Specific lesions of rat spinal interneurons induced by systemic administration of acromelic acid, a new potent kainate analogue.

A single systemic injection of acromelic acid, a potent kainate analogue, caused behavioral and pathological effects distinct from those seen after systemic kainate. There was an initial marked tonic extension of the rat hindlimb, followed often by convulsions and, in surviving rats, by a transient flaccid paralysis and, ultimately, a persistent spastic paraplegia. Pathological examination suggested specific lesions of interneurons in the lower spinal cord with little or no damage to the hippocampal neurons preferentially affected by systemic kainate.