Establishment of post-status epilepticus model of temporal lobe epilepsy induced by electrical stimulation of the amygdala in rats and spontaneous recurrent seizures

Abstract

Objective To establish a reliable post-status epilepticus model of temporal lobe epilepsy in rats that mimics human temporal lobe epilepsy, and observe the occurrence of spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS). Methods Status epilepticus which was monitored for 3 h was induced by a 20-min stimulation of the amygdala ( 100 ms train of 1 ms, 60 Hz bipolar pulses, 400 μA, every 0. 5 s). Stimulated rats ( n =21 ) were monitored with a video recording system for the 3-months follow-up period to record the appearance of SRS. Results SRS (total number 181 ) were detected in 14 of the 21 animals (67％) after a latency period of 8 to 73 days (mean 43 days), including 10 times of stage 3 seizure (5.53％), 77 times of stage 4 seizure (42. 54％ ), and 94 times of stage 5 seizure (51.93％). Of all the 14 rats, the seizure number beyond 30 was observed in 3 animals, from 20 to 30 in one animal, from 10 to 20 in 2 animals, between 5 and 10 in 2 animals, and less than 5 in 6 animals. Seventy-three percent of SRS appeared during daytime (07: 00-19: 00) and 74 percent of secondarily generalized seizures occurred during daytime. Conclusion This study has been successfully designed to develop a post-status epilepticus animal model induced by electrical stimulation of the amygdale. Key words: Temporal lobe epilepsy; Status epilepticus; Model,animal