Figure 5.

Spontaneous absence seizures in GAERS are reduced by intra–thalamic injection of δ subunit–specific antisense ODNs. (a) Graph showing the effect of intra–thalamic injection in GAERS of 1 and 2 nmol site⁻¹ δ subunit–specific antisense ODNs, and 1–2 nmol site⁻¹ non–specific missense ODN, on the time spent in seizure. Values were normalised to the time spent in seizure prior to ODN injection. (b) Comparison of the total number of SWDs following antisense (1 nmol site⁻¹, light grey column; 2 nmol site⁻¹, grey column) and missense (white column) ODN administration. Values were normalised to the number of seizures prior to ODN injection. (c) Effect of 2 nmol site⁻¹ missense (white column) and 2 nmol site⁻¹ antisense (grey column) administration on tonic current amplitude. Values were normalised to the average tonic current amplitude in age–matched, untreated GAERS. (d) Brain section showing that the spread of 2 nmol biotinylated antisense ODN is restricted to the VB thalamus 24 hrs after unilateral injection into the right hemisphere. Arrows indicate the termination of the cannulae in both hemispheres. (b) ^‡ and *, P < 0.05 1 and 2 nmol antisense ODN, respectively; ** P < 0.01. (b) and (c) * P < 0.05 and ** P < 0.01. Number of animals in (b) as in (a). Number of recorded neurons in (c) is as indicated.