Kainatc receptors (K Rs) arc members of the ionotroplc glutamatc receptor family and are tetramers made up of combinations of GluR5, 6 & 7 and KAI & 2 subunits. KARs arc highly expressed in the brain where they are located both pre- and postsynaptically and regulate network function. Recent work has shown that KARs function was closely related to their subunit composition, This is best described in hippocampus where KARs regulate circuit excitability and where GIuR6 subunit has been implicated in mediating temporal lobe epilepsy. KARs are also highly expressed early in development in sensory pathways and have been shown to be involved in regulating short-term synaptic plasticity during development; however little is known about their subunit specific roles in this mechanism.