C-Fos expression as a molecular marker in corticotropin-releasing factor-induced seizures

Expression of Fos-like protein has been shown to increase after seizures in several types of experimentally induced epilepsies. The intracerebroventricular (icy) injection of murine corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in rats (10 mu g), shows an electroencephalographic (EEG) spiking activity restricted to the amygdaloid-hippocampal area. This EEG seizure pattern represents a unique model of localized epileptic activity induced by a neuropeptide. C-fos expression after icy CRF has been considered a useful tool in mapping areas involved in stress and in seizure activity. Our results show that 1 mu g and 10 mu g CRF are able to induce c-fos activation in several brain areas. Moreover, the present study not only details c-fos expression increase in brain areas directly involved in spiking activation, such as the amygdaloid-hippocampal region, but also maps the possible contribution of other regions to seizure manifestations. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.