Recent experimental evidence suggested that adenosine has both pre-and post-synaptic anticonvulsive actions; however, there is little information available as to the post-synaptic action. We examined the correlation between the concentration and the post-synaptic anticonvulsive action of adenosine using Mongolian gerbil hippocampal epilepsy model. The recording electrode was placed on CA-1 stratum pyramidale, and CA-1 cells were stimulated antidromically. Afterdischarges (AD) were observed following a population spike, during perfusing low calcium medium. Amplitudes of the first AD (FAD) of CA-1 were recorded before and after perfusing low calcium medium with 0 (n=8), 10 (n=7), 20 (n=10), 40 (n=10) and 80 (n=9) μmol/
l adenosine. After perfusing 0, 10, 20, 40, and 80μmol/
l, the rate of FAD were reduced significantly until 40μmol/
l (143.0±11.4, 111.6±7.0, 80.5±23.9, 56.6±19.8, 52.8±18.9%) respectively) (p<0.05). Adenosine reduces post-synaptically epileptiform activity in a concentration-dependent manner between 0 and 40μmol/
l. Adenosine plays an important role as an endogenous epileptic inhibitor, and this approach holds promise as a future therapeutic strategy for epilepsy.
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