Removal of the malformation does not eliminate epileptiform activity . AP5 blocks locally evoked epileptiform activity . AMPA receptor antagonists block propagating epileptiform activity . NMDA receptors are increased in the microgyrus, AMPA receptors are increased adjacent to the microgyrus. Parvalbumin immunopositive neurons are significantly reduced within layer 3 of the microgyrus and in layers IV-V of the paramicrogyral epileptiform region, but not at 2.0 mm distant to the microgyrus.
NMDA antagonists can prevent the development of the microgyrus.
Male microgyral animals perform worse than controls at auditory discrimination tasks, making them a model for language impaired humans. Female microgyral animals are not similarly impaired. This difference is related to perinatal gonadal steroids. The AMPA receptor subunit, GluR1, is found at high levels within the microgyrus, specifically on interneurons. AP5 and DNQX is much greater in PMG cells than in controls.