The neuropeptide Galanin (GAL) is widely distributed throughout the brain.So far, three galanin receptors have been cloned: GalR1, GalR2 and GalR3.GAL has been reported to exert anticonvulsant effects in animal models.However, only a limited number of studies have attempted identification of the GAL receptor subtype(s) involved in this effect.Here, we investigated seizure-induced changes in mRNA levels of GAL and its receptors following pilocarpine-inducted status epilepticus (SE) and subsequent epileptogenesis.Relative changes in gene expression were assessed with quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry.Pilocarpine-treated and control rats were sacrificed at three different time points following SE: acute phase (24h),latent period (7 days), and chronic epileptic period (8 weeks).Total RNA was isolated from both dorsal and ventral hippocampus and processed for qPCR using GAPDH as internal control for quantification.In the acute seizure phase, a significant up-regulation of GAL mRNA was detected in the hippocampus.Moreover, GAL-positive cells appeared in the hilus of the dentate gyms, stratum radiatum of CA1 and stratum lucidum of CA3 while GAL was depleted in noradrenergic fibers, implicating an increase of GAL synthesis and release in the acute seizure phase.Gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase of transcripts of GalR1 and GalR3 24 hours following SE.In the dorsal hippocampus, increased levels of GalR1 mRNA were observed in the latent period and in the chronic epileptic period.Taken together, these data suggest that adaptiye changes occur in the GAL system during epileptogenesis, that may affect its antiepileptic effects and should be taken into account when attempting to pharmacologically modulate this system.