Dithiothreitol elicits epileptiform activity in CA1 of the guinea pig hippocampal slice

Technical Report · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6170443

Tolliver, J M; Pellmar, T C

Dithiothreitol (DTT) is a sulfhydryl reducing agent used as a radioprotectant. Exposure of hippocampal slices, for 30 min to 0.5 micromoles DTT irreversibly increased the orthodromic population spike amplitude, promoted repetitive firing and induced spontaneous epileptiform activity in the CA1 subfield. The same concentration of the oxidized form of DTT did not increase hippocampal excitability. Although the slope of the population synaptic response to afferent stimulation (popPSP) was unchanged by DTT, the duration of the popPSP was prolonged. Recurrent inhibition was unaffected. DTT probably exerts its effects through an irreversible chemical reaction with cellular components. Possible mechanisms of DTT-induced epileptiform activity are discussed.

• Research Organization: Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Inst., Bethesda, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6170443
• Report Number(s): AD-A-180917/7/XAB; AFRRI-SR-87-7
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560100* -- Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies-- Radiation Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
BODY
BRAIN
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DISEASES
DRUGS
EPILEPSY
GUINEA PIGS
HIPPOCAMPUS
INHIBITION
IRREVERSIBLE PROCESSES
MAMMALS
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NERVOUS SYSTEM DISEASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
RADIOPROTECTIVE SUBSTANCES
RODENTS
SIDE EFFECTS
VERTEBRATES