Animal models of cortical dysplasia induced by carmustine

Abstract

Objective To establish the animal model of diffuse cortical dysplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods Pregnant rats were given intraperitoneal injections of BCNU on embryonic day 17 (E17). Cresyl-violet staining was applied to observe the histological changes in the cortex, hippocampus and neurons of the resulted pups at P60. EEG recordings were detected, and daily activities were observed. Hot water bath was used to induce seizures, the latency to seizure onset and duration of SE (epileptic status) were compared. Learning and memory abilities were estimated with Y maze at different time points. Results The mean wet brain weights in the BCNU-exposed pups were lower than those of controls on P0 (P＜0.01). Cresyl-violet staining revealed disruption of cortical lamination and heterotopic cell clusters within the hippocampus. Daily activities were poor in BCNU-exposed pups. No obvious epilepsia discharges were detected. After being induced seizures, adult rats with cortical dysplasia had shorter latency to seizures(P＜0.01). The frequency of attempting learning and memory of rats in model group was increased than that in normal group (P＜0.05). Conclusions Intraperitoneal injections of BCNU on embryonic day 17 (E 17) can establish the animal model of diffuse cortical dysplasia, and this model has increased seizure susceptibilities and cognitive functional impairments. Key words: Cortical dysplasia; Epilepsy; Seizure susceptibility; Cognitive functional impairments