(−)-(α)-Kainic Acid hydrate is widely used in neuroscience research as a potent agonist for glutamate receptors, particularly the kainate subtype. It is employed to study excitatory neurotransmission and to model excitotoxicity in neurons, which helps in understanding neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and epilepsy. Additionally, it is utilized in experimental setups to induce seizures in animal models, aiding in the investigation of antiepileptic drugs. Its role in synaptic plasticity studies further contributes to insights into learning and memory mechanisms.