ABSTRACT

 Background and Aim: In this study the effect of voltage dependent calcium channels of the CA1 region of the hippocampus on the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) induced kindling and resultant learning deficits were investigated in rats.

 Materials and Methods: In this study the rats were divided into three groups. In the control group artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF) was infused bilaterally into the hippocampus. In the kindled group, 20 min after infusion of ACSF, kindling was established in rats by injection of subconvulsive dose (37.5 mg/kg i.p.) of PTZ intraperitoneally. The rats were kept under observation for 20 minutes and the convulsive responses were graded on the basis of a 5-scale criterion. In the test or verapamile group, verapamile, were injected in the hippocampus (4 m g/4 min) and after 20 min Kindling was established in rats by use of PTZ. One month after induction of kindling spatial learning and memory were tested by Morris water maze in all three groups.

 Results: The�results of this study were suggestive of a significant decrease of spatial learning in the rats of the test group.

 Conclusion: In this research, intera-hippcampal injection of verapamil significantly impaired spatial learning in rats.