Comparison of effects induced by toxic applications of kainate and glutamate by glucose deprivation on area CA1 of rat hippocampal slices.

Baseline and stimulus-induced changes in [Ca2+]o and [K+]o as well as field potentials (fp's) were studied during application of the excitatory amino acids kainate or glutamate, or during glucose deprivation in area CA1 and CA3 of rat hippocampal slices. Bath application of kainate in concentrations of 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10 mM induced a sudden rapid fall of [Ca2+]o in area CA1, associated with a negative shift of the slow fp. Kainate induced disappearance of stratum radiatum (SR) as well as alveus stimulation-evoked postsynaptic fp's, with partial recovery after application of up to 2 mM kainate, but no recovery after 5 mM kainate.