Ultrastructure of hippocampal field CA1 in rats after status epilepticus induced by systemic administration of kainic acid.

The ultrastructure of hippocampal field CA1 in rats was studied 14 days after status epilepticus induced by administration of kainic acid. Structural changes were seen in 40% of cells, predominantly interneurons, which showed both reversible changes (mitochondria with an electron-dense matrix or small numbers of short cristae, moderate dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) cisterns, and small numbers of ribosomes) and more significant abnormalities: swollen mitochondria with very small numbers of cristae, which were partially degraded, some with damaged mitochondrial membranes, along with pathologically damaged RER components and focal or peripheral chromatolysis. Chromatolyzed areas sometimes contained membrane-like includes and vacuoles.

Effect of acoustic stimulation on cell composition of auditory brain structures in Krushinskii-Molodkina rats.

We studied the effect of acoustic stimulation on cell composition of auditory brain structures in Krushinskii-Molodkina rats. Significant structural changes in the inferior colliculi of rats with high seizure activity were revealed 1 month after acoustic stimulation. Therefore, this brain structure plays a role in the development of audiogenic epileptic activity.

Cellular composition of the piriform cortex of the rat brain in experimental epilepsy.

The cellular composition of all layers of the anterior, central, and posterior parts of the piriform cortex of the rat brain was studied two weeks and one month after specific electrical stimulation (kindling) of the ventral hippocampus. Stereomicroscopic analysis at both two weeks and one month after kindling showed significant decreases in the numbers of pyramidal cells and interneurons in all layers of all parts of the piriform cortex. At two weeks, the numbers of pyramidal cells and interneurons in the central part of the piriform cortex also decreased in rats in which electrodes were inserted into the ventral hippocampus but without stimulation.