Kainic acid is primarily used in neuroscience research as a potent neuroexcitatory agent. It is widely employed to study excitotoxicity, a process where nerve cells are damaged or killed due to excessive stimulation by neurotransmitters like glutamate. Researchers use it to induce seizures in animal models, helping to understand the mechanisms of epilepsy and develop potential treatments. Additionally, kainic acid is utilized to investigate neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as it mimics the neuronal damage observed in these conditions. Its ability to selectively activate certain glutamate receptors makes it a valuable tool for exploring synaptic plasticity, neuronal signaling, and the effects of excitatory amino acids in the brain.