Secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2) form a diverse family of enzymes involved in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes. Common among all sPLA2 is the ability to cleave the second position of phospholipids, thereby releasing fatty acid and a lysophospholipid. Several sPLA2 have been cloned and characterized in various tissues and receptors have been identified. In the nervous system, sPLA2 groups IB, IIA, IIE, IIF, V, and XII have been identified, and binding sites for sPLA2 have been found. Here, we report sPLA2-IIE and sPLA2-X in rat brain as well as in neurons in primary culture. We furthermore confirm the presence of sPLA2-V in rat brain and demonstrate the presence of sPLA2-V in primary neuronal cultures. The distribution of sPLA2-IIE, V, and -X seems to be mainly neuronal, with the highest abundance occurring in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. We also find that sPLA2-IIE, -V, and -X are differentially induced by kainic acid. This study supports the concept that sPLA2 heterogeneity in brain is functionally relevant and responsive to seizures.