Status Epilepticus Results in a Duration-Dependent Increased Protein Kinase A Activity in the Rat Pilocarpine Model

This study was conducted to characterize cellular changes occurring during the progression of status epilepticus (SE) that could lead to the maintenance of increased membrane excitability. SE was induced by injection of pilocarpine after which rats were monitored both electrographically and behaviorally. After various lengths of time in SE, specific brain regions were isolated for biochemical study. SE resulted in an early maintenance of PKA activity in both cortical homogenate and crude synaptoplasmic membrane (crude SPM) fractions. At subsequent stages of SE there was a significant increase in PKA activity in both homogenate and crude SPM fractions. Wester blot analysis showed that alteration of PKA protein expression was not responsible for the increase in PKA activity. These results show that SE has a significant duration-dependent effect on PKA activity. Combined with other cellular changes these findings, could represent a mechanism for the formation for potentiated seizure states like epilepsy.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anatomy & Neurobiology

Year dc:date.available

2005

Author dc:creator

• Bracey, James M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Severn B. Churn

• PKA
• seizures
• epilepsy
• pilocarpine
• Anatomy
• Medicine and Health Sciences
• Nervous System

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1256

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2255