Kainic Acid Induced Seizures in Mice

Seizure-induction protocols using kainic acid (KA) were followed as described (Rojas et al., 2014 (link)). Wild type (WT) and RGS14 KO mice were individually housed in clean mouse cages without access to food and water 30 minutes prior to KA injection. KA (3 mg/mL) was prepared on the day of experimentation by dissolving KA (Tocris, 0222) in a 0.9% bacteriostatic saline solution. Mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with a single, 30 mg/kg dose of KA or 0.3 mL of saline (control). Immediately after injection, mice were monitored and scored for seizure behavior using a modified Racine scale (Racine, 1972 (link); Rojas et al., 2014 (link)). Each mouse was given a behavioral seizure score from a scale of 0–6 every 5 minutes for 90 minutes. Mice were scored based off the most severe seizure behavior that was observed during the 5 minute interval. When an mouse reached mortality, they were given a score of 7, which was not included in the mean behavioral seizure score and no further scores were given for those mice. Ninety minutes after injection, all mice were injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg diazepam to terminate seizure activity. After seizure termination, mice remained singly housed, and food (dry and moistened) and water were returned to the cage, and monitored for well-being.