Anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze produced by kindling and low frequency stimulation of the basolateral amygdala

Young, Barbara Ann (2001) Anxiogenic and anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus maze produced by kindling and low frequency stimulation of the basolateral amygdala. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

Low frequency stimulation (LFS) has been shown to reverse long term potentiation (LTP) and block kindled seizures. Based on the premise that kindling-induced long term potentiation (LTP) in right basolateral amygdala (BLA) circuits increases anxiety, LFS should reverse kindling-induced anxious behavior. Ninety male Wistar rats were kindled in the right BLA to 4 stage 5 seizures, then administered right or bilateral BLA-LFS for 7 days. Kindling decreased open arm behavior and risk assessment in the elevated plus maze relative to control. Right LFS had no effect on behavior or seizures. Bilateral LFS increased open arm behavior and risk assessment to control levels on day 1, but did not block seizures. Risk assessment but not open arm behavior remained elevated 3 weeks later. Based on a study showing that amygdala LFS produces facilitation unless primed, it was concluded that the unprimed right BLA-LFS facilitated an already robust LTP, having a negligible effect on behavior and seizures. Unprimed left BLA-LFS, however, combined with seizure spread from kindling to produce a potentiation of the left BLA. As left BLA kindling is known to be anxiolytic, this would oppose the effect of right BLA kindling.

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