neurotoxin that has long been
known to induce behavioral and electrophysiological seizures as well as
neuropathological lesions reminiscent of those found in patients with temporal
lobe epilepsy. More than a decade after the initial KA studies, molecular cloning
of ionotropic glutamate receptors identified a family of receptors that binds KA
with high affinity. The present review explores the links between the
epileptogenic and excitotoxic actions of KA and the function of kainate receptors
(KARs) in the activity of neuronal networks. We first present evidence that KARs
are the main targets of KA to produce the epileptogenic and excitotoxic effects
of KA and KA analogs, and we discuss the mechanisms of action of KA. Then the
review evaluates the involvement of KARs activated by the endogenous agonist
glutamate in the generation and propagation of epileptiform activity. Finally, we
report recent findings proposing KARs as targets of antiepileptic drugs and
neuroprotective agents.

DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2008.02.066
PMID: 18400404 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

Auteurs Bordeaux Neurocampus