Audiogenic seizure induces c‐fos mRNA expression in the inferior colliculus and not in the hippocampus

A variety of sensory stimuli are known to induce epileptic seizures in humans as well as in animal models of epilepsy. Most of these animals are hereditary models, and very few are of an acquired nature. Rats exposed neonatally to propylthiouracil (PTU) have been found to show a high incidence of seizures after acoustic stimulation when mature.' Kato et al. observed the cortical EEG and behavioral abnormalities in this model, and also found increased somatostatin levels throughout the brain.2 The expression of c-fos mRNA or c-fos protein (Fos) in the brain has been extensively investigated in a number of experimental models for epilepsy. 1-5 These studies appear to share similar results on the regional expression of c-j& mRNA. The hippocampal formation is invariably involved after these seizures. We investigated the regional c-fos mRNA expression after audiogenic seizures in PTU-treated rats, using in ritu hybridization technique.