[Disorders in the behavioral development of rats in ontogeny after a single administration of quinolinic acid].

Repetitive administration of quinolinic acid (QUIN, 50 mg/kg) induced generalized seizures only in 11-12, but not in 2-3, or 5-6 day rat puppies. Behavioural patterns characterizing postnatal development were registered within 3 months. Hyperactivity, increased thresholds for nociceptive reaction, as well as a the impairment of memory and learning were found in rats treated with QUIN at the age of 5-6 days. Disturbances in postnatal development are presumably due to the sensitivity of the brain tissue to QUIN and to the critical period of development of the central nervous system. It is suggested that the syndrome of minimal brain disfunction may be related to accumulation of QUIN at critical periods in the development of the nervous system.