Intrastriatal kainic acid- a possible model for antidyskinetic/antichoreic agents?

Bilateral intrastriatal injection of kainic acid in conscious guinea-pigs induced a spectrum of behaviours comprising: biting, seizures and hyperactivity. Preliminary findings revealed that pharmacological modification of these behaviours was possible. Metoclopramide, haloperidol, reserpine, flurazepam, quipazine, propranolol and aceperone were found to be inactive or very weakly active on the biting behaviours and seizures. Intrastriatal GABA decreased seizure activity but not the biting, whilst RS86, clonazepam, oxiperomide and tiapride decreased biting and seizures. It is suggested that intrastriatal kainate-induced behaviour may be a useful model for delineating agents with antidyskinetic or antichoreic potential. However, the spectrum of behaviour is not always consistent and the mortality rate is high over the subsequent 24 hours.